When an elderly gentleman collapsed in Rawtenstall three teenagers were quick to come to his aid. The Haslingden High School students helped the pensioner, tended to his injuries and comforted him while help was sought. Their bravery was rewarded with a thank you...
At one of my contract schools – Fearns Community Sports College – the borough’s school sports organiser is based to encourage primary schools to participate in sporting competitions. Nathan Bibby also assists schools to apply for the prestigious...
A one-off newspaper produced in four weeks proved so popular the school has decided it should be produced every half-term. The first edition of The Broadway Buzz sold very well, so well the school in Haslingden had decided to continue the sessions each half-term to...
From 87-year-old Elsie down to little two-year-old toddler Scarlett, five generations of the same family now dance at Dansworks Dance Academy in Bacup. I have been working for Dansworks on an ad hoc basis since 2011 and this was a charming story to write. Principal...
This year’s Fearns Chat has just been completed – a hectic week with 13 Year 9 pupils writing, photographing and designing a 16-page newspaper to shout about the busy year that there has been at Fearns Community Sports College. Last year’s version...
This was an inspirational story about the success of a GCSE student from Whitworth Community High School who even revised on the ward where her father was seriously ill. It has been a turbulent year for Nicola Howorth after her father was left seriously ill following...
A project to formally mark the graves of soldiers from Bacup who gave their lives concluded with a ceremony attended by 100 people at a hilltop cemetery. Members of Veterands In Communities, one my contracts, have been carrying out the work since last year, locating...
Not many teenagers scale the highest peak in Africa, but that is just what Isobel Wilson did. The 17-year-old student from Haslingden High School, where I have a contract to provide press and PR coverage, hiked to the top of the mountain with her father, a school...
An incredible 1,431 people wore Christmas jumpers in the same place at the same time at Haslingden High School in a world record bid. A festive story to end what has been a busy year and, thanks to superb photographs taken by Liz Henson Photography, the story broke...
The mother of murdered ‘Goth’ Sophie Lancaster delivered a hard hitting talk to pupils at Fearns Community Sports College, Stacksteads. Sylvia Lancaster also met three pupils who have written news articles for an Amnesty International competition to...
Brit award nominee John Newman made a high school pupil’s day when he took time out from a gig to autograph her project about him and he gave her a hug. Shannon Cokell’s mum Terry grew up in the village of Stainton in North Yorkshire where John is from...
Catering manager Iain Campbell will be swapping kitchen whites for combats when he takes on a key role in a major Royal Navy operation. The Royal Navy reservist is catering manager at Haslingden High School where Catherine Smyth has a press and PR contract.. A story...
The final story for Enterprising People in Ribble Valley was a lovely tale about an inspirational autistic man who creates craft bags and sells them worldwide. Catherine Smyth has been working with EPRV for the past year reporting on the many success stories of the...
A willow soldier who was stolen from Whitworth was found hidden under bushes in Heywood and is now back on patrol. Catherine Smyth works for Veterans In Communities and the story of the willow tank and soldier – made by a veteran and VIC member to commemorate...
Teenagers joined forces with veterans to uncover the hidden graves of First World War soldiers who are remembered in Bacup Cemetery. Catherine Smyth has a contract with Rossendale-based charity Veterans In Communities and wrote a news story about the work and also...
Teachers at a primary school have been seeing double with nearly half of the Year 6 class being twins. Catherine was introduced to the amazing Year 6 class at St Anne’s C of E School, Waterfoot, when she produced a school newspaper St Anne’s Press last...
At just 12, James Newton has already designed several new Mini cars and is in regular contact with the BMW Mini designers. As a reward for his efforts James, and his family, were given a VIP tour of the plant in Oxford and free use of a Mini Countryman for a week....
When you come to thinking about historical towns it is not often you would consider Middleton and yet there are four buildings in the ‘old Lancashire’ town that are steeped in history. Each September they co-ordinate their opening times to give everyone a...
Students with learning difficulties are gaining work experience in their own cafe attached to their school where they get the chance to serve members of the public. I was asked to help promote for The Garage Cafe at Tor View Special School in Haslingden and a lovely...
A ten month piece of work has come to the end this month with the prestigious presentation evening for Rossendale Business Awards. Taking the top prize was Tufties Hair and Beauty in Rawtenstall. The business faced a challenging year after taking over a former pub,...
