Live Preston & Fylde Issue 106 (June/July 2022)

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 106

PRESTON’S CYCLING SUCCESS STORY UK’S LEADING MEN’S PRO TEAM VIRTUAL JOURNEY CREATIVES ON NATIONWIDE PROJECT BLAZING A TRAIL CRAFT GIN DISTILLERS GLOBAL NATURE CHALLENGE AMAZING COASTAL AND CITY WILDLIFE

Crafted for Humans

Whatever your idea of home, don’t miss our Summer Sale starting 21st June: we currently have special offers on all our collections. Natuzzi Editions combines exquisite Italian style and comfort with design flair. Let our skilled Italian craftsmen design gorgeous furniture to suit your lifestyle and needs.

Natuzzi Editions 227 Brook Street Preston, PR1 7ND Tel: 01772 880082

CONTENTS F E AT U R E S

12

12 WORLDWIDE SUCCESS The number one ranked team in the UK, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling men’s team competes on a global level and has made a great start to the 2022 season!

34 NATURE CHALLENGE Common and rare wildlife and plant species have been recorded across Lancashire for a worldwide challenge spanning six continents.

102 LILYWHITES & TANGERINES There is a long tradition at Blackpool FC and Preston North End of upholding all that is good in the game – but there is also historic rivalry, which is the subject of a forthcoming book.

104

ON TO A WINNER Among the youngest distillers in the country, two gin experts from Preston are blazing a trail within the craft gin industry.

126

VIRTUAL JOURNEY Using ground-breaking technology, three of Lancashire’s best and brightest creatives are to spearhead a virtual storytelling experience as part of a UK-wide project.

REGULARS 8 EDITOR’S LETTER 15 HOMES INSIDE OUT 44 FASHION 54 HEALTH & BEAUTY 67 LIFESTYLE 86 EDUCATION 92 BUSINESS 96 MOTORS 102 SPORT 104 FOOD & DRINK 122 PROPERTY

34

126 ARTS & CULTURE 130 ENTERTAINMENT

104

LIVE MAGAZINES Chairman: Simon Smith Managing Director: Tedd Walmsley Company Secretary: Elizabeth Walmsley Editor: Jan Woolley Graphic Designers: Nick Dittrich and Rob Walmsley Operations Manager: Kate Hyde Production Manager: James Britton Photography: Roger Moore, Kirsten Platt and Andy Tighe Sales Account Manager: Jane Hughes 07875 696 928 Editorial Contributors: Paul Agnew, Emma Brereton, Michael Hodkinson and Meena McDonald Live Magazines Limited Office 2, The Old Bakery Green Street Lytham FY8 5LG T: 01772 319 465 live@live-magazines.co.uk www.live-magazines.co.uk LIVE PRESTON & FYLDE magazine is hand delivered to selected households and businesses in Barton, Bretherton, Broughton, Buckshaw Village, Cottam, Croston, Eaves, Elswick, Garstang, Great Eccleston, Freckleton, Fulwood, Hutton, Kirkham, Little Eccleston, Longton, Lytham, Much Hoole, New Longton, Newton with Scales, Penwortham, Warton, Wesham, Whittle-le-Woods and Wrea Green.

Live Magazines Limited cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts or photographs.

While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Live Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors. We reserve the right to publish and credit any letters. All rights reserved.

An annual subscription is available at £17.50, to cover postage and packaging.

For details of subscriptions please email subscriptions@live-magazines.co.uk.

For advertising please contact us on 01772 319 465.

All

that they can be.

A SPRINGBOARD TO A LIFE OF PURPOSE The leading Catholic co-educational boarding and day school in Lancashire for pupils aged 3-18 years, with full and weekly boarding available from age 7.

Enquire now to register for our 11+ Entrance Exam on 19th November

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.STONYHURST.AC.UK

Live

Magazines Editor It’s beginning to feel much more like summer so, fittingly, in this issue of Live Preston & Fylde, we focus on the great outdoors. Our gardens often take centre stage at this time of year, so we have some handy gardening tips as well as how to ‘go green’ in your garden, making your own compost and a guide to growing your own fruit and vegetables.

Keeping on the outdoor theme, we see how Preston and Fylde fared in a global City Nature Challenge. This four-day event involved 400 cities spanning six continents. Some wildlife highlights from Preston’s records included an early purple orchid in Grimsargh, a goosander on the River Ribble and great crested grebes on Preston Marina. On the coast in Fylde, there were sightings of sea potatoes (a type of urchin) that had washed up on the beach and, in the sand dunes, sea rocket.

Also in this issue, we see how one Preston-based company has progressed over the years to become a worldleading brand. Ribble Cycles, now headlines the Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling team (RWPC) – the UK’s leading men’s team, which recently jetted out to Calpe in Spain where they underwent some serious training for the competition season that’s now underway. Back in the UK, the team has already enjoyed a number of prestigious wins with their impressive new aerodynamic, Ribble-engineerd Ultra SL R edition machines.

We meet three young creatives from Blackpool, who have been selected to take part in a nationwide project that will take visitors on a virtual journey using ground-breaking technology. Through the magic of augmented and virtual reality people will be able to travel back in time, experiencing untold local stories.

We talk to Ellis McKeown and Liam Stemson, who are blazing a trail within the craft gin industry. Probably the youngest distillers in the country, they launched No.1 Fairham Gin and went on to create their Ochre Edition, both of which have won numerous awards.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Live Preston & Fylde!

Jan Woolley Editor

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 105

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 106

LANCASHIRE’S PREMIER GUIDE TO LUXURY LIVING I S S U E 133

Live Preston & Fylde CYCLING SUCCESS STORY UK’S LEADING MEN’S PRO TEAM FEELING THE LOVE MEET THE FAZELI FAMILY

TASTE OF HONEY BUZZING BOWLAND BREWERY

BECOMING WORLD CHAMPION LAURA MASSARO IS ALL IN

PLAYING AGAINST PELÉ CLITHEROE’S FORGOTTEN HERO

SPRING IS HERE EASTER, MOTHER’S DAY AND MORE

CROMWELL’S CROSSING DELVING INTO HISTORY

Part of the Live Magazines portfolio, including Live Ribble Valley

Cover: Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling Team Photography courtesy RWPC Location: Calpe, Spain

PRESTON’S CYCLING SUCCESS STORY UK’S LEADING MEN’S PRO TEAM VIRTUAL JOURNEY CREATIVES ON NATIONWIDE PROJECT BLAZING A TRAIL CRAFT GIN DISTILLERS GLOBAL NATURE CHALLENGE AMAZING COASTAL AND CITY WILDLIFE

(A6) Garstang Road | Brock | Nr Preston | Lancashire | PR3 0RD Tel: 01995 643455 | Email: info@rockform.co.uk | Web: www.rockform.co.uk

Importers & stockists of exceptional tiles, stones & wood flooring

Under paw perfection…

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

Three Stuart Frazer kitchens in a row moved house house they they inherited inherited aa stunning stunning When Ian and Joanne Louise moved bespoke bespoke traditional traditional kitchen kitchen but but after after having having two two Stuart Stuart Frazer Frazer kitchens, they couldn’t be without one in their new home kitchens, they couldn’t be without one in their new home and and chose chose to to remove remove the the existing existing kitchen kitchen and and replace replace itit with with their their third Stuart Frazer kitchen. third Stuart Frazer kitchen.

For For them, them, Stuart Stuart Frazer Frazer isis not not just just the the best best but but they they love love how fabulous the SieMatic product is and wanted how fabulous the SieMatic product is and wanted aa sleek, sleek, contemporary kitchen which they felt was a better fit in their contemporary kitchen which they felt was a better fit in their new home. new home.

The The modern modern house house could could take take aa bold, bold, dark dark design design and and Manchester Showroom Manager Paul Rigby made the most Manchester Showroom Manager Paul Rigby made the most of of the light, airy space and designed a kitchen that was perfect the light, airy space and designed a kitchen that was perfect for the long, narrow room. The island makes an ideal working for the and long,Paul narrow room.

The island anthat idealit working space cleverly designed the makes table so aligned space Paul doors cleverly designed tableview so that with theand sliding and gave a the perfect out itin aligned to the with the sliding doors and gave a perfect view out in to the garden when dining. garden when dining.

The orange seating gives the overall space a splash of colour and orangefeature seatingwall gives the overall a splash of colour and aThe fabulous based on a space showroom display towards a fabulous feature wall based on a showroom display towards the end of the kitchen creates real interest with back-lit features and a magnetic backdrop allowing items towith be displayed. the end of the kitchen creates real interest back-lit features and a magnetic backdrop allowing items to be displayed.

Being a keen cook, Louise opted for Gaggenau appliances Being a keen opted for Gaggenau appliances throughout andcook, lovesJoanne how fantastic they are, especially the steam oven.and Theloves end result is a stunning that Ian and throughout how fantastic they space are, especially the Louise are delighted with.

Stuart Frazer have done another steam oven. The end result is a stunning space that Ian and fantastic job;delighted they lovewith. their Stuart third Stuart and if Joanne are FrazerFrazer have kitchen done another they everjob; needed it would havekitchen to be Stuart fantastic they another love theirkitchen third Stuart Frazer and if Frazer again! they ever needed another kitchen it would have to be Stuart Frazer again!

THERE IS NO SERIOUS ALTERNATIVE

WORLDWIDE SUCCESS

R

ibble Cycles is one of the oldest brands in cycling with a rich history dating back to 1897 when it was first founded in Preston.

Fast forward to the 21st century and today they are a global brand, headlining the world-beating Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling (RWPC) men’s team.

A recent two-week training stint in Calpe, Spain, set the team up in readiness for the current cycling season that has already seen 15 wins in the UK and Europe.

With high hopes for the Tour of Britain in September, the number-one ranked team in the UK are in great shape and their impressive new Ultra SL R edition machines, engineered by Ribble Cycles, which has a manufacturing facility in Preston, are already attracting lots of attention.

“It’s Ribble’s flagship performance professional road bike and we have definitely seen a step up – particularly in the flat races,” says team rider Jack Rees.

“It really attracts attention with its handlebars, engineering, aerodynamics and colours that work with the kit. The Ultra SL R is a significant part of Ribble’s reputation for innovation, and we are seeing marginal gains across all areas. As a team we optimise all areas of performance from our bikes to our race strategy.”

The pre-season training saw the team fly to Alicante to escape the chilly British weather: “Calpe is brilliant – it’s a mecca for cyclists. It was great for us from a training perspective as a team, being all together.

Ranked number one in the UK, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling men’s team competes on the world stage and has made a great start to the 2022 season, writes Jan Woolley

localfocus

“We invited the nutritionist and our clothing partners – it was very much open house and was a very productive two weeks. It is all about teamwork and working collaboratively,” says Jack, who is the team’s operational director, responsible for competition logistics, organising transport for the bikes, riders and support team.

“While there was undoubtedly a lot more barriers last year when travelling, we have managed quite well this year – it’s been easier,” says Jack, who was part of the Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling (RWPC) team that won the Tour Series last year.

“Cameron is a Lancashire lad and he was the first one to win a race on the new bike,” says Jack, who also competed with the team in the same race.

Last month in the Rutland Classic – the UK’s only single-day, international professional men’s cycle road race, contested over a 180k course, saw Ribble Weldtite’s Finn Crockett sprinting down the arrow-

13

straight finishing road to win the race.

As a British brand Ribble Cycles are proud to be the title partner to the British team, as Jack explains: “We are a British team flying the flag for a British brand.

We are very much a progressive group and we have some really strong riders.”

Among the Ribble Weldtite 14-strong team are the Tanfield brothers, who were

The RWPC team is a UCI Continental team that was founded in 2017 to provide a platform for developing riders, allowing them to compete at global level.

Having enjoyed considerable success, the team now competes all over the world in some of the leading cycle races on the calendar. They have riders based across the North of England and the Midlands, with riders also competing across the UK from national championships to local circuit races.

Since the team’s inception, the riders have raced in Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, Qatar and Hong Kong – a truly global calendar.

Among the races they have competed in so far this season has been the 80k Eddie Soens Memorial at Aintree, which saw Ribble Weldite’s Cameron Jeffers win:

Photography: Adam James Hope

AS A TEAM WE OPTIMISE ALL AREAS OF PERFORMANCE FROM OUR BIKES TO OUR RACE STRATEGY

14

localfocus

signed by RWPC last year. The Yorkshireborn brothers, Harry and Charlie, are world class riders who have a background in Olympic and World Tour competition.

Before joining the RWPC line-up Harry spent three years competing at World Tour level. An accomplished time trialist and single-day specialist, and having participated in the Vuelta a España, his addition has strengthened the team’s stage racing capabilities.

The younger of the brothers, Charlie, competed with Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics and has Commonwealth Gold, World and European Championship medals along with multiple national titles.

Having had a great start to the 2022 season, the team continue to train hard and meticulously prepare: “With all competitions preparation is key,” says Jack.

“We cover as many areas as we can.

Obviously, the bike and equipment is central and we have full time mechanics on board.

Nutrition has also been re-evaluated – we are on a really high-volume, carb-fuelling strategy to ensure top level performance.

“We also put a lot of work in before a race preparing around the weather

Image courtesy: Preston Digital Archive

CAMERON IS A LANCASHIRE LAD AND HE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO WIN A RACE ON THE NEW BIKE

conditions – that can have a real impact both here in the UK and in Europe.

“We are making great strides around the world.”

FOUNDED IN PRESTON, RIBBLE CYCLES IS ONE OF THE OLDEST BRANDS IN CYCLING WITH A RICH HISTORY Enjoying their success and keen to encourage young riders, the RWPC team visits schools and colleges throughout the country: “We conduct assemblies and do lots of ‘meets and greets’ at family events

to promote the team and the sport.”

The team are also involved in a Derbybased academy that enables young riders to progress in the sport and to pursue professional careers in cycling.

Jack concludes: “The Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling team have a great following within the community which is fantastic.

We really do want to establish a legacy that will help the young riders of the future.” n

ribbleweldtite.co.uk

AUTOM AT E D BLINDS Solutions that put you in control

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

BATTERY BASICS These blinds use regular store bought batteries with a battery life dependent on size and frequency of usage. This means the potential to open and close thousands of times on a single set of batteries - located within the headrail and simple to fit without the need to take down the blind.

BLIND SIZES Standard widths up to 2.4 metres and height up to 3.6 metres.

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

AMATO CORNER MODULAR SET £1999 Loom Loft Barrow Brook Business Village Holly Road Barrow Clitheroe BB7 9WF 01200 404404 loomloft.co.uk

HERE COMES THE SUN It’s time to get your garden summer ready with some practical accessories and stylish additions to make your outdoor space a place in which you can relax and unwind OUTDOOR BAMBOO STYLE LANTERN £49.99 loomloft.co.uk

LARGE BUDDHA HEAD PLANTER £49.99 loomloft.co.uk While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, all prices and stockists are subject to change.

CHILDREN'S BIG BIRD GIFT BOX £24 boxwild.com

GARDENING WEEDER £17.95 annabeljames.co.uk

GARDENING GAUNTLETS ENGLISH ROSE LINEN AND LEATHER £29.95 annabeljames.co.uk AMATO DUAL RECLINER SET £1099 loomloft.co.uk

SOPHIE ALLPORT BEES GARDENING KNEELER £23 sophieallport.com

WHITE GLOVE DELIVERY • FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Shop this seasonal collections including stylish home furnishings, bold statement pieces, glamorous homeware and much more. Browse our amazing selection in-store or online today.

Loom Loft, Barrow Brook Business Village, Holly Road, Barrow, Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, BB7 9WF. 01200 404404 | www.loomloft.co.uk |

4.9 / 5

Verified Customer Feedback

A mixture of contemporary and traditional Styles When Dave and Gill embarked on a large-scale renovation of a bungalow near Bury they turned to Kitchen Design Centre and designer Paul Harrington to create their dream space.

The kitchen was central to the overall design and the couple wanted it to form the main part of the large open-plan space. Working from architect’s plans, Paul designed a kitchen based on their love of a showroom display. A perfect mix of handle-less contemporary and modern shaker style was combined and a large island became the main element of the design.

Paul adapted the design as the architect’s plans changed. Initially, a peninsular was proposed but when Dave and Gill decided to take more space from the garage and increase the size of the kitchen, Paul adapted the design and introduced a large island instead. To ensure continuity, he then mirrored the breakfast bar wood material in the open shelving behind. Symmetry was key in the design so Paul followed this with the Neff ovens and the handle trim illumination in the island creates the ‘wow’ factor.

The installation was faultless and Dave and Gill were delighted with everything from their initial contact with Paul and their visit to the showroom right through to the fitters who worked seamlessly with their other contractors. Dave loved the renovation project so much he has the bug to do it all again and he wouldn’t hesitate to use Kitchen Design Centre.

Designer Paul Harrington says, “This was fantastic to work on.

I literally had a blank canvas and a superb amount of space. Dave and Gill trusted me with the design and when the space increased it was ideal for a large island. Mixing contemporary and traditional styles works so well. I’m delighted with the finished kitchen.”

To read more about how we designed this kitchen and to view the video tour of it visit: www.kitchendesigncentre.com

BARROWFORD

BLACKBURN

FAILSWORTH MANCHESTER

URMSTON MANCHESTER

LIVERPOOL

4-6 Gladstone Terrace Gisburn Road Barrowford BB9 8NL

Brownhill Roundabout Blackburn BB1 9AZ

Housing Units The Crescent Wickentree Lane Manchester M35 9AY

19-23 Crofts Bank Road Urmston Manchester M41 0TZ

36 Woolton Street Woolton Village Liverpool L25 5JD

01282 868 444

01254 246 046

0161 681 5061

0161 749 9254

0151 428 0020

PROUD FULWOOD BUSINESS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS Meena McDonald meets Ian Leather, the owner of the hugely successful Hannan Blinds to find out more about their prestigious products.

Photography: Kirsten Platt

H

annan Blinds are proudly celebrating 50 years in business this year. Their success can be attributed to their commitment to delivering a five-star service, combined with their high-quality manufactured products and their ability to keep up with market trends.

Ian Leather, owner of Hannan Blinds has been at the helm of the business for 25 years now and his passion is evident in everything he does.

Ian comments: “We have so many loyal customers and so much repeat business.

Over the 50 years we have had friends, colleagues, children and even grandchildren of some of our original customers buying from us. The showroom is located in such

a prominent place in the heart of Fulwood that we also attract a lot of passing trade and people love to come in to browse the exciting range of blinds and shutters we have on display.”

HANNAN BLINDS HAVE ALWAYS MANUFACTURED THEIR OWN PRODUCTS, HENCE BEING ABLE TO GUARANTEE THE QUALITY OF EACH BLIND AND ADAPT TO MARKET CHANGES Whether you are looking for something traditional or contemporary, to brighten or darken your conservatory, bathroom, bedroom, roof or door, Hannan Blinds is bursting with inspiration and has a vast range of colours and styles of made to measure Venetian blinds, shutters and

homesinsideout

roller blinds. Blinds are an integral part of your décor and can completely transform a room, and people are keen to select the style, design, colour and fabric that fits perfectly with the rest of their furnishings.

The lockdown period was utilised very effectively as the showroom team were fully trained in measuring and installations, so everyone’s expertise and knowledge is now interchangeable and the whole team has the skills to deliver the full service to every customer. It also makes the job much more rewarding for the team, who are able to go out to visit customers, advise, measure and carry out professional installations as well as work in the showroom.

During an average day the team will visit 20 to 24 potential customers in their homes to advise and take measurements

and the vast majority of them will then place orders with Hannan Blinds.

Hannan Blinds have always manufactured their own products, hence being able to guarantee the quality of each blind and adapt to market changes. One area where growth has been rapid for the business

BLINDS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF YOUR DÉCOR AND CAN COMPLETELY TRANSFORM A ROOM is with new builds. With so many new properties being built in Fulwood and Cottam they have been asked to produce blinds for many of the new homes, and with people regularly recommending them

23

to friends and neighbours this sector has developed at a swift pace.

The customer base has developed over the years with many loyal customers remaining a core element alongside the younger clientele purchasing their first or second homes.

With customers throughout the whole of Lancashire, Ian’s convinced they’ll be thriving for many more decades: “We are so confident about the quality of our products and the service we deliver to our customers.

They know what they are getting when they come to us, well manufactured products with a five-year warranty, combined with genuine and honest advice and unrivalled customer service. This is why we are still here, going from strength to strength and celebrating 50 years!” n Go and see for yourself and visit the showroom

Hannan Blinds 313 Garstang Road Fulwood, Preston PR2 9XY 01772 719 834 Opening hours Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm Saturday: 9.30am-3pm Sunday: Closed

athrooms inspire...

Bathrooms Bathrooms to to inspire... inspire... hrooms to to inspire...

Bathrooms to inspire... over 16 have years weyears have been creating everything you over ...for 16 years over we 16 years have been we have creating been everything creating you you ...for over ...for 16 years we been creating everything you ...for over...for 16 we have been creating everything you everything need for a luxurious & practical bathroom or kitchen. need for a need luxurious for a luxurious & practical & bathroom practical bathroom or kitchen. or kitchen. need for a luxurious & practical bathroom or kitchen. need for a luxurious & practical bathroom or kitchen.

inired in re sp edSHOWROOM eirin e eindsp Bin Binir indsp SHOWROOM OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY, SHOWROOM SHOWROOM OPEN FOR OPEN APPOINTMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY, SHOWROOM OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY,ONLY, ONLY, ft ft ft sq sq sq 0 0 0 ft 0 0 0 0 sq 3 3 0 r r 0 u u 0 o PLEASEPLEASE r 3o CALL OR EMAIL TO ARRANGE. PLEASE PLEASE CALL OR CALL EMAIL TO EMAIL ARRANGE. TO ARRANGE. CALL PLEASE OR EMAIL TO ARRANGE. CALL OR EMAIL TOOR ARRANGE. m m m o o o o ro ro m w w sho shoWe are adhering howro We are to adhering to social distancing guidelines. are adhering We are to adhering social distancing to social distancing guidelines.guidelines. social We distancing guidelines.

We are adhering to social distancing guidelines.

The The Original Bathroom Company The Original The Original Bathroom Bathroom Company Company The Original Bathroom Company Original Bathroom Company UE•PS•PI N LS D Y NY S P•TP•AI LN LSYLSUT•P API N G •SP ILSG DESIGD N E •S ISGD UNEP SP•ILGSYDN SNTEP•A LUN U LL LYS T• AILNL S T A L L

tel:611622 01772 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk tel:611622 01772 tel:611622 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk tel: 01772 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk tel: 611622 01772 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk

...for over 17 years we have been creating everything you need for a luxurious & practical bathroom.

AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE EVENING EVENING AND WEEKEND AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE EVENINGEVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE EVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NBPR4 NextPR4 to Booths 84 Preston Liverpool Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston Preston 5NB PR4 • Supermarket Next 5NB to•Supermarket Booths Next toSupermarket Booths Supermarket verpool Road,84Longton, 5NBLongton, • Road, Next to• Booths Liverpool Road,84PR4 Longton, Preston 5NB • Supermarket Next to Booths

DESIGN • S U PPLY • IN STA LL Be inspired in our 3000 sq ft showroom. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm by appointment only.

Evening appointments are also available upon request.

Please call 01772 611622 or email showroom@originalbathroomcompany.co.uk www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk 84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarket

26

homesinsideout

A THING OF BEAUTY…

C

reating a home that is attractive, well-proportioned and filled with furniture and accessories that you love is important – but it’s not always easy to achieve.

