A long-running Fleetwood arts festival has undergone some big changes – but it is still in business!

That’s the message from the Fleetwood Music and Arts Festival, now in its 62nd year, after fears in the town the festival had folded.

One major change is there is now a new committee, after the previous members decided to step down after lengthy and loyal service.

Another difference is that this year the festival will be a one-day only event, instead of taking place over several days.

The festival, which features classes for instrumental, vocal and drama performers, takes place on November 16. Entries to take part in the event must be in by September 30.

David Williams, festival spokesman, said: “There are some people in the town who think the festival is not happening this year.

“That isn’t the case, we are ploughing ahead as usual. We have lost some of our stalwart members, for various reasons, and I want to thank them for their efforts.

“Happily, we have some new and very capable people who have kindly stepped in from the wings and are keen to keep the festival going. Our festival is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the country and still has a lot to offer.”

Committee members who have stepped down include chairman Denis Watson, who was involved in the event for 31 years, and vocal and instrumental secretaries, John and Joyce Nutter respectively.

Long-serving secretary Diana Stenson, minutes secretary Joanne Cass, trophy secretary Judith Halloran and assistant Sue Clarke also decided to retire from the event.

One new committee member is former Fleetwood woman Hayley Blundell, 29, who now lives in Bispham.

Hayley has taken up the new acting secretary post until the AGM in January next year, and joined the committee with her mum, Lesley Moss.

Hayley said: “I used to perform in the speech and drama classes when I was very young and taking part did so much for my confidence.

“When I came back to this area after being at college, I decided to join the committee because I wanted to help keep it going so that other people could benefit. We are still looking for new members to join and I think they would find it very rewarding.”

David added: “Apart from new committee members, we are always looking for volunteer stewards or people who can help out with refreshments. And of course, we are still looking for as many people as possible to enter the festival. Many festivals across the country are declining because of a lack of entrants, and it would be a pity if the same happened to ours, after all this time.”

The acting committee are also looking for potential sponsors who could support ambitions to run workshops in local schools. Anyone who wants to join, sponsor or enter can find more details, including the 2013 syllabus, at www.fleetwoodfestival.co.uk.

A leading seismologist today confirmed earthquakes felt by Fylde coast residents were a “natural event” – and not part of any activity by gas firms in the area.

Shocked residents who felt two tremors yesterday morning had questioned whether they were connected to seismic testing currently being carried out by Halite Energy in Knott End or previous exploratory drilling work by shale gas firm Cuadrilla Resources Ltd.

Philip Mitchell, of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party, has called for a “proper investigation into what caused” the tremors.

But Glenn Ford, seismologist at the British Geological Survey, said: “These earthquakes appear to be no different from the few hundred or so natural events that are recorded by the BGS seismograph network every year and there is no reason to conclude they are cause of any fracking processes.

“An experienced analyst can usually distinguish between the seismic characteristics of man-made sources like explosions from natural events.

“The epicentres of these events are also many miles from Knott End.”

The first tremor hit the Irish Sea, 25km from Fleetwood, at 5.37am yesterday.

It measured 2.4 on the Richter scale and hit at a depth of 3km.

The second,in the same area, was recorded by BGS at 9.58am with a magnitude of 3.3 and at depth of 8km.

The tremors were felt in Fleetwood, Blackpool, Poulton, Thornton, Cleveleys, and as far away as Cumbria.

Derek Loynds, 77, of Norbreck Road, Norbreck, said: “I thought the chimney was coming off the roof.

“It worried me to death”

And Patricia Rogers, 56, of Green Drive, Cleveleys, said: “It made my bed and wardrobes shake. I thought the wardrobes were going to fall out.”

The Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) said the quakes were probably caused by stresses built up from the weight of glaciers covering land during the Ice Age.

INSN director Tom Blake said it was unusual that the earthquakes - measuring 2.4 and then a stronger 3.3 on the Richter scale - happened in the Irish Sea.

“It is impossible to tell if stronger earthquakes will occur in the coming days and weeks, but aftershocks can be expected even if most, if not all, will be too weak to be felt,” Mr Blake said.

Halite is due to finish its exploratory work, involving a series of controlled explosions to test the nature of the bed rock Over Wyre, this week.

Keith Budinger, chief executive of Halite Energy, said: “Our seismic survey work is only at a six metre maximum depth. The tremors were nothing to do with our work, it’s just too shallow.”

