Peel: Former Councillor Wendy Dwyer passes away

It is with great sadness that the Hyndburn Labour group announce the death of former Peel ward Councillor Wendy Dwyer.

Wendy served on Hyndburn Council until 2003 and had also been a member of Lancashire County Council until 2009. Following re-election in 2010, she stepped down from the Council in 2016 after representing Peel Ward for a final 6 years and was made an Alderman in May.

Graham Jones MP said, "She was involved in many societies including Credit Union and Parkinson's Society amongst many. She was an amazing woman. Proud wife of a local miner who spent so many years fighting for the people of Baxenden, Barnfield and Peel as well those across Hyndburn."

Paddy Short, who succeeded Wendy in Peel in May's elections, said, "It is a great and daunting honour to stand in her place. I have a lot to live up to. But I'll keep that red flag flying, Wendy."

Rishton Councillor Clare Cleary, "An inspiration and a true role model, you will be sadly missed x"

Cllr Noordad Aziz said, "Wendy was a stalwart and the best."

Cllr Munsif Dad said "Very sad indeed, it is loss to the Hyndburn Labour movement. Excellent ambassador and she will be missed."

Council Leader Miles Parkinson said, "Wendy served many enjoyable years on both Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council plus she had numerous passions and was invcolved with many charities to make Hyndburn a better place. She was a great lady who will be sadly missed by all and especially the Labour Party."

The flags around the borough will be at half mast today in memory of Wendy.Details of her funeral will be announced shortly.

Peel: Councillors report fly tipping

Cllr Joyce Plummer and Cllr Wendy Dwyer undertook a walkabout in Peel recently and several flytipped items were reported to HBC for clearance. Items included a fridge freezer and a sofa, plus a dirty back yard was logged for enforcement action to be taken against the owners.

Peel: Councillors undertake litter pick

Councillors Joyce Plummer and Wendy Dwyer were assisted by Labour 2016 candidate Paddy Short in a litter pick on the grassed area at Cedar Street.

Paddy said, "We don't have much greenery in Peel and our Councillors are working to get some nicer shrubbery planted to give us something better to look at. It isn't helped by the amount of litter though so we got some rubbish bags from the Council and cleared the site. We hope it looks better now!"

Peel: A day in the life of a Labour Councillor

A typical day as a Labour Councillor -By Councillor Joyce Plummer:

10.30 –  Call received from resident regarding untaxed van parked outside of her property (this is an on going problem this resident and other residents have been experiencing).  Called to see resident, vehicle registration checked on DVLA site and found out it is not taxed or SORNED, reported to police and DVLA.

12.30 – Call from Accrington Observer about arson attack on house on Lodge St, comments given.

18.30 – Myself and Councillor Wendy Dwyer visited residents of the property to see if we could be of any assistance, they would like us to notify them of any property to rent in the area as they are too frightened to stay where they are, but would like to stay in the area as relatives live here.

19.00 – Call from resident who is disabled and more or less immobile.  Called around to see her she has been going to Conservative Club Clayton Le Moors by taxi every Saturday. She has made many friends there now goes out on day trips with the club, which has given her a new lease of life, however there are “No Parking” restrictions now outside the club.  Although the taxi company only literally drops her off and picks her up from outside, they are now afraid to stop there at all, plus some members of the club that are stood outside at the time tell her the taxi cannot stop there. Which means she will have to stop going on a Saturday.
Discussed matter with Tim O’Kane and might have found a solution

19.55 – Call received from resident that large van is yet again parked in a dangerous position and causing an obstruction to the entrance to the street for other vehicles. This vehicle is also being driven on the pavement when being parked up. I have been in discussion with the police only last week about the numerous problems this vehicle is causing.  Councillor Dwyer and I intend to call round and try and discuss this problem with the owner.

20.30 – Rang resident in Lodge St and informed him about property to rent in Spencer St, informed him I would find out more details tomorrow and pass them onto him

Peel: Residents' Meeting - 14th September 2015

The Peel Residents' Meeting takes place in the Stanley Pub, Stanley Street on every second Monday of the month.  All residents are welcome to attend to air any issues or ideas they may have for the betterment of the area with their local Councillors, Joyce Plummer and Wendy Dwyer.

The next meeting will be held on 14 September 2015 at the Stanley Pub.

Peel: Go Peel 2015 a success

 

Dozens of youngsters enjoyed free sporting activities as part of the annual ‘Go Peel’ event on 15th August 2015. The children scaled a large climbing wall and also took part in various sports including archery, netball, football, cricket and athletics under the watchful eye of professional coaches.
All 55 participants received a free t-shirt, medals and certificates and healthy food was provided on the day by Asda.

Go Peel is run by Councillor Joyce Plummer and Michael Clarkson with help from County Councillor Bernard Dawson, Councillor June Harrison, Vincent Plummer and Paddy Short in conjunction with local neighbourhood police and aims to get interested in sport.

Cllr Plummer said, “It went very well and there was lots of different sports for the children to do. There was also a craft stall so they could make cards and boxes and things to take home. The idea of Go Peel is to get children into sporting activities as opposed to hanging around on street corners. We started Go Peel back in 2004 and it doesn’t cost the children anything. Medals were awarded to the best people in each group and they all got a certificate of achievement.”

Peel: Labour In Peel

The latest Hyndburn Labour blog to go live focuses on the work done in Peel by local Councillors Wendy Dwyer and Joyce Plummer, plus active residents such as Paddy Short.

The blog can be found here and will be updated regularly:

Labour In Peel

Peel: The Coppice Play Area extension now open

The Coppice Playing Field extension for older children has been a scheme by The Friends of Arden Hall and Coppice which is run by local Labour Councillors June Harrison, Wendy Dwyer and Joyce Plummer. They have raised £30,000 from various sources for this project. including donations from Peel and Barnfield and Huncoat Area Councils.

