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

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

Barnfield: Jodie Travis and June Harrison out planting trees

Barnfield Labour candidate 2016 Jodie Travis and Cllr June Harrison have been helping local volunteer groups to plant new trees.

Jodie said, "We had a day digging and planting with the Hyndburn Tree Wardens and The Woodlands Trust. There were lots of people out lending a hand on a fine day!"

Barnfield: Councillors and MP get involved in Woodnook clean up

Milnshaw Ward labour Councillor, Paul Cox, took part in a community clean up in the Woodnook area of Barnfield, organised by both Placefirst and local the local Social enterprise The Switch.
 
Cllr Cox, who is portfolio Holder for Enviromental Services at Hyndburn Borough Council joined local ward Cllr June Harrison, County Councillor Bernard Dawson and Hyndburn's Member of Parliament Graham Jones in collecting rubbish from around the area.

Cllr Paul Cox said, "I’m happy to come along and help any group who take such an active role in tidying up there area. At Waste Services we will collect all rubbish collected from these events plus supply bags and grabbers. Just get in touch and ask for community clean up forms."

Local volunteer Jodie Travis added, "It was fantastic to see our local Labour team getting out and really helping us clean the place up. Sometimes all that is needed is a bit of cooperation and we can make a real difference."

Barnfield: Flytipping at the back of Nuttall Street

Jodie Travis and her campaign team have been reporting flytipping in Barnfield to Hyndburn Borough Council, the latest instance being in the back alley along Nuttall Street.

Jodie said, "Myself and Cllr June Harrison document and report dumped items but it's not very nice when the Council have just spent all that time and money to regenerate Woodnook. HBC get rid of larger items for free, all people have to do is phone up."

If you have something you would like removed then call HBC on 01254 388111 to arrange a free collection. Please do not fly tip!

Barnfield: Labour out litter picking

The Labour team have been out and about in Barnfield over the weekend litter picking and collected several bags of rubbish.

Barnfield candidate Jodie Travis said, "The Council keep our ward clean but people still drop a staggering amount of litter. Thanks to Bernard Dawson and June Harrison for all their tireless support. They are a real inspiration to me in Barnfield."

Barnfield: Sandy Lane Gardening Group and Incredible Edibles improve a roundabout

Incredible Edibles Accrington organised a working party for Saturday 12th March to bring a bit of life to the Sandy Lane roundabout. The Sandy Lane Gardening Group led on the project and managed to secure the funding needed from the Green Partnership Awards.

Barnfield Labour candidate 2016 Jodie Travis said, "Graham Jones MP and Cllr June Harrison asked if something could be done to brighten up the roundabout and Incredible Edibles were only too happy to help. They got a good team together and we spent a few hours planting up which should look fantastic in the coming months!"

Founder member and former Chair of the group, Katie Farnell, said, "Incredible Edibles Accrington is a group of volunteers from Hyndburn. Our purpose is to utilise unused land for locally grown edibles such as fruit and vegetables in Hyndburn. The edibles when ready can be picked and enjoyed by all. If you see one of our beds with weeds, weed it. If it needs water, water it. If it's ready for picking go ahead and pick it - our gardening spaces are for the whole community to enjoy!"


Cath Holmes said, "We also aim to bring arts, crafts, literature and many other activities to create food growing spaces that are fun, pleasurable and learning environments. Making these area enjoyable for all members of our community not just gardeners! We meet at The Park Pub, Manchester Road, Accrington on the first Wednesday evening of the month at 7.00pm."

The group have a Facebook page which can be found here

Barnfield: Flytipping at Russell Street and Clement Street

Household waste including a bed and a fridge freezer has been dumped along Russell Street and Clement Street in Barnfield.

Barnfield Labour candidate for 2016, Jodie Travis, said, "I reported this to Cllr Paul Cox and it is now being dealt with by the Council. It really upsets me that people feel they need to do this when the Council offers free collection of bulky items. What a shame people treat Barnfield in this way and my little lad has to see it."

To arrange a free collection of any bulky item of furniture please contact HBC on 01254 388111.

Barnfield: Tree causes footpath hazards for elderly residents

A complaint has been lodged with the Hyndburn Labour Councillors regarding a tree in the middle of a sheltered housing complex on Plantation Road.

Barnfield candidiate 2016 Jodie Travis said, "The tree on Plantation Road is causing the footpaths to become slippy in wet weather. It is also causing the tarmac footpath to lift and this is only going to get worse in time. It has been pruned unevenly in the past and is now out of shape."

Hyndburn Homes have been contacted and asked to effect remedial work on the tree.

Barnfield: Re-opening of John C's Barbershop

Labour candidate 2016 Jodie Travis and Cllr June Harrison attended the re-opening of John C's Barbershop on Nuttall Street earlier this month which is within the regenerated Woodnook area.

Jodie said, "It's great to see Woodnook coming back to life again and the regeneration project is going really well. The whole area is transformed by PlaceFirst and they came along for the re-opening along with the police. I also took the opportunity to get my toddler's hair cut while I was there!"

John C's Barbershop can be found at 63 Nuttall Street, Accrington.

Barnfield: Improvements to Woodnook woodland

Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum and Woodnook Residents Community Association have been awarded grants totalling £31,000 to help make improvements to a woodland in the Woodnook Area of Accrington.

The improvements will include woodland management, native tree planting, an improved welcoming entrance from Royds Street and the installation of fifteen bird nesting boxes. Access will also be improved and a new section of woodland path will help the area link up with the wider countryside. These improvements will help to compliment work recently completed in the wider area of the Bullough Park and Woodnook Vale countryside.

Up to £24,800 has been awarded by the Lancashire Environmental Fund, £2,000 from the Windfall Fund, £1,000 from Peel and Barnfield Area Council and a further £3,200 from Hyndburn Borough Council.

Neil Mooney, Chair of the Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum said; “We are looking forward to making enhancements to this piece of woodland. There is so much wonderful countryside in the area that has been made more accessible over the past few years we are keen to encourage people to go and explore.”

Kaisse O'Neil from the Woodnook Residents Community Association said “As a group we are delighted to help raise this money for the local area and help to enhance our local woodland for the benefit of local residents and wildlife.”

Ward Councillor, June Harrison, said; “Talking with local residents it was apparent that there was a lot of local support and interest in this area and I am looking forward to seeing the work completed in time for spring.”

Labour candidate for 2016, Jodie Travis, said, "It's a great project and I'm pleased to support it. The better entrance at Royds Street should invite more residents to come and take a look at our local wildlife and the bird boxes are just in time for nesting season."

Hyndburn Labour announce candidates for 2016

The Hyndburn Labour group have formally selected candidates for all 12 wards up for election in May 2016.

Group Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "I am pleased to announce that we have had a really excellent range of people coming forward wishing to stand, from a long-standing teacher to an experienced member of staff at Calderstones. All are standing on a Labour ticket and no deals have been done with any other political group to engineer a result. We will be fighting this election on the back of years of hard work from our 25 Labour Councillors and we hope the public continue to trust us to look after Hyndburn in 2016."

 St Oswalds - Glen Harrison

 Overton - Stephanie Haworth

 Altham - Steve Button

 Rishton - Jeff Scales

 Spring Hill - Munsif Dad

 Church - Jean Battle

 Barnfield - Jodie Travis

 Peel - Patrick Short

Central - Abdul Khan

 St Andrews - Stewart Eaves

 Baxenden - David Hartley

Netherton - Noordad Aziz