Lancaster & south lakes local 4

Issue. 4 - November 2017

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Woman

sentenced to prison for

manslaughter of grandmother

A woman has been sent to prison in connection with the death of her 91-year-old grandmother.

Jaqueline Fairclough, 43, formerly of Pennine Way, Eccleston, Preston, was handed 3 years behind bars on November 14th at Carlisle Crown Court after she previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter by gross negligence of Maude White.

Maude White was found dead in the caravan she owned at Wyndham Caravan Park, Cockermouth, on May 27th 2016.

A post mortem found that she died as a result of generalised neglect and multiple sores.

Each year Maude White would travel to the caravan park with Jacqueline Fairclough, from their home in the Preston area. They would remain there for several months. Fairclough was responsible for the care of her grandmother and received a carer’s allowance.

In a police interview she denied knowing that her grandmother was in serious need of medical attention, and said that the sores must have appeared on the day of her death. Medical experts have stated that the sores would have appeared over a considerable amount of time.

She claimed that Mrs White had a ‘clean and healthy lifestyle’ and that she washed, fed and changed her grandmother on a daily basis.

Detective Constable Ruth Pickering said: "This is a tragic case in which Maude White suffered significant injuries as a result of neglect and poor personal care, and which ultimately lead to her death.

"During the police investigation Fairclough denied any wrongdoing and claimed to have cared for her grandmother in the best way possible.

"It was clear that Mrs White was in need of urgent medical attention which she did not receive. I am happy now that Fairclough has admitted responsibility for the lack of care she provided and my thoughts go out to Maude White’s family who have had to deal with the loss of their loved one in such terrible circumstances."

Work starts to

improve historic park

Pictured are the Friends of Nobles Rest, officers from our parks and open spaces team, our Leader Councillor Giles Archibald (centre) and portfolio holder for the environment, Councillor David Fletcher, at the park in Kendal.

Work has begun to improve one of South Lakeland’s most treasured public parks.

Trees are being thinned and removed as part of a wider community-led project to improve drainage and pathways at Nobles Rest in Kendal which is described as a “hidden gem.”

John Wright, chairman of the Friends of Nobles Rest, said: “The tree management marks the start of work which will improve a place that many people love. “I am confident that we have consulted with as many local

people as possible and have taken their views into consideration. I also feel confident that we have consulted with a wide range of experts, naturalists and other bodies to get the best, integrated solution we can to some long standing issues.”

The Forestry Commission has approved the felling of 18 trees as part of work which will help the natural regeneration of the woodland.

Graham Nicholson, our arboriculturalist, said: “This is well planned and sensitive tree

management which will allow more light to reach the woodland floor, giving younger and middle aged trees more chance.” Although Nobles Rest will remain open during the tree felling, the park will have to be closed for a short period of time in the New Year when work on the new drainage and pathways begins.

Tony Wrathall, from Kendal Civic Society, said: “It is a treasured park which is often very boggy in places.

We look forward to seeing it properly drained, with new paths, so you can

walk around without wellies. In spring and summer Nobles Rest is delightful, as it hopefully will be next winter.”

We have awarded £20,000 from our Locally Important Projects (LIPs) fund and are contributing £40,000 towards the drainage.

Kendal Town Council is paying £15,000 for a new path at Town View Field and £2,000 has been donated through the Tesco Bags of Help project.

Nobles Rest, which is located at the end of Maude Street, was donated by Mary Ellen Noble in 1929 as a sanctuary of rest for the aged and a play area for small children to enjoy. It was created to commemorate her husband, local surgeon Samuel Clarke Noble.

Pupils planting Page 2.

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trees for the future

Children at an Ulverston school have helped to plant trees in a new community garden created on a flood risk site in the town. The Environment Agency (EA) and contractors JBA Bentley have been working since 2015 on the Town Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme, an extensive project to repair and rebuild the Town Beck watercourse that flows through and under the town in underground culverts, to increase flood protection for residents and businesses.

As part of the overall Town Beck project, the EA needed to remove a number of trees to complete the work.

In total 22 trees had to be taken out that had been growing in to river

walls, embankments and culverts that were creating a flood risk.

The EA committed to replace each tree removed with two new trees in a safe area where the trees will be able to grow and prosper. Our open spaces team worked with the EA on the resulting community garden project, to create a green space suitable for the 44 new trees. The land where the new garden is being created is the site of the former Rascals, which suffered flooding in 2009, 2012 and 2015 and had to be demolished. As part of the Town Beck work the EA has replaced a culvert and built a flood wall on the land to protect properties on the neighbouring Lund Terrace.

The new garden, alongside our existing multi-use games area and park, will form a ‘flood plain’ in the event of further severe rainfall and will help protect the nearby homes.

Youngsters on the school council at the nearby Sir John Barrow School have been getting involved in the project, discussing the community park designs and being told about the flood alleviation work.

On the 9

Pictured, children from Sir John Barrow School prepare to plant trees November the pupils joined teams of volunteers from ourselves, the EA and Ulverston Town Council to help plant some of the new trees.

Ten year-old Lucy Kelly, who helped to plant a bird cherry tree, said: “The tree is already twice my height and I’m going to keep coming back to see how much it grows. One day it’ll be one of the tallest trees here, as big as a house.” Helping out with some of

the digging was our Portfolio holder for Environment, Councillor David Fletcher, who said: “This has been a huge project for the Environment Agency and it will benefit hundreds of homes and businesses in the town.

“We are delighted that SLDC has been able to contribute towards the creation of this new community garden and it is so nice to see the youngsters from Sir John Barrow School getting

involved in today’s tree planting.

“This marks the beginning of the end for the Town Beck scheme and helps to create a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.’’

EA Flood Manager, Dan Bond, said: “We have worked in partnership with South Lakeland District, Cumbria County and Ulverston Town councils, Network Rail and United Utilities on the £9.3 million Town Beck

Flood Alleviation scheme. “When completed, it will reduce flood risk to 407 homes and 118 businesses in Ulverston town centre. “During this intensive project, we had remove a number of trees for the construction to take place, but it’s great that we have replaced them with twice as many being planted.”

The Town Beck scheme is due to be completed by Christmas this year.

It's time to come together to talk about loneliness Lancaster City Council and Age UK Lancashire are inviting members of the public and school children to attend a Loneliness Summit at Lancaster Town Hall next month.

The free event which will take place on Wednesday, December 6 will run from 2pm - 5.30pm and is being held in support of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness and Age UK’s ‘No One Should Have No One’ campaign.

