Preston Council’s Unity FM Neighbourhood Management Office on New Hall Lane closed its doors in April this year, following central government spending cuts. This has left Fishwick and St Matthew’s residents, businesses and local organisations without an important link and means of communicating with the council regarding local issues and developments.

To fill the gap left by this closure, local residents have come together and have formed a new group called Friends of Fishwick and St Matthew’s (FOFS).

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FOFS aims include highlighting problems and assets and, by contacting the relevant agencies, trying to improve the neighbourhood’s image and local facilities.

However, FOFS is not all about highlighting problems! We would like communities and individuals from Fishwick and St Matthew’s to come together and to support one another.

To this end, we hope in future to be able to organise a range of events and activities which will benefit our two neighbourhoods and their residents.

The recent St Matthew’s Fun Day was a big success with the proceeds being donated to local charities. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed and participated to St Matthew’s Community Fun Day.

A future trip to the recently opened Brockholes Nature Reserve in the area is currently being planned (yes, FOFS will venture outside the geographical boundaries of Fishwick and St Matthew’s!).

For the near future, we are also looking at available grants. One of the sites suggested to be in need of improvement is the Ribbleton Park. If we will be successful in accessing grant funding, we would like to revive and put back in use one of the park’s community facilities such as the community garden.

We already have a few ideas of our own and a few residents have kindly suggested other areas in need of improvement, activities and events they would like to see taking place. So far we have had a lot of support from everyone who has attended our meetings. We are very grateful indeed for everybody’s time and patience!

The Friends of Fishwick and St Matthew’s are now seeking to attract new members from the wider community. We value every resident’s views and involvement can be from as little as attending meetings to as much as helping to organise an event or undertaking admin work.

You chose how you would like to be involved. Membership is free and FOFS want as many interested local people, groups and businesses to get involved and have a say in the area’s future events, activities and developments.

If you are interested to join, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at fofspreston@gmail.com or by post at FOFS, c/o 81 New Hall Lane, Preston, PR1 5NY