A round-up of news in brief from across Lancashire
Free sessions offer a sporting chance
A series of open days at sports clubs around the city has been set up to harness the Olympic spirit. The free sessions in activities as varied as bowling and BMX, rugby and table tennis, are part of the two-week Inspire Sport event, organised by sport and health development officers at Preston City Council. Peter Mason, chair of Preston Sports Forum, said: “As a result of the successful Summer of Sport, including the UK Corporate Games in Preston, the Olympics and Preston’s year as European City of Sport, there has been a surge of interest in sport and physical activity. This weekend will see a run in Avenham Park on Saturday and a fun day on Sunday with Preston Pride Basketball Club. For further information contact Selina Whitty on 01772 906185.
Search for canine with a tail to tell
Get ready to pamper your pooch this weekend in a fun family dog show. The event, at Morecambe’s Festival Market, will include some quirky categories ‑ including the dog with the best smile. There will also be a prize for the dog and owner who look most alike and the dog with the waggiest tail. The entry fee is £1 per dog per category with proceeds going to Save-a-Pet and Wolfwood charities. For more information call 01524 414251.
Housing group names new chairman
Janet Hale, former President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has been announced as the new chairman of Lancashire based Progress Housing Group. Janet will succeed Philip Jones who has been with the organisation for 12 years. Janet is a leading figure in the housing world, with extensive non-executive experience over twenty years; she is currently chair of Women in Social Housing (WISH) NW and Secretary of the CIH NW Regional Committee. Over thirty years Janet has worked across local authority, housing association, higher education and consultancy sectors and is Director of Pilkington-Hale Partnership.
Doggy day out for the hospice
St Catherine’s Hospice will be hosting its first ever Bark in the Park on Saturday. The five mile sponsored walk around Cuerden Valley Park aims to raise much needed funds for the hospice. For more information contact Emma Foy on 01772 629171 or e-mail emma.foy@stcatherines.co.uk
Annual flower show planned
The annual New Longton Flower Show and Handicrafts will take place at the Village Hall, Boundary Close on Saturday at 2pm. The show will be opened by South Ribble Mayor Coun Colin Clark. Prior to opening the show Coun Clark will plant a Diamond Jubilee tree in the village hall grounds. For information call 01772 614264.
Dinner in aid of cancer charity
A Black Tie and Diamonds Charity Dinner in aid of Rosemere will take place next Friday. Organised by Invincible Catering at Preston North End, there will be a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by a three course dinner. Tickets are £40 per person. For further information or to make a booking contact 01772 759900 or email claire@invincibles-pne.com.
Hay making at nature reserve
People are invited to take part in the traditional task of hay making at Fishwick Local Nature Reserve on Sunday. Starting at 1pm, people can try their hand at learning some new conservation skills and creating new habitats for wildlife. Meet at Fishwick Recreation Ground car park, London Road.
Doll fair is set to take place
Barton Doll, Teddy and Miniatures Fair is set to take place at Barton Village Hall on Saturday. The fair will see vintage and antique dolls, doll houses and teddies across the 38 stalls. It runs from 10am until 3.30pm. Admission is £1 for adults and 50p for children.
Charity coffee morning date
A coffee morning in aid of Motor Neurone Disease will be held next week. The event will take place at Garstang URC Hall on Thursday morning. There will be stalls, information and a raffle. It runs between 10am and 12.30p and has been organised by the The Garstang branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
MP’s support to businesses
David Morris MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale has tabled a Parliamentary Motion to support small businesses providing wedding and funeral cars. The Law Commission is consulting on changes to the law for taxi and private hire services. Under the draft proposals, wedding and funeral cars would be subject to the same laws as private hire vehicles. Mr Morris is calling for the plan to be rejected.
Mayor to meet school’s pupils
The Mayor and Mayoress of South Ribble, Coun Colin Clark and his wife Margaret will visit Walton-le-Dale Arts College and High School this afternoon.
Coun Clark will meet staff and students at the school to celebrate and share memories of the Preston Guild and to officially open their Guild Garden.
Musical event to mark Guild
An evening of musical entertainment is set to take place. Galloway’s Community Choir and Leyland Band will deliver a musical showcase at Penwortham Girls High School on Sunday, September 23. The show is set to start at 2pm. Tickets, £8 including refreshments, are available on the door.
