Three people charged for unsightly rubbish at properties

Three local people faced court recently after failing to remove refuse from their properties.

John Lomax of Maudsley Street Accrington was convicted in his absence by Blackburn Magistrates of failing to comply with an Abatement notice contrary to s 80 (4) Environmental Protection Act 1990, which required him to remove refuse from the property at Maudsley St. Mr Lomax was ordered to pay £270 in fines and clean-up costs.

In a similar case Roy Silva, of Whalley Road Accrington, was also convicted in his absence by Blackburn Magistrates of failing to comply with an abatement notice that required him to remove an accumulation of waste from his residential premises contrary to s 80 (4) Environmental Protection Act 1990. Mr Silva was ordered to pay £520 in fines and clean-up costs.

Magistrates also convicted Danielle Nolan of Manor Street Accrington in her absence of failing to comply with a similar abatement notice requiring her to clear refuse from her property. Ms Nolan was fined £555 in fines and clean-up costs.

Cllr Clare Pritchard, Deputy Leader said; “These three cases again demonstrate our proactive approach to dealing with people who refuse to clean up their rubbish. We won’t tolerate it; we’ll investigate and where appropriate take people to court where they fail to clean up their rubbish.

Peppa Pig lights up Accrington

Accrington drew its biggest crowd in years when more than 5,000 people flocked to see the Christmas lights - and the buzz is set to continue as real reindeer hit town this Saturday.

Hyndburn Council said around 5,200 people gathered on Broadway and surrounding streets to watch kids’ favourite Peppa Pig switch on the lights with a host of other performers and entertainers.

This year’s light switch on event was moved back to its traditional Thursday evening slot after Hyndburn Council listened to retailers’ feedback from last year’s Saturday event.

Cllr Clare Pritchard said: “The event attracted a huge number of families and a big thank you goes out to everyone who helped to make it such a success - from sponsors, performers, organisers, street cleansers, marshals and police cadets. It was a great day for Accrington and there’s plenty more to come – here’s to a popular, safe and prosperous month for the town.”

Zain Kiyani, manager of Accrington Arndale Centre, said: “It was a huge crowd and footfall in the Arndale was well up on last year. By 6pm people were queuing in the street for the new StrEAT food court and there was absolutely no trouble which was fantastic.”

This Saturday will see a parade of real reindeer lead Santa through Broadway before arriving at his winter wonderland grotto in Accrington Market Hall.

Other festive events include township light switch ons on selected dates, a food and craft fair this Saturday and Accrington’s first ever Christmas markets, which are now open every Thursday and Saturday throughout December in front of the Market Hall.

The reindeer will be appearing on Broadway from 10am until 1pm this Saturday, 7 December. Santa’s Grotto will then open every Saturday through December plus Monday 23 December and on Christmas Eve.

For regular information about Accrington’s Christmas events and entertainment schedule, follow @AccringtonShops on Twitter.

A YouTube clip filmed by 4 year old Zak can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nSkBD6Q560

HBC and Police crack down on taxis plying for trade

Accrington Neighbourhood Policing Team recently worked with Hyndburn Borough Council to tackle the problem of private hire vehicles breaching ‘taxi’ regulations and driving vehicles unfit to be on the road.

Hyndburn Borough Council received a number of complaints from local Hackney carriage operators that private hire vehicle drivers were illegally touting for business i.e. plying for hire, at the side of the road or picking up fares when flagged down by members of the public. The Council met with local police to organise an operation to deal with the issue.

This operation was carried out on Friday 15th November, with Council Officers and Special Constables, resulting in a number of private hire drivers being reported for breaching ‘taxi’ regulations. Those drivers were also reported for driving without valid insurance.

PC Graham Hartley, the Community Beat Manager for Accrington Town Centre, said; “The message is clear; unless you have pre-booked the journey or are taking a taxi from a designated taxi rank, do not get in a mini-cab at the side of the road or try to flag one down. The taxi will not be insured, and so, if you do get into an accident, you won’t be able to claim."

Cllr Chris Fisher, chair of hackney and private hire licensing, said "I'm really proud of my licensing team, the police and not least the actors who took part. I observed the operation and everything went perfectly and was hugely successful. At this time we can't go into details because there are prosecutions pending, more will be released in due course.

