Fleetwood breathed new life into their fading Northern Premier League title bid with a four-wicket derby win over a Blackpool side which included Lancashire captain Steven Croft.
The Red Rose skipper found himself overshadowed by Fleetwood professional Daryn Smit, who dismissed him and three Blackpool team-mates to take his wicket tally to 11 in two games for his new club.
The South African had claimed seven debut wickets in the 79-run defeat at Preston on Saturday which appeared to have virtually extinguished Fleetwood’s title bid.
Back up to third place, Fleetwood are 11 points behind Blackpool and a further 11 behind Leyland, who returned to the top with yesterday’s seven-wicket win over a Darwen side dismissed for 77.
But Fleetwood’s Broadwater win sets up an intriguing final three weekends of the season. And although Blackpool still have a game in hand, they will have some scars to heal after being removed for just 98 in 37.3 overs yesterday, having chosen to bat.
Special guest Croft scored close to half of them before falling lbw to Smit for 44.
Stephen Twist was Blackpool’s next-best with 17 but was the only player outside the top three to score more than three as the innings fell away spectacularly.
While Smit led the way with 4-23, Adam Parker almost matched him with 3-23 and then hit his fourth half-century of the season.
Parker was run out for 53, having hit eight fours, but set Fleetwood on their way to a winning 102-6 from 47.1 overs, despite Blackpool professional Daryl Mitchell’s 3-26.
Guest pro Ockert Erasmus couldn’t save St Annes from back-to-back home defeats over the holiday weekend as Chorley dismissed them for 99 on Monday.
Erasmus filled the gap left by fellow South African Shadley van Schalkwyk but St Annes were beaten by six wickets.
The home innings quickly fell apart after Luke Wilks’ opening 37. Kieran McCullagh did most damage with 5-49 as St Annes were removed in 37.1 overs.
Erasmus, out for a single, then took a couple of wickets but Chorley patiently progressed to 100-4 in 47.5 overs, with Nekoli Parris making 40.

Blackpool’s derby defeat opens up title race


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A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.
Financial recruiter Goodman Masson took first place in the list by jobs site Glassdoor, based on reviews submitted to its website by current and former staff.
The company, which is based in London and also has offices in Dusseldorf, was praised by staff for its “huge investment” in staff benefits and “great” parties twice a year.
“The attention paid to the wellbeing of staff is at a level rarely matched elsewhere,” said an anonymous employee working in the London office.
In second place was technology firm Cisco Systems, and in third place was insurer HomeServe.
West Midlands-based HomeServe, which employs 1,200 people at its headquarters in Walsall and has 2.1 million customers in the UK, was commended for its attitude towards the treatment of its staff.
“The salary is very competitive and you are rewarded very generously for your hard work and just for carrying out your role. The company has a great framework for career progression and is always looking to promote people internally for job roles,” said a water supply engineer working at the firm.
Greg Reed, chief marketing officer at HomeServe, said: “We believe if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers. This means creating a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because they feel what they do really makes a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Temping firm LOLA and Screwfix completed the top five. Other companies in the top 20 included Apple, American Express Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever and John Lewis.
Google is known for its plush offices, but doesn’t make the top 20 companies for work-life balance. Its new London office has sleep pods so workers can take a nap, although perhaps this is an indication of long hours.
For a company to have been considered, at least 50 work-life balance ratings must have been submitted by UK-based employees in the past year.
The top 20 companies for work-life balance:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
11.Thomson Reuters
12. Kantar Worldpanel
13. Atkins
14. Téléfonica
15. Credit Suisse
16. Rolls-Royce
17. John Lewis
18. Waitrose
19. Lloyds Banking Group
20. Apple

Revealed: The top UK companies for work-life balance


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A mum whose son died in a tragic accident hopes to scatter his ashes in Spain after buying a former monastery which she also intends to name in his memory.
Lucy Holt says up until now she has never found the right place to say her final farewell to her son Ben Murgatroyd who died in 2008, aged 20.
The monastery in Spain which Lucy Holt is to name after her son
The former Blackpool and The Fylde College student was found dead in a pond at his mother’s house on Mains Lane, Singleton, following a drinking session at Wardleys Hotel in Hambleton.
The premises was later barred from selling alcohol after it emerged its then licensee had allowed a lock-in to take place until dawn which Ben had taken part in.
Lucy, who runs Classic Cut hairdressing salons in Thornton and Cleveleys, said: “I have never spread Ben’s ashes as I wanted him with me, but this place is perfect.
“It is a monastery with its own shrine, and I intend to restore it.
It is in the mountains and is very beautiful
“We are also going to rename it Benalina in memory of Ben, which is a name my daughter Darcy came up with. I found it in May this year when I was staying at Benahavis.
“It is in the mountains and very beautiful.
“I am planning to live there and take Classic Cut to Marbella.”
Lucy says she has funded the purchase of the monastery by taking equity out of her businesses on the Fylde coast.
The salons here will continue to operate with Lucy putting managers in to run them while she is abroad.
Ben, who worked at Circus Casino on Queens Promenade, North Shore, had been allowed to drink at Wardleys after closing time along with six other people on November 8, 2008.
The group was left drinking until around 10am at which point landlady Karen Hallett gave Ben a lift home.
At an inquest, the cause of Mr Murgatroyd’s death was revealed as drowning, but toxicology tests showed the amount of alcohol in his urine would have put him four and a half times over the legal driving limit – which was described as “a potentially lethal” amount of booze.

Mum to finally scatter ashes eight years on


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A teenager has been charged with murder after a man died from multiple stab wounds.
Daniel Bamford, 18, of Harvey Lane, Golborne, has been charged with the murder of a 42-year-old man and with wounding with intent after two people were stabbed in Darwen.
Officers were called by the ambulance service to Hazel Avenue at around 4.15pm on Thursday following reports a man and woman had been stabbed.
The man, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene having suffered a number of injuries.
A 42-year-old woman was also wounded and taken by ambulance to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. She has since been released after receiving treatment.
Three males from Liverpool aged 15, 16 and 43 were arrested on suspicion of murder at a nearby address on Frances Street. They have since been released no charge.
A further three men aged 17, 18, and 33 were arrested in Liverpool on Friday afternoon.
The 18-year-old was being held on suspicion of murder and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, while the other two were being questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
A further three men aged 19, 23 and 44 were arrested later that day (Friday, August 26) in St Helens, Merseyside. All were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Following investigation, detectives charged Bamford who has been remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on Monday.
The remaining men aged 17, 19, 23, 33 and 44 have all been bailed to October 25.
Following formal identification, police can confirm the name of the deceased as Michael Keen, 42, of Darwen. A post mortem revealed he died from multiple stab wounds.
Detective Supt Paul Withers, from the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “A man has sadly lost his life and my thoughts remain with Mr Keen’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
“While we have made a number of arrests and since charged a man, we would continue encouraging people to come forward and help with our enquiries.
“If anyone has any information about this incident that could help us I would urge them to either speak to a local officer or to call us direct.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting incident reference 917 of August 25th.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org.


