21st July 2010
FURTHER POLICE APPEAL AGAIN FOR CRASH WITNESSES
Source: Lancashire Constabulary

POLICE have issued a further appeal for witnesses after a 35 year old man died following a road traffic collision in Much Hoole near Preston.

The collision happened near to San Marco's restaurant at 3.40pm Sunday 11 July 2010 on the A59 Liverpool Road at the junction with Liverpool Old Road.

Two vehicles, a red Honda Civic and a silver Kia Sedona, both travelling in the direction of Preston, collided before leaving the carriageway. Sadly, the driver of the Civic, who was from Euxton, was pronounced dead at the scene. His three year old daughter who was also in the car suffered a fractured collar bone and was treated at Royal Preston Hospital.

Having reviewed CCTV of the area from the time of the collision, police are keen to trace the drivers of three scooters that were travelling from Tarleton towards Preston along the A59. The three are seen overtaking a double decker bus, ending up behind the Honda and the Kia.

It is not clear where they have continued onto following the collision and police are keen to speak with them as they could be key witnesses to what happened.

Sergeant Alan Baron said: "A full investigation into this collision remains underway and I am very keen to speak with the three scooter drivers as they could have vital information that could help us piece together exactly what happened.

"I would also renew the appeal to anybody else who may have witnessed anything to come forward."

Anybody with any information should contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

12th July 2010
FATAL CAR CRASH - WITNESSES SOUGHT
Source: Chorley Citizen

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 35-year- old Euxton man died following a road accident.

The collision happened yesterday in Much Hoole near to San Marco’s restaurant at 3.40pm on the A59 Liverpool Road at the junction with Liverpool Old Road. More...

7th July 2010
HOSEPIPE BAN ANNOUNCED
Source: United Utilities

We have announced that we will impose a hosepipe ban following the driest start to a year since its records began. It is the first hosepipe ban in the North West for 14 years.

The ban will come into force on Friday July 9 at 6am.

More...

21st May 2010
DAVID SUTHERS SWORN IN AS MAYOR
Source: Lancashire Evening Post

South Ribble’s new mayor has been sworn in to take the chains of office.

Councillor David Suthers is the 37th mayor of South Ribble. He ran Junction Garage in Longton with his wife Madge, before retiring in 1999.

He became a councillor for Little Hoole & Much Hoole Ward in the same year and he also serves on the board of New Progress Housing, has been a governor at Little Hoole Primary School for 18 years, and is a past president of South Ribble Rotary Club.

He said: “The last 12 months as deputy mayor and mayoress has provided us with good training and we are very much looking forward to the year ahead. It is a great honour to be carrying out this civic duty and we hope to meet a lot of interesting people and raise money for our chosen charities.”

He will raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice, Derian House, and Life Education Centres for Lancashire. More...

21st May 2010
SCHOOL ANNOUNCES SWIMMING POOL REFURBISHMENT PLANS
Source: Tarleton High School Press Release

Tarleton High School’s popular swimming pool will be given a much needed refurbishment this summer.

A major water leak had threatened the closure of the pool due to the cost of the repairs needed. The school has worked closely with Lancashire County Council’s Property Group to jointly fund the refurbishment that will cost over £250,000.

The Hesketh Lane school pool closes on Sunday 30th May with the works continuing through the summer. The pool has a target reopening date in early September if everything goes to plan. Most of the work will be underground and so will not be obvious to swimmers.

The refurbishment includes; excavating the existing pipe work on the pool side and replacing it, replacing the filters, pumps and pipe work in the plant room and retiling the pool itself. This will stop the water leak, increase the water quality for bathers and reduce the energy costs by making use of available technologies. The swimming pool is used for swimming lessons by hundreds of children from the surrounding areas and is a valuable local resource in an area surrounded by waterways and canals.

In addition, local swimming clubs and groups use the facility for training. The pool is also popular with locals who can hire the pool for swimming parties or use the pool during the public access sessions.

