East Lancs Now 122

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Issue. 122 - Aug - 2020 0115 6972677 | www.wilcopmedia.co.uk | sales@wilcopmedia.co.uk

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STAY ALERT - CONTROL THE VIRUS - SAVE LIVES

Get ready for more al fresco eating and drinking in Burnley this summer

Bungalow in Stunning Hurst Green Development from Just £65,000

see page 3..

Helping taxi drivers recover from lockdown

see page 6..

The government has enacted changes to pavement café licensing. Owners need a licence to place tables and chairs outside their café, bar or restaurant on the highway.

The changes aim to offer a more quicker application process for a pavement café licence.

The change is a temporary measure to support businesses

selling food and drink, because social distancing guidance reduces the number of customers that can be served indoors. Use of outdoor spaces is also seen as a positive way to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Licences are valid for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months (not beyond the end of 30

September 2021), under the Business and Planning Act 2020.

The council is entitled to charge a fee for the licence application, the maximum being £100.

However, Burnley Council has decided to set the fee at just £25, unless the applicant is in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief, Discretionary

Business Rates Relief or Mandatory (Charitable) Relief in which case it will be free of charge. Councillor Gordon Birtwistle, Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “We have set the fee to help as many businesses as possible.”

If you wish to apply for a new pavement café licence please visit https://www.burnley. gov.uk/residents/streetscene/engineeringservices/pavement-licence Or email: pavementlicence@burnley.gov.uk

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Congratulations to this year’s allotment photo awards winners!

Derek Denwood picks up prizes for best new plot and best photo, Fran Vigano for best CTC allotment plot and Julian Kowak for best young gardener.Runners up include Victor Land, Milo Kenyon and Ben Hewson.

Councillor Alice Mann, Chairman of the Allotments Committee says, “The before and after photos Derek submitted show how much hard work has been put into his plot this year”.

“This year’s competition has been tough to judge because it is clear how much time and effort entrants have put into their plots. Photos have shown bountiful crops, wellorganised raised-beds and creative constructions from trellises to scarecrows.”

Judges were delighted to see the enthusiasm of entrants in the Young Gardener category hearing how they have been making banana compost and growing on their allotments and at home. Colne Town Council manages over 140 allotments around Colne over 21 sites. The Allotments

have proved a great reason for people to get out and dig during this year’s lockdown.

Colne Town Council’s Allotment community is

growing with waiting lists on many sites, but don’t let that put you off as waiting lists help the Council assess demand.

If you are interested in an Allotment plot, please contact Colne Town Council’s Allotment Officer, Eugene Dennison on 01282 332037 or email allotments@colnetowncouncil.org. uk

Help shape the story of our borough

and write its future says Council Leader Communities across St Helens are being urged to take part in a consultation to help determine the long-term vision for the borough.

St Helens Borough Council is launching its initiative to get people across St Helens talking about what they think the future of the borough should look like, how they think local services could be delivered and what role local people could play in this delivery.

The consultation will also ask people about their experiences in the last few months of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and how we can build a future that will put the borough on track to support the changing needs of its communities, some brought on by Covid.

Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “From the start of this pandemic the spirit and strength of our communities has shone through. We created #StHelensTogether because by working in partnership we

can achieve so much more.

“We want to harness this feeling of togetherness and build on it. My Cabinet and I are absolutely committed to striking a new relationship with our residents, businesses and community groups. One that puts more power in to their hands and enables them to work with us to help shape our services, and borough, of tomorrow.

“We are keen to listen and learn from our communities, so that we can refocus our resources in the areas that best meet the needs of our residents. Your answers will help inform what our priorities will be and by working together we will achieve our goals and unlock St Helens Borough’s full potential.

“This is your opportunity to shape the story of our borough

and help write its future.”

The consultation launches on Thursday 16 July initially with an online survey. There will also be further opportunities to take part in a series of online consultation drop-ins. The consultation will run for 6 weeks until Friday 28 August. Those completing the survey will also be entered into a prize draw with a chance of winning one of three £100 high street shopping vouchers.

The online survey takes around 5-10 minutes to complete and is available here: www. sthelens.gov.uk/consultations

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Bungalow in Stunning Hurst

Green Development from Just £65,000 An ancient ash tree is at the heart of a stunning Hurst Green development featuring an affordable bungalow for a local person aged over 55.

And the two-bedroom shared ownership bungalow at The Warren could be yours from just £65,000. Eight out of nine affordable properties at the picturesque development, which is clustered around a village green featuring a majestic 200-year-old ash tree, have already been snapped up. And just one two-bedroom bungalow specifically for the over-55s is left on a shared ownership basis. Shared ownership

allows you to buy between 25 and 75 per cent of a property, with an affordable rent on the remainder. This equates to £65,000 for a 25 per cent share of The Warren bungalow, with £447 monthly rent, or £130,000 for a 50 per cent share and £298 rent.

Ribble Valley Borough Council joined forces with top North West developer Hillcrest Homes and affordable housing specialist Heylo Housing to make some of The Warren properties available to local people.

Bridget Hilton, chairman of the council’s health and housing committee, said:

“The provision of rural affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges we face and we work closely with our housing partners to address this problem. “We are delighted that these properties were made available in Hurst Green, where affordable property is particularly scarce, especially at a development of this quality.

“I would encourage interested people aged over 55 with a local connection to shout up now if they are looking for an affordable bungalow at this stunning development.”

House prices in Ribble Valley are way above the national

average and over 100 more houses for affordable rent, shared ownership, discount sale, rent-tobuy or specifically for the over-55s will be available throughout the borough over the coming months to people with a local connection.

To register for The Warren bungalow or any affordable property in Ribble Valley, phone the council’s housing team on 01200 425111.

coronavirus is a restless virus COVID-19 is a restless virus. It disperses like sparks through the stubble, changing the landscape of and location of risk very rapidly.

Blackburn with Darwen is not now alone in having to escalate its local response to Covid-19. It has been joined by the whole of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire in a ‘northern towns’ group of local authorities. Each of these are now also introducing extra measures aimed at reducing social contacts in order to prevent the community transmission of the virus.

We recognise the regulations governing this situation are now quite complex so Blackburn with Darwen Council and others are putting a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section on the council website to clarify the ‘dos and don’ts’ for us all.

Rates and risks of further Covid-19 transmission are also rising across the UK. This

is due to the increased amount of social contacts occurring since lockdown lifting. We are seeing the embers of the first wave of the pandemic fanned into small fires in some areas. Post lockdown lifting spikes in infection rates are also occurring across the world, with Australia, Spain and Hong Kong for instance having to re-impose stricter lockdown measures again.

The progress in reducing the number of new cases of Covid-19 in the UK northern towns is being reviewed weekly with central government, but the new regulations will last a minimum of two weeks. We do not expect any change in the current regulations before August 19.

Testing is still the main way we will shut down community transmission of the virus.

Our vision of where we need to go to next with testing is becoming clearer each week.

We are now exploring how we can start ‘hyperlocal testing’.

This will involve looking at the postcodes of confirmed cases on one day – and on the next day getting swabs delivered house to house in that local area, getting the swabs tested, people informed of their results and their contacts traced immediately.

If we can do this locally and rapidly we will dramatically reduce the time from infection to self-isolation.

Blackburn with Darwen has been testing at a rate of between 500 per 100,000 and 250 per 100,000 over the past three weeks. It has been regularly in the top national five testers- which is excellent.

The national average is about 94 per 100,000 and many local authority areas are testing at rates between 50 and 80 per 100,000.

There is currently no standard metric of the number of tests per 100,000 that a local authority area should test at to get the ‘real rate’ of Covid-19 in their area. It is therefore not really clear how the UK

knows what the ‘real rate’ of Covid-19 is across the country.

For Blackburn with Darwen we know we have a high rate of infection and our chief control measure is ‘Test, Test, Test’.

We are doing well with that – but let’s do even better, together.

If the promised new technology of a portable machine that can produce a test result within ninety minutes is available to us soon, we could test high rate areas, test all residents on those streets, track their contacts and test them all in the same day.

This would transform our capacity to shut down the chain of transmission and reduce the spread of the virus across the community.

