06/05/08

A group of six pupils from Tarleton High School are working with International Aid Trust to produce a video on the disadvantaged children in the Ukraine. The aim of the trip is to produce a video to help promote the work of International Aid Trust and inform people of the rescue work they do in the Ukraine. The video will be shown to a range of audiences.

International Aid Trust is a UK Charity, based in Much Hoole. It has charity shops throughout the UK and helps underprivileged people, in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Much of the work International Aid does is in Eastern Europe; they have created orphanages for street children and rehabilitation centres for adults. Tarleton High School’s student Council decided to adopt International Aid Trust as one of the two school’s charities. Previously the school has provided shoeboxes for the charity, created publicity material and helped out at the local warehouse.

More recently there has been a rigorous selection process from 320 years 9 and 10 pupils. 21 pupils applied for the trip with a letter addressed to the Head teacher who together with Mrs Sides (senior at Tarleton High School), Mr Bernard Cocker (IAT Founder) and Mr Stringfellow (Chair of Governors) whittled it down to just 6 members of the team, and further roles were decided with an interview process. The six selected members were:

Joel Briscoe – selected candidate to go to the Ukraine
Rachel Goulding – selected candidate to go to the Ukraine
Chris Meadows – reserve to go to the Ukraine
Ruth Malcolm – reserve to go to the Ukraine
Claire Tetlow - press officer
Natalie Firth-Cook – press officer

Tarleton High School is working with International Aid Trust to create a video to highlight the plight of European countries trapped in extreme poverty. The two pupils will travel to Kiev to film the footage and talk to families in desperate need of help, children living in orphanages and also children living on the streets.

All six members will be working as a team to create the video when the chosen two candidates return from the trip. The edited video will then be used by International Aid Trust to show people of all ages the work International Aid does helping the children of Ukraine.

10/03/08

Approximately 90 residents and users of the Leisure Lakes clashed during a lively meeting held at Mere Brow Village Hall. The open meeting had been called by Cllr Rosie Evans and Cllr Joan Hunter to discuss recent developments at the Leisure Lakes.

County Councillor Malcolm Barron chaired the meeting with Cllrs Jim Kay, Rosie Evans, John Mee and Parish Council Chairman David Rydings answering questions from the floor.

Residents were vocal in expressing their concerns over present nuisance and proposed developments. Questions about the noise and legality of a number of different sports operating from the Leisure Lakes were raised.

Cllr Evans responded saying that the Leisure Lakes had been issued with a noise abatement order on the 3rd of Jan and there was a court hearing due shortly. There had been several enforcement notices served and the Council Officers had asked Mr Witter (the owner) to come up with a business plan. The situation was unsatisfactory and she was in constant touch with the planning Department at West Lancashire District Council.

Supporters of the sports said that they should leave the owner alone and just ask him to keep the noise down. Mrs Dedman from the Ribble Valley who regularly takes Youth Groups to the Leisure Lakes site also spoke in favour of the many activities being undertaken at the site.

Cllr Jim Kay said he wondered if planning permission had been granted for the new developments and asked residents to pass on their concerns to the planning department. Residents blamed the council for not taking enforcement action but Cllr Evans said there had been no response to complaints about the site from the owner. Cllr Barron pointed out that if any one in the room wanted an extension to their house they had to have planning permission and the same procedures should apply to the Leisure Lakes.

Mrs Lorraine Fullbrook the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate and a resident of Tarleton said there appeared to be many issues about the site; semi built buildings, environmental issues and licensing issues. The best way forward would be for Cllr Evans and two other Cllrs to meet with the owner of the site to arrange for proper planning applications to go forward taking into account the concerns of residents and that Cllr Evans should call another meeting to discuss the proposals and she would attend and advise.

Cllr Evans agreed and the meeting was closed.

