. Post - Wilcop Media Ltd

Post

Lancashire News

Organisers behind the award-winning National Festival of Making are looking for volunteers to pitch in and help make it the best year yet!

From lending a hand at one of the many workshops to acting as a tour guide and gathering feedback, there’s lots of different ways that volunteers can get involved over the weekend of June 15 and 16.

The festival, the biggest event in Blackburn’s calendar, stretches right across the town centre, Cathedral Quarter and beyond.

There’s everything from have-a-go workshops to food stalls, international performance, art exhibits, markets, music and more.

Last year, more than 100 volunteers helped 40,000 visitors enjoy the weekend and with the 2019 event promising to be even bigger, brighter and bolder, it’s all hands on deck.

Martin Eden, Director of Environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, which sponsors the event, said:

The National Festival of Making is a fantastic event with a packed programme of events.

A huge amount of work goes into organising it each year and volunteers play a really important part in making sure the weekend is a huge success.

People can help in lots of different ways and they can commit to just a couple of hours over the weekend or volunteer across the two full days.

It’s a really good experience and we offer full training, will help with the cost of travel expenses and there’s a free lunch up for grabs for all those who sign-up.

The volunteers, known as Festival Makers, will be invited to a training session and will be given a National Festival of Making t-shirt.

There’s the chance to meet new people, have fun, learn about making and get hands-on experience of being involved in a festival.

Martin Eden added:

The National Festival of Making is putting Blackburn on the map and provides a big boost for the local economy.

By volunteering, there’s the chance to get involved in something really special in the borough – it’s a fantastic opportunity to give something back.

The event has scooped three top awards, including Best Non-Music Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2018.

Volunteers must be aged 16 and older.To find out more about the festival, volunteering and to sign-up to be involved, visit: www.festivalofmaking.co.uk/about/volunteer

Nottingham News

Residents in Daybrook and Redhill will soon have the chance to access free environmentally-friendly travel advice, information and incentives right on their doorstep as part of a Nottinghamshire County Council scheme. 

Known as Travel Choice the scheme comes on the back of funding from the Department for Transport which will see travel advisors visiting approximately 5,000 Daybrook households that have opted in to find out more about their travel options, between Friday 10 May and Saturday 1 June 2019.

It follows a successful scheme that launched in Mansfield, Newark and West Bridgford in 2018, which was well received with more than 3,000 residents taking part. 

Personalised travel planning advisor, Ross Paradise said:

“Talking to residents on their doorstep is a really great way to engage people who have opted in to find out more about their local travel options. We’re giving out information about greener travel as well as discussing the benefits to their general wellbeing.

“We’re finding that people are really engaging in these conversations as looking after the environment is a really key subject in the public eye at the moment, so discussing how residents can reduce their own carbon footprint is being really well received.”

The travel advisors are offering personalised travel plans based on conversations they have with each Daybrook resident, offering a travel pack full of tailored information including local bus and cycle maps, car sharing information, and other environmentally friendly travel tips which enable people to do their bit to improve the air quality in the Daybrook area.

Councillor John Cottee, committee chairman for Communities and Place said: “While many residents are already doing their bit for the environment, this free advice and information could help make a positive impact on residents’ health through active travel like walking and cycling. “

Ahead of the door-to-door visits by travel advisors, residents will have received a postcard with a brief overview of what to expect, with an option to opt-out or to request a specific piece of travel information.

The Travel Choice scheme will be rolled out in Mansfield and Newark again in Summer  2019

Nottingham News, Notts What's On

Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will headline this year’s Taste of Rushcliffe food festival, in conjunction with Copper Café West Bridgford.

The French TV star will provide a cooking masterclass and question and answer session as part of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s annual event that returns to Central Avenue in West Bridgford from 10am to 4pm on Saturday July 13.

The appearance will complement a fabulous range of local food from over 40 growers, makers, cooks and businesses from across the Borough on the market.

Mr Novelli said: “I am extremely delighted to be part of the Taste of Rushcliffe Food Festival and I look forward to meeting many of the local residents and traders.

