Amazing Accrington: The first UK playground deidcated to disabled children

In 2015, the Hyndburn Parents & Carers Forum approached Hyndburn Borough Council and requested a meeting with the Parks Team to discuss the problems their families had with the current play provision. A review by HBC of its current play facilities then followed and the Hyndburn “Play Plan 2016-2020” was produced.






As a result, designs were drawn up for a play area at Hyndburn Leisure Centre dedicated to disabled children.

Cabinet member for Parks, Cllr Ken Moss, said, “Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum has helped several Hyndburn communities raise funds for badly needed children’s playgrounds since it formed in 2005 but never one quite like this one, which will not only be the first of its kind in Accrington but the first of its kind in Lancashire, the Northwest and beyond. This is a playground for disabled children who, through no fault of their own, are unable to use the fantastic playgrounds scattered around the borough that most parents take for granted.”

The Parks Team also enlisted the assistance of HGSF, Inclusive Play and Hyndburn Leisure Trust and consultation began on the type of play equipment and ancillary facilities that were required.

Cath Holmes, Secretary with HGSF remembers Shirley Parkinson, HBC Parks Department Liaison Officer, initially bringing the proposal to HGSF. “I’ve never seen Shirley so passionate about a project. That rubbed off with Forum Members, many of whom have children or grandchildren themselves, so straight away there was an understanding, a common theme. The Forum gave it their full backing and is as determined as the Hyndburn Parents and Carers Group to make it a reality.”

Shirley went away to research what equipment was available and found a company – Jupiter Play and Inclusive Play - to help with the design what is a very special Sensory Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) playground specifically designed to meet the needs of disabled children, whilst allowing their more able bodied siblings to play with them.

Shirley told us: "As a mum myself I was often close to tears when talking to some of the Hyndburn Parents & Carers and learning of the problems they were experiencing in a trip to the park or playground. I have worked for over 10 years with Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum securing funding for worthy community projects, but for this project we desperately need the public’s help.”

Play is an important part of any child’s childhood, so when HGSF learned there was currently a group of young people that were denied the opportunity to go to their local park and have fun with their family and friends, they just had to get involved.

Sarah Lewis, Parent Carer and Chair of Hyndburn Parent and Carers Forum, said “The park will allow our son to play safely, independently and most importantly we would be able to have fun as a family which we can't currently do in mainstream parks. He has no sense of danger, low muscle tone and other medical problems that restrict his play and he continually gets frustrated because he can't use the majority of the play equipment. I have to follow him around everywhere to make sure he doesn't hurt himself. Having a safe environment where he can use all the equipment would be amazing, not only for Oliver but for all families. We've been working so hard with fundraising and raising awareness. We've done numerous fundraising events in the last 12 months want to make sure everyone has heard about what we are trying to achieve."

The special schools across Lancashire told the project that although they have the means to take the children out on school trips, it’s almost impossible to find the facilities that could cater for the different range of disabilities so the opportunities are very limited. The Parks Team and HGSF looked at how it could help this very special group of young people.

HGSF are endeavouring to raise the necessary funds to turn this dream into a reality and this is where it really needs help - even a small amount puts us one step nearer – as does talking about the project, gaining support and momentum.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "We already have several award-winning parks in the borough but are difficult to use for those children who have disabilities. This new play area will be for those children to enjoy in safety in addition to the other playgrounds that most of us parents take for granted."

Hyndburn MP, Graham Jones said, “This particular project would be a first for the UK and as parents of disabled children tell me, a great asset for the local sub region. The levels of safety required for children with such challenges is quite different and a normal playground just presents a huge risk to worried parents, so much so they often are reluctant to take disabled children there. This playground is much needed.”

HBC: More free dog waste bags at Scaitcliffe House

Free dog poo bags are available for Hyndburn dog owners as part of the Council’s drive to encourage all dog owners to clear up after their dog. 

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Leader of the Council; said “The majority of dog owners do clean up after their dogs, but it’s just the irresponsible few who refuse to pick up after their dog who spoil things for everyone else. To encourage dog owners to clean up after their dog, I am pleased to announce the Council is once again offering free dog poo bags to all Hyndburn residents and would simply ask that the bag is placed in one of the 338 dog bins that are maintained by the Council, or take it home and dispose it in your grey wheeled bin”. 

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, added; “Dog fouling is a national issue and, although numbers of reported incidents have actually dropped in Hyndburn, our dedicated Dog Warden and Enforcement Team continue to work hard every day to tackle the issue and will issue fixed penalty notices to those who allow their dogs to foul.” 

