Auction sales
In an article on Saturday, September 20 (House auction gets a hammering) the Evening Post reported Farrell Heyworth had sold seven properties out of 27 at a property auction which took place at Preston North End.
Farrell Heyworth has asked us to point out they actually sold 11 properties before the auction, 10 during the auction and three by post. A further 13 properties were withdrawn from sale and 13 are still available from the company.
The figures represent a 65% sale rate which is higher than the national and regional average of 50%.

£350,000 schools plea
Preston youngsters are set to benefit from a major fund-raising campaign aimed at driving up classroom standards.
Businesses across the region are being asked to plough £350,000 into the project over the next three years to help primary school children with their reading and writing.
The cash will be used to pay for 30 extra part-time teaching assistants a year for three years in local primary schools.
Among those involved in the Read to Succeed project are Preston's Ashton Primary School in Ainsdale Drive, Savick, Greenlands CP School in Dawnay Road, Ribbleton and St Maria Goretti Catholic Primary in Gamull Lane.

Guild needs your help
City bosses are on the hunt for volunteers for Preston's Guild celebrations in 2012.
Visit www.preston.gov.uk/doitonline to register your interest.
Alternatively, call 01772 906193 or e-mail guild2012@preston.gov.uk

Working out your benefits
A new online calculator has been launched to help Preston residents calculate benefits they are entitled to. A series of finance and personal questions are asked before a figure is revealed estimating what could be claimed.
lGo to www.preston.gov.uk/benefitcalculator to try it out.

New business directory launch
A new business directory detailing companies across central Lancashire is being released next month.
Launched by Preston Council, it features around 3,300 industrial and commercial businesses. All companies listed in the directory will receive a free complimentary copy with additional ones on sale at www.preston.gov.uk
CD-ROM versions of the list are also available.

Have a say on policing...
People living in Inglewhite and Whitechapel will have their chance to discuss policing issues in the rural villages.
Local officers will attend the monthly PACT meeting at the Green Man pub in Inglewhite next Thursday starting at 8pm.
For details contact PC Chris Banks on 01772 863390.

Prepare to be frightened at Botany Bay
The ground floor of a Lancashire tourist attraction will be transformed into a horror show in time for Halloween.
Botany Bay, just off the M61 in Chorley, will play host to Ripper's REVENGE! – a live action theatrical walk-through horror experience in which the audience will come face to face with Jack the Ripper.
The shows will take place on October 24, 25, 30 and 31 between 6.30pm and 10.30pm at 15-minute intervals. Tickets cost £10 per
person.

Fired up for glass-making
Fused glass artists Janice Bradshaw and Alexandra Hamilton will be hosting a one-day workshop for beginners at Samlesbury Hall on October 12.
Participants will have the opportunity to make a variety of items including coasters, tiles, hangings, jewellery, mirror frames and bowls.
The day will include lunch, all materials, tuition and the firing of all work. Places are limited to just 10.
Contact Janice or Alexandra on 01253 781406.

Advice on health needs
Older people can get information about organisations to support their health needs.
Age Concern Preston and South Ribble health trainers will be taking referrals from next month.
Funded by NHS Central Lancashire, the project will point people towards health services, activities, support and specialist organisations.
For more information or to speak to a health trainer, call 01772 552861 or 552879.

Plan for new shop front
The new owners of a historic Preston shopping arcade want to install a new front to one of the shops.
Kilmartin Property Group, which jointly owns the Miller Arcade in Church Street with developer Bluemantle, has applied to Preston Council to install a new shop front and door and remove the side entrance door on the unit in the listed building.
A decision will be made by Town Hall planners in the coming months.

Hotline for taxpayers
A new hotline has been launched for Preston council taxpayers wanting to set up direct debit payments.
Residents can also select paying their bill through 10 or 12 monthly instalments.
The phone number is 01772 906660. Alternatively, visit www.preston.gov.uk/counciltaxandbenefits for more details.

Give blood to help others
Leyland and Preston residents can help save lives by donating blood.
Nurses will be at the Civic Centre banqueting suite in West Paddock, Leyland, from 2pm-4pm and 5.30pm-7.30pm on October 6.
A further session will be at Lea Social Club, 872 Blackpool Road, Lea, at the same times on October 7.

Supermarket gets alcohol curfew
A supermarket is stop selling alcohol after midnight to help tackle anti-social behaviour.
ASDA will ban booze being sold between midnight and 6am on Fridays and Saturdays at its 24-hour store in Fulwood.
The move will be rolled out at dozens of ASDA stores, mostly in town centres, in an effort to cut underage drinking and alcohol-related crime.

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