AMADEUS
is a 6 year old brown and white Leonberger x Bernese
Mountain cross breed. who has been missing from
Banks since November.
Originally
from Devon, he has been living rough since escaping
from his new owners and is described as a shy dog,
particularly of men.
Whilst
there have been many reported sightings around Tarleton
and Hundred End he has still not been caught. If
you have any information please ring 07769 865385.
POLICE
MERGER PROPOSAL CONDEMNED
28/12/05
"Don't
let local village policing be merged with Merseyside"
- warns Lorraine Fullbrook
Local Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman Lorraine Fullbrook
has called on the Government to think again about proceeding
with plans to merge the Lancashire police force into one
of just twelve giant regional constabularies, at an "astronomical"
cost to the taxpayer.
Following
a Commons debate on the merger the week before Christmas,
Lorraine has warned that the independence of Lancashire
police is at stake, along with their operational effectiveness,
stability, and essential links with local communities.
And
she has accused Home Secretary Charles Clarke of seeking
to force through the changes without adequate debate: "Rather
than being driven by operational effectiveness, the changes
are being driven by blind belief in centralisation that
defies the facts. And rather than focusing on the needs
of local people, they are bound to be driven by an agenda
of regionalisation that this Government continues to pursue
against the will of the people."
Mrs
Fullbrook stressed how the most successful recent anti-crime
drive was achieved in New York where police teams were locally
managed, directed and financed.
She
warned how the proposed larger force responsible for local
policing in villages like Tarleton and Hesketh Bank may
cover Merseyside as well Cumbria and would be "too
huge to be effective" and result in some officers having
to drive for hours to reach their new regional headquarters.
Mrs Fullbrook also expressed alarm at the likely costs of
the shake-up - which she warned could run into hundreds
of millions of pounds, while taking ages to implement.
"As
my colleague David Davis pointed out in Parliament , there
is every chance that costs will go up, not down. If nothing
else, all experience shows that the process of amalgamation
itself will be a ferociously disruptive and distracting
exercise, probably for several years...during which time
neither the criminals nor the terrorists will rest."
Mrs
Fullbrook declared: "I am not opposed to any change
in the current structure of Forty Three police forces, but
I do believe there are very serious problems with the current
proposal. It makes policing remote, when we should be making
it local. It makes policing unaccountable, when we should
be giving people greater control. It threatens massive costs
for local taxpayers with no extra benefits and it is driven
by a regional agenda which has already been rejected by
the British people.
Everywhere
we turn, the Government seem determined to organise our
lives on regional lines. Like the possible merger of local
Hospital Trusts this is all about saving money, and breaking
Britain up into euro-regions and not about improving service.It
would be a tragedy indeed if we sacrificed good and effective
policing on the altar of regional dogma. It will be a tragedy
if the Government pushes through this hasty, ill-considered,
costly, disruptive, and dangerous plan. A tragedy the people
of Lancashire cannot afford."
BURGLAR
WARNING
21/12/05
Police have
today asked for all residents to be aware of a vehicle which
is suspected to be being used in the West Lancs area by
a white male for the commission of burglary. The vehicle
is a blue Ford Mondeo registered number M63 NVR.
If this vehicle is seen
please report it's location to the Police if you have any
information relating to this vehicle please ring the Police
or Crimestoppers on Tel 0800 555 111
TORYS
BACK CAMPAIGN AGAINST HOSPITAL MERGER
15/12/05
South
Ribble and Southport Parliamentary Spokesmen call for cross
party campaign
Lorraine Fullbrook, who hopes to be the Conservative MP
for Banks, Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Rufford, Mawdesley, Eccleston
and Croston, after the next General Election and Mark Bigley,
who hopes to represent Southport for the Conservatives in
Parliament, have thrown their support behind the campaign
against the possible merger of the areas hospitals.
In
a letter to the local
press and this website, Mrs Fullbrook and Mr Bigley
have welcomed the decision of Rosie Cooper MP and
John Pugh MP to oppose the possible merger, but point
out that it is Mrs Coopers own Government that is
behind the problems that have led to the consultation
that could result in the merger of our local Southport
and Ormskirk Hospital Trust with Liverpool Trusts.
"The
Government has thrown huge sums of money at the Health
Service, and yet they have done such a bad job that
the Trust is around £15 million in debt. We
urge everyone to sign the petition against the possibility
of a merger, and we pledge to work with anyone, regardless
of their political affiliation, in the battle to keep
our health Trust local. The Government seem hell bent
on merging everything from our Police Force to our
Councils and now our Hospital Trusts. Together we
can send a clear signal that local people have had
enough." say Lorraine and Mark.
