Entries for IRONMAN UK 2021 will open to all athletes this Thursday (July 16) at 1pm. The gruelling triathlon – made up of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, followed by a marathon – will take place in and around Bolton on July 4, 2021.
The borough has proudly hosted the IRONMAN event since 2009. Unfortunately, this year’s event could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “Ironman is a huge test of endurance and one of the ultimate challenges anyone can take on.
“Our borough has been hosting this brilliant event for many years now, and we are looking forward to welcoming all our athletes and spectators.
“We hope to see everyone who was going to take part this year, and we will be working with IRONMAN to make next year’s events the best yet.”
IRONMAN UK Race Director, Sam Brawn, added: “We have been working hard to make sure that next year’s race is even bigger and better.
“We cannot wait to once again experience the thrill of racing and to welcome all the athletes and supporters to the 2021 race!”
Entries will be limited. For more information and to register visit https://www.ironman.com/im-uk-register.
Bolton will also be hosting the 5k Night Run on July 2 and IRONKIDS on July 3.
More details about registration for these races will be released at a later date.
Farnworth residents welcomed some new arrivals this week, the first of dozens of trees to be planted across the borough under Bolton Council’s Cleaner and Greener commitment.
Cabinet member Cllr Adele Warren was on hand as 20 new trees were planted in Farnworth Park on Tuesday (July 14).
The project received a grant from the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge, which will also see trees planted in Little Lever Memorial Gardens, Queens Park and Old Station Park in Horwich.
The grant was met with £25,000 of match-funding from Bolton Council.
Bolton Council’s Cleaner and Greener commitment has seen £1.5m set aside for various projects to improve public areas and green spaces across the borough.
This includes an overall total of £150,000 for new trees across the borough, with a much bigger planting programme planned for next planting season.
Cllr Warren, the Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services Delivery, said:
“Trees play an invaluable role by supporting wildlife, capturing carbon and releasing oxygen into the environment.
“These new trees will greatly improve the natural environment which has such a positive impact on the physical and mental health of our residents.
“That is why we have committed £1.5m to improving the local environment, £150,000 of which is being used to plant even more trees in our parks and public spaces.
“On top of this, we will continue to bid for extra funding from projects like the Urban Tree Challenge so we can plant as many trees as possible across Bolton.
“I am thrilled that Farnworth Park is the first to receive new trees. I hope it is just the beginning of good news for the town as we wait for the result of the Future High Streets Fund bid.”
The council’s Cleaner and Greener fund has also paid for new mowers and future initiatives include the creation of wildflower meadows and new benches and bins in parks.
Keaton Jennings, Jos Buttler and Matt Parkinson have been selected for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka next month. Three Lancashire players have been selected in a 16-man squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting at Galle on 19 March. Opener Keaton Jennings has earned a recall to the national side, with Jos Buttler and Matt Parkinson retaining their places from the recent series win over South Africa. Jennings returns to the England fold for the first time since the West Indies tour a year ago.
The left-hander will be looking to add to his 17 Test caps, which includes two centuries – both scored in the subcontinent – on debut in Mumbai in 2016 and a superb 146 not out against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2018. Buttler featured in all four of the Tests against South Africa, while Parkinson will be hopeful of a maiden Test cap in traditionally spin-friendly conditions after being a part of both Test tours this winter. James Anderson, who is recovering from a cracked rib sustained in January during the second Test in Cape Town against South Africa, will continue to condition and prepare ahead of the start of the English season.
Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said: “The selection panel has supported continuity after a successful series victory in South Africa. “The South Africa tour marked the emergence of a very exciting group of young players, creating a nice balance with an experienced core of senior players.
That squad is mostly retained, with some tweaks to the squad relevant to injury, rest and the challenges of playing in sub-continent conditions. “Jimmy Anderson will continue to work with Lancashire and the ECB so that he is ready for the start of the County Championship season leading into the Test series against the West Indies in June.” The two-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. Joe Root’s team currently stand in third place and will be looking to close in on India and Australia, who are currently leading the standings. The top two teams at the end of the two-year cycle will compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final in England in June 2021.