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New green ‘Gluttons’ need names!

The latest hi-tech weapons in the fight against litter have been unveiled – but Bolton Council needs your help to name them!

The council has bought three advanced self-propelled ‘Glutton’ street cleaning machines which run solely on electric power.

They will be used in Bolton town centre and rotated around district centres, and the council has also refurbished three existing machines.

They have a large extendable nozzle which can reach into nooks and crannies that traditional equipment struggles to access.

A total of £66k has been spent on the specialist machines, paid for from the council’s £1.5m Cleaner and Greener Fund which was set up last year to clean up the borough.

The council now wants people to come up with appropriate names for the distinctive giant vacuum cleaners. Cllr Adele Warren, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services Delivery, said: “These new machines are amazing.

They are perfect for town centres as they can access areas such as

alleyways and pedestrianised areas that larger machines struggle to get to. “They are also very environmentally friendly and produce no Carbon Dioxide. In an ideal world nobody would drop litter, but unfortunately some people still think it is acceptable to do so and these machines are vital in ensuring our town centres look their best.

“They will make a big difference in keeping our borough clean and picking up more litter. Now we need your help to name them!”

Email neighbourhood servicesinbox@bolton.gov. uk with suggestions for new names for the Gluttons by July 31.

Or submit your suggestion via social media – message @ BoltonCouncil on Twitter or Facebook.

The best names will be chosen by the council and new plates will be made for the machines.

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New advice issued to prevent a local lockdown Residents across the borough of Rochdale are strongly advised to take extra precautions to help prevent coronavirus lockdown measures being reintroduced.

More cases of the virus have been uncovered since testing in Rochdale was increased last month and the borough now has one of the highest rates of infection in England.

From 29 June 2020 - 12 July 2020, the borough of Rochdale had the fourth highest rate of cases per 100,000 population in England behind only Leicester, Blackburn and Bradford.

Although the numbers are still well below those seen in Leicester where a local lockdown has been introduced, the number of cases in the borough of Rochdale are not falling quickly. To help prevent a

local lockdown being brought in everyone is strongly advised to adhere to the following measures: • Wear face coverings in shops now – do not wait until 24 July 2020.

• Wear face coverings in public as much as possible.

• Limit visitors to your home to 2 people.

• Keep 2 metres apart at all times.

• Avoid physical contact with anyone outside your own household, including shaking hands or hugging.

• Get tested and isolate if you are told to do so.

The advice is effective from Friday, 17 July 2020 and will be reviewed in 2 weeks' time.

The council's director of public health, Andrea Fallon, said: "The fight against coronavirus is not over.

Although lockdown measures are being relaxed across the country, we can see from our local data that we need to remain vigilant to the threat posed by the disease.

"We have increased testing and that has shown us that we need to take action and ask everyone to help keep our infection rate down."

Council leader Allen Brett said: "All of us need to do whatever we can to keep the virus under control. Although we are a long way from the Leicester situation, we cannot be complacent and it is vital that everyone does what they can to keep this virus under control."

Residents can book a coronavirus test by calling the free phone number 0808 1964 100 to book an appointment or by visiting the NHS website.

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Anglers Asked to ‘Take 5’ as Popular River Reopens for Fishing

Anglers can now return to the River Ribble at Edisford in Clitheroe, but they are being asked to ‘Take 5’ home with their tackle.

Fishing passes are now on sale for the popular spot following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

But Ribble Valley Borough Council is backing an Angling Trust campaign asking anglers to take five pieces of litter home with them, regardless of where or what they fish for, or whose litter it is. Littering and fly-tipping is a significant problem in Ribble Valley, with 60 fly-tips a month alone.

And after just one recent hot weekend council workers collected over 300 bags of rubbish – enough to fill eight transit vans – from the Edisford riverbank.

Stuart Carefoot, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community committee, said: “The last few months have been a testing time and highlighted the importance of public spaces for our health and wellbeing.

“The lifting of lockdown restrictions has seen people getting out and enjoying open spaces, but sadly this has been accompanied by unprecedented amounts of litter.

“It’s a big ask, but if every angler in the UK supports the Take 5 campaign in just a year 15 million pieces of litter would be removed from the environment.

“We are warmly inviting anglers back to our rivers and would like to thank them for stepping up to help us tackle this problem.”

Dr Emily Smith, environment manager for the Angling Trust, said: “Our Take 5 campaign encourages anglers to spend five minutes after fishing to collect litter, or simply take five pieces of litter home with them.

“This will make such a huge difference and reduce the risk of wildlife getting trapped in bottles, cans or cutting themselves on glass.

“The angling community has really taken to this campaign and we feel it is something that could be adopted by everyone who enjoys the countryside.

“With over 60 million people in the UK, if we all made this small gesture once a year it would result in a staggering 300 million pieces of litter being removed from the environment.”

Fishing permits in Ribble Valley start from £16.50 a day for local adults (£7.80

for juniors and seniors) to just £53.40 for a season for local adults (£22.90 for juniors and seniors).

Adult visitors can expect to pay from £20.20 to £66.60, depending on the duration of the permit, with substantial discounts for juniors and seniors. To buy a fishing permit or for information on angling staycations in Ribble Valley, phone the Platform Galley and Visitor Information Centre in Clitheroe on 01200 425566. The Angling Trust represents angling in England and Wales, and campaigns to protect fish and fishing.

Further information is available at anglingtrust.net.

TAKE 5 FACTS: • In one weekend alone alone, Ribble Valley Borough Council workers collected over 300 bags of rubbish – enough to fill eight transit vans – from the Edisford riverbank • Litter has doubled on the UK’s beaches over the last 20 years • 500,000 pieces of litter make their way into the sea from UK rivers every year • There are roughly 46,000 pieces of plastic litter for every square mile of sea • Micro-plastics are found in fish destined for dinner plates.

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Walk on through Bury’s beautiful nature, guided by local experts Residents are to be helped to discover the beautiful countryside and nature on their doorsteps through a new book of 13 guided walks [https://www.gmwalking. co.uk/bury-self-led-walks].

The compilation of selfguided walks in each of Bury’s six townships was launched this week by Bury Council together with a small group of walk leaders and community volunteers.

They met at Burrs Country Park to enjoy a 2.5 mile walk alongside the River Irwell, with views of the East Lancashire Railway.

Bury Council has worked with local walking group leaders to compile two recommended routes for each of Bury’s six townships. There is also an additional town centre walk around heritage and cultural attractions, to celebrate Bury’s Town of Culture status.

Each walk has an easy to read illustrated map and simple step by step directions.

They are between 1.7 miles and 3.5 miles in distance and should take between an hour and an hour and a half for most people. The nature walks include circuits along the River Irwell at Summerseat, Prestwich and Radcliffe, Elton reservoir; as well as from Greenmount, and through Chesham Wood and Ainsworth Wood.

The town centre walk takes in the East Lancashire Railway, Transport Museum, Robert Peel statue, The Rock, Bury Market, Kay Garden, the Fusilier Museum, Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre, the Victoria Wood statue and The Met. The number of people walking regularly leapt up during the coronavirus lockdown as people took advantage of their

daily exercise slot to explore their local areas.

Now community leaders want to support people to continue to keep active and enjoy the parks, green spaces, rivers and open areas that are close to where people live.

The booklet is particularly aimed at people of any age who would prefer to walk with friends or family at a time suitable to them, rather than as part of an organised event.

Brian Oseman, from Bury, is one of around 10 health walk group leaders who helped to choose the routes in the booklet. He said: “These are all tried and tested routes selected from our favourite walks. There are wooded areas, rivers, lakes and points of interest along the way and they are suitable for most people. “It was lovely to see so many families out walking during the lockdown

period and these walks are an ideal way for them to keep discovering the local area.”

David Haywood, from Elton, also used to lead the health walks before the covid-19 pandemic. He said: “Sometimes we had more than 20 people taking part, which is quite a large group, so it will be great for more people to discover these walks by themselves using these maps.

“I hope it will mean that more people can discover what is on their doorsteps.

People say to us that they have lived in an area all their lives and never seen the places they discover on foot.

