A totally spontaneous expression of gratitude breaks out for Premier Christy Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at the Quesnel rodeo after a rural school fund was announced in June.
Comedian Steve Smith, better known as Red Green, is touring B.C. in September, reprising his popular TV series in which he fixes every conceivable problem with duct tape.
Green’s “I’m Not Old I’m Ripe” tour hits Chilliwack, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Surrey, Vernon, Kelowna and Prince George.
His formula for deploying the handyman’s secret weapon has proven so popular that Premier Christy Clark may have been inspired. She’s had quite a flurry of hasty repairs in the last few months. Here’s a recap.
The B.C. minimum wage was starting to lag behind other provinces, even after the overhaul it received in 2015, where annual increases are tied to inflation.
Like Red’s truck tires, there has been a lack of inflation, and a surge of government spending back east leaving B.C. in the dust. B.C.’s wage rose 20 cents last year and was set to go up by another whole dime this fall.
There was that familiar ripping sound in May as Clark and Jobs Minister Shirley Bond announced the September increase will be patched up to 40 cents, with another 40-cent increase next fall. Two wraps should hold it until after the election.
Remember the episode where Red taped two old Hyundai Ponies side by side to make a handyman’s Hummer? The school system has seen that kind of work in recent months.
The first roll was applied by Education Minister Mike Bernier when he announced in March that the ministry’s “fix-it fund” was going from $35 million to $40 million. Then in mid-May, he announced 80 successful projects. The “fix-it fund” had fattened to $45 million, and Bernier was just getting his sleeves rolled up.
Hey school districts, remember the $25 million in “administrative savings” the ministry demanded for the second year in a row? Now that you’ve squeezed that from your budgets, Bernier’s good news at the end of May was that the government’s giving it back to use for “front line services for students.”
One of those services could be “maintaining schools despite falling enrolment in certain regions,” Bernier announced May 31, foreshadowing the next layer of repairs.
Sure enough, a “rural schools fund” was rolled out on June 15. Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes made the announcement in Quesnel, where Kersley and Parkland elementary schools were going to close.
Also eligible for a special fund was Okanagan-Similkameen, where Osoyoos high school students were going to be bused a half hour to Oliver. This is hardly unusual in rural schooling around B.C., but these are swing ridings, you see.
Kootenay Lake district declined the opportunity to keep Yahk elementary open, with an anticipated fall enrolment of zero students. This all comes during the annual ritual combat between the ministry and Vancouver school board over keeping half-empty schools open.
Bernier had one more roll in his overalls. School bus service, one of those things jettisoned or saddled with hundreds of dollars in fees per student as districts scraped up those “administrative savings,” was selectively saved with another $15 million fund announced last week.
There have been a few other country fixes. They’re not going to ban weddings on farms any more, for instance.
That old jalopy in the back yard you’ve been trying to soup up and get back on the road? Soon you can get a collector plate for that thing, which is perfect if you can only get it running once or twice a year.
To paraphrase Red, if the voters don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc

BC VIEWS: Premier Red Green’s fast fixes


Premier Christy Clark has pulled out the duct tape to fix up rural schools, school buses and the minimum wage


The B.C. government's plan B for income assistance cheques and other time-sensitive documents could be re-activated as the long-running Canada Post labour dispute reaches another deadline.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is in a legal position to strike as of Monday, but postponed threatened rotating strike action after weekend talks with a federal mediator. Its initial action would be an overtime ban rather than a full-scale walkout that would disrupt mail delivery.
Canada Post served lockout notice in July, with the two sides far apart on issues including pension changes for future employees and pay for rural carriers.
Income assistance, rent subsidy and other B.C. government payments are not affected if they are direct deposit. For mailed cheques and information, updates on possible postal strike effects to the Ministry of Social Development will be available as necessary at this website or at 1-866-866-0800.
Phone and online contacts are set up for questions about affected provincial departments:
• Ministry of Advanced Education and StudentAidBC online here.
• Ministry of Children and Family Development 1-877-387-7027
• Medical Services Plan payments online here or 1-877-405-4909
• ICBC inquiries 1-800-663-3051
• Family Maintenance and Enforcement program 604-660-2528
• Public Guardian and Trustee online here or 604-660-4444
• Vital Statistics 1-888-876-1633
• WorkSafe BC online here or 1-888-967-5377

B.C. prepares for possible postal disruption


Province has alternatives if Canada Post employees begin strike action


Just 853,000 sockeye salmon are estimated to be returning to the Fraser River this summer. That's about a third of what was expected, making it the worst Fraser sockeye run in 120 years.
The worst return of sockeye salmon to the Fraser River in more than a century has kept the commercial fishery shut down and curtailed aboriginal food fishing.
The run size estimate of 853,000 returning sockeye – the lowest on record since 1893 – is barely one third of the 2.3 million salmon that had been expected to come back this summer. Only twice before in the past century has the Fraser run dipped below one million.
Mike Lapointe, the chief biologist for the Pacific Salmon Commission, agrees this year's return is bad, but says it's not a catastrophe on the same scale as 2009, when millions of Fraser sockeye unexpectedly went missing and triggered the Cohen Inquiry.
"I'm not sure I agree with people characterizing it as a disaster," Lapointe said. "When you start from a spot that's already pretty low and you get poorer than average conditions, unfortunately you can get this type of return that's very low but not completely out of the realm of possibility."
Pre-season estimates indicated there was a one-in-10 chance the run could be this poor.
In contrast, 2009's return of 1.5 million was proportionally much lower than the more than 10 million sockeye anticipated and called into question the models used by fishery managers.
The bulk of sockeye in this year's Fraser run were destined for the Chilko Lake system. Lapointe said their rate of return will likely be around 20 adult spawners for every 1,000 juveniles that went to sea. That's much less than usual, but in 2009 the Chilko return rate was just three per 1,000.
Sockeye return on a four-year cycle and this part of the cycle is traditionally the lowest, so expectations weren't high.
But wildly inconsistent salmon returns seem to be increasingly prevalent as the cycle gets more lopsided.
In 2010, the Fraser welcomed back a record 30 million sockeye.
And Lapointe said 2018 could once again be a big year, and even 2017 might exceed 10 million salmon, based on the number of adults that previously spawned.
There are also signs marine conditions that have been bad for a few years could improve.
A warm water blob in the North Pacific that's thought to have reduced the food supply and attracted predators since 2014 has dissipated.
Lapointe said the recent results throw up more questions than answers.
"Is this a pattern that's going to become more frequent because the ocean is becoming less of a favourable place for juvenile salmon?"
Watershed Watch Salmon Society executive director Aaron Hill agreed this summer's record low return may not be as big a surprise and could soon reverse, but added the consequences right now are severe for First Nations who depend on salmon.
He listed past overfishing, viruses and parasites from salmon farms and extraction of water from the watershed as some of the factors that may be harming salmon populations.
"But the big one compounding all these other stressors is the climate," Hill said.
"Not only is it the worst return on record but the fish swimming up the river are swimming into river water that's lethally warm. A lot of fish won't even make it to the spawning grounds. We just don't know how many."
More variability and wild swings in the salmon cycle appear likely, Hill added.
"It really puts a fine point on the need to move on things we know we can do to improve the numbers of salmon that get up the river and survive to spawn."
Hill said the province has "abdicated its responsibility" to initiate more aggressive climate action to help reduce impacts on the fishery when it released its new climate plan last week.
And he said the federal government must do more to respond to the recommendations of the Cohen Commission.
"This crisis of Fraser River sockeye has not gone away."