25/02/08

A picture of Trevor Wilson parting with money

The Mere Brow Giant Pumpkins have once again helped to keep the North West Air Ambulance flying. On Saturday Trevor Wilson handed over a cheque for £1311.50 which was raised at the October 2007 Giant Pumkin "Weigh In" competition. Jackie Northover received the cheque on behalf of the Air Ambulance. Click here for details of the 2008 Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin Competition.

07/02/08

The police appeal to help trace the male identified in the CCTV photo (see 17th January below) has successfully led to an arrest.

DC Joe Murphy has today said that as a result of the coverage given to this in the media and the response from the public, the male in the photo has now been identified and arrested and the matter is currently being dealt with. The laptop has also been returned to its rightful owner.

04/02/08

Lord Trimble boosts Lorraine's Campaign to become next MP for Mere Brow

Nobel Peace Prize Winner and former First Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord David Trimble was in Leyland last Thursday supporting the Conservative campaign to get Lorraine Fullbrook elected as the next MP for the South Ribble Constituency that includes Tarleton, Banks, Hesketh Bank and Rufford.

Lord Trimble spoke to over 100 local activists including a number of West Lancs Councillors at the Annual Chairman’s Dinner of the South Ribble Conservative Association held at the Wellington Park in Leyland. During his speech Lord Trimble explained that Mrs Fullbrook was someone he wanted to support, because having seen her in action he was convinced of the contribution she will make at Westminster. He also spoke at length about his experiences in Northern Ireland, and his new role as a Conservative member of the House of Lords.

Commenting after the dinner, Mrs Fullbrook the Conservative candidate for the South Ribble Parliamentary Constituency said.

“It was a great honour to have the support of Lord Trimble for my campaign – to have him here in Lancashire shows just how serious the Conservative Party is about winning back this seat at the next election.”

Lord Trimble and Lorraine Fullbrook are pictured with some of the Conservative activists who attended the dinner at which the Nobel Peace Prize Winner was the guest of honour.

23/01/08

Commenting on her plans, Lorraine said, “The Labour Government has closed over 3,800 Post Offices since 1999 now they want to close 2,500 more, five of which are in the new South Ribble Parliamentary Constituency (the five are Eccleston Bridge, 106 Towngate Eccleston, 63 Bent Lane Leyland, 167 Liverpool Rd Hutton, 27 Gravel Lane Mere Brow and Smithy Lane, Much Hoole) and I believe that enough is enough!

There is no denying that numerous Post Offices are making a financial loss, but I still believe that many people, especially the elderly, consider their Post Office to be a lifeline, relying on it as a one-stop shop to access cash and benefits, pay bills, get advice and information, and socialise. For that reason I am against these closures.

The Post Office says they will listen to what local people want. I intend to give local people the chance to have their say”.

17/01/08

West Lancs Police release CCTV image of suspected Burglar

Police in West Lancashire have released a CCTV image of a man they want to question in relation to a burglary. The burglary happened at approx 1am on the 15th December at Orme House in Ormskirk when the male gained entry to the premises and stole a Sony laptop. DC Joe Murphy at Ormskirk CID commented, ”We have a clear CCTV image of the offender and are confident that someone will know him. I would urge members of the Public who may know this person to come forward and contact the police.” Anyone with any information can contact Ormskirk CID on 01695 566442 or via Southern Communications Centre on 0845 1 25 35 45. Information can also be given about crime anonymously by telephoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

07/01/08

Find out more about becoming a Special at event to be held at Skelmersdale Police Station.

Members of the public that live in West Lancashire will have the chance to find out more about the Special Constabulary next week.

An event has been organised at Skelmersdale Police Station on Monday 14th January from 5.30pm – 8pm. The event will give Members of the Public the opportunity to find out more about the Special Constabulary, the work these officers carry out and the training they receive.

You will also be able to speak on a one to one basis with Specials already doing the role and will be offered a behind the scenes insight into the work of Special Constables. You will also be able to register your full details and take home a full application pack.

Anyone interested in attending these events need to report to the enquiry desk on arrival and if they need any further information they can contact Laura Hesketh on 01772 412127.

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