“During my interactive demonstration I will be showcasing a selection of delicious, healthy, sustainable dishes which will be easy for people to go home and recreate.

“This promises to be a fun event for all the family and I for sure, cannot wait.”

From fantastic rare breed meats to tasty pies, preserves and pastries, the Taste of Rushcliffe is a showcase of the huge variety of food, drink and talent that the Borough has to offer. 

Plus there will be further great cookery demonstrations, more masterclasses and children’s activities of a cookery school and food science lab. This will include biscuit making, jelly explosions, pizza making and rocket building.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Executive Manager for Communities Dave Mitchell said: “We welcome Jean-Christophe as a familiar name to food lovers and to what should be another great event that highlights our great lifestyle here in Rushcliffe.

“We can’t wait to see what he rustles up in the masterclass and what our local outlets have on offer to tantalise our tastebuds.

“This food festival is all about helping our local businesses become more recognised and giving event-goers a chance to sample the wide range of delicious local treats available.”

The event also coincides with the annual YouNG Summer Market, which highlights young entrepreneurs and performers from across Rushcliffe.

View more about the YouNG initiative here: https://www.weareyoung.org.uk/index.html

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

As today marks the start of Foster Care Fortnight, one inspirational Blackburn couple have shared their experiences to help encourage more people to consider giving a child a loving and stable home.

At the age of 70, retired caretaker Frank Tomlinson and his wife Bernie, could well be forgiven for wanting to put their feet-up and enjoy a slower-paced retired lifestyle.

But the Tomlinsons say they wouldn’t have it any other way and fostering is one of the “best things they’ve ever done”.

Marking the start of Fostering Fortnight, Bernie and Frank are sharing their story to help others consider making a difference to vulnerable children and young people who cannot live with their families.

And whilst becoming ‘empty nest’ foster carers certainly isn’t without its stresses, Bernie says it has quite simply transformed their lives. The inspiring couple are currently caring for a seven-month-old baby, her four-year-old sister and a 15-year-old boy.

I honestly think it’s the best thing we’ve ever done,’ says Bernie, who has four children of her own and 10 grandchildren. ‘It makes us feel young and has definitely brought us closer together as a couple.

Seeing the change in the children is just so rewarding when you get them into a routine you see them thrive.

Bernie recalled: We had one little lad who wouldn’t come out from behind the settee at first, very quickly he changed and became a lovely, confident little boy because of the support and encouragement we gave him, for some children they’ve just never had that.

For Bernie it was a natural thing to do, having spent her earlier career working as a childminder, she was asked to look after a child in foster care whilst the child’s grandmother continued to work.

I’ve always fancied it and it didn’t take long to convince Frank either,

Bernie recalled. The couple have been fostering for 15 years and have looked after almost 40 babies, toddlers and teenagers.

There’s never a dull moment in this house,” said Frank, who spent 20 years working at Blackburn College. “It definitely keeps you busy, active and your brain working that’s for sure. It was good for our son too, he showed real maturity and empathy and  the children related to him as he was closer to their age.

There are many different types of fostering, from providing part time respite care to full-time fostering arrangements.

Director of Children’s Services Jayne Ivory said: What’s important is not age, but the ability to provide love, stability and security, as well as having a strong motivation to foster.

There’s a need for all types of foster carers, particularly for teenagers, sibling groups and disabled children but recently we’ve seen an increase the number of babies needing carers.

We need to recruit an extra 30 foster carers over the next twelve months.

Jayne added: Foster carers have the capacity to help children who have had a bad start in life overcome their early life traumas, and as such they help improve children’s outcomes in the most significant way.

There are many different types of fostering from long-term fostering, often until a child is 21. Others may prefer the idea of shorter-term care, including short-breaks care, emergency care (where you might get a call in the middle of the night because of a home alone situation) or short-term care (where a single parent might need to go into hospital or someone might be waiting to be adopted).

You can also specialise, for example in, neonatal care, children with disabilities or mother and baby placements.

Approved foster carers receive a generous allowance, full training package and ongoing support is provided with a strong foster carer network to share experiences with.