Dismal sockeye salmon run is Fraser River's worst return in 120 years


853,000 fish estimated returning is worse than the disaster year of 2009 that triggered the Cohen inquiry, but not as unexpected


It is never a good start for any performance when ‘technical difficulties’ delay the start, particularly for half an hour in a particularly humid, packed theatre on an August Bank holiday Monday night.
And it was clear when curtains finally came up just after 8pm, that the enforced delays had left several of the cast as well the audience a tad discombobulated.
Sister Act. Directed and Choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood
Nerves were apparent in the opening scenes but as the the cast got into their stride the audience went along for the ride, making for a memorable performance by a truly talented cast.
Alexandra Burke of X Factor fame was perfectly cast as the outrageous singer on the run Deloris van Cartier, making the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg her own, and once again proving she has the vocal chops to shine on stage following her extremely successful run in the Bodyguard.
There is no doubt that she and the other nuns are the stars of this piece, juggling Craig Revel-Horwood’s (of Strictly fame’s) witty choreography, with some roof-raising and memorable numbers.
Sarah Goggin’s performance as Sister Mary Robert constantly drew the eye and raised the roof with her remarkable voice..
Sister Act. Directed and Choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood
But set pieces and solos by the male cast members, gave the production a depth and context that set up the exhilarating ensemble numbers.
Under Revel-Horwood’s direction, the comic acting and singing by Aaron Lee Lambert, Ricky Rojas, Sandy Grigelis, Jon Robyns andSamuel Morgan-Grahame has the audience sniggering and laughing out loud.
All the music was produced live by the cast and small band, meaning some characters were singing, dancing, acting and playing a variety of wind and string instruments. There was so much going on it was difficult to know where to look on stage ( in a good way).
If I was being super critical I would say this approach left a slight disconnect between some of the scenes, possibly due to the multi-role playing and hard-working cast being tasked with moving scenery and performing simultaneously.
But like all good productions the niggles seem to melt away as the performance progressed.
The audience were on their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation at the end as the production ended on an extremely enjoyable high note.
Sister Act is on at Manchester Palace Theatre until September 3.

REVIEW: Sister Act at Manchester Palace Theatre


It is never a good start for any performance when ‘technical difficulties’ delay the start, particularly for half an hour in a particularly humid, packed theatre on an August Bank holiday Monday night.


Rose-Marie, the Irish singer, who now lives in Blackpool, has been presented with a platinum disc for sales of her new album My Gift of Love For You.
Sapphire Records gave the prestigious award to her for selling over 500,000 discs.
I’m absolutely delighted and thrilled to bits
The 60-year-old songstress performs on the last Friday of every month at Viva Blackpool and of the disc she said: “I’m absolutely delighted and thrilled to bits.
“I spent nearly eight months making that album and it is quite different from anything else I have attempted. It’s really up to date and there’s a Sam Smith track on there as well as an Adele song.”
Rose-Marie’s next performance at Viva Blackpool will be on Friday, September 30 and she’ll be joined by producer Andy Mudd, the first time she’s linked up with him on stage.
She added: “Andy is a life long friend and knows how to get the best out of me, it’s a marriage made in heaven.”


Rose-Marie, the Irish singer, who now lives in Blackpool, has been presented with a platinum disc for sales of her new album My Gift of Love For You.


Tory leaders have hit out at plans for all Lancashire’s councils to work together paving the way for an elected mayor for the county.
Leader of Blackpool’s Labour-run council Coun Simon Blackburn is spearheading moves towards creating a combined authority which he says would be able to access devolved funding of up to £1bn.
The Government has the power to come along and change it anyway, but I would much prefer it if we could come up with a deal for Lancashire.
After being appointed chairman of the Shadow Combined Authority for Lancashire earlier this month, Coun Blackburn warned the region would miss out on vital Government support if it failed to adopt more joint working.
But Coun Peter Gibson, leader of Conservative-controlled Wyre Council which is the only council in Lancashire to vote against joining the combined authority, and Coun Tony Williams, leader of the Tories on Blackpool Council, have issued a joint statement condemning the move.
They refuted the figure of £1bn and claimed Lancashire “does not need and cannot afford another tier of local government.”
The statement says: “It was claimed that Lancashire could be £1bn better off with the operative word being ‘could’ as there is no bid to Government for a £1bn, and there is no commitment from Government to provide this funding.
“Besides whatever devolved funding is provided by Government, it will not be unconditional as it will only be granted for devolved services and of course, there is no mention of how much it will cost to provide those services.”
Coun Gibson and Coun Williams said leaders in Lancashire had consistently resisted the idea of an elected Mayor.
The councillors warned: “Lancashire does not need and cannot afford another tier of local government, however working together is fine and Wyre, Blackpool and Fylde already do that.”
The statement adds: “This is not a devolution of power it is a devolution of cuts and Lancashire council tax payers should not be brought to their knees by the ambition and the lust for power of one individual.”
Coun Blackburn has not confirmed whether he would stand for election as Mayor of Lancashire.
“The Government has the power to come along and change it anyway, but I would much prefer it if we could come up with a deal for Lancashire.”
The shadow combined authority is currently shaping proposals to put before the Government and is hoping to secure approval by spring 2017.

Combined authority plan for Lancashire sparks anger


Tory leaders have hit out at plans for all Lancashire’s councils to work together paving the way for an elected mayor for the county.


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Fire crews from Chorley attended reports of a smell of smoke which was coming from a building on Saturday night.


Chorley returned to winning ways withafully deserved victory away at Worcester City.
The 1-0 victory, courtesy of a brilliantly-taken goal by Marcus Carver, saw themcement their seventh place in the table – just three points behind early season pace-setters AFC Fylde.
A tactical switch by Matt Jansen proved a master-stroke.
After watching Worcester in their last game, the Magpies’ boss chose to start with Will Beesley at left-back to counter the blistering pace of wide-man Nathan Olukanmi and the former Southport defender delivered a stand-out display to nullify the threat.
There were few real openings in a first-half stalemate. While Worcester looked the livelier going forward, they could not break down a solid Chorley defence in which Stephen Jordan was outstanding. The Magpies stepped up a gear after the interval and dominated the second half.
Within seven minutes Josh O’Keefe was unlucky to see his shot blocked on the line. Substitute Jason Walker fired just wide from 20 yards and then City keeper Nick Draper was forced to tip over Beesley’s angled drive following a raking Dale Whitham cross.
The decisive goal on 69 minutes was a piece of individual brilliance by Marcus Carver.
Jinking his way down the right, Carver cleverly turned a defender before clipping the ball beyond Draper from some 12 yards.
Although Worcester pressed in search of a point-saver, they were unable to test Sam Ashton in the Chorley goal and Carver was close to adding a second for the Magpies in the last minute when he again broke free but saw his shot clip the crossbar.
“We were superb in the second half,” enthused Jansen after the game.
“I felt we were a bit flat in the first half but we showed more desire and composure in our use of the ball after the break.
“We defended very well late on when we had to and I was particularly pleased with our fourth clean-sheet in six matches.”
CHORLEY : Ashton, Challoner, Beesley (Jarvis), Charnock, Leather, Jordan, Cottrell, Whitham, Carver, Gonzales (Walker), O’Keefe (Blakeman). Unused subs. Lynch, Azam.
Attendance 623.


Chorley returned to winning ways withafully deserved victory away at Worcester City.


Super Saturday: Rio 2016 day eight highlights


Watch our round-up from day eight at Rio 2016.


A BOY hit by a car on the M6 yesterday is in a critical condition at Alder Hey Hospital.
Police said the boy appeared to run onto the carriageway on the Southbound M6 at Charnock Richard services at 1.45pm, and was involved in a collision with a Jaguar XF.
He suffered serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Alder Hey Hospital where his condition is described as critical.
His family are being supported.
The motorway was closed for about four hours.
Sgt Lee Campbell, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “This was a serious collision which has left a boy with life threatening injuries. I would appeal for anyone who saw what happened, and who hasn’t already spoken to the police, to get in touch with us.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0776 of Tuesday, August 30th.

UPDATE: Teenage boy fighting for life after M6 collision


A BOY hit by a car on the M6 yesterday is in a critical condition at Alder Hey Hospital.


A new ‘pick your own’ community garden has taken root in a busy town centre.
Next to the Chorley town by-pass and opposite its Flat Iron market, the scheme has been organised by the Chorley in Bloom group which oversees the garden. It has been created with support from Parklands Academy and Astley Park School, the RHS and Chorley Council.
A notice simply asks people to only take food they will use and that only foods that are ready should be picked. The group also says it will try to point out foods that are ready to be picked and that herbs can be cut freely.
Group chairman Iris Smith said: “We started the project this year. It’s been a huge success. Everywhere I go people have said what a brilliant idea. I’ve been there at different times and encouraged people to take things.”
Following the success of the initiative, another community edible garden is planned.
“We’re looking at a patch near the new Asda in Chorley, it’s right across from the Living Waters Church foodbank,” said Iris.
Councillor Adrian Lowe, who oversees the floral displays for Chorley Council, said: “The community edible garden at the junction of Union Street is an inspired project by the Chorley in Bloom group and is testament to their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment. It means that people can help themselves to fresh fruit to add to their lunch while they’re in town or veg and herbs to use in cooking at home. Obviously we wouldn’t expect people to take the whole plants but just take the leaves or fruit they need. It seems to be very much appreciated by people, so perhaps it’s something that could be extended to other areas of the borough in the future.”

