Latest news with #Chorley
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Montgomery targets Rovers first-team spot
Kristi Montgomery says he wants to be around the Blackburn Rovers first team this season and fight for a place in Valerien Ismael's 21-year-old, who has played in defence and midfield, made his Rovers debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April when Ismael recalled him from a loan spell with National League North side Chorley, following a loan at Marine in the first half of the went on to start the 1-0 win over Luton, only to be sent-off just before the hour, and after serving a one-match ban came off the bench as Rovers won by the same scoreline at Sunderland later in the month."Football changes quickly. Anything can happen. You've just got to take your opportunity when it comes," he told BBC Radio Lancashire."This time last year I was probably thinking about going on loan to Marine, so it's a big contrast from last season but you've just got to be ready."I want to strive for the first team here at Blackburn. Obviously the gaffer is putting some trust in me and I just want to repay that and do my best on the field."Montgomery says he relishes the competition for places in pre-season, adding: "Everyone is fighting for a position. That's the healthy competition there is at the club. "There are a lot of good players and it's going to be tough but you've just got to back yourself."
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tributes flood in for beloved community DJ who died suddenly aged 42
The family of a beloved local DJ who suddenly passed away last week have paid tribute to her, calling her 'one of a kind' with an 'infectious energy' who would 'do anything for anyone'. Preferring not to go by her surname - instead affectionately known to all as Zoey Poey - long-time Salford resident Zoe was 42 years old when she suddenly passed away on July 3. She had been a prolific DJ at venues across the North West, including Back to the Dock in Liverpool and the Vestry bar in Chorley, where she has a residency. READ MORE: Crash at roundabout near M60 leaves two men with 'life-changing' injuries READ MORE: Homes evacuated and roads closed over 'suspicious device' And the Chorley bar is to hold a day of DJ sets and raffle giveaways in her honour next Sunday (July 20). Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here "We're holding a special day to celebrate the life and memory of our beautiful friend," Vestry bar said in a Facebook post. "She brought energy and vibrance to us and lit up the bar every time she walked in." "Let's fill Vestry with the kind of energy and joy Zoe always brought into our lives." Her sister Mia Parkes told the M.E.N that DJing was her passion. "Most of all she loved old school house music," Mia said. "She used to take me and my brother to raves. "She would do anything for anyone. Even it was her last penny, she would give it to someone who needed it. "She had a massive heart, and a kind of infectious energy - people just gravitated towards her." "We are a very close family - and Zoe and I were inseparable." Mia said her sister's death had come as a shock, and that the cause of her death had yet to be ascertained. "We weren't expecting it at all," she said. "It feels like we are stuck in limbo until we can find out - which makes a difficult situation even harder." She has since set-up a GoFundMe to fund her sister's funeral. Remaining funds will go to Zoe's three children, aged 16, 15 and 5, 'left suddenly without their mum'. Despite having only set up the page on Tuesday (July 8), the fund has already reached 75% of its £8k target. "She was popular in the DJing community - even more than we knew," said Mia. "I've been completely blown away by the reception. She was loved by a lot of people." Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Social media has been awash with tributes to Zoe. In a post on Facebook, Jane Tighe wrote: "Zoey, you were such a beautiful and fun loving girl with a belter sense of humour. Rest well gorgeous girl." Flo Ella wrote: "Zoe was a beautiful soul with such an inner beauty - her death has knocked me for six. "Such a talented DJ and amazing mum." And Callum Watkins wrote: "Our sublime Queen is up there annoying Avicii for a b2b (a set where DJs play together). "Rest in peace you star."