“Walking and being outside in the fresh air also brings great health benefits, and they are all places you can get to by foot without a car or bus.”

Cllr Lucy Smith, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “We’re very lucky in our borough

Local Projects to support Lancashire's Economic Recovery With work now focusing on setting out Lancashire’s economic priorities we are keen that projects to boost business growth, job creation, skills and employment within West Lancashire are recognised within the wider Lancashire plans.

Councillor Ian Moran Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council and lead for Economic Regeneration said "West Lancs has an

important part to play in the sustainable economic recovery of Lancashire. We have some significant and exciting projects that will bring economic benefits to bounce back from the impact of Covid and make our economy more resilient than ever."

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has recently published its plans for the county's economy. Even though there is less reference

to West Lancashire projects we will be working hard to support the Covid-19 Recovery Plan and the longer term strategic ambition for Lancashire.

We are supporting the local economy and the opening of high street in a number of ways and have recently issued in the region of £22 million in grants to West Lancashire businesses whose trade was impacted by the lockdown.

to be close to many green spaces, parks, hills, rivers and reservoirs on our doorstep. “We planned this booklet before the Covid-19 pandemic, but taking daily exercise during the lockdown has been a great pleasure for many people and we want that to continue. “Stepping

out for a walk is good for our physical and mental health and it’s something that can be done by most people with no more equipment than a pair of sturdy shoes and a coat in case it rains.

“We hope people will explore these walks time and again and make walking

outdoors part of a healthier active lifestyle that everyone within the communities and neighbourhoods of Bury can enjoy.”

Printed booklets will be available to collect from Bury Town Hall and from local libraries and leisure centres when they reopen.

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Helping taxi drivers recover from lockdown Urgent measures to help taxi and private hire drivers recover from the economic effects of coronavirus. The proposals will ensure that licences up for renewal will not lapse and that drivers and vehicles can continue to operate despite difficulties caused by the lockdown.

They are: • To extend by three months all current vehicle licences which were due for renewal between July and September.

• To extend by three months all vehicle licence tests, both

renewal and interim, that were due this financial year.

• To postpone medical examinations for three months due to drivers having difficulty in getting appointments, with drivers required to self-certify in the meantime.

• To issue 12-month licence renewals rather than the usual three-year licences, so drivers have to find only one-third of the cost now. These proposals are due to be presented to the council’s emergency powers group tomorrow.

All taxis will continue to

operate safely and meet MOT requirements. Councillor Jane Black, cabinet member for the cultural economy, said: “Like many people, taxi and private hire drivers have been badly hit during the coronavirus lockdown, and suffered a major drop in their income due to the requirement for people to stay at home.

“We hope that the measures we’re announcing tomorrow will give them some muchneeded help as we leave the lockdown and go back to business as usual.”

Borough's parks set for big pathway makeover Work to improve the main paths in the borough’s parks will start later this year as Wigan Council looks to improve accessibility for residents.

The work will be undertaken in a phased approach starting with five key locations: Central Park in Atherton, Jubilee Park in Ashton-inMakerfield, Pennington Hall Park in Leigh, Alexandra Park in Newtown and Ashfield Park in Standish.

These five parks have been prioritised based on footfall and their current condition.

Once repairs in the first phase have been completed then officers will move forward with plans for other main

parks. Two of the principles set out in the Deal 2030 are to create an environment to be proud of and one that inspires residents to seek a healthy and active lifestyle - which is why the investment is so welcomed.

It's hoped that better access to facilities in borough parks will encourage more residents to use public open spaces and as a result produce mental and physical health benefits.

Councillor Nazia Rehman, cabinet member for finance, resources and transformation, said: “This work across our parks will help to enhance the amazing green spaces we are lucky to have in the borough

and will benefit local families and young people first and foremost.

“Wigan Council has always been committed to the longterm improvement of our parks and open spaces owing to the health benefits and social value they bring to our communities.

“If anything, the pandemic and enforced lockdown has highlighted the importance of our outdoor spaces and this investment will encourage more of us to keep happy and healthy.”

The decision to act now comes after years of general wear and tear which have led to areas of pathways becoming damaged and uneven.

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New funding announced for voluntary and community groups Local groups from the voluntary, not for profit and charitable sectors are now able to apply for grant funding.

The Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership is accepting applications to the Voluntary and Community Grant Scheme, which provides funding to applicants whose work contributes towards the Partnership's priorities.

Applications need to demonstrate that they will support communities to be: • Free from the harm of domestic abuse and violence.

• Free from the harm of organised crime and exploitation.

• Safe from crime and antisocial behaviour.

• Able to live, work, learn and socialise in harmony in their communities.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture for Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Now more than ever, it's crucial we work closely with our communities and partners to support everyone to feel safe in the borough so we are delighted to offer this

opportunity to our community again.

"However, as life looks quite different, we want applications to reflect the new ways of working making sure proposals respond to new challenges and opportunities available in supporting people."

Rochdale Connections Trust was one of the successful applicants in 2019.

They funded a domestic violence and abuse worker responsible for working with women accessing existing programmes and providing an increased package of holistic support. The role has been able to adapt through coronavirus by providing regular phone support and has supported several women into a refuge and into their own accommodation.

Early Break also received funding in 2019. Early Break offers free counselling, support and treatment for drug and alcohol use to anyone aged 21 or under.

They used the funding to deliver outreach on the streets of Rochdale engaging with over 500 young people.

Through collaborative

working with Rochdale Youth Service, their outreach work has continued through coronavirus addressing the new challenges that brings.

Councillor Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Thank you to everyone who has made a real difference with last year's funding.

I have been very impressed to see how organisations have adapted throughout coronavirus, making sure residents are supported in new ways.

If you would like to contribute to making the people of borough feel safe please don't hesitate to apply." The grants have been devolved to the council for the 2020/21 financial year by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to encourage voluntary, not for profit and charitable groups to develop and deliver projects that support local priorities. Applications will be considered by a panel and decisions will be made on the proposed projects against

the criteria set, and must be submitted by a registered charity, or a constituted voluntary, community sector or not for profit organisation.

• Find full information on grant funding and apply • If you have any questions, please email community. safety@ rochdale.gov. uk

• You can also call 01706 924821.

Applications are now open and will close on Wednesday, 5 August 2020.

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Indoor Leisure Centres and

swimming pools set to reopen West Lancashire Borough Council has been working closely with West Lancashire Community Leisure Trust and Serco to develop a detailed plan to reopen leisure facilities safely. Banks Leisure Centre, Burscough Racquets and Fitness Centre, Nye Bevan Pool in Skelmersdale and Park Pool in Ormskirk will all reopen on a phased basis that will initially involve reduced opening hours. This will allow us to fully assess levels of public demand and confidence following the COVID closures and will also allow enhanced cleaning protocols to be put in place.

Government guidance regarding the safe reopening of Leisure Centres will be strictly adhered to and will involve enhanced social distancing. This will mean that customers will need to pre-book for all activities including those that they would normally just turn up for such as using the fitness suite and casual swimming.

Numbers in the fitness suite will be reduced to allow safe space for one user per

100 square feet and wider lanes will be in place within Swimming Pools.

Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Human Resources, commented; "We are delighted to be able to reopen our Leisure Centres again after a closure of over three months. These facilities are vital in providing residents of West Lancashire with opportunities to exercise and improve their Physical and Mental Health. From an economic perspective the closure period has also provided significant financial challenges for Leisure Centres across the country and we are aware of some facilities that have been forced to close permanently during this period. Reopening on a phased basis will allow the Council time to carefully assess levels of demand without committing significant cost."

Full details of the reopening plans are available on the West Lancashire Leisure website www.westlancsleisure.com

Campaign launched to discourage laughing gas drug use During the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a perceived increase in the use of the ‘party drug’ nitrous oxide (N20) in St Helens Borough and across the UK – evident due to the increase in related drug paraphernalia like canisters and balloons being littered in parks, open spaces and alleyways.