The aim of the event is to start a conversation about loneliness in the Lancaster district and raise awareness of the support and activities available for those, whatever their age, who are feeling lonely and isolated.

There will be a range of activities taking place to highlight the issue of loneliness and encourage individuals to be aware of its effect on people within their own communities.

The event will be in two parts.

2pm – 3.30pm - A session specially for groups of school children to raise awareness of loneliness and how they might be able to help reduce the feeling of isolation within their community. It is hoped that the children attending will share what they have learnt about the growing problem in a school assembly. 4pm – 5.30pm - The second session is open

to the general public. Representatives from Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and town and parish councils have also been invited to attend this session.

A wide range of clubs, groups and

organisations will have information stands at the event and there will be short presentations by people who have experienced the effects of loneliness first hand and by various groups who can offer activities to suit

all ages. If you are school or member of the public who wishes to attend the session that is relevant to you, please contact Jenny Kay by email to jkay@ lancaster.gov.uk or by calling 01524 582065.

Time to come together to talk about loneliness

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Do the right thing for

rough sleepers this winter

With night time temperatures beginning to drop, Lancaster City Council’s homeless team is urging people to do the right thing if they spot anyone sleeping rough in the area by using the dedicated homelessness service Streetlink to help bring them in from the cold.

StreetLink is the most effective way of alerting local authorities and specialist services to someone who may be in desperate need of help, whatever the time of day or night.

A dedicated team of city council staff are on standby 24/7 to respond to alerts and offer on the spot support and advice as well as making arrangements to get them off the street and into temporary accommodation during periods of sub-zero temperatures.

Although some rough sleepers are already known to the team, there can be others new to the district which remain unnoticed, bedding down at different times of day or night, and moving from place to place.

Coun Andrew Warriner, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and housing, said: “Although we don’t have the number of rough sleepers you might see in other towns and cities but one is one too many, the council remains committed to

ensuring no-one on its patch spends a second night out on the street. In time, this way of living can lead to people becoming victims of crime, developing drug or alcohol problems and in minus temperatures could lead to illness and even death.

“If you’re concerned about someone sleeping rough, the best thing you can do is to report what you have seen to Street Link so that our specialist team of staff can bring them in out of the cold and connect them to other local services which can get them back on their feet.“ You can contact StreetLink by telephoning the 24/7 StreetLink phone line 0300 500 0914 or report your concerns using the StreetLink website www.streetlink.org. uk Alternatively you can download the StreetLink App from the iTunes or Google Market store free of charge.

Alternatively, at evenings and weekends you can call Lancaster City Council’s out of hours service tel. 01524 67099.

A new theatre project is being launched to raise awareness of the difficult issues and pressures facing young people.

Applied Theatre in Cumbria (ATiC) will take plays focussing on community safety and health and wellbeing into schools across South Lakeland and Barrow.

The initiative follows a successful pilot project in which a hard-hitting production about the dangers of drink and drugs was performed in nine local schools earlier this year.

Funding of £150,000 has now been secured to launch ATiC, with a series of professional theatre performances to be delivered by the Brewery Arts Centre over the next two years.

The theatre project is the latest initiative backed by the South Cumbria Community Safety Partnership, which is made up of a range of organisations including ourselves, Cumbria County Council, the police and fire services and voluntary organisations who are helping to tackle crime and disorder and promote community safety.

Councillor Philp Dixon, our Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We know theatre is a very powerful and effective way of engaging with young people. Performances about topical community safety and relevant health and wellbeing issues will help to educate our schoolchildren, reassure them and show what sort of help is available.

“The ATiC plays will deal with some difficult and challenging topics.

They will be written and performed to entertain but also to deliver real impact. They will be backed up by engaging workshops and professionals will be on hand after each performance to ensure young people get the advice and support they need.”

Project leaders have already begun visiting schools were students will have their say on what the important issues are. Their views will then be translated into the content of the performances.

The theme of the first play will be on mental health issues, which will be performed in 10 schools in the spring of 2018. Teaching staff will have a say about both the content and age group suitability. The theme of the performance will change for 2019.

The Brewery Arts Centre will pull together a creative team to deliver ATiC, including a writer, director, stage manager and bring in some of

School theatre to spotlight key issues

impactful project.” ATiC is being Community Safety Partnership and Council organisation for the North the best acting talent in Cumbria.

Brewery Chief Executive Richard jointly funded by the South Cumbria the charity Curious Minds, the Arts West.

Foster said: “We are delighted to be part of such an exciting new project.

The Brewery has more than ten years’ experience delivering engaging courses, classes and events in theatre, dance, art and music for young people through our Youth Arts programme.

“We have also worked on some ground breaking outreach projects in the community with schools and with ‘hard to reach’ groups that have limited access to the benefits that art and culture offers. We look forward to making the Applied Theatre in Cumbria a creative, innovative and

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Hidden homelessness is on the increase

Pictured are Hostel Team Leader, Angela Harvey, and Flo. You could be forgiven for thinking homelessness is not a big issue in South Lakeland.

The truth is the number of people needing help to put a roof over their head continues to rise.

Over the past two years we have seen the number of homelessness applications more than double, from

42 to 104.

Our Housing Options Team expects that figure to rise significantly because of changes in the way benefits are paid, a lack of affordable housing and new legislation to be introduced from next April.

The team says there are some big challenges to overcome, not least the

unhelpful public perception of what a typical homeless person is.

“Sadly the stereotypical view is of a helpless drunk or drug addict asleep in a doorway, who either can’t or won’t help themselves. In reality the two biggest causes of homelessness are family breakdown or the loss of a tenancy, which could happen to anybody,” said Alan Davis, our Housing Options Manager.

“We are empathetic and supportive, here to help and not to judge. Our role is to help get people back on their feet and, even though housing is a basic need and we have had lots of success stories, we are now under increasing pressure to find alternative accommodation.”

We have a statutory duty to assess homeless applications and then find accommodation, usually in social housing or the private rented sector.

With around 3,200 people currently on the waiting list for social housing in South Lakeland, high private sector rents and many landlords reluctant to offer tenancies to people on benefits, the situation is getting worse.

Town View Fields Hostel in Kendal, which is run by us, has 18 single and family rooms, most of which are now always full.

“Around a quarter of our workload is about helping people to make a homeless application, assessing if they are a priority need or vulnerable for example” added Alan. “What people might not realise is that an awful lot of the team’s work is around prevention and relief of homelessness; stopping someone becoming physically homeless, keeping them where they are or finding alternative accommodation.”