Cuadrilla Resources is the firm behind fracking – which is the process of injecting liquid into the ground at high pressure to release gas from shale rock –on the Fylde coast.

It has sites in Weeton, Westby and Singleton.

In 2011, a tremor of magnitude 2.3 hit the Fylde coast on April 1, followed by a second of magnitude 1.4 on May 27. They were later linked to Cuadrilla’s drilling at Preese Hall, Lancashire, by the BGS.

BGS is now encouraging people to complete an online macro-seismic survey so it can calculate how far away the tremors were felt.

Visit www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/
recent_events

A group set up to help get people on their bikes is celebrating a five figure windfall.

Wyre Cycling Club has received £10,000 from Sport England to invest in new equipment, which it hopes will see more Fylde coast residents embrace pedal power.

The group hopes to set up a youth section with the funds, and will use some of the money to buy pool bikes, allowing those without cycles to borrow one for rides out.

Heather McMurray, owner of Wyre Cycles, on Hardhorn Road, Poulton, runs the group.

She said: “I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out we’d got the funding.

“It’s all come good and it’s nice to see the club grow.

“We started off with five women and now we’ve got 72 people of all ages. We’re aimed at people from all walks of life, for all levels of riding ability.

“I’m hoping as many people as possible will take it up.”

The money will also be used to purchase a trailer to carry some of the new bikes, and Heather hopes to run coaching courses for young cyclists in Poulton’s schools.

The group runs around five different rides a week, all setting off from Wyre Cycles – including a large Sunday morning ride at 9am.

For more information about Wyre Cycling Club call (01253) 885220.

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A builder who had £5,000 worth of tools stolen from his van has branded the thieves “the lowest of the low”.

David Robinson, 48, had the tools stolen from his van on Victoria Road, Poulton, and says he has been “knocked for six” by the theft.

Police are urging the public to get in touch with them about the tools, which include a Dewalt table saw and chop saw, Dewalt drills, a Paslode finishing nailer and a Makita cordless drill.

Mr Robinson, who runs David J Robinson Joiners and Builders, said: “They’re the lowest of the low.

“These are top of the range pieces of equipment.

“We got a knock on the door from our neighbour to say some guys wearing head torches had broken into the van.

“They avoided CCTV cameras, I think it was a well planned operation.”

The tools were taken from the van at around 3am on July 17 by two men, who fled in a small white van.

Police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen the theft or has been offered to buy the tools to contact them.

PC Andy Ward said: “We want to be able to return these tools to the owner, not least because his livelihood has been hugely affected.

“Some of the items aren’t made anymore and therefore can’t be replaced.

“If anybody has been offered any tools for sale in the area in the past month or so in seemingly suspicious circumstances then please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.

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Would-be entrepreneurs on the Fylde are being encouraged to use a new online tool to see if their business idea has the potential to be Lancashire’s next big success story.

The new ‘Rapid Idea Evaluation’ tool has been unveiled by experts from Boost Business Lancashire – the county’s new £7.2m Business Growth Hub – to help potential start-up businesses grade their potential for success.

Using the Boost Business Lancashire (Boost) website, potential entrepreneurs are encouraged to answer 20 short questions about their business idea on topics such as vision, motivation, experience, competitors, routes to market and customer needs.

The tool uses a special formula to give those completing the form a percentage chance of business success and an action plan for areas that need further focus.

Boost advisors are then able to contact the most promising entrepreneurs to offer them further support in relevant areas.

The resource was developed through extensive collaboration with entrepreneurs, investors and business advisors and is used as part of the Lancashire LEAP initiative which is being delivered by Winning Pitch and Regenerate Pennine Lancashire as part of the Boost Business Lancashire programme.

Tim Smith, senior consultant at Winning Pitch, said: “Lancashire has rich vein of business innovation and we know there are people in the county with great business ideas but a lack of knowledge and support to turn these ideas into a business.

“The Rapid Idea Evaluation tool has been designed as the first step help engage with those people who want to explore their idea further. “Boost Business Lancashire has a range of business support programmes delivered by experts and tailored to assist these pre-start and early-start businesses in areas such as product development, innovation, developing a growth strategy and funding.”

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Boost Business Lancashire is a catalyst to grow the county’s economy by £20m, with the aim of creating at least 1,200 new jobs and safeguard 700 more by 2015.

