A range of activities has been organised by Chorley Council in Chorley Town Hall between 6pm and 8pm on Thursday 8 March to celebrate and inspire local women.

Women of any age can try hula hooping, pole fitness, table tennis, indoor athletics, Xbox Kinect dancing and Nintendo Wii games. Plus, there will be some pamper and beauty treatments on offer, as well as a crèche play area for anyone with children.

Councillor Jon Walker, who is responsible for sport, play and physical activity at Chorley Council, said: “There are lots of activities available for local women right across the Chorley borough and this event has been organised to encourage more women to try something new.

“It will be a fun evening and is the perfect opportunity to get together with friends or meet new people.

“International Women’s Day takes place every year to celebrate and inspire women and the council is already doing a lot of work to involve more women in sport through our Active Women project.

“This event will showcase some of the many different and fun ways women can be more active, plus anyone who attends will also get to treat themselves to a bit of pampering.”

In addition to the event in the evening, there will also be an information session between 12 noon and 2.30pm in Chorley Town Hall on the same day. At this session women will be able to find out more about the Active Women project and what other activities are available.

The event is also one of many taking place in 2012 as part of the national Streetgames ‘Us Girls’ initiative led by the Active Women consortium.

To find out about more activities that are available for women in your community, contact Chorley Council on 01257 515151 or email contact@chorley.gov.uk Activities and events are also listed in the Chorley Smile magazine.

The school organised the special event on Thursday 1st March, with a number of trees planting in the shape of a diamond to mark this landmark celebration. The exercise also contributed to the schools ongoing work on environmental improvements and encouraging all pupils to get involved in extra-curricular activities.

Chorley FM’s Acting Chair, Pauline Gowers-Scott attended along with Breakfast Show Presenter, Danny Rodden and said “I felt very privileged to be invited to such a momentous occasion at Astley Park School. This project is a great idea to incorporate The Queens Diamond Jubilee with the schools environmental projects. We felt very welcome at the school and thought the organisation of the event was second to none”.

Other invitees included representatives from Chorley Guardian, Chorley Council, St. Johns Ambulance, and Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle who commented: “It was great to see teachers, governors, pupils and invited guests all come together to plant trees in the school grounds in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

“I think this sort of exercise really helps the children understand and appreciate the importance of environmental improvements and it is also a very special and different way of marking the Diamond Jubilee. Hopefully the trees will be there for many years to come and provide a lasting memory to the Queen’s long reign.”

The market, which is run by Chorley Council and in town on the second Saturday of every month, sells a selection of meats, cakes, preserves, chocolates and olives that you don’t normally find in a supermarket.

Since moving to its new slot on Saturdays along Fazakerley Street, the market has grown in popularity with more than 20 stallholders coming to sell their goods each month.

Councillor Alan Cullens, who oversees the markets at Chorley Council, said: “The improvements we’ve made to the monthly food and craft market have really helped attract new stallholders meaning there’s even more variety for people coming to shop in Chorley.

“We’ve been using the new gazebos that stand on the Flat Iron market so there’s a real uniform look and I’d urge people in town on Saturday to come and have a look.”

If you’re interested in taking a stall for the farmers’ market, which is on Saturday, March 10, between 10am and 4pm, contact Chorley Council on 01257 515151.

The news comes after Chorley Council’s budget was agreed last night as the authority looks to help residents and businesses with the rising cost of living.

One per cent will be sliced off the council’s share of the council tax bill and £853,000 will be pumped into priorities identified by local people, plus a further £500,000 into trying to reinvigorate the town centre.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Leader of Chorley Council, said: “We are in extremely difficult financial times and we have put this budget together with the residents and businesses of Chorley in mind.

“We know that there are many hard-working families out there who are struggling to make ends meet and we know that every penny counts.

“That’s why we’ve taken the decision to cut council tax, but also to put investment into creating jobs, providing safe and respectful communities, as well as making Chorley a better place to live.”

Chorley, a top performing council, has been faced with almost £1 million in grant reduction but savings have been made by reducing back office costs and providing services more efficiently to cover the shortfall and create room for investment.

Investment will be made in four key areas:

Supporting local businesses and creating jobs – money will be put into attracting new businesses, offering grants to new and existing traders and improving the town centre, including buying the eyesore former McDonald’s site. Market rents and car parking charges will be frozen and the council will take on ten apprentices
Keeping crime down and reducing the fear of crime – the council will increase the number of PCSOs it funds by five to 27, the highest in the county
Improving the environment – a campaign will be launched to tackle grot spots, dog fouling and the issue of dog attacks. This will also include new bus shelters, refurbished street furniture plus improved pedestrian routes into the town centre and money for environmental improvements in neighbourhoods
Protecting the less well off – investment in funding for voluntary groups, support and advice for those in financial trouble and suffering from domestic abuse, as well as offering to take on the development of the Friday Street health centre

“Just like everyone else we’ve been hit tremendously hard by the recession but thanks to the great work and dedication of our staff the council has been able to maintain all its frontline services,” said Councillor Goldsworthy.

“We’ve listened to what residents have told us and by and large the council has been able to deliver a good news budget that is fair and gives people more money in their pocket to spend how they want.

“The authority has a great track record of providing excellent, value for money services and we will continue to do that by listening to the people of Chorley and working with them to make it a better place to live, work, invest, play and visit.”

A new Community Alcohol Network (CAN) will support local retailers and residents in Chorley and South Ribble in a partnership by Chorley Council, South Ribble Borough Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Constabulary to clamp-down on those selling or giving alcohol to children.

The project will see a range of activity aimed at cracking down on alcohol misuse, including targeted police patrols in hotspot areas and Trading Standards officers will be speaking to local retailers to offer advice on the sale of alcohol. Officers will also be visiting schools to promote activities available for young people.

Posters will be displayed in shops and pubs and leaflets will be posted through people’s doors in a bid to raise awareness of the consequences associated with buying alcohol for children. Special Constables, neighbourhood policing teams and Trading Standards officers will be on patrol across the area, seizing alcohol from underage drinkers whilst ensuring it is also being sold responsibly.

During specific operations, off-licence staff in the Chorley and South Ribble areas will be given a dedicated mobile number, which will link directly through to the police allowing them to quickly respond to any issues relating to underage drinking.

Licensing Officer Sgt Tony Bushell said: “The CAN project will focus on educating young people and their parents of the dangers of underage drinking. Where necessary enforcement will be used to ensure the communities understand the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.

“By bringing together a variety of agencies and communities, the network seeks to improve the quality of life for people living and working in Chorley and South Ribble.”

Councillor Eric Bell who is responsible for community safety at Chorley Council, added: “There are many consequences of underage drinking and it is important that all agencies work closely together to deal with those issues. Unfortunately, young people will try a range of methods to purchase alcohol and it is concerning that adults are either buying it for them or simply giving it to them. The Community Alcohol Network will help us raise awareness of the problem and support local people and businesses in tackling it.”

The project, which will run for 12 weeks, is also being rolled out to other parts of the county.

Anyone with information or concerns about underage drinking or anti social behaviour can contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.