Town centre edible garden is a ‘herban’ delight


A new ‘pick your own’ community garden has taken root in a busy town centre.


I’ve only just got back from my summer holidays, but it seems autumn is already here. Soon we will not be able to walk along a pavement without having to battle our way through a pile of mouldy old leaves, hoping something nasty isn’t hidden beneath.
How do we know this? By watching TV. The signs the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness has arrived are there. The X Factor ‘X’ is upon us, like some civilisation-ending asteroid of hyperbole about to create a crater of mediocrity on the national psyche.
Strictly Come Dancing’s annual sequinathon is also about to start, the celebs and Ed Balls already practising their rictus grins and desperate, ‘vote for me’ hand signals.
And the main TV channels are all pushing the new series of returning favourites and hoped-for hits, all of which we are expected to embrace as televisual hot water bottles as the nights draw in.
The BBC is first out of the blocks, with August not yet over. The first of their ‘major new dramas’ – all the BBC’s new dramas are major, it seems – is One of Us (BBC1, Tuesdays, 9pm).
At first glance, this is not comforting autumn viewing. A young pair of newlyweds, expecting their first child, are murdered, the families left to deal with the emotional fallout.
Then the killer pitches up in their hometown, a remote Highland fastness, and after a conveniently wild and stormy night, ends up dead in a barn.
It’s aiming for gritty and modern, there’s snot involved when people cry – which they do, a lot, and the famously mucus-y Juliet Stevenson stars – but by the end, when we’re left with a kind of locked room mystery, no shortage of suspects, and the police on their way, it’s all got a bit Agatha Christie, and what could be more comforting than that?
Well, the Great British Bake-Off (BBC1, Wednesdays, 8pm), that’s what. If you want something warm and snuggly this autumn, climb under the John Lewis 24-tog paisley comfort blanket of the Bake-Off with Mel, Sue, Paul, Mary and the 11 remaining contestants, and don’t get out until Christmas.
Play Mel and Sue innuendo bingo, guess whose Genoese sponge will collapse and marvel at Candice’s purple lipstick.
It’s what autumn nights were made for.


I’ve only just got back from my summer holidays, but it seems autumn is already here. Soon we will not be able to walk along a pavement without having to battle our way through a pile of mouldy old leaves, hoping something nasty isn’t hidden beneath.


That’s the damning accusation made after county council chiefs published recommendations to sell more than 100 libraries, children’s centres and other facilities across Lancashire – at 8pm on the Friday before a bank holiday weekend.
The facilities, including registry offices and young people’s centres, will be sold off as Lancashire County Council (LCC) bids to save £200m by 2020.
The bombshell recommendation were made in a 1,468-page document released by county officials as part of an agenda.
The centres earmarked for being sold off include: Fulwood Library, Silverdale, Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth libraries in Lancaster, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall and Penwortham libraries in South Ribble, Kirkham, Freckleton, Lytham and Ansdell libraries in Fylde, and Adlington Library and The Zone in Chorley.
Former MP and Longridge Ribble Valley Coun Ken Hind (right) said: “It would appear that Lancashire County Council sneaked out the news following a consultation ending on August 14, just before the holiday weekend when the nation’s thoughts were on holidays.
“A good day to bury bad news – a report 1,469 pages long which is a confusing labyrinth for members of the public to negotiate.
“Looking at the proposals, Conservative controlled areas have been disproportionately hit as Labour councillors use their control.
“Ribble Valley is disproportionately hit by these cuts in services – fair shares for all is not a watchword shared by Labour at County Hall.”
County Coun Geoff Driver, leader of the Conservatives at LCC, said: “It’s unfortunate they published it as late as they did. Coupled with that, the report is more than 900 pages long with more than 500 pages in an appendix.
“There’s no need to close the libraries. We put forward a motion that kept them open and the children’s centres open which left them £1m better off. They rejected it. So we’re really disappointed but not surprised.
“They do not know what they are doing and the people of Lancashire are paying the price.”
The county council’s cabinet will be asked to agree revised plans to save millions of pounds, by reducing the number of buildings the council owns and rents, after seeking people’s views during an extensive consultation.
Feedback from 7,700 responses has been taken into account in forming the proposals to bring services together to form a network of multi-functional buildings known as Neighbourhood Centres, which would provide a base for a range of different services in one place.
The plans, which form part of the council’s property strategy, propose changes to where some services including libraries, children’s services, children’s centres, young people’s centres, youth offending teams, older people’s daytime support services, adult disability day services and registrars are delivered in the future.
More than 100 buildings would no longer be used for county council services and the number of places at which some services are available would reduce.
The cabinet will also be asked to agree to explore proposals made by a number of community groups and other organisations to take on responsibility for running some of the affected buildings and services. The changes are in response to Lancashire County Council’s need to save £200m by 2020/21 as a result of ongoing government cuts to its budget and rising demand for services.
The report to the council’s cabinet published late on Friday outlines changes to the original plans, following a 12-week consultation held from May 18 to August 14, with a number of revisions.
County Coun David Borrow, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council and portfolio holder for finance, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation – their feedback has been invaluable in helping to shape the final proposals and the cabinet will be giving the report careful consideration.
“Our aim is to find a solution that still gives everyone in Lancashire good access to good services, despite the pressures on the council’s budget. We have done a lot of work to assess where services should be located in future, taking account of things such as geographic spread, accessibility and the needs of different communities. Some of the changes to the proposals reflect what people have told us about the way they access these services.
“We’re also keen to continue exploring the potential for other groups and organisations to take on responsibility for some affected buildings.”
and services, so we’re grateful for the interest that has been shown in that possibility over the last few months. The report acknowledges that more work will be needed to assess the business cases that have been put forward.”
The report also asks councillors to agree plans to explore alternative options for the future delivery of library services, with a focus on examining whether community-run libraries could add to the statutory service provided by the county council.
A package of help is proposed to help establish any community-run library, including £5,000 to cover set-up costs, shelving, an initial supply of books from the county’s store, and advice from a dedicated community library development officer.


That’s the damning accusation made after county council chiefs published recommendations to sell more than 100 libraries, children’s centres and other facilities across Lancashire – at 8pm on the Friday before a bank holiday weekend.


The finale of the open air theatre season at Lytham Hall will bring both joy and a tinge of sadness to visiting company Illyria this Sunday afternoon.
Illyria will be giving their penultimate performance of the Roald Dahl children’s favourite Danny the Champion of the World which has been playing to substantial family audiences at venues all over the United Kingdom.
Their 95-day tour has included a week at Cornwall’s famous Minack Theatre as well as shows at Fulham Palace, Hartland Abbey, Chepstow Castle and Tatton Park.
Illyria’s artistic director Oliver Gray who travelled from his base in Cornwall for his first visit to Lytham Hall in July feels that his cast of six are relishing the chance to return to one of their favourite venues at the end of their marathon tour.
“They simply love the calmness of the beautiful parkland at Lytham Hall and always find that the Lytham audience in August, many of them children, is always one of the most responsive on the tour. I was delighted to see Lytham Hall for myself and found it a most impressive setting for open air theatre,” he said.
Illyria stalwart Ffion Glyn who plays the pram-pushing vicar’s wife Mrs Clipstone pays tribute to the quality of Road Dahl’s writing.
“There is sadness and tension in Danny the Champion the World, as well as much humour, and that has surprised and appealed to our audiences all over England, Scotland and Wales this summer. We will be a little sad too giving the penultimate performance of memorable tour. It’s an eye-catching show and I think the families at Lytham Hall are in for a Bank Holiday treat.”
Open air theatre organiser Julian Wilde believes that Illyria will bring the season to a happy conclusion with one of Roald Dahl’s most appealing works.
“I am sure Illyria will do us proud once again. We have already sold a large number of tickets and I do advise everyone to book in advance as we are heading for a full house. ”
Gates which will be open from 2pm for picnickers, with the play starting at 4pm, and the audience should bring their own folding chairs or rugs. An area in front of the stage will be reserved for small children.
Tickets are £13, with concessions of £10, £6.50 and £3.
Book on-line on Illyria’s website at www.illyria.uk.com


The finale of the open air theatre season at Lytham Hall will bring both joy and a tinge of sadness to visiting company Illyria this Sunday afternoon.