20th May 2010
HaLF TERM SOCCER SCHOOL
Source: Hubmaker Media

Preston North End goalkeeper and UEFA Licensed Coach Roy Tunks, is hosting a Soccer School for footballers from 8-11 years at Penwortham Leisure Centre during the half term holidays.

If any junior players are interested, pleasecontact the Penwortham Leisure Centre on 01772 747272 at the earliest as places are limited.

12th May 2010
TRADING STANDARDS WARNING - INTERCOM SALES
Source: Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service

Please be advised that a number of complaints are being received relating to cold calling by men selling intercoms systems to residents of sheltered accommodation and local authority housing throughout the Leyland, Preston, Lancaster and Burnley/ Pendle areas.

Various reports have been received and there are believed to be two companies currently operating in this way. One company, which gives a Blackpool address, advises residents that the cost of the intercoms is usually £80 but will cost £40 if purchased through the Council. Sometimes residents believe the intercoms are linked to police schemes, or to their housing provider, none of which is true.

A second set of two salesmen, sometimes giving Lancaster addresses, are operating in the east of the county and appear to be charging around £250 for intercoms systems. Residents are led to believe the company is connected with the housing provider and are shocked at then having to pay. Plesae be aware these companies have no official links, the products may not work, and damage may be caused to doors etc when a drill is used during the fitting.

We would be grateful to receive any further intelligence on these salemen, especially if they are currently trading in an area. Please refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs PR1 3NU via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506 and ask them to pass the information to trading standards straight away. If there is any fraud or criminal damage the matter should also be referred to the police.

24th March 2010
BNP TO STAND FOR ELECTION
Source: Champion News

The British National Party has announced that BNP activisit Rosalind Gauci will be fighting for the South Ribble seat at this year's election. More...

10th March 2010
CALLS FOR A59 Speed Limit CUTS
Source: Lancasire Evening Post

The speed limit on one of the main routes into Preston is to be slashed by 20mph after two deaths.

Highways chiefs at County Hall want to cut traffic speed on the A59 to 30mph and 50mph between Penwortham and Longton.

Campaigners claim the speed reduction doesn't go down far enough. and want a 50mph limit from as far away as where the San Marco restaurant in Much Hoole. More...

15th February 2010
SCAM UPDATE
Source: Lancashire Trading Standards

Residents are advised that there are several scams and possible unfair practices hitting Lancashire at the moment.  

South Ribble- consumers have complained about a cold caller who phones, saying that he is from British Telecom, and that he is offering a new service called "Do Not Call".  For a one off payment of £9.95 the consumer can take advantage of a life-long service banning cold calls.   Financial information to pay for this service is then requested over the telephone.  Consumers are warned that these phone calls are not made on behalf of BT, and asked not to give personal information to companies they do not know over the phone.

South Ribble, West Lancs- "Supporting Arms" bags have been left for collection at various locations, asking for unwanted goods.  These are not left on behalf of a registered charity, and unfortunately the collections sometimes coincide the collection of other bags left by properly registered charities.  Please be aware that the profits from sales of goods given to such companies as Supporting Arms are likely to go to support private businesses rather than charitable enterprises. 

Throughout Lancashire- consumers selling goods on ebay are warned that after notification by ebay that a sale has been successful, you may receive a fake email, very official in appearance and purporting to be from Paypal, requesting that you post the item and send them the tracking number.  The email states that payment has been received but is in a holding account till paypal receives the requested information, at which point they will release the money.  Believing that the email is genuine, the seller then posts the item abroad, only to find later that the paypal email is fake when no payment is received.   Please be very careful when sending any goods abroad, especially to Africa where many of these scams originate.