“By offering guidance and support for would-be entrepreneurs, we can help to create the next generation of successful businesses.”

It is being delivered through a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Lancaster University, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Winning Pitch. £3.6m of funding has come from the European Regional Development Fund.

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A nursery which was forced to close suddenly is set to reopen under new management.

Parents were left shocked back in June when they found a note on the door to Daisy Chain Nursery, Cleveleys, explaining it had “closed down” due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Now the nursery is having more than £30,000 invested in it ready to reopen as Squirrel Nutkins Nursery, part of the Nutkins Nursery chain.

And parents who had a child at the nursery under Daisy Chain’s management are being offered their first month free as recompense for the difficulties endured when it closed down.

Nursery owner Charlotte Bonney has bought the property on Clarence Avenue, Cleveleys.

She said: “Nutkins is full so we just thought because it’s so local we’ll run both, but as separate nurseries.

“It will be called Squirrel Nutkins Nursery. The Nutkins Nursery has a got such a good reputation so we wanted to stay with the name.”

Nutkins Nursery, on nearby Nutter Avenue, has been rated outstanding or good in all areas by Ofsted inspectors.

Mrs Bonney added: “It will be really nice having the two nurseries. I hope it is going to be a happy ending for that nursery.”

Mrs Bonney had worked with staff from the Daisy Chain nursery to offer them training in months before it had closed.

Mrs Bonney said: “They had managers who really did do their best.”

The premises have been revamped over summer, with tens of thousands of pounds being spent on the downstairs rooms, new bathrooms, a new play area and new signage.

No new staff have been taken on as yet but owners anticipate opening up posts as places at the nursery, which can accommodate 40 children aged from birth to five-years-old, fill up.

Mrs Bonney added: “It could create up to 18 jobs.”

Steve Barratt, who owned Daisy Chain Nursery, told The Gazette in June his nursery had been forced to close due to a staff shortage.

He said: “The manager was asked to leave her post immediately on Friday afternoon, and took it on herself to ring Ofsted to tell them this, and staff would not be in ratio.

“The manager did not contact any bank staff for cover. So Ofsted would not allow the nursery to open.”

​It left dozens of families without child care.

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Emmerdale’s Tom Lister, Lancashire comedian Steve Royle, Radio Wave’s Hayley Kay and The Voice UK’s Jordan-Lee Davies will be at a free fun day in Blackpool on Wednesday.

The Grand’s family event on Wednesday will launch this year’s swashbuckling pantomime Peter Pan at 1pm to 3pm at the Stanley Park bandstand.

Presented by Martin Dodd for UK Productions, youngsters can meet the stars.

There will be free activities, including face painting, a pirate ship bouncy castle, children’s caricatures by Mr Fundoo and a free chocolate gold coin giveaway from the pirate’s treasure chest.

The Grand will also be holding a pirates and fairies fancy dress competition for children, the winner of which will win a family ticket to Peter Pan. The competition will be judged at the Radio Wave Stage at 2.45pm.

Taking on the infamous role of Hook is ex-Emmerdale bad boy Tom, Smee will be played by Grand Theatre favourite and BBC Radio Lancashire’s Steve, Mrs Darling and the Mermaid will be played by Radio Wave’s Hayley and Jordan Lee Davies from The Voice UK will be playing Peter Pan.

Tom Lister is best known for his role as Carl King in ITV’s Emmerdale, a role he has played since 2004.

Tom has also appeared in The Bill, Doctors and Heartbeat.

His theatre credits to date include playing Ralph in Accrington Pals (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Titus/Fool in Bill Shakespeare’s Italian Job (Gilded Balloon - Edinburgh), Pan in Love’s Mistress (Globe Theatre) and Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream (Settle Festival of Theatre).

Comedian, actor, writer and BBC Radio presenter Steve Royle plays Smee in his 11th year in Grand Theatre panto.

For more than 12 years Steve could be found in the guise of Mad Edgar the court jester at Camelot theme park near Chorley where he presented more than 2,000 Crazy Juggling Shows.

He has also supported both Peter Kay and Dave Spikey on tour and was voted Entertainer of the Year at the recent Red Rose Awards.

