It
is with great regret and sadness that we have
to announce the sudden death of one of the North
West's longest serving elected members, Cllr Robert
Hodge.
Robert
gave a lifetime of dedicated public service, serving
on West Lancashire District Council, Lancashire
County Council and also as a long-serving member
of Tarleton Parish Council.
Robert
was first elected to the District Council in 1973.
He quickly rose through the ranks becoming leader
of the Conservative Group and District Council,
with a similar distinction as leader of the Conservative
Group on Lancashire County Council.
Politically,
Robert had many interests but his greatest passion
was housing. One of his greatest achievements
was the unparalleled range of sheltered housing
accommodation provided for the elderly in West
Lancashire, which was directly as a result of
Robert's leadership. Robert's interest in this
field was also inspired by his time spent in steering
Skelmersdale through its early years when he was
a senior member of the Skelmersdale Development
Corporation Board.
Robert's
record of public service also saw him serve many
years as a Magistrate and as Chairman of the Chorley
Bench. He was also a member of the old Health
Authority.
His
long service was recognised when he was elected
Chairman of the Council. He was indeed "the
father of the Council" and was often fondly
thought of as "Mr West Lancashire".
While
Robert's community achievements were many, he
will be best remembered for his sheer humanity
and friendship he displayed towards people. He
was also a very committed Christian and he was
a well-known preacher on the Methodist circuits.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones
at this very sad time.
Cllr
Geoff M. Roberts, Leader of the Council, said:
"Robert's passing away is an immense loss
to the District Council. He was a guiding light
for so many years. One of his unique gifts was
not only to know what was the right thing to do
but to do it in the right way. "
"He
leaves a gap which will never be fully filled."
SCHOOLS REPORT - Could do better?
02/12/04
The
controversial annual school "league"
tables for England have been published, showing
how well pupils did in their national curriculum
tests.
The
first table below shows how our local secondary
schools compared to all the 93 schools that fall
within the Lancashire Education Authority area.
Our
second table shows the points attained by our
local primary schools. Primary schools are ranked
on their "aggregate" scores - the total
out of 300 across all three test subjects. The
average score for Lancashire was 243 with the
national average being 237.
Click
on the School name to go to a comprehensive breakdown
of the results provided by the BBC.
Lancashire
Constabulary’s Southern and Central Divisions
have joined forces to open Lancashire’s
second Public Protection Unit (PPU) as part of
the Constabulary’s drive to protect people
from dangerous offenders.
The
Public Protection Unit will open on Monday 22
November and will operate initially from two sites
one in Ormskirk serving the people of South Ribble,
Chorley and West Lancs (Southern Division) and
the second site from HQ serving the people of
Preston (Central Division).
Following
on from recommendations in the Victoria Climbie
Inquiry Report and after a successful pilot in
Accrington, the Constabulary, after an in depth
evaluation is in the process of establishing a
number of Public Protection Units. These units
will bring together various disciplines including
family protection, domestic violence and dangerous
offender teams.
Approximately
26 officers from Southern, Central and Force Headquarters
will work from the re-furbished accommodation
at Ormskirk and HQ. The main aim of the unit is
to protect the most vulnerable members of the
community and to reduce the risk of abuse by those
who present a significant threat.
For
Detective Chief Inspector Graham Gardner and Detective
Inspector Graham Herrmann the opening of the unit
will play a crucial role in improving the exchange
of information between officers working with vulnerable
children and adults, victims of Domestic Violence
and Dangerous Offenders. The new unit will also
provide other agencies with a ‘one-stop’
point of contact in all three areas, which will
aim to break down communication barriers and enhance
information sharing.
DCI
Gardner commented: “People who suffer these
types of awful crimes are often the most vulnerable
in our communities. Anything we can do to improve
our service to them should be seized upon. The
creation of a Public Protection Unit is the start
point to closer working with other agencies and
voluntary groups. We will continue to improve
our efforts to arrest and imprison criminals intent
on attacking those least able to defend themselves”
Detective
Inspector Graham Herrmann said; “ The PPU
will allow the Constabulary to have a better platform
for implementing the recently introduced Crime
and Victims Bill. The units over-arching principle
will be to protect the most vulnerable members
of the communities of the Southern and Central
divisional areas and to prevent their abuse by
those who present a significant risk or threat.”
Members
of the public are advised that with effect from
Monday 22 November they will be able to contact
officers from the Domestic Violence Team, Dangerous
Offenders Team and Family Protection Unit on the
following telephone numbers:-
Southern
Division
(Covering South Ribble, Chorley and West
Lancashire)
01695 566321
Central
Division
(Covering Preston)
01772 416232
£80 Fines For Firework Misuse
19/10/04
Police
in West Lancashire will be launching Operation Cascade
this week to target and reduce juvenile nuisance
and anti-social behaviour throughout the Halloween
and Bonfire season.