Our preventative work includes

liaising with landlords to allow tenants to stay in their accommodation, helping with the payment of deposits and arranging talks in local schools about the harsh reality of homelessness.

Some local authorities do more than others. From April 2018 all councils will have extra responsibilities under the new Homeless Reduction Act to give meaningful support to help resolve and prevent homelessness.

We now plan to introduce outreach appointment sessions in Windermere and Ulverston and hopes to persuade more private landlords to step in and offer accommodation, backed up by incentives and a package of support.

“We expect the number of homeless applications to increase significantly which will create even more pressure to find accommodation. Closer working with private landlords, with a package of support to ensure we try to mitigate as much risk to them as possible, will be crucial in enabling us to help those who need it most,” said Alan. Private landlords who would like more information on how they can help the homeless, or those at risk

of becoming homeless, can contact the Housing Options Team on 01539 733333.

Case study: How support helped a homeless woman to graduate It is a remarkable story of struggle and determination.

“Flo” is not her real name. The 28 year-old has asked to have her identity protected because of the public stigma surrounding homelessness.

In reality she has nothing to be ashamed of.

She was brought up in South Lakeland, left home at an early age and spent years drifting between shared houses and hospitals.

Only when Flo arrived at Town View Fields Hostel in Kendal, which is run by us, did she begin to get the kind of help and support she really needs.

“I was just a mess when I moved here.

I didn’t really speak to the staff, just kept my head down. There was a kind of blackness and I didn’t know who I was,” she said. “Now I know who I am, I want to do things like watch a movie, enjoy hobbies and I want to see people.” Flo had started a degree course but then spent years stopping

and starting her coursework, dipping in and out of her studies. Feeling more settled and supported at Town View Fields Hostel, she not only began studying again but has since graduated.

“It took me seven years to get my degree but I’ve got it, that’s what counts,” she said.

Flo is on the autism spectrum. The diagnosis was only made after she arrived at the hostel. She believes earlier diagnosis would have changed her life.

“Had I been diagnosed when I was at school it would have made a huge difference. It helps to explain the bullying, the problems with relationships, why I couldn’t stay in employment, it could have changed everything,” she said.

Flo is still at the hostel, because there is no suitable permanent accommodation for her in South Lakeland, but her outlook is more positive.

She is looking forward to having a new companion. From next spring an assistance dog, specially trained to help her, will be by her side every day.

New partnership to maximise

economic opportunities of Morecambe Bay

Pictured from left to right are Cllr Giles Archibald, Cllr Eileen Blamire and Cllr Dave Pidduck signing a Joint Statement of Intent.

Three councils have pledged to work more closely to attract greater investment and employment into the Morecambe Bay area.

Ourselves, Lancaster City Council and the Borough of Barrow in Furness say the new partnership will enable more effective economic development activity and bring fresh opportunities.

The first step towards collaboration has already been taken with the leaders of each council signing a Joint Statement of Intent to work together on economic development opportunities.

Councillor Giles Archibald, our Leader, says there is strong evidence to suggest the partnership will be mutually beneficial.

“Instead of working separately to attract investment and encourage growth we will work in partnership and lobby with one voice to allow Morecambe Bay to fulfil its economic potential,” said Cllr Archibald.

In 2016 Lancaster City Council, Barrow Borough Council and ourselves agreed to commission a joint study to explore if there was evidence to support closer working.

The consultants, Mickledore, found that an unusually high proportion of the workforce, 75%, both live and work within the combined area

and, whilst the economies of South Lakeland, Lancaster and Barrow have significant differences, there are clear benefits from collaborating on economic development and other important initiatives.

Lawrence Conway, our Chief Executive, says the partnership will help to make the Morecambe Bay area more competitive.

“This is a new collaborative approach based around a recognised functioning economic area which will help to unlock investment, create more highly paid jobs and maximise new opportunities. In isolation, each council may be missing out on the wider economic opportunities that exist within the Morecambe Bay area. It’s not about replacing existing relationships but working in a way that maximises their effectiveness across the North West and nationally, for the benefit of our communities,” he said.

By working together the partner authorities would share a bigger economic picture; demonstrating strengths in marine engineering, energy generation, nuclear skills, advanced engineering and higher education.

Cllr Eileen Blamire, Leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “Stronger collaboration around

Morecambe Bay provides potential strategic advantages for all three councils and the communities we serve. District and county administrative boundaries serve a purpose in terms of public administration but do not necessarily define the economy, which develops around key sectors, supply chains and markets, as well as people and skills.”

Barrow Borough Council’s Leader, Cllr Dave Pidduck, said: “This council has recognised the need to build strong alliances and partnerships to lobby for the area at a regional and national level. Our partnership around Morecambe Bay is a key step towards that. All three local authority areas have unique strengths and will benefit from a collaborative approach to new employment, infrastructure and skills. With key strengths in industry, environment and learning Morecambe Bay will become a significant regional economic voice.”

Ideas include the creation of a Prospectus of Opportunity, setting out the strengths and opportunities for investment and growth across Morecambe Bay and the joint promotion of the area as a great place to live, study and build a career.

We will now work with Lancaster City Council and Barrow Borough Council on developing an action plan.

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2017 Poppy Appeal to accept contactless card donations

This year the British public will be able to donate £2, £3 or £5 to the Poppy Appeal via contactless card.

This year’s Poppy Appeal will give the British public the chance to donate via contactless card, alongside cash, for the first time on such a large scale.

The Royal British Legion, in partnership with card payment services provider Cardnet, is piloting the scheme with 200 mobile donation terminals across the UK. The terminals, featuring the familiar Poppy design, will have three preset donation levels of £2, £3 and £5 enabling donors to quickly and securely make their donation for the traditional poppy or for a lapel pin.

As well as accepting contactless donations by credit or debit card, the terminals also accept Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay providing the donor’s device is linked to a Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card.

Poppy Appeal ambassador, Nell McAndrew said: “Hopefully this fantastic move from the Royal British Legion and Cardnet will make it easier for millions more Britons to make a donation this year then wear their poppy with pride.”

The contactless terminals will be used across the UK alongside the traditional cash collecting tins to make it as easy as possible for the public to donate for a poppy.

Tony Nash, Lloyds Bank Cardnet

MD said: “Contactless has revolutionised how consumers pay for goods and services, and with fewer and fewer people carrying cash, using these contactless terminals should lead to more donations this year’s Poppy Appeal.

We’re really proud to be supporting the Legion and hope this pilot will lead to a hugely successful 2017 Appeal.”

