Great Harwood Farmers Market - 5th May 2013

The next Great Harwood Farmers Market will take place on Sunday 5th May and a poster with further details has been produced by the Town Centre Manager. The event is sponsored by Great Harwood company Gaskell Motor Bodies and starts at 8.00am.

Workers Memorial Day 2013

April 29th is Workers Memorial Day across the world, a day to remember all those people who have lost their lives in the line of work. It is also a day to remember all those who have no protection from corporate greed and are exploited because of a lack of regulation from their governments.

A short ceremony was conducted at the Moorfield Colliery Memorial in Altham by Rev John Tranter to commemorate the day, as well as to remember all 68 men and children who died in the worst mining disaster the northwest has ever known on 7th November 1883. The workers in the mine ranged from 46 down to just 10 years old.

The service was attended by residents from across the borough as well as Cllr Rennie Pinder, Chair of Altham Parish Council. Hyndburn Borough Council was represented by Cllr Miles Parkinson, Cllr Colette McCormack, Cllr Bill Pinder, Cllr Ken Moss and Mayor John Broadley as well as MP Graham Jones.

A buffet lunch was laid on at The Walton Arms in Altham shortly after the ceremony ended by landlord Gary Taylor.

A full set of photos can be viewed on The Hyndburn Labour Group Facebook page.

Hyndburn Leisure Centre Open Day - 28th April 2013

Ever wondered exactly what we have available at Hyndburn Leisure Centre? Then visit our open day and take part in a range of activities including pool inflatables, lazer maze, martial arts, body zorbs, squash, table tennis and a whole lot more. There are activities available for all the family, and some exclusive offers which can only be booked on the day! To mark this occasion, we will have a special guest appearance from a London 2012 athlete, so don’t miss out.

If you haven’t had chance yet, take a look at our new and upgraded facilities including the gym, feelgood factory, changing rooms, squash courts and sauna/steam room. While you’re here, have a bite to eat in the new cafe!

A link to the Hyndburn Leisure information page can be found here:

Hyndburn Leisure Open Day - 28th April 2013

Cllr Miles Parkinson - Rishton & Clayton-le-Moors

Incumbent Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors County Councillor Miles Parkinson is currently out campaigning to retain his seat in the forthcoming local election on May 2nd 2013. Cllr Parkinson was first elected as County Council representative in 2009 in addition to his duty as ward Councillor for Altham and has since become Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council. He works closely with the Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham Councillors in their ward work and has been of invaluable help on larger issues. MP Graham Jones has thrown his support behind Miles and the Hyndburn Labour group and has been out canvassing on their behalf on a regular basis.

For further news reports of Miles' work please visit the Rishton First blogspot here:

Rishton First

Cllr Bernard Dawson - Accrington South

Cllr Bernard Dawson has been out campaigning in Baxenden, Peel and Barnfield to contest the forthcoming county seat of Accrington South (pictured here with Barnfield Councillor June Harrison). Contact details for Bernard can be found in the Your Councillors tab of this blog.

Cllr Clare Pritchard - Accrington North

Campaigning continues in Milnshaw and the surrounding area for Cllr Clare Pritchard, who is standing as Labour County candidate for Accrington North in the forthcoming election on May 2nd. The campaign team (including fellow Milnshaw Councillor Paul Cox, pictured above) have been out canvassing for several months and are now knocking on the doors of people who have not already been seen.

Cllr Pritchard can be contacted using the details in the Your Councillors tab on the homepage of this blog.

Former Councillor Stan Horne passes away

Former Rishton councillor Stan Horne has passed away. Stan was an elected representative of the Conservative party until 2011. The Hyndburn Labour group would like to pass on their condolences to his friends and family.

The funeral service is to be held at 11.40 am on Friday, 26th April 2013 at Accrington Crematorium.  If you require further details please contact Prestons Funeral Services Ltd on telephone number (01254) 882422

Cllr Munsif Dad - Accrington West

Canvassing continues apace in all wards for the County Council elections on May 2nd and every household will have received some Labour literature and a knock at the door by now. The Labour team are now on the second canvass to try and speak to people who were missed first time around.

Cllr Munsif Dad is standing in Accrington West and has been out with his team (including Cllrs Ayub and Khan, pictured above) and can be contacted using the Your Councillor tab on the homepage of this blog.

Great Harwood Community Cleanup a success!

