Canon Jim Burns leads the Old Church Sunday procession down Becconsall Lane

A group of friends are trying to start up an amateur dramatic society in Tarleton and are looking looking for others who would be keen to join in:

Acting / Singing Wardrobe Props Sound Lighting Musical Director / Pianist Dance experience

If you have some experience in any of the above or feel you have some talent to give to the society please call Marie Taylor on 01772 813230 (evenings).

Report by Philip Pacey
On Sunday the 1st July the West Lancashire Light Railway received a surprise visit from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Utrillas, in Spain, on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of its locomotive named 'Utrillas' which spent much of its working life at a coal mine at Utrillas in the Province of Teruel, Spain.

Pictured here, the Mayor, Jose Luis Alegre Escuder, makes a presentation to Paul Smith, Chair of the WLLR, with Graham Fairhurst, proud owner of 'Utrillas'.

West Lancashire Light Railway

West Lancs Green Party is inviting members of the public to an informal free-ranging evening talking about the environmental problem of waste and what to do about it. No-one wants a landfill site next door; no-one wants an incinerator either. But we are producing vast amounts of waste from households, commerce and industry. A dramatic increase in recycling would be helpful but perhaps we should be trying harder to avoid producing so much waste in the first place..

In addition, for everyone concerned about climate change, there will be an opportunity to calculate your 'carbon footprint' with someone on hand to help with the maths ! As more of us are becoming aware of our impact on the environment, we need to know the amount of 'greenhouse gases' which we are responsible for creating and which will have a serious effect on the world's climate. Every time we use electricity, oil, gas, even water, we create more greenhouse gases; the bigger our 'footprint', the greater the effects on the climate.

The local Green Party suggests that if we measure our output of 'greenhouse' gases over the last twelve months and then check again in a year's time, we can find out if we are succeeding in cutting our effects on the climate. It would help if people could bring their last four electricity and gas bills, the make and model of their car, the number of kilometres they travel per year, and the fuel consumption of their car. A fairly accurate figure can be calculated without this information, however.

Anyone is welcome to drop in from 8 till 10 pm on Thursday 28 June at the Greyhound pub in Aughton Street, Ormskirk. Anyone who is unable to attend can get a copy of the Carbon Footprint hand-out by phoning Maurice George on 01695 578 843.

Drugs Warrants executed at address on Douglas View, Hesketh Bank.

Police Officers in West Lancashire executed a drugs warrant on Saturday at a property on Douglas View, Hesketh Bank.

A total of 46 Cannabis plants were found at the property with a sophisticated hydroponic set up. A quantity of amphetamine was also seized. Two males were arrested at the address and have been questioned by police. Both are now on police bail pending further enquiries.

PC Phil Corrigan, Community Beat Manager for the area played a pivotal part in gathering information via community intelligence for the warrant and commented,” A number of plants were recovered from the address and analysis is underway to determine the exact street value. I would really encourage people that if they know something about drugs in their community they should do something about it. They can ring this information into the police via Southern Communications Centre on O845 1 25 35 45 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Report by Paul Sergeant
On a sunny but bitterly cold evening a fair sized crowd gathered to watch the 2007 Medals Final which was won by Royal Garrison from Preston. Portland from Southport had the better of the first half and if they had put away their chances should have gone in at half time with a lead, but the scoreline remained goalless at the interval.

During the half time break the traditional junior penalty prize was held as 5 boys from the under 11's took 5 penalties each to decide the winner. In a sudden death knockout Jamie Pratt won through to take the trophy.

Royal Garrison opened the scoring 10 mintes into the second half with a 20 yard pile driver which gave Portland's keeper no chance. Portland presed forward in search of an equaliser but in the last 10 minutes they were picked off by Royal Garrison on the break who scored another 3 without reply which in truth gave the final scoreline an untrue picture of how close the match actually was.

This Saturday sees the return of the Everton Saturday morning Soccer School which is held at Station Road for boys and girls aged 5-15 years old. The sessions begin at 9am and cost £3 per person.

