Democratic and Member Services Officer Philippa Braithwaite will be emailing Town and Parish Council clerks in the coming weeks to confirm representatives for Chorley Liaison and the respective Neighbourhood Area Meetings.

If any Town or Parish Council would like a reserve member, or you need to change your representative mid-year, please let the Democratic Services team know so we can update our records.

The full results from the last week's local election can be found via the link below.

Work to improve Union Street starts this week - more details of what's happening can be found at the link below - the graphics show the diversion routes and all businesses are open as usual.

Timeline of activity:
• Works on Union Street – Tuesday 7 May - Tuesday 9 July
• Extension building looking finished to the exterior –July/August
• Tenant fit out – September – November
• Opening of the extension – scheduled for early December 2019

Do you know someone who contributes to sport in Chorley?

Chorley Sports Awards is now open for nominations. Recognise, celebrate and award the achievements of clubs, coaches, and individuals involved with sport in Chorley by nominating at the link below.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, 23 August 2019.

Chorley Council and the Chorley Dementia Action Group are hosting an inclusion event to mark Dementia Action Week on Tuesday, 21 May.

Members of the dementia community are invited to come together to learn, share and connect with the many services available in Chorley to help people living with dementia and their carers and families to live well and feel supported and respected in their community.

As well as a wide range of services in attendance, there will also be interactive workshops, latest technological advances and we are excited to announce that Dr. Garuth Chalfont, leading practitioner in the art and science of healing gardens and therapeutic spaces, will be returning to share his latest research in multimodal therapies for people with dementia.

Chorley Town East Ward is welcoming two new community projects:

Tatton Growing Community
Where - Tatton Community Centre, off Silverdale Road
When - Starting Wednesdays from 15 May 1-3pm
Who - All, though primarily adults at the initial mid-week sessions
What - A community growing group, starting Wednesdays from 15 May 1-3pm at Tatton Community Centre. Led by a local resident, Peter, who came forward during engagement work in the community as he has a passion for gardening and wants to share his knowledge with others. He will run a series of gardening workshops which any resident is welcome to attend for free. Initial activities will involve raised planters and the sessions will then flow according to what attendees wish to learn or what materials are available (donations of un-wanted plants, seeds, equipment welcomed). Potential by-products of attending these sessions can include social inclusion, volunteering opportunities and healthy eating through home grown fruit / vegetables.
Enquiries to tom.halstead@chorley.gov.uk please.

Get FIT Get ACTIVE
Where - Harpers Lane Park, off Harpers Lane
When - Launch Saturday, 18 May 1.30-3.30pm then weekly mid-week evening sessions
Who - Girls aged 14-18
What - A project funded by an Active Spaces Grant from Fields in Trust, initially for 20 weeks, aiming to improve the wellbeing of young ladies in Chorley. The launch / taster session is Saturday 18th May 1.30-3.30pm at Harpers Lane Park. The SHAPE Lancashire team hope to involve as many participants as possible in deciding what days, times, activities, aims and outcomes they should work on. SHAPE Lancashire have lots of experience delivering sessions for young people, especially girls, so they have been commissioned for the project. Printed leaflets are available if anyone would like some to share.
Enquiries to tom.halstead@chorley.gov.uk please.

With the support of other community partners, Chorley Council has developed the Chorley Dementia Action Group and we have officially been awarded the status of ‘working to become Dementia Friendly’ by the Alzheimer’s Society.

This means that across the borough we encourage everyone to share responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. This in turn, makes our community more friendly and accessible.

Some of the things we are working towards are:
• Supporting local shops and businesses to become Dementia Friendly
• Raising awareness and reducing stigma
• Increasing the number of Dementia Friends in Chorley
• Helping people with Dementia to shape the support within their community

We would appreciate your help to give us a greater insight into the key concerns and challenges faced within the Dementia community.

Please could you take a couple of minutes to complete the brief survey linked below.

From 4 May – 30 June 2019, Zak Last’s exhibition, Landscapes, Buildings and Objects; will grace the newly renovated Coach House gallery. The variety of works on display will appeal to many, so are well worth a visit.

Zak’s paintings are a reminder of the transitory and the forgotten, peripheral ancient voices with a traditional approach whilst all at the same time, often challenging our conformity of colour and composition.

Are you interested in a career as a plumber?

A one-off Basic Principles of Plumbing workshop is being delivered on Friday, 24 May by JR Williams Plumbing Service for individuals who are considering a career in this sector (places available to those who are both employed and unemployed).

The course is completely free of charge and all Chorley residents are welcome.

On Saturday, 27 April, the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy published its report under the heading “Time for a Strategy for the Rural Economy”.

The report picks up and makes recommendations on a wide range of rural service and social issues necessary for a properly functioning and thriving rural economy.

The Lord’s Report aligns strongly with the RSN’s call for a Rural Strategy, including fair funding for rural councils and other public services.