On your marks as sports and leisure events launched
LORNA MALKIN AND STUART GREER
AHOST of leisure pursuits get underway this week with an annual sports festival and the launch of new woodland activities.
Rossendale Leisure Trust is running a range of courses for children and adults at Cribden House School in Rawtenstall, which began on Wednesday, June 7.
And Whitworth Sports Festival kicks off this Saturday, June 10.
The Cribden House events will include: baby yoga, junior football camps, outdoor survival skills, adult arts and crafts, and meditation sessions.
The Outdoor Adventure Club, every Wednesday from 5-6pm, will be aimed at seven to 10-year-olds and involves den making, fire lighting, nature studies and simple tool use.
The Woodland Workout will run for 10 weeks and involves an outdoor circuit class.
Jodie Shenton, community engagement manager, said: “Having the opportunity to open this beautiful facility for com- ●● Rossendale Leisure Trust is running a range of courses for children and adults munity use is a really exciting step in our mission to promote a more active and healthy community.
“The Outdoor Adventure Club, for children, will provide a fantastic experience that will really help local youngsters to connect with nature and learn new skills.
“Our Woodland Work- out will be different than anything we’ve done before and we’re really excited to welcome our first group of customers.”
Hundreds of participants and spectators are expected to enjoy this year’s Whitworth Sports Festival, which will see dozens of sporting events take place.
Now in its ninth year, the popular event will host a wide array of sporting activities for all ages including clay pigeon shooting, Thai boxing and boules.
The annual sporting celebration, from June 10-18, is organised by Whitworth Sports Council with support from Rossendale council.
Sporting events will take place at venues including Lobden Golf Club, Cowm Reservoir, and The Stables off Station Road.
Entry forms must be completed for some of the events – available at The Riverside (Whitworth Civic Hall), Whitworth Leisure Centre (Baths) on John Street, or any Whit- worth school.
Free events throughout the festival include fencing and samba – all details on the Whitworth Sports Council website.
Free swimming tokens will be available for participants and can be redeemed from Whitworth Leisure Centre until July 21.
The Mayor of Whitworth, Coun Madeline de Souza, and Coun Alan Neal will officially open the festival at 1pm on Saturday June 10, at Whitworth High School.
CARRIE Scerrie, 31, of Clover Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to using a car without insurance. She was given an absolute discharge. The court said there were special reasons because she was misled by her insurance company. The policy was third party despite being assured that it was fully comprehensive.
LINDSEY Heys, 27, of Pine Street, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to assault by beating. She was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £85 costs.
PAUL Ray, 48, of Lumb Lane, Waterfoot, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was given a three-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs.
AYAZ Ullah, 22, of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, was found guilty of failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver to police. He was fined £180, ordered to pay £85 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
HOLLY Ann Anforth, 33, of Ivy Avenue, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £85 costs.
BRIAN Joseph Balfe, 56, of Birch Avenue, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £85 costs. CASES heard at Blackburn Magistrates Court:
DAVID Martin Ainsworth, 35, of Heys Street, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and intentionally obstructing a police officer. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
STEPHEN Purcell, 53, of Quarry Street, Shawforth, pleaded guilty to harassment. He was given a 12-month community order with an alcohol treatment requirement, a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, a two-year restraining order, fined £60 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
DAVID Dyce, 49, of Exchange Street, Edenfield, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was fined £40.
GEMMA Ashurst, 26, of Lawrence Street, Padiham, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified in Haslingden and using a car without insurance. She was given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a supervision requirement, a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement, ordered to pay £85 costs and disqualified from driving for 28 months.
JAKE Manning, 18, of Pendle Close, Bacup, pleaded guilty to dishonestly receiving stolen goods. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
ANDREW Paul Staples, 40, of Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to six counts of shoplifting and one count of attempted theft. He was given a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a supervision requirement, a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement, and ordered to pay £360 compensation.
SIMON Vincent, 26, of Todmorden Road, Bacup, pleaded guilty to lead theft. He was given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £300 compensation.