Find out more at youcanfoster.co.uk

Lancashire News, Lancs Sport

Figuring out what time of the day you play golf best at can be difficult. One day you may play at 7.30 in the morning and shoot under your handicap, but then a week later play the worst you have in a long time.
But, is it all just in our heads? Is there really a “best” time to play golf? Well, I suppose it depends if we’re talking about competition or social golf.
If you really love golf, whenever someone asks you to play a social golf you tend to accept the invitation. Most of the time this is after work. The only time I would advise not to play social golf is right behind a competition, as you will be stuck on the course for a long time…a very long time.

If you are new to the sport then avoiding mornings could be beneficial. This tends to be when most golfers play and having a group of established golfers playing behind you may put you off, and you may not enjoy it.
If possible aim for mid-afternoon, as this is when courses tend to be quieter. This way you can play at your own pace and maybe even drop a couple of balls down if there is a shot you are struggling with. Overall, this should make your round a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.
However in a competition, there may be a “good” time to tee off, although there are many variables that may make this change on a day-by-day basis. For example, if you look back the 2016 Open Championship, it was very apparent that there was a desirable side of the draw.

The players that played late on Thursday and early Friday arguably got the better of the conditions. In fact, the top 14 after 36 holes all played later on the Thursday then early on the Friday. The first half of the draw were a combined 175 over par, with the latter half over double that at 362 over par. In competitions I have always favoured playing around 10-11am, although you could say my performances over the past few years would suggest I should think about changing that. After looking into my scores compared with the time I teed off, it is apparent that between 3 and 4pm is actually a better time for me to play. And 4pm is a time that Dr Charles Czeisler, the director of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, believes “golfers might perform best.”

But why?
Well, 4pm is the time your body is coming out of a period when the desire to sleep was strong. During the late afternoon, we are catching a second wind, which is actually a real phenomenon. Czeisler said: “Every study of shift work reveals that people on the 3pm-11pm shift are most productive.”
But what about that person who tees off at 7.30am every Saturday and always seems to be in the prizes I hear you ask? Well, every golfer is different and many cannot bear to be stood waiting over every shot, hence why an early tee time is more desirable. To add, many club golfers mainly play due to their enjoyment of the sport, not necessarily to compete.
This tee time is also the only time some golfers can get to be able to play in competitions. Local Saturday/Sunday tournaments tend to fill up reasonably quickly so taking any available time slot is the only option for some.

However, it turns out that this is possibly the worst time of day that you could choose to play golf, and more so expect a good score.
This is because your body is less flexible, your mind is half asleep and your body-mind connection isn’t quite what it should be when you’re tired. Dr Czeisler said: “It would be the absolute nadir of performance preparedness,” to play really early in the morning. “You will be less flexible, your coordination will be off a little, your judgement will not be as good and your short term memory would be affected.”

So there you have it. If you want to be at your very best and potentially end up in the prizes, you should play at 4pm.

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Mental Health Awareness Week starts every year on the second Monday in May and this year the focus is on body image and its relationship to mental health.

Over a third of UK adults suffer from mental health problems and have felt anxious or depressed because of concerns about their body image. Eating disorders are often a direct response to how we are feeling about ourselves.

Dr Rakesh Sharma clinical lead at NHS East Lancashire and NHS Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said:

“Most people have concerns about body image and how they look, this is relatively common and is not a mental health problem in and of itself; however, it can be a risk factor for mental health problems. Teenagers and young people are now experiencing more pressure to look good and have issues with their body image than 30 years ago.

“The main reason for this is social media/advertising and how celebrities are portrayed.”

Steps we can take for ourselves and others:

  • If your body image is a significant cause of stress, or if you’re being bullied about how your body looks, consider talking to a friend, a trusted adult or a health professional.  
  • Spring-clean your apps on your smartphone.  
  • Notice the people and accounts you’re following on social media and be mindful of how you feel about your own body and appearance when you look at them.  
  • If you see an advert in a magazine, on television or online that you think presents an unhealthy body image as aspirational, you can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.  
  • At home, parents and carers can lead by example, by modelling positive behaviour around body image, eating healthily and staying active.  
  • In our daily lives, we can all be more aware of the ways in which we speak about our own and other people’s bodies in casual conversations with friends and family.  
  • Find the best way that works for you to stay active

Dr Sharma added:

“It is very important for parents and loved ones to look out for the signs and talk to their child about things which are of a concern to them and speak to a professional for help and advice sooner rather than later.”