His many TV appearances have included Phoenix Nights, Max & Paddy, That’s Entertainment (Granada), Stand-up Britain (Granada), Give Your Mate A Break (Granada), The Afternoon Show, Talk Of The North and The Things You Do For Love. Steve is also co-founder of the Slaughterhouse - Live (“Laughter with an S”) character comedy nights.

The group regularly performs at The Comedy Store and was nominated in the best touring show category at the Manchester Comedy Awards, losing out to Peter Kay.

Meanwhile Radio Wave presenter Hayley Kay will be hosting the 101st Illumination Switch On Celebrations at the Tower Festival Headland alongside Jonathan Ross and The Script.

She said: “I had such an amazing time playing the Fairy Godmother last year; I jumped at the chance to be part of it again!”

Peter Pan is on at the Grand Theatre Blackpool from Friday, December 6 to Sunday, January 5 2014.

A serial flasher who indecently exposed himself to six women in Garstang and Wyre has avoided prison.

Michael Barber, 56, of Trunnah Road, Thornton, pleaded guilty at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court to exposing himself to the women in six separate incidents at the end of May.
The incidents took place at Longmoor Lane, Nateby, Ainspool Lane, Churchtown, Brock Road, Great Eccleston, Thistleton Road, Thistleton, and outside Garstang Gym.

Barber was given a nine month supervised community order, which will run until May 21, 2014.

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Transport across Lancashire is due to improve for people who can’t use conventional buses or live too far from a bus route.

Lancashire County Council is currently negotiating with community transport providers such as dial-a-ride services about making use of a £400,000 funding pot provided by Government in 2011.

Around £70,000 of the original grant has already been spent on various projects including a review of community transport, promotion to encourage take up of services, and market research, but the council is keen to make the most of the remainder.

Coun John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Many people rely on public transport for everyday things like getting to work or school, visiting family or simply to get to the shops, and community transport is vital for people who struggle to use the bus or live too far away.

“This funding presents an opportunity to improve community transport in Lancashire and our officers are now working closely with providers to identify where there’s the greatest need.”

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A man turned up at his ex-girlfriend’s home the day after police warned him to keep away from her.

Gavin Blair, 37, of Beach Road, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to harassing his ex by constantly turning up at her home.

Blair was sentenced to a 56 day tagged curfew from 8pm to 7am and ordered to pay £85 costs plus £60 victims’ surcharge by District Judge Jeff Brailsford, sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

He was also put on a 12 month restraining order which bans him from contacting the victim or entering Broomfield Road, Fleetwood.

Andrea Fawcett, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a relationship for 10 years but they parted a couple of years ago.

She added: “She decided to go to the police because she said she was fed-up with him just turning up at her home. A police officer went to speak to him and the following day he turned up again.”

Steven Townley, defending, said the couple had separated amicably and stayed on good terms.

In the last couple of years Blair began to see more of her but he had no ideas of getting back with her, the court was told.

He used to go and have a cup of tea and see her children.

Her former boyfriend then came back on the scene, Mr Townley said.

When Blair was spoken to by the police he believed it was the former boyfriend and the eldest son who did not want him going round, so he foolishly went to ask his ex.

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A new club has been launched in a Fleetwood cafe for people with dementia and their carers.

The Dementia Cafe Club sessions are being held at Cafe 3 one 6 on Lord Street, which is run by the town’s Emmanuel Church.

Behind the move are members of Fleetwood Rotary’s community and vocational arm, Maurice Dowsing and Sue Hawley.

Meetings allow people who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, or their carers, to go along for an informal chat and get together with others in a similar situation.

The sessions take place in the cafe, next to Fleetwood Post Office, every second and fourth Tuesday each month, between 1pm and 3pm.

Maurice said: “This is open to all Fleetwood, Fylde and Blackpool residents and we set it up because we felt there was a definite need for it in the town.

“The aim is to help those who may think that no one understands their issues and to show them that they are not alone. They can come and meet people who do understand and are in similar circumstances. Information will also be available on the various agencies which can help. A warm welcome is definitely assured.”

Cafe manager Trudie Swift, who attends Emmanuel Church along with Maurice, said: “We’re delighted to have something this at our cafe.”

The club is the first one of its kind to be set up in Fleetwood, the nearest one meeting up at the Cleveleys Park Methodist Church Hall, on West Drive, Cleveleys.

The Rotarians have been helped by staff from the Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, based at the town’s health centre on Dock Street, who have provided leaflets listing all the available agencies that can help.

