Crook O' Lune Bridge to reopen

The east pedestrian and cycleway bridge at the Crook O' Lune will reopen tomorrow (Friday 20 December) after a restoration costing around £1m was completed by Lancashire County Council.

Our refurbished Post Office is now open 6 days a week:  8.30am-5.30pm Monday - Friday and 9.00am-5.30pm on Saturdays.

Last posting dates:  Wednesday 18th December for 2nd class and Friday 20th December for 1st class.

7696 Morrison's 'Let it Grow' vouchers have bought items for the school garden including a CCTV bird box kit for children to watch baby birds hatch and grow.

164 shoe boxes, each filled with gifts, have been collected from school and are now on their way to children in need in Kyrgystan. 

A book on the social history of Bolton-le-Sands has recently been published written by Barry and Lesley Guise and Keith Budden – all well known locally. It is available in the village and at Carnforth Bookshop at a price of £9.99.  It is beautifully illustrated with many old photos, maps etc. and would make a lovely Christmas present.  Once costs have been recovered, the authors intend to donate any surplus income to the Bolton-le-Sands Playground Fund.

‘Eyes down’ for a Christmas Bingo in the Community Centre on Saturday evening December 14 starting at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. 

Start the Christmas festivities by visiting Holy Trinity Christmas Fair on Saturday November 30 in the School Hall from 1pm – 3pm. 

Father Christmas will be travelling around the village to see all the children in the north of the village on Saturday December 7 continuing south and the Keys Hotel on Sunday December 8.

Urgent Consumer Alert
Lancashire Trading Standards Service are warning of a telephone caller purporting to be representing Lancashire County Council and offering energy surveys.  They seem to be targeting the elderly.  The caller asks for personal information such as if they own their own property and which energy provider they are currently with.
The Government is currently launching a scheme called the Green Deal where independent traders may seek information such as whether you own your own property and if you are claiming benefits – however, none of these traders are working with or on behalf of Lancashire County Council. For more information about Green Deal visit www.gov.uk or call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.
Trading Standards strongly suspects this is a scam call and residents should not give any information out to the caller.  Trading Standards advice generally is not to do business with cold callers, be they on the doorstep or by telephone. You can contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on  08454 04 05 06.

Well done to the 40 or so dancers who represented the school so well at the recent10th annual Lancashire School's Dance Festival held at The Guild Hall in Preston. The children were a real credit to the school and to their families. It was especially nice to be able to celebrate Emma's 10th birthday on stage at the 10th anniversary performance.

The school has decided to support the Shoebox Appeal again this year. The children were very keen to provide a Christmas gift to a child in need overseas and should have all taken home a leaflet containing relevant information.  The school hopes to be able to send lots and lots of boxes this year and the closing date for receipt of boxes in school is Friday November 29,

 

Bolton-le-Sands Primary School is looking to appoint Welfare Assistants to join their team of professionals who support children during their lunch break. If you would like further information, please contact Mr Cross, Mrs Carroll or Mr Curwen in school.

Come along to Bolton-le-Sands Primary School on Thursday November 14 at 7.30pm to meet Bishop Julian, the new Bishop of Blackburn.  All are welcome.

Playground Project

The Community Playground Project Committee has just received a cheque from the Galbraith Trust for £1349 to purchase picnic tables for the new children’s playground facility.

Local Mum is a Born Survivor

Local mum Catherine Harrison recently braved the legendary Born Survivor assault course and raised an amazing £258 for the B-l-S Community Playground Project.  Well done Catherine, you really are a "Born Survivor"!

Firework Display

Come and see the fantastic firework display on Saturday November 2.  Gates will open at 6.00pm; the bonfire will be lit at 6.45pm and the fireworks at 7.15pm.  Entry on the night will be £4.  In the interests of safety no private sparklers or fireworks are allowed on the field. Main Street will be closed to prevent traffic congestion.

