. December 2021 - Page 4 of 4 - Wilcop Media

December 2021

Nottingham News, Notts Sport

Nottingham Forest are pleased to announce new plans for the further redevelopment of the club’s training facilities at Wilford Lane. Central to the plans are a new two-storey building and enhanced facilities at The Nigel Doughty Academy. The new academy building will include fourteen changing rooms, three classrooms, gym, physio room, analysis suite, guest parents’ lounge and canteen facilities, plus additional on-site car parking.

The latest plans are in line with the club’s ongoing investment in the facilities at Wilford Lane which earlier this season saw the enhancement of the show pitch to include a new playing surface and goals, LED floodlights, perimeter fence and dug outs to meet the club’s conditional Category One Academy licence obligations. The plans will be submitted via the formal planning process with Rushcliffe Borough Council, with a decision expected in the New Year.

Commenting on the plans, Nottingham Forest Chairman, Nicholas Randall, QC, said: “This is another important milestone in enhancing the infrastructure of the club by Mr Marinakis, in line with our long-term aspirations. “In addition to his continued investment in the playing staff, we are very grateful for the owner’s continued generosity and his vision for how he wants the football club to evolve.

“We undertook a strategic review of the options for developing our training facilities, including assessing other potential locations. We have concluded that Wilford Lane, which has been our home for over 20 years, provides the ideal footprint for us to improve and further integrate our first team and academy operations. This integration is essential to the culture and philosophy we are seeking to develop at the club. “Everything we do as a club is geared towards continually improving standards to provide the best possible environment for us to progress and this latest investment by Mr Marinakis is another example of that. “We are proud of the club’s long history in developing players through the academy to the first team and, as evidenced by this investment, it remains integral to the footballing strategy of the club.”

THE PETER TAYLOR STAND UPDATE
The club is also pleased to update supporters on latest developments on the plans for the new Peter Taylor Stand.
The club has recently submitted updated proposals to Rushcliffe Borough Council for a sustainable and environmentally friendly travel plan for visitors to The City Ground, including cycle, foot, bus, and traffic initiatives.
Chairman, Nicholas Randall, QC, said: “As we anticipated from the outset, the new stand has been a complex project. The location of The City Ground is one of the many features of our home that makes it unique and so loved by our supporters, but it also provides logistical challenges which have required careful consideration working in partnership with the local councils and the community.

“Like all our supporters, we are keen to conclude the planning process as soon as we can as we are excited about the transformational impact this will have on our supporter matchday experience. We hope these updated sustainable plans will pave the way for a full and final planning submission in the new year. We will continue to keep supporters updated on progress on this important project.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Rochdale Borough Council has put in place a support programme to help thousands of vulnerable residents and families with essentials this winter. As a key part of its support offer, the council is using £2.3 million from the government’s Household Support Fund to provide:-

• Targeted support for low income households, through provision of free school meals for eligible families over the Christmas holiday, February half-term and Easter holiday
• Delivery of a household fund, where people can access shopping and fuel vouchers
• Targeted support for older residents in receipt of council tax support
• A package of housing energy support

The council will also be working with partners across the borough, including the voluntary sector, community groups and charities, to ensure those most in need receive targeted assistance. Older residents who qualify for council tax support have already been contacted by the council and will receive their first payment by Friday 17 December 2021, benefitting over 7,000 households.

Additionally, the borough’s successful community warehouse, which has been in place throughout the pandemic, will continue to provide food parcels, cleaning products, nappies, baby food and other essential supplies for families and older people.

Councillors have ensured food vouchers will continue to be provided for lower income families over Christmas, February half-term and Easter. Families will be contacted directly and it will be targeted at over 12,500 children in the borough eligible for free school meals or identified through children’s services. In addition, the Holiday Activity Fund will be running over Christmas, providing activities and food for children on free school meals.

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of the council, said: “Throughout the pandemic we have been committed to supporting and protecting our most vulnerable residents. This wide-ranging and targeted assistance builds on our innovative work over the last 20 months. It’s a real partnership effort, utilising our strong community networks, to deliver for those residents who most need our help. I am proud of what we have delivered for our residents, but there is still a lot to do which is reflected in our decision to reach out even further.”

He added: “As a responsible and progressive council, it’s important we help to ensure that no resident should go hungry, is unable to heat their house, or feed their family this winter. Almost 28,000 Universal Credit claimants in our borough have recently lost £20 per week. That is money to put food on the table and heat their homes. This package goes someway to offset the hardship that cut will cause, especially as the cost of food, fuel and other essentials is increasing. We have a proud history in our borough of ensuring the vulnerable households and older residents are protected. I would urge anyone who could benefit from this winter help to get in touch as soon as possible.”
Households who are in particular need are being encouraged to get in touch, to see what assistance could be available for them.

