. October 2019 - Page 4 of 4 - Wilcop Media

October 2019

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Demolition has started this week as work gets underway to create a new future for Colne’s former Health Centre on Market Street. “The 1970’s health centre will have a new lease of life when the site is totally re-built with a new purpose at the heart of Colne,” announced Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council.

The Health Centre and surgery were closed in 2014 when the new multi-million pound Health Centre on Craddock Road opened. The exciting project has been taken on by PEARL, a joint venture between Pendle Council and Barnfield Investment Properties Ltd called Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Ltd.

Councillor Iqbal, who is also a PEARL board member said: “We’ll be building a three storey building with six modern apartments for older people on two floors and shops on the ground floor.” “This development at a key site helps us respond to the demand for more housing choice in Pendle, including one and two bedroom apartments.”

PEARL board member Councillor David Whipp said: “We’re delighted that this key site is being developed. “When complete it will contribute to the vibrancy of the town and provide some new business opportunities and more shopping options on the high street, he added.

Local people took part in a consultation led by Pendle Council on how the site should be used and what the development should look like and this has shaped the plans.

Tim Webber MBE, Managing Director of Barnfield, said: “Colne Health Centre, with its outdated appearance and poor design, was completely at odds with the conservation area it was built in.” The Conservation Area includes historic Richmond Court, the Grade II listed Red Lion pub next door and the 15th century market cross opposite.

“As local developers based in Pendle we’re proud to be part of this new scheme which has been designed to be in keeping with its historic surroundings”. Demolition work should finish by early October and the development will be ready by December 2020

Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

Rushcliffe Borough Council has signed up to Public Health England’s (PHE) Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health to promote the wider health initiative. This will see the authority work closely with PHE to take significant steps towards the promotion of good mental health and the prevention of associated issues in Rushcliffe communities.

They are one of 74 organisations representing across all sectors that have now signed up to commit to action to make mental health a priority.
The Concordat will include drawing on the expertise of those who have experienced mental health problems and further identify solutions and promote equality for those who are seeking support. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Debbie Mason and Chief Executive Kath Marriott were delighted to today receive acknowledgement from the PHE of the partnership.

Cllr Mason said: “We are proud to have partnered with Public Health England and committed to taking action on the promotion of good mental health and the prevention of mental health problems. “Initiatives in Rushcliffe, such as Rushcliffe Roots, have already demonstrated our focus on positive mental health and this Concordat provides resources to assist us in our continued efforts across the Borough.” Lily Makurah, national lead for public mental health at PHE, said:

“The Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health exists to help communities prevent mental health problems and promote good mental health.

“Through local and national action across sectors we can all contribute to improving mental health and wellbeing, improve outcomes and reduce stigmas for everyone. “We’re delighted that Rushcliffe Borough Council have joined the growing list of signatories.”

The recently published NHS long term plan highlighted the need for a better balance between a system focused on detecting and treating illnesses, with one that also predicts and prevents poor health, including mental health. Signatories to the Concordat recognise the need to contribute to improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce stigma and facilitating local and national action.

Nottingham News, Notts Leisure, Notts Sport

Members of a bowls club are celebrating after securing their first qualifications as coaches that will encourage more players to get involved in the sport. Maurice Price, Richard Bailey, Val Finch, Sue Bailey, Meryl Hudson and Richard Teare from Rushcliffe Indoor Bowls Club have all achieved their Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Bowls.

The six members received support from Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Coach Scholarship Scheme last year with 50 per cent support towards the training costs, match funded by the English Indoor Bowling Association.
It will mean they can now offer more coaching sessions and will be running taster sessions at their Rushcliffe Arena base in the coming months to recruit new members.

Deputy Leader Cllr Debbie Mason met the group to congratulate them on their first step of the coaching ladder. The club’s Publicity Officer Irene Herod was delighted the players have now achieved the qualification.
She said: “This will really help more potential players of all ages to get involved and come and have a go at the sport. Well done to the coaches, they can’t wait to get going and welcome more new players to the club.

