From 'Singing Seniors' to innovation in the NHS | News in brief

Singing for Seniors

The Lancashire-based Red Rosettes Show Chorus have launched a crowd-funder in a bid to to bring their high-level singing and performance to Lancashire residents and communities. The Red Rosettes have launched their "Singing For Seniors" campaign which offers community members a chance to nominate a Lancashire-based care or residential home as a beneficiary of their performance set. Nominations can be made via donating to their crowdfund campaign. All nominations of over £25 are then entered into a monthly draw to select the lucky beneficiary. For any donations over £250, the named beneficiary will be guaranteed a performance set, without the need to be entered in a random draw.

The Red Rosettes was founded in Preston more than 45 years ago, and now comprises over 60 women with a an age range of 70 years. They excel in four-part harmony without accompaniment, making it perfect for intimate spaces such as care or residential homes. With accolades such as being winner of Lancashire Choir of the Year 2024 and top placements in major competitions, their performances continually bring top-tier quality and warmth to audiences. If you wish to nominate a Lancashire-based care or residential home, or if you wish to just donate to their campaign, you can do so here: https://www.spacehive.com/singing-for-seniors

Fighting for farmers

The National Farmers Union is urging all candidates to champion Lancashire’s farming industry ahead of next month’s local elections. Voters in England go to the polls on May 7 with more than 4,850 council seats across 134 local authorities up for grabs. The elections provide an ideal opportunity to shine a light on some of the huge challenges facing farmers in rural Britain such as rising crime rates, planning bureaucracy and a lack of broadband and mobile connectivity. Key areas identified where local government support is most impactful include planning, rural crime, rural connectivity and local food procurement.

NFU North Regional Board Chair William Maughan, said: “Having a sustainable farming industry is essential for the success of Lancashire and the wider region and we need support at all levels of government to enable this to happen. Confidence remains low in the industry, and this is being exacerbated by extreme pressures on fuel, fertiliser and feed prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. This is in addition to ongoing worries about issues including the impact of extreme weather, access to water, rural crime, fairness in the supply chain, trade and plant and animal diseases among other things.We look forward to working with newly elected county councillors to work towards a bright future for our farmers and Lancashire as a whole.”

Innovation in the NHS

The leader of the North West’s NHS has praised the 10 outstanding teams and individuals named as regional champions in the first ever NHS Excellence Awards. More than 390 nominations, across 10 categories, were submitted in the North West, shining a light on the innovative ways teams across the region are improving care for patients and communities. Regional champions include the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for the Quality Improvement award with its Touch Activated Phlebotomy for Patients with Learning Disabilities. Also on on the list for Lancashire is the Patient involvement and choice award for the Neuro Rehabilitation Online Service by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

NHS England North West Regional Director, Louise Shepherd said: “Choosing just 10 teams and individuals out of 394 brilliant entries was incredibly difficult as the calibre was so high. Those nominated for an award highlight the amazing work and dedication of our staff, organisations, and charities across the North West; they go above and beyond for our patients. Regional champions from across England will now form the shortlist from which national winners will be selected. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at NHS Confed Expo in Manchester in June 2026.

Creative ‘soup’ for the community

Tenant-led community projects in Preston and South Ribble could receive up to £1,000 by joining in a Dragon’s Den-style soup event in May. Progress Housing Group is inviting tenants, supported living tenants and support workers who have an idea to improve their communities or schemes, to apply to their Soup Dragon’s Den event, which will take place on Thursday, May 21. The application process is also open to non-tenant community groups and individuals who provide support to the areas where we have properties. Six shortlisted groups will be invited to talk about their community project and win votes at the event, held at St Mary’s Community Centre, in Leyland. The winning project will receive up to £1,000 from the Community Investment Fund. The five other projects will receive up to £200. Visit Progress Housing Group's website for an application form.

Apartment plan

Plans have been tabled to convert the former Little Tiger restaurant in Bolton Road, Abbey Village into three apartments, which includes the demolition of extensions. This supersedes previous plans to turn the building into three townhouses.

Retail gallery for Slaidburn

The Old Post Office in Church Street, Slaidburn, will be changed from from residential accommodation into a retail gallery and art studio, after plans were approved by Ribble Valley Borough Council. The maximum opening hours of the retail gallery are forecast to be approximately 10am to 4.30pm Monday – Friday and approximately 11am to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday.

Calendar Girls charity event

Ribbleton club Greenlands, off Ribbleton Avenue, is hosting a Calendar Girls fundraising event for Preston barmaid and mum-of-two Rachel Kay, 37, who died on holiday in Benidorm last month. The event takes place next Friday (April 24) and there will also be a raffle and other fundraising activities, along with two vocalists and a DJ. Entry is £5 on the door. In the past, Greenlands raised over £30,000 for charity when they hosted a Full Monty fundraiser.