The Bees Kitchen and Deli at Primrose Gardens is now open and is the latest exciting addition to the council-owned residential village.
Primrose Gardens residents are already enjoying having somewhere to eat, drink, purchase local produce and socialise right on their doorstep, as are the local community.
Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Council, said: "Primrose Gardens is an outstanding asset for our community, and the addition of the café is brilliant news for both residents and the community.
"The extra care facility allows residents to live as independently as they like, with help onsite should they need it. The café and deli is the perfect place for residents to socialise, get some great food and drink, without
having to go too far."
The café, which opened in October, has held a couple of launch events, with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley, and the Mayor of Chorley, Councillor Julia Berry, amongst those attending to show their support, along with Primrose Gardens residents, customers and suppliers.
Visitors to the café are already enjoying a range of tasty treats, breakfasts and lunches, plus a range of hot drinks and tasty deserts. Also on offer are a range of freshly prepared takeaway 'easy teas' and local produce in the deli section.
The Bees Kitchen Café & Deli is operated by Mr and Mrs Bee, Mike and Sarah, who previously operated out of Chorley's covered market, but an opportunity arose
to a move to larger premises at Primrose Gardens. Mike said: "It's fantastic to be able to operate in such a modern facility'
Though open to the general public and to users of the onsite dance hall and hired facilities, the café is a particular boost for those who reside at Primrose Gardens - which was opened by Chorley Council in October 2019 to provide independent-living accommodation for over 55s.
Councillor Bradley continued: "We're pleased to see The Bees Kitchen expanding and choosing to stay in the town centre whilst relocating, after operating from Chorley Markets, which has proved to be a great platform for a number of growing businesses.
"The new café looks amazing, visitors are given a warm welcome, so we wish The Bees Kitchen and Deli every success at Primrose Gardens and hope the people of Chorley enjoy it."
Primrose Gardens boasts 65 self-contained one- or two-bedroom modern apartments occupied on a rental basis only. Residents enjoy the freedom of their own home while also having access to care and support services, and round-theclock emergency assistance.
Other communal facilities include lounges, laundry facilities, a pamper bathroom, hair salon, large landscape gardens and an overnight guest room that can be booked by visitors.
The facility is currently fully occupied, but applications to join the waiting list are being accepted online at primrose-gardens.com/ register. If you need to speak to a member of the team, call 01257 515151. For more information visit the Primrose Gardens Website
Following the success of Primrose Gardens, a second council-owned extra care facility at Tatton Gardens is due to open in early 2023.
A new fund has been launched to help local groups and community organisations who are supporting people with the cost of living.
Bids are invited for funding to support either existing or new projects in Wyre.
Provided by the NHS (via the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board) this funding will support the activities of local organisations and groups within the voluntary, community and faith sector that are supporting vulnerable people through the cost of living crisis.
Funding must be spent by 31 March 2023.
We are looking for new ideas and a wide range of projects across the Borough. Some examples
are listed below but other ideas will be considered:
• Schemes that support households for example with food, the cost of energy and the cost of wider essentials.
• Schemes supporting social interaction and participation for example exercise classes, lunch clubs, community food schemes and community washing/drying facilities
• Support for community buildings
• Outreach support, this could include mobile community food banks and other ideas to contact people that are hard to reach.
Read more, check eligibility and apply online: https://www.wyre.gov.uk/ communitysupportgrant
Funding for a £730K arts and culture project for the next three and a half years to revitalise Nelson town centre has been granted Government go-ahead.
This is Nelson is one of seven projects backed by the Nelson Town Deal Board as part of a £25 million Government Towns Fund.
The project is being spearheaded by In-Situ, a Pendle organisation involved in the
arts, community engagement and ecology, who will be working closely with community partners Building Bridges and Super Slow Way.
Paul Hartley, Head of Organisation and Engagement at In-Situ said: “We’re delighted that the funding for This is Nelson has been granted Government approval.
“The activities we have in the pipeline will support community cohesion by bringing cultural programmes to neighbourhoods, empty shops and other commercial spaces, together with events to celebrate Nelson’s cultural diversity through music, art and workshops.
“We are currently carrying out research to find out how the local community would like to get involved with This is Nelson through our Community Assembly events.
The next Community Assembly is taking place on Tuesday 17 January at the Unity Wellbeing Centre on Vernon Street, Nelson (off
Railway Street) from 6pm – 8pm and free tickets can be booked at thisisnelson. eventbrite.com
It’s an opportunity for people to find out more about the cultural programme being delivered in the town, meet the artists, and find out how they can get involved in the project.
Activities for children over five will be available, as well as light food and refreshments.
To find out about This is Nelson updates follow @ This_is_Nelson on Facebook and Twitter and @t_ is_nelson on Instagram
Explaining more about the project, Paul Hartley said: “The This is Nelson programme this year includes four commissioned artists/researchers who will be spending time in the community getting to know the town and uncovering exciting opportunities for future projects."
Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “This development is amaz-
ing news for Pendle and marks the start of a new era for our town.
“This is Nelson has the potential to improve the town in so many ways.
“It will improve health and wellbeing through activities in open spaces, including our parks and will reinforce the town’s role as a key service centre for the needs of the community.
“It’s an opportunity to celebrate the creative and cultural life of the town with a wider audience.
Stephen Barnes, Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board, echoed Cllr Nadeem Ahmed’s words, adding:
“With the involvement of the community, This is Nelson could have a major impact on Nelson town centre and our local community.
“It is a vital building block as one of the seven projects of the Nelson Town Deal which will transform Nelson and have a positive impact on Pendle, improving the quality of life and prospects for local people and our economy.”
“Exciting plans to revitalise Nelson are moving forward,” announced Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Borough Council.
Revitalising Nelson is one of seven projects in the £25 million Nelson Town Deal with investment from the Government’s Towns Fund.
The Nelson Town Deal Board gave the go ahead to proposals on 6 January and project plans are now going to the Government for final approval and the Board hopes to hear in March.
Local people, Nelson businesses and organisations still have the chance to have a say on development plans for Pendle Rise Shopping Centre early this year.
This will be ahead of the Council’s new joint venture with Brookhouse, called PenBrook, putting in a planning application.
The Council is still in negotiation with the owners of Pendle Rise to buy the shopping centre.
“If this isn’t possible, we have plans underway for a compulsory purchase,” said Councillor Ahmed.
“But this means it could be spring 2024 before the Council takes ownership of the centre,” he stated.
If Pendle Borough Council can buy the centre it will be emptied and demolished and a new retail scheme will be developed by PenBrook.
The Leader added: “We know this is an unsettling time for Pendle Rise tenants who have shops in the centre.
“The Council will help them to find new premises in Nelson town centre, when the time is right.”
“By working together we will create a brighter future for Nelson and Pendle,” said Councillor Ahmed.
Another prominent Nelson building –the historic Trafalgar House next to the Town Hall - is part of the Revitalising Nelson project which the Board hopes will get
the Government go ahead in the spring.
People were asked to comment on proposals in August online via the Council’s website and at a drop in at Nelson Town Hall.
The option being put forward is to protect and improve the heritage front of the building facing Market Street for retail or commercial use, with residential apartments on the upper floor.
Additional plans include demolishing the less attractive part of the building at the back to create a car park with electric vehicle charging and a space for events.
Stephen Barnes, Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board said:
“Our Revitalised Nelson project is designed to bring high profile and long-term vacant and under-used buildings back into use for residential and commercial
purposes.
“This includes a focus on Pendle Rise shopping centre, a project local people are keen to see tackled, as shown through the public engagement we’ve done.”
Mike Nuttall, Property Director for the Brookhouse Group which is working on both Pendle Rise and Trafalgar House, said: “As a northern private sector developer with expertise in retail and a wide range of commercial projects we are enjoying working on this exciting new challenge.
“We hope our involvement will help to deliver a real positive change in Nelson. “Our initial focus is the
town centre, but we are also looking forward to widening our involvement across Pendle through our ten year partnership with the Council,” he explained.
A Lancashire company which manufactures high-performance compression springs for motorsport, space and defence markets has set its sights on doubling in size in the next three years.
Melling Performance Springs, based in Lytham St Annes, is taking part in the Two Zero Scaleup Leaders Network, funded by Lancashire County Council.
Originally founded in 1996 as Performance Springs, the company faced administration in early 2020 and was purchased by Melling Engine Parts, based in Michigan, USA. It has since grown to £3m turnover, growing from 23 staff to 44, and has expanded into additional space next door to its facility.
The company is now looking to grow to £6m turnover
by 2025-26 and become what managing director Crispian Knight describes as a ‘world class’ manufacturer of compression performance springs within the next 5-7 years, with the support of the Scaleup Leaders Network programme.
Crispian said: “It’s been a huge challenge to get the company back to where I believe it should be and the opportunity to now take it forward is huge. I think we will double in size in the next 3-4 years and outgrow our current location.
“There is a lot we need to do to get to that point and I have tried to seek help as part of that journey, including reaching out to Lancashire County Council’s scaleup support programme Two Zero.”
Crispian said he had also engaged with a number of
other networks including manufacturers’ membership organisation Make UK.
Two Zero’s Scaleup Leaders Network works with the owners and managers of fast-growing businesses in Lancashire through a combination of coaching and peer sessions, helping them to learn from other businesses on the programme over a 12-month period.
The Scaleup Leaders Network is delivered by Cube Thinking, a Lancashire-based high growth business consultancy which previously delivered Two Zero’s highly successful Scaleup Resurgence programme during Covid-19.
Melling Performance Springs has received support through the programme to improve employee retention, its supply chain and to develop a strategy for strong
future growth.
John Woodruffe, director, Cube Thinking, said: “It has been fantastic working with Melling Performance Springs and the company is already benefiting from the knowledge gained through the masterclasses and peer group sessions.
“The company’s behaviours are now aligned with
their scaleup ambitions and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with Melling Performance Springs through the Scaleup Leaders Network programme as they progress on their growth journey.”
Amin Vepari, programme manager, Two Zero, said: “I’m delighted that the Scaleup Leaders Network has
been able to support Melling Performance Springs at a vital stage of the company’s growth journey.