A Fylde coast mum is hoping to sprinkle a little fairy dust to make her new business a magical success.
Anna Griffiths of Warton has taken inspiration from a former Dragon’s Den winner to launch her own venture aimed at mums with young children.
It is an online business and its all about bringing a child’s imagination to life
Just for Tiny People offers a range of toys and items handmade in Britain for youngsters – everything from fairy wings and wands to canopies, costumes and teepees which can be used indoors and out for all sorts of fun.
Anna said: “This is an affiliate business of the original JFTP set up by Effie Moss who secured £50,000 backing for a quarter of the business from Deborah Meaden on Dragons Den two years ago.
“I am mum to two of my very own tiny people, Lucy who is six and George who is three and I am a JFTP Business Fairy.
“It is an online business and its all about bringing a child’s imagination to life.
“There’s no better place to be than in a teepee or running around with fairy wings on your back!
“The teepees are ideal for role playing games, for a pirate ship, a castle, a rocket ship or a cave. It can be whatever a tiny person would like it to be.
“They are great places to spark the imagination of a tiny person, as well as a cosy place for story-time, colouring, relaxation and even forty winks.”
She said schools and nurseries have found them useful for book corners and play areas.
She added: “They are so diverse and can be used inside as well as out, taken to the beach or park for shade and then folded away and stored behind a door when not in use.”
Anna , who used to work in hospitality and with children’s organisations said the aim was also to exhibit at craft fairs and events and to create magical events, tepee story-times, fairy experiences too.

Fylde coast mum hoping for a business fairytale


The English Beat - starring original songwriter and lead-singer of The Beat, Dave Wakeling - have announced their UK tour heading to 53 Degrees in Preston on Thursday September 22nd.
Dave Wakeling – the songwriter and lead-singer of The Beat - returns to the UK this September for a full UK tour, where he will be showcasing new material due for release in 2017.
The singer, songwriter and guitarist behind the biggest 1980’s 2-Tone Band, The Beat, known in the US as The English Beat, Dave Wakeling is the consummate showman, touring the world with an all-star line-up, performing all the hits of The Beat, General Public and a host of new songs.
The English Beat will play an extensive run of UK dates including shows in Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff, and London, and Dave’s hometown and the birthplace of many Beat lyrics and classics, Birmingham.
The band has been busy in the studio working on their first new album in 30 years, due for release in February 2017, titled ‘Here We Go Love’.
With a unique energy, pure melody, passion and politics, it’s impossible to forget the genius of UK Top 10 singles, ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, ‘Hands Off She’s Mine’ and ‘Too Nice To Talk To’, before The Beat disbanded in 1983.
“I am very excited to be coming back to the UK to play shows and to get to introduce the songs from our upcoming new album. We have been in summer training, with shows with ub40, b52’s, culture club and train, and the band is in tip top form and ready to rock, steady!” Dave Wakeling.
SEPTEMBER TOUR DATES:
Friday 16th September – Concorde 2, Brighton
Saturday 17th September – Skabour Festival, Folkstone
Sunday 18th September – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells www.twforum.co.uk
Tuesday 20th September – Fibbers, York
Wednesday 21st September – The Magnet, Liverpool
Thursday 22nd September – 53 Degrees, Preston
Friday 23rd September – Robin 2, Wolverhampton
Saturday 24th September – The Windsor, Fife
Sunday 25th September – Volunteer Hall, Galashiels
Tuesday 27th September – Think Tank, Newcastle
Wednesday 28th September – Trades Club, Hebden Bridge http://thetradesclub.com
Thursday 29th September – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
Friday 30th September – Crauford Arms, Milton Keynes
OCTOBER TOUR DATES:
Saturday 1st October – Birmingham O2 Institute, Birmingham
Monday 3rd October – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
Tuesday 4th October – Komedia, Bath
Wednesday 5th October – Rescue Room, Nottingham
Friday 7th October – The Zone Night Club, Redruth http://broadbeat.co.uk
Saturday 8th October – The Garage, London

Dave Wakeling’s The English Beat skanking their way to 53 Degrees


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Robert Rinder, star of reality show Judge Rinder, is targeting wowing Blackpool crowds after joining Strictly Come Dancing.
The 38-year-old criminal barrister said he had signed up for the show after being “mildly inspired” by former contestant Scott Mills’s Under The Sea red lobster dance.
She taught me how to cha cha. So I can do that one
Discussing his fellow contestants, Rinder said he had initially thought pop star Anastacia was “the surviving princess of Russia”, while the name Melvin Odoom “sounds like something from Lord of the Rings”.
The TV personality said he had a head start on the cha cha cha, having been taught to dance by his school nurse, Mrs Cornish.
“I didn’t really suit childhood terribly well so I’d go and sit in her room,” he said.
“She taught me how to cha cha. So I can do that one.”
He dismissed the idea that he would be happy to get as far as the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, saying: “People want you to pretend a little as if you don’t want to get as far in the programme as possible...what nonsense.”
Rinder oversees disputes over consumer issues, business, neighbourhood rows and allegations of negligence in his ITV courtroom.
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Strictly star is eyeing stardom on Blackpool stage


A teaching assistant from Padiham is taking social media by storm, after using the modern trend for taking “selfies” to raise awareness of a serious issue which claims thousands of lives a year.
Shocking statistics show 76% of suicides in the UK are male and is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45.
Padiham Fire Station crews support the ItsOKToTalk campaign (s)
That spurred Jordan Taylor into backing a nationwide campaign to promote awareness of men’s mental health issues.
And poignantly the campaign, It’sOKToTalk, launched this month, the month which marks the second anniversary of the death of Jordan’s uncle, Andrew Giles. Known locally as “Nipper,” the community was left in shock after his suicide as he was such a lively, popular and outgoing character who was well loved in Padiham.
A groundsman for Lancashire County Council he doted on his two children, three stepchildren and loved spending time on the farm where he grew up and also the local allotments.
Jordan said: “My uncle was cheeky, happy and loved by everyone. He was a real outdoors person, always helping someone or cutting someone’s grass and he was always smiling. In fact he was famous for his dimples.
Jordan Taylor who is backing the It'sOKToTalk to combat suicide in young men (s)
“That’s why the shock of what happened was a huge blow to our family.”
So far around 200 people from Padiham, Burnley and all over the UK have backed the #ItsOKtoTalk campaign by posting a series of Facebook “selfies”.
Jordan (22) said: “I never expected such a huge response when I started this.
“I thought that maybe 20 or so, mainly friends and family, would take it on board but the reaction I have received has been phenomenal with selfies coming in from all around the country.
Andrew Giles, suiciide victim whose nephew Jordan Taylor is launcing an ItsOKToTalk campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues (s)
“And each person who has posted a picture has their own story to tell about themselves and how they have been affected by this issue.”
Mums and their children, work colleagues, people out socialising, pensioners and even a group of climbers who scaled Ben Nevis have posted selfies on Jordan’s page supporting CALM (Campaign for Living Miserably) which started the trend.
And Jordan was thrilled when Burnley player Dean Marney got on board with his campaign.
Each person is posing with the “It’s ok” hand gesture and all the images are being added to a collage which Jordan, who works at St Leonard’s Primary School in Padiham, plans to send to CALM.
Mayor of Padiham Coun. James Kirk supports the ItsOKToTalk campaign (s)
Jordan added: “The aim of the campaign is to get more men talking about their feelings and what they may be going through and to lift the stigma attached to it.
“I am chuffed that the people of Padiham have taken this on board and started the ball rolling here in our town.
“We need to raise awareness of this issue so that people do start talking about mental health issues so that no-one has to suffer or worry in silence.
“Anything that can be done to save a life is worth doing.”
Padiham Fire Station has thrown its weight behind the campaign and Jordan is contacting companies and organisations across the country for their support.
He is even asking people to come up with different ideas for selfies, including trying to set a record for the selfie featuring the largest number of people. Famed for being a “doer” Jordan was responsible for organising groups of volunteers to help out with a clear up operation after Padiham was devastated by floods on Boxing Day.
Mum and baby support ItsOKToTalk (s)
Anyone who wants to back Jordan’s campaign with a selfie can do so on his Facebook page tagging #ItsOKToTalk or #JTsOKSelfieAppeal.
Or you can send them directly to Jordan via Facebook messenger.

