Lancashire Now 211

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Issue. 211 - April/May 2022 0115 6972677 | www.wilcopmedia.co.uk | sales@wilcopmedia.co.uk

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New High Sheriff of Lancashire is sworn in

School Storytelling champions

SEE PAGE 8...

Good Food

SEE PAGE 4.....

SEE PAGE 15...

Page 2.

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More than 50 cannabis factories dismantled, 19 arrested and weapons seized as part of operation to tackle cannabis taxings in East Lancashire Police are targeting organised criminal groups (OCGs) in East Lancashire who use extreme violence and weapons to ‘tax’ rival gangs by stealing their cannabis crops.

Operation Coolant has seen officers disrupting OCG activity throughout the east of the county by acting on intelligence to target properties and individuals linked to cannabis cultivation and taxings.

This work has meant we have managed to

keep the public safe by seizing and dismantling grows before rival groups can get to them.

Since the operation began last month (March) we have seized cannabis plants with a street value of between £2million to £3million, as well as weapons including machetes and firearms.

We have dismantled more than 50 cannabis farms in properties across East Lancashire, including Blackburn, Darwen, Burnley, Accrington, Claytonle-Moors, Church, Haslingden, Clitheroe, Brierfield, Nelson and Colne.

We have arrested 19 people as part of Op Coolant – including four people involved in a suspected drugs taxing in progress in Burnley, who were pursued by our officers and later

arrested in Rishton. A machete was recovered during that incident.

As part of Operation Alberta, which falls under the umbrella of Op Coolant and is the pursuit of those linked to suspected drugs taxings, 13 people have been arrested in properties across Burnley and Pendle. Drugs, weapons, cash and phones have also been seized.

So far 14 people have been charged as part of Op Coolant.

As well as actively disrupting criminals and seizing criminal property, Op Coolant is focused on protecting and reassuring the public.

DCI Tim Brown, of East Division, said: “Fundamentally, this operation is about preventing the violence that is brought about by the existence of cannabis grows. Targeting the grows is not just about targeting those who are responsible for this type of organised criminality, but equally disrupting those who would tax them using violence and weapons.

Put simply, if there are no cannabis grows then there can be no violence associated with them.

“I know people have differing views on cannabis cultivation, however I want to be clear that these grows are strongly linked to organised crime and in turn exploitation, hu-

man trafficking, violence and Class A drugs supply.

“East Lancashire is not and should not be seen as a safe place to operate for criminal gangs. Op Coolant is very much an ongoing operation and with it we will continue to relentlessly pursue offenders and protect our communities.”

Report any suspicious activity to us by emailing forcecontrolroom@lancashire. police.uk or by calling 101, confident that we will act on the information provided.

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Riders take in the sights during guided bike ride to mark revised Pennine Cycleway Map Connecting East Lancashire, in partnership with Pendle Borough Council and Community Rail Lancashire, organised a guided bike ride to celebrate the revised Pennine Cycleway Map. The Pennine Cycleway runs from Derby to Berwick-upon-Tweed and is the longest section of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network at 350 miles. The revised Pendle Pennine Cycleway map displays the East Lancashire section of the Pennine Cycleway only, where it splits in two.

The western section enters Lancashire from Burnley where it runs through Towneley Park onto the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The eastern section is more for the advanced cyclist and enters Lancashire via Widdop Moor, dropping down into Colne and up through Alkincoates Park to Burwain Lake and onto the towpath where it reconnects with the western section.

On Tuesday, 29 March, a guided ride took place along the Pendle section the Pennine Cycleway. The ride was intended to show how easy it is how easy it is to access the canal towpath and beyond from Brierfield railway station, where the revised map is displayed proudly on the cycle shelter alongside various photos.

The revised Pennine Cycleway map can be found at Dockray Street car park in Colne, Greenfield Road car park near the canal and at the entrance onto the canal towpath on Clitheroe Road, Brierfield.

Brierfield station is ideally located to access outdoor locations along the Pennine Cycle-

way, many of which are on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal just a short walk away.

Twelve people took part in the guided ride, which was around four miles. Go Velo, who provide cycle training for both children and adults, led the ride and also provided bikes and helmets for those who needed them.

Refreshments were available courtesy of Connecting East Lancashire at the stop off point, the Steven Burke cycle track. It is hoped that more guided rides can be offered for the wider community in future.

Amanda Jenkinson, Project Officer at Connecting East Lancashire said: "It's been wonderful to organise this event and see people come together and enjoy the fresh air and, thankfully, the weather was kind to us. The route included some of the Pennine Cycleway, with the majority of the ride being completely off road. Special thanks go to the Chair of the South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership, Tony Ford, who, although didn't take part in the ride itself, came over to see the wonderful artwork installed at the station."

Richard Watts, Chair of Community Rail Lancashire, said: “Brierfield has many Hidden Gems, which have been revealed in the lovely artwork recently unveiled in the cycle shelter at the community's station. The station is located close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which offers plenty of walking and cycling opportunities. CRL is proud to have supported the guided cycle tour and hopes that it introduced participants to the lovely scenery around the town as well as to the local rail service.

"The station benefits from the care taken of it by the local Friends of Pendle Stations who look after the flower beds and generally make sure everything is in working order. When visiting the station take time to look at the photos in the 'Connecting Brierfield' poster case, which includes local people in nearby locations."

Kirsti Grayson, Director of Go Velo said: "Go Velo and our dedicated instructors love working with Pendle Borough Council and other partners to encourage people to cycle and to use the superb local infrastructure and cycle facilities. The route we took was designed to take in the canal tow path, Steven Burke Sports Hub and to start and finish at Brierfield Station. Please get in touch if you would like to know more."

For more information on the full route please see www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

Two children sadly die following a house fire in Preston Two children have sadly died following a house fire in Preston.

injuries which were not life-threatening.

Her two children – a girl aged three and a boy aged Police were called at five – were also taken to around 8pm on Friday hospital. However, medical (April 8th) to an address intervention was withon Coronation Crescent drawn yesterday (April following reports of a 12th) and they are now fire with several people sadly deceased. trapped inside a house.

A file will be passed A mother and her and onto HM Coroner in due two children were brought course. out of the address and takOur thoughts are with en to hospital. The mother, their loved ones at this inaged in her 20s, suffered credibly difficult time. The

children’s family continued to be supported by specially-trained officers.

A joint investigation between police and the fire service to determine the cause of the fire is continuing.

A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life was initially released under investigation pending further enquiries.

He has now been released no further action.

Det Ch Insp Rach Higson, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This tragic incident has resulted in two children sadly losing their lives and my thoughts, first and foremost, are with their loved ones at this time.

“Our enquiries into the cause of the fire are continuing.”

Anybody with information is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log 1305 of April 8th.

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New High Sheriff of Lancashire is sworn in

The new High Sheriff of Lancashire has They support and encourage the voluntary been sworn in at a special ceremony at sector and statutory organisations who work County Hall, Preston on Friday 8 April. in Lancashire.

Martin Ainscough DL of Parbold Hall, has officially begun his year in office taking over from the current High Sheriff Edwin Booth CBE DL. Steeped in history, the role of High Sheriff dates back 1,000 years. Each year HM The Queen personally appoints the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

The High Sheriff is HM the Queen’s representative in the county, overseeing all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

In current times the office of High Sheriff is held for one year and their main role is to protect and assist in upholding the dignity and wellbeing of HM Judges, together with other public duties.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr Ainscough said: “To become High Sheriff of Lancashire is a great honour for me and my family. My uncle was High Sheriff in 1979.

"In my year of responsibility, I will endeavour to work closely with the police, the judiciary and our emergency services.

"It is also my intention to encourage and to support the many voluntary groups who work tirelessly to create positive and lasting relationships with all of Lancashire’s diverse cultures and religious groups.”

Mr Ainscough is the founder and managing director of a group of hospitality businesses across the North West.

His career has included 10 years in the city working as a brewing and leisure analyst, latterly for Nomura, the Japanese bank.

In 1995 he returned home and established a small hospitality business with his sister Helen. Mr Ainscough continues to run this business with outlets across the North West.

Most recently, Mr Ainscough has been chairman of Lakeland Arts for ten years, The office of High Sheriff is carried out on spearheading the project to build the a voluntary basis. The High Sheriff does not award-winning Windermere Jetty Museum, receive any salary or expenses. which opened in 2019.

For more information, visit the High Sheriff of Lancashire website.

Next phase of Ormskirk town centre improvements to start soon Work will begin on the next phase of the Ormskirk Eastern Gateway scheme on Tuesday 19 April with Moor Street pay and display car park closing from 5pm on Saturday 16 April to allow the site compound to be established and work on the new bus station to begin.

Initial work will focus on the construction of temporary bus stops with shelters on St Helen's Road which will be in use until the new bus station opens in late August. During this time "No stopping except buses" will be in force at the temporary bus stops to ensure services can continue to operate safely.

The existing bus station is due to be closed in early May to allow for its safe demolition and construction of the new one, with

signs on site guiding passengers to the temporary shelters on St Helens Road.