Having completed prestigious projects in Westminster, London, and across the UK, Ribble Valley-based Theofano has also been commissioned to work on some of the North West’s most notable homes and commercial properties – both large and small, contemporary and traditional.

Providing a full, turn-key interior design service, Maureen Bentley and her team at Theofano, are renowned for their keen eye for detail and their ability to source beautiful fabrics, wall coverings, furniture and accessories.

They also have a professional team of experienced and reliable tradespeople they can call upon too.

After an initial consultation and home visit, the team provides digital mood boards that pull together colour palettes, fabrics,

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” This was the advice given by English textile designer William Morris back in the 1800s – today that ethos still stays true textures and room layouts. Relevant fabric swatches and samples are also sourced and sent to clients.

“We carry out a full service from start to finish – from arriving at the look that needs to be achieved, to sourcing furniture and fabrics, lighting and flooring, we can do everything,” says Maureen, who has many respected contacts within the industry.

“To achieve a cohesive look that works well together, it’s really important to take the room as a whole and work with it.

Taking a piecemeal approach doesn’t work and tends to be a false economy.

“It often results in not quite hitting the mark – by letting us do all aspects of the design, results in getting it right and making an impact. By pulling everything together and working as a team, we surpass clients’ expectations.

“We have craftsmen and curtain-makers, lighting experts and flooring people – all of whom are experts in their own field. Once

we have a look that a client wants to achieve, we can deliver it totally – right down to dressing the room with suitable accessories.”

With many years in business, Theofano is able to source stunning wall coverings and fabrics from some of the UK’s leading industry designers including Zinc, Lewis and Wood and, coming soon, Zimmer and Rohde.

First class floor coverings from Jacaranda are a firm favourite with clients as well as unique rugs and luxury accessories sourced from all over Europe.

As well as working on new-builds of varying sizes, rural cottages and imposing country houses, Theofano has also carried out contract work on small luxury hotels.

So, if you have an interiors project that needs professional input in order to achieve the desired result, contact Maureen and the team at Theofano. With their design skills, contacts and ability to source exactly what you need, your home will indeed, have nothing in it that is not deemed to be beautiful! n

Theofano 5a Accrington Road, Whalley BB7 9TD 01254 825275 theofanointeriors.com

PRESTIGE BEDS www.prestigebeds.co.uk

w w w. b o l d s t re e t b e d s . c o . u k

S h ow T h i s A d ve r t I n S to re F o r A n E x t ra 1 0% O ff

Delivering a great night’s sleep since 1959 New Store Now Open On Hyndburn Retail Park, BB1 3HT 3rd Generation Family Business

Old Bed Recycling

Free Assembly

Bed Retailer Of The Year

Free Delivery Nationwide

03333 055 885

Visit our showrooms at

Preston PR1 7NX

Blackburn BB1 1HW

Burnley BB12 0EL

5 Star Trustpilot Over 1000 reviews

Blackburn BB1 3HT

* N o t i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h a n y o t h e r o f f e r o r p ro m o t i o n , o n l y re d e e m a b l e a t t i m e o f p u rc h a s e. O f f e r e n d s 3 0 / 6 / 2 2

Photography: Kirsten Platt

I

t is quite astounding to believe that one advert placed by Geoff Plumb in a local newspaper in 1968 would have turned out to be such a fundamental turning point in Plumbs’ future. The family business, now in its fourth generation has a team that is totally passionate and committed, with a huge amount of experience to deliver products and customer service way beyond people’s expectations.

Key markets include reupholstery, loose covers and made to measure curtains, each of which have seen a major resurgence over recent years. The launch of their new brand Fable and Plumb, their own bespoke furniture brand, sees further advancements for the business. Handmade in British workshops, the bespoke range allows customers to create unique sofas for life with everyday covers for living.

PROUD & PASSIONATE IN PRESTON

Photography: Kirsten Platt

Photography: Kirsten Platt

From humble beginnings over 60 years ago, Plumbs has established itself as a true gem in the local community, going from strength to strength as it adapts to customers’ desires and changes within the soft furnishings market

homesinsideout

29

Family member Emma Singleton, who loves talking to customers and manages the showroom, comments: “An increasing number of people are seeing the value of investing in furniture they love, whether that’s traditional family pieces or contemporary settees or chairs.”

Reupholstery provides the perfect way to revive much loved furniture without compromising on the comfort and style of the original design. With the expertise

BEING ABLE TO WASH THE COVERS MEANS THEY’RE EASY TO MAINTAIN, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH PETS AND CHILDREN

WE ARE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO DELIVERING A PASSIONATE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS Photography: Kirsten Platt

of traditional craftspeople the furniture will be stripped back to its original state, reviving the stunning features you originally fell in love with.

The vast array of loose cover choices means you can choose from neutral or strong colours, go plain or select from an array of patterns and florals. Being able to wash the covers means they’re easy to maintain, especially for those with pets and children, and you can choose to change them if you want to keep up to date with the latest trends in furnishings.

Utilising their knowledge and expertise in the furnishings industry, Plumbs’ ownbrand Fable and Plumb, sees the company creating bespoke furniture using high quality FSC hardwood frames, which are guaranteed for 15 years – this expanding range has something to suit everyone with 400 fabrics from which to choose. The covers are hand made by skilled cutters

and sewers to ensure quality and longevity.

You can view the unique furniture as well as many of the gorgeous fabrics in the stunning showroom. The moment you walk in you will feel the calm and warm atmosphere and are welcomed by a fabulously friendly team who use their expertise and knowledge to advise you. There is something for everybody, whatever your budget might be.

Emma concludes: “We are totally committed to delivering a passionate and professional service to all of our customers, ensuring high quality products and an unrivalled friendly and knowledgeable service.”

Call into the beautiful showroom or visit the website to see the stunning range of sofa covers, furniture and curtains.

We know you’ll be blown away by the impressive range. n

Plumbs Ltd Brookhouse Mill, Old Lancaster Lane Preston PR1 7PZ 01772 259995 showroom@plumbs.co.uk plumbs.co.uk fableandplumb.co.uk

Beautifully bespoke...

Createyour yourown.... own....

Create Workspace Workspace Create your own...

Home Office Workspace Home Office Home Room Office Garden Room Garden Garden Room Gym Gym Gym Spa Spa Spa Home HomeTheatre Theatre Home Theatre

Visit Holden Clough Nurseries to view our Pod. Book by appointment only to meet one of our team:

Visit VisitHolden HoldenClough CloughNurseries Nurseries totoview our Pod: view our Pod: Holden Clough Nurseries Bolton-by-Bowland

Holden Clough Lancashire Holden CloughNurseries Nurseries Bolton-by-Bowland BB7 4PF Bolton-by-Bowland Lancashire Lancashire BB7 T: 4PF 01772 BB7 4PF 703 777

E: sales@croftgardenbuldings.co.uk W: www.croftgardenbuildings.co.uk T: 01772 703 777 T: 01772 703 777Homes Ltd Complete W: Croft www.croftgardenbuildings.co.uk W: www.croftgardenbuildings.co.uk Unit 6 Pittman Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Unit 6 Pittman Court, Preston, Unit 6 Pittman Court, Lancashire, PR2 9ZG Preston, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Preston, Registered UK Number: Lancashire, PR2 9ZG 2990942

Lancashire, PR2 9ZG own....

Createyour your Create own....

Workspace Workspace

Designedfor foryou… you…

Designed Conservatories Conservatories Orangeries Orangeries Windows Windows Doors Doors GardenRooms Rooms Garden Sun lounges Sun lounges Designed for you...

Roofline Roofline Windows Doors Conservatories Orangeries Garden Rooms Sunlounges Roofline

T: T: 01772 703 777 01772 703 777 W:W: www.croftconservatories.co.uk www.croftconservatories.co.uk

Unit Unit6 6Pittman PittmanCourt, Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Pittman Way, Fulwood,Preston, Preston, Lancashire, Lancashire,PR2 PR29ZG 9ZG

Designedfor foryou… you…

Designed

Conservatories Conservatories Conservatories Orangeries Windows Doo T: 01772 703 777 Orangeries E: sales@croftconservatories.co.uk Orangeries Garden Rooms Sunlounges Rooflin W: www.croftcoservatories.co.uk

Windows Windows

Croft Complete Homes Ltd Unit 6 Pittman Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9ZG Registered UK Number: 2990942

Doors

Vist our showroom & receive a £50 holiday voucherDoors as a thank-y

Unit 6 Pittman Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood,Garden Preston, Lancashire, Rooms PR2 9

Garden Rooms

Call us on: 01772 703 777 or visit croftconservatories.co.

Sunlounges lounges Sun

32

homesinsideout

GO GREEN IN THE GARDEN

using some form of slug and snail control.

Traditional slug pellets can be extremely harmful to hedgehogs, birds and other wildlife, but organic pellets – made using iron phosphate – are a suitable wildlifefriendly alternative.You can also use copper tape around pots.

Being in the garden is great at this time of year – the days are longer and warmer and you can really enjoy your outside living space as somewhere to relax and unwind

A

s part of your enjoyment in the garden, why not sit back and have a think about how you can do your bit for the environment by employing some basic organic gardening principles to make your gardening experience even greener.

Organic gardening is all about gardening in a natural holistic way – growing plants without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. By working with nature your garden can protect itself and plants will thrive with minimal intervention. Here are some simple tips that can help you garden in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Get into compost

Feeding the soil is the key to success and homemade compost is free. Fill compost bins with a mix of green and brown material – garden waste and shredded paper or cardboard – and turn it regularly.You can use it as mulch after about a year.

Keep on top of weeds

The trick is not to let weeds grow too big as they can quickly take over a garden.

If you regularly hoe or pick them out at the seedling stage it’s an easy task, but if you let them get established – with large tap roots such as dandelions – then weeding becomes a major chore.

Grow in raised beds

Try using raised beds instead of planting direct into the soil. They are easier to manage and keep weed-free. Also, the soil in raised beds warms up sooner than the ground at the start of the growing season, so you can sow seeds earlier in the year.

Grow companion plants

The theory behind companion planting is that certain plants may help each other take up nutrients, improve pest resistance or attract pollinators. So by planting onions with carrots you can ward off carrot root fly, cabbages and lettuces planted among beans will benefit from the nitrogen fixed in the soil by the beans’ roots and planting garlic with roses can help to repel rose pests.

Watch out for slugs and snails You may struggle to grow seedlings without

Now is a good time to plant out your pumpkins. All the cucurbit family (pumpkins, squash, cucumbers) need heat to survive and thrive. Now that the nights are warming up overnight temperatures aren’t that low so it’s a good growing environment for them. All pumpkins and squashes need lots of water, lots of nutrients and lots of sun. For a bumper harvest use a fertile soil enriched with well-rotted manure or compost when planting out. If you are limited for space, try training your plant into a circle.

As it starts to trail, gently pin down the stem with pegs and grow it into a spiral – making sure you mark the middle of the plant with a stick so you know where to water. n

TOP THREE TIPS FROM THE RHS: • Put summer hanging baskets and containers outside • Be water-wise especially in drought affected areas • Pinch out sideshoots on tomato plants

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

NATURE CHALLENGE Common and rare wildlife and plant species have been recorded across Lancashire for a worldwide challenge spanning six continents

A

s part of a staggering, collaborative effort by people across the globe, more than 1.6 million new wildlife records were collected as part of this year’s City Nature Challenge.

In Lancashire 115 people set out to observe and record wildlife in their gardens, parks and local nature spots, either on their

own or as part of a wildlife recording event. Between them they collected an incredible 3,845 new records for wildlife, logging 979 different species of plant, animal and fungus.

IN FYLDE, COASTAL WILDLIFE RECORDERS LOGGED SIGHTINGS OF THORNBACK RAY EGG CASES AND SEA POTATOES. IN THE SAND DUNES, SEA ROCKET AND SEA HOLLY WERE SPOTTED City Nature Challenge is an international wildlife event organised by San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences and the

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

This year, over four days, more than 67,220 individuals joined the wildlife recording effort, spanning more than 400 cities across six continents.

Charlotte Varela, Marketing Officer for Lancashire Wildlife Trust and City Nature Challenge organiser for Lancashire, said: “Lancashire has been taking part in City Nature Challenge for three years now, and each time it’s just brilliant to see so many people taking notice of nature where they live.

“You don’t have to go out into the countryside to connect with wildlife – you can do it in your garden, in your house, in your local park or even right in the city.

homesinsideout

35

You never know what you might find and it’s so encouraging to see people taking a second look at the ‘every-day’ creatures they might otherwise have overlooked.”

Some wildlife highlights from Preston’s City Nature Challenge records include an early purple orchid in Grimsargh, a goosander on the River Ribble and great crested grebes on Preston Marina. Other records included characteristic spring species like chiffchaff, wild garlic and bluebells, alongside overlooked plants like red dead-nettle. Unlike the common nettle, red dead-nettle doesn’t sting, and it provides food for many insects, including the red mason bee, bumblebees and caterpillars of the garden tiger, white ermine and angle shades moths.

In Fylde, coastal wildlife recorders logged interesting sightings of thornback ray egg cases and sea potatoes (a type of urchin) Detailed wildlife records help organisations like Lancashire Wildlife Trust, gain a deeper understanding of how wildlife is faring, when it needs help and how it is responding to things like pollution, climate change and habitat loss.

Recording wildlife is also a great way to expand your wildlife knowledge, slow down and take notice of your surroundings.You really never know what you might find.

SOME WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE AN EARLY PURPLE ORCHID IN GRIMSARGH, A GOOSANDER ON THE RIVER RIBBLE AND GREAT CRESTED GREBES ON PRESTON MARINA

that had washed up on the beach. In the sand dunes, participants recorded sea rocket (a member of the cabbage family with delicate pink blooms) and sea holly, which has blue, thistle-like flower-heads.

It doesn’t matter whether the wildlife is common or rare – all up-to-date wildlife records are vital for nature conservation in Preston, Fylde and beyond. But, across Lancashire, so many important spaces for nature are still lacking in wildlife records.

Just because City Nature Challenge is over for another year doesn’t mean that you can’t get out and record what you see. Don’t forget to share what you find with your local record centre and tag the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside in your wildlife photos on social media.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is

dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in the region. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 local nature reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. n

lancswt.org.uk

HERE COMES THE SUN Whether you’re entertaining al fresco or pottering in the garden, now is the time to get your home in tip top shape for summer

CRUISING INTO SUMMER CHILL OUT

Ideal for a lazy afternoon or long summer evening, this New York Conversation Set is designed by Higold. Manufactured with textilene, water resistant fabrics and high grade teak, the New York set is an elegant statement piece for your outdoor space – it also has a built-in ice bucket to keep beers and bubbly chilled. Price: £3299 Le Jardin Co 01706 600072 lejardinco.com

L I G H T U P YO U R L I F E With a minimalist design, a bronzed finish and versatility in terms of installation height, this atmospheric outdoor lighting is part of the Juncus collection, which adds a touch of elegance to any exterior setting. Starting at £171.95 this includes four 300mm rods, driver and waterproof connector. As well as being suitable for seaside conditions, the collection also features a triple spot and 3.5 metre lamp post in the range.

James Kok Lighting 01772 977677 www.kok.lighting

BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN The construction of this orangery is simply beautiful. With more brick and stonework than a standard conservatory, limited glazed roof area, the orangery is finished with two sets of bi-fold doors giving more light. With the structure complementing the original property, an orangery is perfect for long summer days and entertaining. £POA. Lee Kelly UPVC 364 Blackpool Road Preston PR2 3AA 01772 788550 leekellyupvc.com

GO GREEN Say hello to a superb battery-powered mowing experience, with the new Hayter Harrier 48 premium cordless 60v battery roller mower.

Thanks to the intelligent Power Boost software and full-width rear roller you can easily tackle lawns while still leaving beautiful stripes. The 48cm cutting width is ideal for medium sized lawns in a formal garden with minimal slopes.

Price including VAT £1489. Special offer price including battery and charger £1359.

Mowerpower Unit A Tom Horns Yard Garstang Road Claughton-on-Brock PR3 0RB 01995 643999 mowerpower.co.uk

Born to Reign DAN PEARCE - LIMITED EDITION PRINT

MULTI AWARD WINNER  UK RETAIL ART GALLERY OF THE YEAR Over 300 artworks AVAILABLE ONLINE

Specialists in collectable original paintings, limited edition prints and sculpture by leading northern and international artists

www.hepplestonefineart.com /HEPPLESTONE.ART

@HEPPLESTONEART

@HEPPLESTONEART

Visit the Gallery, we are 5 minutes from Junction 27 off the M6. Open 6 days with Ample Free Parking OR Buy On-line with FREE UK Mainland Delivery.

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

PERENNIALS

HANGING BASKETS

PATIO PLANTERS

SUMMER IS HERE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Newlands Nursery Sawley Road Chatburn Clitheroe BB7 4LD 07701 056951 | newlandsnurserychatburn.co.uk newlandsnurserychatburn

homesinsideout

41

For the kitchen area Mike and Georgina selected Karndean Art Select Parquet Storm Oak and for the garden room the Parquet Blonde Oak. Both fit absolutely beautifully with their new décor.

THE FLOORING LOOKS SO IMPRESSIVE THAT WE’VE HAD FRIENDS WHO HAVE INVESTED IN NEW KARNDEAN FLOORING Mike commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled with our new flooring, it is so easy to maintain and we don’t need to worry about walking on it with shoes as it is so durable. The team at Gainsborough Flooring have been

SOUND INVESTMENT Karndean Art Select Woods have created a real impact on the home of Mike and Georgina Lindley. Selected for its comfort, beauty and durability the flooring has certainly transformed their home, writes Meena McDonald. Photography: Jack Pomfret

H

aving recently refurbished their kitchen and dining area along with their garden room, Mike and Georgina Lindley were keen to find appropriate flooring in keeping with their lifestyle and new décor. Their kitchen fitters suggested Karndean and recommended they speak to Gainsborough Flooring.

Following an initial consultation and inspection, the Gainsborough team confirmed that they would be able to retain the underfloor heating, which covered large areas of the ground floor, and better still, they could lay the Karndean on top of the existing stone floor in the kitchen and the tiled floor in the garden room.

Mike and Georgina were delighted as they wanted to avoid the mess and upheaval of having to rip their current flooring out.

The Karndean Art Select Woods have some stunning, intricate designs which are crafted to reflect the natural materials that inspired

them. The Art Select range is also designed to withstand the pressures of a busy household and won’t split, splinter or warp and has a non-porous surface that’s hygienic, so food and drink won’t contaminate or stain the surface. It’s easy on the eye, quiet on the ear and feels soft and warm under foot too.

fabulous and very knowledgeable, talking us through the process before we started and were so professional, hard-working and polite while in our home. I would thoroughly recommend them.”

Mike continued: “The flooring looks so impressive that we’ve had friends who have invested in new Karndean flooring for their own homes after seeing ours!” n For more details and to see how Gainsborough Flooring can transform your home, please contact Vicky Brown on 01772 250682 or email: vicky@gainsboroughflooring.co.uk Gainsborough Flooring 26 Heatley Street, Preston PR1 2XB 01772 250682 vicky@gainsboroughflooring.co.uk gainsboroughflooring.co.uk

01772 250 682 gainsboroughflooring.co.uk Gainsborough Flooring 26 Heatley Street Preston PR1 2XB

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

2 0 2 0

PERFECT STRIPES SINCE 1970 The Hayter Harrier® lawnmower – 50 years at the top of it’s game.

The Hayter Harrier® rear roller lawnmower now features industry leading Crank-Safe Blade Brake Clutch system† and optional electric start, combined with exquisite striping ability and perfectly matched petrol power engines. Groovy in the 70s, even more capable today... Because a perfectly striped lawn will never go out of style. Find out more at your nearest Hayter dealer.

Mowerpower Ltd

Unit A Tom Horns Yard Garstang Road (A6) Claughton-on-Brock Models shown are the original 1970s Harrier® and the latest Hayter Harrier® 41 (CODE 375A) with electric start Briggs & Stratton® engine, self-propelled autodrive transmission, aluminium cutter deck and a 5 year warranty*. *Applies to original purchaser, for residential use, annual service required.

professional steel welders

MC Fabrication gates & railings

Unit 7, Tardy Gate Trading Estate, Coote Lane, Preston PR5 5JD. 01772 396680 www.irongatesnorthwest.co.uk

I VI R E AT YO IUORNHAOLMIED FEO IRNESVP ARS WTO I NENHANCE T E R H I BYOUR E R N AT ION HOME

• UPVC WINDOWS • ALUMINIUM WINDOWS • ENTRANCE DOORS • PATIO DOORS • ROOFLINE • CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES & MUCH MUCH MORE Lee Kelly UPVC Ltd 364 Blackpool Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 3AA Call: 01772 788550 Visit: www.leekellyUPVC.com

CRUISING INTO SUMMER

Above: Barton Perreria Modernist £450 and Barton Perreria Syrinx £450 The Spectacle Factory Unit A Dewhurst Row Bamber Bridge Preston PR5 6BB 01772 312213 thespectaclefactory.com Opposite page: Diego M long white satin coat £439 michelle b 2/3 King Edward Terrace Gisburn Road Barrowford BB9 8NJ 01282 605060 michellebshop.co.uk

Above: Marc Cain dress £449 Shaw’s 2b Lynton Road Hillside Southport PR8 3AN 01704 563612 shawsfashion.co.uk

SOUTHPORTS’ PREMIER LADIES FASHION RETAILER OUTHPORTS’ PREMIER LADIES SOUTHPORTS’ FASHION RETAILER PREMIER LADIES FASHION RETAILER

2b Lynton Road, Hillside, Southport Merseyside PR8 3AN 2b Lynton Road, Hillside, Southport Merseyside 2b Lynton PR8 3AN Road, Hillside, Southport Merseyside PR8 3AN t: 01704 563612 w: shawsfashion.co.uk e: sales@shawsfashion.co.uk t: 01704 563612 w: shawsfashion.co.uk e:t:sales@shawsfashion.co.uk 01704 563612 w: shawsfashion.co.uk e: sales@shawsfashion.co.uk

Spring / Summer Dress shabby and they remember the dress; dress michelle.b and they remember the lady.

From the michelle.b team

michelle.b womenswear 2/3 King Edward Terrace, Gisburn Rd, Barrowford, Lancashire BB9 8NJ michelle@michelleb.co.uk www.michelleb.co.uk 01282 605060 /michellebfashion michellebwomen

MONTBLANC MEISTERSTÜCK GLACIER MIDSIZE BALLPOINT PEN £415 leonarddews.co.uk

BARBOUR SPORTS CAP OLIVE £19.95 vareys.co.uk

FOPE FLEX’IT SOLO 18CT WHITE GOLD BRACELET £2,970 Leonard Dews Church Street Blackpool FY1 1EW 01253 754940 leonarddews.co.uk

LANX SOCKS MADE IN ENGLAND £15 lanxshoes.com

DUNE LONDON TRINITY WHITE TRAINERS £80 TRILLIONN TAUPE AND BLACK £85 www.dunelondon.com

ACCESSORIES FOR HIM

BARBOUR LEATHER TRAVEL EXPLORER BROWN £329 Vareys Town and Country 2 Market Place Clitheroe BB7 2DB 01200 423267 vareys.co.uk

These eye-catching men’s accessories are sure to attract attention due to their exquisite design and detail

BARBOUR SPORTS POLO BLUE £39.95 vareys.co.uk PAMPEANO POLO BELT VIVAZ £75 vareys.co.uk MEN'S JOYA ROCKER SOLED SANDAL £150 Fitright Footwear 32D King Street Clitheroe BB7 2EP 01200 425399 fitrightfootwear.co.uk

DUBARRY PORTOFINO DENIM DECK SHOES £149 vareys.co.uk

BARBOUR LOMOND TRILBY £32.95 vareys.co.uk

GIARDARNO POLO SHIRT £79 Various colours Hope Menswear 42 King Street Clitheroe BB7 2EU 01200 426723 hopestores.uk

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

Charles Campbell Bespoke Tailoring was born from a desire to provide the unsurpassed fit, style and experience that only bespoke tailoring can bring.

