The first free day will be Saturday 7th December to support Small Business Saturday, a campaign to encourage more people to shop local and support small businesses in the community.

For the following 3 weekends (7th and 8th, 14th and 15th and 21st and 22nd), all Council owned Pay and Display car parks will be free to use all day.

Fylde Council are also helping to tackle drink driving this festive season by reminding residents that parking tickets run over to the next day. Therefore, if you purchase a pay and display ticket in the evening, this will run through for the amount of time paid to the following morning.

This helps avoid drink driving by giving people time to sober up in the morning before collecting their cars, and for anyone staying over in one of the hotels, it gives them a lie in and enough time for the alcohol to leave their system.

For more information on how to avoid drink driving, please visit www.drinkaware.co.uk

Ends

The classification at St Annes North has been reduced to ‘sufficient’, however officers are working with partners to understand this and look at improving the quality.

The bathing water season runs between 15^th May and 30^th September each year. During this period the Environment Agency tests the water every week for bacteria levels, resulting in 20 samples at each site every year.

These good results have been achieved with contributions from Fylde Council, the Environment Agency, United Utilities, LOVEmyBEACH and the many residents who help with community beach cleans along the coastline on a regular basis.

Since 2011 the Fylde Peninsula Water Management Partnership, made up of public and private sector companies, has worked to increase investment in the area’s sewer network, as well as creating teams of volunteers and businesses to look after the quality of the Fylde Coast’s seas.

At the same time, the Turning Tides partnership in the North West is creating bathing waters that the region can be proud of by working with key local authorities across the region, along with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, United Utilities, Environment Agency and the National Farmers Union.

Since its inception in 2012, the partnership has helped reduce the impact of pollution in our sea water from inland, coastal and river sources, protecting bathing water quality and helping to sustain seaside economies.

Councillor Ben Aitken, Chair of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee said “We are pleased that the bathing water quality at St Annes Pier has maintained the good status, and as with previous years we will endeavour to do all we can to improve this to ‘excellent’. We are understandably disappointed in the reduction of status for St Annes North, and are currently investigating why this has happened. Fylde Council Officers will be doing all they can over the next 12 months to increase the quality here, but ask that residents and visitors alike continue helping improve beaches and bathing waters by being mindful of littering, picking up after dogs, thinking about what they flush away and joining in local beach cleans.”

To find details of beach cleans around Fylde, visit www.lovemybeach.org/groups/fylde

The fund was launched for the first time in October 2018, when Fylde Council agreed to apply for financial assistance to help with the regeneration of the high street. The fund, split into two elements, aims to revitalise high streets by providing grant aid for development that the market might not see as viable. The second element relates to enhancing the heritage quality that underlines the historic role of towns, restoring their former heritage qualities.

Fylde Council’s Regeneration Officers have been working closely with the local business groups and Town Council to formulate a proposal. An initial expression of interest was submitted to the Government for assistance through both the principal fund and the Heritage fund. We have recently been informed that the initial bids were successful and have been asked to formulate a detailed business case together with some plans for the restoration of key buildings.

The principal objective will be to look at bringing unused buildings and sites back into use, maybe even repurposing them with new alternative uses. Other aspects of the bids include the restoration of traditional shopfronts and building refurbishment, as well as looking to enhance the customer experience through traffic management and public space enhancements.

The next steps in the process will be to work with property owners who are vital to the success of drawing together the detailed bids. In addition, the community will also be involved with the opportunity to actively participate in the bringing together of a long-term plan for the town centre. One idea will be to have a ‘community room’ located on the high street that will offer the public the opportunity to participate, host events and hold exhibitions.
Paul Drinnan, Fylde Council’s Regeneration Manager said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to draw businesses and people back to Kirkham, as well as restore the historical pride in the Town Centre the residents have had for so long. We are very much looking forward to being involved with this project and seeing the Kirkham high street flourish once again.”

Kirkham has a long history and important heritage but in common with other market towns has seen a reduction in business confidence and investment. These government funds could well be a major boost to revitalising the town centre and building confidence, making the town a place to visit through choice.

The Council is in the process of drawing together a detailed funding bid, first to Historic England for the heritage aspects of the scheme by the end of 2019 and the principal fund by June 2020. The combined funding pot should amount to several millions if successful.

Only 20 per cent of our health needs can be met by medical interventions, the rest are mostly dependent on other determinants such as environment and our own behaviour. By taking care of ourselves by adopting healthy lifestyles we can reduce our chance of becoming seriously ill and needing medical help dramatically.

Self-Care Week is an annual national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations. The campaign is about making improvements in your life to protect your physical health and mental wellbeing.

