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Lancashire News

Councillors selected the new first citizen for Chorley with the Mayor becoming a first for Lancashire.​​​ Councillor Hasina Khan will become the first female Asian Mayor in Lancashire after being the first Asian woman elected to serve as a councillor in Lancashire, back in 2006. Councillor Khan, who represents the Chorley East ward, is very much looking forward to the year with a focus on promoting inclusion across the borough. “It’s a great honour for me and I am really excited to start my year as Mayor,” said Councillor Khan.“I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of different people and having grown up in Chorley it’s going to be great to learn more about what’s happening in the borough as you don’t always get to hear about all the brilliant things that are going on here.

“I’ll be continuing the work we’ve been doing to unite communities, as well as the promoting of equality across the Chorley Borough.” Hasina moved to Chorley from India in the mid-60s with her mother to meet her father who was working in the mills here in Chorley. She attended local schools St James’s Primary School and Albany High School (now Albany Academy), before starting her career as a freelancer for Radio Lancashire and for Pakistan-based newspaper Daily Jang.

In the mid to late 90s, Hasina trained as a Youth Officer working for Lancashire County Council. She went on to manage the advice centre for young people and trained at Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) as a generalist advisor and first outreach officer. Before being elected as councillor in 2006, she also served as governor at both her former primary and secondary school as well as chairing the Duke Street Children’s Centre.

In 2015, Hasina received much deserved credit for her work in the community and particularly for her focus on community cohesion; when she was awarded the High Sheriff Award by, the then High Sheriff, Amanda Parker. The award follows 13 years of work as the founder of the Saheliyaan Asian Women’s Forum, a group setup to provide support to address women’s needs. In 2017 she was also then elected onto Lancashire County Council. “We are a very close-knit family, and the support my family has shown has really helped me to achieve what I have over the years,” said Councillor Khan. ​“It’s a really exciting time to be in Chorley with all the new developments that will open during my Mayoral year and I will do my best to represent the borough and continue the good work of the previous Mayor who has done a fantastic job.”

One of Hasina’s children is already well-known in local politics as her daughter Zara who, works in the NHS as a nurse by day, was elected as a councillor back in 2016.

The Mayor’s Consort will be her husband Zafar and her chosen charities for the year are: Derian House Children’s Hospice, Home-Start Central Lancashire, Royal British Legion (Chorley branch) and EPIC.​​

Nottingham News

A fire has caused over £30,000 worth of damage to Arnot Hill Park play area and the council are asking for any witnesses to come forward. The fire, which is believed to have been caused deliberately, has damaged the main tower slide in the children’s park and could cost £32,000 to repair. The park is expected to be closed for at least a week whilst the slide is removed.

The incident has been reported to Nottinghamshire Police and CCTV in the park is being looked at by the council’s Public Protection team. The park was refurbished in June 2018 after it received £124,000 external funding thanks to a joint bid to WREN from the council and the Friends of Arnot Hill Park group. If anyone saw anything that could help find who did this, please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Deputy Chief Executive, Mike Hill said;

“This is an appalling act of vandalism on a children’s play area. We are working with the police to catch whoever did this damage and are studying the park’s CCTV for any evidence. If anybody saw anything please contact the Police.”

Lancashire News

Great teams need a great foundation, investing in your team is investing in your business and your customers. Training is a fantastic way of ensuring your team have the right skills and knowledge to deliver an outstanding service. Paisley Training and Consultancy is a local training provider and consultancy company covering the North West.

The company was set up by Mark Tierney and Tracey Highland who deliver all the training and consultancy services themselves. We believe in delivering exceptional training that is focussed on meeting the development needs of your team.

Having experience of managing services means that we understand the needs of services and clients. We want to share our experience and our passion for providing high quality services for clients. Mark has particular expertise in Deaf awareness and British Sign Language as he has worked in Deaf services for over ten years. Mark has managed a range of care services including residential care and domiciliary care and has been a Registered Manager.