• View available winter support on: www.rochdale.gov.uk/wintersupport
• You can also phone the council’s hotline number on 01706 923685, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, for help and further information.

Lancashire News

The High Court has quashed a Planning Inspector’s decision to allow a developer to build 39 homes in Ribble Valley.
In Ribble Valley Borough Council v the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Oakmere Homes, His Honour Judge Bird ruled that the council’s application of local planning policy had been correct.
The council applied to the High Court to quash a decision by the Planning Inspectorate to allow an appeal by Oakmere Homes to build the houses at the junction of Chatburn Road and Pimlico Link Road in Clitheroe.

The council argued that the inspector had erred in law when making his decision on the basis that he had misinterpreted local planning policy set out in its Core Strategy. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said he agreed with the council and did not participate in the hearing. Ribble Valley Borough Council’s Core Strategy aims to protect open countryside from development. And the successful delivery and defence of the Core Strategy was fundamental in the council’s decision to challenge the inspector’s decision.

In his ruling, His Honour Judge Bird quashed the decision by planning inspector Graham Robbie, saying: “The inspector’s decision is firmly rooted in a misunderstanding of the policy and so must be quashed.” Nicola Hopkins, Ribble Valley Borough Council’s director of economic development and planning, said: “Our Core Strategy sets out what can be built in the borough and where, shaping infrastructure investments and determining future development.
“It seeks to direct housing to sustainable locations and protect the borough’s open countryside, which is a top priority.
“This ruling confirms the correct application of our Core Strategy and that development in the countryside will only be allowed when justified by local need.”

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stephen Atkinson said: “Our officers work hard to ensure the right type of development takes place in the right locations across the borough and we welcome this judgment, which has supported and protected our Core Strategy.

Judge Bird found in favour of Ribble Valley Borough Council and awarded costs against the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Oakmere Homes.
The matter will now be referred back to the Planning Inspectorate for reconsideration.

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Every day 123 foster families from across Blackburn with Darwen are giving 246 fostered children and young people a loving, secure and stable home and this commitment has been ongoing throughout the pandemic.
This is why a ‘thank you celebration’ event for children and their carers was held recently. The ‘Let’s Get Back Together’ day was organised by the Foster Carers Association and held at the TIPIS at Riley Green where foster carers were celebrated for all the work that they do.

The children had many activities to enjoy after being unable to take part in group activities for so long.
A foster child who attended said: It was absolutely phenomenal, definitely a day to remember. The Foster carers that attended the event were also very appreciative, Peter, who fosters for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: I would like to thank Children’s Services for funding such a much needed event for all our children of all ages, I spent all afternoon watching all of their smiling faces, even the babies there. A massive thank you to all of the Foster Carers Association for all their time put in to organising this. We even managed to have the weather. Great work to all the carers for making the effort to give all the children a much-needed boost. Thanks again.

Claire another foster carer who attended the event echoed the gratitude: It was a fab day, well organised event, looking forward to future ones. Kiddies big and small loved it. A big well done to the organisers.

Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: The Foster Carers Association (FCA) arranged the most wonderful event at the Tipis and it was fantastic to see so many of our children and young people having fun, tackling the assault course, face painting, enjoying the circus skills, the climbing wall and the delicious food too. The weather was great, it really was a perfect day for everyone to spend time together, the care, support of our carers is clear for all to see, we know how lucky we are in BwD to have them, and that is why we were keen to support the celebration. My thanks go to everyone who helped to organise the day, the FCA and Children’s Services, Young People’s Services and special thanks too to the Tipis for hosting our party at such a beautiful venue. The ‘Lets Foster’ team have also recently launched a Health and Wellbeing fortnight. The aim was to make sure foster carers in BwD are provided with the right support with a focus on how we look after each other and ourselves.

The fostering service wants to ensure that foster carers are given every opportunity to maintain and flourish with positive health and wellbeing for themselves. In December, the FCA will be hosting a Christmas Party at The Legends Lounge at Blackburn Rovers. This will be open to all Blackburn with Darwen foster carers and families, as well as our fostering staff.

Focus for recruitment over the Christmas Period will be for Emergency Foster Carers. Special carers who could take a child or young person at a moment’s notice. This could be after school for one night or over a weekend until arrangements have been made for a more permanent solution. Emergency foster carers normally have other jobs but are able to help us help a child or young person when they need them most.