“We offer friendly and league matches, internal competitions and social bowling sessions as well as coaching and a dedicated junior section.
“Anyone wishing to join us to have a taster session or to play in our local leagues should email irene.herod@btconnect.com or call 0115 933 5202.”
The news follows investment from Rushcliffe Borough Council last year that saw a new laser levelled floor and carpet to make games faster and fairer at the Arena facility.

Nottingham News

An innovative new machine is improving the way potholes and roads are being repaired in Nottinghamshire as part of a £1.75m investment in new highways equipment by Nottinghamshire County Council. The Roadmaster has been out on the County’s roads this summer and has already made a big impact, allowing Via East Midlands, who manages Nottinghamshire’s highways network on behalf of the county council, to make high quality repairs and ensure that less potholes develop on Nottinghamshire’s roads.
A successful trial of the machinery has been taking place and the county council has now agreed to purchase a brand-new Roadmaster to be delivered ahead of the spring.

The Roadmaster is an all-in-one spray injection chip patching system. It treats surface defects effectively, sealing the target area, filling cracking and removing potholes whilst regulating the surface. It produces a better finish and it reduces the likelihood of road repairs failing prematurely.
Councillor John Cottee, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities and Place Committee chairman at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We’ve been delighted with the positive impact that the new equipment has had on our repairs so far, providing us with another tool to repair and prevent road surface deterioration in the County and significantly improving productivity.

“Road repairs and resurfacing is one of our top priorities and this £1.75m is a long-term investment to save more money further down the line whilst improving the quality of road repairs, increasing productivity and extending the life expectancy of our roads and is another example of our continuing investment in the network.

“The new Roadmaster we have on order is due to be with us by the spring. It has a higher specification than the machine we’re currently using, including an integrated roller to provide an even better finish.” The Roadmaster allows relatively large areas of carriageway to be treated quickly meaning that teams can pull in more lower priority repairs in the process, slowing down the rate at which our roads deteriorate and reducing the need for future re-visits to the same locations.

In addition, the council are introducing mechanised patching, where new and existing equipment will be used together to make patching of larger areas of road, where the road surface has suffered significant deterioration, economically viable and also carry out deeper structural repairs. This will improve the quality of ride for road users as well as the appearance.
The use of both types of equipment across Nottinghamshire will be prioritised and depend on factors such as the type of road and nature of the repair needed, with existing methods of repair continuing across the network.

The county council will continue with its existing approaches to fixing potholes, including find and fix repairs using either Viafix or patching, ensuring the highway remains safe for road users.

“We repaired more than 115,000 potholes in 2018 following a harsh winter and almost 70,000 this year to date. Potholes are a major concern for residents and we’ve listened to this,” added Coun Cottee. “These methods provide us with two new tools in our armoury when it comes to tackling and preventing potholes in the county, further ensuring that we can make the right repair at the right time.” A £20m cash pot was set up by the county council in 2018 to invest in Nottinghamshire’s roads.

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

adidas has announced a limited edition Blackburn SPEZIAL trainer.
The new shoe will be launched at a SPEZIAL exhibition in the town next month – with tens of thousands of people expected to attend. The Blackburn SPZL has been created by Darwen adidas designer Gary Aspden and is the lead release from the adidas Spezial AW19 range. A special run of 200 will sport the Nightsafe logo – with all proceeds from the sale going to the Blackburn charity which helps homeless and vulnerable youngsters and will be exclusively available from the exhibition. The green and red used in its design is inspired by the red rose of Lancashire.

Councillor Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Executive Member for Growth and Development, said: This all came out of a conversation during a chance meeting on the street in Darwen during one of Gary’s visits home.

Since then a lot of work has taken place behind the scenes and it’s just brilliant that the shoe and exhibition is now a reality. I think that says a lot about the attitude we have here, making sure we grasp every opportunity. There is a growing interest in Blackburn from some really talented people, like Gary.