Tracey has over twenty years management experience gained in the housing, care and charity sectors. Tracey has considerable experience and expertise in managing safeguarding having been a safeguarding lead and has been delivering safeguarding training for ten years.
Your team needs the knowledge and expertise to deliver a high quality service; we deliver innovative training sessions so why not allocate someone from your team to become a Safeguarding Champion or an exceptional Activities Co-ordinator. Join one of our open courses in Bolton, St Helens, Kirkham or Kendal.

You may prefer to have courses delivered in your workplace on topics such as Safeguarding, Management Team Development or Care Quality Commission (CQC) Compliance. Check out our website for a full list of training or contact us to discuss your requirements.

Nottingham News

As part of its £60 million project to improve the water and waste network in Newark, Severn Trent has worked in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council to provide additional flooding protection to over 40 homes.
The FTSE 100 Company installed better and bigger sewers in the town, and with support from Nottinghamshire County Council, an additional 43 road gullies have now been installed to further protect homes and businesses from surface flooding.

Councillor John Cottee, chairman for Communities and Place committee said, “This is a great example of how partnership working can really benefit local residents by reducing flood risk, minimising disruption and saving money. “Our gullies – which are designed to reduce flood risk along the highways – were installed by Severn Trent as part of its major work, meaning we have avoided the need for a separate set of roadworks and further disruption for residents.

“It is of course a far better use of public money working in this way. It follows similar joint working with Severn Trent as part of recent projects in Mansfield, Hucknall and Lowdham. Where practical, we’ll continue this type of joint working for even more schemes around the county.”

Nick Wallace, design manager from Severn Trent said, “Nottinghamshire County Council have been instrumental in the success of our project in Newark, and we can’t thank them enough for their continued support since work started. With their contribution to the new road-side gullies, it means that now there’s even more lasting benefits to the work we’ve been doing in the town. “The gullies will work alongside the new sewer system, and it means that when it rains, the rain water can quickly make its way into the bigger sewers, and not cause any flooding or problems on the road.”
Severn Trent has been working in Newark since 2016 with working partners BNM Alliance carrying out the work on its behalf.

The company say that when all work is completed, 400 homes and businesses will be protected from flooding, and that nearly all of those properties are now benefiting from the project. Severn Trent say that when the project is complete, Newark will benefit from 15 miles of new and improved water and sewer pipes, ensuring the town is protected from flooding and has a reliable water supply to last generations.

Nick continues: “As our work in Newark is nearly coming to an end, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank the people of Newark who have been nothing but supportive and patience throughout our project, while we have been completing some incredible feats of engineering in their town.”

Nottingham News

This month’s aerial photo shows Nottingham Castle covered in scaffolding halfway through its £30m two year renovation. The project will see new galleries, a new visitor centre, remodelled grounds and improved access to caves in the hill beneath. The castle will reopen to the public in summer 2020. The photo was taken by Robin Macey who is a member of Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club. The club is currently looking to expand. Members take turns being on the chase crew as well as flying in the basket.  For further details about how to get involved phone 0115-8541028 or visit www.facebook.com/ndhabc.

Nottingham News, Notts Leisure

I start playing Keyboard at age 14 and decided after only a handful of lessons that I wanted to teach and pass on such a wonderful gift. After four years studying my Keyboard, Piano & Music Theory Grades & achieving a National Diploma in Popular Music, I started working at Fox’s Music in Nottingham where I remained for 3 years learning all I could about the world of Digital Pianos & Keyboards.
When I was 21, and had achieved all my Music Grades, I finally got my first chance to teach, Fox’s Music had been bought out by William’s Music who had then gone into liquidation. Roger Hagarty (Fox’s Music & Williams Music Manager) decided to open his own music store called Roger’s Music and invited me to open my own Teaching Studio on the premises. I jumped at the chance and have never looked back.
But in March 2019 Sean Cumberland (Owner of Roger’s Music since 2016) decided to cease trading. This caused me to make a big decision regarding the Music School.
So, after months of preparation my NEW Teaching Studio is now OPEN!
Here at the Studio I believe learning to play Piano or Keyboard should be about enjoying yourself, whether you are 7 or 87 years old! We do offer Examinations in Keyboard, Piano & Music Theory for any students wishing to take exams or we have a Learning For Yourself Course. This is all about learning for pure pleasure, the songs you love to listen to.
If you would like to have a go at playing Piano or Keyboard I offer a FREE TRIAL 30 minute lesson to all new students. I am based at:
Unit 9 The Glade Business Centre Forum Road Nottingham NG5 9RW Tel: 07710 881247 E: nicolaross@icloud.com