The shock and awe operations we currently plan and undertake are zero tolerance and hard hitting to rogue private hire drivers to stamp out this illegal and dangerous practice. There is no doubt operators and drivers now know we mean business. Be assured public safety will always be our number one priority. We have many more operations like this planned in the very near future so rogue taxi drivers beware."

HBC Spending Map

A map of how Council funds are spent has been drawn up by the controlling Labour group at HBC. The map has been designed to show how much money each department currently has in comparison with how things were in 2010 and how Government spending cuts have impacted on the local authority.

The map shows that overall revenue spending (on services rather than installing new facilities) has fallen by nearly 25% due to money that has been withdrawn by central Government and that figure is set to rise in the next few years, with some analysts predicting that by 2016 cuts will have reached 50% in Hyndburn alone.

Some individual departments have faced cuts of up to 37% or been completely restructured in order to protect front line services. The map can be downloaded in PDF form on the Hyndburn Labour Group and Rishton First Facebook pages.

Accrington: Landlord found guilty

A landlord has been found guilty of failing to comply with a notice served on him by Hyndburn Council.

Kevin Knowles of Stockton Heath, Warrington was convicted by Blackburn Magistrates for an offence under the Building Act 1984.

This notice had required Mr Knowles to improve the dilapidated condition of a property at Exchange Street in Accrington. Despite reminders, Mr Knowles failed to carry out the works. In a letter to the court Mr Knowles said that he had a portfolio of 25 rental properties which he entrusted to an asset management company. Mr Knowles has since taken steps to comply with the Notice.

Mr Knowles was fined £500 plus £50 victim surcharge and was ordered to pay £278 to the Council in costs.

Portfolio holder Clare Pritchard said “The Council takes a tough line on this. We will always work with the owner to allow them time to bring their properties into a state of repair, but where this doesn’t happen, we will take matters further to get the repairs done”.

Recycle all the way!

At this time of year we all generate extra waste with all the Christmas cards, wrapping paper, boxes and bottles and the like.

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said; Please recycle as much as you can over the festive season and remember that our improved recycling service means that you can now recycle all your waxed cartons and mixed plastics, batteries and textiles. Also to help you manage your extra waste, our Waste and Recycling teams will remove a further two sacks of non-recyclable waste on your first collection day of the New Year.

Looking to the New Year, don’t forget we’ll recycle your real tree for you and turn it into wood chippings, you don’t need to book a collection, just place your real tree with your recycling containers on your first recycling collection from 6th January.

For a full guide to collections to Waste & Recycling collections over the festive season, see our website www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Baxenden: Festive Art Event on Sunday 15th December

Enjoy a Free festive day out at the Haworth Art Gallery this Sunday, 15th December.

At 12.30pm members of the Haworth Artist Network will be taking part in an Artist Challenge – where they will have 3 hours to paint, draw or engage in photography, all over the gallery – come along and watch them as they create their masterpieces – maybe even have a go yourself!

At 2pm to 3.30pm there will be a family workshop led by Susan Watson to create a variety of Christmas decorations – no need to book, just drop-in!

From 12 noon to 4pm you can browse in our beautiful shop for that last-minute Christmas shopping – we have a new range of hand-turned wooden items and vintage glass candles that make unique gifts.

We look forward to seeing you!

Have your say on Accrington Town Centre

Residents and visitors to the Accrington over Christmas will have the chance to have their say about the town centre’s future, as a consultation about its exciting Townscape Heritage Initiative takes place over the festive season.

The Townscape Heritage Initiative is set to transform the historic retail and commercial gateway into the town centre, along Blackburn Road, culminating in a public realm scheme outside Accrington Town Hall and Market Hall to commemorate the Accrington Pals and provide an opportunity chance for local people to learn more about historical buildings.

The Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is a grant-giving scheme run by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help repair and regenerate historic towns across the UK. In October 2012 the Council submitted a first round application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for partnership funding for the Accrington Town Centre and PALS Centenary Townscape Heritage Initiative. The first round submission was accepted and passed, with funding of £1.5 million provisionally awarded to the initiative, subject to a second round HLF application.