Now St Helens Borough Council is launching its ‘N2Othing to Laugh About’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of using the drug and rebuke those who leave drug related litter in public spaces. Nitrous oxide is commonly known as ‘NOS’ or ‘laughing gas’. It’s a colourless gas which when used as a drug is dispensed from a small silver metal canister into a container, such as a balloon or plastic bag and inhaled from the container for a short-lived high. Supply of nitrous oxide for recreational drug use is illegal. This means anyone found to be selling, possessing to sell, or giving

away nitrous oxide to be inhaled as a drug could face up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine. It is legal to possess for personal use – but usage does come with risks. It can cause dizziness, nausea, hallucinations and acts as a depressant. Mixing nitrous oxide with other substances increases the risks, as do underlying health conditions, and improper use. For instance, inhaling directly from the canister can cause suffocation, frostbite and even death. Commonly used around festival scenes, its use has increased locally, in part due to the restrictions and closure of bars and clubs and its immediate accessibility.

The campaign will shed

light on these risks and urge users to dispose of their litter properly. Councillor Jeanie Bell, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “While legal to possess for personal use, use of nitrous oxide as a drug is by no means harmless and can carry serious risks when used improperly or mixed with other substances. Associated drug litter and anti-social behaviour blight our parks and open spaces, causing great harm to the environment

and our community pride.

Please consider the dangers, and consider others.”

Report drug related litter to the council’s Contact Centre online at www.sthelens.gov. uk, call 01744 676789 or through the council’s app – search ‘St Helens’ in your app store. To discuss concerns about a young person’s nitrous oxide use or any other drug or alcohol use – call the Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team on 01744 677990 or visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/ ypdaat for support.

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St Helens Borough leisure centres to open in phased return St Helens Borough Council leisure facilities will reopen to the public from Monday 27 July as part of a phased return, with a number of measures in place to keep visitors and staff safe.

All council-maintained leisure centres closed on Friday 20 March in adherence to government guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus – however Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, recently announced that these types of services can reopen from Saturday 25 July as part of the country’s

recovery from COVID-19.

The reopening will be done over three phases.

Phase one: Monday 27 July · Parr Swimming and Fitness Centre will open its gym, and both Queens Park and Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness will open their gyms and exercise classes.

Phase 2: Monday 3 August · Queens Park and Newtonle-Willows Health and Fitness will open their swimming pools.

Phase 3: Monday 10 August · Ruskin Sports Village, Sutton Leisure Centre and

Newton-le-Willows-Health and Fitness will open their outdoor facilities (grass pitches, artificial turf pitches and track) · Sutton Leisure Centre, Queens Park and Newton-leWillows Health and Fitness will open their sports halls.

To ensure members of the public continue to encounter a safe experience on their visit to a St Helens Borough leisure centre, a series of measures have been introduced, such as pre-booked visits only; one way systems; Perspex screens on reception counters; and

sanitising stations thought the facilities. Meanwhile, all transactions have been moved to cashless – and to limit the number of face to face interactions, all gym inductions will be made available through online video tutorials, with membership sign up also moved to this method.

Toilet access will be available - but on Government advice, changing rooms will only be available to customers with disabilities and additional needs for the time being.

At this point in time, no date has been set for recommencing swimming lessons or opening Willowbees Adventure Play, based at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness.

Following the success of its online content, Go Active which has more than 7,000 registered members - will also continue to offer its online class content which has proved popular over the past few months, with thousands of people taking part in

various fitness classes suitable for all abilities. St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Libraries, Arts and Heritage, Councillor Anthony Burns, said: “It is recognised nationally the key role sport and physical activity will play in the recovery from this pandemic.

“It is a key priority for the council helping people in our communities to improve their physical and mental health.

Our leisure centres are central to this aim and provide an excellent environment to help keep us physically and mentally healthy.

“Our leisure centres welcome more than a million visitors a year, generating much needed income to the council, so I’m delighted that a number of our facilities will be reopening their doors in a phased return as we adapt to the ‘new normal.’

“Speaking of adaptation, our leisure service staff have been sensational throughout

this pandemic, continuing to provide a quality service which has seen a huge uptake in virtual classes via social media. “The amount of positive feedback we have had about this is fantastic – while many of the Go Active team have also been involved with the community hub which in itself is inspirational.

“Members of the public are certainly in safe hands when visiting our leisure centres, which is largely down to the genuinely caring and dedicated team we have in place – and we look forward to welcoming you down once again.”

Since leisure centres closed in March, the council has carried out improvement and upgrade works at a number of its sites - while design work has also commenced for the recommissioning of the swimming pool at Sutton Leisure Centre.

For regular updates, follow Go Active on Facebook and Twitter.

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Thumbs up for Brockhole reopening

The weather couldn’t dampen the excitement as the Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole on Windermere, reopened on Saturday following the lockdown.

Visitors of all ages braved the drizzle and wind to enjoy the fresh air and the best

views of Windermere and the Langdales, along with all the fun activities that are central to the Brockhole experience.

There are a few changes in place to help keep visitors and staff safe, but all the favourite Brockhole activities are now open and the team are

delighted to welcome back guests.

Sam Mason, General Manager of Brockhole on Windermere said: “Following three months of glorious sunshine when we were closed, it was typical that Brockhole opened again this weekend

Help us to improve

walking and cycling in St Helens

St Helens Council is calling on residents, businesses and community groups to help identify ways of introducing enhanced spaces for people to walk and ride their bikes.

This will ensure social distancing is maintained during essential journeys and exercise during and after the coronavirus pandemic.

Since launching the ‘St Helens Liveable Streets’ consultation last week, the council has already received a good range of views on where cycling and walking facilities are needed the most - but is urging even more residents, businesses and groups to have their say online.

It’s easy to raise an issue

- just put a pin on the map to raise issues and leave a suggestion on how active travel and social distancing can be achieved. Comments will help the council to secure emergency funding to deliver walking and cycling facilities, and support project delivery in the future.

St Helens is continuing to develop it’s cycling and walking networks. A new Toucan crossing on Boardman’s Lane is being completed this week and improvements to greenway routes at College Street is ongoing.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, Councillor

Richard McCauley, said: “The council is committed to introducing more sustainable, healthier ways of travel in our communities – which is evident through a number of recent and ongoing road improvement schemes across the borough.

“Whether you travel by car, bike, foot – or you live or have a business in the area – we want to hear your thoughts to help shape this ambitious project and improve transport infrastructure in our communities.”

The consultation will run until Monday 31 August. To take part, visit sthelensliveablestreets. commonplace.is

to rain and wind, but we were still absolutely delighted to welcome back visitors to our beautiful 30 acre site here on the shores of Windermere, whatever the weather.

“With such a big site and so many activities to choose from, we have managed to open most of our facilities and adventure activities, and maintain good social distancing, along with our partners on site, Tree Top Trek.

“Windermere Lake Cruises are yet to re-introduce their regular service to Brockhole, although they are still offering other round trips.

“Over the weekend, guests enjoyed archery, Crazi Bugz and laser clay shooting and motor boat hire was very popular – with some even braving the kayaks on Saturday.

“Our huge free adventure

playground was open and was reasonably busy and our cafes did steady business all weekend.

“Our Thomas Mawson listed gardens are looking stunning, as our skilled gardeners have continued to work throughout the lockdown, and our café terrace was open for some of the best alfresco dining views in the country. Our lovely gift shop and world heritage exhibition were also open, so there was something interesting to browse indoors to escape the buffeting.

“We have all really missed being here and welcoming our visitors from around the world,

so whether you are looking for a tranquil exploration of our gardens and lakeshore, or an activity packed family adventure, please do come and spend the day with us again soon as Brockhole is most definitely open!”

Brockhole will be open every day through to the end of the summer holidays from 10 am - 5 pm.

Pre-book your activities and boat hire online now https:// www.brockhole.co.uk

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Historic bridge is

restored to former glory

An historic stone bridge providing a key link between Sedbergh and Dent in the Yorkshire Dales has been restored to its former glory.

Cumbria County Council has delivered the project to secure permanent repairs to Millthrop Bridge, near Sedbergh.

The repairs were required after the bridge stonework sustained significant damage due to the impact of a heavy goods vehicle in October 2019.

Work started on 8 June 2020 and had been expected to take up to eight weeks to complete, subject to weather conditions, safe working requirements to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus and securing the necessary listed structure approvals.