Contemporary style meets the very best of tradition at Charles Campbell. Our tailoring respects the ageold values of gentlemen’s dressing while adding a gently subversive new detail. The Charles Campbell style has been carefully developed to produce polished yet comfortable suits every single time. We bring together the very best of both English and Italian tailoring.

The customer is at the heart of everything we do. A Charles Campbell bespoke suit can change the way you feel about yourself, because it is designed to flatter your unique shape and figure.

We harness our expert knowledge and tailoring to subtly accentuate your best features. The possibilities in designing your perfect suit are both endless and exciting.

We harness our expert knowledge and tailoring to subtly accentuate your best features.

Your bespoke suit is uniquely yours, and we guide you through the process so that the finished result is pleasing in every aspect of comfort and style, from the cloth and lining to the pockets and buttonholes.

Located in the heart of Lancashire’s stunning Ribble Valley, a visit to our premises finds you in a beautifully converted barn surrounded by views of the idyllic countryside. This is a great, relaxed environment to get inspiration from the cloths available and work we have done, with comfortable fitting rooms, ample parking and one-to-one consultations.

We are here to make your life easier so we are also happy to hold consultations and fittings at your home if you prefer, and we regularly travel to our clients in London and across the country.

t: 01254 367968 m: 07714 758 296 w: charlescampbellbespoke.co.uk e: info@charlescampbellbespoke.co.uk charlescampbellbespoke

This unique collection, hand-crafted in Paris, is made from completely natural products such as leather and stone Each pair of Lucas De Stael glasses takes 30 steps to produce from start to finish and can be crafted individually to each customer’s specification For the first time ever, try on the entire collection using virtual try-on technology

01772 312213

thespectaclefactory.com

DRUNK ELEPHANT THE LITTLES 4.0 £65 Take a #drunkbreak by using this exclusively to reset your skin to a healthy, balanced, and truly glowing state. Includes 30ml Beste™ No. 9 Jelly cleanser, 8ml C-Firma™ day serum, 8ml B-Hydra™ intensive hydration serum, 8ml T.L.C. Framboos™ glycolic night serum, 8ml Virgin Marula luxury facial oil, 15ml Protini™ polypeptide cream, 15ml Umbra Sheer™ Physical daily defense SPF 30, 5ml C-Tango™ multivitamin eye cream spacenk.com

ULTRASUN LIP PROTECTION SPF30 £8 Shield and protect the lips from cracking and damage caused

by UV rays in hot or cold temperatures. ultrasun.co.uk

ON THE GO These little luxury travel essentials will keep skin soft and hair ultra-shiny ALBUS AND FLORA BOTANICAL LIP CARE £16 Award-winning, high performance SPF30 lip care blends pure botanicals with modern UVA/UVB filters, to hydrate and protect against sun damage, fine lines and loss of lip fullness. Five shades available in clinic. discoverlaser.co.uk

ELEMIS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR HER £65 Includes 100ml sea lavender and samphire bath and shower milk, 20g pro-collagen cleansing balm, 50ml soothing apricot toner, 14 cellular recovery Skin Bliss capsules, 15ml pro-collagen marine cream, 15ml pro-collagen oxygenating night cream. randrspa.co.uk While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, all prices and stockists are subject to change.

PHILIP KINGLSEY SMOOTH & SHINY JET SET £30 The perfect travel sized hair products to manage frizzy, wavy or curly hair on the go. Includes 75ml elasticizer, 75ml re-moisturising shampoo and 75ml re-moisturising conditioner. philipkinglsey.co.uk

HELIOCARE 360 AGE ACTIVE FLUID £32.99 A light, hydrating fluid providing high-level, broad-spectrum protection plus a triple anti-ageing complex. discoverlaser.co.uk EVE LOM TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SET £38 Stowaway sizes of the cult favourite, multi-tasking skin care products. Includes 20ml cleanser, 8ml moisture cream, 10ml mini essence and muslin cloth. evelom.co.uk

NU FACE PREP-N-GLOW CLOTHS £19 Exfoliate and cleanse skin in one go with these dual-sided cleansing cloths, made from soft cotton lace that is gentle on the skin while providing maximum benefits. spacenk.com

health&beauty

55

REVIVE YOUR YOUTHFUL LOOKS SAFELY Emma Pearce from EMA Skin Aesthetics Ltd is a highly skilled and experienced, aesthetic skin specialist with extensive, advanced training in aesthetic skin treatments

T

he aim of EMA Skin Aesthetics is to achieve life changing results with non-invasive, scientifically proven technology.

The focus of every treatment Emma delivers is to ensure you remain looking like you whilst achieving your sought-after, anti-ageing results – preventing you from resorting to invasive treatments that really aren’t necessary. Emma will ensure your skin becomes youthful, both safely and effectively.

The extremely popular PlasmaPen and the revolutionary non-invasive Hyapen, continue to deliver exceptional, confidence-boosting results to all EMA’s clients.

PlasmaPen

Emma has accomplished 100 per cent satisfaction from her clients with the PlasmaPen treatments.

The PlasmaPen is perfect for tightening and erasing sagging jowls, turkey necks, marionette lines, smile and smokers’ lines around the lips, crow’s feet, puffy eyes, drooping eyelids, chest lines and more. Emma explains: “You’re never too old to make fabulous improvements to your skin as well as your self-confidence. My clients have been absolutely thrilled with the results of the PlasmaPen.”

Hyapen

For those looking for a non-

needles and invasive treatments.

The Hyapen is so effective and due to its natural presence in our bodies as a hydrating substance, hyaluronic acid is extremely advantageous in providing the moisture levels needed for youthful hydration and texture.

RESULTS AFTER JUST 3 WEEKS. Full results are achieved after 3 months.

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

Emma continues: “I’m delighted to be able to offer a non-invasive and natural filler to my clients and it’s perfect for those afraid of WHAT THEY SAY… “It has only been three weeks since my PlasmaPen treatment and I just can’t believe the amazing results so far and the full results aren’t achieved for three months. Unbelievable!

I’m so happy. I’m never resorting to Botox again.

All my friends are now going to have the plasma treatment with Emma due to the difference it has made. Even my husband has noticed. Thank-you Emma you should be proud of yourself.”

The results are remarkable and instantly give a much more natural appearance than injectable fillers. There’s no numbing nor downtime required. The treatment restores a beautiful natural plumpness to your lip and mouth area.”

Emma is renowned for providing treatments and care that is second to none in conjunction with results that clients have been absolutely delighted with.

Having spent 21 years in the industry Emma has gained a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge and skill during her skincare career, and stresses the importance of being treated only by those who have the capability and expertise to treat people safely, respectfully and effectively. n

Joanne F.

SPECIAL OFFERS! PlasmaPen treatments start from £250 per area. Emma is offering Live readers £175 off the price of each area until 5th July 2022!

Non-invasive, Hyapen filler starts from £200. Emma is offering Live readers 20% off until 5th July 2022!

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

56

health&beauty RejuvaMed offers a high-tech treatment which can quickly help solve those problems.”

The clinic has now treated many patients using the 3D-Vjuve, which is the latest addition to 3D’s range of laser systems. The 3D-Vjuve offers an effective vaginal tightening treatment, working in a minimally invasive way to manage a range of postchildbirth and peri-menopausal issues, from incontinence to vaginal atrophy (thinning and inflammation of the vaginal wall) and dryness. There is increasing research evidence that it can also improve sexual function.

HERE TO HELP RejuvaMed at Holmes Mill offers help to those struggling with NHS HRT shortages, with personally tailored bioidentical HRT

W

ith the NHS now struggling to provide routine treatments, and in particular to supply the vital HRT needed by women going through the menopause, RejuvaMed Health & Wellness in Clitheroe can help.

Experienced local GP Dr Helen McKeating is part of the team and specialises in women’s health and gynaecology.

RejuvaMed was the first clinic in Lancashire to introduce Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), a natural, individually tailored and effective alternative to current NHS HRT treatments.

Bioidentical hormones have the same chemical structure as naturally occurring hormones, which diminish as we age. These can benefit patients who have a hormone imbalance, particularly if they have tried other hormonal medications on the NHS, including HRT, and experienced unwanted side effects.

After an initial consultation, Dr Helen will carry out blood tests to pinpoint specific issues and then prescribe a personalised treatment plan that includes a tailor-made hormone prescription.

The medicines are then delivered to your home address.

“BHRT from RejuvaMed has been life-changing!”

Mrs Sian Roberts

Bioidentical HRT can give relief from a wide range of pre-menopausal and menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, weight gain and sleep issues.

It can also help treat other hormonal imbalances such as menstrual problems, post-natal depression, osteoporosis and endometriosis.

The treatment plan includes regular follow ups and monitoring to ensure optimum results.

Prices for Bioidentical HRT start at £50 for a short factfinding consultation.

Dr Helen also offers treatment for another common, potentially embarrassing and inconvenient condition. She explains: “Many women experience ‘waterworks’ symptoms which include what we call stress or urge incontinence.

This means they have ‘oops! moments’ when coughing, laughing or sneezing, or need to suddenly rush to the toilet.

It is thought that up to 60 per cent of women experience such symptoms.

“There is limited help that can be offered for such problems by the NHS and often women are ashamed and afraid to seek medical care. But now

After an initial consultation to assess suitability, Dr Helen uses the 3D-Vjuve to treat these embarrassing and often limiting conditions in a fast, painless and highly effective way, with little or no downtime.

A consultation with Dr Helen is £50, with each subsequent treatment priced at £550, or just £1400 for the recommended course of three sessions. n For more information or to book a consultation with Dr Helen at our CQC-registered medical clinic, please call 01200 538668

RejuvaMed Health & Wellness Holmes Cottage, Woone Lane Clitheroe BB7 1BG 01200 538668 www.rejuvamed.co.uk

Take control of your health with a Membership Plan We have a limited number of membership plans that include the following

Priority appointments within 24 hours

Referrals to private specialists

30 minute consultation times

Private prescriptions

Home visits

Fast track access to diagnostic tests

Health MOTʼs

Exclusive online booking portal

from £40 per month

We have limited availability, please call us for more information or you can join online or book an appointment by visiting www.fyldeprivategp.com Telephone: 01253 207568 Visit us at 26 St Annes Road West, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1RF Pay as you go and corporate memberships also available.

58

health&beauty

A PRIVATE DECISION With news that NHS waiting lists are growing longer, it is definitely worth considering private treatment with some of the most respected consultants and clinicians in the region

up of hospitals and clinics which are run independently of the National Health Service (NHS). Normally private hospitals and clinics are run by a company, although some are run by charities or other nonprofit organisations.

I

f you need medical or dental treatment and don’t want to join a lengthy waiting list, it may be worth considering going down the private healthcare route.

You don’t need to have a referral to get private treatment from a consultant or specialist. However, it is widely believed that it is best practice to be referred by your GP or general practice dentist, as they are aware of your medical and dental history and will be able to inform you whether a referral is indeed the best course to take.

Some private practitioners and private medical insurance policies will require a referral.

If your GP or dentist thinks you need to see a specialist and you want to pay for it privately, they can write a letter of referral to a recommended private consultant or specialist explaining your symptoms.

The private healthcare sector is made

YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO SPECIALIST MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS, THE BEST CONSULTANTS AND CLINICIANS AVAILABLE People choose to go private largely for the excellent facilities and fast access to treatment, seeing the best specialists available. Consultations and appointments are also often at times to suit each

individual patient.

While there are many advantages of going down the private health route, the standard of treatment is bound by the same strict regulations faced by all medical professionals. However, shorter waiting times and the facilities that private hospitals and clinics can offer, often make the option of paying for treatment attractive.

You will have access to specialist medications and treatments, the best consultants and clinicians available and if you have private health insurance, either through your place of work or independently, it makes ‘going private’ an obvious choice.

Private hospitals and clinics are designed to offer specialist, personalised care, the patient to practitioner ratio is advantageous and private clinics generally give patients access to the very best equipment and the latest technology.

If you have a medical problem that you would like dealing with swiftly and you want access to the best people and equipment, it is definitely worth considering paying for treatment rather than face lengthy waiting times.

There are many private options available throughout the region, private hospitals and clinics will welcome your enquiry and will invite you to a consultation to discuss how they can help. n

health&beauty

59

the brain and spinal cord, bones and joints, breasts, heart and blood vessels, as well as internal organs like the liver, womb or prostate gland.”

Results are delivered quickly and therefore treatment is implemented much faster for patients whilst ensuring the highest level of care.

SWIFTLY & EFFECTIVELY…

R

esponding to the needs of the local community, Spire Fylde Coast Hospital delivers a private GP service, which is rapidly expanding as patients opt to bypass the increasing NHS waiting lists and instead, seek support from a private GP. Spire Fylde Coast Hospital can provide a comprehensive diagnostic service and specialist treatments with fast access to high quality healthcare, enabling patients to receive the care they require and carry on with their normal, everyday lives.

Dr Farzaneh Mani, Spire GP, commented: “With a combination of people still struggling to get appointments with their own GP and receive the treatment they need, they are turning to us. We can deal with these patients quickly and effectively at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital through our treatment pathways and specialist healthcare.”

There is complete continuity of care for all patients. Dr Mani explains: “It’s important that the patient’s own GP is made aware of any diagnosis, treatment requirements or referrals, so with the patient’s consent we will make contact with their GP to ensure nothing vital is missed. To speed up treatments we can refer patients internally for blood tests, scans and consultant referrals.”

In March 2021 Spire Fylde Coast Hospital unveiled a new state-of-the-art MRI scanner to speed up diagnosis for patients with cancer and other diseases. With an increase in demand for this particular imaging modality and MRI scanning being less invasive than other scanning alternatives, it was the ideal choice, providing consistently high-quality

The major focus for Spire Fylde Coast Hospital is preventative care and providing integrated pathways to deliver early interventions and improve outcomes for patients on the Fylde Coast, writes Meena McDonald. Photography: Roger Moore diagnostic images and workflows to improve each patient’s experience.

The new machine delivers a much-improved patient experience with reduced scan times and a wider machine, adding to patient comfort, especially for those who are claustrophobic.

WE CAN DEAL WITH THESE PATIENTS QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY AT SPIRE FYLDE COAST HOSPITAL THROUGH OUR TREATMENT PATHWAYS AND SPECIALIST HEALTHCARE Shabana Iftikhar, Diagnostic Imaging Manager at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital, adds: “The MRI scanner can be used to examine almost any part of the body including

The scanner represents a £1.5m investment by Spire Healthcare and enables up to 25 patients a day, five days a week to be scanned and detect cancers, cardiac disease and urgent neurological, gynaecological, spinal and orthopaedic conditions.

As investment in Spire Fylde Coast Hospital continues, the team is now considering a new MRI cardiac service for their patients.

Those individuals wishing to access private healthcare services also have the option of zero per cent finance for a 12-month period, through the hospital. n

Spire Fylde Coast Hospital St. Walburgas Road, Blackpool FY3 8BP Main Switchboard: 01253 394188 Self-pay treatment enquiries: 01253 308031 spirehealthcare.com/spire-fylde-coast-hospital/

Photography: Robin Lyndon

I FEEL THAT I SHOULD LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE ENJOYED DINING OUT WHILE IN TENERIFE AND BEING ABLE TO ENJOY EATING THE FOOD I HAVE CHOSEN. MANY THANKS TO YOU, MARK AND KHURRUM FOR ‘RE-BUILDING’ ME! age and I had a lot dental work done on my lower teeth which was failing.

“I had swapped dentists a number of times and then the dentist I moved to retired,” recalls Jack, whose wife Shirley knew

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

A

In what was a complex challenge, the professionals at Renovo Dental formulated a dental implant plan that has been a huge success for patient Jack Morris

s an extremely active 83-yearold, Jack Morris has undergone life-changing, dental implant treatment that has given him the smile he has always wanted.

Jack has also seen the benefits to his health and confidence too – and it’s all thanks to the professionals at Renovo Dental.

Seeking specialist dental treatment, patients throughout the UK travel to the new, Ribble Valley-based Renovo Dental, where there is a top team of dental specialists, in-house dental technicians and general practitioners working with some of the very latest stateof-the-art technology.

After wearing loose dentures for several years and being advised on numerous occasions there was insufficient bone for dental implants, Jack felt he had come to the end of the road in his attempts to resolve the problem.

But when he asked for a consultation with the team at Renovo Dental, he began to see light at the end of the tunnel, as he explains: “I had lost my upper teeth at quite an early

Dr Usman Riaz of Renovo Dental, having undergone implants with him almost a decade ago.

“She was highly pleased with her implants,” says Jack. “I had always been told that I had insufficient bone to have implants and that it would be too complex – I wasn’t making any progress in improving the situation so I asked Shirley if Usman would see me for an assessment.”

Usman, a highly experienced clinician with

Working alongside Usman on Jack’s dentistry was highly experienced specialist periodontist and implant surgeon Dr Khurrum Hussain, who completed specialist training in periodontology at the prestigious Eastman Dental Institute, London.

As a periodontal specialist, he deals with gum disease and the soft tissue surrounding the palate, degenerating bone issues and failing implants.

Following treatment to improve bone density and the health of Jack’s gums, a period of healing followed before the final implant-supported teeth were fitted – and the results have been transformative for Jack:

“The team at Renovo have been superb!

I can’t recommend them highly enough.

They treat you as a client with total respect – you’re not just a number.

“All the staff are so reassuring. It’s made a terrific difference to my life,” says Jack, who spends time with Shirley in Tenerife each year. “I can now eat okay – and I like my food!” says the former award-winning Bolton butcher.

Speaking about Jack’s treatment, Usman adds: “Jack is a really sociable guy, prominent in the community and resolving his dental problems was a big thing for him. It wasn’t just about aesthetics it was a functional issue that was affecting his quality of life.”

As a brand-new clinic, Renovo has invested in the latest digital dental technology, including a state-of-the-art CT scanner which allows the team to plan and perform very precise implant surgery. This CT-guided surgery for implants is faster, easier and more efficient for surgeons and safer, more comfortable and results in faster healing for patients.

Photography: Robin Lyndon

a special interest in aesthetic and implant dentistry, readily agreed to see Jack, who went along to the beautifully restored Renovo surgery in the village of Chatburn: “Usman carried out the assessment – and while he said implants would be quite complex, he said it was possible.”

Usman explains: “Jack had been told that implants just weren’t possible, but he persevered. He was struggling with loose fitting, partial dentures and was finding it difficult to eat.

“During the initial assessment a CT scan was done and yes, it revealed Jack didn’t have sufficient bone. So, we agreed that bone grafting was the solution.”

Bone grafting was performed to replace destroyed bone surrounding the teeth roots.

The bone graft then helped to serve as a platform for the regrowth of natural bone.

Testament to their skills, the team at Renovo, carried out the bone graft procedure in the same visit as the implant placements.

61

Photography: Robin Lyndon

health&beauty

Preparation is key to the success and the team of dental nurses, dental technicians and implant surgeons, all play their part on the day.

WE FIRST MET JACK EARLIER THIS YEAR AND INFORMED HIM NOT ONLY HOW WE COULD HELP, BUT HOW WE COULD GIVE JACK THE SMILE HE ALWAYS WANTED… “No two smiles are the same, so there is no ‘one-size-fits all’ when it comes to this level of implant dentistry,” says Usman.

“Like all our other patients, the implants have completely changed Jack’s smile,” adds Usman. “Implants can transform people – they gain confidence and restore self-esteem.

It may sound clichéd, but this treatment really does change their lives.” n Renovo Dental treats patients throughout the region, who have been referred by their general dentist as well as self-referrals

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

@renovodental

62

focusonfulwood

FABULOUS FULWOOD

F

or many reasons, despite its very close proximity to Preston city centre, Fulwood has remained distinctly separate.

This may be due to the vast majority of the area being encompassed under the Fulwood Conservation Area. It has become well known as an attractive location in which to live and work and it has many and varied interesting places to visit.

Fulwood is of course, home to the Lancashire Infantry Museum and Fulwood Barracks which lie within sight of Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium, the oldest football league ground in the world.

The Lancashire Infantry Museum houses one of the largest and most important infantry regimental collections in the country. There are extensive displays, archives and a military history library that illustrates the fascinating history of the Lancashire Regiments from earliest foundation in 1689 to the achievements of the ‘Lancashire lads’ of the 21st century.

Another hugely popular destination in Fulwood is Masons Wood, part of which is designated as ancient semi-natural woodland and a biological heritage site.

With only 2.5 per cent of land in the UK designated as ancient woodland, it is important that the wildlife, flora and fauna are protected in such areas.

As ancient woodland, it is believed Masons Wood and indeed the whole of

On the periphery of Preston city centre, Fulwood is an attractive, outlying township that enjoys a wonderfully rich heritage Fulwood was once part of a Royal Forest.

Off the beaten track, the woodland demonstrates the nature of Fulwood over a millennium ago – a wild woody expanse that would have covered a great deal of this little township.

Originally an Anglo-Saxon settlement, the name originates from the Old English language ‘ful wuda’ meaning foul, dirty wood or wet and marshy woodland.

However, it could also be derived from ‘fugo’ meaning bird. Given that the area was a known Royal Forest, deer and game

were hunted, and it is recorded that the squire was reported to have bagged many pheasant – hence ‘bird wood’.

Today the woodland is extremely well used by local people for recreation – public access is good as the site has a number of entrances and a network of surfaced footpaths, one of which links the woods to several other Woodland Trust sites including Moss Leach, Fernyhalgh Wood and Midgery Wood. Masons’s Wood is also one of the Woodland Trust’s top 10 bluebell woods in the UK. n

focusonfulwood

63

A VIBRANT ENVIRONMENT the environment and flooding along with

Meena McDonald visits raising awareness of careers in STEM and Archbishop Temple to discover civil engineering.

The school excels in subjects right across a school that is truly outstanding

T

he moment you set foot into this incredible Grade II listed building you know you’re somewhere special.

Headteacher Ivan Catlow explains what makes Archbishop Temple Church of England High School so special. “Our rich and vibrant environment is so obvious the minute you arrive. Pupils are stretched and challenged in their academic studies along with a wide range of extracurricular activities and are therefore given the foundation and teaching to carry them through to the next stage of life. Our broad curriculum goes way beyond the national requirements and provides knowledge, inspiration and experiences for all our pupils.”

This can be observed across numerous activities throughout the school where pupils are exposed to everything from environmental issues, educational competitions, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and sporting activities to motivational talks from business mentors.

One example is Rivercraft, a specially developed Minecraft game based on the Environment Agency’s £54.7M flood defence scheme in Preston and South Ribble.