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Leisure, added; “Problem areas identified by members of the public will be investigated by the Dog Warden, this includes parks and open spaces, and the Council’s three cemeteries for dogs off leads. We need everyone’s help in the fight against dog fouling, so if you see anyone failing to pick up after their dog please report it to the Council by email: enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk, or by calling 01254 388111.” 

To pick up your free dog poo bags visit Scaitcliffe House reception during office opening hours.

Rishton: New cemetery for Rishton and Great Harwood unveiled

 

A tree planting ceremony to dedicate a new cemetery on Lee Lane to Rishton & Great Harwood residents took place today.

Construction work at the new cemetery, which will for the first time offer a natural burial option, is almost complete. Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, dedicated the new cemetery to the people of Rishton & Great Harwood on Monday 19th March, when he planted a flowering cherry tree there.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Cllr Parkinson said; “I’m extremely pleased to dedicate this new cemetery to the people of Rishton and Great Harwood. It’s fitting that we plant a tree here today, as, for the first time in the Borough; we can now offer a natural burial option, an environmentally friendly alternative, which will also create a woodland and habitat in this countryside location.”

Cllr Parkinson added; “This new cemetery has been built to provide residents of Rishton and Great Harwood with burial space for the next hundred years, as the old cemetery is almost full. It will provide areas for coffin burials for all denominations, as well as areas for ashes burials and the new natural burial option.”

Cllr Parkinson also thanked a team of local volunteers who are building a new Pennine style dry stone wall at the cemetery, saying; “Thank you to the volunteers who are making this excellent heritage feature for the future of the cemetery. I’m delighted that this has been achieved by the efforts of local people. ”

Seven volunteers have worked every week on the wall since the end of November, guided by walling tutor Alan Rhodes.

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Parks and Cemeteries, added; “The opening of this new cemetery means that future generations of residents from Rishton and Great Harwood can continue to be buried in their local cemetery. This is something the Council was happy to invest in and having a natural burial option offers something previously not available."

For more information about the new cemetery, contact the cemetery office on 01254 232933 or email cemeteries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Hyndburn Conservatives no-show at full Council meeting

The Conservative group boycotted the full Council meeting on March 22nd, citing that there were too many items being discussed which were outside the power of HBC to affect.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "I'm puzzled by this because there is nothing on the agenda which is not directly related to Hyndburn Council. It is dereliction of duty to deliberately stay away from this council chamber and represent the public when they are paid an allowance to do so. Political stunts by the opposition to get a headline in the Observer are unforgivable. This is nothing more than an election stunt."

He added, "We live in a democracy, we should not be shying away from healthy debate but asking questions to make sure that this borough moves forward. The Conservatives are not doing the work, they come with glib sentences and smirk at motions such as those brought recently by Cllr Aziz to improve transport links."

Cabinet member, Cllr Ken Moss, said, "They have run away tonight to attempt a cheap headline in the Accrington Observer. Everyone misses a meeting now and then but to take a night off en masse is blatant electioneering, although I'm not sure how it's a positive thing."

St Andrews Councillor Stewart Eaves said, "I think we might be seeing a glimpse of the future here after May's elections. No Tories in the Council chamber."

Rishton Councillor Jeff Scales said, "Many years ago a guest repeatedly failed to turn up after being booked on 'Have I Got News For You' and was replaced by a tub of lard. Are we going to have to invest in seven tubs for the next Council meeting?"

Huncoat Councillor Eamonn Higgins said, "It's a pathetic act with no more purpose than to attract publicity in the run up to an election. Nonetheless, we debated several issues which directly affect the residents of Hyndburn, such as the proposed bus lane in Clayton and the future of Accrington Victoria walk in centre. I am disgusted that these Tory Councillors who are supposed to be representing the public have the bold brass neck to claim their allowances."

Several members of the public were observing in the gallery over the Council chamber.

Milnshaw Labour candidate, Andy Clegg, said, "I think it's an insult that such an honour as representing your constituents can be used as a cheap headline grabbing stunt. I hope that the people who these people are supposed to represent see through this seemingly desperate attempt to bag a few lines in the local press and win a few cheap votes."

St Oswalds Labour candidate, Gayle Knight, said, "Perhaps they were out campaigning and thought that was more important than representing the public."

The full agenda can be seen below:

Milnshaw: Allotment spaces available

Fancy growing your own?