Using new legislation that came
into effect last week, the police are warning
that the misuse of fireworks can not only be damaging
to your health but to your pockets too, since
officers can now fine youngsters under the Fixed
Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND’s) scheme.
The scheme introduced in April
2004, takes account of the new firework legislation
and means that £80 fines could be issued
to anyone committing the following offences:-
• Throwing Fireworks
• Breaching a fireworks curfew
• Being in possession of a category 4 firework
(a display type firework) either in a public place
or not
• Being under 18 and in possession of an
adult firework in a public place
Inspector for Skelmersdale, James
Lee commented,” Police will be using this
new legislation and those people found to be committing
these offences can expect to receive a fine for
£80. We want people to be able to enjoy
Bonfire Night in safety and this is why any anti-social
behaviour and juvenile nuisance will be dealt
with appropriately.”
As well as enforcing this new
legislation, Police will be working in partnership
with local Fire Chiefs, Local Authorities and
Trading Standards Officers to reduce the nuisance
caused by fireworks and the number of offences
committed. This will involve all retail shops
licensed to sell fireworks in the West Lancs area
being jointly visited by police and Trading Standards.
Details of the initiative will be provided along
with the enforcement of the legislation in relation
to the storage and sale of fireworks. Any shops
found to be selling fireworks to persons under
the age of 18 will be referred to Trading Standards
for investigation and possible prosecution.
Information regarding unauthorised
“bonfire sites” will be forwarded
to the relevant agencies who will attend and assess
the bonfire.
Letters will be sent to schools
informing them of Operation Cascade as well as
advising on firework law and safety. The Emergency
Services Community Support Officer will also visit
some primary schools to talk to the children about
Firework safety.
The police will also be using
their Ringmaster messaging system to send messages
to Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators giving details
of the initiative and requesting the assistance
of neighbours in the identification of apparent
breaches of firework legislation and bonfire sites.
Inspector
Phil Melling, Geographic Inspector for Ormskirk
and Burscough commented, “Police officers,
Special Constables, CBM’s and PCSO’s
will be working together and conducting extra
high visibility patrols of areas that have been
indentified as “hotspots” in relation
to incidents of nuisance and disorder. Fireworks
will be seized from those people under the age
of 18 who are in possession of a firework in a
public place. Relevant details will be obtained
for the juvenile referral scheme and where appropriate
fixed penalty notices will be issued.”
UK RECORD BEATING PUMPKIN
17/10/04
Visitors
to the event witnessed 21 massive pumpkins
entered for this year's weigh off with Dave
Turley from Dune FM kindly doing the honours
on the Mike. Radio Lancashire and Northwest
Tonight were both recording so watch and
listen for more pumpkin updates. James and
Liam said they looked forward to bringing
a 1000lb pumpkin to next year's competition.
Novice
pumpkin growers James O'Hanlon (10) and
Liam Cupit (8) from Hesketh Bank not only
beat off all comers at the Mere Brow Giant
Pumpkin Competition but also smashed the
official record for the heaviest pumpkin
ever grown in the UK. The monster pumpkin
registered 915lb on the Mere Brow competition
scales and has been validated by a Guiness
Book of Records Judge at 912lb. The previous
record for a UK pumpkin was 819lb. Lauren
Whiteside, also of Hesketh Bank, completed
the kids' takeover bid with a very credible
3rd placed 486lb pumpkin.
I work for Shaw Trust as a Personal
Adviser covering the West Lancashire area.
Shaw Trust is a national charity
established over 21 years ago. Our aim is to support
people with disabilities or health issues into training/employment.
As you may or may not be aware,
these people face many barriers when trying to find
work, not only from employers and other organizations,
but also due to a lack of confidence, work experience
or low self-esteem.
We at Shaw Trust are committed to
supporting these people in every way we can so they
can gain, not only employment and income, but independence
and self-worth and a chance to live their lives
as an integrated part of society.
If a person is in receipt of any
of the following benefits then they are eligible
to get one on one support from Shaw Trust Employment.
• Incapacity
Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Income Support with a Disability Premium
• Housing or Council Tax with a Disability
Premium
• War pension with an Un-employability Supplement
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
with an Unemployment Supplement
• Disability Living Allowance
Shaw Trust
Employment can support individuals with any of the
following steps:
Access between £20
- £200 when the client starts work.
Identifying a career or education path to pursue.