Nottingham News

LOCAL MP Mark Spencer has raised his concerns over plans to sell off two nature reserves in the Sherwood constituency.

Reed Pond in Lambley, and Osmanthorpe Orchard in Edingley are two nature reserves owned by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT). Recently, the Trust have announced their intention to sell the two nature reserves through an auction process.

The MP has stated he doesn’t want to see the reserves closed to the public, and is lobbying the Trust to keep them open. The MP has also contacted relevant local bodies, such as local residents and Parish Councils in both areas, and is now discussing possible avenues for how the reserves could stay open.

Although the MP doesn’t have any direct say over the Nature reserves themselves, as they are the responsibility of the Trust, Mr Spencer believes they should remain open and undeveloped both for the public good and the environmental benefits they bring to the local people and area.

Discussing the proposed sell off, Mr Spencer said:

“I have been contacted by many residents over the last couple of weeks regarding these two fabulous natures reserves which are currently owned by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. It is regrettable that NWT are to have the two sites valued and then sold through an auction.”

“I am disappointed that NWT have chosen to sell these two sites and the feeling of dismay and concern amongst residents of Lambley and Edingley just shows that nature reserves are there for the people to use and enjoy and therefore it may be possible to think about getting ‘community bids’ together and of course all Parish Councils are on-board and aware of the situation.”

“I am reassured that Reed Pond in particular is not for development and that NWT are assuring me that they want the sites to stay in use for public enjoyment2

“I am liaising with NWT and local Parish Councils and will keep constituents up to date via press releases and social media.”

The MP advised local residents to get in touch with both him and the Wildlife Trust to let them know their feelings on the proposed sell off of the nature reserves.

Mark Spencer has urgently contacted the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to try to keep the reserves open.

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care, Lancs What's On

Save the date, Sunday 14th July, it’s the 28th annual Disability Awareness Day at Walton Hall Gardens, and it’s set to be a cracker. More than 25,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s DAD, the world’s largest not-for-profit, voluntary-led, pan-disability exhibition, which will once again be hosted at Walton Hall Gardens. Organisers Warrington Disability Partnership is proud to announce their new joint principal sponsors, Expanse Learning Group and Harry Fairclough Construction.

A huge tented village will house over 220 exhibitors – including equipment suppliers; transport; holidays; leisure and employment providers; and support groups and services – is set to attract visitors to travel from all over the UK and beyond. Inclusive Arts is just one of the highlights, plus a free fully accessible Sports Zone with have-a-go events, and a main arena and children’s rides and entertainment.

Checkout the website for details on the free accessible Park and Ride service, plus a free bus service from Warrington Bus Interchange, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, scooter / wheelchair loans.

The big day on Sunday 14th July from 10am to 5pm – will be a fitting finale to a week comprising a variety of complementary daytime and evening events to savour, includingTuesday 9th July

6.15pm – 9.30pm Frogtastic in the Park – Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens: Featuring fantastic Tribute Artists ‘Robbie Williams / UB40 / The 80’s & Swing’ plus special guests including DJ’s from the famous Frogtastic Club Night. Come and enjoy a great evening of Live Music, Dance Floor and Licenced Bar, bring your own food. Advanced Tickets £6.00 call 07875 142233 or online at www.ldok.net/shop, £8 on the door.  