If your tastes are a bit more blue (or Brown) then you’ll want to check out legendary comic Roy ‘Chubby’ at Viva Blackpool on Friday.
The Yorkshire comic is known for his x-rated style and has attracted plenty of controversy over a career spanning five decades.
Nobody splits opinion quite like the larger than life 71-year-old, with critics often describing his style as outdated but with one academic describing him as “The most important comedian of the past 25 years”.
Starting out as an entertainer in working men’s clubs, Brown got his first real break in the 1970s, coming second on show New Faces to a country and western band.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t so lucky when he applied for Opportunity Knocks, failing an audition due to swearing.
Since then, he’s become very famous on the comedy circuit for his unique stage costume, as well as his offensive shows, filled with back and forth heckling with the audience.
This year marks Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown’s third successive season in Blackpool and he’ll be performing a series of Friday night shows over the next few months.
He has been deemed “too rude for TV” so if you want to see him in action, this is your chance.
Although, probably best to make sure you don’t swear at him. Back in 2003, he was fined £200 in Blackpool for assaulting a fan who had sworn at him. At the time Brown said: “I have traditional values and I wanted the man to stop swearing in front of women and children who were on the pier.”
Tickets are available from https://www.vivablackpool.com/event/roy-chubby-brown and are priced between £17 and £22,
The show is strictly over 18 and those easily offended are advised to stay away.


If your tastes are a bit more blue (or Brown) then you’ll want to check out legendary comic Roy ‘Chubby’ at Viva Blackpool on Friday.


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The M6 southbound was blocked in Lancashire this afternoon after a “serious” traffic accident in which a person was hit by a vehicle.
The North West air ambulance was called to the scene between junction 28 at Leyland and junction 27 at Standish
Picture and video supplied by Jack
Police have closed all three lanes.
The road was blocked and queuing traffic was reported at 2pm.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays on the M6 and on surrounding routes.
Police said this afternoon the motorway would remain closed for “several hours”.
The northbound carriageway was briefly closed but was reopened about 2.30pm.
Police said: “The M6 has been closed southbound at J28 following an incident.
“We are advising motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes.”

UPDATED: M6 blocked in Lancashire after person hit by vehicle


The M6 southbound was blocked in Lancashire this afternoon after a “serious” traffic accident in which a person was hit by a vehicle.


REVIEW: Danny the Chamion of the World, Lytham Hall
A full house of 600 at Lytham Hall enjoyed the very best that open air theatre can offer in this accomplished performance from Illyria.
Roald Dahl’s story has considerable poignancy. Tom Myles and Peter Swales, wonderfully contrasting in their heights, are first class as Danny and his dad, both coming to terms in their own way with the death of mum. They fall foul of obnoxious local landowner Victor Hazell, played in a superbly over-the-top style by Nick Taylor who quickly and deliberately provoked the ranks of children at the front to storms of booing with his every appearance.
Illyria’s artistic director Oliver Gray, celebrating 25 years on the road, knows every trick of the trade - fourfold set, complete with an elevated forest of blue trees, delightful mechanical hens, comical toy cars and evocative music.
David Sayers was all Hello Hello Hello as the affable Sergeant Samways, Jennifer Shakesby a forthright Dr. Spencer and the experienced Ffion Glyn produced an excitable and wickedly Welsh vicar’s wife Mrs. Clipstone, her pram much more than it seems.
The littluns just shrieked as pheasants rained down on them in a high-octane second half, but Tom Myles had the skill to quieten the audience as in the finale he put across the strong moral point which characterises each of Dahl’s works. Glorious sunshine and a gloriously effective performance.
TOBY STIRLING

A show that proved just Champion to end season


REVIEW: Danny the Chamion of the World, Lytham Hall


Chorley manager Matt Jansen believes his men can bounce back quickly after suffering their first league defeat of the season on Wednesday night.
The Magpies were beaten by current National League North leaders Darlington 1883 2-0, but despite the loss Jansen believes his men can take plenty of positives out of their performance.
Jansen said: “It’s obviously disappointing every time you are on the wrong end of a result.
“But I have to take the positives out of that against a very strong Darlington side, who are still unbeaten, especially when their manager comes over and says that we are the best side his team have played and that we deserved something out of the game.
“I think we definitely did deserve something out of the game.
“We should have been 3-0 up before they scored and in terms of performance, I thought we were excellent.”
Chorley, who defeated Boston United on Saturday courtesy of goals from Dale Whitham and Josh O’Keefe, have the chance to get back on the winning trail tomorrow at Worcester City before they welcome Stalybridge Celtic to Victory Park On Bank Holiday Monday.
“It’s great that we have got two games in quick succession,” said Jansen.
“It’s where you can pick yourselves up straightaway and hopefully we can get a positive result at Worcester.
“Then we have got another game on Monday and if we can get two good result from these two, the result against Darlington will soon be forgotten.
Meanwhile, in the NPL First Division North, Clitheroe travel to Brighouse Town tomorrow and Kendal Town visit Farsley Celtic. Burscough are without a game.
In the National League, Southport look to end a run of two successive defeats when they host Tranmere Rovers.


Chorley manager Matt Jansen believes his men can bounce back quickly after suffering their first league defeat of the season on Wednesday night.


Why is an orange called an orange when a carrot is more orange than an orange?
It’s questions like this that give an insight into the wonderful mind of Joe Pasquale. “It’s one of those things that’s a quandary, I lay at night thinking about it,” the comedian laughs.
It’s also called one man because it’s just me, there’s no support acts. It’s me at the beginning, me in the middle and me at the end
It’s fair to say that Pasquale is a veteran of the comedy circuit and he brings his latest show ‘One Man and his Bog’ to Viva Blackpool on Thursday, September 1.
Explaining the interesting name for the show, the 54-year-old comic says: “It’s called one man and his bog because it’s me on my bog. I sit on a toilet with a little electric motor on it, it does 17mph and has brakes on it.
“I don’t know how big the venue is, so I don’t know how fast I’ll be going on it.”
He adds: “It’s also called one man because it’s just me, there’s no support acts. It’s me at the beginning, me in the middle and me at the end.
“Nobody really wants to see a support act, so I thought I’d do it myself and it just means you can take your time and enjoy yourself for a couple of hours.”
Joe Pasquale is from Grays in Essex and has performed up and down the country, including an incredible five appearances at the Royal Variety, however a show in Blackpool is almost like a homecoming to him. He says: “I’ve been coming to Blackpool for the best part of 30 years so it’s a bit like coming home for me. I love Blackpool.
“I’ve not done this place before [Viva], I’ve done the Opera House, I’ve done the Grand many times. I started my career in the 80s up in Blackpool so I did all the hotels like the Viking.
“Just being in Blackpool is a great atmosphere, it’s the home of variety in Britain.”
It’s hard to believe that it’s 12 years since Pasqual was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’. He acknowledges that his appearance on ‘I’m a Celebrity’ brought him to the attention of a younger audience and it’s with this in mind that he made the show suitable for the whole family,. He said: “We get people in from five to 95, but if you look like your passport photo, you’re too ill to travel!”
Tickets are priced between £18.50 and £22.50 for adults, with children’s tickets costing £6.50.
For tickets call on 01253 297297 or book online at www.vivablackpool.com

Joe’s new show aims to be a gift from Bog


Why is an orange called an orange when a carrot is more orange than an orange?


Sir Bradley Wiggins moved into Olympic folklore with his fifth gold medal and eighth in all as Great Britain won the team pursuit in Rio last night.
Wiggins, who lives in Eccleston, near Chorley, and is frequently seen training around the county, became the first Briton to win eight Olympic medals.
Burke, Doull, Clancy and Wiggins on the podium
Together with his teammates Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Owain Doull, Wiggins bettered their own world record in the four-man, four-kilometres event - set in the first round 80 minutes earlier - to win gold in three minutes 50.265 seconds.
Wiggins surpassed fellow cyclist Sir Chris Hoy’s cumulative total of seven Olympic medals and joined rower Sir Steve Redgrave on five golds.
“It was never about that for me,” said Wiggins, who now has five gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
“The first people I bumped into when I came off the track were Steve Redgrave and Chris Hoy. They’re my heroes in Olympic sport.
Great Britain's Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Owain Doull and Sir Bradley Wiggins (front) during Men's Team Pursuit on the seventh day of the Rio Olympics Games, Brazil.
“Just to be in the same breath as those guys is an honour. It was more about personally what it meant to me.
“I take myself to Sydney in 2000 and what that meant to me as a 20-year-old kid wandering round there, watching Steve win his fifth gold there and thinking how incredible and amazing it was.
“I’d come away with a bronze medal there and thought that’s it. If I have to go to the job centre on Monday morning and get a job, I can always say I’ve got Olympic bronze.
“To be here 16 years on, with five gold medals to myself, I never imagined that for one minute. It’s just something to tell the kids about when they’re older.”