“If your child is having problems at school, a teacher, school nurse, school counsellor or educational psychologist may be able to help.

“Otherwise, go to your GP or speak to a health visitor. These professionals are able to refer a child to further help.”

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are a group of professionals from different organisations who work together to help children and young people with emotional or behavioural wellbeing difficulties. CAMHS can help a child or young person on a range of concerns such as anxiety, hearing voices, trouble sleeping and feeling sad and much more.

East Lancashire Child and Adolescent Service (ELCAS) is another specialist mental health service for children and young people up to the age of 16 years. ELCAS provides a number of different services such as Specialist outpatient service, Intensive support team and much more.

For more information please visit:

https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/guide-to-camhs/

https://www.elht.nhs.uk/services/east-lancashire-child-and-adolescent-services

Nottingham News

A tattoo and piercing studio in Huthwaite has become the first Ashfield business to achieve an excellent five-star hygiene rating.

Eternity Tattoo and Piercing Studio ltd of Sutton Road, Huthwaite recently proudly accepted the award for their high standard of hygiene within their practice. The business hosts multiple services within the property from beauty treatments and nail treatments by Michelle Wesson, hair extensions by Amanda Shepherd and sun bed tanning services, all under one roof.

Nottinghamshire’s Hygiene Accreditation Scheme, introduced across the county last year, aims to improve and maintain hygiene standards within the tattoo and piercing industry.

In doing so, it aims to minimise the risk of infection and infectious disease arising from treatments associated with the industry.

The scheme was designed by Environmental Health Practitioners from eight Local Authorities from within Nottinghamshire, following consultation with tattoo and cosmetic piercing practitioners in the local area.

Sarah Barsby, Business Owner of Eternity ltd, and her husband Carl Barsby, Studio Manager were very happy to receive the top rating as it highlights the attention to detail the team pride themselves on.

They said: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to achieve this accolade and we’re really proud to be the first in Ashfield to do so. The industry is forever changing and hopefully it will prompt other studios to do the same.

“There can often be grey areas within the industry so although this scheme is currently only voluntary, we hope it will one day become mandatory just like food premises. That way the general public will experience high quality services every time.

“We believe that Eternity Ltd is a studio with a difference taking the industry from back street to new age top high quality standards of multiple services and urge other studios to follow suit when it comes to this scheme.”

Carol Cooper-Smith, Service Director for Place and Communities said: “It’s fantastic that a business in Ashfield has reached the highest standard of hygiene. I’m sure there are more businesses out there who are capable of achieving a five-star rating.

“I would like to congratulate Sarah and Carl for the continued hard work they put into making their establishment as safe and clean as possible.”

Other businesses in Ashfield can apply to be rated as part of the scheme by getting in touch with Ashfield District Council’s Environmental Health Team on 01623 450000.

Lancashire News

Novelist Tracy Chevalier, author of worldwide bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring visited Pendle and the Ribble Valley last week to climb Pendle Hill and explore the area’s Quaker connections.

The historical novelist, who was born in Washington DC, followed in the footsteps of George Fox who climbed the hill in 1652 and had a compelling vision which led him to found the Quaker movement.

Her visit will form the basis of a new Quaker walk highlighting the area’s unique history and landscape.

Tracy Chevalier came to Wycoller in 2016 when she was the Creative Partner for the Charlotte Brontë 200th and saw Pendle Hill in the distance.

She pledged to return to climb it and said: “You don’t understand the power of the place until you come and witness it yourself.”

Pendle Council has teamed up with Ribble Valley Borough Council, Mid Pennine Arts and the Pendle Hill Partnership to create a new short film of Tracy Chevalier’s visit to climb Pendle Hill. And the team is also developing a new Quaker walk to help others enjoy an area which is a place of world wide pilgrimage.