Using interactive play through the creation of a Minecraft world, the games help young people learn about climate change,

the curriculum and recently came first in the regional final of the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge. The competition is a curriculum-linked programme, where pupils work together to solve real-world engineering, technology and computing challenges. The Archbishop Temple engineers will compete against over 40 other schools from across the country at the final in June.

Committed to investing in its facilities, pupils will benefit from an investment project the school is undertaking worth £300,000 to develop a ground-breaking new football pitch. It will be the best grass pitch in the city and is being developed by those that were responsible for the pitch at Wembley!

Although the school is based in a Grade II listed building it is still extremely keen to utilise the most advanced technologies and is currently running a decarbonisation project which involves a ground source heat pump heating the school, improved windows that hold on to as much heat as possible and photo-voltaic panels to generate power.

Headteacher Ivan Catlow concludes: “Providing pupils with an all-rounded, knowledge-rich education will ensure they develop the skills required for the next stage of their lives and embark on exciting careers with enthusiasm and commitment.” n For more information on the inspirational school please call 01772 717782

Archbishop Temple is also keen to inspire its business pupils and recently welcomed local businessman Aaron Willis. The Apprentice candidate gave pupils invaluable advice about starting in business, dealing with negativity, building confidence and self-belief, as well as the benefits of working hard.

The school boasts many sporting successes and regularly wins local and regional competitions in football, basketball, netball, table tennis, badminton and indoor athletics.

SCHOOL OPEN EVENING Wednesday 19th October 4pm – 7pm See archbishoptemple.com for more details Archbishop Temple Church of England High School St Vincent’s Road Fulwood, Preston PR2 8RA archbishoptemple.com

RUSH TO REGISTER Residents have rushed to register with a revolutionary dentistry clinic. Emma Brereton finds out more

D

entistry by Cure Clinics has been a lifelong vision for dentist, Chris Ball, and his ambition to open a ground-breaking clinic that would change oral healthcare practice for the better, is finally a reality.

Its official opening took place in April and in just a few short weeks several hundred people have contacted the clinic to register as a patient to experience what Chris is most passionate about – putting the patient in control of their oral healthcare and treating the person in the chair, not just the mouth.

The stunning surgery is like nothing you have ever seen before or associated with British dentistry. Situated opposite Fulwood’s Lidl supermarket, a huge 10ft wide screen greets you with scenes of natural beauty and a smiling receptionist is ready and waiting to give the warmest welcome.

“It’s about creating the calmest environment,” explains Chris. “I want the clinic to be a place patients look forward to visiting. Our team is attentive, refreshments are served

and to maintain the calm, we even answer the phone in another room.”

The epitome of style, the reception area is just a small part of the overall package patients can expect from Dentistry by Cure Clinics. Ex-Broughton High School

pupil Chris, has launched the business with brother, Michael, owner of Broadway Pharmacy and Lancashire Vaccination Centres, and has thought of every tiny detail when it comes to creating a beautiful clinic. The practice is open seven-days-a-week with an array of hightech equipment in four surgeries, each with two screens, one for patient information and one on the ceiling for patient entertainment.

IT’S ABOUT CREATING THE CALMEST ENVIRONMENT. I WANT THE CLINIC TO BE A PLACE PATIENTS LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING Chris adds: “We are also very mindful of living in a post-Covid world. We have prioritised air quality by installing a bespoke ventilation system that changes the air in each surgery 10 times an hour.”

The investment in high-end technologies doesn’t stop there. The practice has a consultation room, its own CT scanner, a hospital-grade sterilisation room and dental photography room that also houses laboratory equipment to make crowns on site and much more.

focusonfulwood Chris believes that Covid has created a much higher demand for private dentistry than there was before the pandemic and wants to prove that moving to a private dentist is a really positive step. More than 13 million appointments have been missed since 2020 – an issue that needs to be addressed.

“It’s a privilege to be a dentist and we want to show that to our patients in everything we do. By putting the patient at the centre, we are sure we can make a real difference to our local area and beyond and we hope to become the chosen clinic for any referral treatments.”

Something that really sets Dentistry by Cure Clinics apart from other practices is the team Chris has meticulously put together.

WE HAVE PRIORITISED AIR QUALITY BY INSTALLING A BESPOKE VENTILATION SYSTEM THAT CHANGES THE AIR IN EACH SURGERY 10 TIMES AN HOUR The practice is made up of a highly skilled team of five dentists, three therapists, five dental nurses and front-of-house staff, including general manager Fabio Vidotti, whose background is working on cruise ships and at Fylde Coast hotels.

“Hospitality absolutely has a place in the healthcare industry and it’s this side of things that shapes the practice,” says Chris.

“Fabio’s role is dedicated to creating the best customer journey. We know lots of people have poor experiences or existing anxieties which we want to help them overcome.”

One of the ways Chris hopes to help people overcome any anxieties is through demonstrating to younger patients that visiting the dentist is not a scary experience.

Chris said: “Forcing a stressed, scared child into a dentist chair is not the route we will be taking. If a child is particularly worried, we will work with the parent to ease any anxieties and encourage them to see that visiting the dentist is actually an enjoyable and interesting experience.”

The practice provides private dental care, based on membership starting from £25 a month for adults with potential savings of up to £235 in the first 12 months. This will enable you to access: • New patient consultation (normally £100) • Twice yearly check-ups (normally £40 each) with a hygiene-therapy appointment (normally £80) • Twice yearly virtual oral health MOT (normally £30) • No charges for mouth X-rays (normally £12.50 each, patients usually have two X-rays every 12 months or so) • Free dental prescriptions for antibiotics and pain relief (compared to the NHS charge of £10 per item) • One free urgent/emergency toothache appointment per year if needed (normally £100)

Children’s membership is accessible with an adult membership: • Twice-yearly children’s check-ups and preventative care (fluoride clinics) • Free up to the age of six • From six-16s £6.50 per month Those interested in the non-membership option are encouraged to register too and can enjoy the flexibility to pay-as-you-go.

All types of dentistry are offered from emergencies to everyday dentistry as well as dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign. The approach is preventative and informative so patients can decide themselves on treatment. Emergency care will be available to anyone at a charge of £100 for whatever treatment is needed to stop acute pain and patients will usually be seen within 24 hours. n To express an interest in registering with Dentistry by Cure Clinics email: OLDcontact@dentistry.cureclinics.co.uk VERSION

Dentistry by Cure Clinics Unit 3-4, Eastway Retail Park Fulwood, Preston PR2 3FB dentistry.cureclinics.co.uk

NEW VERSION

65

66

focusonfulwood

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS… Based in Fulwood, Sole & Beauty has a collective of professionals providing wellbeing services all under one roof

R

un by podiatrist Alexandra Austin, Sole & Beauty is always looking to expand the team to offer a wide range of services that complement each other.

Podiatrists, beauty therapists, counsellors, physiotherapists, wellbeing services and holistic therapists all have beautiful, relaxing rooms at Sole & Beauty.

“We have healthcare and therapy rooms available, in which self-employed therapists can carry out their services, and benefit from the broad spectrum of therapies that we have available here,” explains Alex.

“It’s a wonderful place in which to work, especially as all the people here fit well

together in the services they provide.”

At present there are several highly qualified and HCPC registered professionals at Sole & Beauty including bio-mechanical and gait analysis specialists, along with holistic therapists and hypnotherapists to aid weight management.

The beauty therapists provide an extensive range of services and like the other service providers at Sole & Beauty, they are always updating and refining their skills.

“We very much take a collective holistic approach to health and wellbeing to provide clients with a wide breadth of services in a unique environment,” says Alex, who is looking for other therapists that will complement the Sole & Beauty offering, to join the team. n

If you have a business that would complement Sole & Beauty, and you would like to know more about joining the team, contact the clinic on 01772 716500 or email: soleandbeautyfulwood@gmail.com

Sole & Beauty 333 Garstang Road, Fulwood PR2 9UP 01772 716500 soleandbeauty.com

CONFIDENCE

St Pius X Preparatory School Independent Catholic Day School for boys & girls aged 2 – 11 years Wellbeing is at the heart of a dynamic curriculum filled with challenge and opportunity. Over 6 acres of safe, secure grounds.

This is a great place to grow: give your child the best start in life. #firstchoiceprepschool

• Outstanding Care • Superb Individual Progress • Excellent Academic Results

CURIOSITY

• Outdoor Education & Sports • Forest School • Creative & Performing Arts

T: 01772 719937 | W: www.stpiusx.co.uk | E: admissions@st-piusx.lancs.sch.uk 200 Garstang Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 8RD StPiusXCatholicPreparatorySchool HeadStPius stpiusxprepschool

KINDNESS

lifestyle

SUMMER LINE-UP A jam-packed line-up of exciting, cultural events as well as thrilling water and wind sport facilities will make this summer one to remember, writes Tim Dixon Fylde Council’s Tourism and Cultural Services manager

I

t’s getting warmer and it’s such a great time to get outdoors and enjoy what Fylde has to offer, both on the coast and in the many villages making up rural Fylde. There are regular guided walks hosted by the Fylde Ranger Team right across the area and it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and find out more about this fantastic part of Lancashire.

A walk around the 78 acres of mature parkland of Lytham Hall will introduce you to a new art trail – a Fylde Council project in association with local artist Nicky Thompson with art inspired by the heritage railway posters of yesteryear and there’s a free booklet to pick up and guide you around the grounds.

Elsewhere at Lytham Hall, Greg Anderton and his team at the Leafy Lytham Garden Hub are extremely busy selling plants of

all shapes and sizes and the dog friendly café is as popular as ever. The year-round event programme at the hall continues to prove very popular and this year, Alfie Boe will be performing in a Last Night of the Proms concert on 28th August.

On Lytham Green, the windmill, complete with four sails once again, is now open again for the summer season and you’ll find a tourist information desk in there – entry to this historic building is free with donations always welcome.

The changing exhibition programme at the Lytham Heritage Centre can be viewed for free with donations welcome.

The Lowther Theatre again has a very busy event programme both in the theatre and also within the grounds. The Lytham Festival is back this year for 10 nights of music from top class acts including Duran Duran, Lewis Capaldi, Simply Red and many more.

The popular Lytham 1940s Wartime Weekend returns for the first time since 2019

67

and is followed a couple weeks later by the hugely popular St Annes International Kite Festival, taking place from 2nd (evening) to 4th September.

In St Annes, you’ll note the paddling pool adjacent to the pier has recently been refurbished, thus offering an addition to the free Splash! facility along the promenade.

There will also be a new wind sports centre opening up at North Beach in 2022, with a café and it will be a centre for the popular kite surfers and land yachters, who you can already see as regular users of the beach.

There have been many developments over the past couple of years at Fairhaven Lake and the Adventure Golf course has firmly established itself as a popular visitor attraction with a course record currently standing at 41, as has the refurbished adventure play area and, new for 2022, is the water sports centre where you can try paddle boarding, canoeing or kayaking.

The seasonal leisure boats remain as popular as ever as does the refurbished café with views over the lake. It’s a great park to explore and the recently refurbished Japanese Garden is well worth a visit. n For more details of places to visit and events go to: www.discoverfylde.co.uk

RESILIENCE:

THE ULTIMATE ENDURANCE TEST In the month we recognise Mental Health Awareness Week, Emma Brereton talks to Darren Hardy – veteran, world record holder, Warrior Games double gold medallist, motivational speaker and Ribble Cycles’ Ultra Endurance Athlete

I

n 2017 veteran Darren Hardy was medically discharged from the forces after suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – a mental illness so synonymous with those who have served our country, it’s easy to forget that when soldiers return to their family and loved ones, settling back into normal routine is not always straight forward.

As part of his recovery, Darren has used the last five years to retrain his brain and challenge his body to the maximum. He has also made it his duty to help others and raise awareness of men’s mental health issues.

According to mentalhealth.org.uk in England, around one in eight men has a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or

obsessive-compulsive disorder. Furthermore, three times as many men than women die by suicide and men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK. Sadly, this is largely down to negative stigmas associated with mental health with only 36 per cent of NHS referrals for talking therapies are for men.

Knowing how difficult it is for men to open up and talk candidly about feelings and experiences, Darren now uses extreme endurance events to help raise awareness of men’s mental health and talks openly about his own suffering to get other men to communicate better.

Darren said: “There is very much a feeling of ‘stiff upper lip’ in the military and the male psyche also leans towards wanting to be the bread winner of the family, ultimately failing to recognise when they may need help.

“For me I had to retrain the thoughts in my head. I needed to challenge myself so I became fitter, stronger and fuelled my body with what it needed and not what it thought it wanted.”

Darren has undertaken some epic endurance races to keep up the momentum, such as the 10X 10X 10 Ironman which is 10 Ironmans over 10 days in 10 locations.

It required him to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 1 12 miles and run 26.2 miles every single day and he did all of this for Help the Heroes.

He is able to do such astounding events thanks to his partnership with Ribble Cycles

lifestyle

69

who take good care of every athlete they work with.

“When I first looked into getting help for PTSD, I did it through the military and doing this Ironman for Help the Heroes allowed me to give something back. At the time of my first event, I didn’t even have a bike and it’s thanks to Ribble Cycles that I am well cared for every time I decide to undertake a new, risky challenge. They’re on my side and support my cause 100 per cent.

“Doing these events for charitable causes also helps me to stay focused. Knowing

that I am helping someone else keeps me positive and with a strong mindset.”

There’s no doubt that Darren’s challenges are so exciting they easily grab the headlines and that’s a great platform to get people talking about the reasons behind his events, but his motivational speaking has just as much an impact on those who are lucky enough to be in his company.

Darren continued: “Not everyone is going to sign up for their next local triathlon to make them feel better. It’s about making small changes and finding little things that can help with your daily mindset to allow

IT’S THANKS TO RIBBLE CYCLES THAT I AM WELL CARED FOR EVERY TIME I DECIDE TO UNDERTAKE A NEW, RISKY CHALLENGE. THEY’RE ON MY SIDE AND SUPPORT MY CAUSE you to take hold of the day that lies ahead.

One of the first things I recommend to most people is to go to bed an hour earlier and get up an hour earlier.

“Use that hour in the morning for yourself and go for a walk, a bike ride, do some meditation or yoga. Whatever you do, be in the moment. Doing this will start the day positively to help you tackle whatever comes your way.”

Darren also explains what you can do to help if you feel that someone you know may be going through a difficult time.

“Everyone asks as routine if you’re okay and generally, even if you aren’t, you will say you’re fine. If you feel someone you are close to is having a hard time, get them out of the house, offer to go for a brew – it’s amazing how much people will open up over a cup of tea and even if you haven’t tackled the problem that’s troubling them, it’s likely you’ve made them feel less alone.”

Darren is currently working towards his next daredevil challenge – a triathlon in the Arctic circle.

He said: “I am in the process of working out the funding and logistics for this event but I am very much looking forward to testing myself in the most severe conditions on the planet. If all goes to plan it will take place between September 2022 and March 2023, so watch this space.” n For more information and to keep up to date with Darren’s latest challenges follow him on social media

@darren_hardy4 ribblecycles.co.uk

LUXURY LODGES FOR SALE www.ribblesdalelodges.co.uk

A division of Gisburne Park Estate Ltd.

lifestyle

71

PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY OVER MY PROPERTY – WHAT ARE MY DUTIES? It is not uncommon for properties, particularly those in rural areas, to have public rights of way over them, which can be found on Ordnance Survey maps and are revealed by local searches when purchasing properties, explains Graeme Booth, property solicitor at Farleys

T

he majority of public rights of way come into existence by way of presumed dedication ie long use by the public without interruption or objection. They can also be created by the Highway Authorities if they believe that a right of way over certain land would add to the public’s convenience and enjoyment, or by a landowner expressly dedicating a route across their property for the benefit of the public.

Public rights of way can take several forms: • Footpaths – for walking, running, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs • Bridleways – for walking, horse riding, bicycles, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs

• Restricted byways – for any transport without a motor and mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs • Byways open to all traffic – for any kind of transport, including cars When a public right of way crosses private property, whilst the Highways Agency is responsible for maintaining the surface, the property owner must not allow it to be obstructed. This can include: • Stopping vegetation next to the right of way from overhanging or encroaching it in such a way as to cause an obstruction • Providing and maintaining stiles and gates in a condition that is safe and convenient for public use • Ensuring that the width of bridleways is at least 3m and footpaths at least 1.5m.

When a right of way crosses a field, the widths reduce to 2m for a bridleway and 1m for footpaths • If the property is farmland, observing guidance on keeping cattle in fields that have public access, as prescribed by the

Health and Safety Executive eg bulls over the age of 10 months of particular breeds must not be kept in fields with public access. Landowners can be prosecuted for keeping any potentially dangerous animal on land crossed by a right of way • Likewise, if a right of way crosses a field, keeping it free from crops or other cultivation.

If a property owner wishes to carry out works to their property that will impact upon a public right of way, they may need permission from the local authority and they must ensure that the right of way is reinstated and marked on the ground after the works have been carried out. n

For advice on your duties as a property owner with regards to public rights of way over your property, contact Farleys’ property law experts on 01254 368040, email: info@farleys.com, or visit: farleys.com

HOLIDAY HOMES FOR SALE

RE E DS BAY LUXU RY H O LI DAY HOME DEVELOPMEN T AT R I BBY HALL VILLAGE

9318 Reeds Bay Ribble Valley 420x297mm V2.indd 1

Discover 20 new and uniquely designed holiday homes with exclusive lakeside setting and unrivalled five star facilities.

Reeds Bay offers a one-of-a-kind holiday home ownership experience. These beautiful and innovative homes offer the ultimate in style and luxury, each with their own unique character, striking design features and eye-catching touches. All set within an idyllic countryside location.

Located on the Fylde Coast, only minutes from the seaside town of Lytham St Annes, the bright lights of Blackpool and within easy reach of the motorway network.

Escaping to your dream holiday home couldn’t be easier.

As an owner, you’ll enjoy access to over 130 acres of award-winning facilities at the North West’s only five star holiday village: • Health Club with state-of-the-art gym, racquet sports, fitness classes and nine-hole golf course • Fantastic 25m adult only swimming pool and family leisure pool • Activities including fishing, boating, cycling and tennis • Children’s activities, indoor soft play, outdoor playgrounds and educational zoo • Sailing, canoeing and other water-based activities • Award-winning adult only Spa Hotel with top rated facilities and treatments • Choice of bars and restaurants including The Orangery (two AA Rosettes) and the Italian inspired Terrazza.

• New entertainment venue with daytime and evening shows

For further information call the dedicated sales team on 01772 672222 or email sales.enquiries@ribbyhall.co.uk Visit ribbyhall.co.uk/reedsbay

05/05/2022 16:32

74

lifestyle

HOLIDAY HOMES

BY THE SEA With great ocean views, Cockerham Sands Holiday Park is the perfect place to be

W

hen you think of seaside destinations in the North West, Blackpool, Formby and Lytham St Annes are likely to spring to mind. One that you might not think of is Cockerham, on the mouth of the Lune estuary just south of Lancaster.

The village of Cockerham itself sits a little in-land, but just a short drive through some beautiful countryside will bring you to the seafront, alongside the Cockerham Sands Holiday Park.

It’s a quiet and peaceful spot and a real haven for wildlife, with all manner of wading birds and other beach dwellers such as sand martins and snow buntings being regularly sighted. The elusive barn owl has also been spotted in the twilight!

But, if you’re more of a thrill seeker then there’s plenty for you here too. The beach is a perfect launch point for jet skis or sea kayaks, while just up the road is a renowned skydiving centre.

Of course, the scenery is spectacular, with the sandy beach leading to the sea, stretching out to the horizon, interrupted only by the

historic Plover Scar Lighthouse – and with being on the west coast, you’re treated to some beautiful sunsets!

It’s little wonder then, that the Cockerham

Sands Holiday Park is a popular home from home for people looking for a regular escape from the everyday. Owning a holiday home is the ultimate convenience, being able to get away at the drop of a hat, without having to book or plan ahead. Staycations really boomed over the travel restrictions of the pandemic and they remain a strong favourite with many, especially the flexibility they offer when your holiday home is only a short drive away.

The park itself is also a hive of activity,

with regular live entertainment at weekends, as well as family fun events such as gala days and festivals. If you can’t be tempted by a dip in the sea, there’s a heated outdoor pool – perfect for British summertime temperatures! Other conveniences include an on-site shop, boat storage facility and launderette.

Owned by prominent local entrepreneur, John Morphet, Cockerham Sands recently celebrated its first anniversary of being a part of the Pure Leisure Group. The company is a true family business and one of the largest holiday park operators to remain independent in the UK.

IT’S LITTLE WONDER THEN, THAT THE COCKERHAM SANDS HOLIDAY PARK IS A POPULAR HOME FROM HOME FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A REGULAR ESCAPE Cockerham Sands is hosting a Holiday Home Show on 17th – 19th June, with a number of both new and pre-owned caravans on display, including some already positioned with those glorious sea views.

It’s the perfect opportunity to explore all this charming park has to offer, and to see a range of holiday homes all in one place. The latest models from leading manufacturers will be there, including ABI, Atlas, Willerby, Sunseeker and Swift.

Pure Leisure’s expert team will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have about life on the park, and holiday home ownership more broadly. Plus, site fees for 2022 and 2023 will be included with any purchase made at the show! Visit the Pure Leisure website to book your place today. n

HOLIDAY HOME SHOW 17th – 19th June 2022 Cockerham Sands Holiday Park To book go to: pure-leisure.co.uk

pure-leisure.co.uk

Live

cockerham sands

Miles away from the everyday Cockerham Sands is Lancashire’s best kept secret.

With everything you need for a perfect break, plus plenty more to explore from your doorstep.

Find your way to your new private hideaway today...

...but remember, it’s a secret!

Outdoor Pursuits

Wonderful Wildlife

Sea view locations available

P FI RIC N ES AN AV CEFRO AI P M L A AC £ BL K A24, E G 99 ES 5

On site pool, bar, entertainment

TO BOOK YOUR PERSONAL PARK TOUR PLEASE CALL 01524 917738 OR VISIT PURE-LEISURE.CO.UK

Live Ribble - Cockerham Sands - September 2021 - Final.indd 1

14/09/2021 09:12:31

YOUR EVERYTHING STARTS HERE...

STAY Nestled in the heart of the idyllic Ribble Valley in Lancashire, Everything Retreat is the perfect getaway to restore and re-connect. The retreat team will be on hand to ensure every detail of your stay is managed personally, with a unique concierge service. Whatever individual plans you may have, the concierge team brings you their wealth of local knowledge to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. From planning blissful country walks, tickets to top venues, champagne delivered to your door or a chauffeur service to one of the area’s award-winning country inns or Michelin-starred restaurants – consider it done!

SIGNATURE COLLECTION The Signature collection has been designed to complement the beautiful surroundings in which they rest. Nestled around the pond overlooking the magnificent views and countryside, the Signature lodges are a collection of six identical lodges that are open plan with full length glass windows. Every lodge in both the Unique and Signature Collections has a private terrace, underfloor, heating, hot tub, log burner and a luxurious interior.

UNIQUE COLLECTION The Unique Collection of lodges are themed with inspiration being taken from around the world. All are designed with sheer luxury and comfort in mind whilst stimulating your mind and senses with the immersive surroundings that you have chosen to spend your long weekend or week amongst. From the snowy mountains to the plains of Africa … which will you choose?