In fact the repair works were fully completed in less than half that time - just under four weeks - and Millthrop Bridge was reopened to all traffic on Friday 3 July 2020.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to complete these repairs and reopen the bridge much sooner than expected, keeping disruption to a minimum for the local community. I’d like to thank our contractors for cracking on with the job and getting it done so quickly. I’d also like to thank the local community for their patience and forbearance while the bridge was closed, and to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for their support and co-operation throughout this project.”

Cllr Nick Cotton, Cumbria County Council Local Member for Sedbergh and a Member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “I’m delighted Millthrop Bridge is open again and looking back to its best. We’ve been blessed with fine weather while the

repairs were carried out, and the contractors have been working longer during the day, making the most of the dry conditions and extended daylight hours. From the National Park Authority’s perspective, we’ve been really impressed by the work of the contractors, Metcalfe Civil Engineering from Penrith, and the way the project was managed.

It was particularly pleasing that the parapet sections were

restored using a ‘hot lime’ mortar mix from Eden Lime.

It’s so important to avoid cement-based mixes on old structures such as Millthrop Bridge.”

The main contractors for the bridge repairs project were Metcalfe’s Plant Hire and predominately Eden Stonework.

Millthrop Bridge is a listed structure and is believed to date back to the early 18th Century

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Stillingfleet Lodge Garden supports local Artists Artists are continuing to have a hard time as lockdown rules mean so many of their events and exhibition spaces have been cancelled due to Coronavirus.

This is why Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens have worked hard to be able to re-open the exhibition space in the tea room and to extend the August sculptures in the garden this summer.

All the artwork on display will be for sale, giving a much-needed boost to the local artists. Although many have been able to run virtual exhibitions, there is nothing like seeing the artworks in person to encourage sales.

Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens are proud to be able to support local artists between now and the end of September. The tea room offers a lovely light exhibition space for hanging art works and the garden is a beautiful space for displaying sculptures in a natural setting.

The programme of exhibitions in the tea room is as follows:

July: In the Summertime by Fiona Calder. Her beautiful creations all have a hand drawn element, which are then built into digital collages August: York Printmakers.

Twelve members of York Printmakers will be displaying their work.

Members use a variety of printmaking techniques, including lino and wood cuts, collagraphs, screen printing and etching.

September: Paintings on Feathers by Linda Taylor.

Linda paints on real feathers, linking the art to the spirit of the bird. Visitors can visit the tea room and exhibition for free if you don’t want to visit the garden, so a perfect opportunity for you to come and enjoy our home-made cakes and sustainable drinks whilst supporting the local artists. Sculptures in the Garden.

In August there will be two exhibitions showcasing the contrasting works of husband and wife sculptors, Eric

and Chris Moss. Visitors to being limited this summer we new visitors to the garden, family business but also the the garden will be familiar look forward to welcoming supporting not only our local artists.” with Chris’s wire animal sculptures, through her previous exhibitions, popular workshops and the pouncing fox that is a permanent feature in the garden. It will be the first time that Eric will have exhibited in this space and his stunning ceramics should provide a real wow factor as you explore the garden.

Garden owner Vanessa Cook said: “We have supported local artists by exhibiting their work here for a number of years and this year this support is more vital than ever. This is one of the reasons that we were so keen to get the entire attraction up and running as soon as possible.

We have been very aware of protecting visitors and staff by putting in systems for hygiene and social distancing throughout and are pleased to see that reviewers on TripAdvisor are praising our efforts. With overseas travel

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Plan ahead before visiting Snowdonia Gwynedd Council is urging motorists to plan their visits in advance. This follows numerous examples of irresponsible parking in the Pen y Pass area of Snowdonia over the weekend.

Councillor Gareth Griffith, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Environment said: “Over the weekend, Gwynedd Council staff worked with colleagues from North Wales Police and Snowdonia National Park to deal with a significant number of parking offences in the Penypass area.

“Motorists who ignore parking restrictions on these narrow mountain roads are endangering other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and cause serious access issues for emergency service vehicles.

“The Council’s parking enforcement team issued over 180 fixed penalty notices to motorists at Penypass on Sunday.

“We would urge motorists to plan their visit in advance before they set-off, to check the Snowdonia National Park website which offers regular updates of when their carparks are full and to make use of the numerous car parks at Llanberis and Nant Peris.

“We would also strongly recommend that visitors use the regular Sherpa bus service which links all the main Snowdon car parks with the various summit paths.

By doing so, they will be reducing the volume of traffic for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the area as well as avoiding an unnecessary fixed penalty.

“As a Council, we are discussing the weekend incidents with partners from North Wales Police and Snowdonia National Park and considering if any further steps can be taken to prevent dangerous and illegal parking in this area.”

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Hearth and home: Mantelpiece exhibition gets pride of place

Bolton Museum’s new exhibition will have visitors feeling right at home.

‘Mantelpiece Observations’, opening September 12, is inspired by the household objects of 1930s Britain.

Renowned artist Richard Slee has created a series of objects and installations based on Mass Observation’s 1937 Mantelpiece Reports.

Well-known for his oversized Toby figures from the early 1990s, Slee has made his first Toby figures in twenty-five years after taking inspiration from the reports. The solo exhibition is part of a wider public programme, funded

by Arts Council England, exploring the meaning behind people’s home possessions.

It will include a second exhibition, ‘Mantelpiece Stories’, by photographer Madeleine Waller, as well as online events, film screenings, talks and workshops.

It is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Bolton Museum, the Mass Observation Archive, University of Sussex and the Museum of the Home, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member with responsibility for libraries and museums, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said: “This exhibition is a real coup for Bolton. Richard Slee is one of Britain’s most important ceramic artists.

“The mantelpiece installations Richard has created for the exhibition perfectly capture the bizarre juxtapositions of ordinary and exotic objects in the original 1937 reports.

“It is testament to Bolton Museum’s increasingly high profile that Richard has chosen to show his new works here for the first time and that Arts Council England has elected to support the project with a significant funding award.

“I have no doubt that the exhibition will appeal to a wide range of visitors, both locally and nationally.”

Mantelpiece Observations Mass Observation was a pioneering social research organisation which aimed to document everyday life in 1930s Britain. Its first initiative, the Mantelpiece Directive, tasked its national panel of volunteers with sharing what was on their mantelpieces. The results demonstrated how the seemingly insignificant objects in our homes are in fact full of meaning and led the organisation to conclude that we are what we live with.

Slee’s first Toby figures in twenty-five years were inspired by a detailed description in one of the 1937 reports. Other works include a Janus-faced ceramic spaniel taking inspiration from a Staffordshire dog figurine as described by a housewife from Burnley. Slee has also selected 18 photographs

by Humphrey Spender to hang alongside his ceramic pieces. Spender was the lead photographer on MO’s study of Bolton and Blackpool in the late 1930s, and the 900 images he took for the project are held in the collections of Bolton Museum. Richard Slee said: “Working from the MO Mantelpiece Reports and Humphrey Spender’s photographic archive of 1937/8 has set a focus that has been liberating and stimulating, suggesting new creative solutions.

“Works have emerged from the individual written reports prompted by such things as the typing mistake in ‘Block woolly cat’, a detailed description of a Toby jug, or the minimal description of ‘a pair of ordinary vases’.

“These mantelpiece objects

and arrangements are an altar to the interior, a landing strip for the everyday, a haven of domestic symbolism.”

Mantelpiece Stories. Slee’s exhibition is complemented by ‘Mantelpiece Stories’, an exhibition comprising six portraits of Bolton residents together with still life images of their chosen mantelpiece objects, by acclaimed photographer Madeleine Waller. The work was commissioned as part of the wider Arts Council Funded mantelpiece project and Waller was selected for the incredible clarity and sensitivity of her portrait photographs. The exhibition, on display in Bolton Museum’s community gallery from September 12, will also feature a series of six short films using photographs, video and audio recordings to tell each person’s story.

Each participant photographed by Waller spoke about the meaning behind their chosen objects on display and the stories explored contain loss, hope, achievement, parenthood and the importance of family.

Visitor programme. A digital visitor programme comprising various initiatives and events that also explore the theme of “meaningful objects” will link together three key partners: Bolton Museum, the Mass Observation Archive, University of Sussex and the Museum of the Home.