The final of the 2007 Fermor Hesketh Medal Competition will be contested by Portland (Southport) and Royal Garrison (Preston).

Royal Garrison defeated Croston after extra time in the semi-final after going a goal down in the very first minute. However they hit back on the hour and the game drifted into extra time but it was Royal Garrison who scored the all important late winner.

The final has been moved back a day and will now take place at Station Road on TUESDAY 29th MAY kicking off at 7pm.

Entrance will be by admission only at £2 for adults, £1 for senior citizens and 50p for under 16’s. A programme will be available subject to availability.

This is an urgent message to everyone in the West Lancashire area. Earlier this month we issued a warning about a team of bogus officials claiming to be from the Water Board who were targeting the homes of elderly residents to steal cash. Yesterday there were a further 3 incidents where this team conned their way into the homes of elderly people in Burscough and Tarleton and stole significant amounts of cash. There are 2 men both are white males, one with an Irish accent. They can be smartly dressed or wearing boiler suits.

Please do not let anyone into your home that you do not know. If they say they are from an official organisation, do not let them in but ask them to call back. You should then phone the organisation they claim to be from and check whether they have people working in the area. If you are at all suspicious please notify the Police immediately.

LATEST NEWS: The hosts and holders of the Fermor Hesketh Challenge Cup Competition, Hesketh Bank were knocked out at the semi-final stage on Monday evening by Portland who play in the Southport and District Sunday League.

Portland opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a well struck direct free kick found its way through a non existent wall. On the stroke of half time they added a second and put the result beyond doubt early in the second half to run out worthy winners by three goals to nil and reach the final for the first time.

The second semi final will be on Thursday between Royal Garrison from Preston who won the competition two years ago who will play Croston from the West Lancashire League whose name last appears on the trophy as far back as 1970. The match kicks off at 7pm.

The final will be on Bank Holiday Monday with a 7pm Kick off.

An admission charge will be payable at the entrance - £2 adults, £1 Senior Citizens and 50p for under 16’s and a programme will be available.

LATEST NEWS: Southport Trinity have withdrawn from the Medals competition. Tuesday’s fixture is now cancelled and Royal Garrison will play Croston on Thursday.

Report by Paul Sergeant
Portland from Southport were the first side through to the semi-finals when they finally overcame a stubborn Hesketh Bank Reserve side who played for more than an hour with 10 men. The first half ended 1-0 and Hesketh Bank had missed a penalty but eventually that extra man helped Portland who eventually hit another four without reply.

The following night Croston and Southport Amateurs entertained the crowd with a fine match played in the right spirit. The match ended all square 1-1 after extra time, and it was Croston held their nerve in the penalty shoot out to go through to the semi-final.

The night after the local derby played in steady rain throughout was another tight affair. It was Tarleton who opened the scoring after 20 minutes but Eion Bond equalised 15 minutes later for the hosts and holders of the Fermor Hesketh Trophy and then John Ascroft had a penalty well saved by keeper David LeMarinel just before the interval. Early in the second half Eion Bond added a second and despite a spirited display from Tarleton it was Hesketh Bank who won through to play Portland in the semi final.

Next week the provisional dates for games are as follows:

Monday 21st May ~ Hesketh Bank v Portland (Southport) ~ Semi Final

Tuesday 22nd May ~ Royal Garrison (Preston) v Southport Trinity ~ 1st Round

Thursday 24th May ~ Croston v Winners of Tuesday ~ Semi Final

Fixtures will be confirmed later this week.
Admission to the Station Rd ground is free and all matches kick off at 7pm.

The provisional date for the final is Tuesday 29th May. A programme will be printed for the final and admission will be charged at the entrance with charges as follows: £2 for Adults ~ £1 for Senior Citizens and 50p for under 16’s.