Date set for history class
A family history workshop will be held at the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre, Church Road, Leyland, on Saturday morning. The session will run between 10.30 and 12.30pm. To find out more information about the workshop or any other educational events call 01772 422041
Blood giving date planned
A blood donation session is set to take place in Leyland next month. Held by the NHS Blood and Transplant Service on October 2 in the Banqueting Suite at Leyland Civic Centre there will be sessions between 2pm and 4pm and 5pm and 7.30pm. For more information visit www.blood.co.uk
Latest PACT meeting date
The next Broughton and Barton PACT meeting is set to take place next month. The meeting between police officers and community members will be held on October 3. The meeting will take place at The Boar’s Head, Garstang Road, Barton from 7pm.
Band to join choir for show
An afternoon of entertainment will take place later this month as part of the 2012 Guild celebrations. Galloway’s Community Choir and Leyland Band will join forces to deliver a special afternoon of music at Penwortham Girls High School on Sunday September 23. The show starts at 2pm.
Market offers local produce
The next Ashton on Ribble Farmers Market will take place on Saturday. The market will be held at St Michaels Church, Tulketh Road, Ashton on Ribble from 9am until 1pm. The market aims to support small producers who provide fresh quality local produce.
Mayor to meet with scouts
The Mayor and Mayoress of South Ribble, Coun Colin Clark and his wife Margaret will attend the West Lancashire County Scout Council annual general meeting this evening. The meeting will take place at the Civic Centre, Leyland at 7.15pm.
Council warning over business directory
Council bosses in Lancaster have issued a warning today about a new directory seeking advertisers. The council has said it has no involvement with the directory after it received numerous calls from concerned businesses in the area. In a statement Lancaster Council said: “Lancaster City Council would like to advise businesses that it has no involvement with a planning directory currently seeking advertisers in the district. “The council has received a number of calls from concerned business owners about the Planning Advisory Group’s directory. “Information regarding planning applications can be accessed directly on Lancaster City Council’s website - http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/planning/” Anybody with any concerns on the matter is advised to call Rick Wheeldon on 01524 582279. Or they can contact him by emailing him at rwheeldon@lancaster.gov.uk
Suspicious fire inside garage
The contents of a garage were severely damaged in a suspicious blaze. Firefighters were called to a home in Lordsome Road in Morecambe at around 11.50am yesterday. Crew manager Dave Gillon said: “It looks like the garage door was not secure. “The garage was pretty full with storage of domestic beds and furniture. Unfortunately it has pretty much all been destroyed by fire.”
Collection for the homeless
A collection by teenagers of items to help the homeless will be held next weekend on Preston’s Flag Market. The group has asked people to bring tins, dried fruit and pasta plus toiletries, books and games for Fox Street Community shelter, Preston, on Sunday, September 23 from 11am to 2pm.
Kids education on water taps
Children are to be taught to turn off water taps while brushing their teeth. Lancashire’s water provider, United Utilities, has launched an ‘All About Water’ programme for primary schools, to educate youngsters that turning of the tap while they brush their teeth can save six litres a minute.
Flooding risk on the agenda
Flooding and flood risk management will be on the agenda of Lancashire County Council’s Scrutiny Committee when it meets tomorrow. The meeting in Cabinet Room B at County Hall in Preston will begin at 10.30am. To see the agenda in full visit www.lancashire.gov.uk.
Computer tuition to start
An internet taster session for beginners will be held at Fulwood Free Methodist Church, Lightfoot Lane, on Tuesday. The session will run between 9.30am and 11.30am. Contact Stephen or Kelly from the Citizenzone on 01772 903417 to book.
Music comedy on the stage
Preston Musical Comedy Society’s performance of Mack and Mable will start on Tuesday. The Guild show runs until Saturday. It is the first time the musical has been performed in Preston. For tickets and more information call 0845 344 2012
Have your say on county’s bus services
Passengers who use buses in Lancashire are to be given the opportunity to tell operators what they think of the services. Campaign group Bus Users UK has organised the discussion event with a number of different operators at Preston Bus Station later this month. It will take place between 10am and 4pm next Friday, September 21. Any passengers interested in having their say at the event should meet at the concourse opposite stand six at the site, near the south pedestrian entrance. The event is being run in partnership with Preston Bus, Stagecoach, Lancashire County Council, John Fishwick & Sons, National Express and Lancashire United buses. Preston is one of the North West’s biggest and busiest bus transport hubs. Anyone who wants more information about next Friday’s event – or the work of Bus Users UK – can log on to www.bususers.org.
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