Dr Who is coming to Bolton-le-Sands!
Yes it's true! Dr Who will be visiting Bolton-le-Sands in the near future. Here's what you need to know:
On Friday November 8 from 7.00 - 8.30pm in Bolton-le-Sands Library Dr Who will perform a story written by a local child.
Will YOU be the author?? If you are in a KS2 class (Classes 6 - 10) and would like to enter the competition, please write a story and hand it to Jacky at BLS Library before the closing date of November 2.  As well as the story there will also be 'monster mask making' and a DR Who quiz. It all sounds fantastic!
Further information and FREE TICKETS are available from Bolton-le-Sands Library.

Bolton le Sands Entertains!

Do you enjoy entertaining? Do you have a talent you would like to share - on your own or as part of a group? Then come and be part of 'Bolton le Sands Entertains' on the 7th of December in the Community Centre. A night of fun for all ages, to raise money for the Community Playground Project. For further details please contact either Emma at james.bousfield@sky.com or Cath at cathmorris11@hotmail.com

Walney Windfarm - The team at DONG Energy is holding an exhibition to update local communities about the final proposals for the Walney Extension at The Forum, 28 Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness from 13.00-19.00 hrs on Tuesday 22nd October 2013. 

Junior Church meets at the Old Boy’s Grammar School on Sundays at 10.15am.  All children aged 3 – 7 years will be made very welcome; as with Rock Solid who meet in the Scout Hut on Sundays at 10.00am.  All junior (KS2) children are invited to come along.

Do you like working with children?  The Primary School is looking to add to their team of Welfare Assistants who work at lunch-times to manage the children during their lunch break.  Anyone who enjoys working with children, this might be the opportunity for you.  Please contact the school for more information.

The new school sports kit has arrived.  Many thanks to Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council; The FOBLES, Waters and Atkinson Ltd,  Wright and Lord Ltd., Burton and Fisher Ltd., Bowker Electrical Ltd., VMC Developments Ltd.,  Mr and Mrs J Wright and Mr & Mrs K Hobbs for their kind sponsorship. 

Tim Cross sends thanks on behalf of the school and Holy Trinity Church to everyone who has sent in donations of food, toiletries etc for use by the Morecambe Food Bank.  If anyone would like to make a donation, Holy Trinity Church will be collecting items throughout the month of October.  A donation can be made directly to the Church or via school.

The church is having a Birthday Party to celebrate its 200 years on the present site and this will take place on Sunday October 27 at morning worship.

Preparations for the annual village bonfire and firework display are progressing well. This year's display will be on Saturday November 2. Gates will open at 6.00 p.m.  Tickets are now available from local shops at £3.  Entry on the night is £4. The bonfire will be lit at 6.45 p.m. and the fireworks at 7.15 p.m. In the interests of safety no private sparklers or fireworks are allowed on the field. Main Street will be subject to a road closure notice to prevent traffic congestion issues.

Shaping A Better Future
Lancaster City Council has now published a Development Management Plan and Morecambe Area Action Plan.  These documents have now reached the formal 'Publication' Stage and the Council is now inviting representations from interested parties on their soundness in relation to national planning guidance and legal compliance.  Drop-In Events have been arranged for Thursday 17th October at Hornby Institute, Tuesday 22nd October Lancaster Library, Monday 28th October at Carnforth Library and Thursday 31st October at Morecambe Library; all from 2 - 7pm where Council Officers will be available to answer questions.  Representations must be made using the formal representation forms and must be received by Lancaster City Council no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 21st November 2013.

Bolton-le-Sands Horticultural Society is holding its 66th Annual Autumn Show on Saturday 19th October from 2pm-4pm in the Community Centre.

The B-l-S WI are holding a charity evening in aid of Bolton-le-Sands Community Playground Project, The Air Ambulance and The Renal Patients' Association on Saturday 9 November 2013, Bolton-le-Sands Village Hall @ 7.30pm.  The Library Theatre Touring Company presents Happy Jack by John Godber.  Tickets:  £5 - contact Daniella Khan on 01524 822901.