The project is being managed by Hyndburn Council who are working closely with the heritage team at PlaceFirst Ltd, an experienced consultancy based in Manchester.

The THI will offer grants to building owners in the THI boundary to help fund, the reinstatement of lost architectural and historic features (like period shop fronts and windows) and structural and external repairs.
Cllr Miles Parkinson, Council Leader, urged people to have their say saying; “These are exciting times for the town centre and residents and visitors will have lots of chances over the Christmas festivities to fill out a questionnaire and air their views on any improvements to the area, with the PlaceFirst team attending some of the events, so please make sure you make your views known to shape the future of this area.”

People can also visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/accringtonTHI to fill out a copy of the survey and hard copies are also available at Scaitcliffe House reception.

Plans to consult with local businesses and stakeholders are also underway and more details will be posted on the Councils website.

Contact Victoria Turner (PlaceFirst) on victoria.turner@placefirst.co.uk with any comments, or Helen McCue Melling (Regeneration & Property Manager) on 01254 388111 or Helen.McCue-Melling@hyndburnbc.gov.uk

Get festive in Accrington!

Accrington’s Christmas markets are now in full swing and open every Thursday and Saturday throughout December in front of the Market Hall. Come along and support your local traders who are offering a whole host of festive fayre and gift ideas including special Accrington Pals commemorative ale. The Christmas market will also be running on Monday 23rd December for any last-minute shoppers.

Santa’s also in his winter wonderland grotto in Accrington Market Hall every Saturday through December plus Monday 23rd December and on Christmas Eve, so bring the kids to see him and his elves for this traditional Christmas treat.

There’s also late night shopping on Thursdays and Sunday to help you fit your shopping schedule around the hectic run-up to Christmas.

Cllr Clare Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Town Centres said; “The lights are on now across the borough and the markets, Santa’s grotto and late night shopping are in full swing, so please come along to Accrington town centre to support your local traders and bag a festive bargain.”

For regular information about Accrington’s Christmas events and entertainment schedule, follow @AccringtonShops on Twitter and visit www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Community Food Growers get Active in Church Ward

Community food growers in Church got together last week to put former flower towers to a more practical use. In conjunction with Hyndburn Prospects local residents planted herbs in the pots along Church Street, Church. The project is part of a scheme to help promote healthily living in this area. Local Church Councillor, Joan Smith, said "the people of Church have been looking for a while to do a little gardening that was manageable and productive, they also wished to produce an edible garden that was open to all residents. 

Labour Councillor Joan Smith worked to organise several  groups to achieve this food growing project. After a well attended public meeting residents identified this area for possible food growing. 

Ian Hodgson and Julie Livesy from Prospects joined residents to transform the pots durning a Saturday morning blitz in early December. All Church residents are urged to use this community assets with only a little maintenance asked for in return. Cllr Smith added "do a little or do a bit but please feel free to help or just have a look, if you think there are other areas for a community edible garden please get in touch"

Dyke Nook Gardens Christmas Light switch on

4th of December was the night that Church & Milnshaw completed its Christmas lights switch on's. Dyke Nook Gardens was the location for the final event. The light switch on was organised by Laneside residents association and local ward Councillor Paul Cox. Stephen Lowe, of BBC Radio Lancashire, along with two Accrington Stanley players joined together to switch the lights on in the Gardens. Before the event started the Tree was kindly blessed by local minister Farther Lawarance. 

Stephen Lowe worked on the Gardens with both Cllr Cox and Laneside Residents Association during the summer months after Dyke Nook won a competition on Local Radio in conjunction with The Royal Horticultural Society.  The Gardens were completely regenerated and transformed thanks to the community's hard work. Stephen said "it's great to see how the gardens have now become established and how the local residents have come together to celebrate this switch on, absolutely fantastic" 

Cllr Cox added "it's is great to see almost a hundred people here tonight, a big thank you goes to Laneside Residents association for providing refreshments and helping organising this event". Musical accompaniment was also provided by St Mary Magdalene's  primary school choir, led by Miss Morgen, who sang several Christmas carols to complete a fantastic evening.

Church Ward Christmas lights Switch on

The 3rd of December saw both sets of Christmas lights  switched on in Church Ward Accrington. The Mayor, Cllr Judith Addison, was present to switch on  the lights on at the two locations. The first was Manor gardens at 6pm filled by the second at Bank Street at 7pm. 