Simon O’Leary, Assistant Director, Community and Mass Events at The Royal British Legion said: “This partnership with Cardnet is another great step in making it simpler for the brilliant British public to support our Armed Forces community. It’s vitally important that we continue to adapt to changing consumer behaviour and make it as easy as we can for the public to donate for a poppy.”

The Legion introduces modern take on

‘In Flanders Fields’ for 2017 Poppy Appeal By re-creating John McCrae’s poem in seven locations the Legion aims to bring ‘In Flanders Fields’ into modern-day consciousness, encouraging people to Rethink Remembrance and consider the meaning of the poppy as a symbol both of Remembrance and hope for the Armed Forces community, past and present.

‘In Flanders Fields’ was written after poppies bloomed on the battle fields of the First World War, despite the death and destruction around them.

It’s that life force growing in the most difficult of circumstances that connects the poppy with a message of hope. “”The Poppy Appeal 2017 is encouraging the public to recognise that your poppy supports the Armed

Forces community past and present”” Claire Rowcliffe, Director of Fundraising The poem lines are located at Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, on Dunkirk Beach, on the White Cliffs of Dover, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, in Cardiff Bay, at Salford Quays in Manchester and outside the Sage in Gateshead.

The individual letters of the poem are made up of clusters of poppies, giving the impression the lines of the poem have grown from the ground, and when viewed from a height or at ground level will bring a new perspective to the famous poem and its meaning.

The Royal British Legion’s Director of Fundraising Claire Rowcliffe

said: “The Poppy Appeal 2017 is encouraging the public to recognise that your poppy supports the Armed Forces community past and present, and is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope.

“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded. The donation for your poppy will help the Legion support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements.

“We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £47 million. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride.”

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New lease of life for

Kirkby Stephen Poetry Path

Teams from Cumbria County Council’s highways and countryside access departments have recently completed repair and resurfacing works to Bollam Lane in Kirkby Stephen – also known locally as the Poety Path.

A 230 metre section of the public bridleway, which forms part of the path from Nateby Road down to the River Eden has been resurfaced and repaired following damage suffered during Storm Desmond.

The theme of the poetry path is, ‘A year in the life of a fellside farmer,’ and English poet Meg Peacocke was commissioned to write a series of 12 poems which reflect the farming calendar – subjects include hay-

making, harvest, hedge-laying and lambing time. Councillor Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “I am delighted that works have now been completed on restoring this beautiful local path. The path tells an important story and will enable walkers to learn about the farming history of this wonderful area. The newly restored path will provide a lovely place to stroll for locals and visitors alike.”

The poems have been carved in to a series of stones along the path, which walkers will be able to read and trace a year in the life of a farmer. The path loops from Stenkrith near Kirkby Stephen to Hartley and back.

Council Promotes

Responsible Driving

The Town Council included funds in its 2017/18 budget to purchase a Speed Indication Device Sign due to continuing concerns about persistent speeding around the town’s schools. Over the last two years, the Council has received many complaints about parking and speeding vehicles around schools.

Whilst all our local schools have implemented methods to attempt to alleviate these problems, the Council decided that the purchase of a Speed Indication Device would assist schools and residents further in trying to re-educate drivers regarding speed limits on key streets within the town. In partnership with the County Council and local schools, seven sites have been highlighted as problematic. The sign will be located at all these sites on a rotational basis. The Council would be interested to receive feedback from residents and school users, to ascertain whether the sign makes a difference to the speed of traffic when in situ. You can submit your views by email to: clerk@morecambe.co.uk or by telephone 01524 422929 The Council would like to thank Lancashire County Council for its assistance in erecting the mounting plates and poles at the seven sites at no cost to the Town Council.

Park for free for your

Christmas shopping spree

Christmas shoppers will be able to enjoy free parking at selected times in Lancaster and Morecambe in the run up to Christmas.

From Sunday November 26 until Sunday December 24, all of the city council's main pay and display car parks in Lancaster and Morecambe will be free to use for Sunday shopping.

From Thursday November 30 until Thursday December 21, you can

also park for free at the council’s pay and display car parks in Lancaster after 6pm (until 8am the following morning) on Thursday evenings to enjoy late night shopping.

The offer of free festive parking is also on offer at the council’s multi storey car park at St. Nics Shopping Centre in Lancaster. Please note that this car park will close at 9pm on Thursday evenings. Evening parking in Morecambe is already free.

Free parking excludes Lancashire County Council’s on street pay and display parking in Lancaster and the privately managed Marketgate Shopping Centre Car Park and Parksafe in Lancaster.

Free parking also excludes the pay and display car parks at Williamson Park.

For more information on city council car parks visit www. lancaster.gov.uk/parking

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Begin planning your festivities now!

Organising your Christmas party There is no uncertainty that the mention of a Christmas party has already cropped up in your work place by now, even despite the desperate pleas from those who state, “It’s too soon to start thinking about Christmas!”.

The dreaded headed email alone can occasionally stir up a wave of sheer panic to those who desperately attempt to keep Christmas and all common denominators at bay until, at least, December.

Fear not, readers! Whether you are the hapless individual that has somehow been landed with the responsibility of organising the party, or in fact an attendee of the party gathering ideas to help said hapless individual; we are on hand to provide an easy to follow guide which will smooth the process of organising a Christmas work party.

Firstly, it is vital that you gage the successfulness of the previous Christmas party. You need to find out from your colleagues whether they were happy with the venue and arrangement of last year’s party and find out what, if given the opportunity, they would have changed. Big or small, all suggestions will assist in

your role of finding the best suited venue for your party. It’s essential to discuss ideas with your colleagues to try and find out what they would like, or expect, to see this year.

Secondly, before you go booking any venues, you will need to find out just how much money your colleagues are willing to spend. It is also important to consider if your company will contribute towards the cost of the Christmas party.

Is there a budget to be reckoned with? Not all companies are able to provide this luxury, however, so you must make the evening affordable for everyone. The budget will respectively facilitate limitations as to what you are able to get organised for your team, so ensure that you gather this information quickly. Ask all your colleagues for their desired party date.

This will allow you to narrow down on dates whilst also enabling you to confirm numbers, which will provide you with more sureness when contacting the venues etc. A few venues offer discounts for early bookings, like in November, so this may be something to consider if you

are on a tighter budget. Work your way through the list of venues that has been suggested by your colleagues, contacting each one – or visiting their website – to see what they are able to offer you and your team and for what price.

Also enquire as to whether you will need a deposit for your party or not, what time the DJ runs until, also directions on the venue if it is typically difficult to find. Check to see if the venues are easily accessible via public transport as the taxi fares to and from the party may put your colleagues off wanting to attend.