Throughout Lancashire- Businesses, schools and nursing homes across the county are being warned to watch out for bogus invoices that claim to be from directory publisher Yell in relation to its products and services.  The warning comes after a number of complaints, including one from an Accrington primary school that recently received a bogus £500 invoice. The scammers seek to mislead Yell customers into signing up to fake advertising contracts which sometimes result in repeated requests for payment by phone. Some people may be duped into thinking they are taking out Yell advertising or renewing existing advertising programmes. Bogus order forms are sent by e-mail or fax and contain look-alike "Yellow Pages" branding. Customers who return the form subsequently receive invoices and requests for payment. Some have even received threatening telephone calls. In one instance, scammers set up copycat websites resembling Yell.com. Yell customers should be particularly alert to any correspondence they receive containing contact or bank account details in Holland or Germany. Some of the names to beware of are:
• Yellow Page UK or Yellow Page AG, which displays an inverted "walking fingers" logo.
• Yellow Pages 24.
• UK Yellow Guide.
Anyone receiving contact from these traders or anyone similar should ignore any order forms and should not pay any invoices.

Throughout Lancashire-  Another lottery scam apparently based in Italy- the name given is Chic Express, giving an address in Piemonte- the unsolicited letters claim the consumer has won £66,000 but needs to send a £20 administration fee in the envelope provided.  The letters purport to come from Collins & Partners Practice, so-called experts in security & financial transfers.

Residents are strongly advised never to give out personal bank details in response to an unsolicited call or mailing.

Please refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs PR1 3NU via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any loss of money the matter should also be referred to the police.

Warning issued by Dawn Robinson, Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service, please call 01772 532763 for further information.

14th January 2010
BANK HALL PLANNING APPLICATION
Source: Lancashire Evening Post

Moves are being made to restore a Lancashire landmark which dates back to the 17th century.

A planning application has gone to Chorley Council for work to Bank Hall in Bretherton to convert a large part of the building into private accommodation but the 1832 entrance hall, the hall behind it and the clock tower may be opened up to the public.

10th January 2010
SCHOOL CLOSURES UPDATE
Source: Hubmaker Media

Tarleton High School will open on Monday 11th January for ALL PUPILS. Parents are asked to ensure the conditions of opening are observed.

8th January 2010
SCHOOL CLOSURES UPDATE
Source: Hubmaker Media

Tarleton High School will open on Monday 11th January for year 11 pupils.

The suituation regarding school opening for years 7, 8, 9 and 10 TBA

7th January 2010
SCHOOL CLOSURES UPDATE
Source: Hubmaker Media

Tarleton High School will be closed on Friday and a decision on opening next Monday will be advised as soon as possible.

7th January 2010
BORROW ATTACKS HOON IN LEADERSHIP ROW
Source: Hubmaker Media

Two former Cabinet ministers, Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt, have called for a Labour leadership contest claiming that unless the issue of the leadership was resolved, it could undermine Labour's general election campaign.

In reply to the email, South Ribble MP David Borrow responded:

"Dear Geoff,

Thank you for your e-mail. I am very disappointed and I disagree with you in every detail. I do not believe that the Parliamentary Labour Party is divided over the question of leadership, other than by a very few malcontents. I did not expect you to have become one of them.

Any leadership ballot (whatever the result) would be seized upon with glee by our political enemies and be immensely damaging to the Labour Party and our prospects at the forthcoming election. I believe you and Patricia have misjudged the mood in the PLP and I feel there is no pressure for a ballet only months before the General Election.

I would suggest, for the best interests of the Labour Party and your Parliamentary colleagues, that you now provide us all with a period of silence until after the next election."

6th January 2010
FURTHER SCHOOL CLOSURE ANNOUNCED
Source: Hubmaker Media

Tarleton High School have announced they will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday the 7th January.

5th January 2010
SNOW JOKE FOR BRETHERTON SKIER
Source: Mirror.co.uk

Bretherton's Dave Ryding might be one of our big skiing hopes for this year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver - but he isn't happy when the snow began to fall in Britain.

He grumbled: "I wanted a break from my normal routine - I did not want to see any snow."

"I'm sick of the stuff. I was slipping all over the place. Transport was carnage.

Dave, 23, spends several months of the year training in Austria and is now rated as the British No.1 for slalom. More....