Rovers' Community Trust has once again been running its successful summer Soccer Schools for the past five weeks.

Over 450 boys and girls, aged between 5-16, from all over Lancashire, and as far afield as Hong Kong, Bradford and London, have been put through their paces at the club's Indoor Centre.

The participants have been learning all the latest football skills and drills, playing tournaments and hearing about the health, fitness and diets needed to become better players. 

At the end of week, everyone who attended was rewarded with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Ewood Park, learning about the history of the club, visiting the players' changing rooms and finding out how the media report on matches.

Claire Newton, Active Communities Officer at the Trust, said: "It's fantastic that more young people are becoming more physically active over the holiday period. 

"The summer camps are a perfect way for young people to develop existing skills, learn new skills and making friends at the same time."

The Mayor of Blackburn invited 24 of her peers for a special visit to Ewood Park, as part of the annual civic event ‘Mayor At Home'.

The distinguished group was welcomed to the Community Trust by Head of Strategy & Planning Duncan Kinloch, before being given a tour of the stadium.

Councillor Sheila Williams organised the trip as part of a carousel of activities in the town, designed to entertain and enlighten other local mayors from across Lancashire.

Duncan Kinloch said: "I was delighted that they expressed so much interest in Blackburn Rovers and the work of at the Community Trust.

"I think they were taken aback by the tremendous facilities we have here in the Darwen End and the number of people from the local community and beyond who benefit from our wide-ranging provision.

"We are extremely proud of the work we do and it was a genuine privilege for us to be given an opportunity to showcase it to the region's mayors."

Rovers' Community Trust is pleased to confirm that they have been granted funding from the Football Foundation, part matched by the South West Neighbourhood Board, to continue the popular Extra Time (Active 8) project.

The fully inclusive programme, which aims to specifically target residents aged 60 and over from the south-west area of Blackburn with Darwen, comprises a menu of activities including dance, tai chi, Wii sports and walking. 

Weekly activity includes Line Dancing which delivered from 10am-11am on Mondays, Jack's Walkers (walking one mile around the pitch) 10am-11am on Tuesdays and our popular Tea Dance which is held from 1.30pm-3.30pm on Thursdays.

As well as offering enjoyable exercise, sessions also offer attendances a chance to meet with others, thereby contributing to emotional health and wellbeing. Refreshments are provided at each session and everyone is encouraged to make time for a chat and a brew.

Project officer Jamie Hopwood said: "The project addresses several important issues for older people; physical health, emotional wellbeing and social isolation.

"We provide physical activity sessions to improve muscle strength, balance and mobility, as well as offering social networking opportunities at session end.

There's a really friendly, supportive atmosphere and anyone interested on coming along to be part of the team will certainly be made to feel very welcome"

For further information, please contact Jamie Hopwood on 01254 296129 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Blackburn Rovers' close links with the local community made it the perfect venue for the highly acclaimed Anne Frank: A History for Today exhibition.

The educational exhibition, which was staged in the Strikers Lounge at Ewood Park, forms part of the Anne Frank Trust's TAKE A STAND programme of events, planned for Lancashire throughout 2010.

The programme aims to build long-lasting engagement, volunteering and promote positive social action in young people in order to help foster a stronger sense of cohesion within their community.

Students visiting the exhibition gain a greater understanding of Anne Frank's life, the history of the Holocaust and contemporary issues such as racism and human rights.

Adam Kirkby, the Anne Frank Trust's North West co-ordinator said "Ewood Park was an ideal venue for our work. The feedback from school visits was excellent and there was a good level of interest from the public.

 "The Community Trust staff were very helpful and I value their contribution in helping to make the programme a success."