Once you have obtained this information from your colleagues and the venues, it is time to present the information to your colleagues, concisely, with a narrowed down list of best picks. Outline in the email that the choice of the venue will be decided upon a majority vote and ensure you give your colleagues a date to respond by!

Of course, as designated party planner, you mustn’t forget those allimportant cheesy images to spread Christmas cheer along with every email!

Budgeting

for Christmas

Budgeting for Christmas is much easier said than done, granted. It is an element that many of us attempt in the earlier stages of our shopping ventures but rarely actually follow up on. However, budgeting early can avoid unnecessary last-minute spending and can help you reign in the overall amount you’re dishing out, too. Make a list and most importantly – stick to it. Outline those that you are planning to buy for along with an approximate amount that you wish to spend on this person. Keep this list with you always! This way, if you do happen to nip in to the shop on the way home from work and see that lovely bath set that your sister would like, you can tick her off your list right there and then! You can choose to save the list on your mobile phone if you are tech savvy or on a piece of paper in your wallet or purse if you prefer. If you can, buy early. Smaller items, like wrapping paper and Christmas decorations, are in shops from September and they are often a fraction of the price at this time of year when compared to December.

Stock up on these items as early as possible, but avoid splurging on bows and ribbons as, although pretty, it’s money that is being unnecessarily spent. Although not for everybody, shopping online can be a great help when trying to avoid extra spending

and simultaneously getting more organised for Christmas. Not only do many shops offer online discounts on certain items, but you may also discover ideas for gifts for your family or friends whilst browsing. This almost one-dimensional approach can save you money long term too, as shops are privy to our tendency to pick up ‘last minute extras’ whilst waiting for the queue to go down and, of course, when shopping online these extras are not sat waiting for you near the checkout!

Shopping online can also spread out the cost of gift buying as you can add items to your basket and buy one or two online. Of course, you must be mindful that these items may become out of stock or increased in price during these two time frames, however, this will hopefully avoid the panic of checking your bank balance after wandering around the city centre for hours! If you like to gift the children in your family with letters from Santa, small presents in the build-up or a Christmas eve box, why not help Santa out with a little bit of D.I.Y.? these small purchases may not seem like much at the time, but you can cut a fraction off the price of these items by making them yourself.

You can go to almost any craft shop to pick up items to assist with these gifts.

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GET IN THE FLOW ON A CHAPTERS EXPERIENCE

HOLIDAYS’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS BREAK

With Christmas often fraught with preparations, why not put aside the usual chores and unwind this festive season on one of Chapters Experience Holidays expert led European city breaks over Christmas.

Atmospheric at any time of year, but even more so at this time of year, get in the flow for a relaxing Christmas with one of the following holidays floating through the misty waterways in Venice, soaking up the grandeur of the Danube River or ambling along the River Rhône and the Pont du Gard where one can do as the song says and dance on the ancient spans of the Pont d’Avignon.

Venice - La Serenissima. Magical at any time of year, Venice’s gondola festooned canals and impressive venetian treasures, such as the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Square, take on an invitingly eerie feel at Christmas when the mist rolls in off the water into the stylishly lit and near deserted alleyways to uncover beautifully decorated shops and a less touristy Venice with local Venetians festively going about their business.

Exploring the city with a side trip to Padua, highlights of this one week holiday include exploring Piazza San Marco when only the pigeons are there, a boat trip across the lagoon to Murano, Burano and Torcello and contemplating Tintoretto’s amazing paintings in the Scuola di San Rocco. In addition, time also spent meandering around the Christmas markets, with their lovely selection of Murano glass, marbled paper gifts and gourmet goodies, makes for the

perfect opportunity to pick up that special gift. Chapters Experience Holidays (01707246666, www. chaptersholidays.co.uk)Venice - La Serenissima one week half board holiday starts from £1,065/person including return flights, dinners in local restaurants, an expert leader and local transport. Departures: 21 December 2017 A Danube Christmas Delight.

Celebrate in Vienna and Budapest, two of the finest cities on the Danube and discover the festive Tale of Two Cities. Wrap up warm for strolls through cobbled courtyards and bustling Christmas markets surrounded by twinkling fairy lights, traditional decorations and elegant architecture. Explore a museum or two before inviting smells from the numerous coffee houses tempt you in for a treat. Beginning in Vienna, this 8 night holiday takes in the city’s historic old town, the Opera House at Karlsplatz and magical Christmas markets which take place in front of the city hall. Transferring by train to the Hungarian capital, Budapest, a

wonderful city divided by the Danube with the historic Buda on the right bank and modern Pest on the left, time is spent here exploring the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes Square, the Buda Royal Palace, Castle district and the beautiful Fishermen’s Bastion as well as the traditional Christmas market on Vörösmarty Square in the heart of Pest. Chapters Experience Holidays (01707246666, www. chaptersholidays.co.uk) ‘A Danube Christmas Delight’ 8 nights half board holiday starts from £1,199/person including return flights, local guides for half a day in each city, dinners in hotels and local restaurants, an expert leader and local transport. Departures: 24 December 2017 Romantic Avignon. On the tree lined banks of the River Rhône, surrounded by the 800-year-old ramparts, the medieval city of Avignon is steeped in ancient lore and mystery and even more so during the festive season when Christmas lights, and a possible light dusting of snow, add to the city’s enchanting ambience. Regarded as one of France’s major artistic centres,

Budapest at Christmas

dating back to the Pope’s court in 14th century, its narrow cobbled streets uncover a rich history with impressive sites such as the Place St Pierre, Place de l'Horloge and the Promenade des Papes. Surrounded by beautiful French countryside, the week also includes trips to the Roman city of Arles where Van Gogh lived and

painted; the small market town and birth place of Nostradamus, St. Remy de Provence; and a five mile walk up to Pont du Gard, the most spectacular aqueduct in France, where there is the opportunity to do as the song says and dance on the remaining spans of the Pont d’Avignon. Chapters Experience Holidays (01707246666, www.

chaptersholidays.co.uk) Romantic Avignon one week holiday starts from £1045/person including return rail travel, en suite accommodation, half board meals with dinners in hotels and local restaurants, half day with local guide, an expert leader and local transport. Departures: 21 December 2017.

Have you considered

volunteering?

Many charities are desperate for volunteers in the build up to Christmas – have you thought about the impact you could make to just one person?

The festive period can be particularly gruelling and isolating for homeless people and shelters are likely to be filling up quickly with those requiring relief meaning that general assistance is always welcomed.