"The Medals" competition was first played in 1921. For more information on the history of the Fermor Hesketh Trophy and a list of previous winners visit www.heskethbankafc.com

The invitation only "Medals" football competition kicks off this week at the Station Road ground of Hesketh Bank AFC. The Medals competition was first played in 1921. All matches kick off at 7pm and entrance is free of charge. This weeks fixtures are:

Portland (Southport) v Hesketh Bank Reserves
Monday 14th May 7pm

Croston v Southport Amateurs
Tuesday 15th May 7pm

Hesketh Bank v Tarleton Corinthians
Wednesday 16th May 7pm

For more information on the above matches and the history of the Medals competition visit www.HeskethbankAFC.com

Informal Walking Group raises money for Duck Aid. Report by Ian Wells

The sponsored walk on the Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th, was for the Christian Aid appeal for ducks for families in Bangla Desh, and the weather forecast suggested good weather for ducks! But as members of the Informal Walking Group based on the three Anglican parishes of Tarleton, Rufford, and Hesketh Bank assembled at St Mary the Virgin, Eccleston, the cloud stayed high and the rain held off.

Twelve set off and thirteen came back (one joining at lunch time) from the six mile stroll in the Yarrow valley. Sponsorship and donations combined came to £180 - and with some of the sponsors subscribing to gift aid, Christian Aid will be able to add another £13 from tax refunds. That’s enough to give five families each a starter flock of 16 laying ducks, and to train one member of each family in duck care and marketing - or to buy the materials for a complete repair to one house. Thank you to all who walked and to all who sponsored and gave donations.

The voters of Tarleton go to the polls today to elect one of their West Lancs District Councillors for the Tarleton and the councillors for Tarleton Parish Council.

The majority of the candidates have now submitted an election message to the website which can all be reviewed by clicking here.

It's going to be a nice day so there is no excuse - DON'T WASTE YOUR VOTE!

We will post the election results on the website as soon as we have the information available.

Latest from the Crime Prevention unit at Skemersdale:
This is an urgent warning message for all Neighbourhood Watch members in the West Lancs, Chorely and Leyland areas. Over the past 2 days there have been 4 distraction burglaries where a man has conned his way into the homes of elderly people and stolen a considerable sum of money.

He has committed offences in Ormskirk, Burscough, Rufford and Much Hoole but could operate anywhere. Up to now the man has claimed to be from the Waterboard but he could use any excuse.

At one incident he was dressed in a blue boiler suit but at another he was more smartly dressed wearing a white shirt and dark trousers. Please be on the look-out for this man who is described a s a white male about 5`6" tall. (No further details). Please make your neighbours aware of these incidents. Remember - Do NOT let anyone into your home who you do not know. If you are at all suspicious please contact the Police immediately.

The infamous Chapel Road cat killer appears to have struck again with the latest victim being discovered dead at the gate of its own house. It is suspected that the cat has died from poisoning.

The owner, Janet Read of Chapel Road appeals "If someone has any information about what / who might have done this, please contact the editors of Hesketh Bank website or contact the police. This cat was found by my young daughter..... whoever is doing this has NO idea about the pain it is causing.."

The family still have a further cat missing. Janet added "I still hope to find Minty alive....."

The local elections are again upon us and we extend the usual invitation to all nominated candidates to submit their own election message to the voters via this website.

Keep visiting the 2007 local elections page to see what our would be councillors have to say for themselves.

Tarleton is the new home-buying hot-spot of Lancashire, according to a local estate agent.

Georgina Cox, managing director of Moving Works, has seen a boom in demand at its Tarleton branch as prices rocket through the £200,000 barrier.

New figures this week show average property prices in West Lancashire have soared to £209,848 with South Ribble rising to £156,336.

Click here for more: http://www.lep.co.uk/lancashire-news?ArticleID=2727461

Local author Ron Freethy launches his latest book tomorrow - a pocket sized collection of circular walks in Lancashire. Each of the fifteen walks in the book is based on a local pub serving good food. It includes routes near Carnforth, Garstang, Blackburn, Bury, Southport and Oldham, with maps and photographs. The book costs £5.99 and is available from local book sellers and online at Amazon.

Leyland CID officers have now charged a man that was arrested on Tuesday as part of the Constabulary’s “Protecting People” Operation.