Refreshments, supplied by Church Kirk residents, were available at Bank Street community centre during both switch on's. 

Local Ward Councillor, Joan Smith said "this is yet again a fantastic turn out to witness the second year we in Church have had two light switch on's, the residents should be proud. I'm especially delighted at the large turn out for this event. It really shows how community spirt in Church is thriving"  

The next scheduled switch on will be Dyke Nook Gardens on the 4th of December at 6.30pm

Crowds flock to Great Harwood switch on

Around eight hundred people flocked to the switch on of Great Harwood’s Christmas lights last Friday.

People were treated to a medley of Christmas carols performed by children from Our Lady & St Hubert's RC School, St Wulstan's RC Primary School, Great Harwood St Bartholomew's Parish C of E Voluntary Aided Primary School and Great Harwood St John's C of E Primary School. Hot vimto, mince pies and sizzling sausages were amongst the festive fayre on offer, plus a welcome visit from Santa.

BBC Radio Lancashire’s Stephen Lowe compered the proceedings, which included the rededication of the Great Harwood Memorial clock, Mercer Clock along with an unveiling of artwork produced by local artist Eddie Foster, before the Mayor of Hyndburn and Leslie Mercer flicked the switch to light the Christmas tree.

Cllr Gareth Molineux said; “The switch on was another fantastic Great Harwood community event, where hundreds  of people came together to get in the festive spirit, see the lights switched on and the rededication of the Great Harwood Memorial clock, Mercer Clock.  I want to say a huge thank you to the many people who were involved in making this event a huge success and to all the people who came along on the night and made it the fabulous evening it was.”

Hyndburn Labour Group wins award for New Media

The Hyndburn Labour Group have received an award from the national Labour Party for use of new media and innovative campaigning due to the inception and use of blogs to convey daily news reports to residents about their activities.

A relatively small number of Councillors in Great Britain currently use blogs or any form of online media to promote their activities but Hyndburn currently has five active Labour blogs, plus many active Facebook pages and Twitter feeds.

Cllr Ken Moss set up the Rishton First blogspot in February 2010 in order to promote activities in his village but now manages the bulk of the Hyndburn Labour group news reports as well.  He said, "It's nice to get a little bit of recognition from higher up for the work we are doing at a local level here in Hyndburn. Our readership is growing all the time, from just a few hundred in 2010 to well over 10,000 every month in 2013. We have had to adapt to get our message across about the work we do as people now look beyond just the local newspapers for their information. Printed media is very important, I hope that never dies especially at local level, but blogging and other online media allow us to convey much more information in addition to those stories."

He added, "On a fundamental level it also allows us to communicate with residents in a different way and reach out to people who may never read the leaflets that come through their door or show any interest in what they perceive 'politics' to be. There are residents in Rishton who are now far more aware of what goes on around them in local government because of our blogging - they might not necessarily agree with what we are saying but we have still managed to connect with them. It is also a great way of promoting local events too and bringing communities together."

The award was presented to the Hyndburn Labour group at the North West Labour Conference on 2nd November 2013 and is signed by the Labour Leader, Ed Miliband.

The following Labour blogs are currently active in Hyndburn:

Hyndburn Labour Group

Rishton First

Harwood First

Church and Milnshaw Together

Graham Jones MP

Great Harwood: Memorial Clock restored

After several months hidden under wraps the Great Harwood Mercer Memorial Clock Tower has this month been revealed in all its new glory.  The repair work which was funded by Hyndburn Council and £27,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), has resulted in this much loved local landmark being restored back to its former glory.

As part of the project year 5 and 6 students in local schools have been completing workbooks and doing art projects to learn about the life and times of John Mercer, to whom the clock is dedicated.  The clock tower, which is at the heart of the much loved historic town square, was unveiled in 1903 with much local pride, and dedicated to John Mercer, the inventor of a cotton treatment process known as Mercerisation.  Mercerisation was a milestone for the cotton industry making the material softer, stronger and easier to dye.