The cafe club is meeting on Tuesday September 11. Contact Maurice on 07920 422 324 for further details.

The preferred contractor to take on a major £5m redevelopment of two Wyre leisure centres has been named.

Wyre Council is set to choose which company it will employ to make the improvements to its centres in Poulton and Thornton.

Manchester firm ISG Limited is named in a report to members of Wyre Council’s cabinet as the recommended choice to undertake the work.

The investment will see extreme sports and ten-pin bowling facilities built in Thornton.

A spa, dance studio and new changing rooms, are planned for the Pouton centre, as well as a new community room.

The report, written by Wyre Council’s corporate director of people and places Michael Ryan, says: “As well as improving facilities and responding to customer needs, the aim of the investment is to reduce the overall cost of the service to the council.”

The plans also include new outdoor football pitches and a health and fitness studio in Thornton.

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Monday marked the beginning of this year’s Small Business Advice Week that was officially started with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)supporting the week.

Now entering its 10th year, Small Business Advice Week will be reaching out to companies across the UK to share best practice, tips and key business information to help create jobs and growth for the year ahead.

The week’s aim is to help firms access finance, save money and get the best out of technology.

An estimated 4.8 million businesses are in operation across the UK, employing nearly 24 million people delivering a combined turnover of £3.1 trillion; small and medium size businesses (SMEs) account for 99.9 per cent of all private sector businesses and have a workforce of 14 million.

Phil Browne, an organiser of Small Business Advice Week 2013 says: “We’ve had five years of economic hardship, but some financial experts are telling us how they’re starting to see tentative signs of recovery. Our aim is to provide as much information as possible.”

The FSB have released the findings of their Procurement 2013 report, revealing the power of small businesses in the local economy. It shows more money spent with a small firm ends up re-spent in the local area.

To be precise, 63p in each £1 compared to 40p in each £1 spent with a larger business goes back into the local area.

Small firms are a vital part of local economies, creating jobs and supporting growth.

This week is all about raising awareness for businesses seeking support and advice. That will be on going throughout the year.

Visit {http://www.smallbusinessadviceweek.co.uk|www.smallbusinessadviceweek.co.uk|Click here to visit the website}

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Huge controversy has surrounded payday lenders and their business practices in recent months – yet few people have made an official complaint to the ombudsman.

A new fight back campaign has been launched by Citizens Advice, urging people who feel they have been mistreated by a payday lender not to let the firm “get away with it”.

The debt advice charity wants to see more people who feel they have suffered at the hands of lenders taking their complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

While consumers should initially make a complaint directly to the lender, if it cannot be resolved they can then ask the ombudsman to step in. The ombudsman can then help people to claw their money back when firms are found to be in the wrong.

Charities have reported being deluged with cries for help from people struggling with payday debt, including Stepchange, which said more than 7,000 people with five or more payday loans contacted it last year.

Yet despite these numbers, the ombudsman is still seeing only around 40-50 complaints about payday lenders each month and only 542 new complaints were made about payday lenders all of last year.

Consumer awareness about the ombudsman service has never been higher, thanks in part to the massive scale of the payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandal - it takes 2,000 calls a day from consumers about this alone.

So why is the ombudsman not seeing more complaints about payday lenders?

The answer is not really clear.

One possibility could be that some payday lenders are clearing problems up quickly when they receive an initial complaint from a customer. Payday firms have certainly been under the spotlight recently and there have been industry moves to drive up standards. Trade body the Consumer Finance Association, which represents short-term lenders, recently launched a new code of practice which members must abide by to improve customer protections. Lenders are also encouraging struggling borrowers to seek debt advice.

The whole payday sector is currently under investigation by the Competition Commission, which has the power to shake up whole markets where it sees fit. The Commission set to give its findings next year.

Another explanation, from the ombudsman service’s own research, suggests some people are reluctant to admit to having taken a payday loan out in the first place.

They sometimes take calls from people who might have a high-powered job and appear “asset rich” to the outside world and do not want to admit to others that they have been embroiled in a secret financial struggle. They may not have even told their wives or husbands they are having trouble with debt - but the service wants to reassure these people that it is there to offer help.

In other cases, it simply might not occur to some payday loan customers who are struggling that they could have grounds for a complaint.