Lancashire’s cycling hero Wiggo goes into Olympic history


Sir Bradley Wiggins moved into Olympic folklore with his fifth gold medal and eighth in all as Great Britain won the team pursuit in Rio last night.


As the dust settles on Lancashire County Council’s plans to sell off more than 100 libraries, children’s centres and other facilities across the county we look at five key things you need to know about the move.
1) WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
County Hall
The proposals will go the the County Council’s Cabinet meeting on September 8 for approval.
But first they will be debated by the council’s cross party Executive Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, September 6 at County Hall in Preston.
This is an opportunity for councillors to voice their own and local residents’ concerns and is chaired by Liberal Democrat County Coun Bill Winlow.
Both the meetings start at 2pm and are open to the public to attend and watch.
GOING?: Fulwood Library, Garstang Road
You can also watch a webcast of these meetings - the link can be accessed through the Property Strategy agenda item on the County Council’s online Calendar of Meetings.
2) WHEN WILL THE CLOSURES BEGIN?
Some of the centres could close within weeks.
The changes affect libraries, children’s services, children’s centres, young people’s centres, youth offending teams, older people’s daytime support services, adult disability day services and registrars.
The time span for the changes ranges from September 30, 2016 to March 2020.
It is proposed services will end at Fulwood, Bamber Bridge and Penwortham libraries and Garstang Young People’s Centre on September 30 this year.
By March next year the services at Kirkham Young People’s Centre,St Lawrence Children’s Centre, Preston, Penwortham Young People’s Centre and Wellfield Children’s Centre in South Ribble will cease.
It is also planned that Longridge Young People’s Centre, the Bamber Bridge Children’s Centre, Kingsfold and Longton Children’s Centres and eight services in Chorley -the Blossomfield’s Children’s Centre, Adult Disability Day Services, the Youth offending Team, Clayton Brook and Coppull Children’s Centre, Coppull and Eccleston Young People’s Centres and The Zone in Chorley - will be relocated to new Neighbourhood Centres between January 1 next year and March 2020.
3) WHAT CAN MY COUNCILLOR DO?
There will be a call-in period when councillors can object and ask for the decision to be reviewed by the council’s scrutiny committee. Five county councillors must sign a demand for a call-in to trigger the process. Any such demand must be received three working days after the initial decision - in this case that’s by 5pm on Tuesday September 13. Members of the scrutiny committee must meet within seven days and can ask the cabinet to reconsider its decision.
4) HOW MUCH MONEY WILL BE SAVED BY THE SELL OFF?
The council says millions of pounds will be saved by changing the way its frontline services are delivered. It’s not so much the income from sales of buildings which will be crucial - although it’s estimated some £8m -£11m could be raised, as the fact that service delivery has been changed and jobs cut and it’s the ongoing salaries and building maintenance costs saved which will be most significant.
The council estimates it will save £1.6m in reduced running costs for buildings, library closures will save £6.1m and reductions to its wellbeing, prevention and early help services will save £8.4m. But there’s a suggestion the Government, angered at the closure of Children’s Centres it helped to fund may ask for £20m back.
In addition it’s thought some £20m will be needed to make properties suitable for use as new Neighbourhood Centres.
5) WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You could volunteer to run a library service. The county council is proposing to offer help to establish community run libraries.
A help package will include £5,000 to cover set-up costs, shelving, an initial supply of books from the county council’s store and advice from a special community library development officer. Call 0300 1236701 for more information.
A website offering advice and information for people wanting to take over the running of local services or community centres could offer more inspiration. See www.mycommunityrights.org.uk
The council has also said it wants to explore further options for other groups and organisations to take over responsibility for some of its about to be axed buildings and services and wants more time to assess any business cases which have been submitted for such takeovers.
They will consider a report back on these in October. Any new expressions of interest must be submitted as soon as possible.

What the latest county council cuts mean for you. Our guide to what happens next


As the dust settles on Lancashire County Council’s plans to sell off more than 100 libraries, children’s centres and other facilities across the county we look at five key things you need to know about the move.


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


Blackpool is all set for a world premier at The Grand Theatre this week – and it’s pants.


Police in Lancashire have issued a fresh safety alert after the county was named as the worst in England and Wales for crimes related to the gaming craze Pokemon Go.
Lancashire Constabulary dealt with 39 reports of Pokemon-related crimes during July - the highest of 29 forces in England and Wales.
And the figures have prompted senior officers to warn gamers out hunting Pokemon characters about the dangers they could be facing.
“People should avoid potentially dangerous locations that could make you vulnerable to injury, or become a victim of crime,” said a spokesman at the Constabulary’s headquarters in Hutton.
The game, which is played on mobile phones using satellite navigation, was only officially launched in the UK in July. Yet in its first month it was involved in at least 290 police incidents including robbery, assault, trespass and motoring offences.
Of the 29 police forces who responded to a Freedom of Information request, Lancashire had the highest number of crimes.
No details were released of of offences committed or arrests made. But police across the country say Pokemon Go players have not only been victims, but also perpetrators of crime or anti-social behaviour.
In Surrey police say they were called out to a brawl involving 30 people on a Pokemon hunt. In North Wales a man was reported for inviting children into his home saying he had “lots of Pokemons” in the house.
In London and Greater Manchester robbers set up traps to lure players into an area to rob them of their phones. Drivers in various parts of the country have been caught playing the game at the wheel, while British Transport Police reported at least two cases of children trespassing on the railway looking for Pokemons.
The Lancashire Police spokesman advised players not to trespass or put themselves in any risk while using the game.
“Never enter any water. Pokemon do not appear beyond the safety of the shoreline. And don’t enter derelict structures, unlit footpaths or alleyways. Please remember to be safe and alert at all times, don’t drive and play and respect the locations you visit.”

Pokemon Go gamers make Lancashire hot spot on crime


Police in Lancashire have issued a fresh safety alert after the county was named as the worst in England and Wales for crimes related to the gaming craze Pokemon Go.


Chorley 1 Stalybridge Celtic 0
Jason Walker bagged his first goal in a Chorley shirt as the Magpies secured their second 1-0 victory of the Bank Holiday weekend.
The former Barrow hitman struck the decisive blow in the 20th minute to earn another hard-fought win hot on the heels of Saturday’s 1-0 triumph at Worcester City.
Matt Jansen’s high-flying Magpies totally dominated a one-sided first half and should have had more to show for their industry than Walker’s solitary strike.
But a demanding schedule of three games in six days then inevitably started to take its toll and the Magpies had to dig deep to record a fourth win of the season and a fifth clean sheet in six games.
Lowly Celtic had arrived on the back of a wretched run of five consecutive defeats and without a manager after Liam Watson resigned for personal reasons over the weekend.
The Celts also had history against them, having failed to register a win at Victory Park since a 3-2 triumph in October 1991.
The first half went by the form book as the Magpies threatened to run riot.
Livewire striker Marcus Carver had an early effort booted off the line before strike partner Walker then raced clear and was only denied by a last-ditch save from Tony McMillan.
The Magpies looked in the mood and Carver was denied again when his snapshot was deflected agonisingly over the crossbar.
The pressure finally told in the 20th minute courtesy of a brilliantly worked corner routine.
Dale Whitham dinked a cross to the far post which was headed back across goal by Carver and Walker raced in to score with a diving header from six yards out.
By now the Magpies had their tails up and they could have put the game to bed by half time.
Impressive midfielder Adam Blakeman fashioned another opening for Carver, who was desperately unlucky to see his snaking drive cannon back off the bar.
Then full-back Waqar Azam suffered similar misfortune when his rasping drive ricocheted off McMillan and struck the keeper’s right hand post.
The home side’s energy levels dipped after the break in the blistering sunshine which allowed Celtic to try and get back into the game.
But with Scott Leather and Stephen Jordan in imperious form at the back, home keeper Sam Ashton was rarely tested as Celtic huffed and puffed in their pursuit of an equaliser.
A flurry of substitutions gave the Magpies fresh impetus and they had a strong shout for a penalty late on when Sefton Gonzales appeared to be tripped in the box but the referee waved away the home team’s appeals.
As it turned out they did not need it.
Chorley: Ashton, Azam, Beesley (O’Keefe 66), Charnock, Leather, Jordan, Blakeman, Whitham (c), Carver (Roscoe 80), Walker (Gonzales 72), Cottrell. Subs not used: Jarvis, Challoner
Attendance: 1,011


Chorley 1 Stalybridge Celtic 0Jason Walker bagged his first goal in a Chorley shirt as the Magpies secured their second 1-0 victory of the Bank Holiday weekend.