Hyndburn Borough Council along with Lancashire Police undertook a clean up of the Hambledon View Area of Great Harwood during March 2013. The day had been organised by Netherton Ward Councillor Noordad Aziz and from the Police PC Dave Render and PCSO Helena Saillie.

The clean up had been possible after a the Great Harwood Area Council approved a grant of £250. This funding was used to provide the Skips as well as well cleaning equipment

Even though it was a cold and wet morning, the response was fantastic with over 40 residents participating. A number of the resident went round the area litter picking in addition to get rid of the items that would previously been disposed off at the Great Harwood Recycling Centre

It was a success and The Area council will look at funding other communty clean up in different areas of the town

In the mean time, HBC offer free disposal of bulky waste by contacting them 01254 388111.

Speed sign problems

The local police force have informed the Labour Councillors that a number of motorists are breaking the law and avoiding fines because speed notification signs are pointing the wrong way at the time of the offence.

Cllr Tim O'Kane has taken photos of the problem in Clayton-le-Moors and said, "You can see from this photo how someone could easily get on the wall and turn the sign round. In this case I am contacting the Highways department to get the sign put the right way round but higher up the lamppost to stop it happening again."

Older People's Champion Network Northwest

Councillors from across the North West who are championing the needs of older people, met on 15th April 2013 at North Lancs Training Group in Accrington to highlight and spread good practice.

The Older Peoples Champions Network North West of England is a long-standing organisation that helps Local Authorities improve their focus on the needs of older people. There are almost 30 Local Authorities from across the North West region involved in this major network.

Cllr Colette McCormack, Older Peoples Champion for Hyndburn Council, is an active member of the Champions Network.  Cllr McCormack, working with North Lancs Training Group has opened up the opportunity for the network to look at some of the barriers and opportunities in helping over 50s retrain for employment.

The Department of Health has recognised in a recent report the importance of employment in the health and well-being of our ageing population and the contribution they make to the national and local economy.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Leader Hyndburn Borough Council, said; “Within my lifetime it is anticipated that over half of our population will be over 50 and there will be an expectation that as we live longer we will have to work longer. It’s vital that we consider the needs of older people now in the way we develop services for the future. The Older Peoples Champions Network North West of England will play a big part to make sure we develop services suitable for an ageing population. I am very pleased to be able to welcome the network to Hyndburn and I thank North Lancs Training Group for hosting this important event.”

Hyndburn Labour County Council Candidates 2013

Hyndburn Labour Party will be standing a candidate in each of the 6 County Council Divisions in Hyndburn.

Labour County Councillor for Rishton and Clayton Le Moors, Miles Parkinson commented, "Over the past 4 years the people of Hyndburn have been let down by the Conservatives at County Hall. We have seen recycling centres closed, care charges introduced for young people with disabilities and massive increases in charges for day care centres. From Baxenden to Oswaldtwistle, highways to bus routes, cuts have resulted in a reduced service for Hyndburn's residents".

Miles added: "Nationally, it is now becoming clear that austerity is hurting but it isn't working. Borrowing continues to increase and yet the people of Hyndburn are continuing to see a squeeze on their household budgets and a reduction of the services they rely on. Labour at County Hall will freeze council tax, invest in the services that people want and need, and we will be people's voice in tough times".

Labour Candidates are:

Accrington South - Bernard Dawson

Oswaldtwistle - Colette McCormack

Great Harwood - Gareth Molineux

Accrington North - Clare Pritchard

Accrington West - Munsif Dad

Rishton and Clayton-Le-Moors - Miles Parkinson

Canvassing in all wards has been taking place for several months now and all households will receive a knock at the door and candidate literature before polling day on Thursday 2nd May. If you wish to speak to any of the Labour candidates ahead of the election then please use the contact details under the Your Councillors tab on the homepage of this blog.

Great Harwood Farmers' Market gaining momentum

Great Harwood Farmers' Market is really starting to take off and Sunday's event was the best attended so far. The photo above was taken in the early morning showing log cabins provided by Hyndburn Borough Council. There is just a £10 charge per stall whether a trader takes a log cabin or brings their own tables.

The market is something positive which is growing in popularity and will help with future investment with Pennine Reach on the square and the Towngate Clock Heritage Bid. HBC are aiming for Towngate to become a real focal point again and restore it to its full glory.

The next Farmers' Market is on Sunday 5th May and anyone wishing to set up a stall can contact the Town Centre Manager on 01254 380980.