The works on Moor Street will begin in July and will include a new mini roundabout to replace existing traffic signals at the St Helens Road junction, new kerbs and paving, road re-surfacing and tree planting.

This is due to be followed by further works on St Helens Road throughout November and December.

All of the work is due to be carried out by Eric Wright Civil Engineering.

Lancashire County Council

has decided to schedule planned safety improvements and maintenance to Derby Street Railway Bridge for early 2023 to minimise the impact on traffic in the town centre while work is taking place on the Ormskirk Eastern Gateway scheme.

This scheme will involve strengthening the historic stone bridge, and widening the pavement to make it safer for pedestrians, which will involve reducing traffic over the bridge to a single lane.

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Page 5.

Cabinet to consider further £10m package of highway improvements Lancashire County Council has revealed plans for a further £10m-plus package of improvements to highways over the next year, taking the total investment to more than £30m.

urban roads, preventing potholes on rural roads, and tackling highway flooding hotspots.

The programme worth over £10.6m in total includes: Resurfacing schemes for 34 smaller urban roads worth almost £2m, including over £206k to revamp part of The extra cash is a major Little Lane in Longridge with boost to the county's road Bowland, more than £154k maintenance plans and folto resurface a section of Proslows final confirmation of the pect Street in Rossendale, and Department for Transport's over £105k to renew part of annual allocation. CouncilNorthumberland Street in lors gave the green light to Morecambe. an initial programme worth A further £434k is being just over £20m in March proposed for surface dressbased on an assumed level of ing schemes covering 24 funding. smaller urban roads across Details of the proposed 8 neighbourhoods. This is a further round of investment treatment used to extend the are due to be presented to the life of the existing road by council's cabinet on Thurssealing the surface to prevent day 7 April, with a focus on water getting into small faults improving the condition which eventually become of residential 'unclassified' potholes.

A £3m 'local deterioration fund' is also proposed to tackle areas of damage which have been prioritised based on condition, repeated repairs being needed to potholes, damage claims, and complaints. This will initially fund 25 smaller resurfacing schemes for unclassified roads including more than £108k for resurfacing part of Railway Street in Nelson, over £188k for renewing a section of Stone Edge Road in Higherford, near Barrowford, and over £41k for resurfacing part of Bartle Road in St Annes.

It is also proposed to set aside £1.3m of this fund as a contingency to deal with emerging issues that may arise.

The report also outlines plans to allocate £500k towards improving drainage on highways to prevent flooding, and

investing £500k in 'jet-patching' – a process mainly used on rural roads which can fix up to 60 defects a day using a special machine which uses compressed air to clean out the hole, before firing in an aggregate mix at high speed to make a good quality repair.

Further investment proposed for Lancashire's most important A, B and C roads includes £300k for a scheme to preserve a section of the Bay Gateway in Lancaster, £86k for resurfacing part of Lyons Lane in Chorley, and over £147k to resurface a section of Edisford Road in Clitheroe.

A further £258k has also been set aside for improvements to two rural 'moss roads' in West Lancashire and Fylde which need special maintenance due to the wet and peaty ground they're built upon, with over £254k

for another round of investment in schemes to keep pavements safe and tidy.

Phil Durnell, director of highways and transport, said: "Keeping Lancashire's roads in good condition is one of our biggest responsibilities, and we know it's a major priority for our residents and businesses.

"Our cabinet has already agreed a programme of improvements to our transport infrastructure worth over £20m, based on a conservative estimate of an assumed level of funding.

"We're pleased that we've now received confirmation of the funding we're due to receive for highways from the Department for Transport annually until March 2025, allowing us to plan ahead for the future and present a further round of investment to cabinet for the coming year."

The report also warns that while there are contingencies built into individual project estimates, the current inflationary pressures being experienced in the construction industry as well as potential supply issues mean that the delivery programme may need to be adjusted going forward to remain financially deliverable within the funding available.

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Vaccination bus delivers 1,000th dose to boost Lancashire's protection against Covid-19 Residents have been thanked for coming forward after Lancashire County Council's mobile Covid-19 vaccination service delivered its one thousand dose, strengthening the wall of defence around the county.

demand for residential care roles.

At a recent deployment in Accrington, which saw an especially strong turnout, vaccinators delivered the 1,000th dose. This number has risen further still following a deployment in Preston, with the vaccination bus Since January the vaccinascheduled to stop by Nelson tion coach has visited 20 locations around Lancashire in today (1 April) and Saturday.

Local health chiefs have various districts, universities celebrated the success of the and colleges, delivering first doses, second doses, boosters vaccination coaches, which have been the result of careful and spring boosters. planning and coordination The targeted vaccination between the county council, work, which has been highlighted by the government as the NHS, community pharmacy, community outreach good practice for others to follow, supplements the wider teams and district councils.

The coach has proved to vaccination programme be a valuable resource to the being led by the NHS. communities and LCC will These pop-up sites are supported by district councils continue to plan and deploy where it is needed most. and Lancashire Temporary Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, DiStaffing Agency (LTSA) staff, rector of Public Health, Lanan internal staffing agency that was set up by the county cashire County Council, said: "Vaccines remain our best council at the onset of the defence against Covid-19. pandemic in 2020 to meet

"Thank you to everyone who has come forward so far.

We will continue to use our resources to support the NHS as it looks to deliver spring boosters to the most vulnerable.

"It is never too late so please look out for Lancashire and come forward now to protect yourself, your family, and your community."

Thanks to the success of the vaccination programme and access to antivirals, alongside natural immunity and increased scientific and public understanding about how to manage risk, the population now has much stronger protection against Covid-19 than at any other point in the pandemic.

This is enabling the country to begin to manage the virus like other respiratory infections.

From today (1 April) free testing for the general public ends as part of the UK government's Living with

COVID plan, which set out the national strategy to live with and manage the virus.

Free Covid-19 tests will continue to be available to help protect specific groups including eligible patients and NHS and care staff once the universal testing offer ends on 1 April.

From 1 April, people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including Covid-19, and a high temperature or who feel unwell, are now being advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no

longer have a high temperature.

To read the new guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, click here: People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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Page 7.

'Behind every archive is a different story' – a final message from Chief Archivist Jacquie Crosby

After more than 30 years at Lancashire County Council, Chief Archivist Jacquie Crosby has retired.

Having played a key role in the management of all of Lancashire's archives since 1987, Jacquie has decided it is time to pass on the responsibility.

After travelling up north from Norfolk to continue her career in the field, Jacquie took up a role in records management for the council.

This involved persuading council staff that records management was important, as well as assisting with the processing and storage of the archives.

Her passion and knowledge around the archives soon propelled her forward, and in 1987, she earned the title of Assistant County Archivist, beginning her progression into management.

Later she would take on the role of Archives manager in charge of all the archives held by the county council.

Although this progression led to less of a hands-on, she continued to enjoy her career which she was so passionate about.

Jacquie said: "I have loved it.

It's been wonderful seeing the changes because Lancashire is a huge archives service, it's a huge county geographically and so there have always been new challenges and opportunities."

When asked about some of her favourite archives, Jacquie said: "They're all interesting.

Most records include people and stories about people, and they're more interesting to me personally. Behind every archive is a story, and if you trace them back, they're just fascinating."

Under Jacquie's leadership,

the archives storage has grown to over nine miles and now has so many documents and archives that they are having to store some in the salt mines in Cheshire.

She hopes Lancashire Archives will continue to flourish as she moves on.

Jacquie added that she would encourage anyone who wanted to find out

more about their own family history or the history of where they live to come and explore the archives where a supportive team will be able to help.

Find out more about Lancashire's Archives service at https://www.lancashire.gov. uk/libraries-and-archives/archives-and-record-office/

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DS Hana Alayli-Moore, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “Burns broke into the Jack Burns, 24, from Lancaster, of no fixed victim’s home late at night then subjected abode, was sentenced yesterday (April 11) at her to a vicious sexual assault.

“I am satisfied with Burns’ sentence and Preston Crown Court. hope it sends a message that we will not He was handed a seven-year sentence after tolerate this type of crime in Lancashire. I previously pleading guilty to sexual assault also hope it brings the victim some closure and burglary. and she is able to start moving forward with Burns was jailed for five years and given her life.” an extended licence period of a further Anybody who wants to report a sexual two-years after a judge ruled him to be a offence to us can do so by calling 101, or 999 dangerous offender.

He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders in an emergency.

Alternatively, independent charity CrimeRegister for life. stoppers can be contacted anonymously on The incident occurred on September 9th 0800 555 111. last year at an address in Lancaster. Burns broke into the victim’s property before

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Page 8.

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Lancashire Schools' Storytelling Festival crowns its first champions A class of creative young storytellers have been crowned champions at the first Lancashire Schools' Storytelling Festival.

This year's inaugural competition centred around the fictitious adventures of a Lancashire Knight in shining armour with stories written and performed by the children themselves.

The stories include magical swords, mythical beasts, dragons, serpents, Selkies and monsters and of course our hero.

Launched by Heritage Learning Lancashire, part of Lancashire County Council, the festival supports heritage, literacy and creativity.