Jayne Ivory, Director of Children’s Services added: Foster carers accomplish incredible things every day, even in the face of a global crisis that has affected every one of us and impacted all aspects of our society. Despite the practical and emotional challenges that the pandemic is bringing, foster carers continue to provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children and young people who can’t live with their birth families. They support children and young people’s education, health, and social wellbeing, and help to maintain the children’s relationship with the people who are important to them. Blackburn with Darwen urgently needs more foster carers to make sure fostered children can live with the right foster carer for them. Short break or emergency foster care also allows foster carers to build their experience and confidence so if you’ve ever considered fostering please get in touch.

For more information regarding Fostering visit https://www.letsfoster.co.uk/ or call 0800 328 6919

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Chris Maxwell was pleased to get back in a ‘match scenario’ by featuring in a game against Huddersfield Town’s B side this afternoon.

The goalkeeper, sidelined with a quadricep tear since early October, got a valuable 65 minutes between the sticks in a 2-2 draw at the Terriers’ training ground, which saw CJ Hamilton and Tyreece John-Jules on target for the Seasiders. “It was good to blow the cobwebs off and get back in a match scenario. It was much-needed and felt really good. My body is fine and it’s great to be back,” the Blackpool skipper admitted. “It was going to be a long process (returning from injury). It took longer than I anticipated, but it’s quite normal for a thigh injury for a goalkeeper to take that much time. The physio and the gaffer have built me up slowly and I feel great.”

Sitting out nine first-team fixtures isn’t something the 31-yeer-old is particularly used to, however he’s tried to put the time to good use and support his team-mates in a different way. “I’m not used to missing games, and it has been difficult at times, but that’s part and parcel of football. I’ve been fortunate enough to be fit for pretty much my whole career. I’ve now learnt from the process and I’m glad to be back,” he said.

“I’ve still tried to be influential in the dressing room, even though I’ve not been on the pitch. I always try to help the players playing and those not in the squad to the best of my ability. It’s been different, but I’ve enjoyed that different type of leadership.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Manchester Storm are delighted to announce the signing of blueliner Medric Mercier, most recently of Glasgow Clan (EIHL).

The defenceman made his EIHL debut with Glasgow earlier this month and is now available for selection in Manchester, as the 25-year-old looks to continue his professional hockey career within the Elite League. Mercier comes from strong junior hockey pedigree with 178 OHL games between Soo Greyhounds and Oshawa Generals, in the process rubbing shoulders with current NHL skaters such as: Darnell Nurse; Nick Ritchie; Jared McCann; Tony DeAngelo and Anthony Cirelli. After a successful major junior career, Mercier spent three years representing University of Ottawa making 73 appearances and producing 37 points (17G 20A).

Then, like many, the young Canadian spent a year out of the game before heading over to the Elite League. Head Coach, Ryan Finnerty, had this to say about his newest Storm signing: “At 6ft3 and 100kg…Merc fits the bills for playing on our ice-pad. He has had a brief taste of life in the league, with the Clan, and he is hungry to make things work in the professional game. He comes from excellent hockey stock…the Greyhounds and Generals produce excellent all-round players with a high hockey IQ.

Having the option to bring in Merc so quickly worked perfectly for both parties and we are looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table here in Manchester. In terms of our current position, I have always looked to leave enough in the budget to make changes; put pressure on roster spots and build flexibility into the line-up. I feel it is really important to do this as we head into the busiest part of the campaign and bringing in guys with a point to prove is something that has worked well for us in the past.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Joe Rodwell-Grant’s loan deal with Bamber Bridge has been extended until 1st January 2022. The 19-year-old initially joined Jamie Milligan’s side on a month-long deal, which came to an end last weekend, but he will now stay on at league leaders Brig until the new year.

Joe, alongside fellow PNE first-year professional Lewis Coulton, has been heavily involved in recent weeks for the Northern Premier League Premier Division side, opening his account for them in a recent 4-1 victory over Witton Albion. He will now look to carry on gaining minutes and experience with the table toppers and continue their push for promotion.

Best of luck for the rest of your loan spell, Joe!

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Rovers’ home fixture against Middlesbrough in the New Year has been moved to a new date after being selected for live TV broadcast.

The game against Chris Wilder’s side, which was due to be played on Saturday January 22nd, will now take place at Ewood Park on Monday January 24th, kick-off 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium earlier in the season, as Sam Gallagher’s superb strike was cancelled out by Jonny Howson.

Last season’s corresponding fixture at Ewood Park, which was also shown live on Sky Sports, ended in a goalless draw.