The Sun
12-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Locals who live near overgrown & derelict theme park inspired by King Arthur say it's better than the council's new plan
A DERELICT theme park inspired by Arthurian legend is set to be demolished - but locals aren't happy. Residents living near Camelot theme park in Chorley have expressed their frustration with the proposed plans. 8 8 8 8 Having closed down over a decade ago, the derelict site has become overgrown and littered with graffiti. It has turned the once-popular theme park into a hot spot for urban explorers and rebellious locals. Despite the 140-acre land laying unused since 2012, locals have protested against new planning proposals that could see the site repurposed. The plan centres on an £80 development that would see 350 homes built on the site. Plans were put forward by Developers Story Homes to Chorley Borough Council on June 20. However, similar plans have twice been rejected - once in 2014, and again in 2017 - since the developers bought the site in 2009. In planning documents they claim it is "well positioned" to support wider regional growth and a "prime location" for a residential development like this. They plan to keep half of the new homes as "affordable" housing after the estimated seven-year project. The developers also hope it will lead to more wide-ranging benefits for the area, bringing in jobs and higher household expenditure. Despite the optimistic proposals, residents in nearby Heskin have argued against the project, with 25 objections to the proposals and just one supporting. They are primarily concerned about the destruction of wildlife on greenbelt land. Others were worried about increased noise and traffic, with the village's population of 1,000 people having "insufficient infrastructure" to cope with new residents. One resident commenting on the proposals said: "There are not enough amenities to cope. How will the schools, GPs, roads cope? They added: "Please leave our greenery and woodland and nature alone." Other residents expressed similar concerns, with one writing: "The development lacks clear provision for new schools, healthcare or transport links - failing to meet the needs of the existing population, let alone new residents." Another resident raised concerns about existing drainage problems in the area. While the report does consider flood risks to the site, they feel it has not adequately considered risk to the existing properties. They wrote: "We have issues with drainage already and with the aforementioned sites we have no idea how this is going to impact the communities with flooding and future issues." Residents generally would rather the site be used to enhance the existing community, for example with a leisure centre, or dedicated woodland trails. Out of the 27 comments on the planning proposal, only one local expressed support for the development. They wrote: "There are some who say there isn't the infrastructure to make this development viable. I would say, there are numerous engineers whose job it is to ensure that there will be enough electricity/drainage etc to ensure the development will be ok. "As long as the development is sympathetic to the local nature, I think it is an ideal use of a brown field site." The planning application does contain reference to a 186.9 square metre community hub "with associated habitat creation, landscaping, open space, parking, footpaths / cycleways, drainage and other infrastructure." 8 8 8 8
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE We live next to a derelict theme park plagued by ravers and anti-social gangs but we don't want it to be bulldozed as the alternative is far worse
For over a decade, a medieval theme park has lay derelict, decaying and rotting. Instead of welcoming young families, it now welcomes urban explorers, pill-popping ravers and anti-social youths. As indictments of 21st-century Britain go, Chorley's Camelot theme park is hard to top. However residents living in the shadow of this grim monument of despair want it to stay exactly how it is, for they fear that worse things could follow should the site be scrubbed away. An £80m plan to build 350 homes on the site of the former Camelot theme park has sparked anger among villagers who claim it will 'ruin' the area. The site has lay derelict since the attraction shut down in 2012 due to dwindling visitor numbers. Developers Story Homes, who bought the park in 2009 and have twice had plans (in 2014 and 2017) for similar housing schemes rejected, have now submitted an outline planning application to Chorley Borough Council. Documents claim the site is 'well positioned' to support wider regional growth and a 'prime location' for residential development and will also deliver improved transport infrastructure, facilities and a fully accessible open space for residents. 'Therefore, the proposed development is well positioned to contribute positively to the Borough's growth ambitions, whilst also making effective and efficient use of previously developed land within an accessible and sustainable location,' it's claimed. Half the new homes, which will take an 'assumed' seven years to build, will be 'affordable' and an 'entry point' for local key workers and younger families. Story say the scheme will also deliver wide-ranging social-economic benefits, which include helping to preserve social and family networks, extra jobs and higher household expenditure. But residents in the nearby village of Heskin, which has one convenience store, one pub and a population of less than a 1,000, fear it will spoil the character of the area. They object to development on green belt and the 'destruction'of wildlife, claim it will it lead to increased noise and traffic and point to 'insufficient infrastructure' such as schools and doctors to cope with an influx of new residents. Chris Davis, 62, says he has 'mixed feelings' about the plans because while he can see there will be economic benefits for the area he's worried about their wider impact if they're approved. 'I accept people have to live somewhere,' he said. 'At the moment the site is derelict and full of concrete so it's better to dig that up than more of the green belt. 'But if they start ripping down more trees that will change everything. 'They'll basically be creating a new village within a village, so you're going to need new schools, doctors, shops, that kind of thing. 