“Lancashire has a strong manufacturing heritage and it’s brilliant to see our county’s companies aiming for world class status while employing local people and generating wealth.”
A big clean-up has taken place at Colne Market Hall following a burst pipe in the empty flats above.
The indoor Market Hall was closed on Wednesday 11th January but managed to re-open the following day (Thursday 12 January). Shaw's fruit and veg remained open during the clean up.
Pendle Borough Council was alerted to the major leak at 4.30am and staff were immediately on site clearing the flood and ensuring the safety of the building.
Richard Gibson, Director of Resources for Pendle Borough Council, said: “When market staff arrived at Colne Market Hall there was about an inch of water in parts
of the market.
“The traders were called to inform them of the incident so that they could come to the market to assess damage to their stock.
“The water has been turned off to stop the leak but plumbers are on site to identify the path of the pipework so that the burst pipe can be fixed.
“Electricians are also on site and are isolating any electrical circuits which may be affected.
“All the standing water has now been cleared and we are continuing to support traders in this extremely difficult situation.
Two men have been jailed after a man was shot in the face in Morecambe.
Joshua Giles (pictured, left), 21, of Pendlebury Road, Swinton, Manchester and Levi McCandlish (pictured, right), 27, of Borwick Court, Morecambe, were sentenced to a total of close to 30 years in prison at Preston Crown Court.
Police were called around 5.55pm on November 15, 2021, to reports of a suspected firearms discharge in an alleyway at the rear of Skipton Street.
Emergency services attended and found a local man, aged in his 20s. He was taken to hospital where he received treatment for life-changing facial injuries.
Police launched an investigation, recovering CCTV from the scene.
The footage showed several figures in an alleyway, with the victim targeted with an improvised firearm, also known as a ‘slam gun’.
A driving compression wad, of a size and type found in a shotgun, was recovered at the scene.
Further enquiries found a dark-coloured people carrier-type car had been in the area earlier in the day, travelling towards Morecambe from Lancaster, before returning.
The car, a grey Renault
Espace, had been sold five days earlier to a relative of Levi McCandlish.
A day after the shooting, the vehicle was found in York Road, Lancaster.
Inside, officers found a face covering, as well as receipts and tags for balaclavas, gloves and face coverings. Enquiries found these items had been bought from a store on Euston
Road, Morecambe, less than half a mile from the firearms discharge on Skipton Street.
CCTV footage from earlier in the day on November 15 showed two men, McCandlish and Giles (pictured), in the shop, buying balaclavas and a crowbar. The clothing of the men matched the items of those individuals pictured on CCTV in Skipton Street.
A number of people were later arrested by police in connection with the shooting.
McCandlish and Giles were charged with attempted murder. A 13-year-old boy was charged with wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The case against him was later dismissed.
McCandlish and Giles pleaded guilty at court to Section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
McCandlish was jailed for 15 years and eight months, with a five-year extended licence. Giles was handed a 13 year and six-month prison sentence, with a five-year extended licence.
Det Ch Insp James Edmonds, of Lancashire Police,
said: “This was an absolutely horrific attack which left the local community shocked and appalled.
“It is remarkable the victim was not killed as a consequence of this incident.
“As part of a premeditated plan, Giles and McCandlish attacked the man with a ‘slam gun’, an improvised firearm. The pair used ammunition similar to cartridges from a shotgun, discharging the gun at close range. The victim was left with serious facial injuries and had to be placed in a medically induced coma as part of his treatment.
“Following enquiries, detectives quickly uncovered the plot to harm the victim, studying vehicle movements, CCTV, telephony and purchases from a store.
“After the weight of evidence was put to McCandlish and Giles, they entered guilty pleas and we welcome the sentences handed down at court.
“Their actions were deliberate and callous. The motivation for the attack has never been fully understood and neither McCandlish or Giles have offered any explanation as to why they attacked the victim. He suffered
serious facial injuries and is continuing his recovery. It is clear the two adults paid no thought to the consequences of their actions and the impact this would also have on the 13-year-old boy they had brought along.
“Gun crime makes up a
very small percentage of all crimes committed in Lancashire, but I hope this investigation shows anyone wishing to commit such offences will be dealt with quickly, robustly and should expect a significant prison sentence.”
Lancashire Police have this week welcomed 33 new officers to the front line of the Constabulary.
The new recruits will now be heading out across the county to begin their careers serving and protecting the people of Lancashire.
An attestation ceremony was held at Lancashire Police headquarters at Hutton on Thursday evening to swear in the new officers who have joined through the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).
They were sworn in by Chief Constable Chris Rowley, with family and friends looking proudly on.
Chief Constable Rowley said: “It is fantastic to officially welcome these new officers to the Lancashire Police family.
“The officers have been through a rigorous selection and training programme. They are expected to be role models in the community by holding the highest standards of public service, preventing and fighting crime to keep our commu-
nities safe, always putting victims first.
“In due course these extra numbers will really help to ease the pressure on teams so that our communities receive the best service.”
Andrew Snowden, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “It's fantastic to congratulate our newest officers and to welcome them into the Lancashire policing family.
“This event is a proud moment in their lives and I'm encouraged to see their energy and enthusiasm to fight crime and to keep peo-
ple safe out on our streets, which we all want to see.
“It's great to see new officers coming into the force and bolstering our ranks to continue taking the fight to criminals, with Lancashire on course for over 600 extra officers thanks to the Government Uplift Programme and Council Tax Precept.
“These officers will make a real difference, helping us to crack down on crime and deliver on the priorities that the people of Lancashire have told me matter most to them.”
Lancaster, Morecambe and Wyre have welcomed a new Chief Inspector, Dave Hannan, who will be responsible for Lancaster, Morecambe and Wyre Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships.
CI Hannan has moved to Neighbourhood Policing after being the Chief Inspector for Response in Blackpool and Fylde for 18 months.
He started his policing career at Blackpool as a PC back in 2003 and has worked through every Response and Neighbourhood policing rank at Blackpool. Throughout his career, he has always endeavoured to make the role of operational staff easier, and still sees this as his core role, along with delivery for local communities.
Former Neighbourhood Chief Inspector for Lancaster, Morecambe and Wyre, CI Dave Britton, will be moving to Response Chief Inspector for the same area.
CI Hannan is looking forward to making a start in Neighbourhood. He said: “Neighbourhood policing is a key part of how we police our streets in Lancashire. It allows us to gain a real understanding of how our communities want to be engaged with.
“I look forward to working with the people of Lancaster, Morecambe and Wyre. If you haven’t already, please take the time to fill out our Lancashire Talking survey and sign up to In The Know to receive regular updates about what is happening in your area.”
Thinking of adoption and growing your family in 2023?
The #NewYearNewFamily campaign is launched this week to offer support and advice to anyone thinking of starting or growing their family through adoption.
New Year is traditionally a time when people take up that challenge or long considered change so why not take that first step and contact Adoption Lancashire & Blackpool and make 2023 that very special year.
Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool help children of all ages find loving families. This year, we are especially in need of people who could adopt brothers, sisters and older children.
Victoria Gent, Chair of Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool said: "We'd like to take advantage of that new-year, determined frame of mind to especially encourage people to think about a change they could make not just to their own life, but to that of a child in Lancashire or Blackpool.
"We find loving homes for children of all ages who need adopting. However, we especially need homes for brothers and sisters and older children. Our adoption team has a lot of experience in helping find parents for children who need a loving, stable and permanent home and are here to support you every step of the way."
Adoption is a big life-changing decision and our adoption team offer all the support and training you need and will try to find the best match between your circumstances and the children we have who need a forever home.
We'd like to hear from people who have already adopted, have a family, or are look-
ing into adoption because they are unable to have children of their own.
Anyone who wishes to adopt, regardless of age, marital status, sexuality or gender will be considered. There are no strict rules about whether people should have jobs, their own homes or have their own children.
County Councillor Cosima Towneley, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: "If you have been thinking about adoption then there has never been a better time to make that enquiry. Adoptive parents come from all walks of life are all ages and in various loving relationships. Some have children
A memorial service was held to mark the 40th anniversary of three Blackpool police officers, who lost their lives during a tragic attempted sea rescue on 5th January 1983.
PCs Gordon Connolly, Colin Morrison and Angela Bradley drowned whilst trying to save a tourist who had gone into the sea to rescue his dog.
The three officers had entered the water close to Gynn Square but were overcome by the strong tide, waves and freezing cold water. The 25-year-old tourist Alistair Anthony who was on a trip to the resort from Glasgow, also tragically perished.
A fourth officer, PC Pat Abram, was rescued by colleagues who were able to throw a rope around his
neck, before he was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the prom.
A memorial service was held at Gynn Square on Thursday 5th January, where a new plaque was unveiled.
Families of the victims were joined by members of the Constabulary and the other emergency services, as well as members of the public.
Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary Chris Rowley said: “Three police officers arrived at work for duty on that day in January 1983, but never returned home to their loved ones.
“Those three brave officers died trying to save a member of the public, which is the epitome of public service, and we feel a great sense of honour and pride in being able to remember them and mark
their sacrifice with a special memorial service.
“We also remember the member of the public, who tragically died during the incident, Alistair Anthony.
“As one of the darkest days in the history of Lancashire Constabulary, we continue to and will always remember those who lost their lives that day. PC Colin Morrison, PC Gordon Connolly and PC Angela Bradley and all involved are etched in the history of the Constabulary.
“Their names, photographs and awards named after them are prevalent within our force and act as a reminder of the selfless and brave actions displayed by all on this tragic day.
“May all those involved Rest in Peace and always be remembered”
of their own and want to extend a warm, loving and stable home to a child or sibling group whilst for others this is to be the adventure of a lifetime. You can adopt as long as you are over 21, and live in Lancashire, Blackpool or close by. Adoption Lancashire & Blackpool are an inspiring team who are there to answer your questions and help you take the first steps on a journey that will change yours and children's lives."
Cllr Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “Adopting a child is one of the most worthwhile things that you can do. It transforms the lives of those it touches which is why we’re asking anyone who has ever
thought about adoption to find out more. If you’ve thought about starting or growing your family then please get in touch. We hold regular information events across the county where you can meet our team, find out more about adopting with us and ask any questions you may have.”