Jordan’s selfie campaign helps raise suicide awareness


Based on an article in Rolling Stone magazine and a subsequent book, War Dogs heavily dramatizes the true story of two enterprising twentysomethings, who became multi-millionaires as arms dealers to the US military.
Director Todd Phillips, mastermind of The Hangover films, and co-writer Jason Smilovic don’t let the truth get in the way of spinning an entertaining yarn.
They embellish the jaw-dropping rags-to-riches narrative with a hare-brained chase through the notorious Triangle of Death to the south of Baghdad, and some fizzing one-liners, which are used as chapter headings to bookmark each stage of the journey.
Miles Teller and Jonah Hill, who garnered numerous awards for their eye-catching work in Whiplash and The Wolf Of Wall Street respectively, are an incendiary double-act.
They clamber over various obstacles thrown in their characters’ paths and brazenly wisecrack in the face of death.
Phillips’ film opens with TV news footage from the war in Iraq in 2008.
Miles Teller as David Packouz
“I see 17,000 dollars,” explains massage therapist David Packouz (Teller). “That’s what it costs to outfit an American soldier.”
Narrating his own extraordinary story, David introduces us to his wife Iz (Ana de Armas), with whom he hopes to raise a family by selling bed sheets to local care homes.
His get-rich-quick scheme flops and David is reluctant to tell his spouse that the boxes of bedding cluttering up their apartment are not their golden ticket to a brighter future.
At this low ebb, David meets his friend Efraim Diveroli (Hill), who has discovered a website which lists contracts that the US military needs to be fulfilled.
Jonah Hill as Efraim Diveroli
“When life kicked me, I stayed down. But Efraim? He kicked back,” gushes David, who agrees to become a partner in this shadowy yet highly lucrative business.
The buddies tender for a massive munitions contract with the help of infamous dealer Henry Girard (Bradley Cooper) and underbid by 53 million dollars.
David travels to Albania to fulfil the contract, aided by his driver Bashkim (JB Blanc), who knows which palms to grease.
When David questions the morality of the business, which he keeps secret from Iz, Efraim immediately hits back.
“This isn’t about being pro-war,” he counsels David. “It’s about being pro-money.”
Bolstered by strong performances from the two leads, War Dogs is an engrossing and frequently uproarious comedy of errors.
Phillips and Smilovic’s script short changes the supporting characters: Iz exists solely to prick David’s conscience with her fleeting words of wisdom.
However, they do they craft some big laughs like when the buddies visit a weapons expo in Las Vegas and David pithily describes the event as “Comic-Con with grenades”.
War - what is it good for?
It’s very good for lining the pockets of the greedy and the enterprising.

War Dogs: An engrossing and frequently uproarious comedy of errors


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Nice arrival within a week of 84 innocent lives being lost, with more than 300 injured, in the Bastille Day truck carnage sounded a suitably sombre note.
But, a short distance down Côte d’Azur, lovers of music and life alike were determined to show their solidarity. Their show would go on, albeit truncated, to lift shallow spirits.
And, although increased security curtailed fringe gatherings, Jazz à Juan duly delivered as a defiant tour de force in the face of senseless atrocities along their coast and across the globe.
Joy of Life was never more evident on the Antibes shores and streets where, 70 years before, Picasso crafted La Joie de Vivre iconic celebration of peace.
Juan les Pins produced similarly life-affirming exuberance among an audience eager to enjoy an uplifting soundtrack to lighten the understandably morose mood.
Diana Krall, headlining on the delayed opening night, was literally instrumental in striking just such an optimistic note. Vocal chords and keyboard in perfect harmony, she dedicated her sweet sounds to the fallen families.
The crowd were keen to match the tempo of a sensational set, stunning and striking in equal measure, including such hits as ‘60s classic The Look Of Love, penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, whose back catalogue she and singer-songwriter husband Elvis Costello continue to champion and celebrate.
She was preceded on the Pinède Gould stage by revelation, to this reviewer at least, of the former The Hoax bluesman Hugh Coltman. The Brit turned Parisian’s measured inflection and intonation eloquently channeled late great satin-silk smoothness of Nat King Cole. No mean feat.
The best was yet to come with ace of bass Marcus Miller. The double Grammy award winner wowed a packed audience, treated to a majestic performance by the masterful multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. Two decades since his first appearance among the pines, his funk-fused delivery was simply sublime. He followed fellow bassist Richard Bona and Mandekan Cubano as well as Flemish songbird Selah Sue, whose soul diva delivery climaxed in stand-out rendition of hit single Raggamuffin.
Francais five-piece Maryline and The Family Company paved the way for Eddy Mitchell Big Band’s brass section-supported crooning par excellence. Chanteuse Robin McKelle, pianist Paolo Conte and American Gospel Junior free show ensured it was indeed Oh Happy Day as the curtain fell on a celebration that beat all the odds.
Europe’s longest running annual jazz jamboree, this year marking its 56th anniversary, is the perfect time to travel there but, thanks to personable professionalism of tourism hosts
Béatrice Di Vita and Lucy Howard, there’s never a bad time to savour the flavour of this Mediterranean maritime paradise.
Built on Greek and Roman origins, characterised by lofty ramparts, the resort’s ports include yachting mecca Port Vauban and sandy shores of chic Cap d’Antibes.
Its incomparable charm has long delighted visitors as illustrious as cubism pioneer Picasso, whose bright works reflected the white light and lore of this land.

Sun, sea and all that jazz - Chris Page enjoys sweet sounds among the delights of the French Riviera


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A Fylde coast music festival is all set to return next weekend for its second year.
The Fleetwood Folk and Blues Weekend boasts eight venues featuring live folk, acoustic and blues music alongside the return of a craft fair, workshops and traditional dancing.
The event takes place between Friday September 2 and Sunday September 4,
Rachael Bailey, event organiser, has confirmed Fleetwood Bowling Club as the main concert venue after the recent extension of the function room.
A packed bill of artists includes award-winning acts such Merry Hell, Sunjay, Reg Meuross, Flossie Malavialle among others, alongside local festival favourites Ian Gartisde and Scolds Bridle.
Some events are free and others require paid-for tickets.
Visit www.fleetwoodfolkandblues.com or info@fleetwoodfolkandblues.com or phone (01253) 873964 or 07979 932779.