The Council has a number of small plots and raised beds up for grabs at its Meadoway allotment site on Queen Road West, so now even more green fingered Hyndburn folk have the chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Allotment plots available include small, easy manageable raised beds to the larger allotment plots, where some good healthy digging will be needed, but well worth the reward of eating your own veggies and fruit. It may be easy to go to the supermarket and load your trolley up with fruit and veg but growing it yourself is so rewarding. Eating pickled onions in December, making stews with potatoes and Leeks during the winter months and remembering summer days spent at the allotment watching these crops grow is wonderful.

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Allotments, said; “The Council’s allotments are a fantastic place for people to get out and about, meet new people, and enjoy a healthy activity. It’s well documented that growing and allotmenteering is beneficial to mental health, physical health and wellbeing.”

 Call Ian Marfleet, Allotments Manager at Hyndburn on 01254 388111 for further information or visit the Councils Allotments website at www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Milnshaw: Sports Hub plans submitted to Fields In Trust

Hyndburn Council has submitted a request to Fields in Trust to gain consent for the Accrington Stanley Community Trust Sports Hub development at Higham Playing Fields.

Fields in Trust, formerly the National Playing Fields Association, was founded in 1925 by King George V to provide local outdoor open spaces for sports, recreation & play. Fields in Trust has an involvement in over 2,700 sites throughout the UK. All these sites are locally managed, but Fields in Trust have an overarching role to ensure that the purpose of the site remains for sports and recreation for local communities.

Cabinet member for Leisure, Cllr Ken Moss, said, "The application is being submitted to Fields in Trust to let them know about and seek their views on the proposed multi million pound investment into Higham Playing Fields which will improve facilities and create the sport hub proposed by Accrington Stanley Community Trust."

Miles Parkinson, Leader of Hyndburn Council; said; ‘’This is a wonderful development for the Borough. We’re very pleased to be making this proposal to Fields In Trust, as the enhanced provision of sports and changing facilities at Highams will be a great facility for everyone. It will be open for all to use, suitable for all age groups and a great bonus for future generations too. 

Martin Fearon, CEO of Accrington Stanley Community Trust said ‘’this is the next stage in the Sports Hub development after gaining planning approval in December 2017. We consulted with Fields in Trust back in March 2017 to share our ideas and to ensure it was something that fits in with their criteria and we’ve continued to communicate with them over the last 12 months. We’re really looking forward to strengthening our relationship with Fields in Trust and creating a fantastic facility for the Hyndburn community to enjoy.’’

 The process can take up to 6 months and a decision is likely during the summer months of 2018. Further updates will be announced in due course.

Oswaldtwistle: Restoration of Rhyddings Park continues

 

The transformation of Oswaldtwistle’s Rhyddings Park is continuing despite the snowy weather, as work continues to not only rejuvenate the park, but also bring 600 training opportunities and new jobs to the area.

Rhyddings Park is part way through a transformation with a £2million development programme thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) secured by Hyndburn Council, the Friends of Rhyddings Park and Newground Together.

From its early beginnings as a private house and gardens belonging to local cotton magnate Robert Watson in the mid-1800s, the park was acquired by Oswaldtwistle Urban District Council in the early 20th Century as a recreational facility for the people of the town.

The old Coach House is being refurbished and extended and when complete will become a café and community building, with an attractive kitchen garden complete with a Victorian style glasshouse for the community to use.

Landscape work in the park has enhanced many entrances and provided an array of interesting features which will include a woodland glade, community orchard, ornamental flower beds and performance space.

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Parks, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful to see the rejuvenation and restoration of this historic and much loved old park, with the new community hub and café set to bring in visitors old and new.” These are exciting times for Rhyddings Park; it will be an amazing facility for the residents of Oswaldtwistle and the whole of the Borough of Hyndburn once refurbishment works are complete at the end of summer.”

 Building works began in April 2016 and look set to be complete by the end of summer this year.

Clayton-le-Moors: Hyndburn Parkrun

Saturday mornings in Clayton le Moors will never be the same again, after the successful start of the new Hyndburn parkrun last October.

Parkrun is a free, weekly 5k event that takes place at 9.00am every Saturday morning and there are events all over the UK and the world. It’s free for anyone to register, you simply print off a barcode and bring it along with you.

This means you get a time for your 5k and can aim for a new personal best. That’s not to say you have to be fast, as it’s not a race and parkrun welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities. It’s also open to all ages. The only rule is that under 11s need to run with an adult. You can even run with a dog if it’s on a short lead.