PURE LUXURY Everything about the retreat is designed for your indulgence – from the panoramic views to the finishing touches within your lodge. The retreat has formed a number of collaborations to offer guests the very best in luxury and among these is Bath House, makers of artisan fragrances and natural skincare. Produced in Cumbria, these products maximise the freshness of natural extracts and plant oils. Exquisitely fragranced, you will delight in discovering Bath House in your luxury lodge shower room.

FINE DINING Everything Retreat is collaborating with a number of partners including Northcote. Just a stone’s throw away from Everything Retreat, dining at Northcote will be a celebration of fabulous food and award-winning wines perfectly paired to complement the dishes created by Michelin starred chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and the brigade in the Northcote kitchen. Overlooking the gardens and the surrounding countryside you will enjoy the landscape from which many of the ingredients originate. Guests at Everything Retreat can enjoy a deliciously decadent dinner, Sunday lunch or Northcote’s ever-changing seasonal menu. Everything concierge will take care of all your arrangements and curate the perfect stay.

Primrose Hill Mellor BB2 7EQ 01254 965095 everything-retreat.com hello@everything-retreat.com

Hey Siri mow the lawn!

It’s Saturday morning, you’ve had a tough week at work and typically - it’s raining again! Is it any surprise you don’t feel like mowing the lawn?

You skipped doing it last week though, so now unfortunately you don’t really have a choice, otherwise it’s going to be a really big job next weekend.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just say “Siri Mow the lawn” then sit back and enjoy another coffee?

AutoMowIt are Lancashire’s approved Ambrogio robot mowers distributor - it’s a newly launched business for Tyler Stevenson who owns the Blackburn & West Lancashire Greenthumb lawn care treatment franchises.

Are robot mowers just a fad?

So why did he start AutoMowIt?

I can provide free site assessments to determine suitability and advise on the variety of features across the range, so clients can make an informed choice. Ambrogio robot mowers can be fully automatic, programmed to mow your lawn on a schedule that suits you. Alternatively they can be instructed via the Ambrogio App on your phone from anywhere in the world - even if that’s just your bed!”

“We have a large lawn at home, with a busy business and a young family I just didn’t have the time to mow my lawn as often as I advised my Greenthumb customers. But, I obviously want my own lawn to be in tip top condition.

So I started looking at robot mowers. I did my research, checking out product reviews on line and quickly realised Ambrogio were unparalleled. I was extremely impressed with the product range so my mind was made up.

My installer had to travel from Lincolnshire so seeing a gap in the market, I decided to qualify as an approved installer and dealership, serving Lancashire.

Ambrogio have been manufacturing for over 25 years. But to the UK market it feels like robot mowers are a bit new, and there’s a lot of uncertainty in consumers minds. The benefits are clear and the technology is always improving, so they are definitely not just a fad!

How does someone choose the right mower?

AutoMowIt are happy to offer a free assessment of your lawn, virtual via FaceTime or in person to discuss suitability and features of the various models. Call 0800 1522123.

The easier way to a perfect lawn

Talk to Tyler today…

• Advice, supply, install and maintenance • Authorised distributors for Ambrogio • Free remote lawn analysis and quote

Call 0800 15 22 123 Visit www.automowit.co.uk Find us on Facebook @automowit

lifestyle

79

THE IMPORTANCE OF LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

It is never too soon to set up Lasting Powers of Attorney, advises Jane Burbridge of Forbes Solicitors

T

he pandemic has brought to light the importance of having measures in place to enable your family to access and manage your finances in the unfortunate case that you are unable to do so yourself.

It’s not an easy conversation to have but it really does pay to plan ahead and set up Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) sooner rather than later. Not just for the

instances that you or someone you love is diagnosed with a progressive illness such as dementia in later life, but earlier on in your life too.

Research shows that 65 per cent of us think our next-of-kin will make medical and care decisions for us if we are no longer able to. That is not the case without a Health and Welfare LPA being in place, this enables them to make decisions about social care issues and medical treatment, including life sustaining treatment. Unfortunately, it is estimated only 22 per cent of people in the UK have an LPA. There are not only problems dealing with your personal finances and making medical and care decisions, what about the business you are involved with?

Most businesses have undergone crisis management – identifying and preparing for probable risks, such as floods, computer hacks or theft. However, fewer businesses consider preparations for significant business decision-makers being incapacitated.

Without a business LPA in place, certain risks arise. For example, if one of the bank account signatories lacks capacity, the bank could freeze the account. If there is an overdraft, the possibility of the bank freezing the account is greater. Contracts entered by a person who had capacity but now lacks it, may become unenforceable owing to their incapacity. Paying creditors, employees or tax becomes difficult as does running the business generally with a businessperson who now lacks capacity. Investors may require

their investments to be returned.

The time to consider making LPAs – for personal finances, health and welfare or business – is when you are fit and able. It is never too soon to make an LPA. However, if something happens which results in you losing your mental capacity, it is too late.

IT’S NOT AN EASY CONVERSATION TO HAVE BUT IT REALLY DOES PAY TO PLAN AHEAD AND SET UP LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY (LPA) SOONER RATHER THAN LATER An application would then need to be made to the Court of Protection to have a deputy appointed.You would have no say in who applies to be your deputy, the process may take months or longer and, in the case of a business, during that time the business is exposed to uncertainty of survival.

At Forbes Solicitors we can help guide you through the steps of making a Lasting Power of Attorney to help you decide what would happen if you could not make decisions for yourself and needed support managing your affairs. n

Jane Burbidge, Partner in Wills, Tax, Trust & Probate 01772 220156 jane.burbidge@forbessolicitors.co.uk

WHATEVER THE MOMENT, WE’RE IN IT

forbessolicitors.co.uk

01254 580 000

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

80

lifestyle

MARRY ME NOW Say ‘I do’ in 22! A number of wedding venues have dates available this year for couples who don’t want to wait to tie the knot

W

ith many weddings having had to be re-scheduled over the past couple of years, it may come as something of a surprise that this has left some dates available this year.

So, for those who want to get married without delay, this could be your chance!

While the UK has seen a surge in wedding bookings, most are for 2023 and 2024 so that couples have plenty of time to plan.

But if you’re happy to simplify things, it is quite easy to organise a wedding in a few months as opposed to a couple of years.

Booking the venue is usually the first

thing to consider. In Preston and Fylde we have many and varied venues – from bijou boutique locations to grand country houses so whatever style of wedding you are seeking, a date maybe available for you this year.

IN PRESTON AND FYLDE WE HAVE MANY AND VARIED VENUES – FROM BIJOU BOUTIQUE LOCATIONS TO GRAND COUNTRY HOUSES Once you have set your date and found a venue that can accommodate you, book the registrar or the service.

Once you have these two things ticked off – the rest should be relatively plain sailing. Find a photographer, florist and cake-maker, reserve suits if you’re hiring, start the search for that all important wedding gown and go shopping for wedding rings.

A few months before you tie the knot send out your invitations and you should then soon be able to confirm numbers with your chosen venue. Think about a seating plan and consider who you’re going to delegate wedding day duties to.

Many venues have wedding organisers and co-ordinators that will work with you in the run-up to your big day, which takes any worry away.

We are lucky enough to live in a region that has many and varied beautiful wedding venues within just a few square miles – there are exciting city venues or choose a country style wedding in one of the pretty villages on the rural, outlying periphery.

This area really is a fabulous place, where you and your guests could be experiencing a joy-filled day that will make 2022 a memorable year!

If you dream of saying ‘I do’ in 22 then check out the venues and see what dates are available. n

lifestyle

ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR… Amid the green fields of the Ribble Valley, a fabulous wedding venue takes centre stage providing a touch of luxury in this rural idyll

W

ith a beautiful backdrop of rolling green fields, wildflower meadows and the majestic Pendle Hill, there is nowhere quite like The Out Barn.

It is the perfect wedding venue – just waiting to be discovered.

Tucked away down rural country lanes, The Out Barn can be exclusively yours.This hidden gem has its own private driveway through acres of surrounding fields.

It is truly unique in both its creation and its location, sitting in 360 acres of stunning privately-owned estate.

It is a marriage of old and new that works on every level for wedding parties. Built of stone and timber that has been grown on the farm, the state-of-the-art cedar clad oval

space features full length glass bi-fold doors that open onto the fields.

While everything about the eco-friendly Out Barn revolves around sustainability, nature and the countryside, it also has all the contemporary touches you would expect including state-of-the-art lighting and music system and unrivalled facilities that you just won’t find anywhere else.

The Out Barn has a six-bedroom farmhouse nearby for wedding guest accommodation, a romantic wedding cottage in the Old Dairy for the bride and groom as well as a number of collaborations with local country inns and hotels for extra accommodation.

The Out Barn has six first-class catering partners, all providing very different styles of cuisine, an outdoor bar terrace with a delightful stretch tent that enjoys beautiful views and when the evening comes, there is nothing better watching the sun set from this stunning venue!

We pride ourselves on the finer details and our experienced team will work with you to create the wedding you have always dreamed of. Please get in touch to book your personal viewing. n

SUMMER SHOWCASE 3rd July 2022 12pm - 4pm

With beautiful stone floors, natural oak benches and beams, teamed with a view that is exclusive to this rural venue, The Out Barn is licensed to hold civil ceremonies in the oval space and outdoors on the top lawn with panoramic views of Pendle Hill and the wildflower meadow, or nearby Fairy Bridge that overlooks a stream and is surrounded by wild roses and blossom.

81

The Out Barn Waddington Clitheroe BB7 3JH 01254 826285 info@cloughbottom.co.uk cloughbottom.co.uk

Summer Love of

WWW.DREAMVENUES.CO.UK

Say I do IN 2022...

The James’ Places collection of truly unique wedding venues across the Ribble Valley.

From a classic country inn and a simply astounding contemporary mill conversion to a gorgeous stately home and a romantic manor house, we have the perfect wedding venue to make your dream wedding day come to life.

Your dream day awaits WWW.DREAMVENUES.CO.UK

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Nick English, Kerry Woods & Jebson Photography

84

lifestyle the thrill of the event, there will be first class food available too.

“We have a great relationship with Northcote hotel and executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen,” explains Emily. “We will be offering her mouth-watering gourmet burger at the event as she has kindly offered to share her secret recipe and technique with our chef here at the Bridle Café – we can’t wait!”

TOP CLASS SPORT TOP CLASS VENUE With a simple ethos of providing high end sport at a fabulous venue, Northcote Stud continues to be the North of England’s premier home for top class events, writes Gail Bailey

L

ots of people have been to a day at the races but less have experienced the thrill of watching top class show jumping – and in the Ribble Valley we are lucky to have the North West’s home for key events right here on our doorstep!

“Show jumping is great entertainment,” says Managing Director and experienced equestrian Emily Whiteside of Northcote Stud. “All our events are free to the public and are a great day out for the whole family.”

Having recently held their first ever Northcote International Event attracting athletes from 10 nations, and with over £50K of prize money on the table, the atmosphere was electric: “We welcome spectators to all our events,” Emily says.

“In addition to watching leading athletes we have a marquee, street food vendors and a fully stocked bar – and centred around our Indoor Championship Arena is our recently opened Bridle Café with a wide range of wonderful meals and a ‘grab-and-go’ option for those in a rush!”

It isn’t just about experiencing the sport and hospitality during the day – during the

multi-day events the bars are open Friday and Saturday evenings with a DJ and live singer.

“It isn’t just a day out and the opportunity to watch high end show jumping – it’s a fun night out too,” Emily adds.

SHOW JUMPING IS GREAT ENTERTAINMENT. ALL OUR EVENTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND ARE A GREAT DAY OUT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY The next upcoming event is the Young Horse Show running from the 31st May to 5th June and along with the opportunity to watch world class riders, and experience

Northcote hotel has also sponsored a class and are offering a fabulous raffle prize of a one-night stay for two people and lunch for four: “Sponsoring a class at any of our events is a wonderful opportunity for local and national businesses. We look forward to hearing from anyone interested – just get in touch and we will show you the fantastic facilities we have, and the different ways you can be involved,” says Emily.

With so much going on and great entertainment to enjoy, visit Northcote Stud’s website and social media for further information and to make sure you don’t miss any of the upcoming events. n

Young Horse Show Northcote Stud 31st May - 5th June For more events go to: northcotestud.co.uk

Northcote Stud Northcote Road Old Langho, Blackburn BB6 8BE 01254 790025 07774 968006 northcotestud.co.uk northcotestudltd NorthcoteStud

lifestyle

85

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

O

ver the summer Stonyhurst has a range of options for students who are looking to fulfil their potential in rugby, tennis and netball as well as a Holiday Club for younger children aged three to 10 years.

Sports Courses at Stonyhurst

The Tennis and Rugby Programmes will be run by Stonyhurst’s own coaches with Stonyhurst Summer School single day and five-day options for 10 to will be launching an extended, 16 year olds. Both the Tennis and Rugby Courses give the opportunity for children activity-based programme to learn alongside students from around the world including Mexico, Poland, Spain and Italy.

The Netball Camp will be run by Tracey Neville MBE, former England netball coach, who will deliver a three-day camp for children aged eight to 14 years.

Stonyhurst aims to provide a sporting programme that is completely inclusive for both boys and girls in all sports programmes. under STYLISH APARTMENT YoungLYTHAM players are supported by experienced coaches and activity staff to fulfil their

potential, at whatever level. For those on the five-day course, there are two off-site excursions as well as daily extra-curricular activities.

Stonyhurst Holiday Club

For younger children in the local area, Stonyhurst welcomes children aged three to 10. Each child can experience everything Stonyhurst has to offer – this is a varied programme of den building, games, outdoor learning, baking and more! n Find out more and book now on our website: enterprises.stonyhurst.ac.uk/holiday-clubssports-camps/

Stonyhurst Enterprises Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe BB7 9PZ 01254 827014 enterprises.stonyhurst.ac.uk

LOVE LYTHAM? A luxury fully renovated 2 bedroom apartment located in the heart of Lytham and close to the bars, cafes, restaurants and golf courses.

AVAILABLE FOR SHORT TERM BREAKS AND STAYCATIONS. churchviewapartmentlytham.com | Find us on

under Stylish Lytham Apartment

EDUCATIONN E W S MUSICAL EVENING

CAREERS AWARD

OLYMPIC MEDALLIST

Westholme welcomed everyone to their annual Spring Concert, held at the Croston Theatre. Students from all years at Senior School were represented, including the Junior and Senior Choir, Chamber Choirs, Junior and Senior Orchestras, Swing Band and Brass Band, to name but a few of the wonderfully talented musicians.

Stonyhurst was recognised for its outstanding careers work recently when it was awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard.

The Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.

Olympic medallist Marilyn Okoro was the guest speaker at Westholme’s Sports Awards held at Ewood Park. Marilyn spoke of her love of sport as a child and explained how running had helped her holistic development. To dream ‘audaciously big’ was one of the many pearls of wisdom that Marilyn imparted to the 320 guests in attendance. Marilyn presented a number of awards including over 40 Sporting Excellence trophies.

SPORTING SUCCESS Archbishop Temple Church of England High School Year 7 Girls’ football team did well to reach the Preston Schools Football final at Deepdale, but unfortunately lost out. The Under 16 girls’ football team, however, celebrated winning 5-1 in the final. They were awarded the Guild Cup. Hot on the heels of winning the Preston final, the Under 16 girls’ team became Lancashire Champions after winning the final. The Year 7 boys’ basketball team also had reason to celebrate after winning the Lancashire Cup.

INTRODUCING RIVERCRAFT

STEM THE PLASTIC TIDE

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

Pupils from Archbishop Temple Church of England High School in Preston have joined forces with the Environment Agency, Microsoft and Minecraft to take part in an immersive virtual learning experience. Rivercraft is based on the Environment Agency’s £54.7M flood defence scheme in Preston and South Ribble.

Using interactive play through the creation of a Minecraft world, the games help young people learn about climate change and flooding along with raising awareness of careers in STEM and civil engineering.

Children at St Pius X Prep School entered the Message in a Bottle Top competition.

The assignment encouraged exploring plastic pollution and in STEM they researched creatures affected by plastics in the ocean.

They created a coral reef from plastic bottle tops to build a colourful, underwater installation as a feature in the heart of the school. Their art combined teamwork, collaboration and inspired creativity and it has definitely become a talking point!

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) students and staff from the School of Arts and Media are celebrating after a journalism programme received industry recognition.

Journalism at UCLan is ranked number one in England, according to the Guardian University Guide 2022. Now, its BA (Hons) Journalism course has been highlighted as the top-performing undergraduate programme by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

education

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG UKRAINIANS Rossall School forges ahead in terms of supporting young Ukrainians caught up in the current humanitarian crisis

R

ossall School has responded decisively and quickly to welcome at least six additional Ukrainian children to the school at the start of the summer term and this is one aspect of an extensive programme of support that includes a community hub.

This enormous commitment is only possible due to the extraordinary generosity of a school community that has come together to actively respond to those in need.

Current pupils are raising money to support relief operations in Ukraine itself whilst the wider Rossallian community has contributed to a fund established to support a small number of Ukrainian children for as long as is needed.

The school has gone one step further by sponsoring a family from Kharkiv.

Yuliia and her two sons Oleg, eight, and Volodymor, three, arrived at Manchester Airport recently where they were greeted by members of the school community, who have spent the last few days restoring a three-bedroomed property on the school site.

Yuliia and her children have experienced

an incredibly difficult journey to get to the UK. Their ‘letters of permission’ took a little while to process, they then travelled to Ireland to stay with the Headmaster’s sister-in-law Caroline Dennehy, and her husband Tom, in County Cork.

Within 24 hours of arriving, Tom was teaching the boys how to hold a hurley stick!

They are among the very first families to arrive in the UK under the ‘Home for Ukraine’ scheme.

In scenes reminiscent of TV’s DIY SOS

87

everyone pitched in to paint windows and plant the garden of the family’s new house. Others have donated toys, clothes and other household essentials.

The school has been inundated with offers from suppliers, tradespeople and kind members of the public.

Once Oleg and Volodymyr have settled into their new home, they will join Rossall Prep School and Nursery where they will receive one-to-one support as they begin to learn English.

Other Ukrainian children will be welcomed into the school’s senior boarding community at the start of the summer term.

They include children who contacted the school with requests for support and younger siblings or friends of Ukrainians who had previously attended the school.

Headmaster Jeremy Quatermain, commented: “It is a privilege to lead a community that responds so compassionately to a crisis such as this.

“We have all pulled together to make this happen and, from our initial phone call with Yuliia, we knew that we had to do everything within our power to help her and the boys.

“We are so fortunate to be able to help and I am so happy to be surrounded by colleagues, parents and pupils who all share our absolute determination to do something practical in response to the terrible and heart-breaking images that have flooded our screens in recent days.

“We know that what we can accomplish is relatively modest in the grand scheme of things but amidst such tragedy, we hope that the Ukrainians we welcome into our community will feel Rossall’s love, kindness and compassion.” n

Rossall School Fleetwood FY7 8JW 01253 774201 rossall.org.uk

ALL TOGETHER NOW… Steeped in such fascinating and abundant history, Westholme School is driving towards a significant milestone in 2023 when it celebrates its centenary, writes Meena McDonald

S

tarting in 1923 when Emily Singleton set about providing a unique educational experience for all her pupils in a house called ‘Westholme’ on 167 Preston New Road in Blackburn, all the way through to becoming the highest achieving school in Lancashire in 2021, the visionary grit, determination and aspiration has been a defining characteristic of all Westholmian

boys and girls throughout the last century.

Academic success in the classroom has always been a given, but the full educational philosophy of Westholme’s remarkable ethos is completely rooted in developing the whole child – inside and outside of the classroom.

Over the years the school has experienced many advancements, ensuring it stays at the forefront of educational developments, investing in the facilities throughout the school.

This was very apparent during the headship of Mrs Lillian Croston, the fourth principal who led the school for 25 years between 1988 and 2013. Her drive, passion and vision led to the development of a state-of-the-art science wing at the school providing students with

the opportunity to immerse themselves in the science laboratories and partake in exciting, informative and fun activities.

THE FULL EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF WESTHOLME’S REMARKABLE ETHOS IS COMPLETELY ROOTED IN DEVELOPING THE WHOLE CHILD The Sixth Form facilities were also the inspirational brainchild of Mrs Croston and this now houses the young adults who experience incomparable 1:1 support and guidance during every step of their Sixth Form journey.

The Croston Theatre, named after Lillian Croston, who had the determination

education

89

and ambition to create such progressive performance facilities, is a true Westholme gem, encouraging students to build their confidence, team building and leadership skills through performance.

These innovative investments all demonstrate that at the heart of Westholme’s holistic education, is the equal importance of every subject and activity.

At Westholme, it is the wonderful balance of happy, fulfilled children, loving their time at a school that results in academic rigour and success. Inspiring teachers inculcate the acquisition of key skills within the curriculum, essential to the world of work, and do not become fixated on teaching to the test. The unique educational philosophy at Westholme deems this unnecessary and the proof is in the pudding – with their top echelon of incredible exam results.

THE WARMTH, FAMILY FEEL, ACADEMIC RIGOUR AND HOLISTIC BALANCE WILL ENABLE MANY MORE GENERATIONS OF WESTHOLMIANS TO THRIVE IN THE FUTURE In 2021, Dr Richard Robson joined Westholme as the school’s sixth principal.

His vision is to build on the unrivalled holistic excellence set in motion 100 years ago, but also look to strengthen the allthrough nature of the school, particularly the impact of the Sixth Form, as the student leaders of the school.

Today, the INSPIRED Sixth Form is an important raison d’être of Westholme, rooted in the acquisition of essential 21st century skills vital for the rapidly evolving modern workplace. Westholme’s young adults enjoy the independence to choose from a plethora of opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

From September 2022, all students will be educated within the Wilmar Lodge campus on Meins Road following the construction of the new state-of-the-art Prep School to

house younger pupils aged four to 11.

The excitement is building at Westholme as 2022 is a defining moment within the school’s history providing an all-through education for its four to 18 family on one site. This was the stated aim of Arthur Rouse, Westholme’s second principal, in that he wanted to bring the whole Westholme family together in one place. His vision comes to fruition with the completion of the brand new Prep School opening in September.

This opening leads perfectly into the centenary celebrations in 2023, which will comprise a whole array of exciting activities, including: • Centenary Carnival 19th April 2023 • Centenary Ball 1st July 2023 • Centenary Party Night 2nd September 2023 • Centenary Fireworks Night 5th November 2023 • Centenary Carol Service 7th December 2023

WESTHOLME ANNUAL OPEN EVENING 6th October 2022

Looking ahead, the path is very clear for Westholme. A first-class education for all pupils aged four to 18, on the beautiful Wilmar Lodge campus on Meins Road, will continue to ensure that Westholme is the school of choice and the marketleader in Lancashire. There is a momentum and a constant drive to provide the very best state-of the-art facilities - never more evident than in the very recent multi-million pound building projects.

The first 100 years has been an incredible journey for Westholme and they are fully committed to ensuring a further 100 years of unrivalled holistic excellence continues to benefit Blackburn. The warmth, family feel, academic rigour and holistic balance will enable many more generations of Westholmians to thrive in the future. n Too good to be true? Book a private tour now and find out first-hand why this school is unmistakably the best of the best! registrar@westholmeschool.com

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

90

education and the ability to think for themselves promotes curiosity and creativity.

Many nurseries provide wrap-around care too, to giving busy parents flexibility and giving children the opportunity to spend more time with their peers before and after school.