"It will leave you with a warm glow in your heart"

Footpath No. 20 from Packet Bridge on Main Road has been closed to the public.  The closure is necessary because of the likelihood of danger to the public due to the dangerous condition of the retaining wall structure by the side of the Lancaster canal.

Changes to Bus Services – November 2013
LANCASTER SERVICES
555 Lancaster - Kendal - Keswick
From 4 November 2013 Stagecoach in Cumbria will revise the timetable making a minor timing adjustment to the 0745 Monday to Friday journey from Grasmere to Lancaster to improve reliability.
For information about local bus services check out the online journey planner www.traveline-northwest.co.uk

Winter Bowling Permits are now available from Geoff Forrest 824346 only £15.

The Lancaster Music Festival is being held from October 11th - 13th with over 140 acts and more than 30 venues.  More information can be found at www.LancasterMusicFestival.com

The village Post Office is to be changed to one of the new main style branches.  As part of a three-year investment and support programme, the Post Office, with the subpostmaster’s agreement, will be converting around 6,000 branches (about half the Post Office network) to new style branches.  Their aim is to create a more modern and convenient retail experience for customers, which will include longer opening hours.  The new look Post Office is scheduled to open at the current location on Monday November 18 at 13.00hrs.  It will need to close for refurbishment on Thursday October 31 at 17.30hrs.  Posters will now be displayed in branch so customers are aware of the change, and leaflets will also be available containing more information.

A science explorer event was held at Carnforth High School recently.  In two events, sleuth forensic detectives, Maisie, Nancy, Joe and Tobey who represented Bolton-le-Sands Primary School were winners and runners-up.

The wonderful St Laurence Singers will entertain at the United Reformed Church Bolton-le-Sands on Tuesday October.15 at 7.30pm. Entrance fee is £5 at the door or tickets can be purchased in advance from Mrs Park 823096 or Mrs Towers 735406.

 

 

Adult Dance

Come along and exercise those muscles and enjoy learning something new.  Alycia Gilda is holding Adult dance classes on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Call 822207 for more details. A warm welcome awaits you. 

The gala was again a great success.  The results of the various races can be seen in the local press.  The Committee would like to thank everyone for their support.

CPP

Local school boy Harry Mason (aged 6) has raised nearly £500 for Bolton-le-Sands Community Playground Project by completing 5 laps (approx 1.25 miles) of Silverdale Cricket Ground on Saturday May 25 2013.

 

Family Fun BBQ

Saturday night's fundraising event was a great success - raising £1326.50 for the playground fund!  Thanks to all who supported it.

Annual Meeting

Due to the Bank Holiday, the Annual Parish Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 7th May at 7.00pm in the Old Boy's School.

Hot Pot Supper

Ticket only event (824931) for a Hot Pot Supper in the Community Centre from 7.00pm on Friday April 19 with a talk by Raymond Hirst.

 

 

 

 

Shining Stars

Children of under 4yrs are welcome to attend ‘Shining Stars’ in the United Reformed Church.  See calendar for more details.

Parish Assembly

The Chairman of Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council invites residents to the Annual Parish Meeting in the Community Centre on Thursday April 18 at 7.30pm where he will report on the activities of the council during the past year and local government electors will have the opportunity to offer suggestions and comments for consideration by the council in the year ahead.  There will also be the opportunity for residents to view the proposed plans for the new playground refurbishment and talk with members of the community group.  Afterwards, tea and biscuits will be provided free of charge by the ladies of Bolton-le-Sands W.I.

Coffee Morning on Wednesday 3rd April in the Old Boy's School at 10.00am - All welcome.

Revd Linda Macluskie spoke at Holy Trinity Mother's Union meeting on Crocuses, Cabbages and Corfu.  It was about getting the balance right in our lives, time to work rest and play.

A 'Pyjama Party' for pre-school children will be held at Bolton-le-Sands Library on Wednesday 10th April from 4.40-5.30pm.  Why not come along and bring Teddy too!