2020 England v Pakistan Test tickets Shah, one of the most exciting young bowlers in international cricket, is expected to play a big part in the series against England this summer. There is now limited availability for Day Two of England’s Specsavers Test match against Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford between Thursday 7 to Monday 11 August.
Midfielder Mace Goodridge has signed a new contract with the Clarets, extending his stay at Turf Moor until the summer of 2021. The central midfielder, who joined the Clarets in the summer of 2018, is a regular for the club’s U23 side and was named on substitutes bench for the first team at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League earlier this season.
Goodridge, 20, originally started out at Manchester City, before spending two years at Newcastle United in the youth team, where he played alongside current Magpies midfielder Matty Longstaff.
After an initial trial spell with the Clarets towards the end of the 2017/18 season, Goodridge then signed a first professional deal at Turf Moor, before going onto feature for the first team in pre-season of 2018/19. A serious knee-injury cut the season short in October last season, but after successful surgery, Goodridge signed a contract extension and was back in action for the U23s in September last year, where he has been a key figure since returning.
Goodridge smiled: “I’m really happy, to get it over the line, I’ve worked hard to get back from my injury, so I’m delighted to get it done. “Obviously, I have been in and around the first team a couple of times and that’s where I want to be. “You can see how well the first team lads have done, come through a tough patch against top teams recently and I want to be a part of that someday.
“I really enjoy being here, it’s my third season here now and I’m delighted to be here for a fourth come pre-season. “And although I have been to a few clubs, I really feel like I have found a home here and I’m ready to kick on.”
Registration has opened for the 2020 Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon and 10K – and prices have been cut for an early bird offer. Entry for the half marathon is reduced by £8 and there’s £4 off the 10K for entries received by Tuesday, 31 March 2020. Over 200 people have already signed up for the popular event, which returns on Sunday, 4 October 2020. ‘Demand for 2020 places is already strong’ Races will start and finish by the Grade 1-listed Rochdale Town Hall, they will be chip-timed on fully-marshalled traffic-free courses, with a technical t-shirt and medal handed out to finishers.
Since 2015 over 5,800 people have taken part in the event, which takes in town and picturesque countryside scenes like Hollingworth Lake. The courses are relatively flat too, so they’re great for personal bests. Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture said:
“The event proved popular again last year and demand for 2020 places is already strong. The support and camaraderie was amazing with a friendly atmosphere, many personal bests achieved and thousands raised for good causes. We can’t wait to put on another incredible day and look forward to welcoming runners of all levels this October. Our early bird discount should encourage more people to secure their places.”
Half marathon places now cost £23.40 for club-runners, £25.40 for non-club runners, while the 10K is £16.60 for club runners, £18.60 for non-club runners. Fun Run entry opens in June 2020.
The annual event is co-ordinated by Rochdale Harriers, Middleton Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club, supported by Rochdale Borough Council.
Policing Lancashire is no easy task. It takes a huge number of people from all sorts of different backgrounds with a wide range of skills and experience. Do you have what it takes to be one of them? Lancashire Police are planning to open Police Officer applications in Spring 2020.
In the meantime, if you would like to receive confirmation of the opening date for Police Officer applications and useful information about becoming a Police Officer, you can register your interest at www.lancashire.police.uk/JoinUs
What’s Life Like as a Police Constable? All new Police Constables at Lancashire Police spend their first 2 years working on emergency response.
You’ll find yourself: • Providing a police presence in town centres on a Friday night • Responding to domestic violence incidents • Helping people who are going through a mental health crisis.
It’s a 24/7 service. That means you’ll be providing support around the clock including weekends and during the holidays.
It’s fast paced. Lots of Police Officers thrive off the fast paced business of responding to emergencies and stay in ‘response’ for many years. Others find a different area that interests them and go on to specialise.
This could be: • Supporting victims of abuse • Solving serious crimes • Working in counter terrorism • Preventing cyber crime.
It’s supported. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a full training programme to get you started. We also offer defined pathways to help you to meet your career goals.