23 year old Neil Fitzpatrick of Kearsley Avenue, Tarleton, has been charged with a knifepoint robbery at the Spar Shop in Longton and a further robbery at the Spar Shop in Tarleton where he was allegedly in possession of a chisel, both which took place over the Easter weekend.

Fitzpatrick is charged along with 2 males from the Manchester area who were charged with the Spar Shop Longton robbery at the weekend.

POLICE have announced that they have now found fifteen year old Chloe McGuinness safe and well.

POLICE in Ormskirk are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of a missing female.

Fifteen year old Chloe McGuinness is from The Green Lane in Burscough and was last seen by her mother as she went to bed last night (Wednesday 18th April). When her mother went to wake her this morning at 06.40hrs she was not in her bed. She is described as white, approx 5ft 5 tall with shoulder length hair with blonde and brown hi-lights and blue eyes possibly wearing pink pyjamas Inspector Kevin Otter commented: "We are growing increasingly concerned about Chloe and where she is. She is a vulnerable female and has gone missing before. We would urge Chloe to get in contact with the police or her family to let us know she is ok. We would also appeal to members of the public with any information as to her whereabouts to contact the police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact their local police station or ring Southern Communications Centre on 0845 1 25 35 45.

The Police have been informed by the local Health Service that a woman has been phoning elderly residents in the Penwortham area claiming to be doing a survey on their behalf. She claims that she is trying to assist elderly people to be able to stay in their own homes and tries to make an appointment to come and visit them.

The Police have been told by the Health Service that no such survey is being conducted and the concern is that this woman is trying to gain access to elderly people`s homes. Please inform as many people as you can especially if you have elderly neighbours. If you receive a similar call, do not give any personal details over the phone and inform the Police.

This is a message for everyone within the Tarleton, Banks, Mere Brow and Hesketh Bank area. Over the past week there have been a number of thefts of bikes within this area. The bikes stolen are motor-cross bikes and quad bikes.

For these bikes to be stolen will require a transit-size van. The police are asking everyone to be vigilant for any suspicious activity around premises where these type of bikes are housed.

Please inform any of your neighbours who have these bikes of these incidents and remind them to review their security. The Police are particularly keen to obtain the registration numbers of any vehicles used in these offences. If you see anything suspicious please inform the Police immediately.

The Douglas Cardiac Trust & Local First Responder Group paid tribute to the efforts of John Bushell at his retirement party on the 30th March at Tarleton Bowling Club.The event was organised and hosted by his employers Henry Alty Ltd.

John is pictured accompanied by Gerard Twigger (Treasurer of DCT), Janet Edmondson (First Responder) & Stan Farrington (Chairman of DCT & First Responder)

During a series of three charity runs, John raised a massive total of £6074. The money raised has gone towards the much needed First Responder equipment, ongoing maintainance and medical needs of the local community.

Hesketh with Becconsall Parish Councilors last night rejected the proposal to place the much requested skateboarding facilities in the Shore Rd park after many local residents raised concerns about the noise and anti social behaviour that the facility may generate.

In anticipation of a much warmer response, the Parish Council had previously committed to buy the equipment from Croston Parish Council (See 2006 news archive). The Half Pipe will now need to uplifted from Croston and join the equally short lived £10,000 youth shelter in storage until an alternative site can be found or sold on.

Hesketh Bank Beavers, Cubs and Scouts - The 58th Ormskirk - are one of 10 groups that have been short-listed to receive a share of the Southport Visitor Community Chest which has £20,000 to give away to local charities.

The Community Chest is accessed by a "Peoples Vote" and the charity with most votes from the public will receive the amount they have asked for. The Hesketh Bank group need your votes to gain their requested share of £2,000.

The rapidly expanding unit needs the money for camping, sport and activity equipment as well as for a new centenary necker for all members in celebration of 100 years of Scouting.