Mark Bigley and Lorraine Fullbrook discuss their opposition
to the possible merger of our local hospital Trust
with Hospital Trusts in Liverpool
TARLETON
VILLAGE VIEW NEWSLETTER
11/12/05
Residents
of Tarleton will be getting a copy of the latest 'Village
View' newsletter courtesy of Tarleton Parish Council.
The
newsletter carries updates on a wide range of local projects
and community news. The consultation slip this time focuses
on the Police and Communities Together (PACT)
initiative and the proposed redevelopment of Mark Square.
Feedback is important to the Parish Council and readers
are again asked to take the time to submit their thoughts
on these topics.
If
you can't wait for yours to be delivered or if you live
outside of the parish then you can download the document
as a .pdf file by clicking
here
A
change of use planning application has been submitted to
develop two intersecting grass airstrips for microlight
and very light aircraft at a farm in Bretherton.
The land is within a 5.7 Hectare parcel of agricultural
land at Long Fold Farm, North Road, Bretherton and access
to the airstrips are proposed to be via a grass taxiway.
The
planning committee is expected to make a decision on the
application on the 1st March 2006.
NEW
DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR
07/12/05
Detective
Chief Inspector Martin Kay has joined the Senior Management
Team within Southern Division.
Born
and brought up in South Ribble and living in Hoghton, Detective
Chief Inspector Kay has 23 years service and joined Lancashire
Constabulary in 1983 as a Police Constable in Blackburn.
DCI
Kay worked in the County’s Eastern Division in Uniform
and Detective roles at both Constable and Sergeant level
for approx 14 years before working at HQ within the Serious
and Organised Crime Unit. In 2001 Martin was promoted to
Preston where he worked in the Intelligence Unit as a Detective
Inspector with additional responsibility for the investigation
and detection of serious crime prior to joining Southern
Division on promotion last week.
Detective
Chief Inspector Kay commented,” I am thrilled
to be working in Southern Division, which is a new
area and provides a new challenge for me. I am looking
forward to getting to know local people and working
with fellow officers to continue to provide a first
class service to the local community.”
Detective
Chief Inspector Kay will be responsible for the divisional
reduction and detection of crime and responsibility
for CID, the Intelligence Unit, Target Teams, the
Operations Department including Road Policing, the
Tower Project as well as the Multi-Agency Problem
Solving teams.
COLDEST
WINTER IN A DECADE SET TO ADD £600 MILLION TO ENERGY
BILLS With
the Met Office set to confirm tomorrow that we are expecting
the worst winter in 10 years, leading switching and comparison
site uSwitch.com,
reveals that the arctic freeze forecast for this winter
is set to add £600 million to the nation’s energy
bill.
The
last time the UK suffered from an unusually cold winter
(1995/96) energy consumption swelled by 5% per household.
Based on today’s prices this would bump up the nation’s
energy bill by £600 million. Furthermore, recent price
rises mean that consumers who wish to turn up their thermostat
by 1 degree to keep warmer, will have to pay an extra £57
- 46% more than four years ago.
Alan
Tattersall, Director of Home Services at uSwitch.com,
states: “This could be the most expensive winter people
have faced for many years. Freezing temperatures mean that
the amount of energy used just to keep warm and healthy
this winter, would result in energy bills soaring.
“By
the end of this year, customers will have seen their energy
bill rise by at least 16% or over £100. In addition,
the poorest 10% of the population are now spending 9% of
their income (up 27% since 2001) on their energy bills which
is perilously close to the industry definition of “fuel
poor”, which is 10%. We are concerned that further
increases in the New Year could see vulnerable groups struggling
to keep warm this winter.”
The
average consumer bill will have risen by over £100
by the end 2005 to a total of £770. In a double whammy,
energy customers should brace themselves for price hikes
in the region of 15% by major energy suppliers as early
as the first quarter of 2006 (possibly pushing the average
fuel bill up by a further £116). These anticipated
prices increases come in the wake of burgeoning wholesale
gas prices that have risen by 417% since the start of the
year.
The
combined impact of a volatile market, price increases by
all major suppliers and a harsh winter means that consumers
who have never switched could pay close to £1000 for
their gas and electricity by early next year.
To
exacerbate the issue, data from the Met Office between 1971
through to 2000 shows that February has, on average, the
coldest minimum temperatures - suggesting that the worst
of the weather is still to come.