Children from Years 2 & 5 performed in the Lancaster Music Festival held in the Ashton Hall.  Both concerts will live long in the memory with each child singing beautifully.

Well done to all those who competed in the recent inter-schools cross-country championships at Lancaster University and the Tag Rugby team who competed at the Lancashire Youth Games in Blackpool. The school performed really well with several notable individual performances. Overall they were runners-up to St Peter's Heysham in the cross-country and runners-up in the Plate Competition for the rugby.

Bowling permits for the 2013/2014 season are now available from the Bowling Club Secretary, Geoff Forrest (824346) and the new Londis Store (incorporating Sands News) on Coastal Road.   There are two permits available, which gives continuous bowling throughout the year, both summer and winter.  For those who wish to play competitive bowling and represent the club, the full permit has been increased this year to £40.  However for those who wish to bowl socially, the price remains at £27.  Single plays also remain at £3.

The children of the Alysia Gilda Dancing School are appearing at The Grand Theatre, Lancaster on Sunday March 24 at 3pm.  Aged between 4 years and adult they will be presenting a showcase of their talents.  Tickets are £8.50/£6.50 conc. and can be obtained from the Box Office at the theatre, by telephone on 01524 646495 or booked on-line at www.lancastergrand.co.uk.

The closing date for the parish council vacancy is Friday March 22 2013.  Anyone interested in joining the council should write to The Clerk, at No2 The Shore, Bolton-le-Sands.  You must be a registered local government elector for the parish, or your principal or only place of work for the last twelve months has been in the parish, or occupied as owner or tenant, land or other premises for the last twelve months within the parish.

Bolton-le-Sands Fishing club is holding an Easter Bingo on Thursday March 28 in the Community Centre 7pm for 7.30pm.  Good prizes – big raffle – everyone welcome.

Bolton-le-Sands Primary School raised £408 for Red Nose Day.  £260 was raised from the Mufti Day and the Cake Sale raised £148.  Thanks to the children and parents of Classes 1 & 2 who provided so many lovely cakes and biscuits.

The school’s swimming team competed in the MHPSSA Gala at Salt Ayre Pool recently and performed extremely well coming in as ‘runners up’ overall.

The school is looking for sponsorship for a new sports kit.  Any local business that may wish to help, please contact the school. 

 Following last Sunday’s lovely Mothering Sunday Service, parents will be interested to know that Junior Church takes place on most Sunday mornings during term time.  Junior Church is held at the Old Grammar School starting at 10.15am.  All 3 – 7 year olds will be made very welcome.

The Annual General Meeting of the Holy Trinity Men’s Group was held on March 11 after which the president, the Rev. Nancy Goodrich gave a very interesting talk about her career before entering the church, which started by selling coal, then various holiday jobs whilst at university, trained as a Chartered Accountant working for Price Waterhouse at which she stayed for 5 years.  They were long days often working 12 hours.  People were either promoted or had to leave, they were not allowed to stand still. She then worked at Swizzell’s sweet factory where she was the financial controller.  That job was given up when she married Nigel and moved to the Midlands.  She had various other jobs over the years, including helping Nigel with a Community Shop, before becoming a vicar and moving to Bolton-le-Sands.

 

The following programme which should be worth watching on Thursday February 7th ITV at 1930. 'How to save a life: Tonight'

 

Tell them what you think!  The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across Lancaster to comment on proposed new electoral arrangements for Lancaster City Council.  A full report and detailed maps are available at www.lgbce.org.uk and consultation.lgbce.org.uk.

"From Egypt's Sands to Northern Hills" is an exhibition featuring stunning examples of archaeological treasures from ancient Egypt all sourced from collections in the North West of England and can be seen in the Lancaster City Museum from 2nd February to 20th March 2013.  The exhibition is accompanied by family events and adult talks. 

St Michael's Lane will be closed to traffic from 0001hrs on Saturday 9th February to 10.00hrs Sunday February 10th.