Thursday 31 July 2014

Lancashire FA Apprentice wanted

Lancashire FA Apprentice wanted
Position: Traineeship leading to Apprentice (Football Development Officer / Coach / Admin)
Employer: Lancashire Football Association Limited
Responsible to: County Development Manager via Senior Football Development Officer
Start Date: 18th August 2014 (Traineeship) & 29th September 2014 (Apprenticeship)
Deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 5th August 2014
Interviews: Friday 8th August 2014
Starting Salary:    £4,940.00 per annum (fixed term contract until September 30th 2016)
Role Description
This exciting and unique post is funded by Lancashire Football Association Ltd and has been created for an enthusiastic, passionate and committed school leaver to be developed through a six week traineeship followed by two year full time post as an  Apprentice at Intermediate (Level 2 Qualifications) and Advanced (Level 3 Qualifications).
The Traineeship & Apprenticeship offers an unrivalled training package helping the right candidate to gain numerous qualifications and experience in football, sport and wider recreation.
The apprenticeship will be based within the Lancashire FA Development Department at The County FA Headquarters in Leyland.
We want to hear from young people who have a passion for sport, and in particular football, who want to make a difference and help increase participation in our national game, supporting Lancashire FA’s  proud history in local grass roots football.
The key work areas for the ‘Apprentice’ will be:
• To support Lancashire FA / The FA initiatives - administration & coaching, including the Lancashire FA Disability Player Development Centre, Lancashire FA Girls Player Development Centre and Lancashire FA North West Partially Sighted Regional Squad.
• To support local festivals such as School Games (Disability and Girls Football) including local Borough festivals, Lancashire FA Ability Counts, Clubs & League and Ability Counts Schools League.
• To support the day to day administration work within the County FA Development Office, including FA Charter Standard health checks, affiliation and disciplinary departments.
• To attend all training courses / days and attain qualifications provided whilst employed by Lancashire FA.
• Any other duties deemed relevant by your line manager.
• To be flexible and work some unsocial hours (evenings / weekends).
It is an essential requirement that you can evidence a genuine interest in sport/football and have some experience of leadership and volunteering. It is desirable that you have grades A – C GCSE in English & Maths.
The post is funded until the end of July 2016.
Closing date for all applications: 5pm on Tuesday 5th August 2014
Interviews will be held at Lancashire FA, The County Ground, Thurston Rd, Leyland, PR25 2LF.
To formally apply please submit a CV and covering letter to Derek Egan, County Development Manager – via email at Justyna.Demuth@lancashirefa.com

POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR VITAL CUSTODY ROLE

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes, is appealing for volunteers to come forward to join the county’s Independent Custody Visiting Scheme.    Custody Visitors make weekly unannounced visits to all Cumbria Police’s designated custody facilities and new volunteers are required now to join the panel which visits Barrow Police Station.

“Custody visiting is a national scheme originally set up as part of the Scarman report into the Brixton riots in 1981 and is a vital service to provide reassurance to the public that people who are arrested and detained in custody are afforded their legal rights and treated appropriately whilst in the cells,” said Mr Rhodes.   “Cumbria has four dedicated panels of visitors who visit every week of the year in pairs at all times of day and night.   They report on both the welfare of detainees and conditions within the Police Station and help to ensure that both Police and the public can have the highest confidence in the safety and welfare of those who are detained.”

“The Custody Visiting Scheme is totally independent of both the Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner,” said Mr Rhodes.   “Visitors have a right of access to the Police Station and their reports provide an invaluable insight, helping to maintain the very highest standards of care and welfare for detainees”.

Visitors come from all age groups and all walks of life.   “The aim is that the panels should reflect the make-up of the communities they represent” said Mr Rhodes.  “Visitors range in age from early twenties up to people in their seventies and come from a very wide range of backgrounds.   The Scheme provides full training and support and members have the opportunity to attend regular meetings and conferences to develop their skills.    Travelling and out of pocket expenses are paid.”

Anyone who is interested in joining one of the panels can get more information from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website at www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/recruitment or can call the Scheme Administrator on 01768 217734 for more details.      The closing date for applications for the Barrow panel is Friday 3 October.   Interviews will be held locally in Barrow.

Seldom Seen Road Show - Uncovering the Furness Peninsula

Seldom Seen Road Show - Uncovering the Furness Peninsula
Saturday, 2 August from 11am - 4pm at Art Gene, the Nan Tait Centre, Abbey Rd, Barrow LA14 1LG
It’s time to get the biscuit tin out of the attic and dust off old photographs, letters and memorabilia as Art Gene brings the Seldom Seen roadshow to Barrow on Saturday 2 August.
Art Gene are creating a series of maps and mobile phone apps of the communities around Morecambe Bay, highlighting the area's “Seldom Seen” assets and hidden histories, in partnership with the Morecambe Bay Partnership. Art Gene are collecting local histories, stories, folklore to form a character of place, old photographs, objects and artefacts for the maps and apps and they need your help.
Experts who will be on hand to talk about your treasures and memories:
  • Archivist: Susan Benson, Barrow Record Office and Local Studies Library
  • Artists: Stuart Bastik & Maddi Nicholson, co-founders of Art Gene
  • Ecologist: Bart Donato, Biodiversity Advisor, Natural England
  • Ecologist: Steve Benn, Reserve Warden, Natural England
  • Historian: John Nixon, local historian and author. WW2 publications inc. Wings Over Sands & War Birds of Walney
  • Literature: Dr David Cooper, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University
Art Gene will copy or photograph personal photos and memorabilia so you won’t lose anything precious. You will also be able to register something you would be willing to donate or loan to the project for exhibition at a later date.
The event is free to drop in at any time between 11am-4pm and there is no need to book.
Enter through the main door on Abbey Rd. Free parking will be available (entrance on Collingwood Street).
For more information contact Nick Owen at Art Gene on 07742 271570 or email artgenenick@btconnect.com
Download a free leaflet with details of other roadshows and activities here.
Visit Art Gene's website to find out more about our work on Morecambe Bay.