To
help mitigate this and ensure that people keep warm this
winter, uSwitch.com
recommends the following measures:
Switch to save £££’s
Switch supplier and you could make savings of up to
£170 a year. Use an independent
energy price comparison service to ensure you get
a like for like comparison
Claim your rightful benefits. Everyone over 60 should
claim the Winter Fuel Payment and there are many other
benefits and grants to which you may be entitled. Call
SeniorLine to find out more: 0808 800 6565
Apply for energy
savng grants and programmes. There are many free
products and services designed specifically for older
people, such as the British Gas 'Here to HELP' programme.
Contact major energy suppliers to find out what they
offer.
Inadequate insulation could cost UK consumers £1.9
billion in unnecessary energy use this winter, according
to figures from the Energy
Saving Trust. Save up to £250 by making some
simple energy efficient changes such as investing in
loft insulation, using a draft excluder and changing
normal for energy efficient light bulbs.
Keep
your home between 21 and 24 degrees – this is
the optimum temperature recommended to keep you healthy.
Keeping heating on longer at a lower temperature is
also cheaper than putting it on for shorter periods
at a higher temperature.
PENWORTHAM
TRAFFIC (JAM) CAMERA QUESTIONED
23/11/05
Locals
who think they have been wrongly accused of speeding have
been urged to demand photographic evidence after a freak
flaw was discovered in a traffic camera on the A59 at Penwortham.
The camera has apparantly been triggered by the vibration
of roll-down shutters on the back of large lorries as they
queue in the slow moving traffic.
The
Daily
Mail has reported that the vibration from slow-moving
and even stationary lorries has caused the static roadside
Gatso cameras to flash hundreds of innocent motorists stuck
in the traffic jams (recording them travelling at speeds
of up to 80mph), leaving them in line for a £60 fine
and three points on their licence.
Serco,
the company whose Gatsos account for 85 per cent of all
speed cameras in use on UK roads, were said to have confirmed
the problem but went on to claim that 'fewer than 20' cars
were flashed and no one was wrongly penalised.
However,
speed camera officials in Lancashire said Serco technicians
had told them there was a widespread problem with cameras
across the UK. Solicitor Clive Burton, who has handled numerous
traffic offence cases, said: "I would urge everyone
to demand the photographic evidence. There are, I'm afraid,
some quite unreliable devices around."
Association
of British Drivers spokesman Mark McArthur Christie said:
"Thousands of drivers could already have been wrongly
fined around the country. "Most
people do not ask for a photograph when they receive their
fixed penalty notice. They simply pay the £60 for
fear of a much bigger fine if they challenge it."
Speed
camera expert Dr Michael Clark said: "There have been
a number of incidents where someone successfully contested
a case by insisting on seeing the pictures."
Police
across Lancashire's Southern Division are warning car
owners to take more care over their car security in
an attempt to cut down on incidents of auto-crime over
the winter months as the frosty mornings set in. They
are again stressing the following messages to motorists
across the division:-
On
frosty mornings do not leave your insecure car
unattended whilst defrosting. Many motorists will
start their car and leave it running with the
fan turned on to help the defrosting process whilst
they go inside. If you cannot garage your car
overnight, either stay with it whilst the windscreen
clears or cover it with a protective sheet so
that the windscreen does not get frosted up.
Last Friday at approx 7.40am a Mazda MX5 was stolen
from Kilsby Close in Walton-le-Dale in exactly
this way.
Leaving
the engine running whilst out of the car on a
public highway is an offence but this also gives
criminals the opportunity to take the vehicle.
Quite a few people do this whilst calling into
a newsagents first thing in the morning but will
also leave their keys in a switched off vehicle
when filling up with petrol – an open invitation
to an opportunist thief.
Insurance
companies request details of auto crimes from
the police to assess each individual’s claim.
These details help to establish whether the aggrieved
has been contributory to the loss and ultimately
whether the insurance company will pay out.
In
the run up to Christmas do not leave valuables
on display in your car and avoid leaving bags
of presents on view. This also applies not only
to Christmas presents but other items such as
laptops and bags – if you don’t need
it don’t leave it in your car.
Ensure
your car is safe, secure and properly alarmed
at all times. Leaving high powered and valuable
vehicles on driveways attracts attention and incidents
have happened recently where thieves have broken
into insecure properties and stolen the keys to
vehicles – these crimes have not just happened
overnight. Keep your property secure and your
car keys out of sight.