Without a doubt the best creative projects are really driving improvements and now we have a global brand Adidas coming. I’m really looking forward to seeing the town come to life and lots of different people getting involved.
We are also expecting some national and international visitors. Businesses will benefit and also Nightsafe is going to get another boost. The adidas SPEZIAL exhibition will showcase the evolution of adidas footwear past and present in the magnificent Cotton Exchange.

It’ll be part of the first-ever British Textile Biennial – with Blackburn being a hub of events. Curated by Gary, a brand consultant for adidas and designer of the SPEZIAL range, the exhibition features shoes from his personal archive alongside those of other fellow adidas collectors – 1000 pairs of adidas trainers.

Highlights of the exhibition will be numerous versions of the vintage adidas ‘City Series’ models with a full archive of the adidas SPEZIAL range giving context to a new City Series silhouette – the adidas Blackburn SPZL. The adidas Blackburn SPZL is the lead release from the adidas Spezial AW19 range, and is named after the town where Gary spent much of his youth which has been a key inspiration in his work.

A full programme of events including gigs, talks and screenings will take place within the exhibition space, featuring special guests and friends of adidas. All proceeds will go to the Nightsafe charity. Hanon store will have a pop-up space in the exhibition retailing Spezial product.

Lancashire News

New features will be installed along Preston’s main shopping area, to increase public safety. Granite blocks, which people can also sit on, will be installed by Lancashire County Council at key positions along Fishergate and Church Street, from the Minster to the junction with Corporation Street.
The work will start from Monday 30 September to install the new measures.

The plans by the county council have been agreed following discussions with Lancashire Police, to reduce the risk of a serious incident. This will reduce the space for vehicles to mount the pavement, similar to measures used elsewhere in the UK and other countries to deter terrorist incidents.
However this is not in response to any specific threat.
The measures will complement and enhance the ongoing security programme in the city.

These new features will replace the large wooden planters, which were put in as a temporary measure while permanent options were agreed. Reflective sections on the blocks will help their visibility. The temporary planters were installed before Christmas 2017, while permanent plans were put in place. The planters will be offered to local communities around the county, to brighten up local areas.

The blocks have been designed by a specialist company to reduce vehicle access onto the pavement along Fishergate and Church Street, while matching in with the overall street design and integrating with existing security features. Measures will also be added outside the Guild Hall, as part of other improvement work.

Similar safety measures have been put in place in the UK and elsewhere in the world, to deter terrorist incidents. Organisations representing people with visual impairments have been made aware of these proposals. Lancashire Police and Preston City Council have been consulted as part of developing the plans. County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Thousands of people come into Preston every day and we have a responsibility to make sure that they can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

“We’ve taken the time to come up with the design of these safety measures, which places these measures at specific points along the pavement to reduce the chance of an incident involving a vehicle taking place.
“We’re bringing in these safety measures based on discussions with the police, but it’s important for people to know that this not due to any specific threat. We’re replacing our planters, which were always temporary.
“It’s important that any measures are proportionate, and that we can still carry on with our normal daily lives.”

Chief Inspector Steve Sansbury from Lancashire Police, who is responsible for local policing in Preston, said “Whilst these enhanced safety measures are not in response to any specific threat towards our communities in Preston, it is only right and proper that local agencies continually work together to review the measures that are in place, and where appropriate take sensible steps to ensure that the public utilising the city centre, for both business and pleasure, are as safe as possible”

Councillor Robert Boswell, Cabinet member for environment at Preston City Council, said: “The public realm improvements to Fishergate and Church Street over recent years have vastly enhanced the environment for visitors to Preston.

“They will further improve pedestrian safety for those enjoying the shopping offer and night time economy, or for those just passing through the area. “I am pleased that the materials to be used will be sympathetic to those used previously and that a balanced and proportionate approach is being taken to where the new features will be installed.”