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A Fylde coast reservoir popular with anglers has now re-opened after a contagious fish disease caused it to shut.
Fleetwood Reservoir, on Maritime Street, closed after KHV - koi herpesvirus disease, was confirmed on August 9.
We are lucky - this thing could easily have wiped out our entire fish stocks
The disease causes fish to develop necrotic skin patches and can proved fatal.
But now the facility, which is overseen by Fleetwood Reservoir Angling Club, is open to anglers again.
However, it is still subject to strict statutory controls to prevent or limit the spread of the disease.
Paul Potter, club treasurer and secretary, said: “The amazing things is that now the angling seems to be better than ever.
“People are catching more fish than they were before. We’re not quite sure why that is, it does seem to defy logic, because we have lost 48 fish - that’s about a quarter of the fish we had there.
“We were told it would take several months to get back to normal.
“We are lucky - this thing could easily have wiped out our entire fish stocks.”
Mr Potter said anglers were being urged to follow guideline recommended by the Environment Agency (EA).
The measures include demands that all nets/mats be dipped before and after fishing and that keepnets are forbidden except in matches.
The EA will now visit the water twice a year to provide follow on support and to ensure there are no further issues, although they believe this unlikely. Fleetwood Reservoir Angling Club has some 100 members at present. The four acre water, which is owned by Fleetwood-based David Halsall Toys (Europe) Ltd, has depths from six feet to 20 feet.

Angling club’s quick revival after fish virus


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She might not be able to fly right up to the sky but the daughter of the legendary Keith Harris will be following in her father’s footsteps, performing at a variety show on Friday, September 16.
Sixteen-year-old Kitty Harris grew up in Poulton and although she hasn’t taken up her dad’s ventriloquism, she’s still a natural performer and has been singing and dancing since the age of four at Langleys Dance Centre.
She has even appeared with her dad at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool in ‘Best of British’ produced by Duggie Chapman.
It’s Steve Hewlett, the ventriloquist who finished in fourth place on the 2013 series of Britian’s Got Talent, and a close friend of Keith Harris, who personally asked Kitty to perform at the ‘Talents of Britain’ show at the Lancaster Grand next month.
Speaking about Kitty’s inclusion in the talent show, Steve said it was a no-brainer, saying: “I’m proud to be introducing Kitty at The Grand in Lancaster this September.
“This will be a very Special moment for me, Kitty, her family and Talents of Britain, as she is not only a fantastic talent in her own right but she has been guided by wonderful parents and one of the most successful performers Great Britain has ever seen in Keith Harris.
“She will do his legacy proud.”
Steve was a long-time friend of Keith, before his death in 2015, and added that he saw him as somewhat of a mentor, he said: “I was 16 Kitty’s age) when I first worked with Keith on a TV show in 1993.
“As a young ventriloquist he was so helpful to me. When I entered BGT 2013 he was one of the close friends I asked for guidance and he was chuffed I got to the final.
“He was so encouraging and kind from that day to his last.
“He would call me just to see how I was doing and my family and just gave me his generous advice and time.”
Talents of Britain is touring this Autumn on the back of a sell-out 2015. As well as Steve Hewlett and Kitty Harris, it also features the likes of dancers Stavros Flatley, comedian Kev Orkian and impressionist Paul Burling.
Tickets are priced at £17 for adults and £15 for concessions. They’re available to buy from http://www.lancastergrand.co.uk/

Kitty follows legendary father on to the stage


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Beach chiefs have insisted there is no fault with the Spanish steps after a seven-year-old boy was left cut and bruised.
Susan Burrows, 37, from Warley Road, North Shore, was visiting the beach with her partner and son Thomas but was left shocked when he came up from a paddle with “blood pouring out of his hands and feet”.
The boys foot afterwards
She said: “Me, my partner and my little boy were sat on the sea front, it was packed out and I kept telling my little boy to take his socks and shoes off to have a little paddle.
“There was a puddle in front of the steps, he went down and we saw him go under the water, he’s come up and there’s blood everywhere.”
The Spanish steps are part of Blackpool’s £76m Prom revamp, between South Pier and North Pier, which have proved hugely popular with visitors.
Susan spoke to a lifeguard at the beach after the incident on August 17 who she claims said that this wasn’t the first time something like this has happened.
There was a puddle in front of the steps, he went down and we saw him go under the water, he’s come up and there’s blood everywhere
“A lifeguard came and did first aid, he checked all his cuts over and cleaned them,” she added.
“The lifeguard said that there’s a dip in the sand and nobody knows what’s under it. So it’s quite dangerous.
“The bottom step you can’t see, I asked what happened because we couldn’t see and he said that the bottom step is slippy so I think he’s just slipped on the step because you can’t see it.
“I sent an email to some environmental health page, who deal with Blackpool waters. I got an email back saying a reply would take 20 minutes.”
A spokesman for Blackpool Council said: “There is no issue with the Spanish steps.
“Tidal movements cause the sand to move around and a beach shovel is used to level the sand and reduce the height of any sandbank.”

Boy, seven, injured in Blackpool’s Spanish steps incident


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Pier Jam will make its long awaited return to North Pier this Saturday, just so long as the weather stays calm.
Part two of the four-part series was called off on Saturday, August 20 due to “unprecedented weather”, in line with advice from the Authorities, Local Licensing & Pier Safety Officers.
Duke Dumont, Tchami, Philip George and Son of 8 had been due to perform at the house music event but the adverse weather conditions made this impossible.
However ticket holders for Pier Jam 2 were offered a refund or the chance to transfer their ticket over to this weekend’s event.
Part three on Saturday is headlined by Hannah Wants, with performances from Shadowchild, Shiba San, Tough Love and Monki also scheduled.
Hannah Wants headlines the event on the back of being voted Best Bass DJ at the Pacha Music Awards and Best DJ at the BMA’s in 2015.
Over the last few years her hard-hitting style has made her world-renowned and a must for any festival organisers.
Shadowchild is the alias of Simon Neale, somewhat of a veteran of the electronic music scene.
Also joining them is WMC Award winner Shiba San, BBC Radio 1’s Monki and Tough Love, best known for their top 20 single ‘So Freakin’ Tight’.
Tickets are on sale from £20 and are available at http://www.pierjam.com/tickets.


