May was a mini heatwave month with sunny skies and warmer temperatures making it feel like it could just be time for holiday season.
While the bank holiday weekend has turned into a damp start for June, there are some things here that might give you reason to be cheerful. As we like to end every month, we’ve compiled a list of the county’s best feel-good stories.
There’s been a nice roaster of happy stories, whether it be a selfless random act of kindness or even an ice-cream chasing peacock. There’s also been some stunning awards handed out to people and pubs in Lancashire, which is just one reason to celebrate the fifth month of 2022.
READ MORE: Places in Lancashire where you’re most and least likely to get burgled
So here we’ve rounded up some of the most uplifting stories from the county and listed them just below. Kick back, relax and take it all in – good things are happening.
If you’ve got a feel good news story for us, contact our reporter rebecca.lockwood@reachplc.com
Chorley’s Astley Hall re-opened to weekend of celebrations
Chorley’s Astley Hall re-opened on May 21 after undergoing a £1.1m refurbishment which took place over two years. To mark the occasion, a weekend full of family-friendly entertainment took place on the grounds of the hall with dancing, historical re-enactments and food and drink celebrating the re-opening.
The renovation to the Hall began in 2020 and included the removal of the old grey render from the front of the building to reveal original brickwork, windows at the front at the Hall have been replaced or restored, the main staircase strengthened, internal redecoration, new interpretation and work to enhance the visitor journey, plus the new Museum Gift Shop and Information Centre opened its doors in the Coach House building at the end of 2020.
Now, Astley Hall is open on Wednesdays, Thursday and Sundays from 11am until 4pm and Fridays and Saturdays 1pm until 5pm with tickets available from the Museum Gift Shop.
Teen boys praised after helping elderly man who collapsed in the middle of Chorley street
A trio of teenagers were praised this month after they were caught rushing to the assistance of an elderly man who collapsed in the middle of a road in Chorley.
On May 2, an elderly man was seen lying on the floor opposite The Traders Taphouse on Hollinshead Street surrounded by a small group of teenage boys. Witnesses in the pub left their seats to see what was going on outside when they discovered the three lads- Connor Hesketh 14, Alex Heaton, 14 and Luke Rotheram 14, were helping the man who had collapsed in the middle of the road.
Connor’s mum, Amanda, said: “”I’m very proud of him. Teenagers these days they get such a bad name and it’s to see three lads are your typical teenagers who hang around and play football on the streets- to step up to the mark and you know, to do an adult thing is just remarkable really.”
Blackpool World Fireworks Championships contract won after five bids of £360k each
Five companies submitted bids to run Blackpool’s World Fireworks Championships after the council put out a tender in March with the contract valued at £360,000.
The winning bid was provided by Titanium Fireworks Limited (Northamptonshire, UK) which will take charge of event management and logistics at the events which are a key part of the resort’s calendar. The contract will cover 2022 and 2023 with options for up to three further years.
Lancashire man to space hop through London at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
David Kay, 55, thought he was done with space hopping but after one ‘big’ call from the casting manager of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pageant he’s inflated the 70s toy once again.
David and his space hopper with hop alongside two other space hopper champions on June 5. The trio will skip down the streets of Westminster, along the mall and past Buckingham Palace as part of the celebrations.
David and his space hopper will fit the theme of the 70s, as each segment of the pageant will represent a different decade, he told LancsLive he looks forward to heading down to London in some 70s flares with his space hopper.
Accrington school delighted after latest Ofsted inspection
An Accrington school is celebrating after retaining its ‘Good’ status following an Ofsted inspection earlier this month. St Christopher’s CE High School and Sixth Form was inspected over two days in March, more than five years since its previous visit from the watchdog.
Headmaster Mr Richard Jones said: “I am delighted with our latest Ofsted report and salute all those members of the school community who work hard to ensure that the pupils in our care receive an excellent standard of education. It is a privilege and a joy to lead a Church school which delivers across the board, one which has been able to maintain a strong track record over many decades and one where Christian virtues inform all that we say and do.”
Muslim charity set to open mosque for children at Nelson library
A Muslim charity has revealed plans to open a mosque in a former library that is aimed at children and young adults. The IMAM organisation, which currently uses the Grade II-listed building in Nelson as an education centre, hopes to change the use of the old library in Booth Street into a place of worship due to an ‘increased demand’.
IMAM, which stands for ‘Islamic Morals and Manners’ and it was set up in 2016 in order to ‘give children the best start in life’ and encourage community cohesion.
The charity also states on its website: “We live in a time and age where Islam is very often in the news for the wrong reasons, changing people’s perceptions of Muslims residing in multi-cultural Britain. We reach out to all communities to forge a relationship and show that we can stand together against hatred.”