In its first week, 314 people of all ages completed the course, which starts and finishes at Wilson’s playing fields and follows paths through the nearby woodland. It’s entirely volunteer-led, so you can be part of the event even if you don’t want to run or walk 5k, just email hyndburnhelpers@parkrun.com.

Participants gather afterwards for refreshments and chat by the clubhouse; it’s a really friendly and social occasion. Liz Newton, Event Director, said: “What a fabulous morning: it was great to see so many runners and volunteers bringing parkrun to Hyndburn. We are looking forward to many more runs and bringing the community together”.

Hyndburn Council provided the startup funding for the parkrun, recognising the array of potential benefits to health and wellbeing for the borough.

Cabinet member for Education, Leisure and Arts, Councillor Ken Moss, who volunteered as photographer for the first event, said: “Over 300 people turning out for our inaugural parkrun is a brilliant show of support and a fantastic way to get it off the ground in Hyndburn. I'd like to thank Liz and everyone else who helped to organise today's event. It's been great to see so many people enjoying our parkland and keeping fit!”

To register for free, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/register.

A Facebook page also exists which can be visited here.

Viewpoint - Cllr Miles Parkinson - January 2018

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all the very best for 2018.

This is traditionally a time when we think about getting healthier and Hyndburn Leisure Centre is a great place to start. Memberships include gym, swimming, fitness classes and access to the brand new thermal suite. You can sign up to any membership for a year and get two months free.

We’re committed to helping people across Hyndburn get active and healthier, so we’re thrilled to be one of twelve areas awarded landmark National Lottery funding from Sport England recently to do just that. It means that over the coming years we can work together with our partners to help inspire people to become more active in new ways that suit them.

Highams Playing Fields in Accrington could be upgraded to offer an improved range of facilities for local people to take part in sport, after Accrington Stanley Community Trust approached the Council with a view to investing £2 million to upgrade community facilities there.

They are thinking of providing an enhanced range of facilities, including a full-size floodlit 3G artificial pitch, multiple junior and adult football pitches; a rugby pitch; an artificial cricket wicket and brand new changing rooms.

The project received planning permission from the Council’s Planning Committee in December so the Trust can now talk to the funders about how the project will be implemented.

Rishton footballers are looking forward to playing on a refurbished facility at Norden Playing fields later this year, after Rishton United recently signed a 25 years lease there. They’ve secured external funding to carry out the first phase of their project, which will level and fence the site and improve drainage.

There are also lots of new exciting developments in the pipeline. Keepmoat Homes have completed the acquisition of the former Lyndon Playing Fields and work on the new prestigious Lyndon Park housing development will start immediately this year. This circa £45 million pound development will see 217 new houses and bungalows built in a fabulous setting. Even before work has started Keepmoat report that interest is very high.

As part of the planning gain from the new Lyndon Park housing development, Great Harwood Rovers Football Club have moved to new football pitches just off Harwood Lane. Over half a million pounds is being invested in new facilities with phase one of the project complete. Phase two, new changing facilities, will be constructed later this year.

At Whitebirk, Euro Garages has started work on the new Frontier Park development on 85 acres of land right next to Junction 6 of the M65. The development will be a mix of employment and leisure uses creating 2,000 new local jobs and a major boost for the local economy.

And finally, Accrington’s new Town Square, funded by the Townscape Heritage Initiative, is looking marvellous now and we’re really pleased with its progress. We’re looking forward to seeing it finished and Cllr Clare Cleary, Cabinet Member Accrington Town Centre, has been working hard with officers and all town centre stakeholders to bring events to the square to promote the town to shoppers and visitors when it’s open in the summer.

The Showmen's Guild Annual Luncheon 2018

Councillors Miles Parkinson, Gareth Molineux, Munsif Dad and Ken Moss recently attended the Annual Showmen's Guild Luncheon at Blackburn Rovers FC.

The Guild is based in Bury and represents the interests of showmen up and down the country. Their annual dinner is usually attended by over 35 Mayors, Members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament as well as Councillors from across the North West.

Rishton Councillor Ken Moss said, "This was a good opportunity to find out how the Showmen operate and the strict guidelines they expect their members to adhere to. Following the event, I have written to the Guild offering them the chance to put on events in the new Town Square and use the Town Hall for their formal events."

Rishton: Labour Councillors secure Walmsley Street link road

The Rishton Labour Councillors have succeeded in arranging for Walmsley Avenue and Walmsley Street to finally be connected as part of a new development which will see 43 houses built on the site of the old Albert Mill if a planning application is successful.