It encourages collaboration and enhances communication and oracy skills while building confidence and a sense of wellbeing through participation.

Heritage Learning Lancashire also delivered storytell-

ing workshops to teachers and pupils, encouraging children to not only create but write and perform their own stories.

Children from Sabden Primary School, Balderstone St Leonard's C of E Primary School and Hapton C of E/ Methodist Primary School went head-to-head for the title of Storytelling Champions at the Festival Finale.

The Festival Finale took place at Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre, where a panel of judges crowned the winners, noting that the standard of stories was incredibly high.

It was a close contest, but after some tough deliberations the judges named Class 4 from Hapton Primary 2022 Storytelling Champions.

Class 4 won over the judges with their tale of Sir Elias Gigas and The Serpent, which included monsters, magical swords and a slithering, sinister serpent.

The Festival Finale also included a celebration of Lancashire Folklore, featuring a collection of folktales involving wizards, fairy feasts, family curses, ghostly pigs and a love story with a tragic ending.

Children were joined on stage by world renowned musicians Emily Portman, Mikey Kenny and Sean Cooney, while international

storyteller Doctor Patrick Ryan enchanted all with his tales.

Project lead John Meredith said: "Our young storytellers have done their schools and themselves proud and have been truly marvellous to work with. It has been a great adventure for all involved.

"The aim of the festival is to reflect Lancashire's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

While this year's theme was Lancashire Folklore future plans will see the incorporation of folklore from around the United Kingdom and across the world.

"This competition is open to all Lancashire County Council schools and next year, as well as the spoken word, we will also have a musical element in the festival.

"Our aim is to see the Lancashire Schools' Storytelling Festival become an important part of the school curriculum and grow into a fortnight of storytelling activities across the county each year.

"Planning for next year's festival will soon get underway – who knows where our storytelling journey will take us next."

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Page 11.

Plans announced for key employment site in Central Lancashire Development proposals have been announced for a major site in Central Lancashire, with a focus on high-quality employment uses and the potential to create around 2,000 jobs.

Lancashire County Council and its development partner Maple Grove Developments (part of The Eric Wright Group) are preparing proposals for the Lancashire Central site at Cuerden, which represent a new and updated vision for this key strategic employment site.

The plans for the site have been announced and people are asked to give their views on the latest proposals to shape the final planning application.

Residents who live close to the site will be contacted to make them aware of the plans and how they can give feedback.

The site aims to deliver significant economic and employment benefits for the people of Lancashire. The proposals include: • The generation of hundreds of job opportunities over the construction phase of development, and the creation of around 1,900 job opportunities once operational, including a wide range of positions including higher skilled jobs.

• The delivery of new employment floorspace on a key strategic development site with direct access to the motorway network, providing opportunities for existing businesses to grow and

flourish, and to attract new business to the area.

• Provision for other commercial uses which will support the wider employment function of the area.

• The provision of 116 additional homes, contributing to the supply of new homes and providing a significant boost to the local economy through increased expenditure in the local area.

• Significant investment in infrastructure, including highways, pedestrian/cycle routes, public transport improvements, • Environmental infrastructure, which also supports the health and wellbeing agenda including planting and green space, ponds and open drainage features.

• A design which will include a number of sustainability initiatives.

• A multi-million pound investment that is essential to Lancashire’s emerging long-term strategy, Lancashire 2050, and which will also support the county’s post Covid-19 recovery and the Government’s Levelling Up agenda Wider benefits will arise from the development, including significant landscaping and tree planting, as well as the creation of ecological habitats on the site.

New walking and cycle routes will connect to existing routes and public rights of way.

Steve Burns, head of strategic development at Lancashire County Council,

said: "These are exciting proposals for this key strategic employment site in the heart of the county. It would create thousands of jobs, both during construction and upon completion, and is a significant opportunity for local skills development opportunities and social value.

"The site is regionally significant, vital to the place shaping agenda and delivers economic outcomes for Lancashire."

Karen Hirst from Maple Grove Developments said “We are very proud to be bringing forward this important site as Lancashire

County Council’s developer partner, which will provide significant employment opportunities in Lancashire.

This is a key project for Maple Grove and the Eric Wright Group, which we are looking forward to delivering, not least because it is one of the closest schemes to our head office here in Lancashire.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks. Detailed planning permission will be sought for site access and a proportion of core green infrastructure and outline planning permission will be sought for all other aspects

of the proposals through a series of parameters which will guide the future development of the site.

The proposals will divide the site into a series of smaller development plots, setting out the intended use and scale of development for each plot. Detailed development proposals for each plot will follow through a series of separate applications for ‘reserved matters’.

If planning permission is granted, and depending on the planning and development process, work could begin on the initial infrastructure works later in the

year.

The development will be phased with a proportion of employment space and some commercial and residential likely to come forward first, as well as the required on and off-site highway works and provision of green infrastructure.

More information on the proposals can be found online at www.lancashirecentral.co.uk If you can’t get online and would like more information about the plans, please contact 0800 089 0362 or emily@royalpilgrim.com.

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Page 13.

National Trust joins forces with Lancashire County Council to offer half-price entry for its members to iconic mill museums The National Trust and Lancashire County Council have announced plans to welcome new visitors to two iconic Lancashire mill museums this summer, starting with an offer for National Trust members.

•

Two historic textile museums, Queen Street Mill and Helmshore Mills, will welcome National Trust members for half-price in May and June this year • Offer includes the Grade I listed Queen Street Mill, which featured in The King’s Speech starring Colin Firth and is the last surviving steam powered weaving mill in the world • National Trust members can also visit Helmshore Mills Textile Museum for half the normal price. Helmshore Mills is a scheduled ancient monument, which includes both Whittaker Mill and Higher Mill Managed by Lancashire County Council, Helmshore Mills is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm. Queen Street Mill is open Wednesday to Saturday 12-4pm, and will open Sundays 12-4pm in May and June as a trial during the offer period The offer is part of a broader partnership between the National Trust and Lancashire County Council, made possible with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to raise the profile of these iconic textile museums and develop a more sustainable future for the mills The partnership also includes specialist consultancy support from the National Trust’s heritage experts Members of the National Trust, along with any friends or family members who join them, can claim half-price entry to Queen Street Mill and Helmshore Mills for a limited time in May and June. The offer gives over 5.6 million history-loving National Trust members the opportunity to experience the earth-shaking power of the mills’ machinery and discover how Lancashire played its part in the Industrial Revolution.

The Trust, which cares for another example of the North West’s textile heritage at Quarry Bank in Cheshire, has partnered with Lancashire County Council to explore ways to develop and support the local authority’s two mill museum sites, which have recently re-opened after the winter break.

Grade I listed Queen Street Mill, on the outskirts of Burnley, is the last surviving example of a steam powered weaving mill in the world.

Featured in the 2010 film The King’s Speech starring Colin Firth, and in Mike Leigh’s 2018 drama Peterloo, the mill’s steam engine ‘Peace’ is kept alive thanks to a dedicated team of staff and volunteers provide regular tours of the site for visitors Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, in the

Rossendale Valley, is a schedule ancient monument which tells the stories of life and work at Higher Mill and the adjacent Whitaker’s Mill.

With the original spinning machinery still in place and in full working order, visitors to Helmshore’s mills can see first-hand how Lancashire’s textile industry changed the world with its links to both wool and cotton.

The offer for National Trust members forms part of a wider partnership between the charity and Lancashire County Council, which is being made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The partnership aims to share knowledge between the two organisations and showcase these two significant museums, encouraging people living in Lancashire and beyond to discover the county’s industrial past.

The Trust is also supporting the local authority’s team through a consultancy programme, with its team of heritage specialists and curators sharing knowledge and offering practical advice.

Eleanor Underhill, National Trust assistant director of operations for the North West, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Lancashire County Council to explore a brighter future for Helmshore Mills and Queen Street Mill. Starting with our halfprice offer for National Trust members, we want to give many more people the opportunity to experience what these iconic mill museums have to offer.

“With our knowledge of caring for industrial heritage sites like Quarry Bank in Cheshire, and thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our team have been working closely with Lancashire County Council’s museums team to share learning and help to keep these important Lancashire mills open for everyone to enjoy.

“As a charity that cares for and protects places that matter, we want to play our part in helping more places deliver public benefit for all – not just those places in our care. It’s this spirit of collaboration that’s driving other major partnership projects for the National Trust, including our work at Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester City Centre which will open to the public this summer.”

Although budget cuts resulted in the temporary closure of Queen Street Mill and Helmshore Mills in 2016, Lancashire County Council re-opened these culturally-significant sites in 2019, and they now welcome visitors from April to October.

Helmshore Mills is open Friday, Saturday

and Sunday 12-4pm. Queen Street Mill is open Wednesday to Saturday 12-4pm, and will also be open Sundays 12-4pm in May and June as a trial during the offer period.[1] Ian Watson, libraries and museums manager for Lancashire County Council, said: "We're really proud of both Helmshore and Queen Street and believe our partnership with the National Trust will mean many more people will come and see just how fantastic they are.