If you're thinking about adoption, we'll help your family grow and make 2023 a year to remember forever.
Find out more at www.adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk or book a place at an information event. If you'd prefer to speak to someone, then you can call the friendly adoption team on 0300 123 6727.
On the 11th January 2023, a 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
Officers stopped a vehicle on Blackpool Road, Clifton, Preston, believed to be travelling to the Blackpool area, with one man arrested.
Upon the vehicle being searched a large quantity of suspected Class A drugs, several mobile phones and a knuckle duster were seized from the vehicle.
The man’s home address was later searched, during which weapons were seized.
A 57-year-old man from Fleetwood is currently in custody and investigations are ongoing.
Chief Superintendent Karen Edwards said: “This
is an excellent arrest and should have a significant impact on drug supply and misuse in Fleetwood.
“Serious and organised crime poses a real threat to our communities and blights the lives of good, law-abiding citizens. I will not tolerate this criminality in my Division.
“Organised crime will continue to be a priority in order to bring offenders to justice, who insist on committing such crime.
“We will continue with our proactive and robust stance, utilising both covert and overt policing tactics, to ensure we continue to put offenders before the courts.”
Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire and
delivering on Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden's Fighting Crime Plan priority of disrupting and dismantling organised crime.
It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.
If you have any information about criminal activity in your area, we encourage you to report this to us.
You are able to contact us by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can visit our online portal here. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The New Year has seen progress resume on a major project to install average speed cameras on Lancashire's five highest risk A-roads.
The Safer Road Fund programme is a £7.9m investment to reduce casualties on routes identified by the Department for Transport as the county's historically most dangerous A-roads.
Good progress is already being made, with the cameras now in place along the A581 from Rufford to Euxton, where work started in August 2022.
Preparations are also underway on the A588 from Lancaster to Skippool with trenches being dug for cables to support the installation of the cameras early this year.
Over the coming months average speed cameras are
also due to be installed on the A683 in Lancaster from junction 34 of the M6 motorway to Kirkby Lonsdale, followed by the A6 in Lancaster between the city centre and J33 of the M6 motorway.
This will be followed by the final phase of work to install cameras on the A682 in the Ribble Valley from Gisburn to the boundary with North Yorkshire at Long Preston.
A period of testing will be needed after the cameras are installed before they can be made operational and begin being used by the police to enforce speed limits.
Average speed cameras work by reading the number plate of passing vehicles and calculating a driver's average speed over a known length of road within the same speed limit. This results in drivers maintaining a steady
average speed rather than just slowing down when they see a traditional fixed or spot speed camera, delivering safer and smoother traffic flows.
There are currently 8 routes already covered by average speed camera enforcement systems in Lancashire, which were installed in 2017 and 2018. Initial evaluation shows there has been a reduction in collisions of up to 86% on these routes.
County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We have received funding from the Department for Transport to install more average speed cameras in Lancashire as part of a national programme aimed at improving safety along the 50 most dangerous stretches of A-roads in England.
"These routes have a record of deaths and injuries where excess speed was a factor, and people who live near these roads worry about when the next serious incident will happen, and whether they or their
family and friends could be affected.
"We've already done a lot of work to make the five routes in Lancashire safer as part of the Safer Roads Programme, such as installing LED cats eyes, high reflec-
tivity road markings, signs and crash barriers. I look forward to the average speed cameras going live in the coming months and making these routes much safer for everyone in future."
Work to replace deteriorating widenings on either side of the masonry arch on Curzon Street in Burnley is set to begin on Monday 16 January.
The bridge is located under the road on Curzon Street, close to Primark at the T-junction where it joins onto Bankfield and the pedestrianised area of the town centre.
Some roads will need to be closed and temporary traffic arrangements will be put in place while this work is ongoing.
Bankfield will be closed to all vehicles from its junction with Standish Street, (except for access for delivery vehicles into the Market Hall).
Curzon Street will be closed from its junction with Bankfield up to the junction with Parker Street.
To allow for this the southern section of Standish Street will become two-way and on street parking will no longer be permitted.
The pedestrian route on the southern footway of Bankfield to Charter Walk will remain open.
The road will be closed for 11 months,
while delivery access to the Market Hall will remain open
Lancashire County Council has written to nearby businesses to make them aware of the work.
The first stage of this work, to redirect gas lines, was completed earlier this year. The rest of the project was organised to re-start in January, to minimise the impact on shops, shoppers and local businesses during the festive period.
County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This is a major bridge, which carries the highway over the River Brun. Its condition means that it needs restorative work to ensure that it remains safe in the future.
"We held back on the work until January to ensure that the work would not affect businesses, shops and shoppers in the run up to Christmas. We are aware that it's been a hard year for many retailers and we were keen to minimise the impact of the work.
"We are sorry for any inconvenience and we will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum."
Five people have been jailed and two drugs lines have been shut down following our pro-active investigation into an organised crime group (OCG) operating out of Burnley.
The OCG, headed by defendants Adeel Khan (Composite bottom middle)) and Javed Miah (Composite top right), set up and ran the “Casper” and “ACE” drugs lines to sell heroin and crack cocaine throughout East Lancashire.
In order to put the OCG out of business we launched Operation Marina, a lengthy investigation which saw our officers observe each member of the conspiracy committing illegal acts, as well as seizing significant amounts of Class A drugs, cash and some weapons.
The OCG operated from Khan’s stash house in Todmorden Road, Burnley – the place they stored and packaged drugs. Trusted members of the OCG attended the base of operations to collect drugs and ensure the street dealers always had enough stock to sell to their customers.
The head of the OCG was Khan, who was the main controller of the Casper Drugs Line. He packaged, directed and organised the supply of the drugs, ensuring the street dealers were ‘topped up’ and often controlling other members of the OCG.
Miah was Khan’s second in command, who controlled the ACE line. Evidence
obtained that when the line was initially set up more than 1,000 calls were diverted directly to Miah, before later being diverted to other members of the OCG.
Forensic evidence linked Miah to the preparing and packaging of the drugs and enquiries also showed that he too controlled other members of the OCG. When Khan was stopped by the police in May, Miah rang co-defendant Matthew Hefford (Composite bottom right) and sent him to Todmorden Road to remove evidence of drug packaging and supply.
Hefford was a significant player in the OCG and attended the stash house not only to top up his own drugs supply but also the supplies of other dealers.
Defendant Kasim Amin (Composite top left) was also a significant player, having regular contact with Khan, Miah and Hefford and delivering large sums of money and being topped up with ‘mid-level weights’ of Class A drugs.
Gabrielle Hughes, who is Amin’s partner, was also a significant player who was involved with the preparing and bagging up of the drugs and was also observed delivering cash to co-conspirators.
Defendant Faisal Hussain was a street dealer for the OCG. Although he did occasionally operate the Casper Line under the direction of Adeel Khan.
Faisal Khan ((Composite bottom left) was also a street dealer for the OCG.
Temporary DCI Tom Edmondson, of East CID, said: “Led by Adeel Khan, this tight-knit OCG ran a sophisticated operation with each member playing a significant and vital role. Motivated by greed they targeted some of the most vulnerable people in East Lancashire and spread misery by preying on people’s desperation. “Through pro-active and diligent police work we have manage to identify and charge these conspirators and dismantle their organisation. I welcome the sentences handed down to the defendants and I hope it sends out a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated on the streets of Lancashire.
“If you are aware of illegal activity in your area I would encourage you to call us on 101, confident that we will take the appropriate action.”
Operation Marina comes under the banner of Operation Warrior, which is our response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire and delivering on Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden's Fighting Crime Plan priority of disrupting and dismantling organised crime.
All the defendants were convicted of conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Adeel Khan (25/05/91), Juniper Close, Bradford. Jailed for six years and eight months.
Javed Miah (7/4/91), Brent Street, Burnley. Jailed for eight months.
Kasim Amin (24/10/99), Burnley Road, Cliviger. Jailed for six years and three months.
Faisal Hussain (9/1/97), NFA. Jailed for seven years.
Matthew Hefford (09/06/86), NFA. Jailed for three years and six months.
Gabrielle Hughes (14/10/95), Burnley Road, Cliviger. Two year suspended sentence.
Faisal Khan (09/03/98), March Street, Burnley. Eighteen month suspended sentence.
CI Scott Boast will be responsible for Response Policing across the city.
In 2004, CI Boast joined Lancashire Constabulary as a Police Constable based on Response in Blackburn. Since then, he has worked all around East Lancashire on Response and Local Policing teams, working his way through the ranks.
Last year, CI Boast moved to HQ as a Chief Inspector with a responsibility for anti-social behaviour, prevention and problem solving for the force.
Having led the implementation of the Task Force Teams, CI Boast is particularly proud that every district across Lancashire now has a dedicated Task Force Team, targeting and disrupting those suspected of being involved in organised crime. Additionally, he has worked on the Tom review, leading on Local Policing, Hate Crime, Community Cohesion and Early Intervention.
Speaking about his new role, CI Boast said: ‘I have really enjoyed getting to work on what affects our communities in Preston, working with partner agencies to continue to respond effectively to those who are in need.
I am committed to continuing to improve our connection to the community. Our Response teams are the first contact with those who are in need, and it is my priority to ensure that we remain victim focused.
“I am really looking forward to working alongside and supporting the Response teams that provide around the clock protection to our most vulnerable people in society and doing everything we can to bring offenders to justice”.
Blackpool South have welcomed a new Neighbourhood Inspector, Nat Harper. Inspector Harper will be responsible for Neighbourhood policing in Blackpool South.
Inspector Harper started her policing career in 2003 as a Response officer at Blackpool South. She then moved to Neighbourhood policing for the same area, where she was Community Beat Manager for the Bloomfield Ward for several years.
In 2015 Inspector Harper was promoted to Sergeant and spent time in both Neighbourhood and Response in this role. She was then promoted to Response Inspector in 2020.
Inspector Harper also has experience working in the Wyre area, and within the Custody department. Outside of work, Inspector Harper enjoys keeping fit alongside family life with
her husband and son.