It’s diverse. Here in Lancashire we are working towards a workforce that better represents the communities we serve. This will ensure we are better able to respond to and meet the needs of our local communities and better understand all cultures and lifestyles.
In May 1989, Mary Lee founded a small company dedicated to providing a personal and person-centred care service in Alcester, enabling its customers to remain in the comfort of their own home while still receiving the support that they needed.
Since then, Helping Hands has opened 97 branches across the UK alongside a dedicated Support Centre in the small Warwickshire town it was founded. With an exceptional level of carer training and a team of dedicated clinical nurses and dementia specialists, Helping Hands is the only homecare provider that has been endorsed as a Centre of Excellence by Skills for Care, as well as being fully licensed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Whether you need a 30-minute drop-in to help you prepare your meal, or more complex and intensive support that involves overnight or live-in care, the Helping Hands team will provide you with a dedicated support plan that is tailored to you and your individual needs. Regardless of your requirements, the carers at Helping Hands are fully trained and experienced in supporting a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, ADHD and neurological conditions such as MS and motor neurone disease.
Helping Hands is also one of the UK’s leading dementia care specialists, offering extensive knowledge in dementia care and fully-trained carers to support you and your loved ones while enabling you to remain comfortable in the familiarities of your own home.
Since it was founded 30 years ago, Helping Hands remains a family-run business that is now managed by Mary’s sons, Tim and Ben. When asked about the progress of Helping Hands in the industry, Mary said: “I started Helping Hands as I believed there was a gap in care for the community that social services could not provide. I had no idea we would grow to such a large caring family.”
Born out of a passion for hospitality and fantastic customer service, Martin and Rachel decided it was time for them to bite the bullet and “Go for it”! Both Martin & Rachel started their careers in hospitality, Martin as a chef and Rachel front of house supervisor, in the restaurant and on the bar.
Their careers were leading to running their own business, when, whilst pregnant, complications occurred and their eldest Jake, was born 13 weeks early. Rachel decided to give up her career, as Jake was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and left confined to a wheelchair. The couple put their plans for a business on hold, and 2 more children later, Martin and Rachel have a fantastic family with 3 amazing children, Jake, Olivia and Isaac. Martin moved into Hospitality training and Rachel brought up the children and became Jakes full time carer.
Then, in the autumn of 2018, things were about to take a turn…………… After watching a section on “This Morning” Rachel came up with an idea to convert a vintage horsebox into a bar that specialises in Gin. With Martin still heavily involved in the hospitality industry as a hospitality trainer, he was up to date with current trends, legislation and with a backlog of contacts in the industry, the idea quickly developed into a passion and so Hilda was born! With their colossal knowledge of Gin, they decided this was the area they would like to specialise in.
After getting in touch with a few conversion companies, they decided to go with “Bespoke Conversions” in Widnes and after meeting Paula and Mark, they knew they had made the right choice. Bespoke Conversions sourced us a vintage “Rice Beaufort” horsebox, she was rescued from a field and at over 55 years old, she needed a little TLC. Rachel designed the trailer, from the colour, the layout, fixtures and fittings, wallpaper and accessories, Paula and Mark got to it and 5 months later, she was ready to roll. They decided to focus on local producers and suppliers, “We love the Ribble Valley” said the couple, “and being from Clitheroe, we have the best suppliers on our doorstep”.
They have travelled the UK and seen many establishments, bars, restaurants, pubs, etc… all serving Gin is various ways, from the perfect serve to personal preference, at the end of the day, it’s down to the customers taste when it comes to mixers and garnish. So, the bar carries a wide selection of Gins, over 40 from around the UK and afar and every flavour of mixer you can think of to accompany your preferred Gin. “We will always give our opinion and personal taste to Gin, but we make sure we tailor it to the customers preference, after all, the customer is always right!”
The Tipsy Truck Co are also passionate about the environment, so all their accessories are recyclable and environmentally friendly, from their cups, straws and stirrers, to the cardboard they receive their deliveries in, it’s all handled and disposed of safely and responsibly. The Tipsy Truck has a 5-star rating for Food Safety and Martin has his personal licence for the sale of alcohol, so you’re in good hands!