"There's nothing quite like experiencing the moment when you step into the spinning floor and weaving sheds or see the engine room.

"You're transported back in time, when tex-

tiles where at the heart of the industrial age, imagining what it must have been like for the people who worked there, day in, day out.

"We hope National Trust members will bring their family and friends and enjoy a great day out at these two incredible sites.”

National Trust members can claim the half-price offer by simply showing a valid National Trust membership card when they visit Queen Street Mill or Helmshore Mills during May and June this year.

Find out more about the offer for National Trust members and plan a visit at:www. nationaltrust.org.uk/features/finding-a-future-for-lancashires-historic-mills

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Top foods to try in Lancashire There’s more to food in the beautiful northwestern county of Lancashire than the famed hotpot. Hike the West Pennine Moors or take a coastal stroll, and reward yourself with fine British seafood, gourmet treats, farmers' market delights, or a simple doorstop sandwich with pot of strong tea (or even stronger local ale).

Lancashire is flanked by 137 miles of stunning coastline, and Morecambe Bay, the large tidal estuary that makes up much of Northern Lancashire’s coast, is known for its abundance of glorious seafood. Most famously, this includes cockles and shrimps; highly regarded for their delicate, sweet taste, they are cooked in clarified, spiced butter to make the prized delicacy that is Morecambe Bay potted shrimps.

Butter pie A shortcrust pie filled with potatoes and onions may sound somewhat austere, but it's much more satisfying than you’d imagine.

Historically, 'butter pie' would be eaten on a Friday, when meat wasn't meant to be consumed by Lancashire's Catholics. Nowadays you'll find it all served at all times, all over the county, in traditional bakeries, farm shops, and even at football matches. It's vegetarian and can be eaten on its own or as accompaniment to other Lancashire fare such as pickled red cabbage or locally grown beets.

Black pudding The great debate about the origins of black

pudding knows no bounds, but Lancashire is certainly famed for it, and it's delicious.

Haslingden and Bury are known particularly for their classic blood puddings, which are great fried and served as part of a full English, but increasingly used creatively on high-end restaurant menus. Black pudding can also be used in a variety of other dishes: as stuffing in special roasts, and it’s fried and served with a parsnip and potato rösti, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce.

Capra goat's cheese Top chefs across Lancashire are waxing lyrical about the quality of the beautiful, soft and creamy goat’s cheese made by Gill and Martin McManaman. They operate a small farm, with fewer than 150 goats, near Preston and it produces one of the best goat’s cheeses

fighting over the rights to this scrumptious, gingery cake for centuries. Proper parkin is made with oatmeal and is the ultimate cheering, wintry treat. Top tip: try it with homemade custard for a delicious pud.

Forest of Bowland game Officially recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Forest of Bowland is a renowned location to shoot game. A historic royal hunting ground, it is to this day part of the Duchy of Lancaster, and owned by Her Majesty the Queen. Within the Forest of Bowland you’ll discover some of Lancashire’s finest dining pubs, including The Good Food Guide’s only pub entry, Freemason’s at Wiswell, and Parkersarms, featured in Chargrilled lamb cutlets are a luxurious addi- The Times Top 100 Gastropubs.

J. Atkinson's Coffee and Tea Merchants, tion. It's got to be served with spiced braised J Atkinson & Co. have been supplying tea cabbage and mint jelly. and coffee to the good citizens of Lancaster Corned beef hash and surrounding areas since a young Queen A guilty pleasure like no other. Corned beef fanatics have been known to make their Victoria came to the throne in 1837. Today, as own, but the stuff in tins is, frankly, grand. A one of Lancashire's great survivor businesses, thoroughly tasty and sustaining meal for any it is thriving under the stewardship of the time of the week. Top with a fried duck egg to Steel family. make it extra filling.

Chorley cakes Properly made, Chorley cakes are a real thing of beauty, and a delight to eat. The lesser known cousin of the ubiquitous Eccles cake, Chorley cakes are significantly less sweet.

Spiced currants and sugar are enveloped in buttery, flaky pastry and baked, and a glaze of egg white and sugar gives them a satisfying crunch. Accept no factory-made imitations.

Parkin A proper example of the Yorkshire/Lancashire divide, the two counties have been you’ll ever taste.

Lancashire hotpot No list of must-try Lancashire foods would be complete without hotpot. Not all hotpots are created equal, however. A proper Lancashire hotpot should be made with the best end and middle of lamb neck. Of course, it should have a sliced potato lid, that's finished off in the oven just before serving, so the edges crisp up, and glazed with melted butter.

They are obsessive about sourcing, roasting and serving their coffee. Apart from the old shop, they also have two cafés (The Music Room and The Hall) in Lancaster, where, coaxed inside by the delicious aroma of coffee beans freshly roasted onsite, one can enjoy their teas, and coffee made by expertly trained baristas.

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Ribble Valley’s ‘Little Gem’ Sculpture Trail Features In New Film One of Ribble Valley’s most successful cultural projects described as a ‘little gem’ by an international travel website is the subject of a new short film.

The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail, situated along 1.5 miles of woodland and flower-rich grassland between Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Quarry in Clitheroe, was started in 1993, with the wood carving, Two Heads in a Tree, by Thompson Dagnall.

It now features 22 unique artworks reflecting the borough’s environment and heritage from some of the best artists in the UK, including the famous Sika Deer crafted in stainless steel by Clitheroe sculptor Clare Bigger and six ceramic pieces by Halima Cassell, whose distinctive geometrically-patterned work enjoys an international reputation.

The trail was the first sculpture trail in Lancashire and is now one of Ribble Valley’s most popular visitor attractions.

And now it is the subject of a short film produced

by Ribble Valley Borough Council and Tom Pope of Tepee Creative that is going viral on social media.

Ribble Valley Borough Council’s arts development officer, Katherine Rodgers, said: “The aim of the sculpture trail was to make art accessible and create a free cultural activity that encouraged people to enjoy Brungerley Park, explore the outdoors and keep fit, and engage with the natural beauty of the area and its wildlife.

“The trail now features the work of several artists, who have gone on to enjoy international careers and critical acclaim, and attracts visitors from far and wide.

“Now, partly due to the pandemic, people are enjoying the outdoors more than ever and we have made this film to raise awareness about this fabulous trail for residents and visitors to enjoy in a stunning riverside setting.”

The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail skirts the River Ribble and, as well as dramatic views of the Forest of Bowland, you can routinely spot kingfishers, herons, salmon, sandpipers, otters and bats.

It has many enthusiastic followers and is described on travel website TripAdvisor as a ‘little gem’.

Studies show that 57 per cent of people now go on more walks or walk for longer than they did before the pandemic.

A walk can improve your mood, is good for your physical health and you can discover something new on your doorstep that you wouldn't have previously found. And with continuing

uncertainty around international travel, Ribble Valley has found itself at the centre of a staycation boom, with much of the borough’s accommodation already booked for the summer.

Staycations offer a safe and secure holiday, and the opportunity to explore attractions, such as the Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail, closer to home.

The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail film can be viewed at ribblevalley.gov.uk and Ribble Valley Borough Council’s YouTube channel.

A trail leaflet is available from the Platform Gallery and Visitor Information Centre on 01200 425566 or platform.gallery@ ribblevalley.gov.uk.

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Celebrate The Lake District’s 70th Birthday By Going Miles Without Stiles

As part of the celebrations to mark the Lake District National Park's 70th birthday, seven specially selected routes have been relaunched to really show off the variety of landscapes and environments that the Lake District has to offer.

This week marks exactly 70 years since the Lake District National Park was founded and work began to look after this special place.

Chief Executive of The Lake District National Park Authority, Richard Leafe

said: “The importance of National Parks for health and wellbeing benefits has been highlighted during the pandemic.

It’s been heartening to see so many people helping us look after the Lake District during this time – from litter pickers to other community groups and volunteers – we hope that this will continue for the next 70 years, and beyond.

“Looking forward, we have a commitment to continuing to protect the Lake District, ensuring that nature and wildlife thrive while working closely with our vibrant communities and our farmers, who are custodians of our unique landscape.

“Our immediate key

priorities are to implement our new partnership plan, our Authority commitment to reach net zero by 2025, and the delivery of the new Farming in Protected Landscapes funding.

The seven selected celebratory walks are from the Lake District Miles without Stiles accessible routes. The 49 routes are split into three categories; ‘For some’, ‘For many’, ‘For all’, meaning that users know what to expect when they are planning their walks. It’s hoped they will encourage people to explore those lesser known, yet equally beautiful, areas of the Lake District and make new memories.

From Roman ruins to abandoned railway lines and plenty of lake shores in between, these seven spectacular routes are ideal for first time visitors to the Lake District and for those who want to try something new.