The partner institutions will create a virtual programme of events around the theme of mantelpieces and treasured objects, sharing stories, photographs and items from their collections.

Select responses to a new Directive on Mantelpieces sent out by the Mass Observation Archive to its national panel of volunteer writers in November 2019 will be released in the run up to the opening of the exhibitions, generating a public conversation about the meaning of the objects we keep on mantelpieces and other display areas in the home.

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Preston Markets Canopy set for Installation The new walkway canopy at Preston Markets is planned to be installed from Monday 3 August 2020 The canopy has been completely manufactured offsite and set for installation which is planned to commence at the beginning of August and take approximately ten weeks to complete.

The installation will take place out of the Market's trading hours, causing minimal disruption to the traders and customers.

This follows the major capital investment scheme that was agreed by Council on 22 August 2019 to improve the conditions in the Market Hall.

The canopy will sit above the internal walkways between the stalls and improve the environment throughout the year to ensure it is a more comfortable for customers and traders.

The structure is fabricated of steel frames, infilled with clear panels, in order to maintain the visual appearance of the

underside of the original 1875 canopy.

Councillor Robert Boswell, Cabinet Member for Environment at Preston City Council said: “This great news is the final step for the improvements to the Market Hall.

The time scales work towards completion during the Autumnal months and in place for the busy festive period.

Preston Markets is full of excellent products and has remained open for the people of Preston during these tough few months. We need Prestonians to continue to support these local businesses and continue to Shop Local.”

Sam Livesey, Chairman of the Traders Association at Preston Markets said: “This installation programme is welcomed by all the traders at Preston Markets.

The plan means the canopy is in place before the colder months and there will be minimal disruption to our

trade and customers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Preston Markets over the past few months and hope your support continues.”

David Palmer, Director of DP Structures said: “We are looking forward to starting onsite at Preston Markets and getting the canopies installed as quickly as possible.

I am glad we have been able to work with Preston City Council to create a plan which will minimize the disruption to the traders and customers at Preston Markets.

This canopy design aims to retain the heat in the Market Hall, while still be able to see the underside of the beautiful Victorian canopy.”

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How to get an upgrade on your honeymoon!

Getting married isn’t just about going on honeymoon, but it sure is an exciting plus to the whole shebang! But how do you go about milking the special occasion for all its worth?

Everyone loves an upgrade and if you can’t get one when you’re going on your honeymoon then when

can you? It’s the perfect opportunity to be pampered and spoiled, especially after all the stress of the wedding planning is over. Calling first class!

There are so many moments where you might be able to wangle an upgrade when you go on honeymoon. The first is the flight. This is a lot easier

to accomplish if you haven’t booked a package deal through a high street travel agency. If you’ve booked flights and accommodation separately then turning up at the airport in your finest clobber, rather than like a scruff bag (albeit a very comfy one), is a great way to find yourself boosted up to First or Business class.

This is an important fact to consider as the area you want to be moved into is usually full of very well-heeled people. The next step is to arrive at the airport early. This gives you the best opportunity of nabbing any last-minute upgrades. Don’t forget to check again when you reach the gate in case an upgrade

has become available since you checked-in.

Another hot tip for making it more likely to receive an upgrade is to fly on a Saturday as this is when business travellers are usually at home, meaning you have less competition.

Tell the world you’re here for your honeymoon. Once you’ve made it to your honeymoon destination the next step towards getting an upgrade is to tell everyone that you’re on your honeymoon!

It’s important to do this at the right time though. Telling businesses that you’re going on your honeymoon when you make the booking tends to hike the prices up. So, you’re better off waiting until you hit the runway to mention that you’re newly-weds on honeymoon.

If you’re staying in a hotel then mention at check-in that you’re on your honeymoon and ask if there are any honeymoon suites available for you to upgrade to or if there is anything they can do

for you to help make your honeymoon more memorable.

Then as you go about making your precious memories whilst you are away, you need to keep speaking up.

Tell everyone you meet that you’re there on your honeymoon. You never know, it might lead to a couple of free glasses of champagne over dinner at any of the restaurants you might visit!

The same can be said for any activities, excursions or day trips that you intend to do whilst you’re away. Live like an A-lister.

Of course, before you even get to this stage you need to decide on where to go!

If you’re at a loss for ideas, other than knowing that you want the A-list treatment, then take a leaf out of @ RocknRollBride’s book. She says that ‘If you’re looking to really go all out on your honeymoon, to have a once in a lifetime experience and to truly live it up like a rock star, then the Maldives has to be top of your list.’

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Meet your photographer Jon Harrison

My name is Jon Harrison, I am a photographer, Image retoucher and designer based within Leigh, Lancashire.

My background has predominantly been within the Art and design sectors as I have always had a creative flare from a young age in

primary school all the way through to University.

For my higher education, I attended The University of Salford between 20052008, which I did a degree within Visual Arts. After my graduation, I worked within retail until I did extra work within the image retouching sectors and finally obtained a job within a reprographics company in 2012. After 3 years within the reprographics company I soon realized I needed to spread my wings and do what I enjoyed which was photography.

Inspired by Guernsey

Photographer Karl Taylor, Essex Photographer Alex Wightman and Glyn Davis I took the risk and left my job to pursue a career within Photography within the fitness and fashion sectors.

This was a huge risk as I was working self employed for over 12 months, however with risk comes success and I was able to get recognition from social media and online clients.

2016 I was asked to do my first wedding as I never advertised to do weddings as the market is so saturated with wedding photographers I felt there

wasn't a need for another.

However with my experience and dedication I did my first wedding within Wales and it was a huge success and I absolutely loved weddings since then onwards.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who contacts myself and please feel free to get connected.

Relaxed, Unobtrusive, Fun & Fantastic I am really happy to have ​ in my life photography as a job, capturing those special moments, memories and being apart of couple's wedding. My passion for photography is so rewarding as I get to shoot amazing weddings with some fantastic couples at some of the best venues around. What's even better is making new friends for life after the wedding.

Relaxed & Creative Wedding Photographer ​During your wedding day my goal is to capture all those special moments you will miss through your big day.

These moments can be fun, traditional, compositional, natural & relaxed moments.

As an artist I like to be ​

creative and take amazing images that will not only look amazing but make you say WOW. The idea behind every wedding is to make yours unique, something special and a standout from the crowd. I am extremely experimental and look for locations to get the best shots for you.

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4 Healthy Weight Loss Tips myelitehealth.co.uk. If lifting weights isn’t your cup of tea, then look for workout plans such as the massively popular Joe Wicks workout to get you moving in the comfort of your own home.

Let’s face it: there is a huge amount of information online about how to shed the pounds and get in shape. Wading into this endless stream of advice can be both confusing and overwhelming. And, when you take into account the new fads that seemingly pop up every day, the situation only becomes more dire.

After all, who can keep up with all the raw food plans, prepackaged menus, and liquid cleanses that are constantly promoted in our social feeds? The main problem with these very restrictive diets is that they only lead to short-term weight loss at best.

That’s because most people cannot maintain them consistently and end up giving up after a couple of weeks. Losing 10 pounds a week on a fad diet may seem tempting, but it often results in unhealthy and unsustainable weight loss. The real secret to healthy and successful weight loss is to adopt a lifestyle that you can maintain for the long run.

This involves changing your diet, following a regular workout schedule, and taking the right supplements for your body’s needs. With that in mind, here are 5 other tips to help you achieve your weight and fitness goals: Eat Better at Breakfast While all meals are important, breakfast is the most crucial one of all. That’s because it helps you start your days on the right track. A hearty, healthy breakfast will fill you up and give you optimal satisfaction for longer periods of time. Your goal should be to eat between 400 to 500 calories at breakfast. Build a

meal that includes lean proteins (nuts or eggs), fibers (fruits or vegetables), and whole grains.

Say Goodbye to Added Sugar.

The main reason for most lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease is added sugars – especially from sugary beverages and soft drinks. Processed foods in general contain a lot of added sugars and do not provide any of the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.

Instead, jump on Nutribullet bandwagon and replace sugary drinks with healthier, green smoothie options.

