ST LEONARD'S Primary School children have had a very busy week. Sports Minister, the Rt Hon Richard Caborn visited the pupils and staff and saw the measures initiated by the headteacher, Mrs Julie Bradley, to help the children achieve their potential learning capabilities.

One of these is a five-minute aerobic session at the start of the day which helps the children to wake up. Mrs Bradley explained to the Mr Caborn that sport has a high priority in the school.

The school's week carried on with an eight-a-side Cricket tournament at Lowerhouse Cricket Club. Chestnut Class attended a 'Chemistry at Work' demonstration at Clayton-le-Moors, as part of their science curriculum which they found to be interesting and informative.

Beech Class had a trip to Turton Tower to learn how the Tudors lived and Sycamore Class have had a visit to Camelot.

This weekend the pupils will be cheering their headteacher as she abseils with the vicar, Mar Jones, down St Leonard's tower to raise money for the church restoration. Children, don't do what she does!

PADIHAM Green school children went to court this week as part of their personal, social and health education. They visited Burnley's Magistrates' Court, met a magistrate and enjoyed role play as defendants and prosecutors.

THE annual Procession of Witness took place in Padiham last Sunday. Representatives from Padiham and Hapton churches were joined by the Mayor of Padiham, Coun Bob Clark and the Mayoress, Mrs Hazel Rushton. The procession wound up Burnley Road and finished at St Leonard's.

EMILY, Imogen and George Walters, all pupils of Gawthorpe High School, must be part of one of the most athletic families in the area.

They run marathons and half marathons, recently they have all won bronze, silver and gold medals and attracted so much success that local firm Ultrafinishing have sponsored them.

AN LCC funded grant of £2,000 has been awarded to Hapton's Environment Group which together with a £500 donation will be used to upgrade the sports pavilion. The clerk to the council, Jo Garrigan, is to meet with Padiham Life's Paula Smith to look at ways of attracting further funding.

STEVEN Fox, of Fox Developments, Blackpool, attended the Parish Council meeting to talk about the site he is developing on Manchester Road next to St Margaret's Church.

He hopes to build a small estate of 67 houses in a mixture of styles. He is angry that the expensive equipment he has on the site has been vandalised in spite of the fact that the site is surrounded by security fencing. This vandalism has stopped work on the site for two days.

Mr Fox intended to donate money towards improving facilities in the village but warns that this intended donation may be swallowed up in repairs to his plant equipment.

Parish councillors are annoyed that neither they nor the residents who will be affected by Mr Fox's development have received planning office. This is in spite of the work being well underway on the sit

HAPTON CE/Methodist School fair opened to crowds on Saturday morning. The glorious weather allowed for outdoor as well as indoor activities.

PC Tony Himycz attended and brought a squad car which the children had great pleasure playing in.

It is not yet known how much was made by the PTA but headteacher Sue Cornell said she was delighted with the attendance.