Chief
Superintendent Chris Weigh commented, “We are
in our first real cold snap of the winter and offenders
have already seized opportunities whilst owners defrost
their vehicles. Please don't think that they won't visit
your area - thieves travel everywhere to carry out these
type of offences and unfortunately they are usually
successful in finding what they are looking for. It
is far easier for them to steal a vehicle with keys
than without."
LONG
WAIT FOR THE NEXT BUS?
16/11/05
OPSTA
– the Ormskirk, Preston & Southport Travellers’
Association – is holding a meeting on Wednesday,
23rd November at the Stanley Institute, Burscough
starting at 7.15 p.m. The topic will be the serious
losses of public transport in West Lancashire.
Everyone
knows the old joke about waiting ages for a bus, and
then three come along together. Well, the residents
of parts of West Lancashire and the surrounding areas
will be waiting even longer in the future, because
there will be no buses – or at least very few.
Already
we have lost many of the rural services subsidised
by the County. Then last May Arriva took off the 303
that used to run from Ormskirk to Preston, changing
it to run from Ormskirk only as far as Tarleton. Now
we know that Arriva is soon taking off all its bus
services north of Ormskirk, to Burscough, Martin Mere,
Rufford and Tarleton. The feeling of isolation is
only getting stronger – and there may be even
more cuts coming along.
But
it is not just buses. There is a risk that some of
our local railway stations could be affected. The
new franchise award to Northern Rail – who operate
all the trains from Ormskirk to Preston and from Southport
to Manchester – includes a review of all the
Northern services, with a clear directive from the
Government to reduce the cost of subsidising local
train services. In other parts of the country, stations
have already been identified for closure, and they
have more passengers than several of our local stations.
All
this comes despite the County making a serious effort
to improve public transport. There is now recognition
that our roads are so congested, and fuel is so expensive,
that a good convenient public transport system is
essential. And it needs to be a lot more attractive
to a lot more people.
With
the opening of the new Burscough Bridge Interchange
only days away, it would be a terrible wasted opportunity
if there were no buses at the Interchange soon. So
what can be done? There are some opportunities that
could help to provide some answers.
First,
Burscough Parish Council has taken the lead in looking
into alternative bus arrangements. They have met with
the County, with bus operators and others. There is
a possibility that the County could help, if a viable
proposal can be put forward, to find another bus operator
to replace the services we are losing. But it must
be a commercially viable operation, because the County
does not have the money to provide a subsidised service.
So a lot of thought is needed locally to see if this
can be achieved.
Second,
the MP for Southport John Pugh has sponsored a detailed
proposal for major improvements in local train services.
These improvements could include an extension of the
electric train service from Liverpool through Ormskirk
to Burscough, a new route from Southport to Preston
via Burscough, and in the longer term even more improvements.
While many people remain doubtful, there have been
some positive and hopeful signs recently.
None
of these may eventually happen. But the chances that
they will can be improved if local people get involved
in whatever way you can. It is crucial that local
knowledge and ideas are pulled together, because local
public transport is supposed to serve us – the
local people who know what we want! So come along
on November 23rd, and put your ideas forward.
SINGING
SWEDES VISIT HESKETH BANK
15/11/05
Hesketh
with Becconsall All Saints C of E School have established
a strong partnership with a School in Sweden - The
Karl Johans School from Orebro, the 6th largest town
in Sweden. Following a recent successful visit by
8 Swedish teachers from the Karl Johans School to
All Saints School earlier this Summer, they are now
bringing over 25 girls (aged 13 -15) who form part
of their School's Girls Choir to visit us in Hesketh
Bank. They will be arriving on Thursday 24th November
and staying until the Monday 28th November. All of
the girls will be staying with local host families
in the village.
During
their time here they will be performing the St Lucia
Concert at Blackburn Cathedral on the Saturday evening
the 26th November at 6.30 pm This is a FREE
concert which is open to anyone. It promises to be
a very good concert and all are advised to make the
effort to attend. Click
here to download a .pdf brochure for this event.
"This
will probably be the closest that you will ever get
to hearing Angels sing"
The
Karl Johans Girl Choir will also be singing at the
All Saints Church in Hesketh Bank on Sunday 27th November
at 10.30am (which is the first Sunday of Advent) This
will be an ideal opportunity for local people to come
along to meet our Swedish visitors and to enjoy their
musical contribution to our Advent service at All
Saints Church.
