Parents and children encouraged to ditch consoles for woodlands this half term

THE Forestry Commission are encouraging families to ditch the games consoles and computers and head to their local community woodland for some healthy fun in the outdoors.

Community woodlands, like Town Lane in Southport, are fantastic green public areas that have been created as part of the Newlands scheme for people to enjoy. With cycle routes, pathways and links to national Sustrans cycle routes, Town Lane is ideal for all the family to enjoy together this February half term.

The Town Lane community woodland is part of Newlands (New Economic Environments via Woodlands) - a partnership scheme involving the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Forestry Commission.

Tim Oliver, the Forestry Commission’s community woodlands manager, said:- “There are some fantastic places like Town Lane that are easily accessible for people to visit and enjoy themselves in a natural and healthy environment. We would like to encourage people to ditch their computer games and televisions during the school half term this February and visit their community woodlands.”

Town Lane is one of seven Newlands projects that have been developed in the Mersey Belt area of Northwest England.  The £59 million NWDA funded regeneration Newlands scheme has been rejuvenating around 381 hectares of the Northwest’s derelict, underused and neglected land to stimulate economic growth and further opportunities for leisure and environmental improvements.  Further information about Town Lane and other 'Newlands' projects is available via:- forestry.gov.uk or  newlandsproject.co.uk. More information about other Forestry Commission woodlands around North West England can be found at:-  forestry.gov.uk/nw.

LOCAL PARALYMPIC HOPEFUL ADRIAN DERBYSHIRE IS A GOOD SPORT AT SAINSBURY’S WOOLTON

LOCAL Paralympic hopeful and fencer Adrian Derbyshire tried a different kind of “sport” on Tuesday, 15 February 2011, when he met locals and staff at Sainsbury’s Woolton store in Liverpool.

Adrian, a doublegold winning top ‘wheelchair fencer’ met and chatted with shoppers and staff alike - raising awareness on disabled sports and the region’s presence in the Paralympic Games 2012.

He also sampled the experience of being a Sainsbury’s colleague by taking his turn on the ‘check-out’ and even gave a hand by helping to replenish and serve customers in the fresh produce department.

Sainsbury’s is an official sponsor of the Games and will use the sponsorship to engage its network of over 875 stores, colleagues and local communities to make a lasting difference to attitudes towards disability in the UK.

Adrian said:- “This is a fantastic opportunity to encourage people to get behind the Paralympic Games and show their support for British athletes.”

Store manager Bethan Wilson, who is welcoming Adrian to the Sainsbury’s store, said:- “We’re so proud to be able to get behind the Games and support all our outstanding Paralympic athletes. We wish Adrian every success in his quest to compete at London.”

Sainsbury's is the first ever Paralympic Games-only sponsor and is committed to promoting a healthier, active lifestyle for all, regardless of ability, and supporting the values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.