Pat Hankin appeals "We DO NEED YOUR VOTES. Please pick up a Southport Visitor week commencing 26th March and fill in the voting slip that you will find inside the paper. These will appear every week for 5 weeks and there will also be some special ‘bonus’ slips in the free papers. PLEASE help us achieve our much needed equipment and centenary neckers and vote for us."

An exhibition will be held at Alty's Offices on Station Road from 26th - 31st March to give members of the public a chance to see the proposed development of Booths Supermarket in Hesketh Bank. Plans will also be available at the 2nd April meeting of Hesketh with Becconsall Parish Council.

Booths expect to apply for detailed planning permission late in April although work is not expected to start before the end of the year.

Residents of Tarleton & Hesketh Bank will be seeing a familiar face back on their streets this week as PC Phil Corrigan resumes his role as Community Beat Manager for the village.

PC Corrigan has been absent from his post for eight months due to illness and is delighted to be back on his beat. In his absence PCSO Robert Massam has been holding the fort and carrying on with the good work that is taking place in the Northern Parishes.

In the last couple of weeks a special operation has been taking place on Friday and Saturday evenings to target anti-social behaviour. Extra officers have been on the beat to speak and take action against those children that are causing criminal damage and nuisance as well as drinking alcohol. Where underage youths were found to be drinking alcohol, the alcohol was seized and tipped away and youth referral’s were issued.

A test purchasing exercise was also carried out over the half term holiday in the Tarleton and Burscough areas and all the off-licenses that were targeted should be commended, as they passed the test of not selling alcohol to those underage.

PC Corrigan commented, “It is really good to be back out on the beat – in my absence PCSO Massam along with ECSO Wallbank and the Neighbourhood Policing team have done a fantastic job. There has been some really positive work going on in the area."

Reported by Richard Carpenter
More than thirty narrow-boats made the trip along the canal from Rufford to meet on Saturday 3rd March as part of a nationwide protest against the large funding cuts forced on British Waterways by DEFRA. The cuts have been made because DEFRA have had to meet heavy fines from the EU due to their failure to pay our farmers the EU subsidies they are due.

Canal users walkers, fishermen, canoeists and of course the boat owners are very concerned that British Waterways will be unable to meet its obligations in maintaining the Canals. The meeting at Tarleton was significant as here lies the point of massive recent investment when the Ribble Link was officially opened which allows boats to travel down on the Douglas, up the Ribble and join the Lancaster Canal which currently runs well north of Morecambe.

South Ribble MP David Borrows discusses the issues with boaters.

Many boaters are travelling to our region from all over the country on the 2200 miles of canals to make this journey bringing with them new trade for the village. Essential maintenance is always required and the concern is that the large investment made will be wasted.

West Lancs North CC Malcolm Barron expressed his concern at the state of the roads in Lancashire area after a recent report stated that a budget increase of £23 million is required to restore the network to an adequate condition.

He said that all but two of the roads in his area (Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and Banks) were classified as C roads, which meant that they were not through roads and therefore going nowhere. He pointed out that they go to and from the large pack houses in what is virtually an agricultrural industrial estate. He said that these roads need to be reclassified.

He thanked the Cabinet Member Tony Martin for accompanying him on a tour of the roads in his area, and was sure that Cllr Martin would agree with him that they are in a ruinous condition. West Lancs North needed £1 million spending to put the very worst roads into a reasonable condition.

He suggested that one way to alleviate the problem was to build the Green Lane Link which was put to the Transport Committee in 1999 for approval at a cost of £1 million it was however merely noted. He finished by saying that the link would divert traffic from the villages of Tarleton Banks and Hesketh Bank, reduce damage to the roads and the nuisance to the residents.

Speaking from her home District Cllr Rosie Evans who first proposed the Link said I would welcome any progress on this proposal which would take many HGVs out of the villages and away from our vllage roads.