The
girls from the Karl Johan School will be performing
their very last concert here in the UK - (exclusively
for the parents and pupils of Hesketh and Becconsall
All Saints C of E School) on Monday 28th November
at 9.00am at All Saints School.
Hesketh
with Becconsall Parish Council declared a vacancy
on the council last night after Stephen Trippier was
disqualified for non-attendance.
Cllr
Trippier was reported to have failed to attended the
Parish Council meetings since the 4th of April 2005
and had only attended 5 of the 20 meetings that have
been held since he was elected in 2004 (See
election results) with 498 votes.
It
is now up to Parishoners to decide as to wether an
election is required - If a 10 signature form is returned
within 14 days there will be an election, if not,
then the Council will co-opt a nominee onto the Council.
An election costs the village approximately £1600.
Keep an eye on the notice boards for more details.
At
last month's meeting of Tarleton Parish Council, the
Parish Councilors who remained in the meeting until
public participation heard a member of the public
berate the council for the lack of attendance by Councillors
after the council struggled to maintain the necessary
quorum of four from the twelve councillors that should
have been present.
Lorraine
Fullbrook, the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman
for the South Ribble constituency, which covers Tarleton,
Banks, Hesketh Bank and Rufford, and soon to include
Eccleston, Mawdsley and Croston, has re-affirmed her
opposition to the Government’s new licensing
laws, which are due to come into full effect on 24
November.
The
new Licensing Act will allow pubs and night clubs
to apply for whatever opening hours they wish, abolishing
the old 11pm closing time and 20 minute ‘drinking
up’ time. The new laws come at a time when violent
attacks across West Lancashire have risen by 123%
in the last three years.
Lorraine
explained that although responsibility for licensing
is being transferred from magistrates’ courts
to local authorities, councils have very little discretion
to refuse late licences:
Applications
are automatically granted unless an objection is
made, but only certain people are allowed to object.
Residents can only object if they live in the immediate
‘vicinity’.
Councillors
are not allowed to object to applications in their
ward in their own right.
Councils
must follow the 180-page Whitehall guidance, which
prevents councils from staggering closing times
across an area.
Councils
cannot object to ‘Temporary Event Notices’,
such as controversial raves or festivals for up
to 500 people.
There
are few powers to hold pubs and clubs responsible
for rowdy or drunken customers once outside their
premises, even if the serving of alcohol caused
the nuisance.
“At
a time when violent crime is rising, weakening the
laws on late licensing threatens to increase crime,
nuisance and disorder even further. I am all in favour
of people having a good time out, but a licensing
‘free for all’ threatens to create not
a café culture, but a yob culture in our village
centres.
“Labour’s
new licensing laws fail to give local residents and
councillors a strong enough say to decide what’s
best for our local community. The whole legislation
needs a complete overhaul to stop the upsurge in yob
behaviour, to lighten the burden on village halls
and community facilities, and give local councils
far more discretion to take into account the concerns
of local people.”
There
has been a spate of house burglaries in the West Lancashire
are which have occurred between 7pm and 9pm of an
evening.
The
offenders have entered garages and garden sheds, taken
the garden spade and used it to gain entry to the
house by forcing the windows.
Once
inside they have stolen Plasma Tv's, cash, car keys
and then stole the car. The offenders are believed
to be using a Gold coloured VW Golf saloon, registered
number similar to PE53 LCS.
Both
offenders are reported to be male and white, one has
dark hair the other has Ginger hair and a frecle covered
face. Please report any sightings of the offenders
or the vehicle and remember to secure your outbuildings
that contain garden equipment.
If
you have any information, please contact the Police
on 0845 1 25 35 45. or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
THS
OPENS MICROSOFT IT ACADEMY FOR ADULTS
20/10/05
Building
on the school's status as a Community Technology College,
Tarleton High School is pleased to announce that starting
in November, its not just pupils that will benefit
from recently refurbished computer rooms!
The
school has been selected to become a Microsoft IT
Academy, with teachers receiving specific training
on Microsoft Office software. This enables the school
to deliver a nationally recognised qualification to
adults in the community that is fully accredited by
Microsoft.
The
first course will study Microsoft Word and will be
aimed at parents helping their children to word process
homework. Further classes in other Microsoft Office
applications will follow, along with classes targeted
at parents.