They have fabulous family and friends who have helped them out, their cousins keep Hilda safe and sound on their farm, their parents help with the accounts and maintenance, their close friends who have a Clitheroe pub and keep us informed of new stock lines. “We have our fantastic kids who help with setting up and serving”.
Their daughter Olivia has worked in restaurants and hotels, so she helps them at busy events whilst taking time out from her studies at University at Chester, Isaac helps them to set up for events and Jake keeps things organised at home, he also helps Rachel write the menu boards and corrects any spelling mistakes (he takes absolute pleasure in correcting her!). Jake enjoys books and literature and is hoping to become a famous author one day……watch this space!
Below is “Our story” taken from the website – www.tipsytruck.co.uk. “We are The Tipsy Truck Co, passionately known as “Hilda” She is a vintage Rice trailer, lovingly converted bespoke to our specification. We can provide all your beverage requirements, served by our professional and qualified team from Hilda whatever the occasion.
We are really happy to attend any event, weddings, festivals, Christmas markets, etc… anywhere we can park up, we will attend and provide and excellent service and quality beverages.
We are fully licensed and H&S/Food safety qualified and we have both worked in Hospitality for over 30 years combined. We are a husband and wife team, both passionate about the industry and providing excellent customer service and with a good dose of humour, you won’t be disappointed with our service and products. Our Hilda is stylish, trendy and will fit any occasion, whether it’s a large festival, or a family gathering, a wedding or a corporate event, we will tailor it to fit your preference. We will even personalise Hilda with your colour scheme or we will add your favourite “Tipple” on our bar menu, we can be as bespoke as Hilda is, nothing is too much trouble!”
As a business, we can offer so much more than just a bar, our tariffs below can be made to suit your needs and whatever your budget, we can work around this o make your event magical!
The options are. Cash Bar – We turn up fully stocked, staffed, and ready to go. Guests pay for their drinks as they would at any event or bar.
Dry Bar – Hire the “Tipsy Truck” and bar staff, fill her up with your drinks, accompaniments, etc… and we’ll do the rest! Or we can source the drink supplies for you, a small fee will be charged to cover this additional service.
Complimentary bar – We will serve your guests up to the arranged limit, once it’s gone, you can either top up the amount or we will revert to a cash bar where guests buy their own.
The couple have a wealth of contacts from the industry, from chefs to mixologists, wine experts to BBQ Kings (or Queens!), whatever you need, we can source it for you!
Additional services. Glass hire Arrival drinks for wedding receptions, etc… Canape service Food caterers sourced Additional staff for your event. Indoor “Pop-up-Bar” new for summer 2020! Nothing is impossible………….
Their recent Christmas events have been amazing, “We have made some amazing trader friends and met some fantastic people along the way, plus a huge variety of dogs, so we are always on hand with a bowl of water and bucket full of doggy treats!” Their own special recipe for “Mulled Gin” was warmly received, with a choice of flavours, they can even “pimp” up your winter warmer to and kept the Christmas shoppers in the festive spirit. Rachel also developed the Tipsy “Gin-Secco” which has been very popular at their events.
So, what’s new for 2020! “We are gearing up to move into the wedding trade, we have already had interest from Marquee and Tipi wedding companies around the North West and will be involved with a local company with their marketing campaign, so that will be exciting”. “We feel Hilda will be a fabulous addition to any wedding day, she can be decorated in the brides and grooms colour scheme, we can have arrival drinks and canapes, full bar option and we can even make up a drinks menu of all the happy couples favourite drinks, nothing is too much trouble for us to make their day that little bit more special.
We have plans for an indoor “Pop-up–Bar” option, this will mean that we can bring all our service indoors for smaller events or customers who are unable to have Hilda at their event. It will be the same service, same quality drinks, but all indoors, so the weather will have no effect on the event or special occasion. We can even place the bar under cover outdoors, this way we can supply a bar for any situation, occasion and event to our customers needs”.
