In a week where Preston has been voted one of the best cities for graduates, Prestonians are bracing for lots of awful weather and Mere Supermarket have confirmed their open date in Preston, there’s been a lot of news to bring to you.

Here are five of the stories you may have missed.

Leyland Festival to return with a bang in 2022 

Leyland Festival is returning with a bang in 2022, promising a four-day bonanza of fun to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Having been forced to cancel the coveted event in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, organisers have announced the festival, which is one of the biggest events in South Ribble, will go ahead next year.

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to mark the date in their diaries now.

On Thursday 2 June 2022, Leyland Festival will begin with the energy and colour of the parade.

This tradition has been part of the event for more than 130 years and is renowned for its costume design, talent and enthusiasm.

Read the full story here.

Prestonians urged to sign the bid to win City of Culture 2025 for Lancashire 

Lancashire 2025 have launched a short film which is encouraging locals to ‘sign the bid’ to win City of Culture 2025 for Lancashire.

Lancashire 2025 #ImagineLancashire from Lancashire 2025 on Vimeo.

Read the full story here.

Fulwood man takes on ultra marathon for Royal Preston Hospital children’s ward

Andrew Woodhead from Fulwood has taken on one of the UK’s tallest order of challenges to raise funds for Lancashire Teaching Hospital Charity’s £1million Children’s Appeal.

38-year-old Andrew hauled himself around the 34 mile Lakeland Trails Ultra Marathon to raise just shy of £500 for the appeal.

Not only was it the furthest he had ever run before, the route took in three mountain passes with a combined ascent of 7,000ft.

Read the full story here.

Preston and South Ribble included in Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Plan

Homes and businesses in Cumbria and Lancashire are to be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion as part of plans published by the government and Environment Agency, with £82.1m invested in more than 100 schemes in 2020/21.

Examples of schemes that will receive investment in the first year of the six-year programme include Preston and South Ribble.

The Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme is a £49m project to improve flood defences for 5,000 homes and businesses.

The Environment Agency has been working alongside local councils for three years to develop the plans, which would include new defence walls and embankments.

Read the full story here.

UCLan receive keys to new £60m Preston student centre and Adelphi Square

The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) new £60 million Student Centre and University Square has been handed over by the key contractors who have delivered the project.

Following more than 100 weeks of major construction work, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Baldwin, was presented with a symbolic key as he was joined for an official photograph by representatives from AECOM, Bowmer + Kirkland, BDP and Hawkins\Brown, all of whom have played key roles  in the design and build of the landmark development.

Now open, the University Square will become the focal point of UCLan’s Preston Campus.

Read the full story here.

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