The
course will cost £130, which includes:
*
Expert tuition
* The examination fee at the course completion
* Transportation to the examination centre
* Refreshments during the evening
* Free Microsoft software for 180 days
This
course does enable parents to achieve a nationally
recognised, Microsoft accredited award that is sought
by businesses today. A Free 'taster' session is offered
to the public during our launch night of Wednesday
2nd November from 7pm-9pm. Classes for the course
then start on Monday 14th November 2005 from 7pm until
9:15pm for 10 weeks.
Tarleton
High School's Head of Information Communication Technology,
Alison Jones said ''this is a fantastic opportunity
for both the school and the community, we can't wait
to start!''
MARK'S
SQUARE SUPERMARKET PROPOSAL
18/10/05
Paul
Smith of Acland Bracewell tonight tabled a proposal
for a comprehensive redevelopment of Mark's Square
in Tarleton at the meeting of Tarleton Parish Council.
The
futuristic 'improvements' to the popular facility
include a supermarket three times the size of the
current Spar shop, a fitness club on the second floor
and additional retail space. The pedestrianisation
of the central square would allow community events
to be staged and offer the potential for siting small
market stalls and vending kiosks within the traffic
free square. It was claimed that by incorporating
the field behind the bike shop into the design, the
overall impact on car parking facilities would be
negligable.
An
exhibition of the proposal will be hosted in Tarleton
Library 2pm-7pm Friday 4th November and 9.30-12pm
Saturday 5th November.
Acland
Bracewell also intend to mail a copy of the proposal
to each of Tarleton's 2300 households and provide
residents with the opportunity for feedback. It is
understood that the leaflets will be posted out on
Monday 31st of October with all comments required
to be received by 13th November. It is anticipated
that the official planning process will begin shortly
afterwards.
Some
immediate concerns were voiced at the meeting regarding
such a contemporary design being sited alongside a
conservation area, additional traffic and the loss
of the fairground site but the main discussion was
very much focused on the detrimental impact a shop
of this size may have on other village shops both
within Mark's Square and beyond.
Strong
views were offered that it would be the final nail
in the coffin of village life in both Tarleton and
Hesketh Bank; should such a proposal go ahead it was
considered unlikely that Booths would continue with
their proposed development which would have created
a focal point for Hesketh Bank, leaving Mark's Square
as the centre of a small town made up of the combined
villages.
Expect
both 'sides' to be having their say in the local press
over the coming weeks but what do you think? Have
your say on the letters
page!
Local
Arm Wrestling Team Launch
17/10/05
On
Monday 24th October at 7.00pm, at the Becconsall Hotel,
Keith Taylor will be launching The Preston Panthers
ArmWrestling Federation.
Keith
competed in the Great Britain Championships and came
second on his right arm and third on his left arm
in his weight class. A number of his fellow UK and
World competitors from the sport will be in attendance
at the pub and the event promises to be a great opportunity
for local people to see the sport first hand.
Keith
is currently looking for potential members and also
sponsorship opportunities so get down to the Becc
on Monday night if you are interested.
CLOSE
SHAVE FOR MACMILLAN
17/10/05
Brian
"Warsteiner" a well known regular at the Cock
and Bottle has volunteered his services to raise funds
for Macmillan Nurses by having his head shaved this
Wednesday to coincide with the pubs latest entertainment,
an evening of music from a Beetles tribute band.
Anyone
wishing to support Brian and his efforts can either
come along on the evening and enjoy the music and
Brians actual shaving or pop into the pub during normal
opening hours and a member of staff will be happy
to let you sign Brian's sponsor form.
Brian's
efforts so far are edging towards the £400 mark
so we all wish him well.
JOHN
MIDGLEY CROWNED GIANT PUMPKIN CHAMP
15/10/05
Tarleton's
very own John Midgley took the crown of heaviest giant
pumpkin grower at the Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin Competition
which was held today. The 702lb pumpkin is also believed
to be the heaviest pumpkin weight recorded this year
at any of this seasons UK competitions.
Dave Turley from Dune FM presents
the coveted Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin Shield
to this year's competition winner - John Midgley
of Tarleton.
Dave
Turley, first time giant pumpkin grower and
Dune FM DJ proudly displays the local radio
station's entry which weighed in at a very
respectable 301lb.
John last won the Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin Competition
in 2001 with a 454lb Pumpkin.
A
record 32 giant pumpkins were entered into the
famous Mere Brow competition which was again
compered by the tireless DJ Dave Turley of Dune
FM. The proceeds of the event are to be
donated to the North West Ambulance.
J.
Midgley
702
James
O'Hanlon / Liam Cupit
638
G.
Wright
541
M.