People who are drowning in debt are, understandably, often very focused on their immediate money worries – but Citizens Advice also wants them to consider whether they were treated fairly.

By speaking up, consumers will put more pressure on those in the industry who have behaved badly to change their ways.

Analysis by Citizens Advice found that from the 665 cases brought to it by payday customers during the first half of this year, three quarters of borrowers would have grounds to take their complaint to the ombudsman.

One in five cases it looked at possibly involved fraud, where a person was apparently being chased for a loan they had never taken out.

One in eight involved allegations that lenders pestered customers with phone calls and texts rather than accepting offers of payment that were affordable.

With this in mind, if a payday loan customer does complain to the ombudsman, there is a high chance they will win their case.

More than seven in 10 complaints made to the ombudsman about payday lenders are resolved in the consumer’s favour.

The lender can be ordered to put things right – which could mean consumers being refunded loan repayments, interest or default charges or compensation for any inconvenience caused.

HOW CAN YOU... MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN?

Whether you have a complaint about a payday lender or any other financial firm, the first step is to contact them directly to try and work the problem out.

Make a clear list of where you think the firm has gone wrong and what you want them to do about it.

If you are struggling with a payday loan and want to come to a repayment agreement, work out how much you can afford to pay and how often.

The lender should acknowledge your complaint within five days of receiving it. If they decide to investigate the complaint further, they should tell you and keep you regularly updated.

You can download a template letter from Citizens Advice to help you write your complaint at www.adviceguide.org.uk

If the firm has not sorted the problem out after eight weeks, you can then complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The ombudsman service will look at your complaint and advise you how it can be sorted out. If you still do not get the result you want, the ombudsman service will start a formal investigation. The ombudsman service expects a firm which has been told that a customer is struggling financially to help the consumer to come up with a solution, regardless of whether or not the firm has made a mistake. The final decision is binding on the firm.

You can download a complaint form from {http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk|www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk|Click here to visit the website}.

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Yobs who broke into a Fleetwood landfill site caused thousands of pounds of damage to three heavy duty vehicles by contaminating the fuel tanks .

Vandals ripped open fencing at the Sita site in Jameson Road before pouring cement dust into the fuel tanks.

The vandal attack has cost the site around £9,000 in terms of repairs, lost fuel as well as lost revenue from minimal operation the day after the attack.

Police have released details of the incident, which happened overnight between September 18 and 19, in a bid to track down those responsible.

Site manager Roy Cooper said: “They drove into the site and took the padlocks off the fuel caps before putting cement dust in the fuel lines. Then they put the caps back on.

“One of the guys found the padlock and some dust on the ground and realised what had happened

“But unfortunately the other machines were started up.

“They’ve done £3,000 to £4,000 of damage and we’ve lost a thousand litres of fuel.

“On top of that we lost another £5,000 in work because we could only operate slightly for that day.”

Repair work has had to be carried out on the two machines which had been started up.

Mr Cooper added: “We had to strip the fuel tanks on the two machines that were started and then flush the fuel line on the one which wasn’t.

“One of the machines still isn’t back, it’s had to have new injectors and pumps, we are using a hired machine at the moment.

“I’m a bit grieved to be honest, but it’s not going to stop.”

A student who had not driven before took his father’s car for a joyride around the streets of Blackpool because he was furious with him.

Robert Carr, who had never had a driving lesson, told police he almost crashed the car twice, stalled frequently, drove over the speed limit and in an unsafe manner before abandoning it and scratching two obscene words into the bonnet.

The student, who is studying music, said he took the car to hurt his father because he knew the Vauxhall Frontera was precious to him.

Carr admitted to police there was a risk to others as he had never driven before. Carr, 21, of Elms Avenue, Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to taking a car, driving carelessly without a licence or insurance and causing damage.

He was bailed.

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Nearly half a million pounds has been set aside to help warm up the coldest homes in Fylde and Wyre.

Lancashire County Council will be providing £480,000 to help people make their homes warmer.

Grants of £30,000 will be offered to the county’s 12 borough and city councils and a further £120,000 will also be provided for councils that have clear plans setting out how they will support people who need the most help to keep warm during the winter.

The grants will fund boiler and heating system repairs and advice on switching fuel companies and emergency heating.

The funding has been approved by County Coun Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, and comes from the Public Health Grant.

He said: “Rising energy prices will make life very, very difficult for many people this winter. The grants we are offering will fund schemes which will support those who need it most.