Tracy, who has attended Quaker meetings for over 40 years, climbed the iconic hill with her friend Amy Peck, an archivist from Brooklyn, New York.

Amy is visiting the our area for the first time.

Tracy said:  “Amy told me she wanted to see something dramatic. “And what could be better than Pendle Hill!  It’s a stunning back drop to so much important history.”

Wendy Hampton, the Clerk of Clitheroe Quakers who also works for the Quakers nationally, joined the group to advise on George Fox’s religious journey of 1652.

The walk included a spring which is now called Fox’s Well where the visionary took refreshment and which he describes in a journal where he captured his experiences. Sarah Lee, from Pendle Council’s Communications Team said: “We’ve wanted to share our area’s Quaker connections for a long time and this true story still has deep resonance today.

“It’s a wonderful walk for anyone wanting to explore an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an absorbing history of dissent going back over hundreds of years,” she added. Nick Hunt, Director of Mid Pennine Arts which is leading a new Pendle Radicals project for the new National Lottery Heritage Funded  Pendle Hill Partnership said:

“George Fox is one of the first and the most famous in a long line of non-conformists associated with the Pendle Hill area.

“We’ll be developing a Radicals Trail this year to connect people and places under this theme and the new Quaker walk will link perfectly to that.

“Tracy Chevalier’s visit leads the way in putting Pendle Hill’s history of radical thinkers on the map  as we bring our powerful heritage to light,” he added. Tom Pridmore, Tourism Officer for the Ribble Valley said:

“We’re keen to share our beautiful area in a way which will have a low impact on our countryside and rural communities. 

“It will benefit our rural economy and neighbouring towns and give people locally, nationally and internationally a really memorable experience,” he stated. “The Ribble Valley and Pendle have a growing reputation as a beautiful and unspoilt area to walk in, with many award winning country pubs, some of them Michelin starred.

“When George Fox climbed Pendle Hill in 1652 the first thing he did was to walk down to the picturesque village of Downham and convert the local inn keeper,” he explained.

Tom added: “The new Quaker walk ends in the pub,  at the acclaimed Assheton Arms where people can look back and drink up the stunning views of Pendle Hill!”

In his journal, in 1652 George Fox wrote about his vision:

“As we traveled we came near a very great hill, called Pendle Hill, and I was moved of the Lord to go up to the top of it; which I did with difficulty, it was so very steep and high. 

“When I was come to the top, I saw the sea bordering upon Lancashire. From the top of this hill the Lord let me see in what places he had a great people to be gathered. “As I went down, I found a spring of water in the side of the hill, with which I refreshed myself, having eaten or drunk but little for several days before…

At night we came to an inn, and declared truth to the man of the house.” 

The film In Brontë Footsteps was commissioned by Pendle Council to mark her earlier visit and was created by Clitheroe film maker Graham Kay.  It can be seen on Vimeo  https://vimeo.com/182411306

Tracy Chevalier’s novels include The Last Runaway about the Underground Railroad which is set in the 1850s.  It depicts Quakers who, following their strong belief in equality, helped escaped slaves to find their freedom in a dangerous journey using ‘safe’ houses from the US to Canada.

Pendle Radicals, led by Mid Pennine Arts, is an exploration of Pendle Hill’s heritage of radical thinkers, non-conformists and change-makers.  Unfolding over four years, the project is built around a team of volunteer researchers and will evolve from research investigations through creative interpretation to celebration events.

 The Pendle Radicals is a project of the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership, an ambitious four year programme of activity based around the heritage and landscape of Pendle Hill, led by the Forest of Bowland AONB and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. https://pendlehillproject.com/

Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

Lexy Walton-Godfrey, 29, from Nottingham made a New Year’s resolution to take part in her first ever Resolution Run in aid of the Stroke Association on Sunday 5 May at Markeaton Park in Derby. She made the decision to sign up after having a stroke, just 17 days after giving birth to her new daughter. Lexy had her stroke in March this year and was left with Aphasia, problems with swallowing and short term memory loss among other cognitive problems.