Inspector Harper said: “I am really excited to return to where I started my career within Lancashire Constabulary. Blackpool is a great place to be, and I look forward to leading a team of fantastic officers.
“Neighbourhood policing allows us to get to know our residents and deliver on local issues that matter the
most to them. We are lucky enough to have residents in Blackpool who work with us to make our communities a safe place.
“I would encourage you, if you haven’t already, to take our Lancashire Talking survey. You can also sign up to In The Know, to keep updated with what is going on in your area.”
A Burnley shopkeeper who stood to make more than £12,000 selling illegal cigarettes has been fined £2,360 after a raid by Trading Standards officers.
Saman Karime, 34, of Chadderton, Oldham appeared before Burnley Magistrates earlier this month after 825 packs of counterfeit/branded cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were seized at the Burnley Mini Market on Croft Street during an inspection in June 2022.
Around 150 packs were counterfeit while the rest were smuggled with no duty paid. Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team estimate that the packs were worth £12,366 compared to the cost of their genuine, tax-paid counterparts.
A test purchase was
carried out in the shop around a month later when a different employee sold a packet of Richmond-branded cigarettes for £4.50 - less than half of the high street price of a legitimate pack.
Prosecuting, Nicholas McNamara, told the court that the Burnley Mini Market had a history of selling illicit tobacco products. In 2020, an employee pleaded guilty after 517 similar packs were seized at the shop.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Shops selling smuggled and counterfeit tobacco undermine efforts to reduce smoking rates and make it virtually impossible for law-abiding retailers to compete.
“Counterfeit tobacco poses an additional risk as consumers have no way of
knowing what goes into making it, or of the levels of harmful substances it might contain.
“Every pack of illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco sold deprives the Government of duty
and VAT which, in this case, could have been over £8,500 had Saman Karime been able to sell it all. This ultimately means that this money cannot be used to fund important public services such as our NHS and
our schools. "When unscrupulous shopkeepers sell these illegal products, they can endanger the lives of our residents and they deprive our local communities of funding for public services.”
Magistrates imposed a fine of £1,600, plus £160 victim surcharge. Karime was also ordered to pay costs of £600, and an order authorising Trading Standards officers to destroy the 825 seized packs was made.
Chris Upton, Headteacher of Tarleton Community Primary School, has been made an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for 2023.
Chris has been honoured for services to Education following the daunting task of leading his primary school community in the aftermath of a terror attack and his subsequent work to ensure other educational establishments are better supported in such difficult times.
Sadly, in 2017, the death of a pupil and the youngest victim of the Manchester
Arena Attack, Saffie-Rose Roussos, deeply affected the community of Tarleton Community Primary School. Chris led his dedicated team of professionals to navigate the grief and trauma over a sustained period, including more recently, the Manchester Arena Inquiry to ensure that everyone connected to the school was fully supported, especially the children in his care.
Chris Upton, on receiving his OBE, said: "When I received the letter a month ago, I was very shocked and it has taken
a while to sink in. I am immensely honoured and proud to receive it, not only for myself, but for all those connected with our school. Tarleton Community Primary is a special place to be and I want to pay tribute to our staff, children, parents and the communities of the villages of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank in pulling together in the darkest of times to ensure we did the best for our children. It is fantastic to see our children are now flourishing at high school."
Chris went onto make a number of recommendations to the Home Office and Department for Education from his lived experiences to support leader’s preparedness following a terror attack, something that has developed the national strategy
in this area. He has shared learning through giving talks and writing a blog on the Home Office’s Educate Against Hate website.
In addition to his work, Chris released a book, ‘Searching for the Sparkle: A School’s Journey of Recovery’ to share learning with others and set up a charity, The Sparkle Bean Trust (sparklebean. co.uk) for the profits to go to. The charity supports primary schools across the UK by sharing learning and providing small grants following the sudden death of a pupil.
Dr Andrea Brooks, Chair of Governors, said: "This is very well deserved due to all of Chris’ hard work and commitment to the children and the education sector in general. We are all delighted for him."
Lancashire's Home Library Service is looking for volunteers to help deliver books, free of charge, to residents across the county this winter.
You can use the Home Library Service if you can't get to a library because of your age, disability, poor physical or mental health, caring responsibilities or mobility problems.
Typically, the service sees a surge in users over the winter as the cold weather sets in.
If a volunteer delivers books to you, they will visit you every four weeks on an agreed day. You can ask the volunteer for specific titles or authors, and they will pass this information onto library staff.
Christine West started volunteering for the Home Library Service eight years ago following the death of her mother, partially as a way of grieving and to also give something back to the community.
"In some cases, you're the only person they have seen in that particular week," Christine, who works out of Burnley Central Library, said.
"It's just really nice to get to know these customers, just to talk to them, to learn something about their life. And you feel at the end of the day that maybe you've done something worthwhile.
"They're all just so grateful to have the service. The times people have said to me, I don't know what I'd do without the Home Library Service, and it's lovely to have somebody to talk to.
"I know it's a cliché to say it gives you a good feeling, but it does give you a good feeling."
As well as books, you can borrow music CDs, DVDs and audiobooks, which are particularly popular with customers who are partially sighted.
A friend, relative or carer can collect the items for you. If you can't arrange for someone to collect them for you, volunteers can deliver your books to you free of charge.
Ray Toddington, 74, has been volunteering for around 8 years, and says the commitment is "perfectly manageable".
Ray, who works out of Burnley Central
Library, said: "It doesn't take up a lot of time each week, I typically do a couple of hours every 4 weeks. I share a route with someone else. It's a perfectly manageable commitment.
"And the people we go to are usually so interesting, they're so pleased to see you because most of them live by themselves. They're always glad of a friendly ear.
"We do need more volunteers but equally we need more people to deliver library books to."
County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "Our volunteers do an incredible job in Lancashire and play a crucial role in supporting some of our most vulnerable residents.
"The Home Library Service is a lifeline for so many of our residents in more ways than one.
"I want to thank all of our volunteers for your efforts and encourage anyone who can spare a few hours to look into volunteering for our Home Library Service this winter."
Lancashire Volunteer Partnership offer a variety of volunteering opportunities across Cultural Services (libraries, museums and archives) in Lancashire. If you would like to get involved please visit lancsvp.org.uk/ opportunities, or call their team on 01772 416 417 for more information.
If you are interested in using the Home Library Service call 0300 123 6703 or email library@lancashire.gov.uk
A paedophile who subjected a girl to years of sexual abuse has been jailed for more than 20 years.
Colin Lemin, 62, of New South Promenade, Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, January 12).
In 2019 police received allegations of sexual abuse from a woman, now in her 40s, reporting she had been repeatedly assaulted by Lemin as a child.
The abuse took place in the early to mid-1990s, with attacks at addresses in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and Blackpool.
Lemin was later arrested and charged with a number of rape and sexual assault offences.
He pleaded not guilty, but following a trial, was found guilty on all charges.
Lemin was sentenced to 21 years in prison and given a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.
Det Sgt Marc Armstrong, of Lancashire Police, said: “Colin Lemin is a dangerous sexual predator who committed the most horrendous and systematic sexual assaults.
“He abused the victim, a vulnerable girl, to satisfy his own depraved sexual desires. The victim suffered in silence for many years before reporting the abuse to police.
“She has shown tremendous courage by coming forward and while this sentence will not undo the years of pain and anguish caused by Colin Lemin, I hope it will give her some closure and a sense of justice.
“We commend her bravery in supporting the investigation and subsequent trial.
“We welcome the sentence handed to Lemin. His despicable and wicked actions had a significant effect on the victim and the length of the sentence reflects this.
“Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating offences of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender.
“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.”
Open 4 Feb - 1 Nov
Are your kids wild about animals? When you are thinking about how you are going to fill the school holidays with interesting things to do why not consider booking them a place on one of the Kids Club programmes at Knowsley Safari that run during the school holidays and on selected weekends.
The clubs give them an unforgettable experience, a chance to get close to the animals and gives them practical experience of what it might be like to work in a safari park.
Each programme has been designed to suit each age group and ensure everyone gets the most out of their safari experience.
Would your kids enjoy meeting sea lions and learning how they are trained, making breakfast for bats, feeding and mucking out the giraffe, joining an endangered animal workshop, or taking a close up rhino experience? The timetables for each club is different depending on the age group.
Dates for 2023 – 4th February to 1st November
Intrepid Explorers is for 8-10 years kidsJunior Rangers is for 11-14 years, Knowsley
Academy for 15-18 years, Mini Explorers for 6-7 years, Easter Intrepids for 8-10 years and Summer Intrepids 8-10 years.
The club dates and prices vary, but all run
throughout the school holidays. For kids who love animals it’s a perfect highlight in the school break. Don’t delay, places are limited.
Full details of daily programme and timetable of courses and daily starting and finishing hours can be found on the website or call on 0151 430 9009.
Foster carers whose lives were changed after being matched with children in Lancashire are supporting a new myth-busting campaign. The campaign which launches today (Tuesday 10 January), aims to show that there is no such thing as a 'typical' foster carer.
Instead, the campaign makes it clear that someone's sexuality, gender, home, age or religion will not get in the way of them starting a career in this vital role and helping local children for whom life hasn’t always been easy.
Many individuals and couples who would make great foster carers are sometimes put off by myths about eligibility.
Lancashire County Council is keen to make sure people know that foster carers can be single, married, divorced or cohabiting, have their own children or no children, own their own home or rent, or have a disability. Foster carers can be in work or be claiming benefits and the council welcome enquiries from all sections of the community, who have a faith or no faith and can be from a LGBT+ background.
Foster carers need to be over 21, but there is no upper limit. They can work full time, part time, or not at all, can own pets, don't need to have formal experience or qualifications and don't need to drive.
Joanne, 53, who is a foster carer for Lancashire County Council, said: "I have been an approved foster carer for Lancashire County Council for just over a year.
"When I first enquired, I was nervous that I would not meet the criteria to be a foster carer as I am single and was working full-time.
"I had also suffered from a period of anxiety and had to take time off work, which made me worried that I would not be accepted.
"Another worry was that I rent my property, but the team quickly reassured me
that you do not have to be a homeowner to be a foster carer.
