GOOD NEWS - May 5th
This Sunday, 8th May is ‘Celebrate Fleetwood Day’ marking the birth of the Town’s founding father, Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood, on 9th May 1801.
Activities have been arranged for the day and the community is invited to get involved …
From 10.30am call into the North Euston Hotel for ‘Images of Fleetwood’. This is a collection of photographs and more collated by local historian and Fleetwood Museum ambassador, Maureen Blair.
At 12 noon there’s a ceremony in Euston Gardens to unveil a new plaque on the statue of Sir Peter. The existing plaque can be a little hard to read in the bright sunlight and the new plaque will address this issue so the statue can continue to be a source of pride for residents and an attraction to visitors for many years to come.
From 12 until 3pm at Affinity Lancashire enjoy an afternoon of uplifting song, dance and music ... Harmony & Health, the Fleetwood Moves dancers and the Fylde Ukulele Network with The Windmill Players performing ‘The Fleetwood Story’ on the hour.
And to close the day, there’s a Sunset Wellbeing Walk along the Esplanade. Starting from the Rossall Point car park at 7.45pm to The Mount for an evening tea and to take in the stunning views across the Bay. The walk is hosted by Fleetwood Wellbeing Way - please see their page on Facebook to reserve places (or contact us and we'll connect you).
We had another amazing Healthier Fleetwood open meeting this week with inspirational local residents, groups and organisations passionate about making a difference in the community.
It was lovely to see some new faces and hear their stories but also several friends returned for their first meetings since before the start of the pandemic. Among those present was Richard who set up a table tennis group as one of the first activities supported by Healthier Fleetwood over 4 years ago. He’s now wants to share his love of art, start something new and is being supported by Mark and Dean at NUVU who host workshops and activities on a variety of community-related themes.
Susan told us about the Wyre Flounders swimming group which meets at YMCA Fleetwood on Saturday evenings. It’s an adult-only group for individuals who appreciate and need a quiet environment to enjoy their swimming, perhaps as they recover from illness or injury. Although there are new inquiries coming through, costs are rising so more members are welcome.
> Please contact us at Healthier Fleetwood, we’ll put you in touch with Susan.
Denise and Jackie updated us on plans for the Time For Tea event.
This is at Emmanuel at the Mount, 11am - 3pm on 17th May to raise awareness of dementia and funds for local charities. Please come along and show your support for this important issue.
The Bay: A Blueprint For Recovery use nature and the environment to support health and wellbeing.
From the beach or their Wyre hubs at Rossall Tower and Towers Wood they will be hosting several great activities in May including walks and bird-watching.
Mark of Fleetwood Town Community Trust supports Armed Forces Veterans.
He let us know that while there was a ‘closed’ Facebook group, the events and activities were very much open to all. These include kayaking, drone flying lessons and the popular 'Walk & Talk'. > You can see this month’s Veteran's events listing on our website here.
The Prince's Trust is recruiting to their next Fleetwood course for young people aged 16 - 25 starting at the end of May.
Course leader Sam from Lancashire Fire & Rescue based told us more about what’s involved. Thank you to local resident Carol for sharing that her son had taken the course and seen the benefit to his confidence and life skills > Contact samuelwillan@lancsfirerescue.org.uk for further details.
Lauren updated the meeting on plans for the Jubilee party on Saturday 4th June in Marine Hall Gardens.
There will be loads going on … FREE live music, entertainment and activities, stalls and more supported by Fleetwood Town Council. Bring your own picnic to the event celebrating the 70-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
And don't forget the Scarecrow Festival for Jubilee: see the Facebook page here.
The wonderful Brian announced the 2022 Linda Eaton Arts awards and this year’s theme is The Future.
There are categories for creative writing and visual arts – email to eatonbrian33@outlook.com for more information.
Pauline mentioned that the Behind Closed Doors group supporting women experiencing domestic violence will also be working with the Fleetwood Men's Shed and Fran from Friendlier Fleetwood invited residents to join their many social events and activities.
Our next Open Meeting is on Wednesday 1st June, from 6.30pm at Emmanuel.
As that’s the start of Volunteers Week we would love to hear from any community groups and events looking for more support – you are very welcome to attend the June meeting and tell us about your work.
A few other things to pass on … starting with the Wyre Council volunteers litter picks which have resumed this week.
The group meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month, 10am at Fish’s store on Lord Street. If you want to get involved to keep the town tidy, equipment and a hi-vis is provided, wear appropriate clothing and bring your own gloves.
> Contact sandra.byrne@wyre.gov.uk for more information.
It’s a busy morning tomorrow, Friday 6th May, with this month’s BeeAnytime networking event at The Coffee Box & Bistro, Affinity Lancashire from 9.30am.
Hear updates on the new community app, meet with other local businesses to swap ideas or just enjoy a chat and a coffee.We’ll also be opening the Wellbeing & Community Information Centre just across from The Coffee Box at 10.30am so call in to discover the many local groups and events in and around Fleetwood. And from 11am to 1pm, we welcome the FREE Just Reminiscing collection of artefacts and memorabilia designed to spark memories and start conversations.
The start of a new month means new events listings for Wyre’s Great Outdoors and Fleetwood Library - call into our Information Centre for printed copies or use the links to find out more on-line.
There’s also new challenges from the Fleetwood Wellbeing Way and we’re delighted to launch this year’s ‘Grow The Tallest Sunflower’ competition in partnership with the residents behind the Wellbeing Way.
Call into the Information Centre for some seeds, post photos on our social media as they grow and after the 1st September we’ll award trophies for the top 3! Our 2021 winner Isaac is pictured collecting his trophy.
And it is Mental Health Awareness Week from the 9th to 15th May.
If we listed all the great events and activities in Fleetwood supporting residents' wellbeing and combatting isolation (this year's theme) we'd need an even longer newsletter!
There is so much happening but sometimes those most in need, find it hardest to reach out so we can all play our part. Take the time to check in on a neighbour, ask a work colleague if they are OK and help others to take a positive view on life wherever possible.
If you'd like to know more about anything we've shared here, please do contact us and also we'd love to hear about your 'Good News' and events for future editions.
Until the next time, take care.
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