This can mean assisting with serving food and cleaning up, to chatting to those in the shelter and trying your best to ensure that they know that there is someone for them to talk to. Skilled help is often overlooked in shelters. Businesses like beauty therapy and hairdressing services are often highly desired within shelters and these are often the businesses that are needed the most, too.

Regardless as to whether you have a skilled trade, there will always be an opportunity for you to help.

Volunteers often leave knowing that they have helped make a difference

to somebody’s day, possibly brought festive cheer to those that need it the most.

How can I find volunteering opportunities near me? As you would probably expect, Christmas day is the most popular shift over the Christmas period and these shifts are usually filled weeks in advance. However, shelters often struggle to cover their night shifts, so please do bare this in mind.

The best place to start enquiring about volunteering opportunities is with your local council. They should be able to provide details for organisations in your area that are in need of volunteers. You could also try to contact organisations directly.

Below are a couple of examples: Do-It is a volunteering database with hundreds of opportunities all over the country. Visit their website to see if you could help: [www.doit.org] The Salvation Army offers support and companionship to those

must vulnerable all over the country.

Visit their website to see if you could help: [www.salvationarmy.org.uk] Thinking of something smaller?

If the Christmas period is rather chaotic, do not worry as you can still help with the following, smaller opportunities for volunteering this Christmas: Pack a giftwrapped shoebox full of items for a disadvantaged child to receive at Christmas. Visit their website for more information to see if this is something you could possibly contribute towards: [www.samaritans-purse.org. uk] Contribute to charity buckets by supermarket tills. Regardless as to whether the amount you add is small or large, every involvement will help somebody in need.

Locate and buy charity Christmas cards rather than buying commercial cards. The money you spend will go to charity and the cards are just as beautiful.

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Celebrating Christmas

abroad is becoming more

popular, research reveals

∙39% of Brits have made the choice to spend Christmas outside of the UK previously ∙Almost a quarter of those escaped the British Christmas to avoid family or traditions A study* carried out on behalf of Travelbag.co.uk, the tailormade long-haul holiday specialist, shows that 39% of UK adults have spent Christmas abroad with almost a quarter admitting they did so to escape their families, traditions such as cooking and even the idea of Christmas altogether. While 37% leave the UK to visit family who live abroad, a further 18% follow the sunshine as they leave the UK because of the weather. 15% like the idea of spending Christmas in a different country to experience different traditions. Interestingly, almost a quarter of those spending Christmas abroad travel by themselves, while 40% take their partners with them. A further 28% bring the whole family while only 4% travel with their friends. Over a third of those surveyed admitted avoiding Christmas in the UK every year, followed by a third who escape every other year, and 22% who say

they've spent Christmas abroad a couple of times. When asked what people miss the most when travelling, almost half said they wish they were with their families, followed by 27% who miss the festive TV programs.

Interestingly, just over 10% claim to miss the British weather. This might be why over two thirds of those who spend Christmas abroad decide to keep taking part in Christmas traditions.

A further 12% are not so fond of traditional activities as long as they exchange presents, and 12% always adopt the traditions of the country they are visiting. On the other hand, there are other elements of the holiday season that the public don't miss.

Cooking Christmas dinner was voted to be the least favourite aspect of the whole festive season, while second place goes to family visits, followed

by Christmas advertising.

Commenting on the results, Travelbag's spokesperson Paul Hopkinson, says: "It's interesting to see how many people are travelling abroad over Christmas to either visit their families, discover new countries or just to make sure they are not

spending Christmas in the UK as some feel the festive season is getting too commercial." Spending habits When it comes to spending cash to celebrate the festive season abroad, people from Northern Ireland and those aged 55+ don't seem to mind turning their wallets inside out.

The findings show that respondents based in Northern Ireland invest on average £1,039** into celebrating Christmas outside the UK. Compared to, for example, savvy Scots who pay only £704. Looking at the age groups, those aged 55 and over don't mind forking out almost £1,000. On the other hand, young professionals (aged 25-34) are more careful and spend just £663.

Women are keen to take £798 out of their budget, while men are prepared to splash £882 during the winter holidays. Hopkinson adds: “It's interesting to see the different attitudes towards spending money when travelling. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself when celebrating Christmas abroad, but everyone should make sure they won't struggle financially and spend within their means."

How to pick the best bottle

of bubbly for Christmas

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without bubbles. But with 10 zillion options vying for a place in your festive fridge, which bottle should you take home? 2015 was the year that our collective zeal for Italian prosecco reached its zenith (Brits spent £41m on own-brand versions of the stuff last year). But it was also when bright, fresh English wine started to be taken seriously (HMRC has seen a 41% increase in applications to produce English sparkling wine this year).

And let's not forget the original. The fanciest. Bone-dry, golden-toned champagne.

First up, let's talk basics. Prosecco – This is a lovely lighter style of fizz. It's fresher and fruitier than champagne and cava, which makes it easier to drink and therefore great for parties. It's also the fizz of the moment, very trendy and obviously a cheaper alternative to champers. Cava – From Spain, cava is a great all-rounder. It’s much cheaper than champagne (about £6 a bottle) but made in exactly the same way, so the flavour profile is similar with those yeasty notes that come from the second fermentation in the bottle. Champagne – Naturally, the king of fizz, and the price reflects that. It can only be made in the Champagne region of France, and only from certain grape varieties. It has delicious brioche notes from its extended time ageing in bottle. English Sparkling – The home-grown stuff is having a great time at the moment as consumers are coming to realise its excellent quality. It tends to have similar traits to champagne as the climate of southern England, where most of the vineyards are, is very similar to that of the Champagne region in France – although the notes are more appley rather than lemony.

And buying it helps the English wine industry, which is a good thing.

And which fizz is best for which occasion​? For Christmas nibbles and antipasti platters: prosecco wins Shellfish starter or any fried fish: try cava – the acidity cuts

through the oiliness. Smoked salmon: perfect with blanc de blancs champagne. The citrus notes work beautifully with the strong flavour. For pudding: try asti, the sweet sparkling white Italian wine.

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Sales E: sales@jac-media.com | T: 0115 8456423 Nearly 50% of employees do their Christmas

shopping whilst at work spending on

average 72 minutes of company time

As the Christmas shopping season starts an online voucher code website looked into when and where people do their Christmas shopping, they were particularly interested in looking at shopping during working hours. 48% of employees in the UK admitted to Christmas shopping on work time, spending on average 72 minutes doing so.