Busy working lives mean parents can drop their children off early and pick them up later in the day – confident that they are being nurtured and well cared for in an environment where their wellbeing is central.

EARLY YEARS… Providing a safe yet stimulating environment in a child’s early years puts them on a path that promotes confidence, motivation and creativity

E

arly Years education is a vital step in a child’s development in what should be a stimulating and nurturing environment, allowing children to be confident and valued in order that they reach their full potential academically, socially, emotionally and creatively.

The activities within an Early Years curriculum are carefully planned to ensure they are thought provoking and motivating, so they promote independence as a child develops and learns.

Many Early Years facilities give children access to a vast array of opportunities – often providing them with the option of both indoor and outdoor learning activities.

Outdoor learning often provides youngsters with challenging and stimulating environments where they can work independently or as a team as they are taught life skills that create happy and confident individuals.

Equipping children with knowledge

EQUIPPING CHILDREN WITH KNOWLEDGE AND THE ABILITY TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES PROMOTES CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY After school activities during the extended day may involve having tea with other children, often followed by a programme that centres around play and winding down at the end of the busy school day.

Many Early Years facilities and nurseries also hold holiday clubs providing stimulating interactive programmes of activity during the summer holidays giving youngsters access to outdoor sports, countryside exploration and nature projects, crafts and art.

Education in this early phase of a child’s life sets them on a path to an interesting and inspirational future as they grow in confidence, make new friends and learn both academically and practically from an array of exciting opportunities that are presented to them. n

education

MAKING OUTDOOR LEARNING FUN Children at Ashbridge develop into confident young learners thanks to a programme that takes them into the great outdoors

W

hilst the benefits of being in the great outdoors has long been known, the last two years has put a new emphasis on being outside for many people, with schools and nurseries also beginning to focus on outdoor learning. This is no surprise to Ashbridge Independent School and Nursery, which runs an independent primary school and four nurseries in the Preston area. Outdoor learning has been a key part of their ethos since they started operating over 25 years ago.

At Ashbridge, all children benefit from outdoor learning programmes developed over many years and incorporating forest school principles, land-based studies and much more. The school’s recent inspection report awarded Ashbridge the top grade of ‘excellent in all areas’ with the children’s

‘complete, reverential engagement with the natural world’ being highlighted. This commitment to outdoor learning and connecting with nature can be seen in action across all the group’s settings.

Children at Ashbridge School in Hutton can be found developing many skills on the custom-built low ropes course or creating aqueducts in the forest as part of their studies into Romans.

91

find some peace and quiet.We keep teacher interaction to a minimum so that the children feel like they’re alone in the forest and curate their own experiences. This allows them to feel more confident and children who may be quieter in the classroom can be extremely well spoken and confident learners outside. Outdoor learning makes children better learners and gives all children a sense of achievement.”

OUTDOOR LEARNING GIVES ALL CHILDREN A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT At Ashbridge Nursery Hutton, children as young as two enjoy Forest School in the extensive private woodlands, using hand drills to make necklaces and cutting vegetables to cook stew over an open fire.

At Ashbridge on Ribble, pre-school children spend their days at River School where they have direct access to the banks of the River Ribble, learning about tides, river wildlife and water safety. Children attending Maxy Farm in Cottam can be found helping to care for the nursery chickens and even the youngest babies explore scents and textures in the kitchen garden, whilst at the Fledglings Nursery at Myerscough College, children visit the farm animals and learn about the farming community in which many of them live.

Forest School leader and qualified teacher, Kylie Stott explains: “Outdoor education is a chance for children to be free. They can choose to run, climb, investigate or just

So, while for many being outdoors is just a time to relax and switch off from the world, at Ashbridge it is a key part of the learning experience. Ashbridge children achieve highly, in part because of their outdoor experiences allowing them to become confident and capable young people with a positive outlook on life. n

Ashbridge Independent School and Nursery Lindle Lane, Hutton PR4 4AQ 01772 619900 ashbridgeschool.co.uk

business

Alexandra Hatchman has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of North West leading law firm Napthens. Gail Bailey meets Alex to learn more about her career journey

A

lex Hatchman has a wealth of experience in different sectors, including holding senior roles in retail and management consultancy, but at school Alex never imagined she would achieve the academic success that she attained: “I was sporty and constantly in a PE kit, however I was lucky that my physics teacher, along with my mother, saw something in me which pushed me to work incredibly hard,” she says.

That hard work paid off and she gained a place at the University of Oxford, graduating towards the top of her year.

Growing up in a single parent family, Alex saw her place at Oxford as a precious opportunity to create a better life for herself and her family: “I worked industriously at university and felt a sense of responsibility to make my place there mean something.

My mother was an absolute hero and her belief in me drove me to achieve.”

WORKING ACROSS A RANGE OF SECTORS AND BUSINESSES, GAVE ME AN INVALUABLE VIEWPOINT FROM WHICH TO LEARN DURING A FORMATIVE PART OF MY CAREER Alex, a self-confessed ‘geek’, qualified originally as an engineer, however she never felt this was entirely her calling, and recognised her skills more as a natural problem solver: “I was sponsored by Ford Motor Company during my degree and did a gap year before starting university, as well as placements each summer. This work experience enabled me to grow and find my direction,” Alex says.

She then joined global management consultancy Accenture, where she had further opportunity to experience different sectors: “Working across a range of sectors

and businesses, gave me an invaluable viewpoint from which to learn during a formative part of my career. It also gave me the opportunity to observe trends and I was fascinated seeing the retail sector change – it was the beginning of the dotcom era with different customer channels opening up.”

During Alex’s seven years at Accenture, she completed an MBA at INSEAD Business School in Paris. “My mother is Spanish, so I had grown up understanding differences in cultures, however during my time at INSEAD I met many people from different nationalities and backgrounds, and this gave me an even greater understanding. This appreciation of difference has been key to my own career and learning to never view talent from a narrow focus,” Alex says.

On leaving Accenture Alex went to work in a senior role at Tesco, which had become one of the biggest performing supermarkets, and from there she was head-hunted by Marks & Spencer to run their food logistics and supply chain in the UK and across the world: “As a relatively young woman I enjoyed the opportunity to ‘break the mould’ and be successful in what had previously been a predominantly male area, being able to challenge equal opportunity was, and still is, important to me,” explains Alex, who was further head-hunted to join Coles Supermarkets in Australia in a different role, being involved in the transformation of their 800 stores: “This again gave me more opportunity to learn and develop my own skills and gain further experience – both from a business and cultural perspective.”

On returning to the UK in 2016, Alex joined Fletchers Solicitors as a non-executive director, and then shortly after as the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer: “Law was a big part of my role with Marks & Spencer so whilst it was a difficult choice to leave

93

the retail sector initially, overall, it felt like a natural next step.”

During the five years Alex worked at Fletchers she became Chief Executive Officer and was instrumental in increasing the turnover from £18m to £45m, cementing the company as one of the top 100 law firms in the UK. “I have huge respect for law and for lawyers and feel privileged that my achievements whilst at Fletchers were recognised by the Law Society in 2018 when I was presented with the Excellence in Practice Management Award,” Alex says.

“I am looking forward now to utilising my management consultancy and legal experience to support Napthens as it continues on its own growth journey. I have been lucky enough to work with the firm previously and the willingness of the team to work together and the existing company culture is something that really sets Napthens apart, and something I’m keen to take to the next level.”

AS A RELATIVELY YOUNG WOMAN I ENJOYED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ‘BREAK THE MOULD’ AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN WHAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN A PREDOMINANTLY MALE AREA With a demanding role and a family, it leaves little time for other interests, although Alex is currently engaged in helping the Ukrainian crisis by opening up her home to a mother and daughter seeking refuge: “It isn’t easy as our government has been objectively slow on this matter. While there are necessary processes that must be followed, it is evident that unnecessary barriers are also in place which are causing delays in being able to help these desperate people fleeing Ukraine. We are in constant contact with our family and cannot wait to welcome them into our home.”

This echoes Alex’s business ethos and philosophy which is very much centred around people: “I of course drive businesses to be successful, however it is not just about the ‘what’ – it is about the ‘how’,” explains Alex.

“I often say that it is important to have a wise head, a kind heart and a strong backbone – there are always ways to drive commercial success, however it is important to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve.” n

BUSINESS MATTERS

tbc business 94 lifestyle

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Preston and Fylde, where business always matters If you have any Business Matters news items contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk

FUNDING FOR WHOLESALER

LADIES’ DAY

Lancashire vegetable wholesaler, Huntapac Produce Ltd, is continuing to expand operations and drive forward its sustainability ambitions after securing funding worth more than £800,000 from Lombard. The fourth-generation, family-owned business was established in 1942 and specialises in growing, packing and distributing carrots and parsnips to the country’s biggest retailers. It has a network of farms around the UK, a packhouse located in Preston and a transport fleet allowing it to supply retailers 52 weeks of the year. The latest funding has enabled Huntapac to purchase two new Prinoth Panther dumpers.

The bespoke-built machines are the latest innovative technology for high-volume, low ground pressure farming, reducing impact on the land therefore allowing growers to harvest crops year-round, rain or shine.

Ladies’ Day at Preston Grassshoppers proved a tremendous success for Gainsborough Flooring. As sponsors of the flagship event, the Gainsborough team entertained 50 local ladies, who were treated to a very special red carpet greeting on arrival, before exclusively entering the 1869 bar where each lady was served pink bubbly. This was followed by a delicious three course meal in the Leigh Gallery. The raffle and sweepstake raised an astounding £700 for St Catherine’s Hospice and Lynn Kelly, Chief Executive of St Catherine’s who was attending the event was delighted. Many of the guests were overjoyed to win raffle prizes which included vouchers for The Beauty Rooms, M&S and Steve Ryding as well as a rug worth £200 and lots of bubbly and chocolates.

SPECIAL DELIVERY FROM ANWYL Bundles of support has been delivered to a Lancashire charity from Anwyl Homes, which donated £1,000 to National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Preston, Fylde and District. The funding will be used to help create bundles that include nappies, wipes, clothes, blankets, toys, a Moses basket, baby books and toiletries. The ‘Love from Anwyl’ community pot is attached to homes being built at Lawrence Gardens in the semi-rural village of Barton, Stonebridge Fold, close to Longridge town centre and the recently completed Bluebell Meadows in Fulwood.

DESTINATION CHARGER

SUPERBIKE EVENT

Ribby Hall Village in Wrea Green has officially unveiled the Fylde’s first Porsche destination electric charging point. The new installation is part of an ongoing partnership between the local holiday destination complex and Porsche Centre Preston. Ribby Hall Village will now join more than 3,000 other destinations worldwide with charging points listed locations on Porsche.com satellite navigation system and Porsche App.

Over 200 BMW motorbike owners and superbike enthusiasts attended a Race Season Preview Event at Bowker Motorrad on the docks in Preston. The charity bar, raffle and auction raised over £2,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust and Andy’s Man Club.

Racing teams, riders, sponsors and superbike supporters came from throughout the North West to celebrate the build up to this year’s Bennett’s British Superbike (BSB) Championship. The evening saw the official unveiling of the new 2022 iForce BMW BSB PR racing livery.

SUPPORT FOR CHURCH The Olive Grove Cafe in Central Methodist Church in the heart of Preston acts as a welcoming hub for the local community. After nearly 30 years the cafe and foyer area have had new flooring installed thanks to the support and innovative thinking of local flooring specialists Gainsborough Flooring. Always keen to ensure there is as little wastage as possible, Vicky Brown from Gainsborough suggested collating excess stock of luxury vinyl tiles and using it for the café and foyer. The installation ran smoothly and the flooring looks stunning.

business

95

ESTATE PLANNING You can avoid HMRC being the biggest beneficiary of your estate by planning ahead and consulting an Inheritance Tax expert, advises Farida Isaji of Napthens

I

nheritance tax receipts in the UK amounted to approximately £7 billion for the year ending March 2022, a record high. Inheritance tax – also known as the ‘death tax’ – is applied when someone dies. It is applied on the value of a deceased person’s estate worth more than the inheritance tax threshold. Any amount above the threshold is charged the standard Inheritance Tax rate at 40 per cent.

The inheritance tax allowance has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009 and under Rishi Sunak’s budget, will remain so for at least another four years. An additional allowance known as the residence nil rate band, gives a further allowance of £175,000 when a deceased person leaves their home to direct descendants eg children or grandchildren.

The effects of inflation and increasing house prices mean more families face paying inheritance tax. For some, the single biggest beneficiary will be HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The earlier you make estate planning arrangements, the greater your chance of taking full advantage of tax mitigation opportunities, thereby maximising the amount that goes to your beneficiaries on your death.

Estate planning is likely to focus on passing assets down to future generations during an individual’s lifetime or placing assets into trust, so they do not form part of an individual’s estate on their death. However, we must be cautious when considering options. It is important to ensure assets are gifted effectively to remove them from an individual’s estate for inheritance tax purposes. In fact, gifting assets to family members or into a trust to mitigate inheritance tax can trigger other unexpected tax liabilities such as a capital gains tax, so it is important to take legal advice.

The effects of inheritance tax can be devastating, but there are steps you can take to mitigate inheritance tax including: • Ensuring your Will is up to date and structured in a tax efficient way • Making full use of exemptions such as the annual £3,000 allowance • Making lifetime gifts of any value which will become exempt from inheritance

napthens.co.uk

When it’s time to plan the future Let’s plan it together None of us know what will happen next. So it’s important to make plans. Whether you’re arranging a will, setting up a power of attorney or dealing with inheritance tax and wealth management plans, you need expert help – so let’s do it together.

Email or call

together@napthens.co.uk 0345 671 0276

together is better

tax if the individual survives for 7 years • Making regular gifts out of any surplus income • Optimising lifetime transfers between spouses • Transferring agricultural or business interests to make use of any tax reliefs on such assets • Transferring assets into trust to protect family wealth • Arranging adequate life assurance to cover potential inheritance tax liabilities • Considering the purchase of a specialised investment to reduce IHT • Making gifts to charity of a certain amount in your Will to benefit from a reduced rate of inheritance tax of 36 per cent As lawyers we can work collaboratively with your accountant and financial advisor to provide an effective, tailored approach to your estate planning needs, mitigating inheritance tax and preserving your assets for the future benefit of your family. n

Farida Isaji is an Associate Solicitor with Napthens’ Wills & Estate Planning team

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT…

T

here is certainly no harm looking for it – indeed, striving for it should be actively encouraged.

We’re talking about perfection.

But does it exist and, even if it does, the fundamental question remains – is it achievable?

Invariably ‘perfect situations’ often carry some flaws or faults, however minor.

Take cars as an example. Is the perfect motor really out there?

Well, if you’re going to find it anywhere a Porsche centre is the perfect place to start – and finish.

Right now, there is a new model on show for which there are as many ticks as there are boxes – the superb Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe.

Very rarely do you come across a car capable of being both super-sporty and family friendly.

Every inch a Porsche in looks, style and performance, the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe offers genuine appeal to families who want to add adventure and sumptuous comfort to their day-to-day driving.

With more than a nod to ‘electric’ (there is a 22-mile range available at your fingertips), this is an excellent stepping stone into what seems sure to become the future of motoring.

The new Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe has looks, style and performance. It is a heady mix of driving dynamics and sustainability, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Andy Tighe There are certainly no compromises with regards to power. An acceleration capability of 0-62mph in 5.1 secs and a top speed of 157 mph providing more than

sufficient proof of performance.

A heady mix of driving dynamics and sustainability is guaranteed to bring a wide smile to any sports car enthusiast – hybrid technology developed on the racetrack, impressive fuel efficiency and ample space for the whole clan.

FINAL WORD ON THE ACTUAL DRIVE ITSELF. GLORIOUS. IT GLIDES ALONG WITH AN AIR OF EFFORTLESS CONFIDENCE Talking of fuel economy, very relevant, irrespective of your budget – the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe is capable of up to 88.3mpg (combined consumption).

Working off six cylinders, generating 460hp (combined), this is an all-wheel drive with real punch.

You know you’re going to love it at first sight with its great shape, 22-inch GT design wheels in Satin Platinum, roof spoiler and door release levers painted in

motors

97

high gloss black, the iconic Porsche logo in LED on the door courtesy lights and a sports exhaust system including sports tailpipes in black.

There are tinted LED main headlights (with matrix beam) and tinted LED tail lights including light strip, auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors and privacy glass.

The list goes on and it certainly looks the business, but things get even better when you take your seat and immerse yourself in unashamed luxury.

From the Alcantara ‘suede-feel’ steering wheel (heated and multifunctional of course) to the slightly tilted and perfectly proportioned full-HD 12.3-inch touchscreen and 360-degree Surround View, this is highquality stuff. sitting in a concert hall.

As for sitting itself, the electric, multiway sports seats (in a rather natty check material) are sculpted for dynamic driving, providing excellent support without losing anything in terms of comfort. Oh, and for muscle relaxation on longer journeys there is even a massage function (front seats).

THE CAYENNE E-HYBRID COUPE JUST ABOUT HAS THE LOT, BUT THEN AGAIN THIS IS PORSCHE. NOTHING IS EVER LEFT TO CHANCE

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is your control centre for audio, navigation and communication. As well as attractive and easy-to-use touchscreen display, PCM also provides extensive interfaces, voice control system and, of course, online connection. It is also possible to use Apple CarPlay.

There’s head-up display, Night Vision Assist, Park Assist (front and rear) including aforementioned Surround View, Remote Park Assist, Lane Keeping and Lane Change Assist, Collision and Brake Assist. With no shortage of ‘assistants’, there’s also the wonderful Porsche Connect including Voice Pilot, Navigation Plus and a Car Security Package (Porsche Vehicle Tracking System) which can detect and report thefts to a security centre allowing your vehicle to be located and secured by local authorities.

Remote services pay constant attention to vehicle data via the My Porsche app or portal. For added convenience, it allows you to control certain functions from a distance,

such as locking windows and doors.

And the quality from the BOSE surround system is truly world class – you could be

The four-zone automatic climate system features individual temperature controls for the driver and front passenger and separate ones for the rear seats too. An active carbon filter traps particles, pollen and odours and thoroughly filters fine dust from the outside air before it reaches the car interior.

Final word on the actual drive itself.

Glorious. It glides along with an air of effortless confidence, handling with ease and precision and happily slipping between the various driving modes (electric, petrol and sport) at the turn of a switch.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe just about has the lot, but then again this is Porsche.

Nothing is ever left to chance. n Porsche Centre Preston Watery Lane, Preston PR2 1QJ 01772 911911 porschepreston.co.uk @PorscheCentrePreston @Porsche_Preston @Porsche_Preston

£13,490

2018 - Abarth 595 1.4 T-Jet

£18,490

2019 - Abarth 595 1.4 T-Jet 13,699 Miles

12,956 Miles

£22,290

2019 - Ford Fiesta 1.5T ST 13,918 Miles

1,390 Miles

2020 - Suzuki Jimny 1.5 12,201 Miles

£34,490

2019 - Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI S Tronic 15,159 Miles

£64,990

2020 - Land Rover Defender 110 Auto 19,388 Miles

Scan the QR Code to view all our available vehicles.

Call: 01254 769069 Click: www.bowkeribblevalley.co.uk Visit: Bay Horse Garage, Longsight Road (A59), Osbaldeston, BB2 7HX @BowkerRibbleValley

2018 - Mercedes-Benz GLC250 AMG 33,701 Miles

This is a small selection of our current stock.

Follow us on:

£31,990

£32,990

£63,990

11,500 Miles

26,584 Miles

2021 - Honda E Advance Auto

19,232 Miles

2019 - Jaguar F Pace V8 SVR

2015 - Mercedes-Benz CLA250

£30,790

£32,990

2013 - BMW M6 Gran Coupé

£20,990

@BowkerRV

@BowkerRibbleValley

£107,990

2020 - Audi RSQ8 4.0 TFSI V8 22,074 Miles

INTRODUCING THE NEW RANGE ROVER PEERLESS REFINEMENT AND LUXURY

VERTU LAND ROVER NELSON Churchill Way, Lomeshaye Business Park, Lancashire, Nelson, BB9 6LL Tel: 01282 935428 vertumotors.com

VERTU LAND ROVER BOLTON Kay Street, Bolton, BL1 2RX Tel: 0161 717 2189

Library image for illustration purposes only. Vertu Land Rover is a trading name of Albert Farnell Limited which is an authorised representative of Bristol Street First Investments Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registration number 00391896. VAT Registration number 902737238. Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.

PACKING A PUNCH The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 220i is agile, zippy and compact. It has also had some exceptional global reviews. Paul Agnew takes it on a test drive to find out more.

Photography: Andy Tighe

Y

ou could steer it with your little finger. But not for a minute am I advocating that you should – I’m just saying that you could.

Such is the agility of the handling of the zippy new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 220i, that driving it is an absolute breeze.

But the deftness of steering forms only part of the story, for this is a compact hatchback-cum-MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) with real punch.

Just one of those cars that befriends you from the get-go. You know you’re going to like it when you ease in and you like it more when you ease out.

The latest version of this long-time BMW favourite has just hit the road, initially available with a range of petrol and diesel engine options, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain set to join the range later in the year. All models are fitted with an automatic gearbox.

THE INTERIOR, LIKE THE OVERALL BUILD QUALITY, IS LITTLE SHORT OF SUPERB Global reviewers rate it as far as ‘exceptional’ and given the ruthlessness of the ultracritical motor media, I reckon that’s pretty damned good.

But forget the so-called experts. What is it that we (that’s you and I dear reader) actually look for in a motor?

Comfort and practicality? Goes without saying. Technology and connectivity?

Absolutely.

Design and dynamics? Well, if you’re offering, then plenty please.

motors

101

Let’s take a closer look at the trio in order: Comfort comes as an absolute guarantee and you can throw in a Harman/Kardon sound system, heated front seats, Alcantara/ Sensatec upholstery with contrast stitching, Active Guard Plus with city braking and speed limitation, ambient lighting and a leather steering wheel.

Outstanding technology with renowned BMW live cockpit professional including fully digital, curved 10.25” instrument display with a 10.70” control touch, BMW operating system 8.0, intelligent personal assistant with personalised user account options and in-car 4G LTE connectivity.

The BMW ‘Connected Package Pro’ highlights real-time traffic information, remote services and connected parking. same pin-sharp graphics and a near-instant reaction to all your prods and swipes.

The positioning of the screen and the well laid out menus (inspired by smartphone displays) allow you to make quick adjustments.

Extra comfort comes via voice control and you’ll find buttons that control most aspects of the infotainment system right there on the steering wheel.

IT’S CHUNKY IN APPEARANCE, VERY ROOMY AND WELL-APPOINTED, WITH INFOTAINMENT WIDELY CONSIDERED BEST IN CLASS

Great design features with 18” double-spoke, bi-colour alloy wheels, LED headlights, aluminium hexacube dark interior trim, sports steering, door sill finishers with inserted aluminium, adaptive suspension, kidney grille in chrome with satinised aluminium struts.

It’s chunky in appearance (not in any way a negative), very roomy and well-appointed, with infotainment widely considered best in class.

Nobody does infotainment better than BMW and this is no exception. The fabulous touchscreen has built-in sat-nav, DAB radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. It’s the same as the system fitted to the popular iX, with the

The interior, like the overall build quality, is little short of superb. Sturdy and reliable and comfortable over either short or long journeys, just as you would expect from a manufacturer of this stature.