Barrow Council's August Bank Holiday opening times

WW1 Tribute Events at St Matthews Community Halls, Barrow

Monday 28 July 2014

World War 1 Commemoration Parade - 3 August

World War 1 service at St Marks Church, Barrow

Stay secure away from home says Cumbria Constabulary

Cumbria Police are continuing to issue security advice and are highlighting the need to remain safety conscious when away from home.

Many people will enter the county to visit the many attractions that Cumbria has to offer. Despite the low crime rate, people can have their visit to our beautiful county spoiled by becoming victims of crime. In many cases this could have been easily avoided.  

Common targets are vehicles which have property on display, such as sat navs, mobile phone, handbags and laptops. These items are all desirable to thieves and being left in a car, even if locked, is still an easy target.

Another target can be caravans and tents. People will leave for the day to go walking in many of the scenic areas in Cumbria and sometimes security can be the last thing on their mind. Leaving expensive items behind in an insecure tent or caravan is not the best place. If you cannot carry it at all times, then leave it at home.

Inspector Jon Sherlock, responsible for the community safety departments in Cumbria, said: “Cumbria is an idyllic place to visit and we want to reassure people that we do have one of the lowest crime rates. It is not our aim to worry or scare people but we do want to ensure that they have security on their minds.

“By taking simple, common sense steps, we can beat the thieves at their own game. Criminals want an easy life, so don’t give them any opportunity to target you or your family, make sure all valuables are secure and safe.

Many people will be leaving the county to go on holiday and people want to return home without the heartache of finding they have been burgled.

Taking simple steps to secure your home when away can prevent you becoming a victim. Ask someone to check on the house, a neighbour or family member can report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

Also use light timers to have key areas in your home lit-up at night.

Make sure that you don’t give too much away on social media. Many of us stay in touch with friends and family whilst we are away. Cumbria Police are asking everyone to check their security settings on Facebook and Twitter or any other social network site.

Inspector Sherlock added: “When you post on social media that you are going on holiday or link your location when you are away, you’re advertising that your home is empty.

“We encourage people to make sure that their security settings are up to date and that they are not giving information to people they don’t know.

“Getting involved in groups and games on social media is great, but be aware that you are opening your profile to everyone else who is also in that group.

“Being mindful of what you post will help to ensure that everything is safe and sound when you get home.”

Reporting any suspicious behaviour could really help in preventing and detecting any crime in the area. We always encourage everyone to pass on information or details about anything they think is out of character to the police. It can be vital in building up intelligence and detecting crime.

Join in at: Twitter @Cumbriapolice. #lockitorloseit and/or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cumbriapolice

This will enable you to keep up to date with things that are happening in the local area and could be an important reminder to lock it or lose it.

Throughout the summer there will be Police Desks in various locations in Cumbria where you can go and speak to an officer, get crime prevention advice and safety information. There will be useful leaflets available for anyone who has a caravan or chalet providing important safety messages and useful security reminders. For more information about Police Desks, visit www.cumbria.police.uk/policedesks 

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Thought for the Week

“Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” Anne Frank

Austerity cuts and Cumbria Constabulary

Response to HMIC Report ‘Responding to austerity’


Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said: “I welcome the HMIC assessment that Cumbria Constabulary is making ‘good’ progress in achieving its savings targets at the same time planning for the future.  The Constabulary has performed well in the first three years of the spending review.  It has achieved the savings required, protected as much as possible of the front line and maintained high levels of satisfaction. 

“As part of my public monthly Executive Board meetings I already hold the Chief Constable to account to ensure that he is delivering the savings required and planning for the future.  The HMIC report idientifies a number of challenges to Constabulary funding in the future especially in potential change in the government policy for allocating funding. 

“These are challenging financial times and there are still significant savings to be made in the future.  However, good financial planning is in place to ensure resources are used to keep Cumbria a safe place.”

Deputy Chief Constable Jerry Graham said:

“The Constabulary remains committed to providing the county with the best possible policing service we can afford, through this challenging financial time.

“We have delivered savings of £14 million by restructuring and changing the way we work whilst protecting the frontline as much as possible. We are continuing to look at new innovative digital and mobile methods of working to help Officers remain visible and accessible in their communities.

“The Constabulary continues to face major financial challenges and current budget forecasts that a further £10.4 million needs to be saved by 2017/18.

“Every effort is being made by the Constabulary in order to provide an efficient and high-performing policing service for Cumbria.”

Women's Voices of the First World War at Barrow Library