Cllr Ken Moss, who has been in discussions with Lancashire County Council and developers since 2010, said, "This is wonderful news and will come as a great relief to many people on the Southside estate who have wanted this for over 40 years. We sat down with LCC and the property developer and stated what we want so that it is not only right for them but also the Rishton residents."

A letter from Highways Development Control at LCC on 12th November 2017 states, "The land ownership issues appear to have been resolved to enable the link from Walmsley Avenue to Walmsley Street to be formally adopted by Highway Authority. The assessment shows that the redistribution of local traffic will not cause a severe impact upon the highway network or safety."

County Cllr Miles Parkinson said, "With a new development proposed, it's logical to link up the roads at the same time, bring the cobbled sections up to the proper standard and finally resolve a long-standing issue. I'm pleased that myself and the Rishton Labour Councillors will be able to draw a line under this and improve the traffic infrastructure."

The full case file containing all documents relating to the application can be found here.

Rishton: Labour Candidate 2018

The Rishton Labour Party have re-selected Cllr Ken Moss to stand as their candidate in the 2018 elections. He joined the Council in 2010 alongside former Councillor Harry Grayson and has served two four-year terms. 

Ken said, "I was only intending to stand for two terms but I have been asked repeatedly by my colleagues at HBC to carry on. Ultimately, it has been a rather humbling number of members of the public asking me not to stand down which swung it for me and so I am delighted to throw my hat in the ring again."

Cllr Moss became Cabinet member for Education, Leisure and the Arts in 2014 and has overseen several major Rishton developments in recent years, including the lease of Norden Playing Fields to Rishton Utd, construction of the first ever Rishton cemetery and securing over £30,000 of money for future Rishton play equipment.

Local elections will take place across the borough on May 3rd 2018.

Rishton: Former Albert Mill planning application submitted

A planning application for 43 new houses on the site of the former Albert Mill in Rishton has been submitted to Hyndburn Borough Council.

Discussions with the three Rishton Councillors and County Cllr Miles Parkinson have been ongoing for several years but now the plans have been formally submitted and the case file can be viewed here:

11/17/0401 - Albert Mill, Rishton

However, several points remain outstanding and the Councillors have met with both the developers and representatives from Lancashire County Council regarding highways issues.

Cllr Ken Moss said, "We wholeheartedly welcome this development but it has to be right for the surrounding residents too. The main issue is connecting up the road between Walmsley Avenue and Walmsley Street which has been requested for over 25 years. We have requested that new highways must to be up to adoption standards and the junction with Mary Street is realigned. HBC is willing to work with the developer to ensure that these issues can be resolved without excessive costs. I am pleased to say that LCC supports us on these points."

New highways are expected to be built to adoption standards, which means that they meet certain criteria in order for LCC to then take on the maintenance liabilities. A stretch of Walmsley Street is currently intended to be left cobbled which the Councillors are not in favour of.

The plans are likely to be debated at the HBC Planning Committee in either December or January.

Baxenden: Fencing to be installed at Recreation Ground

 

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Leisure, announced today that fencing is set to be installed at Baxenden Recreation ground, to deter unauthorised vehicle access after a number of recent incidents.

Cllr Moss said; “Baxenden Recreation ground has recently been subject to unauthorised vehicle access, which not only caused damage to the field, but also meant it couldn’t be used by local residents.”

Cllr Moss added; “Grant funding for fencing is very difficult to come by, however, the Council has been able to find some funding internally at the end of the financial year which we can use to install suitable hit and miss barrier fencing to prevent further unauthorised vehicular access onto the Recreation ground.”

The fences are set to be installed later in the Summer.

LCC: Grass cutting money to be re-assessed

Over the past few years, Hyndburn Borough Council has experienced severe cuts to the public realm budget allocated by Lancashire County Council. This had led to a reduced service and an increased number of emails from the public expressing dissatisfaction.

'Public realm' is the term given to areas which borough Councils do not own but maintain on behalf of other organisations for an annual fee, such as roadside verges, trees and certain grassed areas.

Cabinet member for Parks and Open Spaces, Cllr Ken Moss, has contacted the new Leader of LCC, Cllr Geoff Driver, to see if this decision can be reversed.