Is it a family car? Most definitely. Capable of carrying numerous passengers without any compromise on cabin quality or performance.

If you prefer to enjoy the finer things in life, including a car that drives with genuine panache, then this particular BMW will not disappoint.

So what about the all-important stats?

Well, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer offers up 326 hp, zips from 0-62mph in around seven seconds and knocks out around 58 mpg with a very generous luggage space of up to 1,455 litres.

A car for every man and woman and their family.

Contemporary in design with a supreme level of technical comfort, it’s particularly suited for those with an active lifestyle.

For a car you could steer with your little finger, it’s definitely a thumbs-up from me. n Bowker Preston BMW Channel Way Preston PR2 2YA 01772 769976 bowkerprestonbmw.co.uk @BowkerBMW @Bowker_BMW BowkerMotorGroup TM

@BowkerBMW

LILYWHITES & TANGERINES

F

There is a long tradition at Blackpool FC and Preston North End of upholding all that is good in the game, writes Michael Hodkinson, who has penned a book on the historic rivalry between the two clubs

ootball is famous, some would say infamous, for matches between local rivals. In the cities, it can be Celtic and Rangers, Arsenal versus Tottenham Hotspur, Everton against Liverpool or City v United in Manchester.

In slightly less populated areas, it can be between neighbouring towns and football’s longest running rivalry worldwide is between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley.

These games became so significant that the Daily Express, in 1914, first coined the words which are now part of folklore: ‘There is a local derby between Everton and Liverpool today.’

The word ‘derby’ stems from the horse race instituted by the Earl of Derby in 1780, the Epsom Derby. Gradually the word came into the English language to mean a sporting contest and when the word ‘local’ was added, these football matches became red hot – the most anticipated, the headline grabbers of the season.

The west of Lancashire has its own derby which historically can be feisty, closely contested and sometimes downright hostile. What goes on in and around the grounds, whether at Bloomfield Road or Deepdale, can often fill both the front and

back pages of a newspaper.

At the onset of the Football League in 1888, one club dominated the nation’s conversation. It was Preston North End, the Great Invincibles. Blackpool FC was in its infancy, playing in the Lancashire League, and although there was the occasional derby game pre-1925, the Seasiders were never victorious. Then in the mid-thirties, the battle for ‘bragging rights’ between the two clubs began. For many years it was purely banter, mickey-taking amongst the fans as Blackpool joined Preston at the summit of the English game.

THE WEST OF LANCASHIRE HAS ITS OWN DERBY WHICH HISTORICALLY CAN BE FEISTY, CLOSELY CONTESTED AND SOMETIMES DOWNRIGHT HOSTILE Without a shadow of doubt, Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney were two of the very best footballers in the world. They plied their trade locally and working out who was superior became a hair-splitting exercise for the neutrals or depended on the colour of shirt – tangerine or lilywhite.

But listening to those who watched them in the 50s, the impression gained was one of great respect for them both.

Football violence reared its ugly head in the seventies, a considerable minority beginning to attend matches to fight.

Fortunately for this area, it coincided with a 13-year gap in Football League derby

sport games because the two clubs were in different divisions. Police, stewards and those living in the vicinity of the grounds were thus saved from these outrages.

There were several cup ties between the two clubs, but only one attracted a gate of over 6,000.

This is a rivalry which is deep-seated, with incidents which have shown supporters of both clubs in a poor light. There was a pitched battle on Moor Park after one game.

A group of so-called fans from Preston visited Blackpool after a game and wrecked a pub. The trains and buses bringing Blackpool fans to Deepdale were trashed and, until enforced segregation on the terraces, there would be constant fighting.

After a long period of trial and error, the police, the clubs and the Football Authority worked together to prevent the worst excesses of thuggery which ruined the day for the majority of law-abiding fans.

THEY HAVE ACHIEVED MUCH AND ARE WELL ESTABLISHED, GIVING A RICH SENSE OF PRIDE TO THE LOCALS There is a long tradition at Blackpool and Preston North End of upholding all that is good in the game. They have achieved much and are well established, giving a rich sense of pride to the locals. There is always something uniquely special about supporting your home town team and defeating the unfriendly neighbour is always icing on the cake. Treasuring memories of the great players from your youth, re-kindles the excitement from your past and cements your position as a true Blackpudlian or Prestonian.

And here is the question. Which has been the better club? Checking back to 1925, because prior to that, Blackpool were also-rans, they have bragging rights in 46 campaigns, Preston in 44. But in terms of derby wins, it is Preston 38, the Seasiders 29 with 17 drawn. But which club has bragging rights at the end of the current Championship programme? Victories were one apiece in the recent derbies but the Lilywhites finished three places ahead of the Tangerines in the League. Fans of North End will claim the honour but as per the last 97 years, it is far too close to call. n ‘Lilywhites and Tangerines: Preston North End v Blackpool’ by Michael Hodkinson, will be published by Legends Publishing in the run-up to Christmas

103

ON TO A WINNER… Among the youngest distillers in the country, two gin experts from Preston are blazing a trail within the craft gin industry

T

wo lads making Lancashire’s finest gin – that’s what young millennials Ellis McKeown and Liam Stemson announced to the world when they launched No.1 Fairham Gin. Being among the youngest distillers in the UK, the Penwortham duo have attracted nationwide attention in terms of awards and respect for their Signature Edition Gin – a handcrafted, copper distilled, contemporary dry gin built on a juniper-forward base, which is 100 per cent vapour infused using exotic fruits adding unique, fresh, citrus layers.

Being avid gin lovers and having enjoyed their fair share of G&Ts over the years, in

OUR MIX OF SKILLS HAS REALLY HELPED DEVELOP OUR CRAFT GIN – IT’S BEEN A REAL PASSION PROJECT

2020 the pair set out to make their mark in the craft gin industry and create a proper gin with a truly modern influence.

“We have both always wanted to create our own gin. Over the years we fell in love with craft gin after being part of several clubs and over time we began to think that we really could make our own,” says Liam.

“We would try different gins each month and we would discuss them – but nothing really stood out. For our own gin we wanted to make juniper the star of the show, as it should be in gin, but we also wanted to make something that would be unique to us and add something different to the hugely popular craft gin market,” says Liam, who has worked in sales and uses his skills to look over the business elements of No.1 Fairham Gin. “We still have our day jobs,” adds Ellis, who has a keen eye for design having

food&drink

105

come from a social media and marketing background.

“Our mix of skills has really helped develop our craft gin – it’s been a real passion project,” agree Liam and Ellis, who are also mindful of the company’s ecocredentials, choosing plastic free packaging and are dedicated to planting trees in the Lancashire area.

“The word handcrafted gets used a lot in the gin industry, but as a two-man team we pride ourselves on being truly handcrafted!” says Ellis, who together with Liam does everything from the peeling and dehydrating of fruits to the labelling of all of the bottles.

THEIR SIGNATURE EDITION GIN IS A HANDCRAFTED, COPPER DISTILLED, CONTEMPORARY DRY GIN BUILT ON A JUNIPER-FORWARD BASE WHICH IS VAPOUR INFUSED AND FILLED WITH FRESH CITRUS NOTES The pair even designed their own bottle labels and brand, they do their own website photography and run almost everything that is involved within the business – as well a distilling their dry Lancashire gin.

When they set to work creating their first gin, working from home, Ellis and Liam acquired a small three-litre copper still – today they operate a 60-litre copper still from a unit that houses their microdistillery, crafting around 50 bottles per batch.

clementine, pink grapefruit and coriander seeds with the addition of angelica root, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. This results in a gin that is zesty with subtle finishing notes of carefully-blended, warming spices.

GLOBAL AWARD Fairham’s Ochre Edition was winner in the Contemporary Dry Gin category at the recent global Gin Guide Awards.

THE LADS’ FAVOURITES: “The still is the perfect size for us at the moment, very traditional – in fact, we had a copper basket especially made for the fruits and botanicals so that we can properly vapour infuse and pick up the fresh notes that you get in our gins.”

Their Signature Edition is a complex smooth gin that features layered notes of fresh citrus – botanicals include juniper, coriander seeds, cinnamon, pink grapefruit, lemon, clementine, guava, kumquat and physalis.

Ellis and Liam have also developed Ochre Edition, their take on a spiced orange gin, that also includes juniper, orange,

ELLIS: Enjoys No1 Fairham’s ice cold Ochre Edition with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic in a tall glass finished with a fresh orange slice.

LIAM: Loves a No1 Fairham Signature Edition over lots of ice with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic (not quite the full bottle) and no garnish.

The Signature Edition was highly commended and Fairham was highly commended in the New Distillery of the Year category.

A third edition is in the making – a proposed ‘lighter-vibe’ summer version featuring apple and olive leaf with a final, fourth edition completing their portfolio in 2023.

“We want to have a core four,” says Liam. “We are tremendously proud of the brand and what we have achieved in our first year. Highlights include launching our pre-order Signature Edition bundles that sold out within two days, planting 1,000 trees in Lancashire for every bottle sold with the Ribble Rivers Trust and becoming a multi-award-winning distillery – we just really want to keep the momentum going!” n no1fairhamgin.com

SERVING UP YOUR

SUMMER G&T y s u r it C & Fresh

FREE Lancashire delivery available via

www.no1fairhamgin.com

AWARD-WINNING ARTISAN GIN DISTILLED IN LYTHAM, LANCASHIRE Find out more at SandgrownSpirits.co.uk

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 106 ART • INTERIORS • FASHION • MOTORING • BEAUTY • SHOPPING • BUSINESS • FOOD & DRINK • UK & INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

105

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 105

LIvE PRESTON & FYLDE

ART • INTERIORS • FASHION • MOTORING • BEAUTY • SHOPPING • BUSINESS • FOOD & DRINK • UK & INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

I S S U E

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

ART • INTERIORS • FASHION • MOTORING • BEAUTY • SHOPPING • BUSINESS • FOOD & DRINK • UK & INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

LIvE PRESTON & FYLDE

LIvE PRESTON & FYLDE

WE ARE RECRUITING DELIVERY PEOPLE YOUR PREMIER GUIDE

Live Ribble Valley @Live_RV /liveribblevalley PUPPY LOVE THE COMMITMENT OF HAVING A DOG

Feeling the love Meet the Fazeli FaMily

PRESTON’S CYCLING SUCCESS STORY UK’S LEADING MEN’S PRO TEAM

PRESTON’S NEW HEARTBEAT ANIMATE THE CITY’S NEW LEISURE SCHEME

Becoming World champion laura Massaro is all in

VIRTUAL JOURNEY CREATIVES ON NATIONWIDE PROJECT

MAKING 2022 YOUR BEST YEAR YET GETTING YOUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN ORDER

Spring iS here easter, Mother’s Day anD More

BLAZING A TRAIL CRAFT GIN DISTILLERS I S S U E

GLOBAL NATURE CHALLENGE AMAZING COASTAL AND CITY WILDLIFE

I S S U E

FIND US ON…

TO LUXURY LIVING • ISSUE 104

‘I DO’ PLANNING YOUR DREAM WEDDING

104

Live Preston & Fylde @Live_PF /liveprestonfylde

106

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

issuu.com/live_magazines

These opportunities are ideally suited to distributors working independently across two or three areas.

To do this you’ll need to be physically fit, have access to your own transport and have somewhere to store the magazines.

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

Kirkham, Wesham and Newton Please contact Liz Walmsley for further information. liz.walmsley@live-magazines.co.uk

www.live-magazines.co.uk

108

food&drink

BOOTHS

RASPBERRY RHUBARB HIGHBALL Serves 1 Ingredients: 50ml Caorunn Scottish Raspberry

CUCKOO GIN

CUCKOO SIGNATURE SPRING SMASH Serves 1 Ingredients: 50ml Cuckoo Signature Gin

10ml Fresh lime juice

25ml Lemon juice

Fentimans Rhubarb Tonic Water

25ml Sugar syrup

Ice Garnish:

12.5ml Jasmine green tea 8-10 Mint leaves

Fresh rhubarb Raspberries

Method: Fill a highball glass with ice and pour over the gin.

Add the lime juice and top with the tonic water.

Garnish with a strip of fresh rhubarb and a couple of raspberries. booths.co.uk

Method: Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail glass.

Throw in some ice and place metal shaker over the glass.

Shake for 5-10 seconds, dirty pour into a rocks glass and garnish with a sprig of mint. brindledistillery.co.uk

COCKTAIL T I M E These gin cocktails are deliciously fresh and delightfully garnished LYTHAM GIN LYTHAM LADY Serves 1 Ingredients: 45ml Lytham Gin Bee’s Knees 20ml Cointreau 20ml Lemon juice 15-20ml Sugar syrup 1 egg white

FAIRHAM GIN

GIN FIZZ COCKTAIL Serves 1

Ingredients: 50ml No.1 Fairham Gin – Signature Edition 25ml Fresh lemon juice 2 tsp Simple syrup 1 egg white Sparkling water Dried lemon slice Ice cubes

Method: Shake ingredients without ice first. Add ice and shake hard for 30 seconds.

Strain with a fine strainer into a coupe glass to create a fantastic foamy cocktail.

Garnish with a slice of dried lime or lemon. sandgrownspirits.co.uk

Method: Shake together the gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in a cocktail shaker without ice first, then add ice and shake again. Pour the contents into your glass and top with sparkling water to create a frothy foam topping.

Finish with a dried lemon slice and enjoy! no1fairhamgin.com

An Oasis On Your Doorstep...

A special place to stay...

...Highlighted by some creative and tasty food

Some TOTI treats to take home at Taste of the Inn, our on-site deli & shop...

...and an art gallery to browse around

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS AT THE INN

www.thecartfordinn.co.uk T: 01995 670166 E: office@thecartfordinn.co.uk Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Lancashire, PR3 0YP

!

S E T I B D FO Tuck into our page of Food Bites which brings you the latest news on our restaurants, rural country inns, chefs and local artisan producers who all make Preston and Fylde a region of outstanding gastronomy.

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

NEW RESTAURANT

Last month restaurant entrepreneur Mark O’Rourke asked the people of Lancashire to name his new restaurant located in the Miller Arcade. Adding to the city’s flourishing food and drink scene, the restaurant will be casual British food, serving locally sourced, seasonal produce and the menu will change regularly to reflect this. There will also be a modern cocktail list and wine pairing options – something for everyone to enjoy. Commenting on the competition he said: “I wanted to give people a chance to get involved in naming the restaurant because it’s in a much-admired, historic building and it deserves a name that means something to the people of Lancashire. It is good to see new eateries popping up again in the Miller Arcade and we’re thrilled to be part of this stylish dining location.” The name of the new restaurant is expected to be announced soon.

WORLD FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

From 27th to 29th August the Lowther Pavilion will be hosting a World Food and Drink Festival. Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, there will be an incredible selection of artisans and

food and drink specialists, crafts and free family entertainment in marquees within the gardens. lowtherpavilion.co.uk

SUPERNOVA SHINES

Cuckoo Supernova Gin landed Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition 2022, sending the competition back down to earth, as it picked up the highest accolade in the flavoured gin category. Exploding with fresh grapefruit, Supernova adds to its top-level achievement of ‘Master Gin,’ awarded by the Spirits Business Awards in 2021, the same year it was launched.

Supernova’s explosive fresh grapefruit flavour is attained without the use of artificial flavouring or sugars. An achievement in itself, gin lovers looking for big flavour from all-natural ingredients are on to a winner, as Brindle Distillery Director and Master Distiller, Mark Long explains: “Our dedication to our craft and commitment to only using natural ingredients in our spirits has allowed us to create a delicious gin with strong, natural flavour. It’s something we’re very proud of and we are delighted our hard work has been recognised at the highest level.” With the prestigious awards for Supernova under their belts, Brindle Distillery hope to build on this success by establishing Cuckoo Supernova Gin nationwide, while continuing their growth internationally.

AT THE DOUBLE

Northern-based independent retailer Booths, continues to triumph after being named Spirits Supermarket of the Year at the International Wines and Spirits competition. Securing the top spot against national competition from Aldi, Co-Op and Tesco, Booths was praised for their commitment to supporting local distilleries, their personal approach to customer recommendations and stylish store environment. Pete Newton, Beer and Spirits Buyer at Booths said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award against some tough competition. This is a win not only for our Booths’ team, but much credit is owed to our local distillers and producers in our regions—making some exceptional and delicious ranges.”

Booths also won Wine Supermarket of the Year at the People’s Choice Wine Awards for the third consecutive year. Victoria Anderson, Wine Buyer at Booths said: “This is an extra special award for Booths as it’s a vote from our biggest critics, our customers. As a small independent retailer up against such big competition, it’s humbling to be recognised by those that matter most, our customers.”

BEST OF THE RIBBLE VALLEY Some of the finest chefs in the country can be found right here in Lancashire, where they are creating incredible food for you to enjoy

food&drink

115

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS If ever there was a more elegant transformation, look no further than Ye Horns Inn at Goosnargh.

Photography: Allen Markey

F

rom its leafy, country-lane frontage, Ye Horns Inn appears to be a delightfully, traditional English country pub. But take a further look and to the rear, the inn has been beautifully extended with an outdoor terrace, a glass and timber orangery-style bar and casual dining area that leads to a stunning main dining room, The Barn, with its high ceiling, contemporary pendant lighting and huge stone fireplace.

At Ye Horns Inn, diners have the best of both worlds. If you prefer a country pub atmosphere you will find it in the beautifully refurbished original bar where there are smaller, intimate rooms where locals can enjoy a get together over a beer and bar snacks – a tasty Scotch egg perhaps or mac and cheese croquettes with chive mayo – simply delicious!

At the helm of Ye Horns Inn is chef patron Sean Wrest. With his impeccable career credentials, Sean is renowned for his contemporary take on what are essentially great classics, using Michelin-star techniques

to produce modern British food that is ultimately delicious.

Take Ye Horns’ halibut tempura – which is made super-light using an espuma gun to aerate the batter. The fish is served with triple cooked chips and a delightfully delicate pea puree – elevating a classic dish into the realms of the sublime.

Wenslydale and went on to complete an internship at the Fat Duck at Bray, Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin star restaurant.

After moving back north he worked at Yorebridge House in the Dales, before a move to the chic, fine-dining Maaemo, Oslo.

Following time working as sous chef at Tommy Banks’ Michelin-starred restaurant The Black Swan, he went on to become head chef at Banks’ York restaurant, Roots, which went on to be awarded a Michelin-star.

With locality and seasonality at its heart, the menu at Ye Horns Inn has been crafted

by Sean and head chef Tony Bee, who trained under Gordon Ramsey.

“We have some great local producers on our doorstep,” says Sean. “It’s a really exciting time for us at Ye Horns Inn.” n

SEAN IS RENOWNED FOR HIS CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON GREAT CLASSICS, USING MICHELIN-STAR TECHNIQUES TO PRODUCE MODERN BRITISH FOOD THAT IS ULTIMATELY DELICIOUS Similarly, Sean’s take on trifle comes in the form of a stunning, layered Opera cake: “As soon as you taste it you know it has all the fresh flavours of a classic trifle,” says Sean, who started out his career in

For more information about Ye Horns Inn’s suppliers and menus go to: yehornsinn.com

Ye Horns Inn Horns Lane, Goosnargh Preston PR3 2FJ 01772 342460 yehornsinn.com

116

food&drink

ROYAL CONNECTION

T

The Three Fishes at Mitton unveils plans for a three-day extravaganza to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on 2nd to 4th June

he Three Fishes is set to launch outdoor dining on the pub’s elegant terrace for a three-day Jubilee celebration featuring menus designed to reflect the country’s royal heritage.

As the celebrations get underway, there can be no better host than chef Nigel Haworth, who has an impressive series of prestigious royal connections.

He has cooked for the Queen, enjoyed dinner at Highgrove with Prince Charles and Camilla and had lunch with the Duke of Edinburgh at the Ritz.

He has been invited to many royal garden parties and is a winner of the Prince Philip Medal – the late Prince’s highest accolade, which was bestowed for Nigel’s lifelong commitment to the food industry.

Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th June, will see Nigel and his dedicated team running a special regal, seasonal menu for diners inside the pub as well as firing up the Charcoa grill for those wishing to dine on the terrace.

There’s going to be plenty of cocktails, perfectly paired wines and chilled beers to make the Jubilee Bank Holiday one that you’ll always remember.

So, it is fitting that Nigel wants this Jubilee celebration to be an experience that guests won’t find anywhere else.

The three-day celebration on Thursday 2nd,

FATHER’S DAY AT THE THREE FISHES

The Three Fishes also has private dining options.

For more details call Jessica Moretti on 01254 826666

Book online at thethreefishes.co.uk Or call 01254 826666

JUBILEE SEASONAL MENU

NEW SEASONAL MENU

JUBILEE TERRACE BBQ MENU

Four-course lunch £39 pp Five-course lunch £50 pp Five-course dinner £65 pp

Four-course lunch £39 pp Five-course lunch £50 pp Five-course dinner £65 pp

Individually priced per course, or enjoy all three courses* for £42.50 pp

Cheese rolls & whey butter

Cheese rolls, house sourdough & whey butter

~to be enjoyed on the terrace~

*excludes lobster

NETTLE SOUP

HOT BREADS grilled, whey butter – £2.50

JERSEY ROYALS potato espuma, crumb, aliums, mint, chives

ORGANIC SALMON on a cedar plank, sauce mousseline, organic shoots – £10

NEW SEASON CAULIFLOWER garden pea hummus, smoked onion sauce

TURBOT garden leaves, purple basil, spices, chilli oil

FREE RANGE BUTTERMILK CHICKEN coronation mayonnaise, organic shoots – £10

FREE RANGE CHICKEN grilled, ’Coronation style’, cinnamon, lemon and chili, Alphonso mango

BLUE GREY RIBEYE oxtail and sauce, kohlrabi, new seasons carrot purée

RED BEETS peas, broad beans, hummus, organic shoots – £10

CHEESE (optional) a selection of British and Irish cheeses from Courtyard Dairy £15 supplement

CHEESE (optional) a selection of British and Irish cheeses from Courtyard Dairy £15 supplement

BLUE GREY SIRLOIN Heritage breed, six-week aged, herb butter, Colman’s English mustard – £25

STRAWBERRY millefeuille, layers of cream, strawberries & cream

VANILLA panna cotta, Alphonso mango, raspberry jelly

SALADS from the garden, Leagram’s organic curd, Willy’s apple balsamic dressing CHALK STREAM TROUT watercress oil, horseradish, cucumber sandwich

Eccles cake

20210816

PARKINSON SIGNS

Eccles cake

PAGE 02

SEA BASS fillet, en papillote, prawn, dill butter – £25 CAULIFLOWER steak, fennel butter, Commonwealth spices – £25 ENGLISH LOBSTER from the grill – half £35 / whole £65

The Three Fishes Mitton Road Mitton BB7 9PQ THE 01254 826666 THREE thethreefishes.co.uk FISHES

THE

THREE FISHES

MITTON

MITTON

FARROW AND BALL FRENCH GRAY

THE THREE FISHES

FARROW AND BALL STIFFKEY BLUE

LOGO TREATMENT

FARROW AND BALL FRENCH GRAY

FARROW AND BALL STIFFKEY BLUE

thethreefishesmitton @thethreefishesmitton @3fishesmitton

All mains served with organic garden salads, house coleslaw and Jersey Royals BBQ PINEAPPLE Commonwealth style – £10 STRAWBERRY Eton mess – £10

AWARD WINNING MODERN CHINESE CUISINE WITH A TRADITIONAL YET CONTEMPORARY TWIST ALL SERVED IN A STYLISH SOPHISTICATED SETTING WITH INCREDIBLE COCKTAILS AND DRINKS MON - Closed TUE - 17:30 - 22:00 WED - 17:30 - 22:00 THU - 17:30 - 22:00 FRI - 17:30 - Until late SAT- 17:30 - Until late SUN - 17:00 - 22:00 YU COPSTER GREEN | 500 Longsight Road | Copster Green | BB1 9EU | 01254 240665 | yucopstergreen.co.uk yu_copstergreen

118

food&drink We were joined briefly by Janet Simpson who told us about the produce from the garden and her passion for using local producers. It’s amazing to think that she has been achieving this level of quality food for nearly 40 years – testimony to her dedication and the support of her team.