"The assessment felt like it was going to be daunting but I actually really enjoyed the courses and training from my assessing social worker and feel that it really helped to prepare me for being a foster carer.
"I have now been caring for a child for a year and she is amazing!
"The social workers really think about the carers and the needs of the children when they are considering who should live with you and we are a perfect fit for each other.
"I've had great support from everyone and cannot fault anything about my fostering experience with Lancashire County Council.
"I have found that I am able to juggle things as a single carer and am able to continue working part-time as a teaching assistant.
"I would say to anyone thinking about fostering, ring up and have a chat with the team who will help you to think about how you can make fostering work.
"I can honestly say becoming a foster carer is the best thing I have ever done and once approved I've never looked back. Knowing that you are making a positive difference in a child's life is the best reward ever."
Lesley, 66, is a foster carer with the council alongside her husband John.
She said: "I have been fostering for almost two years with Lancashire County Council.
"We had both been thinking about fostering for a number of years but we were waiting for the 'right time.'
"We first applied to foster a few years ago but as we were going through the process I was unfortunately involved in a bad accident and suffered some injuries which meant
we couldn't pursue fostering at that point.
"By the time everything had settled down we were both much older and I was worried that I would not be able to keep up with the children.
"Our assessing social worker helped us to see that we are a team and myself and John can share the tasks between us so what I lack in physicality, John more than makes up for.
"This stopped us worrying and we were able to relax, get stuck into the courses and enjoy the assessment process.
"At no time were we made to feel our age, or my health, was an issue.
"From starting the assessment up until the present day, we have felt that we have a huge support network around us from Lancashire County Council and we use it whenever we need to.
"The time has gone so quickly and fostering has opened up a whole other
world. We are now caring for a brother and sister on a permanent basis and feel that we are a very happy and comfortable family.
"The children are amazing, so sweet and funny, and caring for them has given us a new lease of life. Fostering has been a dream come true and we would encourage anyone thinking about it to put aside any worries and apply."
County Councillor Cosima Towneley, cabinet member for children and families, said: "Fostering brings both rewards and challenges but the very real, long-lasting difference you can make to a child or teenager's life is very obvious and clear to see.
"We are hoping to break down some of the myths and misconceptions around fostering. Someone's age, race, sexuality and whether they own their home or not are irrelevant. We are looking for people who can make a difference in a child's life and
provide them with a stable, loving home to give them a better start in life.
"We are always looking for new foster carers to come forward. The greatest need is for foster carers for older children, sibling groups and children with additional needs."
Lancashire County Council offer help with the cost of fostering and support to help fosterers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Potential carers do not have to have specific qualifications in working with children as the council offer a comprehensive training programme, including the Skills to Foster course for all carers.
Lancashire County Council pay generous and competitive allowances and rewards. Check the facts and find out more about other fostering myths online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/fostering or call our friendly team for a chat on 0300 123 6723.
The Lake District is one huge adventure playground, providing gentle countryside ambles and more serious high level challenges. Whichever path you take, you’ll have much more fun if you plan properly beforehand.
PLAY IT SAFE Decide your route carefully and make sure you have enough time to get back in daylight. Darkness can quickly descend, so it’s also a good idea to pack a torch, just in case. Before you leave, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
When planning your day, bear in mind your own capabilities and those of all the others in your group.
During your work, be prepared to cut it short if conditions become too difficult or a member of your party begins to struggle.
GEAR Take appropriate clothing, equipment, food and drink and a first aid kit. Boots, warm, windproof, waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves and some spare warm clothes plus a rucksac are all essential. Regardless of the season.
If you’re thinking of going for a paddle, be careful, many tarns and lakes shelve deeply, and the water’s chilly even in high summer.
• Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Protect plants and animals,
and take your litter home.
• Keep dogs under close control
• Consider other people
CHECK THE WEATHER! The Lake District weather can change rapidly and conditions on the tops can be very different from those in the valleys. So check out the forecast in advance by calling the Lake District National Park Authority’s Weatherline service on 0844 846 2444
Ring the police and give a description of the incident and it’s location. Keep injured or exhausted people safe and warm until help reaches you.
STICKLE is a fell in the central part of the English Lake District, situated above Great Langdale. The fell is one of the three (although the number is debated) fells which make up the picturesque Langdale Pikes, the others being Pike of Stickle and Loft Crag. Together they make up one of the most picturesque, and
probably the best-known, mountain groups in the District. A “stickle” is a hill with a prominent rocky top. Harrison Stickle’s summit area is composed of the pebbly sandstone and breccia of the Pavey Ark Member. Several greenstone knapping sites have been found below the main peak, and following the strike of the tuff exploited at nearby Pike O’Stickle in
the neolithic period.
The sites on Pike O’Stickle have been well described as the Langdale axe industry, but they have been found to be much more widespread than originally thought. The rock was roughly shaped on site, and then traded across the country, where the final polishing could be undertaken. Such polished axes have been found in Buckinghamshire for example as well as in East Anglia.
The axes varied widely in size, shape and function, and most were designed to be fitted with either wooden or bone handles (using pointed butt ends or narrow waists). The summit is a short rocky ridge with a cairn at each end, the northern one being higher. The view from Harrison Stickle is as good as the view of it — a surprisingly rare occurrence — with all of the major fell groups visible.
The fell is usually climbed from New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale, and there are a number of possible routes up. The simplest first follows Stickle Beck to Stickle Tarn; a path
then leads up the western side of Pavey Ark to reach the summit. The fell is almost invariably combined with other nearby peaks to make a longer circular walk.
The timeless narrow-gauge railways of Wales are the perfect way to soak up the country's glorious scenery – and enjoy travel as it used to be
1. Ffestiniog
Built in 1832 to service the local slate industry, the Ffestiniog is the world's oldest narrow-gauge railway and uses lovingly restored carriages and locomotives that are over 150 years old. Starting at the harbour in Porthmadog, the train travels 13.5 miles to the slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Along the way it climbs over 700 feet into the mountains past forests, lakes, pastures and waterfalls, clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it.
The line is popular with railway engineers, apparently. But that could be because of the craft beers served in the dining carriage.
2.
Described as one of the most unique railway journeys in the world, the Snowdon Mountain Railway has been offering visitors an aweinspiring and enchanting way to reach the top of the highest mountain in England and Wales since Victorian times.
Starting in the tiny village of Llanberis, in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, your carriage will be pushed to the top by a heritage locomotive, past thundering waterfalls, to Eryri, the land of the eagles.
Railway buffs will want to book the Heritage Steam Experience on the Snowdon Lily, a period carriage built from the original chassis and bogey used when the line first opened. Pushed by one of three working steam locomotives, it offers the opportunity to ride up the mountain like the early pioneers did, but with a little more leg room.
At 25 miles long, the Welsh Highlands Railway is the longest heritage train line in the UK. It's also the most luxurious, with a First Class Pullman carriage and freshly-cooked food brought to your seat.
The scenery is first class too. The line runs past the foot
of Mount Snowdon, from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, taking in the picture postcard village of Beddgelert and the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass. Check the Loco roster on the Railway's website to see which restored steam engine is pulling the carriages on the day of your visit – the Earl of Merioneth or Linda 4.
Another Welsh line built originally to carry slate, the Talyllyn Railway is still very much the railway it always was, a rural byway where the pace of life is gentle, the average speed of the train is still less than nine miles per hour.
Set in the heart of mid-Wales, the train runs from from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, along the
unspoilt Fathew Valley and past the Dolgoch Falls. Both the original locomotives and all the original carriages remain in regular use
5. Llanberis Lake Railway
Situated in the heart of Snowdonia, this line offers a relaxing five-mile ride past the 13th century Dolbadarn Castle and along the shores of Lake Padarn to Penllyn, offering stunning views of Mount Snowdon along the
way. Although the journey is short, there are plenty of opportunities to break your journey along the way. At Gilfach Ddu, where you can visit the National Slate Museum. (It's also where the train stops to take on water for the engine and the driver stokes the fire.) Or alight at Cei Llydan, a tranquil spot that is ideal for a lakeside picnic.
Môr are THE watersports enthusiasts based on the North Wales seafront at Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay.
Offering Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Lessons through the Water Skills Academy (WSA) for beginners to improvers we are in a fantastic location with excellent facilities and parking, just off the North Wales Expressway, the A55. Only 30 minutes from Chester.
Not only do we run SUP lessons and taster sessions, but we also run demo days throughout the year where you can try out
the latest technology in paddleboards and find the best one for you. And we will be starting up SUP hire very soon as the season approaches full swing!
The shop also has the best range of Inflatable SUPs (iSUPs) in the North West of Britain and a great selection of wetsuits and other water sports equipment including everything you need for Wild Swimming, such as Dryrobe, tow floats and goggles.
Working in the building alongside our friends at Bryn Williams Michelin Star Bistro and
Café at Porth Eirias, was no coincidence as we are coffee lovers! This is the perfect spot to unwind and spend the day either taking advantage of the sandy beach, the fantastic paddleboarding, wild swimming or cycling the North Wales Coast path. There is also a bike shop here and leisure facilities just up ‘The Dingle’ to Colwyn Bay Leisure Centre, where the Wales under 20’s rugby team play.
COME ALONG SOON AND ENJOY THIS BRILLIANT UNIQUE FACILITY!
Check out Môr in the following ways: www.morsups.com https://www.facebook.com/ morsups https://www.instagram.com/ mor_sups/
Dumfries is ripe for strolling. Laced by atmospheric lanes and quarters, you never know what you'll find. There are many things to do in Dumfries. It can be a hidden garden, a centre for contemporary visual art and craft, a delightful parkland golf course, a confectionery shop, a bustling farmers' market, a Palladian mansion, lovely, red-hued sandstone bridges, or a medieval stronghold. Dumfries' museums are also treasure troves for uncovering the local history. Need we go on? Wherever you end up, it's probably going to be a place which will steal your heart. Nearby, you will find hills, rivers and forest parks that are the ideal setting for you to explore by foot, bike or boat. things to do in Dumfries & Galloway
From the beautiful gardens, blessed by the warm climate, to the fascinating museums covering aviation, the war effort and Robert Burns, there’s plenty of things to do.