LANCASHIRE CONSTABULARY SOUTHERN DIVISION PRESS RELEASE
On Thursday 8th Feb at 17.16hrs at Wellcross Road, Upholland, two men called at elderly ladies house saying there was damage to a water pipe and they would have to seal off the water. There was a people carrier outside the house with approx 5 further men inside. The two offenders entered the house and went into each room asking the lady to turn the water on and off. The lady has become suspicious and rung her neighbour when the men have disappeared out of her house saying they would return in 15 minutes. After they had left the lady noticed that draws and cupboards had been opened. Offenders were described as one being skinny and one being stocky, wearing denim jackets and have left the scene in a dark couloured people carrier style vehicle. No property was stolen on this occasion.

On Monday 5th February at approx 16.00hrs an elderly lady in Collingwood Road in Chorley had a sum of money stolen by a male posing as a bogus workman. He held a conversation with the lady before asking her to come to the door where she let him in. The offender requested the lady to remove valuables to a safe place due to a building work inspection. He then went upsatairs returning to the lounge where the aggrieved had placed her valuables on the sofa. He then distracted the lady stole the items and made from the house. The offender os described as a white male, clean shaven, with short dark brown hair in his late 20's eary 30's wearing a dark coloured jacket.

A property on Arcon Road in Coppull was targeted at approx 13.30hrs on Wednesday 7th February when two males called at the property saying they were from Enterprise. They had entered via the entry door system which was unlocked and entered the lady's kitchen. The offenders were described as one was Irish with a dark anorak and jeans on in his 20's and the second male had a brown jacket on and was middle aged.

The fourth incident took place at The Fields in Eccleston between 17.00hrs and 17.30hrs yesterday - Thursday 8th February. Three offenders posing as water board employees have called at the aggrieved's premises. One offender has gone into the kitchen with the aggrieved to test the water whilst the other two have entered the living room. The lady has walked back into the living room and challenged the two males - the first male has entered the room and grabbed the aggrieved's wrists before pushing her into a chair and threatening her before making off with cash. The offenders were described as looking like teenagers, one of them is described as being about 15 with dark coloured hair betwenn 5ft and 5ft 10 tall, clear complexion weraing a bluey coloured uniform - looked smart and clean looking with local accent.

Anyone with any information in relation to any of these incidents should call call Southern Communications Centre on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Police in West Lancashire have released an e-fit of a man they want to speak to in connection with an assault. The incident took place on Wednesday 3rd January at approx 17.20hrs when a 16-year-old female was assaulted. A male had engaged her in conversation whilst she was travelling on the bus from Preston to Southport. Due to the distraction of the male, the female missed her bus stop at Marsh Road with the junction of Hundred End Lane in Tarleton and got off the bus 300 yards down the road. The male followed her and grabbed her pulling her to the ground and threatening her. He made off when the girl offered him £10.

Wanted in connection with assault at Hundred End

The male is described as being white and aged about 40, he was 5ft 5 with dark hair with a beard wearing a hood.

Two similar incidents have also taken place in the Merseyside area both on Boxing Day with the offender’s description being very similar. Merseyside police have also released an e-fit and description on their website and it is believed that this is the same person.

DC Ed Clayton commented,” We would like to hear from anyone that was perhaps travelling on the same bus or may have seen the male and female as they got off the bus. The girl was fortunately not hurt but was very shaken up by the incident.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Southern Communications Centre on 0845 1 25 35 45 and leave a message for DC Clayton who is investigating the incident.

Thirty goldfish were removed from a pond next to Pond Close in Tarleton by Environment Agency staff in early January. It is thought that the fish were unwanted pets, but in this pond they posed a threat to wildlife.

Although harmless in a fish tank or garden pond, goldfish, which were originally brought to the UK from Asia in the 1600s, can have a detrimental affect on the wildlife and native fish species of our rivers and ponds. Released into the wild goldfish can quickly grow in size and numbers and have been known to mate with wild crucian carp, creating a hybrid species. This interbreeding threatens the native population of pure crucian carp. Goldfish can also carry diseases and parasites that are not normally present in wild fish populations. Our native species have not developed an immunity to fight new diseases, and any introduction of disease into wild populations can lead to significant fish deaths.

