Great Harwood: Towngate Square to be re-opened for Farmers Market

Towngate Square in Great Harwood has just undergone a major refurbishment and will be re-opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony with the local Councillors and market traders on Sunday 3rd August at 10.00am.

The refurbishment has created a much bigger space which will allow more traders onto the market area for both the weekly markets and the monthly Farmers Market on the first Sunday of every month.

HBC: New St George's Flag policy

At a recent meeting of the Leader's Policy Development Board chaired by Cllr Miles Parkinson, it was decided that the St George’s Flag should be flown annually on all public buildings on 23rd April and until nearest Sunday to St George’s Day, when the Scouts hold a service at a church in the Borough.

In addition, it was suggested that the Union Flag be flown on Remembrance Day until Remembrance Sunday. It was noted that there were a number of flagpoles situated in the townships, some of which were funded by area councils and it was suggested that the St George’s and Union Flags be flown on the same occasions.

Arrangements have now been put in place to ensure that these occasions are marked in the same way in the various townships.

Hyndburn Summer Fun 2014

A booklet packed with fun activities for children and young people to enjoy in Hyndburn over the summer is now available.

The booklet, produced by Hyndburn Children and Young Peoples Trust, in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn Borough Council has a whole host of things to keep young people entertained over the summer, including swimming, football, performing arts, gymnastics, trampoline sessions, dance and arts and crafts.

The booklet, which has been distributed to every school child in Hyndburn, provides a calendar with hundreds of activities for children and young people to take part in over the summer holidays. Featuring the Holiday Zone at Hyndburn Leisure Centre, drama projects at the Civic Arts Centre and for teenagers at “The Zone”, plus a range of activities for younger children.

Councillor Ken Moss, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said, “Following the success of the scheme in previous years we were keen to promote the fantastic range and quality of facilities and events in the borough.”

Councillor Jenny Nedwell, a member of the Children’s Trust Board added, “The Children’s Trust have produced the brochure to help keep you informed over the summer holidays.  Whatever your age, whatever your interests, whatever the weathers doing, we’re sure there’s something there you’ll enjoy.”

Rishton: Accrington Camera Club

Accrington Camera Club is a group of friendly and enthusiastic photographers pursuing all aspects of image capture. They welcome all levels of photographers, from complete beginners to advanced workers, and have a wide range of experiences which we willingly share. This experience comes from their own photographers, darkroom workers and digital image workers.

They produce all styles of images, from 'record' (e.g. images of buildings) through to 'salon' style digital manipulated work, in both mono and colour, utilising many types of cameras from basic compact cameras up to professional DSLRs.

The group meet at Primetime on Stourton Street in Rishton and the website for the camera club can be found here:

Accrington Camera Club

Magnificent Seven Green Flags for Hyndburn

A magnificent seven green spaces in Hyndburn are among the best in the country and have been presented with the prestigious Green Flag Award for green space excellence.

Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium, along with Wilson Playing Fields and Woodlands, Lowerfold, Cutwood, Oakhill, Mercer and Gatty Parks have each been awarded a Green Flag - a sign to visitors that they are well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities.

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Parks said, “A lot of hard work, by a lot of people has gone into getting these Green Flags and their award is a testament to the sterling job done by the many community groups and staff involved. The fact that we now have seven sites, holding the prestigious Green Flag is great news for everyone, as this shows that they are well managed and maintained, welcoming, safe for users and have good links with the local community.”

Cllr Moss added; “A big thank you should go to the Friends and other support groups associated with the parks such as Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum, PROSPECTS, Hyndburn Athletics Club, Residents Associations, the Local History Society and our dedicated parks, cemetery and crematorium staff who all worked so hard to make these magnificent seven sites reach the high standards to get Green Flag status.”

Central: Dirty back yard on Malt Street

Central ward Councillor, Abdul Khan, has been contacted regarding rubbish accumulating in the rear yard of an address on Malt Street which is attracting flies.

Cllr Khan has documented the case with photographs and this is now being dealt with by the relevant department within Hyndburn Borough Council to get the tenants to clean the property up.

Rishton: Canalside development plans move forward

A development plan for the canal corridor through Rishton is currently in the process of being drawn up. The masterplan will look at developing the canalside areas in a holistic manner which will require any future planning applications to compliment each other and be in the best interests of Rishton's future.

Cllr Ken Moss put a motion to full Council in 2013 to secure funding for the project and fellow ward Councillor, Clare Cleary, has now taken up the baton and is moving forward with the scheme.

Cllr Cleary, Cabinet member for Housing, said, "This is a great scheme and I am excited to take it to the next stage. We are sitting on bags of untapped potential along the canal and with so much undeveloped land at the moment it makes sense to state what we want from it rather than leaving it purely in the hands of property developers."

Leader of HBC, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "Along the canal we have a number of sites in the Rishton area that offer the potential for some very attractive canal side housing.  The Council has recently agreed to fund a development brief that should help to stimulate the market and attract the interest of developers. The brief will be completed by December this year."