The seven special routes are: • Monk Coniston

• Broughton Railway • Walls Drive, Ravenglass • Friar’s Crag • Staveley Riverside • Wray Castle to Loanthwaite • Dunmallard, Pooley Bridge We are asking people to help us celebrate by taking photos while they are on these routes and sharing them with

us on social media using #LakeDistrict70 To showcase how accessible our Miles without Stiles routes really are, we have partnered with TGA Mobility to show to their customers how you can still get out and enjoy the Lake District whatever your ability. More information

about these and all of our other Miles without Stiles routes here: https://www. lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/ things-to-do/walking/ mileswithoutstiles Our photo shows one of the 7 for 70 Miles Without Stiles Routes being promoted to celebrate 70 years of the Lake District National Park.

Mynydd Sleddog Adventures Mynydd Sleddog Adventures is Wales' first and only outdoor activity provider, specialising in husky rides and sled dog experiences with our team of super canine athletes.

With 20 years experience of training and racing sled dogs in the UK and abroad, we pride ourselves on leading awesome adventures for anyone who loves the wild outdoors and of course sled dogs Autumn/Winter is our prime time when our dogs just want to work, so why

not join us for the experience of a lifetime.

You will have the opportunity to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the unique and crazy world of Dog Mushing and Sled Dog Sports.

If you are looking for a fast paced, adrenaline fuelled, blast through the stunning undulating trails of Hiraethog Forest, then our 6 Dog Team Passenger Run is the adventure for you!

Alternatively, our Intro to Mushing is ideal for children or adults who would love

to interact with working sled dogs, learn the basics of Dog Mushing and run a small team of sled dogs themselves, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Dolben Hall.

To book your sled dog powered adventure go to www.mynyddsleddog adventures.com Follow us: Facebook/Mynydd SleddogAdventures Instagram/Mynydd_ Sleddog_Adventures Youtube: https://bit.ly/ MynyddYT

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LAKE DISTRICT WALKS The Lake District is one huge adventure playground, providing gentle countryside ambles and more serious high level challenges.

Whichever path you take, you’ll have much more fun if you plan properly beforehand.

PLAY IT SAFE Decide your route carefully and make sure you have enough time to get back in daylight. Darkness can quickly descend, so it’s also a good idea to pack a torch, just in case. Before you leave, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.

THINK OF OTHERS When planning your day, bear in mind your own capabilities and those of all the others in your group. During your work, be prepared to cut it short if conditions become too difficult or a member of your party begins to struggle.

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR Take appropriate clothing, equipment, food and drink and a first aid kit. Boots, warm, windproof, waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves and some spare warm clothes plus a rucksac are all essential. Regardless of the season.

BEWARE THE WATER

If you’re thinking of going for a paddle, be careful, many tarns and lakes shelve deeply, and the water’s chilly even in high summer.

FOLLOW THE COUNTRYSIDE CODE • Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs • Leave gates and property as you find them • Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home.

• Keep dogs under close control • Consider other people CHECK THE WEATHER! The Lake District weather can change rapidly and conditions on the tops can be very

different from those in the valleys. So check out the forecast in advance by calling the Lake District National Park Authority’s Weatherline service on 0844 846 2444 IN AN EMERGENCY Ring the police and give a description of the incident and it’s location. Keep injured or exhausted people safe and warm until help reaches you.

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The best parks in Yorkshi

Make the most of the warm weather this summer and head off on an outdoor adventure with the family.

Ideal for picnics, nature walks and soaking up some sun, these parks and gardens around Yorkshire offer a scenic spot to relax and unwind.

Bolton Abbey Estate The vast Cistercian ruins of Fountains Abbey provide an impressive backdrop for a picnic Visitors will be spoilt for choice with things to do at the popular Bolton Abbey Estate in Wharfedale.

Put your balance to the test crossing the 60 stepping stones, take a walk to see the Strid in the ancient woodland, enjoy the scenery along the nature trails, or nestle down on the lawns in front of the magnificent 12th century ruins.

Visit: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, BD23 6AL – www.boltonabbey.com Golden Acre Park Golden Acre Park in north Leeds is popular for its circular lakeside walk and pretty gardens Hugely popular for its pretty gardens and circular lakeside walk, this north Leeds park stretches across 55 hectares, providing plenty of space to bask in the sunny weather.

There’s a huge amount of space to set up a picnic, or you can head to the on-site cafe if you’d prefer.

Visit: Arthington Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 8BQ – www.leeds.gov.uk Oakwell Hall and Country Park The vast Oakwell Hall estate stretches across 110 acres with a network of footpaths and nature trails for visitors to explore Combine sightseeing with outdoor adventures at Oakwell Hall and Country Park, where you can take a tour of the bautiful Elizabethan manor house, which offers an

intriguing insight into the late 17th century, before heading off to explore the 110 acres of country park which surround it.

The vast estate is home to a network of footpaths and nature trails, where you can expect to find glorious scenery, flowers and wildlife along the way.

Visit: Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley, WF17 9LG – www.kirklees.gov.uk Manor Heath Park This nineteen acre park in Halfax is perfect for an active day outdoors, thanks to its many exciting on-site attractions.

Alongside woodland walks, a walled garden and wild flower area, children will love playing in the water park and sand pit, or spotting an array of exotic plants and creatures at The Jungle Experience, the park’s tropical on-site greenhouse.

There’s also plenty of spots to set up a picnic and if you’re feeling energetic, there is an outdoor gym where you can work up a sweat.

Visit: Halifax, HX3 0EB – www.visitcalderdale.com Valley Gardens These English Heritage grade II listed gardens in Harroage spread across 17 acres and feature an array of different areas giving

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ire to visit with the family visitors plenty to explore.

Have fun in the playground, skate park, boating pool and games areas, which include tennis, pitch and putt and crazy golf, take a dip in the paddling pool, or simply take some time out to wander the footpaths through the gardens.

Visit: Valley Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ – www.harrogate.gov.uk Yorkshire Sculpture Park If you’re looking for a park that is a little more out of the ordinary, Yorkshire Sculpture Park won’t disappoint.

The magnificent open air gallery is home to around 80 sculptures and installations, offering a more unqiue way to appreciate some contemporary art by some of the world’s finest artists.

Visit: West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG – www.ysp.org.uk Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden Tucked away in a secluded valley, visitors are guaranteed to be impressed by the vast Cistercian abbey ruins and Georgian water farden at this National Trust site in Ripon.

A medieval deer park, Elizabethan Hall and Gothic church are also on site to see, while the vast green lawns which lead down to

the riverside provide a wonderful spot for a picnic.

Visit: Fountains Abbey And Studley Royal Estate, Ripon, HG4 3DY – www.nationaltrust.org.uk Roundhay Park A firm favourite spot to soak up some sun in Leeds, Roundhay Park stretches across 700 acres of pretty parkland, lakes and woodland, providing a picture-perfect location for leisurely picnic.

Youngsters are well catered for with two playgrounds on site, along with the popular Tropical World visitor attraction where a variety of exotic animals and plants can be seen.

Visit: Mansion Lane, Leeds, LS8 2HH – www.roundhaypark.org.uk Castle Howard This stunning 18th century historic house just outside of York stands within 1,000 acres of glorious landscape, with lakes, fountains, woodland, temples, rolling lawns, an ornamental garden and a children’s playround just a few of the delights which await to be explored in the grounds.

Visit: Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA – www.castlehoward.co.uk Greenhead Park

Nestled just half a mile from Huddersfield town centre, Greenfield Park is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle, and enjoy some time outdoors.

Home to a skate park, tennis courts, play areas, paddling pool and ornamental lake, as well as a miniature steam railway, there’s

a great variety of attractions to keep the whole family entertained.

And visitors can even enjoy horse and carriage rides on weekends.

Visit: Trinity Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4DT – www.kirklees.gov.uk

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Wonderwool Wales 2022

Two stunning and unique exhibitions will feature as Wonderwool Wales 2022 returns next month after an absence of two years during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Buoyed by support from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund, the organisers are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the 16th show at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on the weekend of April 23 and 24.

Tickets, costing £12 per day or £22 for the weekend, must be purchased online in advance at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk. There will be no tickets for sale at the gate.

Celebrating all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres, Wonderwool Wales 2022 will feature special exhibitions in Hall 3. Visitors will have the chance to see work created by Coleg Sir Gâr’s Carmarthen School of Art textiles students and graduates throughout the pandemic and a zany, hand crafted interpretation of Alice in Wonderland.

Lockdowns and disruption did not stop creativity at Carmarthen School of Art. Supported by the art college throughout the pandemic, students kept working on their briefs at home to create exciting and challenging work.

Visitors can expect to see an insight into their design process as well as beautiful textile outcomes in knit, weave and mixed media.

Coleg Sir Gâr’s BA Textile Programme director Nia Lewis said: “Wonderwool Wales has always been hugely supportive of our graduates and we are delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the work undertaken through this time. We are so proud of our students’ resilience and creativity.”

The Wonderwool Wales Bursary has been running for several years, awarded to a

BA Textiles Knitting & Weaving graduate.

The massive, specially-created ‘Alice in Wonderwool’ installation features an array of captivating characters, all crafted from felt and fibre.

This exhibition will be raising money for this year’s Wonderwool charities which include the Wales Air Ambulance.