Start with these and then see what else you can find to do in Dumfries & Galloway.
Moat Brae House and Garden is the ‘enchanted land’ where Peter Pan began...
This inspiring place has been saved from demolition, restored and opened as an International Visitor Attraction in Spring 2019
Moat Brae House and Garden is the ‘enchanted land’ where Peter Pan began...
This inspiring place has been saved from demolition, restored and will open as an International Visitor Attraction and National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling in Spring 2019. Open from Spring 2019, Moat Brae will offer tours, trails, events and activities for families and people of all ages. Celebrating Peter Pan and the ‘enchanted land’ that so inspired its author visitors can discover the heritage and secrets of the beautiful Georgian House and its Neverland Discovery Garden by the River Nith. Tour groups welcome, shop, education suite.
Annandale Distillery was established in 1836 and
reborn in 2014 following an extensive £10.5million restoration project. Once again single malt Scotch whisky is being produced in the region after almost a 100 year sleep.
The rebirth of Annandale Distillery and its transformation into a 21st century whisky making centre and visitor attraction is Dumfries and Galloway’s most ambitious tourism story.
The historic distillery has been through 3 whisky making eras and a period when it was used in farming. It was formerly a Johnnie Walker distillery which closed in 1918. Following an extensive £10.5 million restoration project, Annandale Distillery was reborn in 2014, with production starting on 3rd November.
Annandale Distillery and Visitor Centre was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 10th September 2015.
Logan Botanic Garden is located at the south-western tip of Scotland and is unrivaled as the country’s most exotic garden. Visit Logan Botanic Garden and discover a remarkable
collection of unusual and beautiful plants. A pleasure for all the family, Logan is an exotic paradise. Visitors can walk through groves of eucalyptus and palm trees or stand in the shade of awesome giant rhubarb-like gunnera.
The Walled Garden is a breathtaking celebration of the world of plants. From spring to late autumn, a blaze of colour greets the eye and the air is heavy with rich scents. On a sunny day, the atmosphere is truly tropical.
Plant treasures from South and Central America, Southern Africa and Australasia flourish here and the elegant Logan Conservatory houses a range of especially tender plants. A stroll to the highest point at Logan will be rewarded with a breathtaking view across the Rhins of Galloway Hills and beyond.
Visitors can drop into Logan’s Discovery Centre to unearth the garden’s intriguing history, from its foundation to its current wealth of plant collections. For lunch or refreshment, locally-sourced food and drink is available at
the award-winning ‘Potting Shed Bistro’ while the Garden’s shop offers a range of gifts, souvenirs and plants for sale
Drumlanrig
Immerse yourself in history at majestic Drumlanrig Castle.
Set in the 120,000 acre Queensberry Estate, complete with a country park and Victorian gardens, this 17th century castle is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in the country. The Dumfriesshire home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, Drumlanrig Castle with its magnificent rooms and spectacular collections of silver, porcelain, French furniture and art - including Rembrandt’s Old Woman Reading - is perhaps one of the most rewarding and romantic of Scotland’s great houses.
Spend a day exploring the estate on foot and you can choose from short trails to more strenuous way marked paths. The numerous trails, which range from 1.5km to 7km, follow an extensive network of paths and tracks. Or why not explore the scenic cycle tracks and off-
road mountain bike trails?
There is a trail to suit every ability and interest from technical single-track routes, to swooping family trails through the beautiful Drumlanrig woodlands, to scenic country back roads. Bikes and trailer hire is available.
Alternatively discover the estate’s wild landscapes, diverse natural history and flora and fauna. Keep a look out for otters, red squirrels and birds of prey as well as some of the estate’s most impressive trees including the Drumlanrig Sycamore – one of the oldest in the country –and the very first Douglas Fir to be planted in the UK.
Situated against the spectacular backdrop of the castle, adults can sit back and relax on benches while watching their children explore the aerial runways, slides, rope bridges and climbing frames of the estate’s fantastic adventure playground..
After all that hard work, sit back and relax in the Tearoom or browse the Gift Shop and Stableyard Studios where you’ll find local shop-makers and crafts people.
Make the most of the warm weather this summer and head off on an outdoor adventure with the family. Ideal for picnics, nature walks and soaking up some sun, these parks and gardens around Yorkshire offer a scenic spot to relax and unwind.
The vast Cistercian ruins of Fountains Abbey provide an impressive backdrop for a picnic
Visitors will be spoilt for choice with things to do at the popular Bolton Abbey Estate in Wharfedale.
Put your balance to the test crossing the 60 stepping stones, take a walk to see the Strid in the ancient woodland, enjoy the scenery along the nature trails, or nestle down on the lawns in front of the magnificent 12th century ruins.
Visit: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, BD23 6AL –www.boltonabbey.com
Golden Acre Park in north Leeds is popular for its circular lakeside walk and pretty gardens
Hugely popular for its pretty gardens and circular lakeside walk, this north Leeds park stretches across 55 hectares, providing plenty of space to bask in the sunny weather. There’s a huge amount of space to set up a picnic, or you can head to the on-site cafe if you’d prefer.
Visit: Arthington Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 8BQ – www.leeds.gov.uk
The vast Oakwell Hall estate stretches across 110 acres with a network of footpaths and nature trails for visitors to explore Combine sightseeing with outdoor adventures at Oakwell Hall and Country Park, where you can take a tour of the bautiful Elizabethan manor house, which offers an intriguing insight into the late 17th century, before heading off to explore the 110 acres
of country park which surround it.
The vast estate is home to a network of footpaths and nature trails, where you can expect to find glorious scenery, flowers and wildlife along the way.
Visit: Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley, WF17 9LG – www.kirklees.gov.uk
This nineteen acre park in Halfax is perfect for an active day outdoors, thanks to its many exciting on-site attractions.
Alongside woodland walks, a walled garden and wild flower area, children will love playing in the water park and sand pit, or spotting an array of exotic plants and creatures at The Jungle Experience, the park’s tropical on-site greenhouse.
There’s also plenty of spots to set up a picnic and if you’re feeling energetic, there is an outdoor gym where you can work up a sweat.
Visit: Halifax, HX3 0EB – www.visitcalderdale.com
These English Heritage grade II listed gardens in Harroage spread across 17 acres and feature an array of different areas giving visitors plenty to explore.
Have fun in the playground, skate park, boating pool and games areas, which include tennis, pitch and putt and crazy golf, take a dip in the paddling pool, or simply take some time out to wander the footpaths through the gardens.
Visit: Valley Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ –www.harrogate.gov.uk
If you’re looking for a park that is a little more out of the ordinary, Yorkshire Sculpture Park won’t disappoint.
The magnificent open air gallery is home to around 80 sculptures and installations, offering a more unqiue way to appreciate some contemporary art by some of the world’s finest artists.
Visit: West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG –www.ysp.org.uk
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Tucked away in a secluded valley, visitors are guaranteed to be impressed by the vast Cistercian abbey ruins and Georgian water farden at this National Trust site in Ripon. A medieval deer park, Elizabethan Hall and Gothic church are also on site to see, while the vast green lawns which lead down to the riverside provide a wonderful spot for a picnic.
Visit: Fountains Abbey And Studley Royal Estate, Ripon, HG4 3DY – www.nationaltrust.org.uk
A firm favourite spot to soak up some sun in Leeds, Roundhay Park stretches across 700 acres of pretty parkland, lakes and woodland, providing a picture-perfect location for leisurely picnic.
Youngsters are well catered for with two playgrounds on site, along with the popular Tropical World visitor attraction where a variety of exotic animals and plants can be seen.
Visit: Mansion Lane, Leeds, LS8 2HH –www.roundhaypark.org.uk
This stunning 18th century historic house just outside of York stands within 1,000 acres of glorious landscape, with lakes, fountains, woodland, temples, rolling lawns, an ornamental garden and a children’s playround just a few of the delights which await to be explored in the grounds.
Visit: Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA –www.castlehoward.co.uk
Nestled just half a mile from Huddersfield town centre, Greenfield Park is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle, and enjoy some time outdoors.
Home to a skate park, tennis courts, play areas, paddling pool and ornamental lake, as well as a miniature steam railway, there’s a great variety of attractions to keep the whole family entertained.
And visitors can even enjoy horse and carriage rides on weekends.
Visit: Trinity Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4DT – www.kirklees.gov.uk
Matlock Bath was developed as one of England’s first true tourist destinations. It occupies a beautiful position in a limestone gorge on the River Derwent, and boasts attractive riverside gardens and steep wooded hillsides.
Matlock Bath has been a popular tourist attraction since the late 17th Century, when the healing properties of its warm spa waters were first discovered. Access to the area was improved in the 18th Century, and by the 19th Century Matlock Bath was a place for society’s finest to visit. The town is still a wonderful place to visit, with a long street of shops, cafes, amusement arcades and places of interest, including an aquarium and photographic museum. The riverside walks are great for peaceful, shady strolls, and there is a good children’s playground area to keep younger visitors amused.
Running throughout September and October, the Matlock Bath Illuminations are well worth a visit. The beautiful riverside park is illuminated and filled with stalls and fairground rides, while brightly-lit and decorated rowing boats parade along the river. On Saturday nights throughout the event there are fabulous firework displays that light up the gorge.
Matlock Bath is home to this large, family-friendly theme park, which is within walking distance of the town centre. It is particularly suited to visitors aged 13 and under. The park is located high on a hill overlooking the town, which adds an extra element of thrill to the rides! Please see www.gulliversfun.co.uk/ gullivers-kingdom-matlock-bath for more information.
Located within the Grand Pavilion, the eye-catching pink building at the top of the main street, the Peak District Lead Mining Museum tells the story of the mines and miners of this area. It houses thousands of items from the lead mining industry, as well as hundreds of rock and mineral specimens from around the world. See www.peakdistrictleadminingmuseum.co.uk for
more details.
Located just a short drive outside Matlock Bath, the fabulous Crich Tramway Village is a fabulous place to spend a day, with plenty to keep the whole family happy. It is home to the National Tramway Museum, with more than 60 vintage trams for visitors to admire in airy exhibition halls, and it also features a beautifully recreated period village with a pub, café and olde-worlde shops.