For most people, the fastest way to lose excess weight is simply by cutting out foods that are high in added sugars from their diet. Keep in mind that many “organic” or “healthy” foods can also have very high sugar content, so reading labels should be a regular part of your shopping process.

Start Lifting Weights While changing your diet can help you lose a lot of weight fast, nothing beats keeping your body fit with regular exercise. Your best option is to visit the gym at least three or four times a week, doing some warm up, and lifting some weights.

This form of exercise is ideal because it helps you burn off a lot of calories.

It also keeps your metabolism from slowing down – a typical side effect of weight loss. You can also speed this process up with a fat burning supplement such as the range available at www.

Cook More Did you know that research shows that cooking more meals at home can promote healthy eating and weight loss? Eating out is fun, but it should not be your daily go-to.

Instead, save the restaurants for special occasions and start eating more home-cooked meals. This is a great way of sticking to your healthy diet plan and keeping your weight in check.

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Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site leads the way on sustainable development and creates value for local communities new research shows UNESCO projects can help build a greener, more equal and more peaceful world, while also creating financial value.

UNESCO projects in the UK generate an estimated £151 million of financial benefit each year and help bring communities together to protect and conserve some of the most important places across the country.

The Lake District National Park’s Director of Sustainable Development, Steve Ratcliffe said: “Here in the Lake District we will shortly celebrate the third anniversary of achieving World Heritage Site status.

Prior to the COVID19 pandemic the English Lake District was a significant draw both to our international and domestic visitors. With the reopening of the visitor economy I am confident that we will work with our local businesses, communities and partner organisations to begin reaping again the many benefits that inscription brings.

We welcome today’s report,

which highlights the economic and social value of UNESCO projects to communities.”

Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director of Windermere Lake Cruises added: “As we tentatively take steps out of lock down and back to welcoming visitors to the Lake District, I believe that the value of UNESCO inscription will be important in promoting our business and the Lake District generally.

Any tool we can use to help put the Lake District back on the map post COVID-19 is a positive thing for us.” James Bridge, Secretary-General of

the UK National Commission for UNESCO said: “This research shows the unique value offered by UNESCO projects in the UK. They embody community and enable us to preserve and enjoy our most special places and culture.

They also pioneer solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems and inspire hope in these unprecedented times.

Within this report are a number of case studies that can help inform the UK’s path towards a green recovery from the coronavirus crisis.”

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Local nursery set to expand with help of Chorley Council investment grant A local childcare business has invested in a second property to expand their business, with the help of a Chorley Council B.I.G. Grant. ​Buckshaw Bunnies Childcare who already operate Gelston Manor nursery in Whittle-leWoods have chosen a property in Adlington as their second nursery venture, which will also create employment for the local area.

Working with Chorley Council, Buckshaw Bunnies Childcare discovered that they were eligible for a B.I.G. (Business Investment Growth) grant of almost £5000 to support them in turning their plans into reality to create Little Manor Day Nursery.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Council said “It’s fantastic that businesses are investing in and have confidence in the local economy, particularly during this challenging time. We’re so pleased that Buckshaw Bunnies Childcare

are continuing to invest in the borough, and we’re thrilled to be able to help support them with their expansion through grant funding and advice.”

The Chorley B.I.G. (Business Investment Growth) grants are aimed at providing financial support for existing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who are investing into the Borough and creating jobs for the local area. The ambitious childcare group, owned and run by two sets of parents who originally set up in business to cater for their own childcare provision on the then new Buckshaw development, have been looking to expand for some time and finally found the perfect venue, a council owned property on Railway Road, Adlington.

Neil Ward, co-owner of Buckshaw Bunnies Childcare said “We’re delighted that the council have awarded us a business investment growth grant, which will help towards the purchase of resources. In

turn we will deliver on our promise to create more local jobs and bring back a muchneeded service for the many families in Adlington.”

“We’ve always had an excellent working relationship with the business advisors at Chorley Council.

We’re an ambitious group and we’re always looking to improve and expand our services. The council have always been supportive of our plans, whether it’s through seeking planning permission to extend our existing nursery or seeking financial aid to support the growth of the business.”

The property has already been a nursery for over 15 years and was the perfect venue for a second nursery for Buckshaw Bunnies Childcare, who recently signed the 25 year lease with Chorley Council.

Although the building is currently being renovated, once complete, the new nursery will have space for 56 children of a variety of

ages and will look to employ the equivalent of 14 full time members of staff from the local area, in addition to the 30 staff employed at the existing nursery, Gelston Manor.

Future plans for a breakfast and after school club service are already being considered which may create even further employment opportunities.

Owners of the new Little Manor Day Nursery are hoping to have the work completed by the end of July, with a view to being able to book visits for prospective parents in August and opening early in September.

Neil Ward continued: “This is huge investment on our part but we are confident that with our fantastic team, plus knowledge and experience we bring from our existing nursery, we can create a fantastic setting and much needed service for the area.”

For more information on the nursery, including to Businesses can find out more https://chorley.gov.uk/Pages/ book a visit, please visit about business grants on the AtoZ/Business-Advice-andChorley Council website Support.aspx littlemanordaynursery.co.uk

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Oldham Council asks the community to thank our COVID heroes by urging Government for fair funding The COVID-19 outbreak is placing massive pressure on services provided by both Oldham Council and the NHS. Team Oldham, the voluntary

sector and the community have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep Oldham residents safe.

This vital work has come at

a massive financial cost to Oldham Council. Although further government funding has been announced, it is not enough to fully support the people of Oldham.

We’re calling on the community to say thanks to those who have been working to look after others, the care workers, waste disposal teams, emergency helpline operators and more.

To enable us to keep being there for our residents we now need the support from Government in the form of fair funding. This funding will help make up the costs the council has had to spend on its priority – keeping Oldham residents safe.

Oldham Council Leader Sean Fielding said: “I can’t thank the people of Oldham enough for their extraordinary

efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of Oldham has pulled together to be there for each other during this incredibly difficult period.

Everyone who has worked to ensure we get through this is an example of what makes Oldham such a special place” “To properly thank our local heroes, we now need Government to provide the funding we so vitally need.

Our key workers have done their part, we’re now asking the community to join us by signing this letter, which asks Government to do theirs.”

Leader of the Opposition, and the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Oldham’s local heroes have been working tirelessly to keep us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have to ensure their vital work can continue,

no matter the cost.” “Making sure our borough gets the funding it needs goes beyond politics – it is what must be done to keep the people of Oldham safe.” “Join us in our call for fair funding by signing our letter to Government”.

To say thanks to those who have selflessly worked to support the most vulnerable throughout this crisis, sign here today - https://www. oldham.gov.uk/SOSOldham

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Dealing with grief and loss

Most people grieve when they lose something or someone important to them. The way grief affects you depends on lots of things, including what kind of loss you have suffered, your upbringing, your beliefs or religion, your age, your relationships, and your physical and mental health. How does grief affect you? People react in different ways to loss. Anxiety and helplessness often come first. Anger is also common, including feeling angry at someone who has died for "leaving you behind".

Sadness often comes later.

Feelings like these are a natural part of the grieving process. Knowing that they are common may help them seem more normal. It's also important to know that they will pass. Some people take a lot longer than others to recover. Some need help from a counsellor or therapist or their GP. But you will eventually come to terms with your loss, and the intense

feelings will subside.

How to cope with grief and loss. There's no instant fix.

You might feel affected every day for about a year to 18 months after a major loss.

But after this time the grief is less likely to be at the forefront of your mind.

There are practical things you can do to get through a time of bereavement or loss: Express yourself. Talking is often a good way to soothe painful emotions. Talking to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor can begin the healing process.

Allow yourself to feel sad. It's a healthy part of the grieving process. Keep your routine up.

Keeping up simple things like doing the housework can help.

Sleep. Emotional strain can make you very tired. If you're having trouble sleeping, see your GP. Eat healthily. A healthy, well-balanced diet will help you cope. Avoid things that "numb" the pain, such as alcohol. It will make you feel worse once the

A friendly face during a difficult time

I previously worked for the local Co-op Funeralcare at Dimonds in Garstang for nearly 10 years. I settled into Garstang and enjoyed the town and people. This chapter ran it’s course and I decided to make a change.