“This funding is an important part of our plans to reduce winter illness and hospital admissions in Lancashire this winter.”

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Members of a Flyde networking group celebrated the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week with a presentation Leadsnet at Fylde Rugby Club heard a talk about the initiative from Blackpool businessman Steve Pye.

Steve is a member of the 3E Partnership a not for profit community interest organisation which aims to promote entrepreneurship on the Fylde.

The group is working with local schools and colleges to encourage youngsters to get involved in business with the hope of inspiring business leaders of the future.

Steve said: “The importance of young people obtaining some experience of running their own business, has long been recognised as a key initiative in Blackpool when operating the successful Hero Project.

This week we will be promoting a type of “Son of Hero” project where the eight Blackpool schools currently participating in the new Schools Enterprise Club initiative.

The schools will have to come up with a productand business plan and try to make a profit by the end of the school year from a £100 outlay.

For more on the week visit {http://www.gew.org.uk|www.gew.org.uk|Click here to visit the website} or {http://www.blackpoolcic.co.uk|www.blackpoolcic.co.uk|Click here to visit the website}.

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Jet-setting schoolchildren explored the world from their classrooms through a postcard competition.

The Year Eight pupils at St Aidan’s CE Technology College sent postcards from near and far during the summer holidays, describing the places they had visited, which ranged from Florida to Fleetwood, as part of a geographical literacy competition.

The cards are now displayed to bring a world map to life at the Preesall school.

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A mobile recycling unit is today visiting locations around Blackpool in a bid to reduce fly-tipping and increase recycling.

The big green van has been nicknamed Rover by Blackpool Council staff, for its portable nature and because it will ‘fetch’ recycling throughout the town.
The free scheme, run for the authority by Helping Hand, allows households to get rid of goods, such as electrical items, wood, clothes or paint, to be recycled, if they are unable to get to the town’s Bispham skip.
Now residents are being encouraged to make the most of weekly times the van will visit areas across the resort, from Grange Park to Marton and North Shore to Layton.
And the council has said it will be announcing new dates for collections in South Shore soon.
Coun Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member responsible for streetscene, said: “It’s very simple. The mobile unit will stop at locations around Blackpool for a few hours a week, every week, at each point, allowing residents to travel a shorter distance to deposit goods at the tip.”
Council bosses believe difficulty getting to the tip, on Bristol Avenue, is a big factor in fly-tipping problems. 
It is hoped it will also dramatically reduce the amounts of electrical items thrown away in the refuse collection non-recycling bins.

Rover routes:

Wednesdays: 9am - 9.30am The Hub, Victory Road

9.45am - 10.15am Leamington Road, at the junction of Liverpoool Road

10.30am - 11am Ripon Road, outside the Helping Hand building

11.15am - 11.45am Ibbison Court, off Montrose Avenue

Noon - 12.30pm Middle Street, at the junction of Louise Street

1.30pm - 2pm Condor Grove, between Thornber Grove and Park Road

2.15pm - 2.45pm Powell Avenue, at the Haweside Lane end

3pm - 3.30pm Boston Way

Thursdays: 9am - 9.30am City Learning Centre, Bathurst Avenue.

9.45am - 10.15am Dinmore Avenue opposite the junction of Marlhill Road.

10.30am - 11am Easington Crescent opposite Chipping Grove.

11.15am - 11.45am Yew Tree Road near the underground recycling units.

Noon - 12.30pm Christ the King Social Centre on Chepstow Road.

1.30pm - 2pm Grange Road at the Junction of Wilford Street.

2.15pm - 2.45pm Spencer Court off Talbot Road.

3.15pm - 3.45pm Links Road outside Holy Family Parish Church

Fridays: 9am - 9.30am Langdale Road at the junction of Birkside Way

9.45am - 10.15am Langdale Road at the junction of Ambleside Rd

10.30am - 11am Langdale Road at the turning circle off Clifton Road

11.15am - 11.45am Deepdale Road at the junction with Lindbeck Road

Noon - 12.30pm Sunningdale Ave at the junction of Fayles Grove

1.30pm - 2pm Penrose Ave at the junction of Elaine Ave

2.15pm - 2.45pm Falkland Ave at the junction of Joyce Ave 3.15pm - 3.45pm Southbourne Road at Weymouth Road