This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of legendary novellist Graham Greene and stage adaptation one of his most entertaining works ‘Travels with My Aunt’ will be coming to Blackpool Grand Theatre on Tuesday, September 20.
Described as “one very ordinary man’s extraordinary journey of self-discovery”, the story follows Henry Pulling, who leads a quiet bachelor life until his Aunt Augusta persuades him to travel with her initially to Brigton but eventually as far flung as Istanbul, meeting all sorts of weird and wonderful people along the way.
The plot mirrors Green’s own obsession with travelling and just four actors play the roles of over 20 characters.
The show has been adapted by Creative Cow, and the company’s co-founder Katherin Senior said: “We love the way Travels with my Aunt traces two voyages in parallel – one a physical cross-continental journey by plane, train and boat and the other a mind-blowing, eye-opening journey of self-discovery. Henry couldn’t be more different from Greene himself, who was adventurous, risk-loving and unconventional - but can we perhaps see some similarities by the end? It’s a great pleasure to be touring this work by one of our favourite authors in this anniversary year.”
Tickets are priced from £12.50 and are available by calling 01253 290 190.


This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of legendary novellist Graham Greene and stage adaptation one of his most entertaining works ‘Travels with My Aunt’ will be coming to Blackpool Grand Theatre on Tuesday, September 20.


In the final, chaotic months of the Second World War, a young German soldier pits himself against the remnants of the brutal SS in a bid to save the woman he loves.
But it’s a race against time as the merciless Soviet army is closing in with only one single-minded aim… to wreak revenge on their despised German enemy.
Irish-born William Ryan, author of a string of crime novels set in 1930s Stalinist Russia, moves out of what has become his ‘home’ territory and into the dying days of the Second World War in a thrilling, beautifully written and breathtakingly powerful story of evil, inhumanity, love, hope and redemption.
One man’s crusade to right the wrongs of his countrymen and repay a haunting personal debt becomes a gripping battle for survival in an Upper Silesian village in central Europe where he grew up.
In 1944, Paul Brandt, a soldier in the German army, returns wounded and consumed with guilt from the bloody chaos of the Eastern front to his village home in Silesia, annexed from Poland by the Germans.
Brandt’s face is badly disfigured by a Soviet explosion during the retreat from Russia and he has lost both an arm and his enthusiasm for life. But, deeply ashamed of his enforced military service with the Wehrmacht and haunted by an event at the start of the war, he is determined to make amends.
Much has changed in his village where the residents live in the dark shadow of an SS rest hut, a luxurious retreat for the Nazis who manage the nearby concentration camps. Modelled to look like a pre-war holiday camp, the rest accommodation is run by a small group of female prisoners who, against all odds, have so far survived the war.
When, by chance, Brandt glimpses one of these prisoners, he realises that she is a face from his guilty past and he knows he must find a way to access the hut. His fate has been tied to Agneta Gruber since their arrest five years before and now he must do all he can to protect her.
As a wounded German hero, Brandt secures a job as the rest hut’s steward but, with the Russian offensive moving ever closer, the days of the Nazi ‘holiday camp’ and its SS inhabitants are numbered.
And while hope for Brandt and the female prisoners grows tantalisingly close, the danger is also now greater than ever. Because in a forest just to the east, a young female Soviet tank driver awaits her orders to advance…
Ryan moves up a gear in this brilliant, emotionally-charged story which combines a poignant romance with an edge-of-the-seat thriller. But what impresses most is the author’s powerful writing which blends taut action sequences with passages of soaring literary beauty.
Inspired to write the novel by photographs of some of the worst perpetrators of the Holocaust relaxing and enjoying themselves at the real-life Silesian rest hut at a time when Auschwitz was at its most lethal, Ryan wrote this story from the heart.
And Brandt’s one-man mission, set amidst the terror, uncertainty and turmoil of the disintegrating Nazi machine, is certainly portrayed with mesmerising atmosphere and shocking veracity.
The dark and ever present threat of the ruthless SS masters and the approaching menace of the Soviet army are thrown into stark relief by the quiet power and unquenchable flame of enduring love.
A modern classic from a master storyteller…
(Mantle, hardback, £16.99)

Book reviews: The Constant Soldier by William Ryan


In the final, chaotic months of the Second World War, a young German soldier pits himself against the remnants of the brutal SS in a bid to save the woman he loves.


Motorists experienced greater delays on the roads as journey times increased during the second quarter of 2016, according to data from the Department For Transport.
An average delay of nine seconds per mile on the strategic road network (SRN) was a 1.3 per cent increase on the figures for the year up to the end of March 2016.
Average speed on the SRN - the motorways and ‘A’ roads managed by Highways England - also fell. Between July 2015 and June 2016, the average speed was 59.2mph, a 0.2 per cent decrease on the previous figures.
The reliability of travel times on the SRN also fell, with 68 per cent more time needed to ensure on time arrival - a 2 per cent increase on the previous quarter.
The average delay on local ‘A’ roads in England in the year ending June 2016 saw a year-on-year increase of 3.8 per cent to 45.2 seconds per vehicle per mile, with average speed consequently down 1.5 per cent on the year ending June 2015.

Average road journey delay time increases


Motorists experienced greater delays on the roads as journey times increased during the second quarter of 2016, according to data from the Department For Transport.


I love you with wall my art . . .
A town’s ‘Banksy’ wall is still turning heads with its latest images and messages of love and romance.
Puzzled passers-by continue to stop to look at the latest piece of artwork on the 10-feet high, white wall in Chorley town centre.
They have been doing it for more than two years now, ever since the mystery artist first struck.
No one sees him, or her, but the artwork suddenly appears. And it seems folk do not mind it at all.
Jean Mather, 72, of Chorley, said: “I think it’s nice. It brightens the place up and whoever it is, they’re quite a good artist. I can’t see any harm in it. It’s not like some of the others.”
Julie Liptrot, 45, of Chorley, said: “If there’s no offensive or bad language, I don’t mind it whatsoever.
“You see bad language on the bus stops.
“I think there’s a lot of worse things being done.
“Shame there’s nothing more for people like that with a talent to do.”
She said of the artist: “It’s obvious there’s something going on in his life. He’s got a bit of an issue in his life and he’s going to do it different next time.”
Her daughter Chloe Liptrot, 19, attended the Runshaw College campus, Market Street, Chorley, the back of which overlooks the Chorley Council-run Fleet Street car park, said: “I like it. You can see it in college when I was there.”
She said she had never seen the mystery artist working on the wall, though.
The wall belongs to the adjacent DE Jones bodyshop and not the council.
Earlier this year, painted in large black capital letters was the message: “You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me.
“You don’t know what I’m made of or just how much I’m capable of. You don’t know where I’ve come from or where I’m heading.
“You know nothing of my highs or my lows. You don’t know how fast I am, how strong I am, how resilient I am.
“You haven’t got a clue what fragrance I wear or who I’m dating.
“You don’t even know my name . . . but you will.”
And next to the words, also in black, was the figure of a person, with “Partner in Crime” written across their chest.
Councillor Adrian Lowe, whose responsibilities at Chorley Council include graffiti, said: “We’ve not had any complaints about this and because it’s not causing any offence and the wall is privately owned, in this instance we wouldn’t remove it.”

Passers-by enjoy mystery artwork on Lancashire town’s wall


Casdh for floating support, sheltered accommodation, and a service providing help for elderly people with hearing impairments axed
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 suppot services axed in savage cuts


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.


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


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.