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Meet a witch on a dangerous mission, a fabulous fantasy queen and a cast of colourful picture book stars in a glittering array of new titles from Macmillan Children’s Books.
Age 9 plus:
Fire Witch by Matt Ralphs
English history, thrilling adventure and a bewitching heroine…
Matt Ralphs is back with Fire Witch, the red-hot sequel to Fire Girl, and our fiery, fearless witch Hazel must gather her wits and steel her nerves to join her enemies and try to save her mother.
Packed with intrigue, danger, nail-biting tension and flashes of rib-tickling humour, these page-turning stories featuring an extraordinary girl are addictive reading for young fans of fantasy, drama and… witches!
The Civil War in England is over, Oliver Cromwell rules the land and a new battle is raging… between the people and the witches. Twelve-year-old HazelHooper is no ordinary girl. She is a Fire Witch, she can wield and manipulate flame and she is getting stronger all the time. But she is also angry because her mother Hecate had to sacrifice herself to the demon world in order to stop a demonic invasion. Hazel must fight on alone and she is determined to get her back, whatever the cost.
Her only chance to find Hecate is to seek advice from brilliant demonologist Nicolas Murrell, the Order of Witch Hunters’ most prized prisoner, and the man who summoned the demon responsible for Hecate’s fate. With only Bramley, her grumpy dormouse familiar for company, Hazel must disguise herself as a boy and infiltrate the black heart of the Order of Witch Hunters to speak to Murrell before he is executed. But can he be trusted? Will Murrell reveal to his captors that their newest apprentice is actually… a witch?
Ralphs has always been fascinated by witches, ghosts and anything that sends a shiver down his spine and this magical series is the perfect creation of his high-flying, super scary imagination.
A world of supernatural in the midst of terrifying real history…
(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99)
Age 10 plus:
The Hunting of the Princes by Peter F. Hamilton
Also dabbling in the wondrous world of fantasy is Peter F.Hamilton, the UK’s bestselling adult science fiction author, who was inspired to write for a younger audience by his own two children.
The Hunting of the Princes is the second book in his original and gripping Queen of Dreams trilogy which began with The Secret Throne and has all the hallmarks of a memorable modern classic.
Sprinkled with atmospheric black and white illustrations by Rohan Eason, this gorgeous fantasy series is a vivid, magical adventure featuring amazing kingdoms, daring quests and deadly menace.
Taggie Paganuzzi has had a busy year in the beautiful old market town of Stamford in Lincolnshire. Her mum was a Third Realm sorceress and now Taggie has inherited her family’s magical powers. From finding out she is the queen-to-be of a magical realm to learning to use her magic skills and discovering that the King of Night wants her dead, there have been a lot of ‘firsts.’
Assassins have been targeting royal heirs throughout the magical realms and now someone has tried to kill Taggie whilst she was cycling back to her home. Everyone thinks the King of Night’s army, the Karrak invaders, are responsible and that war is inevitable. But Taggie has found out two very interesting facts. Firstly, that the Karraks come from a cold, dark universe and cannot abide warmth and light. And secondly, that there was once a gate to this universe, now lost in the mists of time. If Taggie and her friends can find the gate, perhaps they can also stop the war? But to do that, they need to find a Karrak willing to take their side…
Hamilton conjures up a thrilling alternative world in which good must overcome evil, children are pitted against powerful enemies and a fantastic cast of amazing animal characters add to all the fun and fantasy. Don’t miss it!
(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
Flying Lemurs by Zehra Hicks
This funny, reassuring story about overcoming fears and discovering hidden talents is the latest inspirational book from Macmillan’s new imprint for young children, Two Hoots.
A zingy, zany tale bursting with high-octane energy and an adorable cast of high-flying animals, this gorgeous circus-themed odyssey comes from talented author and illustrator Zehra Hicks whose speciality is telling stories through pictures.
Everyone in the lemur family is good at jumping, a talent which comes in handy as they are all circus performers. Mum is a brilliant trapeze artist, Dad’s trampoline routine is absolutely huge and Grandma’s speciality is being shot from a cannon.
Unfortunately little Lemur is not so good at jumping… in fact, he’s not even a fan of heights. He just can’t jump, no matter how hard he tries. But there are other things that Lemur is good at – throwing custard pies, skateboarding and playing the tambourine – so maybe with a bit of practice, he can become the best circus performer of them all!
Hicks ramps up the visual and verbal drama of this fun and warm-hearted story with her multi-textured illustrations, painted here by using bamboo and a bold palette of colours. Having fun, accepting life’s triumphs and disasters, and discovering the importance of family love all come under the spotlight in a sparkling and inspirational picture book.
(Two Hoots, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
More People to Love Me by Mo O’Hara and Ada Grey
Modern families come in all shapes and sizes… and sometimes they are extra super-sized!
Mo O’Hara, author of the popular My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series, delivers the perfect picture book for the step family generation in this moving story about a little girl with so many branches to her family tree that she runs out of space to draw them all.
Asked by her teacher to draw her family tree, the little girl just doesn’t know where to start. She’s got her mum and dad, her sister Cee Cee, her stepdad David and her stepmum Sharon. And then there are her mum’s new baby twins, her step brother Michael and no one must forget about Happy the tortoise. But the tree is starting to get rather crowded because there are all the grandparents to fit in as well. There’s only one thing for it, the family tree is going to have to grow!O’Hara was inspired to write by her own children’s positive experiences of being part of an extended family and felt that this was
rarely depicted in picture books. The result is a warm and moving tale about one little girl and her family that keeps on growing.
The gentle, reassuring and playful story is complemented by Ada Grey’s charming illustrations, reinforcing the message that every family is different and the bigger the family, the more people there are to love… and to love you back!
(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
The Hippopandamouse by Jools Bentley
Nobody’s perfect… and sometimes being imperfectly different makes you special!
Author and illustrator Jools Bentley plays with traditional expectations in this cute and clever story about a little princess who falls for the only toy in the shop that doesn’t have a name.
Princess Flo has pocket money to spend so she heads off to Fluffley’s Fine Toys, the best toy shop in town. Everybody there has been working very hard to prepare for her visit – so hard, in fact, that one of the cuddly toys has ended up as a strange mix of a hippo, panda and mouse. The shop’s owner Miss Fluffey is eager to show Princess Flo the cuddly teddies, cute kittens and perky penguins, all perfect for a royal princess. But to everyone’s horror, Princess Flo spots the strange looking toy. The part hippo, part panda and part mouse is a total and utter mistake! But Flo loves this toy being different, seeing something unique and special in the strange animal. All he needs now is a name… Hippopandamouse!
Wise, witty and wonderfully warm-hearted, the tale of The Hippopandamouse is a beautiful, big-hearted story, gorgeously illustrated and simply perfect for little princesses everywhere.
(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
Prince Ribbit by Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene
Hop, skip and jump into this brilliant new picture book from top team Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene.
Well-loved fairy tale, The Frog Prince, gets a dashing, daring makeover as ever popular author Emmett and talented illustrator Bernatene put a devilishly clever twist in the not-so-handsome frog’s tail.
One day, Princess Martha and her sisters, Princess Lucinda and Princess Arabella, are listening to the story of The Frog Prince. Lucinda and Arabella love romantic tales and their happily-ever-after endings, but Martha isn’t so sure. She prefers facts to fairy tales, and likes real frogs more than enchanted ones, and besides, clever Martha knows that not everything written in books is true.
Unknown to the sisters, a clever little frog is listening to the story and it sparks a bright idea. If he can convince the gullible princesses that he is actually a prince, perhaps he could start getting some royal treatment of his own. So is Prince Ribbit really a handsome prince, or just a plain, ordinary frog?
There’s only one way to find out… pucker up princesses, it’s time for true love’s kiss!
Emmett works his own brand of fairy tale magic as he transforms a classic tale into a feast of smiles and smoochy surprises while Bernatene’s stunning and superbly detailed illustrations provide a feast of colour and fun.
A picture book that all the family can enjoy…
(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
Dear Zoo Drawing and Colouring Book by Rod Campbell
Rod Campbell, creator of the classic, much-loved Dear Zoo books, has been a trusted name in early learning for over 30 years and he’s back with this inspirational first drawing and colouring book.
Dear Zoo, an ingeniously simple, lift-the-flap book with touches of gentle humour, introduces pre-school children to the wonder and variety of wild animals, and now a new generation can join in all the fun and draw their very own zoo full of amazing creatures.
There are 32 pages of drawing, colouring and doodling featuring all the animals from the original story. At the top of each page, little ones are told what to draw and given a helping hand with many of the pictures already started.
Packed full of simple activities that are perfectly pitched for pre-schoolers, the book’s large, square, extra thick pages can be peeled off the pad, stuck to walls at home or even put in a frame if they are special mini-masterpieces.
Draw bananas for the naughty monkey, give the fierce lion big sharp teeth, design a bowl for a frisky puppy or give a camel a big smile. The Dear ZooDrawing and Colouring Book is the ideal first lesson for budding young artists and dedicated toddler doodlers.
(Macmillan, paperback, £5.99)

