Peel: Friar Court Christmas Party

Peel residents have paid for a buffet plus £230 of raffle prizes that included three very large hampers for the elderly residents of Friar Court.

Peel Councillor Joyce Plummer said, "They were very appreciative of what we have done for them and gave us all a warm round of applause. It was a really lovely afternoon!"

Mayor's Viewpoint - Cllr Munsif Dad - December 2014

In this season of goodwill, it’s timely to tell you about my recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I went with a delegation of fourteen other people from across the UK. I was honoured and humbled to meet some of the mothers of the victims of genocide, to hear their stories and to see the memorial and the museum there. The visit was not only very educational and thought provoking, but also a really emotional experience.

I’ve been proudly wearing my White Ribbon recently, as an Ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign.  The campaign takes a unique approach, by encouraging men to promote a change of attitude, using their voice to raise awareness and make a stand against gender-based violence. The Council is pledging to achieve the White Ribbon Award, further demonstrating our resolve to do all we can to raise awareness about domestic violence, whilst supporting services to reduce its incidence and help victims.

At the Council meeting last month we were pleased to recognise the achievements of a number of outstanding local individuals and organisations. Bernard Scully received the Church Ruby Award, as he and his wife, Doreen, have devoted much of their time to making Church a better place. More recently, Bernard founded, with others, the Hyndburn Heritage Museum, now situated in the Arndale Centre which has proved extremely popular and keeps the rich heritage of the Hyndburn alive.

Councillors also showed their appreciation of Sandy Lane Gardening Group who were  awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award possible for a voluntary group in the United Kingdom and What More UK Ltd,  who earlier this year was awarded the Queen’s Award for Industry in the International Trade category. Well done to all of them.

As a proud Lancastrian I was also pleased to be part of the Lancashire Day celebrations which took place across the county on Thursday 27th and to see the traditional proclamation being read at Accrington Town Hall before the raising of the Lancashire flag.

I recently attended a fundraising lunch for the Accrington and District Blind society organised by Paul and Sarah Barton at the Poplar club in Accrington which raised over £1000!  A big thanks to Paul and Sarah and to the ten other Mayors who came along, it was a great event, raising much needed funds for a great cause.

Now we’re well into the festive season it’s been wonderful to be involved in the switching on of the Christmas lights around our townships. From the big event in Accrington, which featured entertainment and fireworks, to the smaller switch ons which have been really well attended with enthusiastic crowds and great atmospheres.  We’ve been treated to local schoolchildren singing carols around the various Christmas trees along with much good cheer and mince pies.

And finally, best wishes from the Mayoress and I for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Great Harwood: New gate installed at Lowerfold Park

A new gate for Lowerfold Park has been funded by the Great Harwood Councillors. The gate was installed by the Parks Team at Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum in November 2014.

Various designs were supplied and the final choice was made by the children at St Bartholomew's School.

Huncoat: Families enjoy activity day in Spout House Wood

Families enjoyed woodland crafts and activities at an Autumn Activity Day in Huncoat.

Spout House community woodland hosted the event, organised by Hyndburn Council, as the local event for National Tree Week on Saturday 29th November.

A very popular activity was to make bird boxes from locally sourced timber to provide more nesting sites for woodland birds.  People also decorated the boxes by stencilling leaves of the trees found in the woodland.

Making a link through the generations, one group of children made a ‘family’ bird box and said they are going to bring their grandparents for a walk to see it.

Pictured with their bird box in a beech tree are cousins Isabelle Heys (front left), Caitlin Birtwell (front right) with Iona Birtwell and Elijah Heys.

Mum Laura Heys said;  “Many thanks for the event, we all had a lovely time. Mum and dad live nearby so they’ll enjoy coming over with the kids to see the bird box.”

For more information about community activities at various woodlands around the borough, please contact Anne Hourican, Hyndburn Borough Council on 0154 388111.

HBC: Lancashire Day 2014 with Hollands Pies

Lancashire Day took place across the county on Thursday 27th November 2014.

The Town Crier, Rawden Kerr, read the Lancashire Day Proclamation outside Accrington Town Hall at 10.30 am along with the Worshipful the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Munsif Dad, followed by the raising of the Lancashire Flag.

Many people enjoyed the free traditional Lancashire fayre on offer, kindly supplied by Baxenden-based Holland’s Pies.

The Town Crier also read the Lancashire Day Proclamation in Great Harwood at 12 noon by Churchfield House.

The Mayor, Cllr Munsif Dad, said; “As a proud Lancastrian and this year as Mayor of Hyndburn I was honoured to celebrate Lancashire Day on 27th November. Please come along to either of the proclamations if you can, everyone is more than welcome to help us celebrate.”

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson added; “Many thanks to everyone who came along to help us celebrate Lancashire Day and to Holland’s Pies for their support of the event.”