Bond
530
Jack
& Hollie Bond
519
Josh
Whiteside
515
Mark
O'Hanlon
506
L.
Whiteside
497
Lois
Cupit
497
James
O'Hanlon / Liam Cupit
473
R.
& E. Langton
466
G.
Wright
442
Jody
Wilson
440
Jody
Wilson
420
Amy
Woolam
411
J.
Rimmer
389
J.
Houghton
376
M.
Done
370
J.
Whiteside
361
J.
Bryan
356
A.
Whiteside
356
Grace
Wright
334
P.
Wareing
330
D.
Shaw
312
Grace
Wright
304
Dune
FM
301
P.
Wareing
295
M.
Johnson
277
A.
& K. Midgley
266
T.
Wilson
249
Amy
Woolam
224
J.
Wilson
209
FULLBROOK
TO LEAD THE FIGHT
11/10/05
The
Conservatives in Lancashire have started the campaign
to win the next election by re-adopting Lorraine Fullbrook
as the candidate for the key marginal seat of South
Ribble.
The seat was held by Labour after a recount in May by
just 2000 votes, and boundary changes are expected to
reduce this to a notional majority of just 1000 at the
next General Election.
Lorraine Fullbrook collecting
signatures in support of the
"Out of Lancs - No thanks" campaign.
Local
Party members attending the meeting held last
weekend voted overwhelmingly to endorse Mrs
Fullbrook as the Conservative Party's Parliamentary
Spokesman for the South Ribble Constituency.
The
seat which includes Banks, Tarleton, Hesketh
Bank and Rufford, will also include villages
such as Mawdesley, Eccleston and Croston at
the next General Election, and is seen as one
of the Tories top targets.
The
decision by the Conservative Party to "fast
track" Mrs Fullbrook is seen by local Conservatives
as recognition that whilst unsuccessful in May
she is one of the Party's rising stars.
Commenting on her re-adoption, Lorraine said "I
am delighted to have been given the chance to finish
the job I began less than two years ago. David Borrow
knows just how lucky he was to hold on in May, and his
dearest hope must have been that having halved his majority,
I would cut and run for a safe a seat, leaving him unchallenged
for the next two years. Sadly, for Mr Borrow his worst
nightmare has just come true. I committed myself to
the people of the South Ribble Constituency then, and
will continue to do so for the rest of my political
career."
She continued, "Labour is failing local people,
more today than even just six months ago. I see it as
my job to speak up for each and every local person who
it is being let down."
One of those pleased with Lorraine's re-adoption is
County Councillor Malcolm Barron who represents Hesketh
Bank, Banks and Tarleton.
He commented, "Lorraine was a fantastic champion
for local people in the eighteen months running up to
polling day in May. Her support for campaigns such as
the "Green Lane Link" and "Out of Lancs,
No Thanks" was fantastic, and having worked closely
with her, I am convinced that that she has everything
it takes to become our MP at the next election. She
will do brilliantly for local people and for the country."
SHORE
ROAD PLAY AREA VANDALISED
04/10/05
Vandals
struck at the Shore Road playing fields last weekend,
demolishing the roundabout and cutting down young trees.
The
roundabout has now been immobilised and will
be replaced as part of the extensive improvements
to the play area which started this week.
The
Parish Council have also instructed contractors
to renew the path from Delta Park and make improvements
to the surface of the car park.
The
Parish Council will also be seeking a commitment from
Hesketh Bank Football Club to finish the work they agreed
to do to the Shore Rd changing rooms and surrounding
area after local residents again complained about the
lack of progress.
WLDC
START BIN BAG CLAMPDOWN
30/09/05
West
Lancs District Council today announced that it has
issued over 100 fixed penalty notices to litter bugs
in West Lancashire in the last three months alone.
All of the £50 fines were issued for either
throwing litter in the street or out of car windows
or for putting bin bags out "too early".
The
news
release then goes on to name and shame the 32
people who have already paid their fines (including
the unlikely named "Mr Firwood Timber")
but makes no reference to those who did not pay up.
The
clampdown comes in advance of the controversial cut
in refuse collections set to be introduced in October
whereby "grey" waste collection will be
halved without any change as to what or how much recyclable
material will be collected.
Critics
of the proposed change claim that the average household
will have to deal with over 4 bin bags of refuse a
month that will remain uncollected under the new arrangements
and this will inevitably lead to an increase in fly
tipping.
Many
residents have already applied to the Council for
additional bin space but as each request is to be
dealt with individually, the unexpected demand made
on the Council department has meant that the home
visits to establish requirements have not yet started.