Cllr Moss said, "We simply don't have the money to cut certain areas as much as we would like and quite understandably this has led to complaints from residents. I contacted Cllr Driver to point out the knock-on effects such as unsightly areas, increased flytipping and pet fouling and was delighted to find that he agreed with me. He has assured me that he will reinstate the public realm budget as soon as possible and I would like to thank him for his support." 
 

Rishton: Work begins at new cemetery

Construction has begun at the new cemetery off Lee Lane which will see burial capacity secured for many decades to come.

Cabinet member for Cemeteries, Cllr Ken Moss, said, "This is a much-needed new facility and represents the first ever cemetery in Rishton. It will be named the Rishton and Great Harwood Cemetery and is expected to cater for burial requirements for at least another 70 years."

The field was bought by HBC several years ago to compensate for the existing Lee Lane Cemetery which is likely to be full within 2-3 years.

Rishton: Fires and vandalism at Holt Street recreation ground

Fires and vandalism are now causing serious disruptions for the Council and the fire service at Holt Street recreation ground in Rishton. The area around the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) has become a magnet for antisocial behaviour which has damaged the shelter, tarmac and left the woodland strewn with litter.

A petition has been set up by local residents to use £30,000 of money from a new development on Parker Street to build a play area at Holt Street but Councillors remain firm that this will not be happening.

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet member for Parks, said, "We have discussed this in depth but Holt Street does not belong to HBC and it causes us problems on an almost daily basis. It already costs the Council several man hours every week to clear the debris left by fires and we are not willing to spend public money in an area which has a long history of vandalism."

He added, "The money will be spent improving the Ladybird Garden on Chapel Street instead. £30,000 would not build anything spectacular on its own but as part of improvement works to an existing area it will go a long way. We'll be happy to talk about this to the group behind the petition but so far we haven't been asked."

Designs for The Ladybird Garden are currently being drawn up and work is expected to start within the next 12 months.

Boundary Commission: Hyndburn parliamentary seat proposed to be renamed Accrington

Proposals for the redrawing of the Hyndburn parliamentary boundary have been released by the Boundary Commission for England and a map of the new 'Accrington' constituency can be seen above.

Graham Jones is the current Labour MP for Hyndburn and, if the boundary review is successful, will be a eligible to stand again as the sitting member for the new constituency in 2020.

The current boundary can be seen above edged in blue and the proposals will not affect Hyndburn Borough Council or the wards which fall within the district boundary.

Rishton Councillor Ken Moss said, "I support the proposals to redraw the Hyndburn parliamentary boundary and rename it 'Accrington'. This to me makes the area more easily identifiable when discussing it with people from outside the area. It is also reassuring to know that our borough will not be carved up between other areas which was the intial fear locally. Our current MP, Graham Jones, is born and bred in Accrington and it is good to know that we have the potential to keep a local man as our representative in Westminster in future years."

To give your feedback on the proposed new parliamentary boundary please visit the official website here:

Boundary Commission for England - Accrington

HBC: Summer Fun 2016

A booklet packed with fun activities for children and young people to enjoy in Hyndburn over the summer will be given out to all pupils in Hyndburn schools soon.

The booklet, produced by Hyndburn Borough Council, in partnership with the Hyndburn, Rossendale and Ribble Valley’s Children’s Partnership Board and Lancashire’s Children and Young People’s Trust has a whole host of things to keep young people entertained over the summer; including swimming, badminton, table tennis, performing arts, gymnastics and free running.

The booklet provides a calendar with hundreds of activities for children and young people to take part in over the summer holidays. Featuring the Quid a Kid Club at Hyndburn Leisure Centre, drama projects at the Civic Arts Centre plus a range of activities for younger children.

Councillor Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families said; “The Summer Fun Brochure is back once again to help keep you happy, active and busy over the summer break. We are delighted to be able to produce this handy booklet again and whatever you’re into we’re sure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

The Summer Fun Booklet will also be available to collect at libraries, children’s centres, leisure centres and other public buildings.

EU Referendum: Hyndburn votes Leave

The borough of Hyndburn voted decisively to leave the European Union on 23rd June 2016 and the results can be broken down as follows:

Total number of voters:  40,168
Leave:  26,598
Remain:  13,569

The count took place at Accrington Town Hall and was attended by Labour Councillors Ken Moss, Bernard Dawson and Munsif Dad, Leader of the Council Miles Parkinson and Graham Jones MP.

31 ballot papers were rejected for the following reasons:

Voted for both:  13
Voter could be identified:  3
Unmarked or uncertain: 15

A full breakdown of the voting in each ward will be available shortly.