Follow these small steps to a healthier you:

• Get active; advice is to exercise for at least twenty minutes a day, it’s ideal if you can incorporate this into your day by ditching the car and walking to work, or walking the dog, taking the stairs or even dancing around the kitchen table to your favourite songs!
• Eat well. We all know that healthy eating is crucial to our health so we can start by swapping unhealthy snacks for healthy options such as nuts, seeds and fruit. Ask your pharmacist for advice on managing your weight.
• Make positive changes! Take steps to stop those bad habits that don’t serve you well. This Self Care Week make a plan to stop smoking, reduce your alcohol intake and get active! Your pharmacist can help with lifestyle changes such as weight management and stop smoking services.
• A good’s night’s sleep is as essential to our health and wellbeing as eating healthily and exercising so, make sure you get the recommended 7-8 hours a night!
• Stop! These days we lead such busy lives that we sometimes forget to slow down and stop. Find time in your day to just quieten your mind. Mindfulness or yoga might be helpful.

Dr Ben Butler-Reid, a Blackpool GP and clinical director for NHS Blackpool and NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), says ‘’it’s never too early or too late to begin to make small, simple changes that will enhance and protect your health now and, in the future, and often, one small change will make a big difference to your wellbeing.

“For instance, choosing to become more active will not only improve your physical health, it will also boost your mood, particularly if you choose to exercise outdoors in the fresh air.”

Councillor Ben Aitken, Chairman of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee at Fylde Council said: ‘We are delighted that Fylde Council has the opportunity to work alongside our colleagues in health and other partner organisations once again, building on the successes of last year, in support of this fantastic initiative to promote self care to all generations and influence the health outcomes for our local population.’

During Self-Care Week community groups, GP practices and council teams across the Fylde Coast will be holding events to help people be inspired to join a new group or adopt a healthier lifestyle. A list of events taking place is available at www.fyldecoastccgs.nhs.uk/selfcareweek. If there is nothing there that takes your fancy try www.fyidirectory.co.uk for more than 3,000 groups and services that will all help you improve your health and wellbeing.

A brand-new Lytham Proms concert is being launched for 2020 with ALL money raised being gifted to historic Lytham Hall.

Lytham Festival organisers Cuffe and Taylor have decided to move their traditional Proms finale from Lytham Green to the picturesque parkland of the Grade 1 Georgian mansion. The Lytham Festival will continue to run from the 1^st – 5^th July, with 5 headline concerts planned for Lytham Green.

This will see Lytham Proms take place on Saturday August 29 and tickets are on sale now from www.lythamproms.co.uk

Early bird tickets are just £25 and all money from ticket sales will be donated by Cuffe and Taylor to the continued restoration of Lytham Hall.

The move marks the start of a new era for Lytham Proms and promises to bring all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional picnic proms event. The full line-up will be announced in early 2020 and will be a mixture of classical and crossover with a full supporting company and orchestra.

Cuffe and Taylor director Peter Taylor said: “Lytham Festival continues to grow every year and following our 10^th anniversary celebrations this year we’ve decided to make some exciting changes for 2020.

“There would be no Lytham Festival without the original Lytham Proms and of course the very valued support of the people of Lytham and the wider Fylde coast.

“Therefore, we have decided to gift our popular proms event to Lytham Hall and we believe this will be the beginning of an exciting new partnership with this beautiful venue.

“People asked how we planned to ‘top’ the 2019, 10^th Anniversary. We therefore decided to take a fresh approach and see how we could give something back to Lytham.

“Ultimately we want everyone to have an extremely enjoyable time and of course raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for this historic Lytham landmark. We are 100% underwriting the costs of the event in year one, so that 100% of each ticket can be donated to the charity and go directly to Lytham Hall’s ring-fenced restoration fund – The Lytham Hall Appeal.”

The new Lytham Proms event will stand alone from Lytham Festival which will continue to take place on Lytham Green. The dates for 2020 are Wednesday July 1 to Sunday July 5 and plans are being finalised to announce the headline acts in the next few weeks.

As well as the new Lytham Proms, Lytham Hall boasts a busy calendar and hosts a number of high-profile events throughout the year to raise money for its continued upkeep.

The Hall is managed by the Heritage Trust for the North West and all money raised from Lytham Proms will be used for further restoration and projects at the heritage venue.

General manager Peter Anthony said: “Lytham Hall is thrilled to play host to the exciting new Lytham Proms event. The team are deeply moved by Cuffe and Taylor’s generosity in helping this great local asset, which the community use and love so much.

“Lytham hall is the only Grade 1 listed building in the entire borough of Fylde therefore it is of huge local and national significance. Our aim and objectives are to ensure the Hall can be maintained, restored and open for generations to enjoy. This event will go a long way in helping us to achieve our goals.”

Lytham Hall was the ancestral home of the Clifton family for more than 350 years. It is now run by a conservation trust which is helped locally by more than 230 volunteers. The Hall has around 16 staff and is also supported by the “Friends of Lytham Hall” who raise funds all year round.