Good
news - Bryn the spaniel is back home! He was
found asleep in the hedge at the Anchor Inn
at Hutton.
Joyce
said "He is very lucky dog in every way.
Please thank everyone for us as they have been
so kind. We have had people who we have never
met before walking the fields for us and wanderered
about looking for him. We have had phone calls
and emails about him beeing seen, and calls
asking about him."
"He
is fine but has a bit of a limp and is very
tired. He has been checked out by the vet and
was fit enough to come home. I just can't say
thank you enough times"
Bryn
- "please don't shout at me"
Lost
Spaniel Update
21/09/05
Joyce
has asked us to pass on the following update about
her spaniel who went missing last Saturday: Please let folk know our spaniel was sited on
Monday asleep in the grass verge on the Longton bypass
by the lolipop lady for Walmer Bridge school but,
being frightened, shot across the road down Dob Lane.
He was again sited today (Wednesday) at Midge Hall
at the cross roads leading to Bretherton and Leyland.
He seems to be following the roads to find his way
home so please keep a look out for him. After six
days he must be getting quite weak. If you have any information at all please contact
Joyce Walmsley on 01772 81xxxx.
Best
Kept Village Awards For Tarleton And Mere Brow
20/09/05
The
annual Best Kept Village competition has declared
Tarleton the winner of the Large Village Class and
also awarded the accolade of Most Improved Small Village
to Mere Brow.
The
formal presentation of the awards will be made on
the 15th October and each village will be given Garden
Centre vouchers as prizes.
Lost
Spaniel
18/09/05
A
white and brown springer spaniel was lost in Tarleton
yesterday (Saturday 17th September). The dog is described
as small size, still has his tail and can be skittish
towards men.
He
is a small dog for a springer, has white/brown patches
and still has his tail. He had no collar on at the
time when he was last seen late afternoon down Moss
Hey. The dog warden and police have been informed
and posters have been put around the village and in
local shops
He
is a much loved pet and the owner would like to hear
from anyone who has any information. Please contact
Joyce Walmsley on 01772 81xxxx.
New
RSPB reserve proposed for Hesketh Out Marsh
12/09/05
Plans
by the Environment Agency and the RSPB to breach the
existing Hesketh Bank embankment in four places in
order to create 100 hectares of additional inter-tidal
marsh land and creeks for wildlife have now been put
forward for comment.
The
RSPB is negotiating to purchase a total of 168 hectares
(primarily the western half of Hesketh Out Marsh)
and the new reserve will include eight 1 hectare salt
water lagoons which are to be excavated on the site
to provide wader feeding habitat.
New
flood defences will be required and construction of
a new "cross-wall embankment" separating
Hesketh Out Marsh West from Hesketh Out Marsh East
is proposed (although if the scheme were later expanded
this bank would be removed). The existing embankment
between Hesketh Out Marsh West and Hesketh New Marsh
would be upgraded as this would become the new primary
line of defence.
The
report also notes "As a result of the change
of use of Hesketh Out Marsh West from agricultural
to nature conservation use, the proposed planning
application will include change of use of one nearby
residential property (Ribble Hall, presently subject
to an agricultural tie) and an adjacent barn (Ribble
Hall Farm) together with extinguishing of a nearby
public footpath leading to the site (for which alternative
plans exist and to which a new access route is to
be created)."
Hesketh-with-Becconsall
Parish Council have been invited to offer their views
on the proposal but their response to the consultation
document is required by 22nd September 2005.
As there are no other known routes for public consultation
on this project at this stage, if you do have any
comments, issues or more information you MUST contact
a councillor immediatly.
The
Hesketh Bank Village Hall Library provided a
facility for the villagers using grant funding
from West Lancashire District Council, the Carnegie
Trust UK, the Lotteries Board Small Grants Scheme
and the donation of over 2000 books by the villagers.
A small band of volunteers helped with the renovation
of the Front Hall and the library was finally
opened on April 1st 2000 by South Ribble MP
Mr. David Borrow and the Hesketh Bank Millennium
Queen Miss Lara Johnson.
Hesketh bank Village Library
For
three years, the library proved popular and
was open for three days a week with over 4000
books on file, covering a wide range of topics.
The children from Happy Days Nursery enjoyed
story time in the Library with books read to
them by the volunteers who ran the facility,
it also offered the use of a computer for school
work and a photocopying service. Eventually
however, unable to compete with the service