Financial support for training, clothing for work,
equipment and travel to and from interviews.
One to one support in completing application forms,
writing letters of application and creating an updated
CV.
Liaising with benefit providers to protect benefit
payments once the client starts work.
Service of an Occupational Psychologist
Permitted work extension from the normal 26 weeks
to 52 weeks
Ongoing support for up to 6 months when in employment
plus a sustainability award
Anybody wishing for further information can call
freephone 0800 085 1001 or check our website.You
can also find out more about our services via your
Disability Employment Adviser at your local JobCentrePlus
office.
Janet Gaskin
Shaw Trust
Pumpkin Power
15/09/04
Whilst
veteran giant pumpkin growers are blaming the wet
weather and the lack of sunshine for the poor performance
of their pumpkins, two lads from Hesketh Bank are
hoping to take first prize with their very first
attempt at the “sport”
Trevor
Wilson, organiser of the Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin
Competition and long time competitor told our reporter
“we have tried very hard to encourage more
people to get involved in growing giant pumpkins
and so it is interesting to note the progress these
lads have made.”
Liam and James guard
their very first attempt at growing a Giant
Pumpkin.
“Growing
giant pumpkins is a carefully honed craft
and can often take many years to perfect
the technique. It would be a very big upset
if a couple of Johnny-come-lately types
walk off with the coveted silverware at
their very first attempt.”
Referring to the rumours of espionage and
even sabotage that surround the annual event,
Trevor cautioned “there is still some
time to go until the competition and many
an unfortunate accident could yet befall
this pumpkin. The lads had better keep their
eyes peeled.”
The
10th Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin Competition will
be held on the 16th October at Brandreth Barn,
Tarlscough Lane, Burscough with all proceeds going
to the Air Ambulance.
For
more information on the competition weigh-in event,
the competition rules, advice on growing giant
pumpkins and some photos of previous winners please
visit the Mere
Brow Giant Pumpkins website. Additional sponsors
for the event would be very welcome.
Village celebrates £30,000 Gift!
13/09/04
A
reception was held on Sunday afternoon 12th September,
to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the rebuilding
of Mere Brow Village Hall.
Lord
Lilford's mother had re-opened the Hall thirty years
ago, and Lord and Lady Lilford were guests of honour
at the present celebration. Also present were David
Borrow, MP for South Ribble, Councillor Robert Hodge,
members of the Village Hall Committee, and representatives
of the many village hall user groups.
Mr John Caunce wecomed Lord Lilford, who gave the
committee a cheque for £30,000 during the
evening. This and a grant of £50,000 from
DEFRA will enable the re-surfacing of the car-park
to be completed. Mr Mark Ascroft thanked Lord Lilford
for his gift, and everyone who had helped with the
event. A video of the the re-opening thirty years
ago. and the celebration evening will be available
shortly.
Village opposed to new Autistic Centre
12/09/04
A
meeting of the Mere Brow Residents Association was
held in the Village Hall on Thursday evening 9th
September. The main subject under discussion was
the Autistic Centre for which planning permission
had been granted in 2001, but only on appeal, after
having refused by the Council. Since then nothing
further had been done, but now a modified scheme
is about to be implemented.
Original objections had been, that the development
which was for twelve residential places plus staff,
a total of some fifty people, would have too large
an impact in a small village like Mere Brow. It
is now proposed to add an outreach centre, therefore
it would be likely that there would be even more
people involved, and an even greater impact on the
community.
Two
other alterations to the original scheme were proposed:
an old cottage which was to have been retained on
the original plan was now to be demolished, and
a proposed diversion to the public footpath which
crosses the site would bring it nearer existing
property.
It was felt that the alterations were such that
a new application ought to be made to the Planning
Committee, and that it should be refused like the
first one was originally.
Kerbside Recycling Collections To Increase
07/09/04
West
Lancashire district council is about to send out
leaflets to residents flagging up a new multi-material
kerbside recycling service that will be provided
for three quarters of the district from October.
The
council has used a £300,000 Defra grant to
purchase two new kerbsider vehicles and 40,000 blue-and-yellow
boxes for households to deposit cans, glass bottles
and jars and plastic bottles each fortnight.
Announcing
the new service, the council's environment portfolio
holder, Cllr John Baldock said: "Recent public
consultation confirmed that the people of West Lancashire
are concerned about their environment and want to
be able to recycle their waste.
"This
initiative shows that we are committed to providing
even more opportunities for residents to help preserve
the environment."
The
council already collects green garden waste from
about 10,000 homes in the Rufford, Aughton, Banks,
Tarleton and Hesketh Bank areas each fortnight,
providing residents with wheeled bins. Fortnightly
blue bag collections for paper were extended and
re-launched for 38,000 homes in 2002, with a special
mobile service for parts of Skelmersdale that were
unsuitable for the collection service.