Show regulars, Alex Johnstone and Kathy Smart, joined forces with felting and fibre art friends, including prolific knitter and crochet enthusiast Terry Moncion, to recreate Alice’s dreamland journey and her marvellously wacky tea party. Janna Turner from Flock2Felts was project lead and felting advisor.

Show visitors will meet a manic and frantic white rabbit that is always late, a perpetually grinning Cheshire cat and a contemptuous caterpillar.

As their adventures are set in Wonderwool, all of the characters are made using felt and fibre.

The characters, scenery and flowers, food, crockery and woodland creatures are made of a mixture of wet and needle felt techniques, knitting and crochet with a bit of sewing and embroidery thrown in.

With several new faces amongst the 210 exhibitors, there will be plenty for visitors to see and do at Wonderwool Wales, which was judged best event in Mid Wales at the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards in 2019.

The show was also Highly Commended for the last two years in the Best Event category at the Let’s Knit British Knitting & Crochet Awards.

The organisers are aiming to fill the halls with beautiful, hand dyed yarns and fibre, along with equipment and quality finished products, giving visitors an opportunity to stock up on supplies.

For those seeking creative inspiration, there will be demonstrations and have-ago sessions hosted by some exhibitors. When the shopping

is done, there will be plenty of tea and coffee stops and a tempting selection of refreshments from Street Food vendors.

Visitors can also pre-book to attend one of the ever-popular Woolschool workshops and learn or perfect their skills with help from an expert.

“We’ve gathered together a range of skilled tutors to lead a choice of four morning and five afternoon workshops on both days,” said Chrissie Menzies, a director of Wonderwool Wales. “The topics have been carefully chosen to appeal to a wide range of interests and levels of ability – there should be something for everyone.”

The Woolschool workshops include the following morning sessions: Spinning with a spindle for beginners led by Freyalyn Close-Hainsworth, Colour wheel Bargello with Tina Francis, Needlefelting with Sam Loughlin from Mum’s Makery and Delightful decorative crochet baby boots with wool felt soles led

by Amanda Blackwell from Joe’s Toes.

The topics for the afternoon workshops are: Creative freeform knitting and crochet with Lisette Webley, Core spinning for light and airy textured yarn with Amanda Hannaford, Beautiful bee buttons and brooches with Lydia Needle, Natural weave macrame wall hangings with Alice Thomas and Wet felting – ‘The Solitary Tree’ with Susan Mulcock.

Developed to promote the market for Welsh wool and natural fibres, Wonderwool Wales was first held in 2006 and has grown in scale and popularity alongside a knitting, crochet, felting and textile craft making boom.

Find out more about the 2022 show at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk or like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Twitter @wonderwoolwales

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Ktwo’s Roadeo Compact And Push Trailer

Ktwo, one of the biggest British manufacturers of farming machinery, has manufactured the Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer which is being hailed the next generation of trailer.

It’s been designed to increase capacity by compacting its contents which can achieve up to an additional 40% per trailer.

The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer is unique in its design because it doesn’t tip to empty it’s produce, instead it compacts and pushes its contents out. This

increases capacity through compaction and reduces costs by increasing the volume each trailer can take by up to 40%.

The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer’s success is also based on its safety and reliability.

The chassis and running gear have been designed to provide maximum stability with the very best of on-and-off road handling characteristics as demanded by today’s high-speed tractors. It is fitted with high specification axles and brakes to ensure that the trailer can stop safely in all conditions. ‘’Our Roadeo Compact and Push Trailers are already being

used by farmers and contractors in the UK and worldwide.’’ Explains Robbie Polson, Ktwo Managing Director. ‘’We regularly get praise for their time and cost saving benefits to farming.

The increased capacity and emptying speeds reduce fleet running costs dramatically.’’

The traditional tipping trailer is likely to be replaced by the safer and cost saving pusher design in the future.

For more information on Ktwo and The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer, visit: www.ktwo. co.uk

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Road safety innovation for motorists Modern motorists need new and better road safety solutions. The Be-Seen Screen is designed as a fast and highly effective warning signal for broken down vehicles on busy roads.

Placing the traditional warning triangle 45 metres along the carriageway represents a risk in itself. The BeSeen Screen is a bright and reflective alternative warning sign that can be in place in moments.

By pressing the powerful suction pads to the rear windscreen or boot you can clearly and securely display the distinctive chevrons and ‘broken down’ message. This can provide the vital extra seconds of awareness that prevent accidents.

The Be-Seen Screen is the brainchild of entrepreneur, Richard Edwards, and is

endorsed by a former Senior Policing Area Commander of Thames Valley Police, who knows that the dangers and deaths on our roads need to be radically reduced.

The product has taken three years to perfect and has been extensively tested on a range of vehicles, both indoors and outdoors, at the Millbrook Vehicle Proving Ground in Bedford.

The banner has the same reflectivity as emergency vehicles, day or night, to make other motorists aware of your stranded vehicle. It is suitable for use on cars, vans, caravans, and HGVs. The Screen uses a micro-prismatic method to

achieve high reflective performance in all light conditions, tested at multiple angles. The lime-yellow and red chevron design is immediately recognisable as a warning.

Importantly, the product’s design means that motorists can have full confidence in its effectiveness at any time because it doesn’t use electronics that can degrade, and an energy source isn’t needed.

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Planning For Your Wedding Day 2022

As couples plan for their big day for 2022 now is the time to get into shape. and start organizing for what will be the best day of their lives. For the bride, you can’t start earlier enough.

You want to arrive at the alter looking vibrant with health and beauty, so what better excuse do you need to invest a little bit of time, money and energy in getting you there?

Whether it is planning a few pampering trips to some spas or joining a gym, not only can you trim your figure, you’ll do wonders for your complexion and overall energy levels.

Shopping for the wedding dress is probably the part of the wedding plans you are looking forward to more than any other aspect. The majority

of bridal gowns bought in the UK are classed as ‘off the peg.’

You try on a sample of the gown in the shop; they take your measurements and order the most appropriate size for you which is then delivered to the shop for alterations to fit your exact shape and size.

Don’t panic, there may be a huge amount to do but here is a handy checklist with some of the main points to take into consideration in the build up to the big day!

12 months before…

Choose a wedding date Decide on a budget Make a list of guests and decide on numbers Book your Church/Ceremony location. Book your reception venue/caterers. Choose your Bridesmaids, Ushers and Best Man. Start looking for The Dress!. Choose and book your

photographer 8 months before…

Choose bridesmaids’ dresses Book entertainment Choose and order your wedding cake Make an appointment with your chosen florist 6 months before...

Give Notice of Marriage Purchase or hire menswear Select your wedding rings 4 months before...

Send out your wedding invitations Arrange fittings for the wedding dress and menswear 1 month before...

Arrange a final fitting of your wedding dress your bridesmaids, ushers and best man. Enjoy your hen and stag parties!

2 weeks before...

Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal to the relevant

people 1 week before...

Arrange to collect your wedding dress, bridesmaids

dresses and the menswear Have all your beauty treatments Drink plenty of water and

have some early nights Relax and enjoy this time – all your hard work is about to come to completion!

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How To Get An Upgrade On Your Honeymoon!

Getting married isn’t just about going on honeymoon, but it sure is an exciting plus to the whole shebang! But how do you go about milking the special occasion for all its worth? Everyone loves an upgrade and if you can’t get one when you’re going on your honeymoon then when can you? It’s the perfect opportunity to be pampered and spoiled, especially after all the stress of the wedding planning is over.

Calling first class!

There are so many moments where you might be able to wangle an upgrade when you go on honeymoon. The first is the flight. This is a lot easier to accomplish if you haven’t booked a package deal through a high street travel agency. If you’ve booked flights and accommodation separately then turning up at the airport in your finest clobber, rather

than like a scruff bag (albeit a very comfy one), is a great way to find yourself boosted up to First or Business class.

This is an important fact to consider as the area you want to be moved into is usually full of very well-heeled people. The next step is to arrive at the airport early.

This gives you the best opportunity of nabbing any last-minute upgrades.

Don’t forget to check again when you reach the gate in case an upgrade has become available since you checked-in. Another hot tip for making it more likely to receive an upgrade is to fly on a Saturday as this is when business travellers are usually at home, meaning you have less competition.

Tell the world you’re here for your honeymoon Once you’ve made it to your honeymoon destination the next step towards

getting an upgrade is to tell everyone that you’re on your honeymoon! It’s important to do this at the right time though. Telling businesses that you’re going on your honeymoon when you make the booking tends to hike the prices up. So, you’re better off waiting until you hit the runway to mention that you’re newly-weds on honeymoon. If you’re staying in a hotel then mention at check-in that you’re on your honeymoon and ask if there are any honeymoon suites available for you to upgrade to or if there is anything they can do for you to help make your honeymoon more memorable.

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

Tell everyone you meet that you’re there on your honeymoon. You never know,

it might lead to a couple of free glasses of champagne over dinner at any of the restaurants you might visit!

The same can be said for any activities, excursions or day trips that you intend to do whilst you’re away.

Live like an A-lister Of course, before you even get to this stage you need to decide on where to go!

