As the summer months draw to a close, and with the end of the school holidays fast approaching, Preston residents this week learned that the fun continues in September with the return of the popular Lancashire Encounter festival as organisers revealed the full line-up for Preston city centre.

Wednesday, two councils showed solidarity with Ukraine by flying flags from two buildings as the nation marked its 30th year of independence from the Soviet Union.

Preston was reminded of its position as a welcoming city to those in desperate need of help.

Here are five other stories you may have missed from Preston this week.

In pictures: Preston City Wrestling thrills spectators at Flag Market 

A city wrestling group thrilled spectators in the city centre last weekend with a colourful display of strength and aerial acrobatics.

On Saturday, 20 August, Preston City Wrestling descended on Flag Market, with a ring set up in the open air and wrestling fans from across the city arriving in droves to watch the action.

The event saw a host of flamboyant characters grapple with each other, much to the delight of locals, with Preston Photographic Society’s Paul Yates snapping shots during the day.

Read the full story here

Preston’s Freemasons give over 40,00 teddy bears to children in A&E

Freemasons founded the charity Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) 21 years ago and the Preston & Chorley Group of TLC 11 years ago.

Preston and Chorley Freemasons quickly set to work with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust, which manages Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, and teddy bears were given to the A&E departments for admitted children.

In 11 years, TLC has donated 40,000 teddy bears in Preston and Chorley.

Read the full story here

First Youth Mayor of Longridge elected

The Youth Mayor Inauguration took place in May, and the first Youth Mayor of Longridge Town was announced.

16-year-old Josh Kirby has finished his final year at St Cecilia’s Roman Catholic High School in Longridge and has joined the new Longridge Youth Town Council as Youth Mayor.

The event occurred at the Longridge Town Councils Office in the Old Station Building.

Read the full story here

Preston marketing agency plant 1,000 trees this year

A digital marketing agency has partnered with an organisation and planted 1,000 trees to celebrate new business wins.

Soap Media has joined One Tree Planted after setting a goal to reduce its carbon footprint.

Soap Media will plant 100 trees for each new client in places where deforestation is rife. This year, the company have gained ten new clients and planted 1,000 trees.

Read the full story here

In pictures: Preston Community Hub hosts annual Summer Fair fundraiser 

A Preston community group welcomed residents to a summer fair last weekend to help raise funds for vital renovation work on its local centre.

On Sunday, 21 August, Preston Community Hub (PCH) hosted its inaugural Annual Charity Summer Fair on Samuel Street to encourage the community ‘to get together and celebrate’.

PCH is raising funds for ‘costly’ remedial works, including a roof repair project and other refurbishments.

Read the full story here

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