Andy’s Diaries: An Introduction

Hey all!

In case you don’t know who I am, I’m Andy! I’m ATT’s Journalist and Website Blog Editor. You’ve probably seen me zipping around the Concourse like a lunatic on wheels!

Well, here we are! Not only have we launched Andy’s Diaries as a regular feature in About the Town magazine, but we’re now bringing it to the website, too.

Think of this as your backstage pass to everything happening at ATT Central. Expect behind-the-scenes gossip (the harmless kind, of course!), my thoughts on life and a few things I’ve seen, read or stumbled across. A little bit of everything.

So, grab yourself a cuppa and let’s catch up, because it’s been a busy few weeks!

We’ve barely had time to celebrate the launch of our Autumn edition of About the Town, and already we’re working on Winter. The turnaround is ridiculously short, so there’s no time for putting our feet up! Stories to pull together, plans to finalise and plenty to organise — it’s all go at ATT Central. But that’s what keeps things interesting!

And while the magazine keeps us busy, there’s plenty more happening behind the scenes.

If you know our Founder, CEO, Editor (And Queen of ATT!) Bev, you’ll know she’s never short of an idea or two. And when she sets her mind to something, you can be pretty sure it’s going to happen!

One of our recent highlights has been the #HashtagGirls project, two years in the making. And, as you might expect from the Boss, it was a fantastic success!

But this is about much more than launching another project. Bev was passionate about creating something meaningful for girls aged 10–14, giving them a supportive space to share experiences, build confidence and explore the pressures of social media, online safety and society’s expectations.

Let’s be honest, growing up is complicated enough without trying to keep up with the online world.

Through #HashtagGirls, the girls have shared their stories, learned to navigate social media more safely and discovered they’re not alone in the challenges they face. Most importantly, their voices are being heard.

And they’re not stopping there! They’re now creating a magazine of their own, turning their ideas and experiences into something that gives their voices even more room to shine.

A huge well done to everyone involved. #HashtagGirls is about much more than hashtags. It’s about confidence, connection and girls empowering girls.

As if Bev hasn’t had enough on her plate, she’s also been working on another exciting addition to ATT: our brand-new About the Town app!

We wanted to make it easier for you to keep up with what’s happening at ATT Central and around Skelmersdale, so we’ve brought plenty together in one handy place.

With the app, you can:

• Read About the Town digitally and catch up on the latest stories.
• Check out our coffee bar menu before popping in for a cuppa.
• Book Arts & Crafts sessions and get creative.
• Reserve your Pottery Painting slot and try something a little different.
• Discover local events and find out what’s happening in your community.
• Get to know the team behind the magic at ATT Central.

Whether you’re a regular visitor, a creative soul or simply looking for something to do locally, there’s plenty to explore!

Keep an eye out for our app QR code and give it a go! It’s another way to stay connected with everything we’re doing.

Speaking of getting involved, our recent Halloween Fun Day, held in collaboration with Concourse Shopping Centre, was another huge success!

It was brilliant to welcome people of all ages to ATT, enjoying everything from face painting to arts and crafts. There were smiles all round, and it was lovely to see our community coming together, making memories and having fun.

That’s what ATT is all about. A massive thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the day special. Missed out? Don’t worry — there’s more to come!

Now, with Halloween (almost) behind us and Winter approaching, you can probably guess what’s creeping into our thoughts.

CHRISTMAS!

There, I’ve said it! Are we allowed to mention it yet? I’m never quite sure when the official countdown should begin, but let’s be honest, it always sneaks up on us!

We’re not revealing anything just yet, but plans will soon get underway as we think about making the festive season special. We’ve got ideas to explore, things to organise and possibly a few surprises up our sleeves. Watch this space!

You’ll hear all about it here on the website, through our new app or over on Facebook. We’ll keep you in the loop!

And that’s a little look at life behind the scenes at ATT Central. Between magazine deadlines, exciting projects, new developments and community events, there’s certainly never a dull moment. It can be busy, sometimes chaotic, but seeing everything come together makes it worthwhile.

That’s your lot for now, but don’t get too comfortable — there’s plenty more to come from ATT Central, and I’ll be back with more soon!

Before I go, we’d love to hear from you. Have you checked out our new app? Did you join us for Halloween? And what would you like to see happening at ATT over the coming months?

Drop us a comment, get in touch or have a chat next time you’re passing. We always love hearing from you!

Until next time, take care, stay safe and keep an eye on what we’re up to. There’s plenty more to come! Andy