Wednesday 10th July

7pm – 10pm – “Ella’s Summer Time Special” – Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens: The Ella Performance Group, one of the UK’s leading inclusive drama groups will be performing thrilling and entertaining songs from their recent productions. Adult tickets £8.00 and children’s tickets £5.00 from The Ella Team on 01928 713877 or Kate 01925 240064.

Thursday 11th July

6pm- 9.30pm – Children’s Party in the Park – Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens: Warrington Wolves Foundation & Warrington Disability Partnership present a fun filled evening for disabled children/young people, their families and friends. Sports, Arts, Dance, chill out and fun areas. Free admission: Contact Craig 01925 248894.

Friday 12th July

7.30pm – 11.30pm DAD Mega Quiz Night, Charity Auction with Hot Food

Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens: Teams of up to 8 people, hundreds of £’s worth of prizes, fun quiz, great food, licensed bar and a charity auction. Tickets £8.00 (includes hot food). Contact Kate on 01925 240064.

For more details on exhibiting or attending #DAD2019 and our ‘DAD Week’ events, please contact Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064 or visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk

Lancashire News

Plans to create student accommodation in Burnley have been given the green light. Burnley Council’s development control committee granted planning permission for the £9 million 136-bed building on land next to Sandygate Square. The scheme will be developed in a partnership between the council, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Barnfield Investment Properties. The purpose-built student accommodation, which will also include common rooms, laundry room, and a study/resources room and car parking as well as three retail/café units, is part of wider ambitious plans to turn Burnley into a university town.

UCLan plans to expand its student numbers in Burnley from 400 to 4,000 over the next six years. It forms another important milestone in the transformation of the historic canalside On The Banks development that the council has been delivering as a joint venture with Barnfield Investment Properties. Councillor Mark Townsend, leader of the council, said: “This is excellent news and another important step forward in plans to make Burnley a leading university town, attracting students from across the world. It’s a key component in UCLan’s plans for its long-term growth and the creation of a significant presence in Burnley.”

Councillor Asif Raja, the council’s executive member for economy and growth, said: “UCLan’s expansion plans will have a massive positive impact on the local economy, attracting new investment and boosting local businesses. The influx of students to our borough will bring a wide range of benefits.” Dr Ebrahim Adia, Provost at UCLan Burnley, said: “This is an exciting milestone in our plans to deliver an outstanding university experience in Burnley. High quality student accommodation is central to the growth of student numbers in the town, enabling UCLan to recruit nationally and internationally.

“By working alongside our partners at Burnley Council we aim to attract a new generation of students to the town, providing the skills supply needed to maximise Burnley and East Lancashire’s economic development.”
UCLan has already made a significant investment in Victoria Mill, which is just across the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from the accommodation site, and teaching resources in Burnley to deliver its growth.

Tim Webber MBE, chairman and managing director of Barnfield Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering the next phase of the iconic On The Banks development in partnership with Burnley Council and UCLan. “The new project will make a perfect addition to the established and popular development and provides student accommodation to complement the facilities in Victoria Mill. The scheme also incorporates retail elements which we’re sure will be popular with the local businesses, students and residents.”

Building work is expected to start shortly with completion expected by autumn 2020 in time for that year’s student intake.

Nottingham News, Notts What's On

It might not feel like summer at the moment, but there are lots of outdoor events coming up in and around Nottingham this month. Here’s my pick to keep you entertained come rain or shine. This month sees a surprising amount of unique events. The big addition to the city’s entertainment scene for 15 days this May is The Magnificent Spiegel Tent. The beautiful, century-old travelling dance hall will again visit the Old Market Square to host a packed schedule of events. Highlights include The Gilded Merkin Burlesque and Cabaret, Bamalama-singsong, The Cabaret of Dreams, Yoga and Zumba sessions, plus comedian Milton Jones (4-18 May)

Meet the stars from Star Trek; The Next Generation as EM-Con returns to the Motorpoint Arena (4-5 May), and from space to the world of Unlimited Wellbeing as three great shows in one visit the Arena on 12th May featuring Health & Fitness, Holistic and Hair & Beauty with over 200 leading health and wellbeing professionals exhibiting.