Lexy said: “I am proud to be running in the Resolution Run as a stroke survivor. Having a stroke completely turned my life upside down. My husband and two daughters, one of who was only 17 days old at the time, had had a lovely day together when I had the most intense feeling ever. It felt like a huge magnet was pulling me down to the floor and I had an excruciating pain in the right hand side of my head.”
“My husband noticed me and I was trying to shout ‘help me’ but no words would come out. After being rushed to hospital, doctors could only point to my C-section as a risk factor. Following my stroke I became quiet and reluctant to speak to people. I was embarrassed because my speech was slurred and I couldn’t say certain words. Stroke fatigue has also been hard to deal with, especially with two young girls to care for too”. Lexy now feels lucky to be alive and wants to thank the Stroke Association for their support.

She continued: “Following my stroke, I don’t feel angry, I feel calm and extremely grateful for everything I have. I feel lucky to be here and able watch my daughters grow into beautiful strong women. I’m also lucky that I have a husband who has been my rock through all of this” “I wanted to raise money for the Stroke Association, who helped me through some dark times and to raise awareness among my peers and new mums. If I can help just one person, I will be happy. I will be running the 5K with my six year old daughter and my best friend and her child too”

Lucy Burnip, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Stroke Association said: “A Resolution Run is exactly that – a resolution for the New Year that counts. It’s the ideal event for people in the area who want to do something fun together, while getting more active in 2019. “In the UK there are around 100,000 strokes every year. Our latest research (i) shows that by training and taking part in a Resolution Run, you are helping to lower your stroke risk. The funds raised by each runner means we can reach out to more stroke survivors and their families to offer the support that they may need to rebuild their lives. On behalf of the thousands of stroke survivors and their loved ones that we support every year, I just want to say thank you.” “Research from the charity shows that many strokes could be prevented if people made some simple lifestyle changes.

Introducing physical activity into your routine is just one aspect of a healthier lifestyle required to reduce your risk of stroke. Monitoring (and managing) your blood pressure, eating a more balanced diet and stopping smoking can all significantly reduce your stroke risk.
The money raised through the Resolution Run in Derby will help the Stroke Association to fund vital research and support people affected by stroke in the region.”

Last year participants raised over £633,000 for the Stroke Association This year the charity hopes to raise over £850,000 to continue supporting stroke survivors and their families throughout the UK. Entry fee is just £16. All runners receive a technical running t-shirt and medal. For more information about entering or volunteering at the Resolution Run, visit www.resolutionrun.org.ukemail resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.

Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

We cannot open a magazine these days without reading about yoga; but why all the fuss and what’s it all about?

Yoga is an Indian philosophy that dates back thousands of years. The Sanskrit word yoga means unite and it was practised to create the union of the physical body, mind and spirit in order to reach enlightenment. Different paths of yoga were created in order to reach this state. One of these paths was called Hatha yoga and its purpose was to develop the body in preparation for further spiritual practice. These days, particularly in the west, we practice Hatha yoga. Classes largely focus on health and fitness but still with attention on how we feel in both our bodies and minds. This is achieved using physical exercises (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and relaxation.

Yoga really is for everyone and teachers are taught to be inclusive and modify postures to suit the needs of individuals. However, classes are available for different abilities.

If you have mobility issues, you can try yoga in a chair or a gentle yoga class. Some classes specialise in teaching children and also senior citizens. At the other end of the scale, Ashtanga yoga is a more physically challenging, fast flowing yoga. Yoga is also not meant to be competitive and students are encouraged to listen to their bodies.

The benefits of yoga are immense. It helps us to relax, release tension from our bodies and to deal with stress. It gives us energy, makes us stronger and more supple. It can also complement other forms of exercise, by using the muscles in a different way. Yoga is often recom-mended to alleviate physical symptoms of certain health conditions. If you are looking for a class suitable for your needs, local publications and websites such as www.localyogaclasse.co.uk, list classes in your area. For further information contact Jackie Hart at jemyoga7@gmail Tel 0781 667 9919.