Book reviews: History, fantasy and animal magic with Macmillan


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Not many pubs can attract number one charting recording artists to perform but that’s exactly what The Duke of York have done, with 2013 X Factor winner Sam Bailey coming to perform at their reopening on Thursday.
Bailey, whose debut single ‘Skyscraper’ and album ‘The Power of Love’ both hit the top of the charts, is headlining a special gala reopening night alongside Miss Rory and the Liverbirds.
The free, invite-only party is to mark the reopening of the pub, on Dickson Road, following a £50,000 investment.
Matthew Armstrong, who runs the pub alongside the designer Kevin Barnard said: “It’s fabulous. The customers love it - people can’t believe it’s the same pub.
“Inside has a contemporary feel, with modern light fittings and vibrant colours so it looks much airier. It was only right to relaunch in style, so we’ve got a great night planned.”
This is the latest show of a busy schedule for X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, who has just finished playing Mama Morton in a UK tour of the musical ‘Chicago’, she said: “I’m now doing a Butlins tour, I’ve got a single that’s just come out two weeks ago and an album which is coming out on the 16th September.”
Bailey says that her new album ‘Sing My Heart Out’, recorded in LA with Steve Dorff, and being released on her own label Tiger Drum is very personal: “I’ve put my heart and soul into it.
“It was written about experiences that I’ve learnt and every single song has some sort of story behind it.
Bailey’s looking forward to performing in Blackpool after her enjoying first visit with the resort “open” earlier this year, and despite the lower profile these days, the singer says it’s not too different from when she was on the X Factor three years ago. She added: “The pop tour’s great, I’m top of the bill and there’s sometimes 5,000 people there to see me so it’s great. It’s like being on the X Factor again.
“I’m always excited to do new things and perform and it’s always good to be part of something great and I thought that this was a great opportunity for me.”
The show starts at 9pm on Thursday. It’s a free event. For more information or invites, call into the pub.

Sam gives refurbished pub the X Factor magic


A former Blackpool FC player who became the first Chinese man to appear in the top flight of English football returned to the resort after 55 long years.
Cheung Chi Doy, 75, reunited with former team-mates Jimmy Armfield, Glyn James, Tommy Thompson, Graham Oates and Barrie Martin at Bloomfield Road.
Former player Cheung Chi Doy reunites with his former Blackpool team mates. Below, inset, pictured during his playing days.
He was the guest of honour at the Blackpool FC v Plymouth Argyle match.
Chi Doy became the first Chinese player to move to England and play in the top flight after swapping Tung Wah for Blackpool in 1960.
He featured in two first-team fixtures against Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday, in which he scored his one and only goal for the club.
In 1962 he returned to his homeland of Hong Kong to play for the Yuen Long football team, and went on to travel the world, playing for teams in Vancouver in Canada and St Louis in America before retiring to Lantau Island with his wife Jojo in 1978.
It’s even more beautiful than before and very crowded
He is thought to still be the first and only Hong Kong-born football player to have ever played for a European club.
He said: “Of course I’m delighted to come here again after 55 years and see some of my old friends like Jimmy Armfield and all the players. I’m really looking forward to looking around Blackpool. From 1960 compared to now, it’s completely different.
“It’s even more beautiful than before and very crowded. When I lived here in the 1960s, even when it was sunny there were very few people out past 7pm.”
Chi Doy was inspired to join Blackpool FC after they continued their 100 per cent win record from their 12-game 1958 Australian tour in his home country, where they secured two victories against Hong Kong teams.
Former Blackpool FC player Cheung Chi Doy in his footballing days. Picture by Blackpool FC
He returned to the club where he found British fame as part of a documentary of his life: ‘Finding Cheung Chi Doy’ by independent filmmaker Chan Fun Man.
Chi Doy said: “Blackpool FC came to Hong Kong twice and I met the club and made friends with some English reporters who introduced me to the manager.
“I wanted to come here to improve my football. English football is the best in the world and has a lot of very good players.
“I was really looking forward to going to the match.”

China star back in Blackpool 55 years on


Hardship in the fells of 1930s County Durham and intrigue at a Second World War munitions factory are just two compelling new books from Quercus this September.
Nobody’s Child by Elizabeth Gill
Two traveller sisters from the wild countryside of County Durham face hardship, hunger and an uncertain future when they lose their parents and their home.
Consumed with grief and surrounded by hostility, can the teenagers survive the tough times ahead in 1930s England and hold tight to the family ties that bind them together?
Elizabeth Gill, author of over 30 books set in and around her native Tyneside, works her storytelling magic in a moving and gritty family saga of adversity and hope and love and loyalty that will delight her army of devoted fans.
On Christmas Day in 1930, Kath and Ella Watson are living with their parents in an empty house close to Castle Bank Colliery on snow-covered Durham Fell tops. They have been forced to take shelter there from their travellers’ wagon because their mother is gravely ill.
Kath is seventeen and her father believes she should have married long ago, particularly as she has been courted by the likes of rich traveller Will Hern. But Kath has seen the chaotic life of traveller women with babies, forced to raise their youngsters inside a cramped wagon.
Their mother Rose wants a better life for her two daughters but when she dies on Christmas Day morning, their father is overcome by grief and sets fire to the family’s wooden wagon, reducing it to a heap of ashes.
When the police arrive to tell them that not only has their father died in an accident after riding off on his horse but also that they must leave the house where they have been sheltering, the two sisters are left bereft and virtually penniless.
With winter closing in around them, and facing the hostility of locals who are suspicious of Gypsies, the girls strike out to find their way in a harsh landscape which sets them on a collision course with the wealthy Banks family of nearby Golden Hill Hall, local farmer Jake Sutherland and Will Hern, the man who would still have Kath as his wife.
Using her trademark warmth, experience and wisdom, Gill captures the essence of the hardy folk of the north-east in a story brimming with drama, romance, rich period detail and vivid characters.
Written from the heart and with a seductive sense of time and place, Nobody’s Child is the perfect read for autumn nights…
(Quercus, hardback, £19.99)
The Factory Girls by Rosie Archer
Friends in need, flying bombs and explosive revelations… it’s time to head back to the adventures and misadventures of Gosport’s ‘canary girls.’
The real-life munitions workers at Priddy’s Hard, the Royal Navy Armament Depot in Hampshire, who helped to arm the Allies’ D-Day invasion fleet, are the inspiration behind this compelling series from Gosport author Rosie Archer.
In the follow-up to The Munitions Girls and The Canary Girls, Archer sweeps us away again to England in 1944 and into the hearts and minds of the women who packed shells and bullets with sulphurous chemicals that made their skin and hair turn yellow.
Archer pays tribute to the dangerous and dirty work undertaken by the 2,500 women at the factory during the Second World War in stories that prove no matter how hard the times, despite bombing, short rations, cruel men and unwanted pregnancy, friendship will pull you through.
In autumn of 1944, V-1 flying bombs, known as doodlebugs, are the latest threat to war-battered Gosport. And at Priddy’s Hard munitions factory, Em Earle is about to suffer a threat to her livelihood that comes from much nearer home.
Meanwhile, local crook and black marketeer Samuel Golden is back and up to his old tricks as he tries to find ways to exploit the hardships of local people for his own gain.
As well as Samuel’s unwanted attentions, Em has to deal with some huge revelations from within her own family. Her daughter Lizzie is pregnant, and a strange woman has turned up on Em’s doorstep claiming to be her sister.
Em is excited but cannot help feeling wary. Could this woman be too good to be true? Once again it will be up to the girls from the bomb factory to rally round and support one of their own.
The triumphs and disasters of this entertaining, close-knit group of friends spring to life in a nostalgic story packed with drama, tension, passion and the grim realities of life in wartime England.
Archer has her finger firmly on the pulse of the munitions workers… their hardships, their struggles and the determination to win wars in both their personal lives and on the bigger stage.
Romance with a gritty edge…
(Quercus, paperback, £6.99)