There is a lot of planning and organisation that goes into Christmas, with time in short supply to do these tasks. With experts predicting more shopping will happen online this month than ever before an online voucher code website investigated if people do their Christmas shopping at work whilst on company time. w w w. m y v o u c h e r c o d e s . c o . u k surveyed 2157 men and women in the UK aged over 18 who were in full time employment (not self-employed) asking: “Have you ever shopped for Christmas presents whilst at work during work time?” They found that 48% of respondents admitted they had, whilst 2% would prefer not to say and 50% stated they never had.

The results also showed that men

were more likely to spend work time shopping for Christmas presents than women, with 50% admitting to doing their Christmas shopping when they should have been working.

As many companies opt for policies which restrict which sites can be viewed online at work, My Voucher Codes investigated further to see what device people were using to shop on in work.

They asked those who had answered yes to the first question: “Did you shop via your computer or mobile device?”

They discovered 59% of people used mobile devices such as their phone or tablet, whilst 38% used their work computer. To work out how much time employees spent online shopping for Christmas on work time they asked: “On average per shopping session how long did you spend shopping for Christmas presents?” The majority of respondents (28%) only spend around 20 minutes Christmas shopping in work time, however 17% admitted to spending nearly 2hrs shopping and 10% admitted to spend over 3hrs shopping for Christmas presents.

This meant the average the amount

of time workers spent Christmas shopping online during work time was 73 minutes. Mark Pearson said: “At Christmas there doesn't seem to be enough time to do everything we need, from planning and shopping to visiting friends and family, so it's no surprise that people try and sneak some time at work to reduce some of the stress of the festive period. Taking into consideration being able to do shopping away from a spouse, you may need to shop for them at work, however as a business owner I would suggest using the lunch break for that!”

He added: “Obviously for businesses, shopping during work hours can be a concern. Some will have taken matters into their own hands and ban access to many unessential websites including retail, but combatting access on mobile devices is harder.

This may lead employers to be even more vigilant, checking that their employees aren't on their mobiles or tablets, however perhaps it is up to the employee to be better organised and perhaps taking time off work with their holiday allowance to do these tasks.”

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New on-call

firefighters needed in Cumbria

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is launching a fresh recruitment drive to find additional on-call firefighters.

We are recruiting on-call firefighters at a number of stations across the county.

Earlier this year a recruitment campaign to find on-call firefighters proved successful, with 24 new recruits joining CFRS. To be an on-call firefighter, you must: • Have a strong desire to support the local community.

• Be enthusiastic about working as part of a team.

• Have a reasonable level of personal fitness.

• Live or/and work within 5 minutes of your local fire station.

• Be available to respond to an emergency during a set number of hours each week (on average, on-call firefighters are paged to attend an emergency situation 2-3 times a week) Cllr Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Fire and Rescue, said: “Being an on-call firefighter is a brilliant opportunity to serve your local community, learn some vital new skills and earn some extra money. I would encourage as many people as possible to consider a career as an on-call firefighter as it’s a really rewarding role. If you are interested in this role, check our website for more information.”

John Wall, a senior manager with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Many of the fire appliances across Cumbria are crewed by on-call firefighters who are extremely professional and provide an excellent service to their local community. They come from all walks of life and various professions, bringing excellent skills from these to their role as an on-call firefighter.”

Kim Bradshaw, a current on-call firefighter, said: “Being an on-call firefighter is hugely rewarding and will alter your life in ways you can’t imagine. I’d always wanted to be a paramedic and I enjoy helping people. Becoming an on-call firefighter felt like a great way to help the community and give something back.” To apply, you must complete an application form; carry out a number of nationally recognised tests and have an interview and medical check. For more information and an application form, go to www.cumbria.gov.uk/oncallfirefighters

Partnership Sales Manager

Barrow AFC are now taking applications for an exciting new position at the Furness Building Society Stadium. We are recruiting for a Partnership Sales Manager, who will be responsible for developing the Club’s relationship with the South Cumbria business community. The role will include managing and improving existing relationships, as well as identifying and developing new ones, in order to grow sponsorship and advertising revenue.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing sales leads and driving deals to revenue. They will also possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills to foster long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships.

We are now accepting applications, please send an email FAO Andrew Casson to office@barrowafc.com with a current CV and a Cover Letter. Details of what should be included can be found in the link below: http://barrowafc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ Partnership-Sales-Manager.pdf Applicants will be notified if they have been selected for interview during the week of November 27 and interviews will commence December 4.

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Pennant Park Golf Course

Surrounded by the stunning Pennant Park Golf Course, the Pennant Holiday Lodges will delight those looking to relax and enjoy some of North Wales’ picturesque countryside.

The park boasts spellbinding views of the Dee Estuary, Hilbre and the Wirral. On a clear day you can see as far as Blackpool and the Cumbrian Hills. Pennant Park is perfectly situated between Conwy and Chester, making it the ideal location for exploring the North Wales coast and all the area has to offer. Within just a short walking distant you can enjoy nature trails, rambling, horse riding and fishing. If it’s something more adventurous you’re looking for then you won’t be disappointed. North Wales is fast becoming a Mecca for adventure sports. Of course, if you’re a keen golfer then this is the perfect place to own a holiday home. Set in 110 acres of stunning parkland Pennant Park boasts a superb 18 hole golf course with greens of the highest quality and truly breathtaking signature holes. The course also has a practice putting green and a six bay driving range. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at the clubhouse

with its friendly atmosphere and fully licensed bar and restaurant serving food daily.

The luxury holiday homes are finished to the highest of standards and complete with interiors that are unique, elegant and fully customisable, so you’re sure to find one that you’ll love. Each lodge comes with a large decked veranda and parking for two cars.

The small, exclusive development of 15 holiday lodges are sold with an amazing 75 year agreement and a full 12 month holiday licence, meaning they can be used all year round, as often as you like. This Park Golf Club & Holiday Lodges. a: t: 01745 563000 quiet retreat is filling up fast, with the Whitford, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 e: info@pennant-park.co.uk park currently having one brand new 9ER Junction 32 off the A55 w: www.pennant-park.co.uk lodge for sale and only one empty base left. However, work had now commenced on a second holiday park. This will be home to a further 18 lodges with all the amenities of our first park plus the benefit of being able to sub-let. To truly appreciate the beauty of this park seeing really is believing! Spend a day at Pennant Park, viewing the lodges, have a bite to eat and maybe a round of golf, you won’t be disappointed! Pennant

Is Ravenglass England’s

most special village?