A LANCASHIRE car dealership is leading the way in the industry by switching staff to a four-day working week.
After a three-month trial, the after-sales department at the Chorley Group in Preston has changed its shift patterns.
It is understood this is the first dealer group to implement such radical changes and address the work-life balance.
The firm also says it improves the service for customers.
Managing director Pauline Turner said: “I believe we are the first dealer group to do this.
“Preston started a three-month trial at the beginning of June. Although staff were initially apprehensive, after one month they requested we made it permanent.”
The new shift patterns mean staff work an extra two hours a day – equating to an additional 46.5 days less a year – and benefit from a three-day break.
The shift changes will now be rolled out at Wigan with a view to rolling it out to the other dealerships in Burnley, Blackpool, and Chorley by the end of the year.
Pauline said: “This change offers a range of benefits to both the business, the staff and the customers. The longer opening hours mean it is more convenient for customers to book in their vehicles. For staff, they spend less time travelling to and from work and the reduced number of days mean they have more family time at home.”
Pauline said the changes also meant that technicians could be more productive, provide a quicker turnaround of vehicles for customers, and provide better holiday cover. There was also less congestion on site.
The change in shift patterns also enables the master technicians to be able to spend more time coaching Level 3 apprentices at the Preston dealership.
The award-winning family-run Chorley Group is one of the biggest volume Nissan dealers in Europe. Pauline was promoted to the role of Managing Director last year.
She now heads up day-to-day operations at the group, which employs 230 people across its five sites in Burnley, Preston, Chorley, Wigan and Blackpool.

Driving change at top Lancashire car group


A LANCASHIRE car dealership is leading the way in the industry by switching staff to a four-day working week.


A PASSER-by had a lucky escape when a huge tree branch came crashing down to the ground on a busy residential road just yards from her.
Shocked Alison Potter was walking home from the shops when the incident happened in Chorley yesterday.
Ms Potter said: “I’d just come under the opposite side and could hear this creaking and turned round and the whole branch just dropped.
“It was like someone was looking out for me. A woman driving in a car was a bit shocked. She was really near it.”
The 51-year-old, of St Gregory’s Place, said she normally walked on the side of the road where the overhanging tree on Weldbank Lane is, but that yesterday for some reason chose the opposite side.
“For some reason something was telling me to cross over,” she said. “I do feel like I’ve had a lucky escape. You have this ‘I can’t believe this has happened thing’.
“I’m up and down here quite a lot, it’s my way into town.”
Another passer-by, Christine Johnson, 58, of Brindle Street, said: “I was just coming home when I saw this lady shook up. I thought someone had cut it down. It’s been coming over for a long time and they’ve not done anything about.”
Police sealed off the road to traffic while the fallen branch was cleared away.
Bardsley construction workers from a nearby building site - the former Chorley Fire Station - rushed to help clear the roadway and to check if anyone had been injured.
PC Damian Whittle, based at Skelmersdale Police Station, said from the scene: “There was a report there was a tree down on the road. I put the road block up, but it was already closed, you couldn’t get any traffic thought. We’re seeing if we can get the tree checked out before the road reopens fully.”

Woman escapes injury as huge tree branch crashes down


A PASSER-by had a lucky escape when a huge tree branch came crashing down to the ground on a busy residential road just yards from her.


With GCSE Results Day finally upon us, hundreds of thousands of teenagers across the country will be weighing up their options for the future.
Although A-levels remain the traditional educational route after GCSEs, they are not the only option. More and more students are turning towards apprenticeships and further education as real alternatives.
Many of the teenagers picking up their results have already been in education for the best part of 12 years.
But, these days teenagers, up to the age of 18, are legally required to stay in education, training or get a job with accredited training, something the government calls 'raising the age of participation'.
Being in further education or training doesn’t mean teenagers have to stay in the same school. There are lots of options.
So, for those students who didn’t do so well in their GCSEs, or don’t find the prospect of another two years at school studying A-levels appealing, here are our top three options for life after GCSEs.
Do an apprenticeship
Apprenticeships have had some mixed press. The quality and rates of pay have been in the news, but there are lots fabulous apprenticeship opportunities out there and lots of organisations who can help, and offer you the right information; checkout The Student Room’s new Apprenticeship Hub it’s full of accurate and up-to-date information and it can even help to dispel some of those apprenticeship myths.
We found a fabulous apprenticeship scheme with national company, Be Wiser Insurance - they offer a starting salary of £14,000. There are other companies doing similar, so do your homework.
Do a traineeship
Not quite ready for an apprenticeship? Need to work on your skills? Don’t worry there are lots of opportunities for you to complete a traineeship – Have a look at what a company like EDF Energy can offer you.
Go to your local college
There are two types of college – 6th Form college and Further Education college. 6th Form Colleges are mostly geared up for students between 16 and 18 years old, and tend to concentrate on academic education. Further Education colleges are generally much bigger than 6th Form colleges and offer a wider range of subjects, including vocational education (Btecs and NVQs), and they’re not just for teenagers. Further Education colleges offer adult education and higher education too.
The GOV.UK website can help you find more information about courses offered by schools and colleges in your area if you’re between 14-19.
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With GCSE Results Day finally upon us, hundreds of thousands of teenagers across the country will be weighing up their options for the future.


Pupils at Bishop Rawstorne CE Academy celebrated another fantastic year with 85 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades, including english and maths.
Headteacher Paul Cowley praised the hard work of the Year 11s; overall 90 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades.
The e-Bacc figure for the year was 45 per cent.
Mr Cowley added staff would be ‘working tirelessly’ to enhance outcomes for 2017.
He said: “We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the Year 11 GCSE cohort for the excellent results that they have achieved in this year’s GCSE examinations.
“There have been many outstanding performances and much to be pleased about in what has been a very pleasing set of GCSE results.
“Across the whole year group so many students have achieved grades that reflect so well the effort that has been put in over the previous five years.
“None of this can happen in isolation and our immense thanks go to the teaching and support staff for the unwavering, unstinting commitment that they have shown in driving forward the progression and attainment of our students.
“The work done by all of the staff at Bishop Rawstorne is underpinned by the constant support and guidance of our Governing Body.”
Mr Cowley gave special mention to 11 pupils who achieved five A* grades or better.
He described their success as a ‘ truly exceptional achievement reflecting the unstinting endeavour of these students.’
Mr Cowley also thanked parents. He added: “Additionally, our thanks go to the parents who have supported us over the last five years in shaping the academic and spiritual lives of this cohort to whom we give our very best wishes for the future.”

GCSE RESULTS: Bishop Rawstorne pupils make the grade


Pupils at Bishop Rawstorne CE Academy celebrated another fantastic year with 85 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades, including english and maths.


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


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.


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


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.


An exotic island lying in the glittering Arabian Sea, spotless white beaches and acres of lush coconut groves…
Sounds like the perfect place for a getaway, but gorgeous Lace Island is awash with dark secrets and lies that bind together two women from two generations, destined to meet on a dramatic and emotional collision course.
Make room in your holiday luggage this summer for Joanna Rees’ sizzling tale of romance, adventure, intrigue and betrayal inspired by a family holiday to Kerala, a state on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, famed for its stunning palm-lined beaches and abundant wildlife.
Brimming with glitz, glamour and some hard-hitting grit, The Girl from Lace Island sweeps readers away to some of the world’s most seductive locations whilst delivering a captivating story about two lives mysteriously linked to a faraway island.
In 1989, fun-loving fourteen-year-old Leila could not be happier. She has grown up on Lace Island, an exotic location which was inherited by her mother Bibi. Leila lives in the old plantation house with her mother and stepfather Chan, and spends her days in the company of local boy Rasa.
Near the beach are Bibi’s luxury bungalows where super-rich, and often famous, guests fly in to spend relaxing, private holidays away from intrusive camera lenses and where no behaviour or demand is deemed too outrageous.
But Leila’s idyllic life comes to an abrupt end when her mother is persuaded by one of her guests to send her daughter away for an education at a cold English boarding school. The teenager feels friendless, bullied and too foreign to ever fit in and soon she’s desperate to get back to her family and her beloved island.
But in her absence, Leila’s paradise has changed beyond all recognition and the life she once adored is now just a memory. Worse still, everyone and everything she loves is in terrible danger.
In 2016, Jess has spent her childhood in orphanages and lives in a depressing tower block in south London. She does kickboxing to channel her inner anger and dreams of far-off places, of white sandy beaches and warm tropical seas.
When Jess gets her longed-for job as airline cabin crew, all those dreams suddenly appear to be coming true, especially when she is swept off her feet by the handsome and charismatic millionaire Blaise who is a first class passenger on a long-haul flight to Miami.
But Jess has a troubled past, and her present is about to become complicated and dangerous when Blaise asks her to marry him.
These two women, both of their lives scarred by disaster and betrayal, will set out on a mission to discover the truth about Lace Island, but will their search for paradise be a price too high to pay?
Rees, a bestselling author who teaches creative writing in schools and libraries, works her trademark escapist magic in this addictive, fast-paced story which is perfectly formed and carefully crafted for sun loungers everywhere.
Sit back and enjoy…
(Pan, paperback, £7.99)

