July 2005


P r o v i d in g » fo o d s a f e t y • we l f a r e a d v i c e


www.lancashire.gov.uk


Join in fiin castle talk


LANCAS-TEE Castle’s popular Hidden History continues . . . „ on Thiursday, 21 July when Colin Penny teUs the story of notorious hang­ man


William


Calcraft. Christine Goodier


will dispel some of the myths of the Lancashire Witches on Thursday, 18 August. Many


women were tried at the castle. As Hallowe’en


approaches, Peter Leeson will tell eerie tales about the ghosts of Lancashire


on


Thursday, 16 October. All talks start at


7.30pm. Tickets are £3.50 adults, £2 conces­ sions, and can be obtained from the Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle, or call 01524 64998.


Acknce for


-are being urged to check on driv­ ers after the Department for T r a n s p o r t revealed almost 80 per cent of HGV drivers are breaking speed


employers EMPLOYERS


limits. Wth over one third


of all road traffic accidents involving someone who is a t work at the time, developing a road risk management system is critical Neil Cunliffe, Koad


Safety Group manag­ er, said: “Companies must cover them­ selves and their employees for every eventuality.” For more informa­


tion, please call 0800 3281635.


Bus boost


TRANSPORT in the Kirkham area


■ has been boosted by the launch of I the new Kirkham


Link bus service. The all-new demand-


responsive service pro­ vides door-to-door jour­ neys for residents of any age. All residents need to do to be picked up is


I to make one phone caU, a day in advance, and the Kirkham T.ink team


-will do the rest. lb book a journey on


the Kirkham Link call 01253 476452.


•B E A T the thief; Bin raiding for personal documents is a rapidly growing crime in Britain,


School year gets facelift


SCHOOL holidays and term dates across the 11 education dis­ tricts of Lancashire will be standardised from the start of the


2006/07 school year. County Councillor Alan


Whittaker, Cabinet mem­ ber for Schools, nrade the decision to bring all dis- ' tricts in line wifir Local


■ Government Association recommendations following e^nsive public consulta­ tion.


From September 2006,


schools will adopt a stan­ dard school year compris­ ing of approximately two


seven-week terms and four six-week terms. Councillor Whittaker


said; “This decision has been taken for educational reasons. A standardised, consistent school year will ptoduire a better environ-.


□ a le s Rail


ment for pupils and staff. “It also provides a con­


sistent pattern for parents ' to plan their holidays and avoid clashes from children attending schools with dif­ ferent holidays. “Tbachers will benefit


finm the changes as they will find it easier to plan lessons, stress levels will be reduced and it will help the


local authority and schools in recruiting and retaining staff.


“Ultimately the decision


will help us to raise educa­ tional standards and pro­ mote better outcomes for pupils.”


In the years when


Easter is particularly early or late, schools will take the Bank Holidays of Good Friday and Easter Monday, as well as a further two- .week break. The term and holiday


dates will be posted on the county council's website.


IS


LANCASHIRE residents are being reminded to- destroy important documents before throwing them away as crooks try to find new ways of ripping


off the public. Bin raiding, where thieves scour through


lybbish bins for any personal documents like bank or credit card statements and


bills, is an organised crime which is growing fast.


Identity is a valuable commodity. It can


be used to defraud people, banks and other organisations.


Personal identification crime costs


Britain £1.3b a year, with more than 100,000 people affected aimually, and Lancashire County Council is keen to remind its residents to guard their identity


and dispose of personal documents careful- ly.


If your identity is written on letters and


documents do not discard without obliterat­ ing or clestroying the information first. Detailed biographical information can be


i ^ d by fraudsters to commit full-scale iden­ tity fraud or divert financial information and credit cards to another address. There have been reports across the coun­


try about crooks raiding household recy­ cling rentres for documents and, although


there is no evidence to suggest this is hap­ pening in Lancashire, people need to show caution.


County Councillor Marcus Johnstone,


Cabinet member for Planning and Environment, said; “It is important that people are reminded of the dangers of iden­ tity fraud and send the message out to potential bin raiders. “Shredders are an inexpensive way of


destroying doemnents effectively and every­ body needs to make sure that they re d ir^ mail immediately if they move house.” Councillor Johnstone is also keen to


encourage people to ensure that important papers are destroyed before being placed in paper recycling boxes. He added: “Recycling is important if we


are to protect our environment and I encourage everybody to continue recycling as much waste as possible. “However people need to show caution as recycling boxes ^


often left outside, where they can be raided. So make sure docu­


ments with identification information are properly destroyed.” Lancashire IVading Standards also urge


people never to give their details to someone they don’t know or who has no good reason to require it, as well as being cautious about


telephone canvassing or replying to unso­ licited mail shots. People mmt also check their statements


careftiUy for fiaudulent transactions. If you feel that somebody has accessed your details, inform the bank immediately and get the acxxrunt frozen and* change your cards.


set sail YOUNG readers across the coimty are about


to embark on an exciting voyage into the world ofhterature. Lancashire County Council is promoting the national


f a d in g Voyage” challenge from July until the end of September and is open to children of all ages. Every child taking part will receive their ovm ship's


rea&g bg, packed with puzzles and challenges, and will be given a set of stickers to decorate the log eveiy time they read a library book. Afcr six books, children will be awarded a medal and


certificate and there are plenty of other goodies to pick up along the voyage.


County Councillor Chris Cheetham, Cabinet member


for Adult and Community Services, said: “Books are a great form of escapism and this scheme will encourage children to read and develop their love of literature.


“The reading challenge format is straightforward but


very effective in encouraging children to read during the summer holidays.


mtroduce young newcomers to our libraries.” The scheme was launched on board the Preston Puffin


“The Reading Voyage will be. also be a fantastic way to


boat at the city’s annual Maritime Festival at the dock­ lands.


_ Staff fix)m the county council’s Libraiy and Information &rvice hnd a stdU in tli6 f6stival*8 marquee and read sto- ties with a pirate and nautical theme to children through­ out the two-day event.


. The scheme is also beii^ backed by a range of top


authors including Jacqueline Wilson, Anthony Horowitz and Children’s Laureate Michael Motpurgo.


• S p T IN G sail; Head Martin Gee and pupils from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, In Preston, launch the initiative.


Chadren will also be able to share their reading time


with parents and carers, libraiy staff and friends. Invitations Imve been sent to every I^ncashire pri-


maiy and special school, and all county libraries are sup­ porting the scheme.


July highlights: Sunday24th July-Alston, Nenthead & ^ organised walb - suitable for all


gOG5 Every Sunday Until 1 Bth October- Meet the train at Blackpool, Preston,


abilities, or be a tourist and join our coach tour; Visit the Nenfhead Mines Heritage Centre and discover the fascinating history of the lead mining industry, then on to the bustling town of Alston; great for local delicacies where you con take o trip on the South Tyne narrow gauge railway.


Blackburn or Clitheroe stations and travel by DalesRail for a great day out.


■'r'-^^!^ n o r th e rn ^k A A X t i l r /y i f i j ' - r-V -i-„County Council •'/■-•;-u. C o untv r “niin/<n ** '.y-rV' Prahrad b, Cfflporate Communiaiora Gnxqi, Lancashire Co«% CoureS (M 01772 531095S33536). Piimed by Morton'^


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