I have opened my own family run independent funeral directors on Bridge Street here in Garstang. I wanted to offer a personal and caring service to look after families in Garstang and the surrounding communities.

One important factor was being able to offer a genuine 24 hour service for people in their time of need. When anybody calls us, it is us personally who answers the call at whatever time. The call is not answered by automated messages or generic call centres from any where in the country.

Another key point that was when we are entrusted with looking after somebody’s loved one, the family are assured the person is brought to our funeral home and looked after here until the funeral. Not transferred around from different funeral to funeral home.

Offer a personal touch with a caring team who are committed to providing impeccable service and especially continuity, knowing you will always be looked after by the same people and not somebody different each time you call. Funeral affordability is very important to us. We do not want to increase the costs or push sales on people. Instead arrange a dignified and professional service at a reasonable cost without imposing unnecessary rules/limitations.

numbness wears off. Go to counselling if it feels right for you. Counselling may be more useful after a couple of weeks or months. Only you will know when you're ready. Grieving when you have children. When you have children, you may not want to show your feelings.

Sometimes this is a good thing. For example, showing anger towards their other parent during a separation can be painful for a child to see.

Reassure your child that the separation isn't their fault.

Keep their routine as normal as possible, and tell them what's happening so they're less confused by it all. However, if both parents are grieving for a loved one, it's sometimes good for children to see that it's normal to sometimes feel sad and cry.

Pay attention if your child wants to share their feelings, whether it's through talking, drawing or games. Children need to feel they are listened to, so include them in decisions and events if it feels right. Your GP is a good place to start. They can give you advice about other support services, refer you to a counsellor, or prescribe medication if needed. Or you can contact support organisations directly, such as Cruse Bereavement Care (0808 808 1677) or Samaritans (116 123).

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Page 31.

St Helens Borough’s RLWC2021 Fixtures Revealed

Reigning world champions, Australia – along with Tonga, Italy, Wales and Papua New Guinea – will play in St Helens next year as part of the Rugby League World Cup. Tonga – who are coached

by Saints Head Coach, Kristian Woolf, and among the favourites to win the tournament - will play two matches, going head-to-head with Papa New Guinea and Wales. While Italy, who, together with Tonga will train in St Helens Borough during their stay in England, will battle it out with 11 time winners, Australia.

The men’s group fixtures are evening games and will be played at Saints’ 18,000 capacity Totally Wicked Stadium, considered by many to be the best purpose-built club rugby stadium in the country – on the following dates: • 26th October - Tonga vs Papua New Guinea – 7:30pm • 1st November - Tonga vs Wales – 7:30pm • 6th November - Australia vs Italy – 7:30pm Liverpool – where Tonga and Italy will also be based during the tournament – will also stage three matches: • England vs Canada (Women’s) Anfield (Saturday 13th November) 12.00pm • Men’s Quarter-Final (Teams

TBC) - Anfield (Saturday 13th November) - 14.30pm • Wheelchair Final (Teams TBC) - M&S Bank Arena (Friday 26th November) 19.30pm Welcoming the announcement, St Helens Council Leader, David Baines, said: “I’m really looking forward to the Rugby League World Cup, and the fact that St Helens is hosting Tonga and Italy for training and some really big games at the Totally Wicked Stadium is great for our borough.

“It’s going to be a huge event and the games we’ll be hosting at Saints are absolute crackers. My family and I will be getting tickets and we can’t wait.”

St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Libraries, Arts & Heritage, Councillor Anthony Burns, added: “The Rugby League World Cup 2021 is going to a be a sensational event and now that the fixtures have been announced, we can look forward to welcoming the Australian, Tongan, Welsh, Italian and Papua New Guinean men’s national teams to our borough.

“For St Helens Borough to be chosen to be part of a global celebration of rugby league is a recognition of our rugby league and sporting heritage,

memorable for all involved.”

Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 Chief Executive, said: “This is a huge moment for the tournament and for fans in our host cities and towns as we reveal the full fixture schedule.

“The tournament has been gaining momentum over recent months and fans can now look forward to being part of this unique global event. With match dates and locations confirmed, the excitement will only intensify.

“RLWC2021 will bring together the very best that the sport has to offer, and you can see from the schedule that there is no end of world class, not-to-be-missed matches, across all three tournaments.

“It Is an exciting day for all our Rugby League fans and communities across England and the world-class training cannot wait for it all to kick who will be proud and and playing facilities we off and I am sure it will be brilliant hosts to the travelling boast, including of course the fantastic Totally Wicked Stadium, home of the Saints.

“It’s also an opportunity to increase the borough’s profile nationally and internationally, supporting our aims of raising aspirations in the borough as a place to live and visit.

“We proved during the last World Cup back in 2013 how welcoming our borough is, and we’re more than ready to do it all again.”

St Helens R.F.C. legend, Paul Wellens, who is one of the assistant coaches for the England national team, said: “I know all too well what the Rugby League World Cup means to coaches, players and fans alike. To play in a World Cup really is special and the fact my home town, St Helens, is hosting two teams and three men’s international matches is truly something to savour.

“Two of those fixtures to be played at our St Helens home involve Tonga who are of course coached by my colleague and Head Coach, Kristian Woolf, so those two fixtures in particular are going to be extra special for everyone involved in the Club and the town.

“I am also lucky to be part of the England coaching staff for the upcoming World Cup so

nations as together we deliver the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup to date.”

The overall impact of St Helens Borough’s involvement in the Rugby League World Cup, tipped to be the biggest and best one to date, is expected to boost the local economy by more than £3m and will benefit the grassroots game through a number of legacy projects.

To be held in England in the October and November, organisers are aiming to draw in record crowds at the 2021 tournament, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions staged in a single, celebratory event – making it the biggest Rugby League World Cup yet.

Visit www.RLWC2021.com for more information, for details on how to sign up to receive ticket alerts and all the latest news first.

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Mee Extends Turf Moor Stay

Captain Ben Mee is to extend “It feels good to extend my end of last month. Fittingly, departed Tom Heaton last longer. There’s plenty more along the way and I’m in me. looking forward to many his stay to beyond a decade at stay here and hopefully we Mee scored the winning goal summer.

Turf Moor in a major boost can keep progressing how we at Selhurst Park to help the “I feel at a really good place “I want to play more and more appearances. improve and keep progressing “I think I’ve been playing for the Clarets. have done. I’m excited for Clarets towards a top-10 finish in my career,” he added.

Mee’s existing contract had what we can do and what we and to cap a campaign that “It’s nice to have that backing as a player and as a captain as well and the lads all look fit saw him confirm his status as and as a player it’s always a well now. and in good form and ready to 12 months still to run and the can achieve.”

Clarets have today triggered A former England Under-21 an outstanding leader on and positive to have that support. “That’s a big ambition of go, which we will be for next a clause to keep the long- international, Mee has twice off the pitch, having taken “I’m feeling good and I’m mine, to play as many games season after what’s going to serving defender until June been a promotion winner over as club captain from the looking to play for a lot as I can and keep learning be a quick turn-around.”

2022. under manager Sean Dyche at Mee recently became the 21st Turf Moor. player in the Clarets’ history to He has since been a key make 300 league appearances figure in helping establish the for the club and the 30-year- Clarets in the Premier League old now has the opportunity over the past four seasons and to add even further to that in gaining qualification for figure after prolonging his Europe in 2018. prolific Burnley career.

Last season, the Sale-born Mee – who initially moved centre-back – whose 166 to Turf Moor on loan from Premier League appearances Manchester City in July 2011 are the most by a Burnley before making the switch player – was an ever-present permanent six months later in the top-flight.

– said: “I feel at home at the And he was on course to repeat club and to have been here that feat in 2019/20 until as long as I have has been suffering a season-ending fantastic. Taking the armband groin injury as he reached this year has really cemented the milestone of 300 league that for me. games at Crystal Palace at the Each Edition of the East Lancs Now has an estimated readership of 15,000 from print and online. Published by Wilcop Media Ltd, 92L Rolleston Dr, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7JP.