If you’re at a loss for ideas, other than knowing that you want the A-list treatment, then take a leaf out of @

RocknRollBride’s book. She says that ‘If you’re looking to really go all out on your honeymoon, to have a once in a lifetime experience and to truly live it up like a rock star, then the Maldives has to be top of your list.’

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Research Matron represents North West at Women of Year Awards

A Research Matron from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust represented the North West at this year’s Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards Ceremony.

The annual awards aim

to highlight and celebrate the achievements of exceptional women across the UK while helping to raise funds for their chosen charities, which includes NHS Charities Together.

The ceremony marked its

40th anniversary this year, as it returned to the Hilton Metropole Birmingham on Friday 1 April 2022, after it was suspended for the past two years due to COVID-19.

This year, the Women

of the Year Luncheon & Awards presented a special accolade to the Women of the NHS, in recognition of their unwavering dedication, commitment and compassion to society.

An inspiring group

of NHS workers which included nurses, midwives, consultants and surgeons collected the award, having been chosen by Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May, and her team from specialist healthcare areas.

One of those selected to attend was Lancashire Teaching Hospitals’ Research Matron, Katrina Rigby, who was nominated to Ruth’s team by Professor Alex Heazell, a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Clinical Director of the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre.

Katrina said: “It’s was a privilege to attend these prestigious awards. Research has been at the forefront of the pandemic and I would like to pay tribute to all those who have taken part in studies to help us discover new treatments and new evidence base to improve health outcomes.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Zalena Vandrewala, Chair of the Awards, said: “We are delighted to welcome such an inspiring

group of women to accept this award on behalf of the Women of the NHS. 2020 marked the Year of the Nurse and the Year of the Midwife, which we were unable to celebrate at the time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is therefore incredibly fitting to welcome NHS nurses and midwives to today’s ceremony and give them the recognition and thanks they deserve.

“The Covid-19 pandemic placed unfathomable pressure on the NHS and we are in awe of the unfaltering commitment and dedication of the women here with us today. They represent thousands more female workers across every sector of the NHS, who work relentlessly, day in and day out, to provide life-saving care, treatment and support to those in need. It is a real honour to welcome them to today’s ceremony and this award represents our immense gratitude and respect for all that they do.”

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#ThankYou campaign celebrates staff and volunteers in Lancashire and South Cumbria for Covid-19 efforts Health and care sector and voluntary services, teams and individuals in Lancashire and South Cumbria are being thanked in recognition of the outstanding contributions made throughout the global Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and in support of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Speaking alongside his daughter Katie, Paul explains the impact that their small acts of kindness had and conveys the hope and reassurance that this brought to both himself and to his family. Chloe and Nutan, also appearing in the video, share The #ThankYou campaign features a video their experiences of working of Lancashire and South Cumbria’s Interim on the frontline before an Director of Nursing, Jane Scattergood and emotional reunion with Paul Medical Director, Andy Curran speaking and Katie. on the collaborative efforts undertaken over Talking also on their the last two years across the health, care and personal experiences of the voluntary system alongside local patients, staff, family and friends, as we shine a light on pandemic, Laura Scarborinspirational stories of gratitude to those who ough and Sara Heywood, staff members of the Ribble cared for them.

Mr Paul Meehan is one of those individuals. Medical Group Primary Care Network, feature to Paul shares his words of appreciation for the share their admiration and continued compassion and thoughtfulness appreciation for the invaludemonstrated by two paramedics, Chloe able volunteers supporting and Nutan, during his unfortunate extended a community-centre based admission into hospital.

Paul and Katie Covid-19 vaccination clinic in Penwortham.

Volunteers like Ed and Trevor from the Penwortham Cricket Club, who also appear, who facilitated the team from the local primary care network from greeting and directing patients to admin-

istrative duties, supporting NHS staff to managing the carparks, come rain or shine!

In the final instalment, we meet Dr Callum Thomas as he attends Spring Cottages Care Centre in Padiham to thank Nadine Philips, Care Home Manager, for the re-

spect and quality of care shown to his mother who is a resident at the centre.

The care home installed a purpose-built cabin with a partition to allow residents and families to continue visitations during the pandemic, something Callum describes as vital to the welfare and happiness of his mother.

Join us as we look back and say #ThankYou.

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Lung health checks launched in East Lancashire in drive to save more lives Past and current smokers in East Lancashire are being invited to an NHS lung health check from this month in a drive to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and save more lives.

With one of the highest mortality rates for lung cancer in England, Lancashire and South Cumbria is one of 43 places across the country to run the Targeted Lung Health Check programme.

The programme has already been rolled out in Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. Rossendale will be included in the next phase of the programme, with other areas in East Lancashire to follow over the next two years.

The initiative means more than 17,000 past and

current smokers aged 55 to 74 in Rossendale will be invited to a lung health check by their GP. Dr Neil Smith, clinical lead for cancer in Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “Lung health checks are like an MOT for your lungs and could seriously improve the quality of your life.

“We know Rossendale has a higher rate of lung diseases than the national average, due mainly to the prevalence of smoking in the area. A huge number of people could benefit from discovering any lung abnormalities early enough to be treated and to prevent long-term damage.”

The lung health check takes place in two stages.

The first is an initial phone assessment with a specially

trained health care professional. If the assessment finds the person to be at high risk, they are offered a low dose CT scan of the lungs for further investigation.

The scanner is housed in a mobile unit and will be parked at an accessible site in Rossendale.

Lung cancer can often be caught too late as there are rarely symptoms at the earlier stages. The programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung cancer in order to spot signs earlier, at the stage when it’s much more treatable and ultimately saving more lives.

The Targeted Lung Health Check programme estimates it will diagnose around 9,000 cancers earlier than would otherwise

have been within the 43 places running the checks. This offers the opportunity for earlier interventions, including

curative surgery, which will save people’s lives.

Stop smoking advice will also be offered to support current smokers.

For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, please visit https://lungcheckslsc. co.uk/

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Derwen College – a place of possibility

A leading specialist college – be a student at Derwen An ambitious specialist college, with a focus on the future, is welcoming families and carers to find out more about the possibilities they offer to young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

training.

Students work in the College’s unique on-site ‘Derwen College Marketplace’, learning work skills, supported by specialist teaching staff.

The Marketplace includes a garden centre and gift shop, charity shop, café, restaurant and training hotel. Students eventually progress to regular and relevant external work placements in the community.

Derwen College, in Shropshire, is a vibrant and exciting A ‘Learning for Life’ pathway supports students who residential College with a aren’t yet work-ready, and the determination to enable young people (aged 16-25) to college recently launched a achieve their goals. Graduates bespoke Nurture programme from the award-winning col- for students with Profound and Multiple Learning Disalege are proud to contribute bilities (PMLD). to their communities, with Residential students at Dermany achieving the skills necessary to leave home and wen enjoy a unique college secure employment or further campus-style experience, which parents often compare

to university life: a busy social life; shared living experiences; and the chance to meet new people and enjoy new experiences away from home, are as vital to students’ learning as preparation for work.

Students go on to achieve things that they, and their families, never thought possible.

For example, 2021 Retail graduate Sam – who has Down’s Syndrome and a moderate learning difficulty – is now living in his own flat and has started on a supported internship.

Sam says: “Derwen College meant the world to me. I am living independently in my own one-bedroom flat with a bit of support, and have started an internship working in Admin.

“My time living away from

home at Derwen, and all the great work experience I did there, helped me get the confidence and skills to be able to live in my own flat and to get the internship. My local friends who did not go away to college are all still living at home and can’t look after themselves. I am very happy and proud that I was lucky enough to go to Derwen.”

Short Breaks respite – be a guest at Derwen Derwen College also offers Short Breaks respite care for over 18s, offering the same expertise, facilities and experience to guests with SEND. Bespoke care packages run for 51 weeks a year including day trips, social activities and independence skills.

Guests can experience a holiday of their own, taking part in trips, social activities, and

learning independent living skills along the way, as well as making use of the exceptional campus facilities which include a gym and swimming pool. Meanwhile, families can rest assured that their loved ones are cared for by expert staff in a safe and comfortable environment.

Parents say: “Our son loves to take part in the trips and activities at Short Breaks at Derwen, and appreciates that staff listen to his opinions

and preferences. He has made friends of a similar age and learnt some home-making skills too.

“As parents, we can rest easy knowing that he feels safe and is having fun in a home from home.”

For more information on learning at Derwen, or Short Breaks at Derwen, please visit the website at www.derwen. ac.uk or telephone 01691 779243.

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Mainstream expansion of Ribble Valley school set to be approved by cabinet Lancashire County Council's cabinet is expected to agree plans to permanently expand St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School in Billington to meet a growing demand for places.

The county council has a statutory duty to ensure that a primary or secondary school place is available for every child of statutory school age living in Lancashire who requests one.

In Ribble Valley, there is a rising secondary school population due to unprecedented housing development and an increasing primary school population. For the 2023/24 intake, the school place provision forecasts are showing an expected intake to Year 7 of 1066 pupils, suggesting a potential shortfall of 38 places. In all years to 2028 it is anticipated that there

will be insufficient places to accommodate demand and, therefore, the need is for permanent places.