Copies of the school workbook and the original souvenir booklet can be downloaded from the Great Harwoods community website www.mercerclockwatchers.com/downloads-1/school-pack/

The finale to the project which has been led by Hyndburn Borough Council, the Great Harwood Civic Society and the Great Harwood Community Action Group will be the rededication of the clock tower which will take place at 6pm Friday 6th December, to coincide with the Christmas light switch on.  During the event Leslie Mercer and local artist Eddie Foster will be unveiling and dedicating a piece of artwork, which Eddie has created to represent the work undertaken by the schoolchildren during the project.  The artwork will be placed at Churchfield House during December so that local residents can get a better view.  Churchfield House and the John Mercer exhibition will be opened by the Civic Society during December every Thursday and Sunday.

A preview of the childrens work and the work created by Eddie will be held on 1st December 2013 at 12.30pm.  The exhibition will be held to celebrate both the childrens work and the life of John Mercer.

Great Harwood Councillor, Cllr Kerry Molineux, said; “The Mercer Memorial Clock Tower is an is a huge part of Great Harwood’s proud history and a focal point in the town, so it’s wonderful to see it restored now and that the story of John Mercer and the Tower forms part of this superb exhibition by local schoolchildren for all to come and see.

In particular the Council would like to say a huge thank you to the Great Harwood Civic Society who have provided regular weekly updates by holding an exhibition on the town square during the repair work, the major event that saw the recent opening of Churchfield House and the John Mercer exhibition, and also for completing the planting scheme around the clock tower itself.”

Cllr Molineux concluded; “The rededication and the light switch on is a community event, for all to enjoy. Everyone is welcome, so please bring all the family to Great Harwood on Friday 6th December at 6pm.”

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Mercer Memorial Clock Tower is an important local landmark in the heart of Great Harwood and represents a key part of the town’s rich industrial history. Through HLF’s grant, this impressive structure has undergone much-needed restoration work and local people will continue to learn about and enjoy the story of the tower, and John Mercer, for many years to come.”

Hyndburn Apprentices Event - 16th January 2014

Local businesses are being asked to get in touch with the Council and be part of the next Hyndburn Apprenticeship event, planned for 16th January next year, following the success of the first event last summer.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Council Leader, said; “We want even more local businesses to get in touch and be part of the next Hyndburn Apprentice Event, to be held on 16th January at Accrington Town Hall,  where a range of apprenticeships and training places will be on offer.”

Aimed at people aged 16 to 24, attendees will be able to find out more about apprenticeships direct from employers and training providers, seek expert advice and get one-to-one support in applying for apprenticeship vacancies.  
There will be real live vacancies on offer, along with the chance to apply for apprenticeships and have an interview with potential employers on the day. Candidates will also have the chance to get hands on and try out a range of skills and trades.

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said; “An apprentice learns on the job, and is able to gain qualifications by learning new skills, whilst earning money at the same time. The summer Hyndburn Apprenticeship event was a great success and we want even more local businesses to get involved this time and offer even more fantastic opportunities for anyone who is aged 16 to 24 and is interested in becoming an apprentice.”

To get involved, or to find out more, call Ben Caulfield on 01254 388111 or email scrutiny@hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Accrington: Christmas Food and Craft Fair - 7th December 2013

There’ll be a Christmas Food and Craft Fair on Saturday 7th December at Accrington Town Hall selling a mixture of crafts, gifts and locally produced food, raising money for the Mayor’s charities. 

Entry is free and the event runs from 9.30am – 3.30pm.

Baxenden: Forthcoming events at the Haworth Art Gallery

Gallery co-ordinator, Yvonne Robins, has circulated a list of events which are coming up over the next few weeks at the Haworth Art Gallery in Baxenden:

Sunday 8th December 2pm to 3.30pm – Age 11+/adult workshop with Senior Gallery Assistant and Shop Manager Gillian Berry to create Origami Christmas Decorations.

Sunday 15th December 12.30pm – 3.30pm – Haworth Artist Network – Artist Challenge – come and watch the artists paint and draw around the gallery.

Sunday 15th December 2pm to 3.30pm – Family workshop with Gallery Assistant and artist Susan Watson to create Christmas Decorations

Plus – every weekend – Christmas colouring and quizzes!

All the above events are free of charge and there is no need to book, just drop-in – we look forward to seeing you!