The new play area extension at Peel Park opened for the bank holiday weekend on May 4th and a plaque to acknowledge all contributions to the project is displayed near the entrance.

Peel: Go Peel 2014 is another success

Last weekend saw the yearly Go Peel event for children in Accrington. The event was arranged for youngsters between the age of 7-16 from 11.00am until 4.00pm, with professional coaches for rugby, football, archery, netball and athletics. This year there was also a bucking bronco machine and an arts and crafts teaching session.

Peel Councillor Joyce Plummer (centre) said, "Michael Clarkson and myself, in conjunction with the police, formed GO PEEL and every year we raise funds to hold the event. We could not have done this over the last few years without the valued assistance from Wendy Dwyer, June Harrison and Bernard Dawson.We also appreciate the support of our local MP, Graham Jones."

All the children received a free T-shirt, healthy eating food and drink at no cost and each year a number of the youngsters sign up with difference clubs.

Peel: Election 2014 - Joyce Plummer

The Labour campaign team has been out in force across Hyndburn and 2014 Labour candidate for Peel, Joyce Plummer, is no exception. Along with her local Labour Councillors Wendy Dwyer (above) and June Harrison (below), Joyce and her canvassers have been knocking on doors in Peel to try to secure her first term as a Hyndburn Councillor.

Joyce is no stranger to public life having been a prolific community activist for many years. She hopes that by becoming a Councillor she can build on what she and her colleagues have already achieved in the area.

Peel: Joyce Plummer confirmed as 2014 election candidate

Joyce Plummer has been confirmed as the Labour candidate for Peel ward in the 2014 local elections. Joyce has been a hardworking member of the community for many years and is actively involved with other Labour Councillors such as June Harrison and Wendy Dwyer on projects throughout the area.

Joyce is the preferred successor to Cllr Bernard Dawson who is standing down as District Councillor to concentrate on his role as County Councillor.

Improvements to local beauty spot

A fantastic walk in the countryside, with views overlooking Accrington has been made even easier now with improvements carried out to the paths in the south of Peel Park. Over 1700 linear metres of refurbished paths link up with improved paths to the summit of the Coppice, which were completed in 2009, allowing more people to enjoy the countryside and stunning elevated views from the edge of east of Accrington.

As part of this work, funded by the Forestry Commission and Lancashire Environmental Fund, path improvements have also been completed in the grounds of which once stood Arden Hall. The site of the old hall became the location of a recent archaeological dig and you can see the findings on the Council’s website at www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Deputy Leader, Cllr Clare Pritchard, who is Chair of Friends of Arden Hall and the Coppice said; “The new paths through the woodland at Arden Hall have massively improved this area and make it so easy for people to enjoy a leisurely walk and enjoy the wonderful countryside. We’re looking forward to seeing similar work carried out later this year, following years of investment from different agencies and now making this well-loved local beauty spot more accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

Wildflowers have been sown on any disturbed ground left by the works, by volunteers lead by Prospects Foundation and funded by the Green Partnership Awards.

Similar path improvements will be carried out later this year and early 2014 to complete the path network at Peel Park and woodland improvement work is also planned to improve the area for local wildlife.

Food growing for all

More people can now enjoy the pleasure of growing their own food with the Council’s ‘food growing for all’ project.

‘Food growing for all’ is about opening up the benefits of allotment life to as many people as possible, with raised beds available for people who might not otherwise be able to manage a standard allotment plot.

Easy access beds are easy to garden for people with reduced mobility or strength.  They have good access and are very easy to look after.  You can garden them while sitting or standing.  No serious digging is needed.  They’re just right for people with a bad back, hip or knee, or wanting to be more active to help recovery from an illness.

Starter raised beds are perfect if you only have a bit of time available and if you get into the swing of it, you can always move up to a bigger plot later.

Wendy Dwyer, local resident and Hyndburn Councillor, has just harvested her first vegetable crop after only a few weeks on her easy access bed at Peel Park near Avenue Parade.

Wendy said; “I’ve never grown my own food before, but this has given me the pleasure of picking my own spinach, radish and lettuce and taking it straight home for my tea”. Everyone can have this opportunity.  We’ve got spaces suitable for all needs.  Join the food growing revolution in Hyndburn and grow your own too.”

Easy access and starter raised beds are available at more allotment sites in Hyndburn:-
• Woodnook allotments, off Rothwell Avenue, near Hollins Lane, Accrington.
• Heys allotments, off Heron Way, Oswaldtwistle.
• Peel Park allotments, off Avenue Parade, Accrington
• Meadoway allotments, off Queens Road West, Accrington.
• Norden allotments, Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood.

Advice and support is also available to help you get growing.

Get in touch with the Allotments Service on 01254 388111 if you, or someone you know would like to take a look at what’s available.

Review of HBC Land Assets

Cllr Ken Moss (pictured here with Cllrs Ciaran Wells, Ian Robinson and Wendy Dwyer) is currently heading a review of all land owned by Hyndburn Borough Council to look at better uses for areas which are a drain on financial resources. The review is being carried out on a town-by-town basis to enable a thorough investigation and the Great Harwood investigation has now been completed during a pilot programme.

Councillors from each ward are being asked to look at their own areas ahead of investigations to come up with suggestions and will be heavily involved in the discussion process.Each township is expected to take around 2-3 months to review with 13 parcels of land having been considered during the Great Harwood exercise and recommendations have now been drawn up.

Some areas are unsuitable for sale or development as they form green spaces or car parks but others have been deemed as a waste of Council expenses and recommendations will be put to the Cabinet shortly. The next review is of Clayton-le-Moors and Atham, with Rishton to follow at the start of 2013.