Onto the mains and my fillet of hake wrapped in a delicate wild garlic mousse was both light and flavoursome and cooked to perfection. Liz chose the more robust shin of beef with creamy mash and both our mains were served with a selection of seasonal vegetables – both were superb and devoured with enthusiasm!

We had made sure we left room for a decadent homemade pudding and what a choice we had – all served with either custard, cream or ice-cream (or a combination). Liz opted for a timeless classic of warm apple pie with cream and

ALL THE FLAVOURS OF SUMMER… Tedd and Liz Walmsley enjoy a great-value lunch overlooking the beautiful gardens of the Gibbon Bridge

I

’m not sure there is a better backdrop to have lunch in the Ribble Valley than the Gibbon Bridge on a sunny day, so Liz and I jumped at the chance to road test their delightful new summer menu in the main restaurant.

On arrival we were shown to our table with the trademark crisp white table linen and beautiful fresh flowers direct from the stunning gardens outside, a feast for the eyes when combined with the view of the gardens and the fell beyond.

Whilst synonymous with incredible weddings, it would be wrong to forget how good the food is at the Gibbon Bridge.

The new menu is varied, with a tasty seasonal flavour to it.

In fairness I had to make a short-list from the starters but finally settled on the legendary potted shrimps with Liz opting for her favourite, salt and pepper squid.

Both were excellent and were served with a basket of homemade bread to mop up the delicious juices and butter.

LIVE PIANO MUSIC Every Sunday lunchtime

EVENING DINNER 6pm – 7.30pm

Three courses £35

Two courses £27.50/three courses £35

my sticky toffee pudding was exactly that – sweet, sticky and absolutely delicious.

I also think I need to point out that the new menu is incredible value with one course at £20, two courses £25 and all three for £30 – bread and vegetables are all included in the price so no hidden extras. If time allows mid-week, please visit for lunch or an early supper – like Liz and I you won’t be disappointed. n

MUSICAL AFTERNOON TEAS Wednesdays: 3.30pm £21 £27.50 with a glass of Prosecco 15th June, 13th July, 10th August, 14th September & 19th October.

Full afternoon tea whilst the pianist plays inclusive of sandwiches, scones, cream & jam, cake & tea or coffee

Gibbon Bridge Green Lane, Chipping PR3 2TQ 01995 61456 gibbon-bridge.co.uk

AT N O R T H C OT E

LUXURY PRIVATE DINING

Gourmet celebrations with total exclusivity When service, style and supreme privacy come together in this intimate celebration space.

The luxurious Louis Roederer Rooms are located on the ground floor of Northcote for parties of 8 up to 60 guests. This room provides the perfect backdrop for celebrations whilst indulging in outstanding menus created

by Lisa Goodwin-Allen and wines matched from an award-winning wine list.

Our Event management team will assist in every detail of your celebration event, from menu, wine selection, decorations to entertainment. Every element, every flavour and every sip of champagne at your event is tailored specifically to ensure you can relax with friends, family or colleagues for an unforgettable experience.

• The Louis Roederer Room for 36 to 60 guests • The Cristal Room for 8 to 16 guests • The Vintage Room for 8 to 36 guests

Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn, Lancashire BB6 8BE Telephone: 01254 240 555 | www.northcote.com @northcoteuk

Pre-meal snacks and bread

Wild rabbit ragu

SIMPLY STUNNING Tedd Walmsley savours a great value, midweek lunch at the Freemasons, which continues to present faultless, award-winning dishes

I

think quality and value have never been more important than right now. I know customers recognise the challenges that hospitality faces and understand that price increases are inevitable. It would be very easy to cut corners, whether that’s on portion sizes, cheaper cuts of meat or inferior ingredients but the team at the Freemasons are very proud to say that this certainly doesn’t apply to them. More than ever, they recognise that the whole experience has got to be spot-on.

Steve Smith often refers to the set lunch and early supper menu as one of the best value meals in the Ribble Valley and I for one can testify to that. Quite often a 3-3-3 menu can be disappointing and offer limited choice, but the current menu suggests I could have eaten any one of the choices of all three courses. Whilst we waited for our starters, we were tempted with morsels of salmon and the most incredibly delicious, spiced broth and, of course, the signature bread and butter.

For some, a meal in itself, but a great way to start a leisurely lunch. In the end I chose a perfectly balanced ragu which was deep, rich and flavoursome with a beetroot rigatoni and finished with a crunch of nuts and aged parmesan.

Next up was a perfectly cooked fillet of Whitby cod sitting on a crispy layered base of potatoes and vegetables – I must confess to asking chef for a portion of triple cooked chips to share with my friend, who agreed that this indeed was very special. Pudding choices were both sweet and decadent but also light and the perfect

way to end a very enjoyable lunch. All this for £32.50 per head – surely some mistake?

No, a veritable feast that doesn’t feel ridiculous mid-week and one that’s also available Friday and Saturday as an early tea.

We know that the Freemasons is however, so much more than the early-bird luncheon and has an array of a la carte dishes which are simply sublime. Using the very best of our local seasonal larder and combining it with a well-researched broader group of world-class ingredients, produces stunning results. Each dish hand-crafted with love and passion for you to enjoy.

To remind you there is always something for everyone at the Freemasons in terms of budget and appetite. Sunday lunch remains a great British tradition and very much so in the Ribble Valley and with service running from noon through to 6pm, the pub is the perfect spot to finish your weekend with family and friends. The menu is packed with succulent roasts and lighter fish options all sitting alongside perfect accompaniments. Starters and puddings look incredible too, varied as well as many alltime classics. Take your time, kick back and enjoy this feast on the day of rest.

As we move toward the end of spring and into summer, the Freemasons plays host to a great selection of collaborative evenings. These nights allow the creative juices to flow with Steven and the team entwined with great guest chefs offering a different look and taste to the normal menu. The events are always popular and get booked up well in advance, so it’s best to secure tables early to avoid disappointment, especially for larger parties.

Finally look out on social media for the extra Bank Holiday weekends and special menus to celebrate the Jubilee, Father’s Day and so much more. n

food&drink

121

SET LUNCH AND EARLY SUPPER MENU £ 32.50

SNACKS – Our bread and butter PRE-STARTER – Warm Spiced Broth * TO START Aged Lancashire Beef Cheek & Nduja Ragu, Beetroot Rigatoni, Pickled Walnut & Granola, Aged Parmesan Fishcake Panko Crumbed, Fried Hen’s Egg, Caper & Raisin Puree, Brown Crab Hollandaise Soup Velouté of Spring Vegetables, White Balsamic Jelly, Fondue of Procter’s Kickass Cheddar * MAINS Nidderdale Lamb Slow Cooked Steamed Suet Pudding, French Style Peas, Mint Sauce Whitby Cod Roast Loin, Whipped Roe, Crispy Layered Potato, Herb & Vegetable Nage Goosnargh Chicken Coronation Pie, ‘Chip Shop’ Curry Sauce, Bombay Potatoes * DESSERTS Floating Island Poached Meringue, Blood Orange, Pink Praline Brillat-Savarin Cheesecake White Chocolate, Strawberry & Rose Cheese Selection of British artisan cheeses from Courtyard Dairy of Skipton and biscuits (£6.95 supplement) Lunch: Wednesday to Friday: 12 noon - 2.30pm, Saturday: 12 noon - 2pm Dinner: Wednesday to Friday: 6pm - 7pm Saturday: 5.30pm - 6.30pm (for May 2022 only)

Manx lobster

Sticky toffee pudding

FREEMAATSWISWELL ONS Freemasons at Wiswell 8 Vicarage Fold Wiswell BB7 9DF 01254 822218 freemasonsatwiswell.com The Freemasons

@wiswell chef

2020

2020

2020

Culinary Excellence

Steven Smith Chef & Managing Director 01254 822218 ext 2 / 07794 408887 freemasonsatwiswell.com/steven-smith/consultancy

Aged beef fillet tongue and cheek

FORTHCOMING EVENTS THURSDAY 2nd JUNE THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE Freemasons feast fit for a Queen THURSDAY 11th AUGUST GUEST CHEF DAVE HALL The Unruly Pig – No 1 in the country

FRIDAY 12th AUGUST THE GLORIOUS 12th AT THE FREEMASONS Limited to just 16 places – don’t miss out THURSDAY 29th SEPTEMBER EAST MEETS WEST The annual collaboration with highly acclaimed chef Victor Yu from Yu Copster Green

Poulton-le-Fylde Offers Over £575,000

A home with a real wow factor!

Goosnargh Asking Price £1,250,000

A beautifully presented, stone-built, detached farmhouse set in above four acres offering fantastic accommodation, plenty of reception space and five bedrooms.

A superb property improved with flair – with generous open living space, three bedrooms and private gardens tucked into an excellent location. Absolutely beautiful.

Located just outside Goosnargh, this house is immaculately presented and is the ideal family home for those looking for a rural life, yet within distance to road links.

Newton, Preston Offers Over £700,000

A manageable equestrian property located on the edge of Newton with all the benefits of living close to village amenities yet with a more rural feel.

Lea Town, Preston Offers Over £1,200,000

Grade 2 listed house and equestrian facilities set in 6.2 acres or thereabouts.

This spacious barn conversion comes with a range of stables, menage and grazing paddock – ideal for those with equestrian interests.

A beautifully presented detached home has been lovingly improved by the vendors providing welcoming accommodation. There is a range of exceptional equestrian facilities to include stabling menage and grazing all set in 6.2 acres.

MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE Using their extensive knowledge to create unique properties, ZMA has a proven track record, maximising the value of land and making clients’ dreams come true

I

ntroducing Zara Moon Architects (ZMA), who have become something of an enigma in the design world – making the seemingly impossible, possible, transforming sites and creating extraordinary living spaces.

Working very differently from most architects, Zara and co-founder Paul Beneduce along with their creative and energetic young team, specialise in sensitive sites across Lancashire and beyond, working in minute detail to

comply with all planning requirements in order to create stunning properties.

ZMA’s number one priority is to get the design right first time in order to achieve the required result.

TRANSFORMING SITES AND CREATING EXTRAORDINARY LIVING SPACES

property

a super home, maximising the available space and value of the site.”

Also among the recent planning consents was an extension, on greenbelt land, to a house in a small village. The scheme includes an existing three-storey property which also had an old cottage/out-building.

The clients wanted to completely re-design the building for their family of three children and to include an annexe for their elderly Working with sites in green belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), conservation areas and open countryside, ZMA carry out in-depth research into the site history, location and site constraints in order to create inspired designs that maximise value and undoubtedly provide the wow-factor.

“Your home is a representation of yourself, we listen to what our clients want from their home, what makes them tick and how they want to live. We then translate this into their bespoke home tailored to their family’s specific needs, whilst responding to the site and planning policy,” says Zara.

“Working with such sensitive sites tends to be quite niche but we like a challenge.

We have averaged 20 approvals in the last 12 months.”

ZMA, who work with residential and commercial property, recently scored a planning hat trick – within one month, obtaining permission from three different local authorities to build on three different sensitive sites.

One of these sites is located in Lancashire greenbelt, as Zara explains: “There is currently a bungalow on the site and the house had reached its extension limitations for a greenbelt site. The best option to increase the size of the house, while still complying with greenbelt planning policy, was to completely replace it with a high quality, contemporary, sustainable home.

We basically transformed the volume of an average three-bedroom bungalow into

WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT FULFILLING OUR CLIENTS’ HOPES AND DREAMS THROUGH ARCHITECTURE AND PRIDE OURSELVES IN THOUGHTFUL AND CONSIDERED DESIGNS parents. ZMA’s proposal connects the cottage, which will be sensitively re-built, to the main house via a glazed link entrance.

Another recent approval has allowed a super-home to be built in rural Lancashire – in an area notoriously difficult to obtain permission to build on open countryside.

With fabulous views, a current converted barn set on a hillside location, will be replaced with a three-storey, future-proofed, eco-friendly family home which references the original building but incorporates contemporary features and meets the highest level of sustainability. The design includes a courtyard, pool and various outdoor terraces to blend indoor and outdoor living.

125

“We are passionate about fulfilling our clients’ hopes and dreams through architecture and pride ourselves in thoughtful and considered designs which incorporate our clients’ hobbies, children, pets and lifestyles,” adds Paul.

ZMA’s most luxurious homes have included wellness suites, outdoor kitchens, equestrian facilities, swimming pools, bowling alleys, cinema rooms, music studios, dog rooms,

beauty rooms, yoga studios, indooroutdoor courtyards and even an underground boxing ring.

ZMA excel at finding solutions going above and beyond clients’ expectations in order to get the desired result. Currently working with 20 different local authorities on various projects, ZMA drills into the detail to ensure their planning applications meet all the exact requirements.

“We often work on sites which others have deemed ‘impossible’. We love it when we make the impossible, possible,” says Zara. n

Zara Moon Architects We transform sites, buildings, and lives.

Unit 37, Mitton Road Business Park Mitton Road, Whalley BB7 9YE 01200 403840 enquiries@zaramoonarchitects.co.uk zaramoonarchitects.co.uk

VIRTUAL

J O U R N E Y…

C

reative talents Joseph Doubtfire, Leo Mercer and Kezi Gardom have been recruited to work on StoryTrails, a unique, immersive storytelling experience coming to Blackpool, as part of a nationwide project.

The three are among 50 of the best and brightest creatives across the country working on just 15 StoryTrails locations, which will allow people to experience their town through the magic of augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Joseph, Leo and Kezi will use this new technology to enable people to travel back in time, experiencing untold local histories from Blackpool.

In what is the UK’s largest immersive storytelling project, these stories will be brought to life in the places where they happened, reanimating public spaces, creating a free, entertaining, familyfriendly experience.

Joseph has worked as an artist in Blackpool for over half a decade and has been recruited to make an augmented reality story trail around the town.

“I love how the town constantly surprises me,” he says. “I’m so grateful to every member of the community who has shared

Using ground-breaking technology, three of Lancashire’s best and brightest creatives are to spearhead a virtual storytelling experience as part of a UK-wide project their stories, photographs and memories, without which this trail wouldn’t have been possible.

“Leo and I have been developing the AR trail for Blackpool. Entitled The Queercoaster, our trail looks at the LGBTQ+ history of Blackpool and charts a rollercoaster journey

to acceptance. Narrated by Funny Girls’ fabulous compére DJ Zoe, the trail reveals the twists and turns behind Blackpool becoming the gay capital of the North.”

THE PROJECT HAS RECRUITED THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST CREATIVE TALENT TO SHOWCASE THE STORIES OF THIS COMMUNITY AS PART OF THE UK’S LARGEST IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING EXPERIENCE Working alongside Joseph is Leo a writer and creative producer, who has founded his own music company, leo&hyde, and recently produced a Gogglebox-inspired adaptation of The Marriage of Figaro, which won rave reviews.

Leo loves Blackpool for its optimism: “There’s a sense that the golden days are

arts&culture ahead, not behind. I don’t think I realised how much archive there is hidden away not only in film and photography, but also in people’s memories – it’s been magical finding some of the hidden history of Blackpool, and I have no doubt that people will love the footage, pictures and stories we’ve found.”

Kezi, who will be making an interactive immersive map of Blackpool, has previously worked on Tamworth AR Explorer, bringing Tamworth Castle to life through technology, as well as helping ReACT Youth Theatre during her MA at Goldsmiths.

“Blackpool has always been about bringing extraordinary experiences to everybody.

“The map is populated with personal landmarks that hold special meaning to residents. In searching for stories that look beyond what the tourists see, I have been able to meet some remarkable people.

Listen to their stories while you explore their landmarks in 3D virtual reality!”

guided by a free mobile AR app and local performers. Using stunning AR experiences that remix the BFI and BBC archive, local people will experience history where it actually happened. Inside, participants will be immersed in a virtual map of their town that will be made up of 3D models and audio stories captured on location.

STORYTRAILS WILL SET THE PUBLIC’S IMAGINATION ALIGHT WITH EXPERIENCES THAT USE THE POETRY OF HISTORY TO INSPIRE A NEW VISION OF OUR FUTURE Telling their stories through state-ofthe-art, immersive technologies in new and surprising ways, the creative practitioners working across the UK will have unprecedented access to archive material from the BFI, national and regional film archives across the UK as well as the BBC. Full training in immersive technologies, such as AR and 3D scanning, has been provided and they will be supported throughout their journey by experienced producers.

Outside Blackpool’s Central Library, participants will enter the virtual story portal to begin the StoryTrails experience,

127

On 16th-17th July audiences will be guided through an immersive tour of Blackpool as they explore stories across virtual and augmented reality and via a series of installations created by Joseph, Leo and Kezi.

For more details go to story-trails.com

Professor James Bennett, director of StoryFutures and StoryTrails, said: “StoryTrails is a massively ambitious project as we travel across the UK to discover unknown, surprising and intriguing stories from local communities. We’re excited to work with local creative talent like Joseph, Leo and Kezi to uncover and bring these hidden histories to life.”

TV presenter and historian, Professor David Olusoga, executive producer said: “StoryTrails will set the public’s imagination alight with experiences that use the poetry of history to inspire a new vision of our future.” n story-trails.com @StoryTrailsProject @StoryFutures

128

arts&culture

GOOD READ We take a look at a recently launched hardback that is essentially a beginner’s guide to detailing and car care

HAND WASH ONLY Bert Youell Car enthusiasts all over the world know that washing their vehicle by hand is the best way to keep it looking its best.

In recent times ‘detailing’ has become the buzz word in the world of car washing – a term that describes car care best practice. Now a new book seeks to demystify the processes offering an essential guide for any car lover.

Hand Wash Only is a comprehensive 144-page hardback offering expert insight into detailing and car care – it is an ideal companion for the enthusiast, beginner or experienced detailer.

Written by Bert Youell and edited by Ian Sealey of PRO Detailer Magazine, Hand Wash Only provides an answer to the question of how the term ‘detailing’ first entered the automotive vernacular in the mid-2000s and offers an easy-to-understand explanation into the equipment and products used, and every stage of the various processes involved.

Speaking about the book, Youell says: “I wanted to put together a book that brought professional detailing techniques to the home enthusiast, allowing normal people to look after their own cars using the techniques of the professionals.

“With so much unaudited information available online, we were keen to put something together that is both authoritative and unbiased, while retaining the accessibility and fun-factor of what has come before.”

With essential kit in hand, readers are guided through each important stage of detailing, from the wash process as a whole to the finer points of decontamination, paint polishing, paint protection, interior cleaning and anything else designed to make a car look great.

Illustrated with hundreds of images and explained in clear language, Hand Wash Only attempts to turn any car enthusiast into an expert detailer dedicated to keeping their vehicle looking its absolute best.

Via expert step-by-step guides and top tips readers will be armed with the knowledge they need to master the dark art of detailing and once they have done so this book will continue to serve as vital reference material for the future.

Hand Wash Only’ £12.95 Go to prodetailermagazine.com

arts&culture

129

Nick Smith and Sophie Hart are celebrating their first year at the helm of Longridge Gallery that has introduced new talent to the region

GALLERY CELEBRATES

A

s the country prepares to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign on the throne, a smaller celebration will be marked in the Ribble Valley.

It is one year since Nick Smith and Sophie Hart took over Longridge Gallery.

As the country emerged from the Covid pandemic, Nick and Sophie returned to their roots in the Ribble Valley. The gallery, based on Berry Lane in Longridge, has now been in family ownership for 22 years.

In the 12 months since Nick and Sophie

took over, the couple have introduced new talent to the already-strong portfolio of artists represented. Notable successes include John Russell, Dan Pearce, Scott Tetlow, Chuck and Stephen Graham, as well as local star Anthony Platt.

“Of course, long-standing gallery favourites such as Doug Hyde, Kerry Darlington, Leigh Lambert, Andrei Protsouk and Steve Townsend will always have a presence,” says Nick. “There is always great excitement around the new collections from the art world’s leading lights.”

“We’ve loved building relationships with gallery customers, existing and new. Getting to know their own stories and how we can help enhance their own homes has been particularly rewarding,” adds Sophie.

The gallery’s framing service has continued to be in great demand.

“In one year, we have seen a really broad range of work – from school and wedding photographs, artists’ own works, scores of needlework and sports memorabilia, including from the 2021 Paralympics, to a broken drum cymbal, horse show rosettes and Maundy money. We treat every piece with the utmost respect and the volume of repeat business is greatly appreciated,” states Nick.

As the couple look forward to their own Ribble Valley wedding in August, year two in the gallery looks to be just as exciting.

“The art market is really strong at present,” says Nick. “The creative talent in the UK is providing great returns for both investors and those who simply want something beautiful and interesting on their walls. Please call in and see the latest collections or visit our website.” n

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

130

entertainment

ON SCREEN

We take a look at the latest films being shown at The Flower Bowl.

For more information visit: theflowerbowl.uk

ELVIS Release Date: 24th June Director: Baz Luhrmann Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge and Luke Bracey Certificate: TBC

The highly anticipated biopic of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll promises to be one of the biggest movie releases of 2022. Elvis explores the life and music of the legendary performer through the eyes of his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Austin Butler reportedly beat off strong competition to score the lead role from the likes of Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller. Tom Hanks plays the enigmatic manager and Olivia DeJonge takes on the role of Priscilla Presley. The story spans 20 years charting Presley’s stratospheric rise to global stardom. Oscar-nominated director Baz Luhrmann has revealed the film features Butler’s voice for young Elvis and then a blend of Presley tapes and Butler for midlife Elvis. The movie will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. n

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Release Date: 8th July Director: Taika Waititi Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Natalie Portman and Christian Bale Certificate:

Thor is the only Marvel superhero to headline four films and his popularity continues to soar. The super-charged trailer for this latest action-packed adventure racked up an incredible 209 million views in the first 24 hours alone.

Chris Hemsworth is back to play the Asgardian god once again. This time the superhero is on an inner quest for peace. However, his journey is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (played by Christian Bale), who is looking to bring about the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). The Guardians of the Galaxy actors Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan and Bradley Cooper also appear in the film. Matt Damon and Russell Crowe cameo too. n

PRIMA FACIE (NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE) Release Date: 21st July Director: Justin Martin Starring: Jodie Comer

Killing Eve star Jodie Comer makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning one-woman show. Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister who has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of the legal game. But a shocking, unexpected event sees her fall victim to the patriarchal justice system she has spent her life aspiring to work in. Emmy and BAFTA-award winning actress Comer returns to the theatre to star in this powerful and moving play. Justin Martin directs the monologue, captured live from the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End. n

GATHERINGSFESTIVAL.COM

Live Ribble Valley Issue 133_SP37.indd 1

10/05/2022 09:39