The proposed expansion of St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School would provide for a permanent increase of 25 additional pupils in Year 7 from the academic year 2023/24, ensuring that sufficient places are available for future year groups through to 2028. It would also allow for housing development levels to be accommodated.

On Thursday, 7 April, Lancashire County Council's cabinet will be asked to approve a permanent increase in the admission number of St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School from 215 to 240 places from the academic year 2023/24.

Cabinet will also be asked to approve the capi-

tal expenditure to provide additional accommodation and associated works at St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School.

The expansion would increase the school's overall capacity to 1200 mainstream places.

As a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, this proposal was subject to consultation and approval by the Trustee and Salford Diocese. The proposal was approved at the Diocese School's Committee on 8th March 2022.

In line with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Sufficiency Strategy, St Augustine's has also expressed an interest in having a Special Educational Needs unit. The school and Inclusion Service have undertaken an informal consultation on the provision of a unit.

The outcome of the informal consultation determined that a proposal for the provision of a Special Educational Needs unit be taken forward at the school, as part of their mainstream expansion. The unit would accommodate up to 16 permanent places for pupils with Speech, Language and Communication needs.

A feasibility study has been carried out and recommended provision of new accommodation in a separate block in an agreed location within

the site, which would house one general teaching department and the Special Educational Needs unit provision.

Informal consultation to provide special educational needs places on the site has been undertaken as required, and this will be followed by a formal consultation later this year.

Edwina Grant OBE, Executive Director of Education and Children's Services for Lancashire County Council, said: "The expansion of St Au-

gustine's will help ensure we are able to offer a school place to every child of statutory school age living in Lancashire who requests one.

"In addition to this mainstream expansion, we will also soon begin a formal consultation to provide special educational needs places on the site.

"This will support children and young people to achieve their full potential in education and future employment."

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Home Improvements That Add Value

If you are looking to add value to your house, why not try out some home improvement upgrades?

Here are two home improvement upgrades that add value…

It can be super exciting to embark on home improvement projects, but it’s even better

when the upgrades you opt for add value to your home. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that some improvements might be worthwhile to you personally, they may not increase the value of the house to others.

In this article, we’ll sum up our top five ways to add value to your home through

improvements which you — and future buyers — will benefit from. Here are the top home improvement upgrades that add value…

1. Add insulation In addition to increasing the value of your home, installing energy-saving insulation will also reduce your energy bills as well as ensure you’re minimising

TO ADVERTISE HERE PLEASE CALL OUR FRIENDY STAFF ON 0115 6972677

your carbon footprint. If you opt to insulate your loft or basement, this is a job that you can easily do yourself with a little bit of time and patience, but if you’re insulating your walls then we recommend you hire a professional to do it right. Another method of insulation is double glazing — double glaze your windows to further lock in warmth and add value to your home.

2. Upgrade your heating system Next on our list of home improvement upgrades that add value is to upgrade your heating system.

Adding or upgrading your heating system is a failsafe way to add value to your home. You can do this with a few options, such as replacing windows (or add double glazing if possible, as mentioned in tip #1), seal any drafts around doors and windows or replace a boiler.

If your existing boiler is due an upgrade and has passed the point of repair, then it’s a worthwhile investment to get a new boiler installed in your home.

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Football Aid in the Community raises over £22k!

Over 500 supporters watched on in delight as Danny Graham bagged a brace at the Blackburn End and a host of other famous faces returned to Ewood Park for the inaugural Football Aid in the Community match, which raised over £22,000 for two very worthy causes.

The fantastic sum will help fund care for club legend Tony Parkes, as well as life-changing projects and programmes that support people with mental health concerns and tackle social isolation among senior citizens, run by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, who organised the event.

The special charity match

provided over 30 fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a matchday from their hero’s perspective, by getting to wear the club’s famous colours, walk down the tunnel to a cheering crowd and play under the floodlights on the hallowed Ewood turf.

The two teams were managed by club greats Derek Fazackerley – Rovers’ record appearance holder – and Mark Atkins, who lifted the Premier League trophy under Kenny Dalglish in 1994-95.

The players, who had bid generously to earn a place at the event, were joined on the pitch by former fans’ favourites Howard Gayle, David Dunn and Danny Graham, who showed his class with

a quickfire brace after the break, much to the delight of the 500-plus crowd, who had turned out in their numbers to see their former heroes in action and to support the fantastic cause.

Football Aid in the Community The game finished 5-2 to Fazackerley’s home side, who

PNE U19s Crowned League Champions

Preston North End U19s have been crowned champions of the EFL Youth Alliance North West Conference!

Nick Harrison’s side won the league title in style on Tuesday afternoon, beating Port Vale away from home with an emphatic 8-1 scoreline.

North End headed to Stokeon-Trent knowing that three points would clinch the title,

and they took no time in doing so, scoring five within the first 32 minutes of the game, before rounding off the victory in the second half.

There will be a full match report and post-match reaction from the title-winning victory to follow on PNE. Com. It has been a remarkable campaign for the Academy, with the team now having

gone 19 games unbeaten in the league, with their last defeat in the competition coming in September 2021.

There is also still chance for the U19s to seal the league and cup double, with the Youth Alliance Cup final taking place on 3rd May against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Congratulations, boys!

led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Dan Prochyra’s early effort, before Graham scored twice in three minutes after the interval. Goals from Niall Collins and Joe Parker made it 5-0, before Dan Cohen bagged a late brace for Atkins’ away side.

Over recent months, the club have been staging a

series of fundraising event for Tony Parkes, who dedicated his entire professional playing career to Rovers, where he made over 400 appearances between 1970 and 1982, before having six separate spells in caretaker charge.

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust created Football Aid in the Community in

response to Natalie Parkes-Thompson’s appeal to help fund the ongoing care for her father, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019.

Fans can still show their support for the Parkes family by donating to the Football Aid in the Community fund at https://justgiving.com/ campaign/footballaidBRCT

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COLLEGE CLARETS TAKEOVER FOR TURF MOOR FIXTURE Club team up with Burnley College for takeover at Wolves game Burnley Football Club and Burnley College - two of the town’s giants - are consolidating their successful partnership by creating a day to remember for fans at Turf Moor later this month.

A programme of exciting activities staged by students and staff from Burnley College will kick off the Clarets’ fixture with Wolves on Sunday 24 April. And, as part of the unique offer, the College will be opening its car park for the free use of Clarets’ fans and creating a fun-filled route to Turf Moor where supporters can boost their daily steps and enjoy a range of displays, performances, and activities.

Interactive activities will continue throughout the day and beyond the final whistle.

Every corner of the stadium - including the popular Papa John’s FanZone - will reveal an incredible display of the very best that Burnley College has to offer, from creative projects to brilliant performances, including contemporary dance and live music.

Fans can pitch their gaming skills against the College's highly skilled Esports Academy team, which is already partnered with the official Burnley FC Esports team. Plus, free health checks will be on offer from students on health and science-related courses, as well as sports challenges from students on sport and fitness courses.

A-Level English Literature students have also created a poem to mark the collaboration between the College and football club, which is going from strength to strength through the establishment of the popular College Clarets scheme. Students can access discounted match tickets and merchandise through the pioneering partnership, as well as opportunities to take up positions as ambassadors for the Club.

The matchday celebration will highlight the diverse range of courses on offer for learners at Burnley College, from school leavers to those keen on degree level study, from individuals seeking to retrain to those who simply love learning.

Karen Buchanan, Principal of Burnley College, said the goal is to raise the profile of the unique collaboration between the College and

Karen Buchanan & Mark Thompson football club and showcase the amazing talent of students: “This is the perfect opportunity to bring the College to life on the iconic stage of Turf Moor and engage with the passionate football community. To mark the occasion and to celebrate the close links between the Club and College, we’ve created special scarves, with a limited number available to fans who engage with College staff on the day - whether that’s inquiring about possible courses or taking part in activities.

“Our partnership with Burnley Football Club is incredibly successful and has huge benefits for both the Club and College.

“It’s fantastic to grow this further, expanding the opportunity to work together and develop

our relationship with some exciting developments to follow in the coming months.

“We hope that the community will get behind the Club and College for this great event, filling the stands to cheer on the Clarets and enjoy the free activities being staged by our amazing students.”

Mark Thompson, Co-Chief Operating Officer at Burnley FC said: “We’re delighted with the early success of our partnership with Burnley College and I’m looking forward to developing the relationship further.

“As a football club based in the heart of our community, it’s important for us to build positive partnerships with local organisations.

The vibrant College Clarets scheme offers the

perfect opportunity for young people to reap the many rewards of being a Burnley FC fan while studying.

“There will be a wide range of fun activities to get involved in at the Wolves game and we’re pleased to be able to offer students the platform to showcase their talents and create lasting memories. It’s set to be a real milestone for the partnership, and I’d encourage all Clarets fans to get involved.”

To find out more information about Burnley College and how you can play your part in the pioneering partnership with Burnley FC, visit burnley.ac.uk or call student services on 01282 733373.

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