If you’re a fan of fitness, the Sunrise City 5k takes place on 17th May The early morning walk/run will take in famous landmarks, including Nottingham Castle and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem before a picturesque return along the Notts-Beeston Canal or you can make the most of a spring evening and join like-minded runners in a Sunset 5k or 1.5k fun run around Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus in support the work of the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre. The route will include the nature trail and surrounding areas. There’ll even be a BBQ at the finish, so runners and their friends and family can purchase a bite to eat (7May)

Our four legged friend also have their own fun days this month. Take them along to Newstead Abbey this bank holiday and enjoy the fantastic dog show put on by the Jerry Green Dog Rescue Centre. Enter your pooch in one of the many fun categories. Stay late on the Sunday and listen to live music (5-6 May), or visit Thoresby Park (27 May) with demonstrations, activities and have a go sessions.

If you fancy something a little calmer, why not see the sun rise, enjoy the morning’s peaceful atmosphere and soak up the sounds of spring at Dawn Chorus for International Dawn Chorus Day (5th May) at Sherwood Forest. If, like me, rising before dawn is not for you, there’s also an early morning walk at Budby South Forest, or maybe join the free Photo Walk (4 May) at Thoresby Park for photo lovers, all ages, all abilities, all cameras! A chance for you to have a little creative ‘photo me-time’ and pick up ideas, hints and tips to help you make better photos.

Bring along your picnic chairs, rugs, blankets, and dancing shoes as outdoor cinema begins at Rufford Park! Dress up and sing or dance along to the evening films (3,4,5 May)

Festival season is also upon us with the first of the year taking place at Southwell Racecourse (4-6 May ) with a large indoor Grandstand bursting with Antiques, Collectables & Vintage items. Newstead Abbey are also holding a craft and gift fair (25-27 May) and Castle Rock Brewery celebrate all things facial hair with their Brewery Beer’d Festival with the second running of The Grand-Tashional and an great evening of racing. Enjoy live music and a showcase of their excellent range of brews.

Music Lovers will be pleased to know that the Dot to Dot Festival also returns to various venues around the City (26 May) unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside established acts from all over the globe. As well as the festivals of course there is the usual line-up of talent to look forward to. The Royal Concert Hall plays host to the Vamps (1 May), Marc Almond (6 May) and Katherine Jenkins (17 May) while down the road at the Motorpoint Arena there’s Olly Murs (6-7 May) and Rod Stewart (28 May).
Hit musicals Kinky Boots (27 May – 8 June), Calendar Girls (25 May – 6 June) and Annie (20-25 May) are all worth going along to see at the Theatre Royal. Annie stars Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood as Mrs Hannigan. You can catch some of the Strictly Professional Dancers in action with their own show (7-8 May)

There’s drama on the cards at the Theatre Royal this month with Educating Rita (13-18 May) and Girl on the Train (20-25 May). Nottingham Playhouse also host The Memory of Water (3-18 May) while The Lace Market Theatre has The Step Mother (28 May – 1 June)

Food lovers can enjoy Beer and Cheese tasting at The School of Artisan Food. Be guided through the tasting experience by the head brewer of the Welbeck Abbey Brewery, Claire Monk and the School’s dairy expert Katy Fenwick and sample a wide selection of artisan cheeses from across the British Isles, paired with a range of hand-crafted beers from the Welbeck Abbey Brewery (19 May).

You will also be pleased to know that Nottingham’s favourite butcher, Johnny Pusztai, finally opens his Snobby Butcher Restaurant this month in Sherwood. Finally, how often do we go on tours on holiday and yet never do it at home? Take a staycation and find history galore right here on your doorstep. You can learn all about it while taking one of the many tours around the city, such as the Robin Hood Town Tour (4,11,18,25 May) the Nutty Nottingham tour (4,11,25 May) the Book Lovers Walk. (5 May) or the Magic Lantern Tour of the Theatre Royal (18/5)

*Always check with the venue ahead and book if necessary. There is usually a cost or entrance fee unless stated otherwise