Hopes for tourism boost as Cumbrian

village now boasts TWO World Heritage Sites

Something special has just happened to the Lake District’s only coastal village… It’s now part of TWO World Heritage sites, and tourism businesses are hoping this unique claim to fame will entice new visitors to explore this hidden gem on Cumbria’s west coast. With both the Hadrian’s Wall and Lake District World Heritage sites, Ravenglass is now officially part of two globally recognised areas of cultural importance and local businesses say the Western Lake District more than deserves this double accolade. Cumbria Tourism Chairman, Eric Robson, says: “For one county, let alone one village to have two World Heritage Sites is fantastic. I hope the inscription of the Lake District opens more opportunities for people to experience Ravenglass and Cumbria’s west coast.

“The draw of Hadrian’s Wall already attracts thousands of visitors to the north of the county, so this additional

boost can only reinforce Cumbria’s strong reputation as a world class visitor destination, and we hope it encourages more people to extend their visits and discover this largely undiscovered gem.”

Ravenglass Railway Museum Project Manager, David Rounce, says “We’re all very proud of the Ravenglass area and its many attractions and are delighted that we’ve been recognised in this unique way. Tourism forms a vital part of the local economy and we’re confident that being part of two world heritage sites will bring new and returning visitors to the area and provide a welcome boost to local businesses”. The village was previously best known as the home of the award-winning Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, which winds through seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of England’s highest mountains. Other key attractions include the newly opened Ravenglass Railway Museum, the majestic Muncaster Castle with its amazing Hawk & Owl Centre and breathtaking views of the Lake District mountains and Drigg Dunes Nature Reserve, which is home to various rare and endangered species of plants and animals including a thriving colony of natterjack toads..

But the history of Ravenglass actually spans back to the 2nd Century Romans. Evidence of this is Ravenglass Roman Bath House.

Established AD130, its remains are among the tallest Roman structures surviving - the walls stand almost four metres high. It is thought the fort guarded the harbour, and there is evidence that soldiers stationed here served in Hadrian's fleet. So it’s the perfect way to start exploring the Frontiers of the Roman Empire…

For more information about visiting Ravenglass and Cumbria’s west coast, or to book your stay visit www.golakes.co.uk

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EFL CLUBS STAND TOGETHER IN

BIGGEST EVER SHOW OF LGBT+ SUPPORT

Every EFL stadia to proudly display rainbow coloured corner flags in support of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign In a League first, EFL Clubs across the country will unite in their support of LGBT+ inclusivity by turning their corner flags rainbow coloured to raise awareness of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

The bespoke rainbow coloured corner flags sit at the heart of a wide range of activities that the EFL and its Clubs will be undertaking as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign between 25 November and 3 December 2017.

In a show of solidarity to support lesbian, gay, bi and trans-gender fans, players and staff across the game the EFL will change its logo to a bespoke rainbow coloured version whilst Clubs have also been provided with rainbow laces, captain’s armbands and programme adverts. PGMOL officials have also been provided with rainbow coloured laces for EFL matches.

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign aims to make sport everyone’s game with national teams, leading clubs, professional players, fans and grassroots players from across football showing their support for LGBT+ people in sport.

The EFL’s support for Rainbow Laces forms part of its wider LGBT+ work delivered in conjunction with Clubs through its Equality Code Of Practice.

This includes delivering activities, setting policies, and advising on recruitment and education at Clubs.

Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive said: “We are proud to support Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign again for this season. Ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for supporters attending EFL matches remains a key priority but the EFL and our Clubs are committed to providing a positive experience for all that stretches well beyond the 90 minutes of play.

“Our specific Rainbow Laces initiatives this year will see all

EFL Clubs come together to raise awareness of this important issue delivered through a range of activities which this season include converting all corner flags at EFL grounds up and down the country into rainbow colours. This follows the introduction of the bespoke EFL rainbow logo which celebrated the League’s burgeoning relationship with Stonewall earlier this year.

“The campaign very much complements the ongoing work our Clubs are undertaking as part of the EFL Equality Code of Practice.

Whilst acknowledging there has been progress made in this area, there is still work to be done.

We can never be complacent and that is why the EFL remains committed to supporting campaigns such as this as we continue to promote diversity and inclusivity across all areas of the game.”

Stonewall Chief Executive Ruth Hunt said: “We’re delighted that the EFL has again joined our Rainbow Laces

campaign. We believe in making sport everyone’s game and to do that we need allies to step up and show their support. By making such a visible show of Rainbow Laces with armbands and corner flags, as

well as of course rainbow laces - the EFL is raising awareness on and off the pitch.

“We know we can’t solve this by ourselves and that’s why allies are so important. We need to create a culture

where everyone can be themselves.

From fans, to teams, and employees at all levels, when leadership organisations step up and commit to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture in football, everyone wins.”

Oliver Wood Leaves Giant Axe

Striker Oliver Wood has left the club due to a combination of work commitments, travel, and playing opportunities.

Wood is expected to join Colne after being released from the Dolly Blues. We would like to wish him all the best for the future.

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your 8 page christmas pull out inside

JUST THE TICKET

FOR YOUNGSTERS

Bay EV have sponsored season tickets for Morecambe FC Academy players Young players from Morecambe Football Club’s Academy are looking forward to watching the first team in action; thanks to a partnership with local business Bay EV. The talented young footballers will each be provided with a match day

season ticket for home games at Globe Arena; through a sponsorship deal with the local company, which specialises in the installation of commercial and domestic electric car chargers.

Security and home automation specialist (and avid Shrimps fan) Tim Barbary has teamed-up with electrical contractor Matt Catterall

to form Bay EV. The partners have years of experience through their successful businesses Bay Camera and Communications Ltd and MJ Catterall Ltd and Tim and Matt can see the burgeoning electric car market as a major business opportunity.

The government currently offer grants with every new car purchase, with the additional incentive of tax

relief for businesses, if they have an electric car charger installed before March 2019.

Tim Barbary says, “Having an electric car charger at your business is a great way to generate more custom and increase revenue.”

Bay EV have sponsored season tickets for Academy players in the Under 9s to Under 16s age groups

and Tim is delighted to support the youngsters, “I think it is important for Academy players to watch home matches; it ensures they feel part of the Morecambe FC community.

Morecambe is a great club and we need to get behind all the teams and look forward to a bright future.”

Stewart Drummond, Head of Youth at Morecambe FC added; “I’m

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delighted to have Bay EV on board.

We are working hard to improve local young players and watching the first team is all part of their development.

It’s great to have local businesses involved and I’d like to thank Tim and Matt for their support.”

For more information contact Bay EV on 01524 845296.