The
council recycled about 8.5% of its household waste
in 2002/03, and said it is "well on the way"
to achieving a 27% target rate by 2005/06.
All is safely gathered in - at last!
06/09/04
After
some of the worst August weather for fifty
years , the last few days have seen the
combines catching up with the back-log of
work.
The
weather is proving ideal, and yields are
proving to be higher than might have been
expected.
The
picture shows the combine at work in Stephen
Mayor's field at Mere Brow.
Listen Radio Lancashire on t'internet
04/09/04
Radio
Lancashire is the latest local radio station to
go live as part of the BBC putting all local radio
stations available over the internet. So expat Mere
Brewers can Click
here, wait few seconds for it to load
and then listen to Radio Lancashire live over t'internet.
If you do experience any problems getting BBC radio
over the internet please click
here for help.
Bevan
Boys, American Forces and Land Girls sought
24/08/04
Dear
Editor,
I
am the Chairman of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airman
and Families Association - Forces Help) Lancashire.
I am on the Blackpool organising Committee for the
60th Anniversary of the end of the War that will
be held on 10 July 2005. The intention, at the moment,
is that there will be a parade something similar
to the one held on Horse Guards Parade in London
in November of each year.
I
am trying to contact local "Bevan Boys",
"Land Girls" and any members of the American
Forces who were stationed in the North West to see
if they would like to either attend or take part
in the Parade.
Do
you know of any and if so can you please ask them
to contact me either on this
e mail address or by phone, at home, 01772 863707
or the SSAFA Lancashire Office on 01772 260462.
Many
Thanks,
John
Kiely
Latest
Parish headcount information
20/05/04
The
count of all people and households in the ONS-2001
Census key statistics.
Parish
Males
Females
Total
Households
Hesketh-with-Becconsall
1967
1906
3873
1445
North
Meols
1857
1935
3792
1552
Rufford
1015
1033
2048
797
Tarleton
2614
2736
5350
2216
Latest
Planning Applications
19/05/04
Planning
Applications received between 05/05/04 to 11/05/04
are now posted on the West Lancs District Council
website - click
here to view.
Latest
Planning Applications
30/04/04
Application No.: 8/2004/0467
Proposal: Erection of detached dwelling house.
Location: Holmeswood Garage, 201 The Marshes Lane,
Mere Brow, Tarleton
Applicant: Mr S Ryding, 201 The Marshes Lane, Mere
Brow, Tarleton
Application No.: 8/2004/0524
Location: 64, The Gravel, Mere Brow, Tarleton
Proposal: Two storey extensions to side and rear
Applicant: Miss L Crompton, 64 The Gravel, Mere
Brow, Tarleton
"Home
Front" News now available on the Internet
23/04/04
Mere
Brow Local History Society’s team of volunteers
recently completed over 2 years of intensive work
transcribing each of the 310 “Rector’s
Weekly” World War II newsletters in order
to make them accessible to everybody over the
internet.
The
much acclaimed newsletters were originally sent
by the Rector of Tarleton, Reverend L.N. Forse,
to all the local men and women serving with the
forces during World War II. The newsletter provided
regular updates of events “back home”
in the villages of Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Mere
Brow, Sollom, Rufford, Bretherton, Hoole and Banks
and also provided a conduit by which contact with
family and friends also serving their country
could be maintained.
Recognition
of the work of the Rector and the significance
of the newsletter to its recipients was widespread
and similar initiatives were later introduced
in many more villages across England. Over 78,000
copies of the Tarleton Rector’s weekly newsletters
were posted out between 1940 and 1946. These important
historical documents which captured the events,
thoughts and emotions of a rural Lancashire village
as the war unfolded are now available for all
to read at http://www.tarletonvillage.com/history/rectorsweekly
A
handful of the newsletters remain elusive and
the History Society is hoping that the raised
awareness of the project may well flush out the
few missing issues and, probably for the first
time ever, allow a complete set of the Newsletters
to be available for reading.
Diamond
Wedding
18/04/04
Jack
and Alice Lyon celebrated their 60 years of
married life together recently. They also received
a card from the Queen to commemorate their Diamond
Wedding on April 8th. Family and friends joined
them for a party at their home in Tabby Nook,
Mere Brow. The couple were married in 1944 at
Mere Brow Methodist Church Shortly afterwards,
Jack who was in the R.A.F., was sent to India,
returning after two years. After being demobbed,
he spent the rest of his working life at the
Burscough Ordnance depot, retiring in 1982,
while Alice worked for many years at Huntapac
Produce at Holmes. Their son Maurice travels
the world filming Formula 1 racing.