A number of the trams run through the village and can be hailed at historic tram stops. Visitors pay one old penny (original coin included in the admission price) to take unlimited rides for more than a mile into the surrounding countryside, with stunning views of the surrounding Derwent Valley. There is also a Woodland Walk with a sculpture trail that is perfect for keeping little people interested along the way, as well as a picnic area and a children’s playground. See www.tramway.co.uk for more information.
The National Forest is in the very Heart of England, across parts of, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.
The National Forest offers a massive variety of activities to enjoy, with various paths to explore in various different woodlands. The stunning landscape is perfect for walking, cycling and horse-riding. Also The National Forest is an ideal location for bird and wild-
life watching.
Activities in the National Forst
You can combine a peaceful riverside walk with a visit to one of the stunning formal gardens, or why not try sailing, fishing or windsurfing on one of the Forest 's reservoirs or waterways.
There is a wealth of wet-weather options too, ranging from farm parks to forestry centres, interactive discovery parks to stately
homes and historic castles to craft centres.
National Forest
The National Forest is an area with loads of history. With various places to visit such as Calke Abbey (pictured right) and Melbourne Hall, which are both situated in The National Forest, are both beautifully preserved by the National Trust.
Many of The National Forest's picturesque villages,
nestling within its quintessentially English countryside, are unchanged through the centuries.
As the seasons change you can witness different scene's every day and the remarkable colours transforming the landscape. In just ten years, almost seven million trees have been planted and around two square miles are planted each year, making this a place you will want to return to time and again.
Here are a few fun, romantic, and ultimatley unqiue ideas for how you can spend Valentines 2022 without even stepping out your front door.
Shake up some delicious cocktails
Do you struggle to believe juice and vodka can total to be £8. Thats exactly why learning how to make them yourself is such a genius idea. Whether you choose to compete or pair up in concocting your creations, cocktail making is both a way of gaining a new skill and a way to get tipsy at the same
time, or black-out drunk –depending on what kind of couple you are.
Swap the boring, old sofa for a pillow fort
This may sound a little childish at first, but give it a chance. Building a pillow fort in your bedroom or living room makes for both a great date activity and location, as once you’ve finished building it you can enjoy it however you want, if you know what we mean.
We’d personally recommend setting up a laptop or monitor in the foot of your fort, as this makes it ideal for screening movies – plus think of the opportunity for sleep-over style snacks. What’s more romantic
than snuggling up to your partner and stuffing your faces with popcorn?
Maybe you’re not the best cook, maybe you’re Gordon Ramsey, either way, the competitive spirit and potentially delicious outcome of this activity should entice you. The best way to divide a cooking competition is by allocating the starter and dessert to one person, and the main course to the other.
However, each making your own three course meal can be even more satisfying, as you’ll end up with 6 courses overall. Just try to avoid adopting Ramsey-style characteristics
while you cook, yelling and swearing is less than romantic.
Treat yourselves to a
If cooking isn’t a strong point in your partnership, not to worry as restaurants are still open to save the day. Why not splash out and host yourselves a lavish meal cooked by professional chefs and delivered to your door. All you have to do is the lay a table with a couple of candles and voila, dinner is served.
Nottingham is brimming with plenty of fun and unqiue restaurants delivering delicious cuisines, such as Piccolino (Italian), Zaap Thai Street Food (Thai), Prickley Pear (Vegan), Zumu (Sushi), Wildwood (Italian), and more.
Give each other a make oveerrrrr!
Getting dressed up seems like a thing of the past since lockdown. Most of us have
succumbed to the popular trend of donning sweats or pjs seven days a week, which arguably may not be the most attractive of looks.
So, if you’re trusting, or brave, enough, why not exchange make-overs for Valentine’s? A new look might be exactly what you need to spice up your relationship, or make you both realise how much more attractive you were before.
Hand-craft some cool and unique gifts to exchange
If you’re less materialistic and more sentimental, this is the date for you. Whether your crafting involves paint-
ing, pottery, or something a little more unique, you don’t have to be Da Vinci to create something meaningful that your partner will cherish forever.
There’s plenty of kits you can order off of Amazon or Etsy to get you started, and the end product doesn’t even have to be that good: its the thought that counts, right?
Whether or not you’ve been inspired by some of these weird and wonderful Valentines activities, or at least were momentarily entertained, whatever you decide to do this February 14th, remember to stay safe!
As couples plan for their big day for 2023 now is the time to get into shape. and start organizing for what will be the best day of their lives. For the bride, you can’t start earlier enough.
You want to arrive at the alter looking vibrant with health and beauty, so what better excuse do you need to invest a little bit of time, money and energy in getting you there? Whether it is planning a few pampering trips to some spas or joining a gym, not only can you trim your figure, you’ll do wonders for your complexion and overall energy levels.
Shopping for the wedding dress is probably the part of
the wedding plans you are looking forward to more than any other aspect. The majority of bridal gowns bought in the UK are classed as ‘off the peg.’ You try on a sample of the gown in the shop; they take your measurements and order the most appropriate size for you which is then delivered to the shop for alterations to fit your exact shape and size.
Don’t panic, there may be a huge amount to do but here is a handy checklist with some of the main points to take into consideration in the build up to the big day!
12 months before…
Choose a wedding date Decide on a budget
Make a list of guests and decide on numbers Book your Church/Ceremony
location. Book your reception venue/caterers. Choose your Bridesmaids, Ushers and Best Man. Start looking for The Dress!. Choose and book your photographer 8 months before…
Choose bridesmaids’ dresses Book entertainment
Choose and order your wedding cake Make an appointment with your chosen florist 6 months before...
Give Notice of Marriage Purchase or hire menswear Select your wedding rings 4 months before...
Send out your wedding invitations
Arrange fittings for the wedding dress and menswear 1 month before...
Arrange a final fitting of your wedding dress your
bridesmaids, ushers and best man. Enjoy your hen and stag parties!
2 weeks before... Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal to the relevant
people
1 week before...
Arrange to collect your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and the menswear Have all your beauty
treatments
Drink plenty of water and have some early nights
Relax and enjoy this time –all your hard work is about to come to completion!
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 wellheeled 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.’
The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is urging people to reach out for help if they are struggling with post-Christmas credit card bills, alongside the rising cost of living.
People can feel pressure to spend more money than they can afford on gifts and food during the festive period, which can then hit hard in the New Year when credit card bills land on the doorstep.
Neil Smith, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board suicide prevention programme lead, said: “We know lots of people have already been struggling to
manage their money because of the rising cost of living. And we know people will now be starting to receive those credit card bills from Christmas spending.
“Our message is clear: don’t struggle in silence. Help is out there, you just need to reach out.
“We know that being in debt can have a negative effect on people’s mental health and we want to make sure people are seeking help before they reach that point.”
Dealing with money issues can sometimes be off-putting, and many people can feel ashamed. But most money and debt issues can easily be
sorted through the help of organisations such as Citizens Advice.
Emma Sylvester, debt services manager at Lancashire West Citizens Advice, said: “If you’re struggling with debt and being able to manage your money, we want to reassure you that you’re not alone and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You just need to reach out for help.
“In my role as a debt services manager, I have never said to anyone ‘we can’t help you with that’. There’s always a way.”
Local authorities across Lancashire and South Cumbria are also offering cost of
While the festive period over Christmas and New Year can be a fun and exciting time, it can also be particularly upsetting for some.
It isn’t unusual for people to suffer from January blues, so health chiefs in Lancashire and South Cumbria are encouraging everyone to think about making resolutions that bring positive changes to their health.
Being more active, stopping smoking or drinking less alcohol are great examples of New Year’s resolutions – all of which will reduce your chances of developing longterm health conditions, such as diabetes and lung disease.
Dr Andy Knox, associate medical director for population health for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), the organisation that plans and buys health services for the region, said: “New Year is a great time to commit to making positive changes towards a healthier lifestyle, but it’s also important to think about what it is you want to achieve, set realistic goals and find ways to help you stay motivated.
"Introducing healthy habits and small changes to your lifestyle now could not only help you feel better, but it could have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing.”
Setting goals can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming so making sure they’re realistic for you will help you stick to them.
Finding ones that you can complete in just a few minutes is a great way to start. Here are a few health resolutions that you can complete straight away.
• Register for GP online services. It means you’ll be able to book appointments with your GP, order repeat prescriptions and see your medical records online at any time. Start by telling your GP practice that you’d like to register for online services.
• Sign up to be an organ donor. It’s a promise to save someone’s life. Do it here: www.organdonation.nhs.uk
• Give blood. Find out more at: www.blood.co.uk
• Book an appointment for a health check, particularly if you’re over 40 as it’s a good idea to have regular health checks. Find more information here https://www.nhs. uk/conditions/nhs-healthcheck/
• Call an old friend or relative you haven’t spoken to in a while. Your call could make the world of difference to them and their wellbeing as well as help reconnect you.
• Get your medicine cabinet stocked up with common remedies, medicines and a first aid kit. Find out
what should be in yours at https://www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/ news-and-media/latest-news/ have-you-ordered-yourrepeat-prescription-aheadchristmas.
If you’re going to try to make a bigger change like giving up smoking or losing weight there are some simple things you can do to help yourself stick to them:
• Start small; the little things make all the difference.
•
join a group and meet new people along the way.
To find out more about
mental health services in Lancashire and South Cumbria, visit https://www.
lancashireandsouthcumbria. icb.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health.
•
• - Get off the bus a stop earlier than normal and walk a short distance, park a few minutes’ walk away from work or walk the kids to school. Even if you only do it two or three times a week it will make a difference.
• - If you want to change your diet start by having a good breakfast in the morning and cutting out sugary snacks.
• • Try a new hobby – it’s ok if you don’t stick to it but at least try. Better still if it’s something that gets you active.
• Find a friend. Doing anything like going to the gym or for a run with someone who has similar goals to you can help motivate you to keep going. Ask a few friends if they would like to team up with you and try it out. Or you can
Police have welcomed the sentencing of four people following a Lancashire Constabulary investigation into a £20m Bitcoin fraud.
