Christmas - Champion Newspapers

8 • Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com WK The Champion • Wednesday 28 November 2012
Chapel Gallery
Objects of Desire 2012
24 Nov 2012 - 12 Jan 2013
Drawing visitors from across
the UK, this exhibition
includes some of the best
designer/makers working
today. (For full list of exhibitors
please visit our website).
Caroline Pratt: Owls Print.
Colette Bain: Snow Rabbit.
Sarah Wilkie: Ring.
Emily Thatcher: Earrings.
Chapel Gallery
Christmas Event
Fri 30 Nov, 12noon-8pm
Sat 1 Dec, 10am-4.30pm
A magical event for all
the family! Over 35
craft stands, live music,
family friendly activities
plus mulled wine and a
festive atmosphere!
Chapel Gallery, St. Helen’s Road,
Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QR
01695 571328
chapel.gallery@westlancs.gov.uk
www.chapelgallery.org.uk
1114501
Parish council impresses
at top awards ceremony
Report by Henry James
DOWNHOLLAND Parish
Council has received the
Quality Parish Council
award in a ceremony at
County Hall in Preston.
The presentation was
made on Saturday,
November 10 by Gordon
Johnson who is chairman of
the accreditation panel of
the National Association of
local councils.
Mr Johnson commented
that the submission by
Downholland Parish
Council had been
particularly impressive and
he was delighted to be able
to present the award.
Owen Connolly, chairman
of the Parish Council,
commented: “I am proud
and delighted that all the
hard work of our clerk and
my fellow councillors, past
and present, has been
acknowledged in this
prestigious award.
“I look forward to
Downholland Parish
Council continuing to serve
the local community of
Haskayne and
Downholland to the best of
all our abilities.”
In order to achieve Quality
Status, parish and town
councils must demonstrate
that they have reached the
Cllr Norman Jenkinson, Cllr Owen Connolly, Mr Gordon
Johnson (National Association of Local Councils), Cllr
Andrew Johnson and Cllr Dianne Cull. Code NA
standard required by
passing several tests.
These are: having an
electoral mandate; the
clerk must be qualified;
council meetings must be
conducted to agreed
standards and there must
be evidence of
communication and
community engagement.
The council must also
produce an annual report;
accounts must be properly
prepared and subject to
strict external auditing;
there must be adoption of
and observance of an
agreed code of conduct by
all councillors.
Finally the council must
promote local democracy
and citizenship and
councillors and the clerk
must be willing and able to
undertake relevant
training. At present four of
the 19 parish councils in
West Lancashire have
achieved Quality Status.
1114243