Allan Oldfield, Chief Executive of Fylde Borough Council, added: “This initiative demonstrates a real commitment to the Lytham community, providing the opportunity for local people to enjoy the traditional proms with Lytham Hall as the back-drop.

“But more than that, by donating all the income from the tickets direct to the Hall, with every penny contributing to the refurbishment and improvement of the Grade 1 listed historic asset, local people are making a huge contribution to the local community.”

Tickets are on sale now for Lytham Proms 2020 from www.lythamproms.co.uk

Remembrance Day services will be held across Fylde on Sunday 10^th November 2019. Services across Fylde are always well attended and will take place as follows:

St Annes
Assemble at the Pier car park on North Promenade at 10:30am and proceed (route St Annes Road West and Clifton Drive North, returning via Garden Street and St Annes Road West) to the memorial at 10:38am. Fylde Council’s civic party will be led by Councillor Angela Jacques Fylde Mayor.

Lytham
Assemble at the Assembly Rooms at 10:30am. Procession to move off at 10:45am to the war memorial via Dicconson Terrace, Henry Street and Queen Street (returning by reverse route). The civic party will be led by Councillor Richard Redcliffe, Fylde Deputy Mayor.

Kirkham
Assemble on Orders Lane at 1:30pm and move off at 1:45pm. The service of Remembrance will commence at the Cenotaph at 2:00pm. The procession will return to the Community Centre at approximately 3:00pm where refreshments will be served.

Wesham
Assemble at the War Memorial, Station Road/Weeton Road at 10:30am. There will be a short parade prior to the Act of Remembrance. Following the Act of Remembrance there will be a parade back to Wesham Community Centre where refreshments will be served.

Staining
Remembrance Service conducted by Revd. Jim Crawford at St Luke’s Church, starting at 9:30am. This will be followed by a parade starting at 10:35am to the Memorial at Jubilee Gardens. A short service will be hosted by Cllr Jayne Nixon to encompass the last post and 2 minutes silence at 11.00am.

Ribby with Wrea & Westby with Plumptons
Remembrance Service at St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green starting at 10:00am, before moving to the Wrea Green War Memorial.

Councillor Angela Jacques, Fylde Mayor, said “I am sure all the many services of Remembrance will be well attended as Fylde pays its respects to those who have given their lives in service to our country.”

Last week’s NWIB awards saw St Annes on the Sea win a gold medal and the category for the Best Large Coastal Resort along with Little Eccleston in the Best Small Village Category in only their second year. Whilst Elswick in Bloom have secured their place in the national Britain in Bloom competition next year for the Best Village entry.

This is the first year that ‘Art in the Community’ has been an award in the competition and the Mural at Staining was the first to be awarded this.

Below is the full list of this year’s North West in Bloom winners in Fylde:

2019 NWiB Discretionary Awards:

The Environmental Award for Local Authorities – Fylde Borough Council – Staining

Art in the Community – The Mural at Staining

RHS Parks Awards

Small Parks –

Gold Medal & RHS Parks Award – Ashton Gardens, St Annes

Gold Medal & RHS Parks Award – Lowther Gardens, Lytham

2019 NWiB Awards:

Best Caravan Park

Silver Gilt – Lamaleach Caravan Park, Freckleton

Best Retail, Commercial & Business (small)

Gold Medal – Lytham Festival Hub, Lytham

Best Caravan Park

Silver Gilt Medal – Lama leach Caravan Park, Freckleton

Best Small Accommodation

Gold Medal – Queens Hotel, Lytham

Best Large Accommodation

Gold Medal & Category winners – Braxfield Court, St Annes

Best Small Tourist Attraction

Gold Medal & Category Winner – Lytham Hall Kitchen Garden, Apiary & Garden Hub

Best Large Coastal Resort

Gold Medal & Category Winner – St Annes on the Sea in Bloom

Best Small Village

Gold Medal & Category Winner – Little Eccleston in Bloom

Best Village

Silver Medal – Weeton in Bloom

Silver Gilt – Treales, Roseacre & Wharles in Bloom

Gold Medal & Category Winner – Elswick in Bloom

Best Large Village

Gold Medal – Staining in Bloom

Gold Medal – Wrea Green in Bloom

Best Small Town

Silver Gilt – Bloomin’ Warton

Gold Medal – Freckleton in Bloom

Britain in Bloom 2020 Nomination

Village Category – Elswick in Bloom

Chair of Tourism & Leisure Committee for Fylde Council Cllr Cheryl Little commented “It is such a pleasure to see the participants from various organisations, groups and of course volunteers in the community who presented their premises with such enthusiasm receiving well-deserved recognition. I believe residents will be proud to witness Fylde’s huge achievement in all categories”