The fraud began in 2017 when James Parker from Blackpool discovered a glitch in an Australian crypto currency trading website which allowed him to steal money. He and his co-conspirators then siphoned off more than £20m worth of credits over a three-month period. Parker’s corrupt financial adviser Stephen Boys, who earned the nickname ‘Rodney’ from ‘Only Fools and Horses’, helped launder the stolen funds.
The scam made so much money that £5,000 gift cards were handed out to people in the street and cars were bought for people Parker met in the pub.
During the trial Boys told the court how he took £1,000,000 cash in a suitcase
to buy a villa from Russians he met in the back office of an estate agent and paid £60,000 to pay off corrupt officials so he could carry on laundering money.
During the investigation police recovered 445 Bitcoin, then worth £22m, along with luxury watches, houses, cars and designer goods, including a £600 wine cooler, along with more than £1m in bank accounts. The assets will be returned to the victim.
Lancashire Police worked closely with international law enforcement, including in Australia and Finland, and the Crown Prosecution Service to bring the gang to justice.
Det Sgt David Wainwright, of Lancashire Police’s Fraud Unit, said: “The scale of the fraud in this case is absolutely staggering and led to the suspects literally having more money than they could spend.
“I would like to pay tribute to all the agencies who worked closely together to bring these people to justice.”
James Parker died in 2021 before he could be prosecuted but the other fraudsters were convicted last year and sentenced on Friday (January 13th)
Those sentenced are: Stephen Boys (12/07/63), of Winster Court, Clayton le Moors. Six years for converting criminal property.
Jordan Robinson (01/08/98), Poulton Road, Fleetwood. Four-and-ahalf years for conspiracy to commit fraud, two years for acquisition of criminal property and two years for converting criminal property.
Kelly Caton (29/10/77), Livingstone Road, Blackpool. Four-and-a-half years for conspiracy to commit fraud, two years for acquisition of criminal property and two
years for converting criminal property.
James Auston-Beddoes (25/07/94), Brighton Avenue,
Lytham. One-and-a-half years for conspiracy to commit fraud. One year for acquisition of criminal
property and one year for converting criminal property. His sentence has been suspended for 1 year.
As part of the English Football League’s (EFL) annual Week of Action, the League has launched a new report highlighting the significant role that its 72 Clubs play in supporting communities across England and Wales.
The report was launched at a roundtable in Parliament with representatives from the EFL, its Clubs and Club Community Organisations (CCOs), members of the community and the Sports Minister, the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP.
Produced by research experts Substance using data from 2019 to 2022, the report shows that EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisations (CCOs) generated more than £865m (£865,196,135) of social value to towns and cities across the country through ground-breaking community programmes during the 2021/22 season. This is the first time a social value has been attributed to the work of EFL Clubs as a collective. It represents the estimated savings to public spending and other forms of social value that Clubs and CCOs have delivered in areas including physical health, mental wellbeing, education and employment.
In the second version of the ‘Measuring the Impact of EFL Clubs in the Community’ report, EFL Clubs are shown to be responding to the needs of their communities at an unprecedented scale with more funding and investment raised than ever before (£101m), more partnerships developed (6,744), larger numbers of staff and volunteers deployed (9,922) and more facilities and in-kind support made available to local people valued at over £40.8m (£40,848,263).
The reach of community work delivered by EFL Clubs is vast and during the 2021/22 season, over 840,000 participants were engaged on EFL Club community programmes over almost 580,000 hours of community sessions and events – this is an 11 per cent increase on 2018/19. Updated figures show that 80 per cent of the population (47.6m people) in England and Wales live within 15 miles of an EFL Club,
a reminder that EFL Clubs are important civic institutions that impact the lives of people around the country. Most recently, this was demonstrated through the ‘Together – Supporting Communities’ initiative where Clubs and CCOs united to roll out initiatives to support those hit hardest by the cost of living crisis.
The report also quantifies the significant impact that Clubs had in their communities during the pandemic period with over 40,600 community members engaged in 8,752 COVID-19-related sessions and events resulting in more than 42,000 hours of support.
Shining a light on the impact EFL Clubs have, today marks the start of the EFL Week of Action campaign, taking place from 16 – 20 January. Launched in 2017, the Week of Action sees Clubs and CCOs from across the EFL’s three divisions showcase some of the most impactful community projects with managers and players joining participants across the country.
Rick Parry, Chair of the EFL, said: “This report provides substantial evidence that our Clubs continue to be at the heart of their communities, bringing life-changing opportunities that leave a lasting impact. The need for EFL Clubs to continue as catalysts for social change remains, with an increasing scale of Club community work delivered since 2019. Financial sustainability for EFL Clubs is key to enabling them to continue as a force for good in their communities.”
“This report provides substantial evidence that our Clubs continue to be at the heart of their communities, bringing life-changing opportunities that leave a lasting impact. The need for EFL Clubs to continue as catalysts for social change remains, with an increasing scale of Club community work delivered since 2019."
Liam Scully, Chair of the EFL Trust, said: “We’re immensely proud of the community support delivered by EFL Clubs and CCOs and are thrilled to now be able to put a
social value on this good work. We look forward to showcasing some of the most impactful community projects throughout this year’s Week of Action.”
Gavin Mellor, Head of Data and Consultancy at Substance, said: “EFL Clubs and CCOs have arguably never been more important to their communities and this report shows just how fantastically they have responded even in the most challenging of circumstances.”
Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew MP said: “The EFL’s Week of Action is a great way to highlight the significant contribution football clubs make to local communities.
“Football is a way of life across England and this research shows just how vital clubs are in bringing people together and fostering a strong sense of pride.
“We are determined to protect these vital community assets, so clubs are placed on a sustainable footing now and into the future and continue to play a central role for generations to come.”
Plans are in place to lay a new playing surface at the University of Bolton Stadium in the summer as Wanderers work to combat the effects of a deteriorating pitch.
The current pitch is around 16 years old and has almost doubled its intended lifespan.
A combination of a heavy workload of 14 home league games this season – as well as eight home cup ties and an England fixture in the Rugby League World Cup –and a very wet mid-winter has also contributed to a worn-out surface short of grass cover.
Considerable efforts are being made to improve the pitch in the short term –including the provision of additional heat lamp rigging and seed sowing – to aid the team’s performances as the Whites continue to challenge in League One’s top six.
Major investment will then follow at the end of the season with a timetable in place to lay a new pitch following concerts by P!nk at the University of Bolton Stadium on 7 and 8 June.
Wanderers’ Chief Executive Officer, Neil Hart, said: “Chris Simm and his ground staff have done an excellent job to keep the pitch going for as long as it has.
“Due to its age and the other factors involved it has
been impossible to maintain the surface as it was but the staff continue to work hard to do what they can and with the measures put in place we are expecting the pitch to improve going into the spring.
“We then have a plan in place to re-lay the pitch in the summer in a major renovation programme designed to give the team the best possible surface to play on.”
Continued on page 47.....
Wanderers needed a cushion with Portsmouth also starting the second half on the front foot as they chased an equaliser.
And with just over an hour gone Evatt made his first changes in a bid to regain the momentum in an increasingly scrappy encounter as he swapped wing-backs.
Randell Williams was one of those introduced and the recent recruit made an immediate impression with a couple of penetrating runs and dangerous deliveries from the left flank.
Kyle Dempsey and Amadou Bakayoko followed from the bench to help Wanderers get over the line and when Williams clipped
in another inviting ball, Bakayoko headed just wide with 10 minutes to go.
With Wanderers going for the kill, Bakayoko then saw an effort well kept out by Josh Griffiths as he just stopped the ball going over the line at his near post.
But with Pompey desperate for a goal they threatened at the other end as substitute Colby Bishop chipped wide after James Trafford had been forced to head clear following a break-away which followed an apparent foul on Williams.
Trafford hadn’t been over-employed but with 90 minutes on the clock he had to make a smart save to beat away a shot from
substitute Recco Hackett to keep at bay the prospect of penalties.
Wanderers’ Papa Johns Trophy semi-final at Accrington Stanley will be played on Wednesday, 22 February (KO 8pm).
The tie will be screened live on Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Wanderers’ home League One fixture against Stanley scheduled for Saturday, 1 April – a day before the Papa Johns Trophy final – has had to be re-arranged with one of the two clubs guaranteed to be going to Wembley.
The league game at the University of Bolton Stadium will now be played on Tuesday, 25 April (KO 7:45pm).
Bolton Wanderers have been drawn away to Accrington Stanley in the semi-finals of the Papa Johns Trophy.
Wanderers are just one more win away from a first Wembley appearance in 12 years after a Jon Dadi Bodvarsson winner took them into the semi-finals of the Papa Johns Trophy.
It wasn’t always pretty stuff as Ian Evatt’s men had to show their gritty side on a tricky saturated surface to get past their League One rivals in the first of two meetings between the sides in five days. But a sixth clean sheet in seven games
coupled with Bodvarsson’s 17th-minute strike was enough to get the job done and keep alive hopes of silverware at Wembley in early April.
Wanderers made six changes to their starting line-up following Saturday’s draw with table-topping Plymouth with Ricardo Almeida Santos among those charged with setting the Whites on their way towards the last four.
It was a welcome return for the club captain following illness in his first appearance since the Whites knocked out Barrow in the first knock-out round of the competition.
And he had a hand in the opening goal with just over a quarter of an hour gone as Wanderers took the lead.
A clearing header from Santos went as far as Dion Charles, although the striker did most of the work in superbly spinning away from two defenders before releasing Bodvarsson to run through and slot home his third goal of the cup run and eighth in total for the season.
Not for the first time Charles was proving too much for a defence to deal with as he punched regular holes in Pompey’s back line as Wanderers threatened a second on
a number of occasions while they were on top.
While that goal didn’t come, the visitors weren’t out of the game as they enjoyed their best spell towards the end of the first half.
But just before the break it was Wanderers who almost struck again to take firmer control with Owen Beck seeing a shot brilliantly blocked by Pompey skipper Sean Raggett after the visitors had been pegged back in their penalty area.