For more details about Lancashire Day, visit The Friends of Real Lancashire website at www.forl.co.uk.

HBC: Apprenticeship Event - 15th January 2015

Local businesses are being urged to take part in an Apprenticeship event, set to take place in the New Year, on 15th January from 4pm – 7pm at Accrington Town Hall.

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said; “We’ve already run two successful apprenticeship events, attended by over four hundred young people and filling many local apprenticeship vacancies. Lots of businesses have already signed up and we’re looking for more businesses with real apprenticeship opportunities to come and promote them at the event.”

Training providers and businesses from across Hyndburn and beyond who are already signed up, include; Training 2000, NLTG, Accrington and Rossendale College, Themis, BAE Systems, Hyndburn Homes, LCC, Age UK, 247 Home Rescue, Hyndburn Borough Council and Scott Dawson Advertising.

The event is aimed at anyone, of any age, who may be thinking about an apprenticeship. 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.

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 Hyndburn Apprenticeship event is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is interested in becoming an apprentice.  Attendees will not only be able to try their hand at a range of skills and trades, but also apply for real vacancies and have an interview with potential employers actually on the day.”

For details call 01254 388111 or email enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk

Blessing of the Crib - 4th December 2014

The Mayor, Cllr Munsif Dad, would like to invite members of the public to attend the annual Blessing of the Crib service taking place at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 4th December, outside the front of Accrington Town Hall.

Father Lawrence Carson-Featham and Revd Ian Enticott from St James Parish Church in Accrington will be leading the service and Blessing the Crib with children from St Mary Magdalen’s Primary School choir performing carols at the event.

The Mayor, Cllr Munsif Dad, said, “The Blessing of the Crib is a wonderful way to start the Christmas Celebrations in Hyndburn, so please come along and join us.”

Following the service, free refreshments will be available in the Town Hall.

Lots going on in Accrington this Christmas!

The borough is sparkling with thousands of Christmas lights now and there’s plenty going on to keep you feeling festive.

Some township lights are still to be switched on and this Thursday 4th December, will see the annual Blessing of the Crib service taking place at 2.00 pm, outside Accrington Town Hall.

Santa's in his Grotto at Accrington Market Hall from Saturday 6th December, so take the children for a traditional Christmas treat to see Santa and his elves in the winter wonderland grotto at Accrington Market Hall.  Saturday 6th December – 1.30 to 3.30, Saturday 13th December – 10.00 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.30, Saturday 20th December - 10.00 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.30, Monday 22nd December - 10.00 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.30,  Tuesday 23rd December – 10.00 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.30 and Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December - 10.00 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.30.

Also don’t miss Accrington's Wonderful Winter Fayre - Saturday 13th December, featuring festive food, drink and goods including art & toys, children’s entertainment, St Christopher’s Choir and Jazz Band, fair rides, roasted chestnuts,  mulled wine and mince pies.

Get set for a Festive Fun Day on Saturday 20th December in Accrington Town centre with entertainment including Accrington Pipe Band, children’s entertainment, fairground rides and a small Christmas market.

Councillor Clare Cleary, Cabinet Member for town centres said; “There’s lots going on in Accrington in the run up to Christmas, so please come along and bring the family. Late night shopping on Thursdays and Sundays means there’s still of time to fit your shopping schedule around the hectic run-up to Christmas and bag some festive bargains. And don’t forget to do some Christmas shopping in our award winning Market. If you’re too busy to pop down then you can do it on line at www.accringtonmarketonline.co.uk  and you can collect it all in one go or have it delivered to your home.”

For more information visit www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk

HBC: Council pledges support for White Ribbon campaign

Hyndburn Council will shortly submit its application to achieve the White Ribbon Campaign Award, which aims to involve men in anti-violence against women and girls, by encouraging them to promote a change of attitude, using their voice to make a stand and raise awareness.

The Council has a long history of helping address abuse and violence towards women and girls within our local community, but the White Ribbon Campaign takes a unique approach.  It encourages men to promote a change of attitude, using their voice to make a stand and raise awareness and an action plan has been developed showing how this commitment will be achieved.

Cllr Pam Barton, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said; “It gives me great pleasure to announce that we will shortly submit our application to achieve the White Ribbon Award, especially today the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We have a long history of increasing awareness on this issue and supporting services aimed at reducing and supporting victims of domestic violence.  White Ribbon Towns aims to rally entire communities to end violence against women”.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Council Leader, added; “By pledging to achieve the White Ribbon Award we are further demonstrating our resolve to do all we can to raise awareness about domestic violence, whilst supporting services to reduce its incidence and help victims.”

White Ribbon Day signals the start of the 16 days of action to stop violence against women and girls. Ambassadors were presented with their White Ribbon badges and this will form part of a social media campaign where photos of ambassadors will be tweeted for the following 16 days signalling our commitment and raising awareness of this campaign.