About Me

Under the banner of Medicine & Chernobyl UK, there are 15 groups, two of which are based in Parbold and whilst supportive of each other have different roles. The activities of Medicine & Chernobyl Parbold Group is to raise funds so that the children can come to the UK for a respite from the contaminated areas in Belarus. We organize a 4 weeks programme of educational and social events for the children and they also visit both optician and dentist. Once here the children enjoy 4 weeks of fresh, clean air, exercise and healthy food; their immune sysytems are boosted. This helps them cope better with the winter months in Belarus. This year we have 9 children coming, 4 staying in Parbold and 5 in surrounding areas. As hosting a child is definitely one of life's most rewarding experiences, we would like to invite you to learn more about how you can do it. We would like to hear from anyone interested in hosting a child; anyone interested in going on trips with the children; any volunteers to help raise funds or people who just want to register as Friends of Medicine & Chernobyl Parbold Group. The children's visit this year is from 9 June until 7 July 2008, so come along and meet them and find out more about the group. For more information on how you can help the children please contact Janet Gray on 01257 462634 or Chris Drake on 01695 625515.

The activities of Belarus Aid differ from those of Medicine & Chernobyl Parbold group in that our role is primarily directed within Belarus itself and is two fold. Firstly delivering much needed humanitarian aid to identified areas suffering severe economic depression as well as problems from radiation, and secondly performing refurbishment projects at Hospitals and Orphanages.

Our next project will be going late July/early August to the children’s hospital in Osipovici for a duration of two weeks.

We are seeking volunteers prepared to travel at their own expense, plus we are engaged in fund-raising to cover the costs of transporting materials and tools. We would welcome any help and support offered.

Next fund-raising event in your area:- Annual Duck Race – Canalside, Parbold 11am Saturday 17^th May 2008 The contact for Belarus Aid is:

PCA Chairman’s report - The Village Hall improvements are now almost complete and should be finished by the middle of May. We will be holding a grand opening event so watch out for news of this next month.

I would like to say a 'Big Thank You' to all the people who have worked so hard to make these improvements a reality and additionally, a 'Thank You' to the 'User Groups' who have been affected by the Hall closure, for their patience.

Hopefully the weather will be fine for May Day on the 5th and don't forget to celebrate Star Wars Day on the 4th - May the 4th be with you !

The annual Parbold Duck Race is due to run on Saturday, 17th May, weather permeating, so come along and have quack at it ! See you next month, take care."

DOUGLAS VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Spring outing to Quarry Bank Mill and the recently restored riverside garden is on Saturday 14^th June. Leaving Parbold WI at 10 am and returning at

Admission is £2 and accompanied children are free. Funds are in aid of the Vale Methodist Boys and Girls Brigades from Appley Bridge. There will be all the usual stalls i.e plants, cakes, local produce, crafts, games etc and this year the refreshments will be "Cream Teas", BBQ and Bar. !

Entertainment will include The Skelmersdale Brass Band, The Newburgh Ladies Morris Dancers and hopefully local childrens Morris Dancers. There will also be lots to see and do.

But above all there are the beautiful gardens to walk round and spectacular views of the Douglas Valley. &

Should any local group wish to take part with a stall or display please contact us on 01257 464830. All we ask is that they make a donation of say 10% of any takings to the Brigades.

Parbold Village Festival – 12^th July 2008

Remember the theme for this year’s Festival is “Animal Carnival” – there will be lots of new Show classes based on the theme, so look out for the Programmes which should be available shortly in the Library and the Do-It-Yourself Centre. Thanks go to all our advertisers who make this possible and to Mitchell & Wright our Printers. All Exhibitors should read the Rules on the inside of the back cover very carefully. Entry Forms and fees must be handed in at the DIY Centre by 5.30pm on Tuesday, 8^th July. The time for delivery of Exhibits on the Festival Day is 8am – 9.45am. Art & Photography Exhibits (Adult Classes) should be taken to the WI Hall; all other Exhibits including ALL Children’s Exhibits should be taken to the Village Hall.

Nominations for the Joan Draper Cup should be sent to the Festival Chairman, Anne Pryer, 45, Brandreth Drive, Parbold WN8 7HF by 30^th June 2008. This cup is meant for a special someone who does voluntary work in the village to improve the lives and environment of local people. Last year’s very popular winner was Mrs Jean Hardon. Nominations should be in writing with details of your reasons for nomination.

Sue Halton is collecting prizes for the Festival Tombola – time to empty your cupboards and give away those unwanted presents and gifts you’ve not given. All donations very welcome – contact Sue on 01257 463703.

The Library will be open for the Festival afternoon from 1pm-4pm and children of all ages will be able to drop in for Team Reads, Quizzes, Puzzles and Colouring on Lancashire Library’s “Olympics” theme.

(Normal Library services during the morning 10am – 12.30pm).

Next Meeting of Parbold Wildlife Group is on Tuesday May 20^th at 7.30 pm at the Red Lion in

A copy of ‘What’s On?’ giving times and venues of activities in the village is displayed on the Parish Council Noticeboard outside McColls and at the Village Hall