The 4th annual Leyland Health Mela will take place on Saturday, 12th September, between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm at Academy@Worden, Westfield Drive, Leyland, PR25 1QX. Admission and parking are free.

In its new venue this year’s Health Mela promises to be bigger and better than ever. By securing a partnership with a local secondary school the event benefits not only from the ideas and enthusiasm of the students who have played a significant role in its planning, but also from its location right in the heart of an important local community.

The event starts with a breakfast meeting for invited guests at 10.00 am, on the theme, ‘Community priorities – Improving vision, reducing heart disease’ and will be open to the public between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm. The opening ceremony at 11.00 am will be performed by Chief Guest, Professor Carrie MacEwen, President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists accompanied by her husband Stuart Pringle, Professor of Cardiac Medicine at the University of Dundee.

Looking forward to the day, Chair of the organising committee Professor Romesh Gupta, O.B.E. said ‘We are delighted to hold the 2015 Health Mela at Worden Academy. The event provides a golden opportunity to introduce key ideas about the importance of community health and wellbeing into the minds of the younger generation and gives them the chance, along with friends, to check out their own health. Equally important, it’s an occasion for them to develop and share their own ideas about the community they would hope to see as adults.’

The Leyland Health Mela, organised by the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing in collaboration with Academy@Worden and the Rotary Club of Leyland, is a day long, family focused event packed with information, entertainment, refreshment and health related activities. There is something for everyone; you can get advice and information from the stalls provided by NHS organisations and voluntary bodies, watch the dance performances, enjoy a taster session of Reiki, enter one of the competitions or bounce on the castle! There will be an emphasis on healthy eating with a chance to practise cooking skills. To make the most of your visit you can choose to have a comprehensive series of health checks including sight, hearing, BMI, cholesterol, blood sugar etc., followed by a helpful advice session from health professionals. Younger members of the family can take the opportunity to check out a trusty companion at the ‘Teddy Bears’ Clinic!

Summing up the opportunities on offer at the Mela, Worden Academy Headteacher Chris Catherall said ‘I would like to encourage everyone in Leyland and surrounding areas to come along on the 12th September. The day will be fun as well as informative and the help and advice available, all under one roof, will be second to none. Along with all the sporting activities, the free health checks, of all kinds and for all ages, the day should be fantastic. Everyone wants a long and healthy life and that’s what this day is all about. A festival of health and well-being that could change people’s lives for the better. I hope to see you all at this great event.’

The National Forum for Health and Wellbeing is pleased to acknowledge the support of the Rotary Club of Leyland and Rotary District 1190 Lancashire and Cumbria in the organisation of this event. Underlining this support District Governor Mr Arthur Jones said ‘I am delighted to support this Health Mela co- organized by the Rotary Club of Leyland. Rotary is a worldwide Service organization with 1.3 million members all of whom follow the motto of ‘Service Above Self’. This means that Rotarians give their service willingly and unconditionally to help communities wherever they might be as a Gift to all who may benefit. . . . . . in this case for example by helping organize a Health Mela which is designed to bring awareness to communities and provide an access point for members of the public to learn more about health and wellbeing. So please come along and have your blood pressure checked and take other simple health checks and learn about healthy living from the stall holders who provide help and advice on many different aspects of health and wellbeing.’