Below
is a contemporary news cutting of the wedding:
Mere
Brow Wedding - The wedding took place at Mere
Brow Methodist Church on Easter Sat urday of
Miss Alice Mayor, youngest daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. T. Mayor of Tabby Nook, Mere Brow, and
Cpl. Jack Lyon, R.A.F., youngest son of Mr.
and Mrs, W. Lyon, 35 Moss Nook, Burscough. Given
away by her brother, the bride wore a white
cloque gown with a train, tulle veil and wreath
of orange blossom. She carried, red
carnations and wore a pendant. The bridesmaids
were Miss Margaret Mayor and Miss Doreen Wright
who wore wine coloured dresses and held daffodils.
The best man was Mr. Jim Lyon R.A.S.C. and the
groomsman, Mr. Tom Wright. Silver horseshoes
were presented to the bride by Roy Lyon and
Joyce Moss.
Late
April to early May is the time for potential
giant pumpkin growers to start nurturing their
prize winning pumpkins if they hope to compete
at the Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin Competition
in October.
To encourage more novice pumpkin growers to
take part in the competition two new categories
were introduced last year; one for local pumpkin
growers and one for juniors. These have been
retained and so the 10th Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin
event will again have the three separate competitions
with prizes for the winner and runners up:
The
All England Shield - Open to Anyone The Mere Brow & District Shield -
10 mile radius of Mere Brow Junior Shield Open to under 14s
A
very warm welcome is extended to our regular contestants
and novice pumpkin growers alike and it is hoped
to see more of the local schools joining in the
friendly rivalry this year.
For more information on the competition weigh-in
event, the competition rules, advice on growing
giant pumpkins and some photos of previous winners
please visit the website: www.MereBrowGiantPumpkins.com
Internet
bombarded by new Netsky.D virus wave
03/03/04
A
WAVE of new computer worms and viruses has been
sweeping cyberspace over the past few days, and
has now reached "epidemic proportions worldwide".
MX Logic, a security firm based in Denver, Colorado,
said the Netsky.D worm "has reached a critical
threat level, with one in every 71 emails infected
by the worm". The British firm mi2g called
the latest outbreak a "tsunami" of malicious
computer code, or malware, saying it is "overwhelming
both its victim organisations as well as anti-virus
toolkit companies and security professionals across
the world."
"The
first two months of this year have been marked by
an unrelenting onslaught of mass mailing worms and
their variants, including Mydoom, Mydoom.F, Bagle
and Netsky.D. We are convinced that the frequency
and potency of mass mailing worms and their variants
is likely to increase - making it critical that
email users take every precaution to protect their
inboxes," said Scott Chasin, chief technology
officer, MX Logic.
Over
the past days, virus fighters have battled a number
of new releases of the Bagle and Netsky internet
worm families, and Tuesday afternoon some 10 per
cent of all emails in Europe were contaminated by
bugs, statistics showed. In contrast to most other
viruses, Netsky.D does not have an expiration date,
and it will therefore remain a menace for some time
to come, experts pointed out.
Application
No.: 8/2004/0238 Location: 7, The Marshes Lane,
Mere Brow, Tarleton Proposal: Replacement detached
brick garage Applicant: Nicola Ollerton, 7 The
Marshes Lane, Longfold, Mere Brow
Great
Wall of Mere Brow
19/02/04
Application
No.:8/2004/0173 Location: Mere Brow Village Hall,
The Gravel, Mere Brow, Tarleton Proposal: Erection of 1.5m high
entrance wall incorporating bench seat. Applicant: Mere Brow Village Hall,
65 The Gravel, Mere Brow
Caravan
storage company seek planning permission
13/02/04
Application
No.:8/2004/0134
Location: Banister House Farm, Mere Lane,Tarleton
Proposal: Use of land for the storage of caravans,
motor homes & boats.
Applicant: Banister House Caravan Storage Ltd
Banister House Farm,
Mere Lane, Mere Brow, Tarleton. PR4 6JR.
Boundary
Deadline Looms
09/02/04
Are
things alright as they are or is it time for a
change? Would joining Sefton really be the end
of the world or would South Ribble be the best?
Will any of it make a difference or will Mere
Brow be ignored by whoever is in charge?
Judgement
Day nears for West Lancs District Council with
only two weeks remaining in which you can submit
YOUR views and feedback to the Boundary Committee
on their much publicised proposed changes. Enter
your feedback here.
More
pictures and the weigh in results will be
available shortly on 