Book reviews: Cosy up with two family sagas from Quercus Books


Lytham boxer Scott Cardle, who will defend his British lightweight title in Glasgow on October 7, says he will enter the ring stronger for his clash with Grimsby’s Kevin Hooper - but insists he will need to be.
The match has finally been made and Cardle knows full well he will have to be on his A-game.
Cardle said: “Hooper is a stand-up fighter, who will never give up, so I am expecting a hard fight because this is such a massive opportunity for him and I am sure he will be up for it.
“I have not been over-impressed with myself in my last two performances and since then I have been building up my power and my strength.
“I need to be ready for the best Kevin Hooper.”
The two have shared a ring before - in sparring - and Cardle says: “That was about two years ago and was over a total of 10 rounds.
“I like to think that I had the upper hand on that occasion, but it was a very tough spar.
“We have both probably improved as boxers since then.”
Nothing has come easy for Cardle in his title defences.
Sean Dodd gave him all the trouble he could handle when the pair met for the first time, Cardle pulling it out of the fire in the final round with an explosive stoppage.
When they squared up again, it was ruled a draw, with the Dodd camp screaming foul that their man should have got the verdict.
Since the meeting with Dodd, Cardle had a ticking-over fight, beating Ivan Njegac, of Croatia.
On each occasion when he met Dodd, Cardle found the overwhelming volume of support was for the popular Birkenhead man, and he found himself the ‘villain’ of the piece.
Cardle said: “It will be strange when I next fight because against Dodd, I was the bad guy and the underdog.
“I hope the people of Glasgow will get behind me on the night.
“My home-town is Lytham, but all my family come from Glasgow.”
He added: “I thought I would have this fight in September, so I am two weeks’ ahead of schedule and I don’t want to over-do things at this stage, but I will be right on the night and leave no stone unturned.”
Top of the bill at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on October 7 will be on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ World Boxing Association world super lightweight title fight against Kiryl Relikh.


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Changes to a Fylde coast bus service have led to mixed reactions from regular passengers in Fleetwood.
There is good news for Fleetwood folk who need to travel to Preston, as a bus link between the port and the city is to be restored next month, via the number 74 and 75 routes.
But there is concern for some elderly passengers because part of the route which served areas around Hatfield Avenue are being taken out.
Elderly folk who have come to rely on the bus arriving close to their homes are so unhappy with the changes, to be brought in from the first week of September, they are planning a petition.
Fleetwood campaigner Angela Patchett, who has organised similar campaigns in the past, said: “It is good that there is now a Fleetwood bus link to Preston, but why have they removed some of stops in Fleetwood? A couple of ladies have contacted me about it I am looking into it.”
Pensioner Anne Elms, of Hatfield Avenue, said: “It’s good they are using joined-up thinking to link up with Preston and but the trouble is that the elderly people there who can’t walk very well will miss out.”
Fleetwood resident Bill Cook, 71, of Beach Road, Fleetwood, said: “I think it is a good move to link up with the Preston bus at Poulton.”
The changes see travel firm Preston Bus tying together two existing routes, restoring a service which was axed during April’s Lancashire wide bus cuts.
The 74 service, linking Fleetwood to Blackpool via Poulton and Victoria hospital, will now allow passengers to disembark at Poulton and catch the 75 to Preston.
But in Fleetwood the 74 will miss out stops around Highbury Avenue, Hatfield Avenue and Whinfield Avenue.
A spokesman for transport authority, Lancashire County Council, said: “There was a high demand to restore the direct link from Fleetwood to Preston, particularly for people who live in Fleetwood and work or go to college in Preston and were having to wait in Poulton for 50 minutes for a connection.
“But in order to accommodate this within existing resources, without incurring extra cost, it was decided to take out stops at Highbury Avenue and Whinfield Avenue due to low demand.”

Not everyone pleased with bus route move


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Blackpool is all set for a world premier at The Grand Theatre this week – and it’s pants.
Underpants, to be exact.
Because Aliens Love Underpants. And they’re coming to The Grand to tell their zany and hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book of the same name.
The book is being brought to life on stage for the very first time.
Just remember: aliens love underpants of every shape and size, but there are no underpants in space so here’s a big surprise!
With stunning effects, madcap action, original music – and lots of aliens of course – this production based on the Claire Freedman and Ben Cort book should be a delight for the whole family.
The Big Wooden Horse and Nick Brooke production has a two-day run at The Grand, on Friday and Saturday.
Shows are at 1.30pm on Friday, and 11am and 2pm on Saturday.
Tickets are priced at £15 each. Call (01253) 290190 for details.