There was particular concern over the effect of fish on the newts that had been seen around the pond at Pond Close. Release of fish into ponds is one of the major factors causing the decline of the endangered great crested newt.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is actually a criminal offence to release goldfish into the wild because they are a non-native species. It is also illegal to move fish without consent from the Environment Agency, under the Salmon and Freshwater Fishery Act.

Local residents, the Community Pond Warden Scheme, West Lancashire District Council and the Environment Agency have been working together to look after this pond, and would like the help of local people to make sure the pond stays fish-free and full of wildlife.

People can ring the EA hotline on 0800 807060 to report fish releases or pollution incidents. Advice on creating and managing ponds is available from the Lancashire Community Pond Warden Scheme on 01942 614013, email rebecca.cleaver@naturalengland.org.uk, or visit www.pondconservation.org.uk.

Report from West Lancs District Councillor James Kay:-
At a Lancashire County Council meeting yesterday at which local Councillors Malcolm Barron and William Cropper were present it was agreed that no closures of any re-cycling facilities will take place in the County area until a full review of all the facilities in the whole County takes place. It would appear that the Labour controlled County Council have given in slightly to the pressure from Conservative councillors at both County and District level. It does not mean that this facility will never close but Conservative councillors will be keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

LCC councillor Malcom Barron spoke at the County Hall meeting saying that there were 8 centres that handled less waste than Rufford which deals with 4,700 tonnes, 63% recycled and 75% of this re used He invited members to visit the site. He added "Residents in his area were horrified at the proposal. If the centre is closed they would have to travel to Burscough which is heavily congested and the exit from Abbey Lane very dangerous." He also felt that would increase fly tipping possibly on the Rufford site.

Cty Cllr Atkinsons proposed that "rather than close facilities we need to have a complete review of the whole policy and look at all the centres before coming to a decision." The motion was passed unanimously.

Cllr Malcolm Barron and Cllr William Cropper welcomed the decision of the committee and expressed gratitude for the support Cllr Francis Williams who had also spoken about the difficulties of access to the Burscough site. Malcolm added "Common sense prevailed and that the motion had all party support."

Have your say on the Letters Page

The green policy of Lancashire County Council is being challenged as a result of its proposal to shut 3 of its 23 Household Waste Recycling Centres as part of a cost cutting initiative. The top performing facility at Rufford is one of the three sites being targeted for closure.

The Council has a statutory obligation to provide these facilities under the Environment Protection Act which stipulates that 'places be provided at which persons resident in area may deposit their household waste and that facilities should be reasonably accessible to persons living in the area'. Residents of Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, North Meols and Rufford will be expected to travel to the Abbey Road facility located on the far side of Burscough. Estimates indicate that even if each resident only makes only one trip a year, the additional car miles incurred will be approach 100,000 per annum.

Malcolm Barron, Lancashire County Councillor for West Lancashire North, told this website "I am totally opposed to this closure proposed by the Labour Controlled County Council. We are all urged to respect the environment and this retrograde proposal is a clear breach of the councils supposed green policy, taken in order to save a reputed £330k.

Rufford waste recycling centre is a much used facility and its closure will only increase fly tipping. The alternative site involves traveling through the already heavily congested Burscough. I and the other Conservatives on the 'West Lancs Local' oppose this measure and a motion was passed accordingly.

We are supposed to be moving into an enhanced two tier system of local government and West Lancs Local is an integral part. The leader of the council, Hazel Harding, has stressed her commitment to this. Is this proposal at such an early stage an example of how the council means to respect the new arrangements?"

Cllr John Baldock, Portfolio Holder for Recycling on West Lancashire District Council added "The closure of this waste reception centre is down to the Labour controlled County Council. Myself and other councillors of West Lancs District Council oppose this action which is due to cost cutting excercises. We need the voice of local people in the Northern Parishes to help us with our campaign to stop the closure."

The latest data available from the Council indicates that the Rufford facility was one of the top five performing recycling sites in Lancashire. The facility managed to recycle or reuse over 75% of the 4,700 tonnes of waste which was left there last year.

Have your say on the Letters Page