Book review: The Girl from Lace Island by Joanna Rees


An exotic island lying in the glittering Arabian Sea, spotless white beaches and acres of lush coconut groves…


County Hall releases list of 100 buildings to be sold off at 8pm on a Friday before Bank Holiday weekend
More than 100 libraries, children’ws centres and other facilities will be sold off as Lancashire County Council bids to save £200m by 2020.
The bombshell recommendation were made in a 1,468-page document released by county officials at shortly before 8pm on the Friday before a Bank Holiday Weekend.
The centres earmarked for being sold off are:
Burnley Belmont Community Centre
Burnley Briercliffe Library
Burnley Brunshaw Young People’s Centre
Burnley Burnley Campus Library
Burnley Hapton Young People’s Centre
Burnley Padiham Young People’s Centre
Burnley Pike Hill Library
Burnley Rosegrove Library
Burnley Stoops and Hargher Clough Young People’s Centre
Chorley Adlington Library and Children’s Centre (designated)
Chorley Astley and Buckshaw Children’s Centre (designated)
Chorley Blossomfields Children’s Centre (Eccleston)
Chorley Chorley Adult Disability Day Service (Holly Trees)
Chorley Chorley Youth Offending Team (Halliwell Street)
Chorley Clayton Brook Children’s Centre (designated)
Chorley Coppull Children’s Centre (designated)
Chorley Coppull Young People’s Centre
Chorley Eccleston Young People’s Centre
Chorley Highfield Children’s Centre (designated)
Chorley Millfield Children’s Centre (Brinscall) (designated)
Chorley The Zone in Chorley
Fylde Ansdell Library
Fylde Freckleton Library
Fylde Kirkham Library
Fylde Kirkham Young People’s Centre
Fylde Lower Lane Young People’s Centre
Fylde Lytham Children’s Centre
Fylde Lytham Library and Registration Office
Fylde Orchard Children’s Centre (Freckleton) (designated)
Fylde Pear Tree Children’s Centre (Kirkham) (designated)
Hyndburn Accrington Youth OffendingTeam (Blake Street)
Hyndburn Clayton-le-Moors Library
Hyndburn Clayton-le-Moors Young People’s Centre
Hyndburn Great Harwood Young People’s Centre
Hyndburn Huncoat Children’s Centre (designated)
Hyndburn Oswaldtwistle Library
Hyndburn Oswaldtwistle Young People’s Centre
Hyndburn Rishton Library
Hyndburn
Sure Start Hyndburn - Accrington South Children’s Centre (The Beeches)
(designated)
Lancaster Balmoral Children’s Centre (Morecambe) (designated)
Lancaster Barton Road Young People’s Centre
Lancaster Bolton-le-Sands Library
Lancaster Carnforth Library
Lancaster Firbank Children’s Centre (designated)
Lancaster Galgate Children’s Centre (Ellel)
Lancaster Heysham Children’s Centre and Young People’s Centre (designated)
Lancaster Lancaster Registration Office
Lancaster Morecambe Registration Office
Lancaster Poulton Children’s Centre (Morecambe) (designated)
Lancaster Ryelands Young People’s Centre
Lancaster Silverdale Library
Pendle Barnoldswick Young People’s Centre
Pendle Barrowford Library
Pendle Brierfield Library
Pendle Brierfield Young People’s Centre
Pendle Colne Young People’s Centre
Pendle Earby Library
Pendle Pendleside Children’s Centre (Barrowford)
Pendle Trawden Library and Riverside Children’s Centre
Pendle Trawden Young People’s Centre
Preston Fulwood Library
Preston Preston East Children’s Centre (designated)
Preston St Lawrence Children’s Centre (Barton)
Ribble Valley Chatburn Library
Ribble Valley Longridge Young People’s Centre
Ribble Valley Read Library
Ribble Valley Ribble Valley Adult Disability Day Services (Pendleton Brook)
Ribble Valley Slaidburn Young People’s Centre
Ribble Valley Whalley Library and Spring Wood Children’s Centre
Ribble Valley Willows Park Children’s Centre (Longridge) (designated)
Rossendale Bacup Library
Rossendale Balladen Children’s Centre (Rawtenstall) (designated)
Rossendale Crawshawbooth Library
Rossendale Rossendale Registration Office
Rossendale Staghills Children’s Centre (designated)
Rossendale Whitewell Bottom Community Centre
Rossendale Whitworth Library
Rossendale Whitworth Young People’s Centre
South Ribble Bamber Bridge Children’s Centre (designated)
South Ribble Bamber Bridge Library
South Ribble Kingsfold Children’s Centre (designated)
South Ribble Longton Children’s Centre
South Ribble Lostock Hall Library and Children’s Centre
South Ribble Penwortham Library
South Ribble Penwortham Young People’s Centre
South Ribble Wellfield Children’s Centre (designated)
West Lancashire Burscough Library
West Lancashire Children’s Social Care (Fairlie Skelmersdale)
West Lancashire Hesketh with Becconsall Children’s Centre
West Lancashire Moorgate Children’s Centre (Ormskirk) (designated)
West Lancashire Ormskirk Derby Street Day Centre (older people)
West Lancashire Parbold Library
West Lancashire St John’s Children’s Centre (Skelmersdale) (designated)
West Lancashire Upholland Library
Wyre Cleveleys Library and Children’s Centre
Wyre Fleetwood Children’s Centre (designated)
Wyre Garstang Young People’s Centre
Wyre Northfleet Library
Wyre Over Wyre Children’s Centre (Hambleton satellite)
Wyre Over Wyre Children’s Centre (Preesall satellite)
Wyre Poulton-le-Fylde Children’s Centre
Wyre Preesall Young People’s Centre
Wyre Rural Wyre Children’s Centre (Garstang) (designated)
Wyre Thornton Library
Wyre Thornton Young People’s Centre
Wyre Thornton Youth Offending Team (Marsh Mill)
The county council’s cabinet will be asked to agree revised plans to save millions of pounds, by reducing the number of buildings the council owns and rents, after seeking people’s views during an extensive consultation.
Feedback from 7,700 responses has been taken into account in forming the proposals to bring services together to form a network of multi-functional buildings known as Neighbourhood Centres, which would provide a base for a range of different services in one place.
The plans, which form part of the council’s property strategy, propose changes to where some services including libraries, children’s services, children’s centres, young people’s centres, youth offending teams, older people’s daytime support services, adult disability day services and registrars are delivered in the future.
More than 100 buildings would no longer be used for county council services and the number of places at which some services are available would reduce.
The cabinet will also be asked to agree to explore proposals made by a number of community groups and other organisations to take on responsibility for running some of the affected buildings and services.
The changes are in response to Lancashire County Council’s need to save £200m by 2020/21 as a result of ongoing government cuts to its budget and rising demand for services.
The report to the council’s cabinet published late on Friday outlines changes to the original plans, following a 12-week consultation held from 18 May to 14 August, with a number of revisions to which buildings are being proposed to house future services.
County Coun David Borrow, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council and portfolio holder for finance, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation – their feedback has been invaluable in helping to shape the final proposals and the Cabinet will be giving the report careful consideration.
“Our aim is to find a solution that still gives everyone in Lancashire good access to good services, despite the pressures on the council’s budget. We have done a lot of work to assess where services should be located in future, taking account of things such as geographic spread, accessibility and the needs of different communities. Some of the changes to the proposals reflect what people have told us about the way they access these services.
“We’re also keen to continue exploring the potential for other groups and organisations to take on responsibility for some of the affected buildings and services, so we’re grateful for the interest that has been shown in that possibility over the last few months. The report acknowledges that more work will be needed to assess the business cases that have been put forward.”
The report also asks councillors to agree plans to explore alternative options for the future delivery of library services, with a focus on examining whether community-run libraries could add to the statutory service provided by the county council.
A package of help is proposed to help establish any community-run library, including £5,000 to cover set-up costs, shelving, an initial supply of books from the county’s store, and advice from a dedicated community library development officer.

Libraries and children’s centres to be sold off