Aliens and underpants take over The Grand


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Blackpool FC hero Brett Ormerod has been putting in plenty of hard work at the gym in readiness for his final goodbye to the fans on Sunday.
Ormerod will be the centre of attention at his testimonial match that afternoon at AFC Fylde’s new ground at Mill Farm, kick-off 3pm.
Ormerod’s Tanagerine All-Stars will take on a side assembled by Coasters’ manager Dave Challinor.
Some of the proceeds from the match, hosted by Fylde and organised by Blackpool Supporters’ Trust, will go towards a fund set up to help former Seasiders’ player and coach Gary Parkinson, who has been seriously incapacitated by ‘locked-in syndrome’ following a stroke.
Ormerod finally retired from the game at the end of last year at the age of 39, following a distinguished, successful career that included a history-making landmark as he became the first and only Blackpool player to score in each of the top four divisions of the English game.
He said: “I haven’t kicked a ball since last Christmas, and I have been on the treadmill for the last two weeks, trying to get fit for Sunday.
“I can’t promise that I will last the full 90 minutes but I will certainly be getting my boots on again.”
Among those supporting Ormerod’s big day are Matt Gilks, Paul Rachubka, Stephen Crainey, John Hills, Barry Shuttleworth, Ian Evatt, Danny Coid, Alex Baptiste, Charlie Adam, David Vaughan, Jamie Milligan, Keith Southern, Phil Clarkson, Billy Clarke, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and John Murphy.
Steve Thompson, formerly a coach at Blackpool and now working with Simon Grayson at Preston North End, will oversee tactics from the touchline for the Seasiders All-Stars.
Not all of the assembled Blackpool glitterati will play as some of that illustrious number are still playing competitive football and managers are loath to risk them in a testimonial match, though Ormerod hopes there will be one or two cameo appearances.
And there is a possibility that Parkinson himself will be there with his family to support the venture.
Ormerod said: “There is a chance Gary will be at the match and it would be nice if that happened.
“I knew Gary as a player and a coach at Blackpool, and he was always the life and soul of everything.
“It is sad what has happened to him and hopefully he will be able to be there on Sunday. If not, we will still be able to support his fund.
“What happened to Gary can happen to anyone.
“When I left Blackpool in 2012, I never got the chance to say a final goodbye and to thank them for all the support they gave me over the years.
“I didn’t want to stage Sunday’s game at Bloomfield Road because of the politics going on at the club, so it was moved to AFC Fylde and it is a good chance to show off the fantastic new stadium there.”
Ormerod, one of the most wholehearted and popular players to wear the Blackpool shirt, finished his playing days in non-league football and, now that he has retired from the game, he is busier than ever.
He said: “I am involved in a gym franchise and I am also doing work as a radio pundit.
“I have three kids who keep me busy.
“There are loads of things to do, and I am certainly not ready yet for the rocking chair and the pipe and slippers!”
AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor has yet to finalise his team, but says there is every chance that he will make a brief appearance harking back to his days with Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers.
However, he is ruling out utilising one of his howitzer long throws!
The Coasters’ line up to take on the Seasiders all-stars is likely to include the likes of Matt Walwyn and Joe Booth, among other past and present Fylde players.

Ormerod ready for big ‘thank you’ to fans


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Funding for women’s refuges in Lancashire will be cut – and funding for ‘floating’ support, sheltered accommodation, and to a service providing help for elderly people with hearing impairments axed in cost-cutting proposals.
Lancashire County Council has announced proposals to use its new Prevention and Early Help Fund to provide £1.25m funding for domestic abuse services in the county, allowing for the continuation of Lancashire’s nine women’s refuges.
We’re pleased to provide £800,000 to women’s refuges, which is only a slight reduction from the previous budget County Coun Tony Martin
The fund will also be used to provide annual funding of £1.25m for services for homeless people with complex needs, and £500,000 for crisis support.
However, the announcement has been made in light of savage cuts to services.
Alongside extensive consultation, a cross-party cabinet working group was set up to consider the impact of ceasing to fund the non-statutory elements of Supporting People services, as well as looking at how best to use the new annual £3m Prevention and Early Help Fund.
Under the proposals, £800,000 of the £1.25m budget for domestic violence services would fund support within the nine women’s refuges in the county.
The council is proposing that £1.25m will be made available to support homeless households with complex needs. £500,000 transitional funding is also being allocated whilst supported accommodation services are redesigned.
The county council is continuing to invest £1.35m funding to meet the housing and support needs of 16 and 17 year olds. £500,000 transitional funding is also being allocated whilst supported accommodation services for young people who are homeless, or leaving care, are redesigned.
And £500,000 proposed for crisis support will be used to provide people with furniture, food or fuel to help meet their needs during crisis situations.
Funding for the floating support service; the support funded within sheltered accommodation; and the support provided within a sheltered scheme for elderly people with hearing impairments are proposed to cease from 1 April 2017.
Where people meet the statutory threshold they will receive appropriate support and services. For those who are not eligible for statutory services then the county council will be working with people to ensure that they are made aware of other services that are available in the community.
County Coun Tony Martin, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “The county council faces an unprecedented financial challenge meaning it must make savings of £200m by 2020/21. This has been caused by cuts in government funding and rising demand for our services.
“We’ve had to make some very tough decisions as part of the budget to ensure we have enough money to deliver the statutory services which must be provided by law.
“One of the proposals that formed part of the council’s budget was to reduce the non-statutory part of the Supporting People service.
“We want to replace this with the Prevention and Early Help Fund. With less money than was previously available, we set up a cabinet working group and ran a consultation to see which priority areas the fund should focus on.
“We’re pleased to provide £800,000 to women’s refuges, which is only a slight reduction from the previous budget. We’re confident that by delivering the service more efficiently we won’t need to reduce the services provided by the refuges.
“We’re also able to carry on supporting homeless people with complex needs and young people who are either homeless or leaving care.
“There is also funding available for those who suffer a crisis, including help to buy furniture, gas and electricity, or food, and to receive support to help them avoid similar situations in the future.
“However, we’ve had no option but to cut some services such as the floating support, sheltered accommodation, and our support to a service providing help for elderly people with hearing impairments. We hope that many people will still be able to get support through services such as the wellbeing scheme and social care.
“These are still only proposals and have to be considered by the council’s cabinet.”

Refuges’ cash cut - and support services axed


We’ve teamed up with Nickelodeon to give you the chance to attend the first-ever UK SLIMEFEST in Blackpool on Saturday September 3rd.
Featuring performances from Alesha Dixon, Conor Maynard, Diversity, The Tide and appearances from Nickelodeon stars Jack Griffo and Kira Kosarin, it’s set to be the slimiest music concert of the Summer.
Slimefest 2016
We’re giving away a VIP family prize package which includes:
4 x General Admission Switch On wristbands on Friday 2nd September 2016
4 x Tickets for the 11am SLIMEFEST concert on Saturday 3rd September 2016
4 x Wristbands for Blackpool Pleasure Beach for Saturday 3rd September 2016
2 x Exclusive official SLIMEFEST Hype® Bag (kids only)
1 x Apple iPad mini 2 7.9” 16gb
Or if you want to guarantee your ticket to the coolest kids’ event of the year, we have an exclusive 2for1 SLIMEFEST ticket offer for you. Just visit nick.co.uk/slimefest and enter FEST02 to get your exclusive 2for1 discount.
All you have to do to have the chance to win this fantastic prize is answer the following question:
Q: Which Britain’s Got Talent judge is performing at Nickelodeon’s SLIMEFEST?
Email your answer with Slimefest in the subject field, adding your name, address and daytime telephone number to competitions@lep.co.uk to arrive by midnight August 31st. Standard competition rules apply, entries merged across JP north west titles.

Win tickets to Nickelodeon's Slimefest and Illuminations Switch On


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