They are also looking to expand to another horsebox bar, “We haven’t yet decided on the service we will provide yet, but I’m sure it will be fantastic and we can’t wait for what the future holds for the Tipsy Truck Co!” If you would like “Hilda” to attend your event, help you to plan your big day and bring a little “Hilda magic” to your special occasion, then give us a call and we can create a bespoke package for you.
“We look forward to joining you on your special day or at your fabulous event!” Martin & Rachel Houghton The Tipsy Truck Co Clitheroe Lancashire 07368692633/07590477626 enquiries@tipsytruck.co.uk www.tipsytruck.co.uk Facebook – The Tipsy Truck Company Instagram – tipsytruckco (#tipsytruck) Twitter – @TruckTipsy
Planning a day out? Discover incredible things to do in North Wales But where to begin? Well, the north east of Wales has plenty of history and is home to North Wale’s only World Heritage Site. The coastal regions like Colwyn Bay and Conwy have excellent beaches and family attractions. You’ll find adventure in the mountains of Snowdonia & stunning locations along the Llyn Peninsula.
Picture this. An abandoned quarry, once the world’s largest, turned into the world’s fastest zip zone. Or how about the world’s first manmade surf lagoon delivering consistent two metre waves. You can even scale to Britain’s lowest point, deep beneath the mountain’s of Snowdonia. With all this, it’s no surprise that North Wales has a growing reputation as being the adventure capital of the UK. Underground, on ground or above ground, be prepared for an unforgettable adventure in North Wales.
But it’s not all about flying through the air. There are plenty of things to do in North Wales snd Betws-y-Coed for example that don’t require a helmet or wetsuit. The region has an incredibly rich and eventful history & heritage – which has to be explored. Medieval castles dominate historic towns, historical structures can be seen across the region & you can even explore a 4,000 year-old mine! For a comprehensive look at the regions history, be sure to visit North Wales’ intriguing museums.
For families, North Wales and Llandudno in particular has a great array of attractions. Adventure parks provide an array of things to do in North Wales including roller coasters, slides and experiences. For a day of discovery, head to one of the regions zoos & aquariums – here, the kids can be introduced to animals from all over the world. With so much going on, you might forget to take it all in so why not make your stay a bit longer? Whether you are looking for seaside hotels, traditional bed and breakfasts, quirky glamping and campsites, family friendly holiday and carvan parks or just basic self catering accommodation, all needs and tastes are catered for in North Wales!
And in terms of dining out, Don’t worry. With a wide variety of excellent restaurants, pubs and bars to choose from, you can be certain your stay in North Wales will be a fantastic one!
Grab a cauldron and create the perfect spell! Young sorcerers are invited for a day of Magick and Mayhem at Selby library to help a trapped witch break free. Based on the bestselling children’s series, The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol, Selby library has created an escape room for budding witches and wizards aged seven to 11.
In teams of five, players will enter the world of Arianwyn, the apprentice witch, and try to save her from her nemesis, Gimma. By solving puzzles and quizzes read by James, they will need to find the right spell to release Arianwyn and escape from the room. James Nicol, author and library supervisor, said: “It’s very exciting to see my books being adapted into an escape room event. I’m a huge fan of board games and escape rooms, so this is a dream come true. I’m really excited to be involved with being a virtual presence dishing out helpful clues to the participants.”
The escape room is running on Monday, 17 February, with morning and afternoon slots. Tickets cost £2.50 and must be pre-booked. The Magick and Mayhem programme of activities is continuing on Friday, 21 February, from 10am to 4pm, when York Bird of Prey will bring owls to the library. At 4pm, James Nicol will talk about the world of The Apprentice Witch, sign books and host the game show Which Witch is Which?
Tickets for the talk (ages 6+) are £2.50 and must be pre-booked. Anybody who is taking part in the escape room will be able to buy tickets for £1. “If you’re looking for something to entertain the kids this half term I would urge you to support your local library and get involved in these unique events,” said County Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Libraries. “We are very lucky to have James as a member of our library staff, willing to share his writing skills and helping to run the exciting escape room.
The game gives children the chance to socialise and test their problem-solving skills with a magical twist.” For more information and to book your tickets, contact Selby library.