'Also, the roads round here are busy enough, especially during rush hour or when there's an accident and they close the [nearby] M6 and re-route the traffic through here and Ecclestone. 'So it's all the extra traffic that's a worry and the lorries coming and going during the building work. He added: 'If it's green belt land you have to keep it green belt land.' Melvin Otter, 75, who's lived in Heskin for more than 50 years, is also against the plans to develop the site. 'The developers have twice had plans rejected but there's so much money involved,' he said. 'Money talks, so they'll probably get them approved this time. 'But where's all the new infrastructure coming from? 'It's already a real problem trying to get a GP appointment and the roads are bad now – so it will only get even worse. 'They're saying it's all brownfield land, but who's to say they won't submit further plans and build on the green belt too.' Neil Haslingden, 56, also says a 'lack of infrastructure' and 'extra traffic' are concerns and believes alternative schemes to redevelop existing homes and buildings are better options. 'I don't think the answer is just to keep building and building new homes,' he said. 'They need to do something with existing spaces, such as empty farm buildings or houses. 'As the village lies within the green belt I couldn't extend my home by more than 50%. 'So I had to look an alternative plans and I'm now going to convert my garage instead.' He added that new cycle lanes, which form part of the plans, would only benefit those living in the new properties and he fears that locals could be 'priced out' from buying them. Another villager, who didn't wish to be named, complained: 'The scheme will change the character of the area completely. 'It will be awful and the village will be ruined. 'There are other homes being built nearby that aren't even sold yet. 'So I can't understand why they need to build another 350.' So far, 22 official objections from residents have been sent to Chorley Council. One claimed the plans were 'ridiculous' and that house builders were determined to 'ruin' the local area. A 'significant development' Siobhan Sweeney, North West Land Manager for Story Homes, said: 'We are excited to bring forward plans for this significant development on a well-known local site. Our proposal not only addresses the strong demand for high-quality, affordable homes in Chorley, but also places emphasis on sustainability and community investment. 'Through the delivery of affordable homes, investment in green infrastructure, and the creation of new community spaces, we're committed to ensuring that this scheme supports local people and enhances the wider area.' 'We are rapidly losing our green spaces forever and there won't be much left for our future generations at this rate,' they added. Another called the plans 'an absolute disgrace', and would lead to the destruction of wildlife, increased crime and the lowering of village house prices among other problems. Alex Hilton, Executive Member for Planning and Development at Chorley Council, said: 'We understand that the former Camelot site holds a great deal of local significance, and we appreciate the level of interest and feedback received regarding the proposed residential development. 'At this stage, no final decision has been made. The application is still under consideration, and all comments submitted as part of the consultation process will be carefully reviewed and considered before the planning committee makes its decision. 'We are committed to ensuring that the planning process is transparent, balanced, and fair and that all voices are heard.' Camelot enthralled punters with rides and restaurants inspired by the mythical king, the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur for 29 years. But since its closure, the site had become overgrown and fallen into disrepair, with 'considerable' vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and it's become an attraction for urban explorers who've posted videos online. Many of the structures and buildings have had to be demolished for safety reasons, although some are still standing. The site is now used by a company which organises 'scare' experiences.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Chorley teacher banned after police sting over explicit pictures
A teacher who sent pictures of his genitals to someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl has been sacked and banned from teaching after a police sting Bayley, 36, of Wigan, sent sexually suggestive messages and photos on Kik and Snapchat. He taught at St Michael's Church of England High School, Chorley, but the incident is not connected to the was arrested and admitted sending indecent photos to a child for sexual gratification and attempting to communicate with a child under 16, a professional conduct panel had been chatting to an undercover officer posing as a schoolgirl in April 2024 and received a six-month sentence in October, suspended for 18 months. 'Serious and concerning' behaviour A professional conduct panel hearing in June this year heard Bayley began a private message with the officer, believing they were a asked about relationships and said "men know how to treat a lady", before exchanging photographs and talking about "cute stuff", like taking her on a trip to the zoo or the park, and about making out in the back row of the cinema, the panel was told. He later started to send indecent photographs of panel said his "serious and concerning" behaviour represented a failure to act in accordance with his responsibility as a teacher to protect children, and he had referenced his being a teacher in his noted he had no previous convictions and showed remorse, but found the seriousness of his behaviour was relevant to his continuing suitability to was banned from teaching indefinitely with no provision for a review period.A spokesman for St Michael's Church of England High School said: "As soon as the school became aware of the allegation, the member of staff in question was immediately suspended as per the school's disciplinary policy, and was subsequently dismissed. "Our staff undertake regular and comprehensive training on safeguarding and pupils' wellbeing is high priority for all." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