Meet Patrick, the peacock that chases ice cream vans
A wild peacock named Patrick made headlines this month after he was caught chasing after an ice cream van when it passed by. According to Deborah Burfield, his interest in the van began around the beginning of May and videos show the ice cream van coming down the road while the peacock can be seen in the distance at the corner of the street on several occasions.
Soon after Patrick spots the van on its way to deliver the ice cream, the peacock starts to run as fast as it can after the van. Deborah, 47, said: “His name is Patrick and he’s a wild born peacock who is three years old – we don’t have a clue why he chases after the van. There are ten peacocks altogether, seven females and three males but the other two males are only a year old.”
Little girl who wanted to help people at Asda on her birthday
Ella Ball’s third birthday consisted of Paw Patrol toys and a party with her pals from nursery, but her main highlight was a trip to Asda’s Rawtenstall store in her own special green uniform.
Ella’s mum Debbie has worked at the store since last July, and Ella likes nothing better than putting on her own uniform – adapted from one of Debbie’s old tops – to be like her mummy and helping Debbie’s colleagues at the store.
Debbie said: “I asked what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said, ‘Go to Asda’. Every time she comes into store everyone makes a fuss of her – and she loves it! “She loves the shopping, she loves helping – she’ll put things back on the shelves if she sees them in the wrong place – and she likes the attention everyone gives her.”
Preston burger and cocktail bar to expand into Lancaster
A bar selling ‘the best ever’ burgers and cocktails is set to open in Lancaster after a Preston-based business owner revealed plans to expand.
Michael Evans, from Thornton-Cleveleys, opened Smashed – a burger and craft ale bar – in August last year in Miller Arcade, Preston. The food has been described as ‘unbelievable scran’ by one customer with another saying they were served the ‘best burger ever’.
Michael this month revealed that he is set to open another bar on Market Street in Lancaster this summer, close to the Ye Olde John O’Gaunt pub.
Lancaster Festa Italia: Week-long festival brought taste of Italy to city centre
An Italian themed festival took place in Lancaster this week with supercars, Ducati bikes, live music and some special entertainment dominating the city centre.
The event, organised by Totally Local Lancaster’s Paolo Cusimano, Buccelli’s owner Bruno Buccelli and Victoria Muir, took place from May 21 through to May 29 and saw authentic italian food served across Market Street and Cheapside.
Leyland pub named best in the UK thanks to its service
The Rose & Crown Inn at Ulnes Walton, Leyland, was recognised by Marston’s at their 2022 Pub of the Year Awards by winning the highly competitive Standout Service category. Bosses praised tenant partner’s Craig Mather and Tom Evans for ‘building something really exciting’ and offering ‘great service’.
Tom said: “It was a real honour, we had been so excited to have been nominated let alone walk away with an award! A huge thank you for everyone who makes our work possible.
Joe Wicks delights kids and staff on Rossendale school visit
Earlier this month, Crawshawbooth Primary School welcomed both Joe Wicks and BBC Children in Need to their Rossendale school.
Out of the 40,000 schools that entered, Crawshawbooth was one of the seven lucky winning schools, who won a visit from Wicks and Pudsey. A scarecrow of the Body Coach and the Year 5 and 6 children welcomed him as he arrived in style down the school path.
Wicks then proceeded to do a whole school workout with Pudsey alongside. After this, the school held a question and answer session and photograph opportunity. Joe Wicks and Pudsey then made their way around each class in the school.
Heysham woman yarn bombing post boxes with Tyson Fury tributes
A woman from Heysham knitted a doll of Tyson Fury to a post box this month in homage to what the Gypsy King does for Morecambe and now she hopes he might pose for a selfie beside it.
The doll stands on a Royal Mail post box on Oxcliffe Road and its creator, Val Sawczyn, says its an ode to all the wold champion boxer does for Morecambe.
Preston’s new market manager promises a bright future for shoppers and traders
The new market manager for Preston Markets was announced this month. Mark Beck, the new market manager, has taken up the role and will kick off with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the national Love Your Local Market campaign.
Mark, who lives with his young family in St Helens, is looking forward to getting stuck into his new role. He says: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as Preston’s new Markets Manager. Preston has a rich history as a market town, and it is a privilege to be able to contribute to and help shape the future of Preston Markets.”
Dozens of Lancashire businesses among finalists for The Food Awards 2022
The finalists of this year’s Food Awards, celebrating the best businesses in the industry, were revealed this month and dozens of them are in Lancashire.
Top professionals of the country’s food sector will be invited to a black-tie ceremony in Manchester in June, where food suppliers, servers and manufacturers will be showcased. The awards promise to be a memorable event in the food industry’s calendar, with a wide range of accolades ready to be presented to the most deserving professionals and establishments, including Restaurant of the Year, Best Mexican Establishment, Retail Bakery of the Year, Best World Cuisine and many more.
For the full list of finalists, click here.
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