Rishton: Retiring Councillor becomes screen extra

Outgoing Rishton Councillor Harry Grayson has embarked on a new career as a screen extra. Harry, who has now moved to Ireland to spend time with his family, wanted a hobby to fill some of his free time and he is no stranger to public speaking.

Harry, whose sales patter at the Blackburn branch of Mark and Spencer was legendary, said, "I was a member of the school drama club and also played for 15 years in a country band as rhythm guitarist and vocals. I have had over 30 years experience working in face-to-face businesses and 10 years experience as a District Councillor so I am used to being in the public eye!"

Harry has signed up with Backstage Casting, a company which deal with film and television extras in Ireland, and his profile can be found here:

Backstage Casting - Harry Grayson

Labour strengthen their hold on Hyndburn Borough Council

Hyndburn Labour won 10 of the 12 contested seats in the local elections yesterday, strengthening their numbers at HBC and taking the tally of Labour Councillors to 26 out of 35 seats in the borough.

The Conservatives are now down to just 7 seats, with UKIP holding the remaining 2.

Hyndburn Labour would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Mayor, Marlene Haworth, who has served 12 years on the Council and was beaten yesterday by Glen Harrison in the St Oswalds contest. The controlling group would like to wish Marlene all the best for her future.

In total there are 7 new Councillors and 5 returning members. The first meeting of the new full Council will take place on Thursday 19th May at 7.00pm in Accrington Town Hall.

HBC: Haworth Art Gallery Facebook page

Please find the following link to the brand-new official Facebook page for the Haworth Art Gallery. This will be developed over the next few weeks to incorporate our new branding, the Stables Block and Motor House and the surrounding park and Rose Gardens.

It’s a very, very exciting time ahead, so please like and share our page!

Facebook - Haworth Art Gallery

The gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12 noon to 4.45pm and Saturday, Sunday 12 noon to 4.15pm. Closed all day Monday.

St Oswalds 2016: Labour gain

The results of the St Oswalds local election are as follows:

• Glen Harrison (Labour) - 713
• Marlene Haworth (Conservative) - 588
• Christopher Matthew (UKIP) - 500

St Andrews 2016: Labour hold

The results of the St Andrews local election are as follows:

• Stewart Eaves (Labour) - 573
• Josh Allen (Conservative) - 476

Spring Hill 2016: Labour hold

The results of the Spring Hill local election are as follows:

• Munsif Dad (Labour) - 998
• Abdul Qayyum (Conservative) - 271

Peel 2016: Labour hold

The results of the Peel local election are as follows:

• Patrick Short (Labour) - 593
• Liam Clark (UKIP) - 259

Netherton 2016: Labour hold

The results of the Netherton local election are as follows:

• Noordad Aziz (Labour) - 698
• Liz McGinley (Conservative) - 381
• Tom Linklater (UKIP) - 273

Church 2016: Labour hold

The results of the Church local election are as follows:

• Jean Battle (Labour) - 777
• Marion Raynor (Conservative) -  177

Central 2016: Labour hold

The results of the Central local election are as follows:

• Abdul Khan (Labour) - 1157
• Kazi Siddique (Conservative) -753

Baxenden 2016: Conservative hold

The results of the Baxenden local election are as follows:

• David Hartley (Labour) - 407
• Terry Hurn (Conservative) - 654
• Stewart Scott (UKIP) - 226

Barnfield 2016: Conservative hold

The results of the Barnfield local election are as follows:

• Jodie Travis (Labour) -588
• Tony Dobson (Conservative) - 635
• John Taylor (UKIP) - 126

Altham 2016: Labour hold

The results of the Altham local election are as follows:

• Stephen Button (Labour) - 551
• John Bargh (Conservative) - 278
• Janet Brown (UKIP) - 245
• Patrick Bolam (Green) - 115

Overton 2016: Labour hold

 The results of the Overton local election are as follows:

• Stephanie Haworth (Labour) - 771
• Patrick McGinley (Conservative) - 702
• Ian Robinson (UKIP) - 403
• Joan West (Green) - 71

Rishton 2016: Labour hold

 

The results of the Rishton local election are as follows:

• Jeff Scales (Labour) - 766
• Ann Scaife (Conservative) -  632
• David Dowling (UKIP) - 439

Polling stations open - go to vote!

Polling stations are now open across Hyndburn and all residents are encouraged to go and cast their vote in the local elections.

You do not need your polling card to vote. Doors close at 10.00pm tonight.

Great Harwood: Dr Grayson Way

Cllr Harry Grayson has been to visit the newly-renamed Dr Grayson Way in Great Harwood on his trip back to Rishton. The road was named after the tragic early death last year of Harry's son Rob, a noted and well-loved local doctor.

Harry, who recently moved to Ireland with his family, is pictured here with his grandchildren, Georgina and Dominic outside Great Harwood Medical Centre.

Harry said, "I'm delighted to see this permanent reminder of my wonderful boy. The pain of losing a son gets a little bit worse every day but I like to think this is a fitting tribute to a man who put everything into making people better." 

Barnfield: Jodie Travis debunks election soundbites

Over the past few weeks you will have seen what I can do for Barnfield but leaflets from other candidates are making unrealistic promises. False promises have damaged trust in politicians over the years and I feel that the public should be given the facts rather than be tricked by soundbites:


SOUNDBITE - Tony Dobson will purchase a Road Sweeper
Tony Dobson has pledged to buy a road sweeper out of his own pocket but these are specialist vehicles which cost over £120,000 and require special certificates and meticulous records of the driving hours. Is this a real promise?


SOUNDBITE - Tony Dobson will provide FREE internet and training
All 'free' internet deals require signing up to a payment contract for other services. Free computer training is already available throughout Accrington. Is this a real free offer?


SOUNDBITE - Tony Dobson will provide an Early Warning System

Lancashire Constabulary have already introduced the In The Know system which residents can sign up to for free. Is this a real new service?


I will only make realistic promises of help to the people of Barnfield ward. Please vote for me, Jodie Travis, on May 5th

Workers' Memorial Day 2016

Workers' Memorial Day was marked in Hyndburn at a small service at the Moorfield memoral in Altham. Labour representatives were present to pay their respects during the annual service on 30th April 2016.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "The reason the Labour Party came into being was to protect workers' rights and that is why Labour is still important to this day. We are here to represent the masses and not the privileged few."

PCC Election 2016: Clive Grunshaw

As well as the elections of local Councillors, May 5th will also see the second Police and Crime Commissioner elections and the Labour candidate for Lancashire is once again Clive Grunshaw.
 
Clive said, "The role of the Police & Crime Commissioner is a serious one, it needs someone who can challenge the Government and stand up against Tory cuts. It needs someone who can protect neighbourhood policing and work with all of our communities. The safety and security of the people here in Lancashire is absolutely paramount to me, and that's why I'm standing for a second term as Lancashire Police & Crime Commissioner."

Clive has released a statement video which can be seen here:

Clive Grunshaw for PCC 2016