HBC: Helping mothers to give babies the best start

Here in Hyndburn there’s lots going on to support mums to breastfeed their babies.

It is illegal to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place and a recent poll for Public Health England shows 72% of people support public breastfeeding. Breast milk has a positive impact on both baby’s and mother’s health. It provides babies with the nutrients they need to make the best start in life, protecting from infection and disease and is associated with a reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese as they grow older. Breastfed babies are also less likely to suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea and having to go to hospital as a result. For mothers, breastfeeding may lower the risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer.

Councillor Kerry Molineux, chair of Hyndburn Borough Council’s Health and Communities Working group, said, “We’re all responsible for helping new mothers feel comfortable in feeding their babies wherever and whenever they need to. With all the demands on health services and the proven benefits of breastmilk, it just makes complete sense. Often all it takes to help a mum make the decision to start or continue breastfeeding is a bit of support and encouragement and we have some great support locally.”

One example of that support is the Bosom Buddies service. NCT volunteers are on hand to provide peer support to anyone who needs advice, or simply encouragement and a listening ear. The sessions in Accrington are at the Park Child and Family Centre on a Friday morning, 10am until 12 noon and are part of a one stop shop, where parents can get their baby weighed, chat to a health visitor or family support worker and have a cup of tea and a chat. On Monday 12.30pm until 2.30pm, Bosom Buddies meet at Great Harwood Children’s Centre. There’s also a national helpline on 0300 100 0212. Midwives, Health Visitors and GPs are also on hand to provide support.

We also have lots of businesses locally who’ve signed up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme. You’ll recognise them by the window sticker or there’s a list online – you can find this via Hyndburn Borough Council’s website (search “breastfeeding”).

One local business that’s signed up is Lily Mae’s on King Street in Accrington. Lily Mae’s manager said, “We’re really happy to support the scheme and we always welcome families, babies and young children. For us it’s about great customer service. We care about how we feed our customers so it’s great to see babies are getting top-class nutrition too!”

If you’re a local business who would like to sign up too, it’s simple – just complete this short online form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BreastfeedingFriendlyPlaces2014

Overton: Wall in need of repair at Churchfield House

A damaged wall at Churchfield House in Great Harwood has been reported for repair by Cllr Kerry Molineux and Leader of HBC Cllr Miles Parkinson.

It is hoped that the damaged section will be attended to very shortly.

Hyndburn Warm Homes

Last week Councillor Kerry Molineux and Councillor Ciaran Wells went out with the surveying team from the Warm Homes initiative. The scheme is to help create warmer homes within Great Harwood. Warm homes is offering free boiler replacements and free home insulation to those who qualify.

If you would like more information please feel free to get in touch either directly to the Warm Home Team 0800 6127838 or via Hyndburn Homewise on 01254 232249

Great Harwood: Memorial Clock restored

After several months hidden under wraps the Great Harwood Mercer Memorial Clock Tower has this month been revealed in all its new glory.  The repair work which was funded by Hyndburn Council and £27,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), has resulted in this much loved local landmark being restored back to its former glory.

As part of the project year 5 and 6 students in local schools have been completing workbooks and doing art projects to learn about the life and times of John Mercer, to whom the clock is dedicated.  The clock tower, which is at the heart of the much loved historic town square, was unveiled in 1903 with much local pride, and dedicated to John Mercer, the inventor of a cotton treatment process known as Mercerisation.  Mercerisation was a milestone for the cotton industry making the material softer, stronger and easier to dye.

Copies of the school workbook and the original souvenir booklet can be downloaded from the Great Harwoods community website www.mercerclockwatchers.com/downloads-1/school-pack/

The finale to the project which has been led by Hyndburn Borough Council, the Great Harwood Civic Society and the Great Harwood Community Action Group will be the rededication of the clock tower which will take place at 6pm Friday 6th December, to coincide with the Christmas light switch on.  During the event Leslie Mercer and local artist Eddie Foster will be unveiling and dedicating a piece of artwork, which Eddie has created to represent the work undertaken by the schoolchildren during the project.  The artwork will be placed at Churchfield House during December so that local residents can get a better view.  Churchfield House and the John Mercer exhibition will be opened by the Civic Society during December every Thursday and Sunday.

A preview of the childrens work and the work created by Eddie will be held on 1st December 2013 at 12.30pm.  The exhibition will be held to celebrate both the childrens work and the life of John Mercer.

Great Harwood Councillor, Cllr Kerry Molineux, said; “The Mercer Memorial Clock Tower is an is a huge part of Great Harwood’s proud history and a focal point in the town, so it’s wonderful to see it restored now and that the story of John Mercer and the Tower forms part of this superb exhibition by local schoolchildren for all to come and see.

In particular the Council would like to say a huge thank you to the Great Harwood Civic Society who have provided regular weekly updates by holding an exhibition on the town square during the repair work, the major event that saw the recent opening of Churchfield House and the John Mercer exhibition, and also for completing the planting scheme around the clock tower itself.”

Cllr Molineux concluded; “The rededication and the light switch on is a community event, for all to enjoy. Everyone is welcome, so please bring all the family to Great Harwood on Friday 6th December at 6pm.”

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Mercer Memorial Clock Tower is an important local landmark in the heart of Great Harwood and represents a key part of the town’s rich industrial history. Through HLF’s grant, this impressive structure has undergone much-needed restoration work and local people will continue to learn about and enjoy the story of the tower, and John Mercer, for many years to come.”

Great Harwood: Community Clean Up

A community clean up event took place on Saturday 12th October and the Labour Councillors were out in force with HBC staff and residents, who were encouraged to dispose of their unwanted bulky items for free in a Council skip.

The event was well-attended, with people queuing up early and all residents are thanked for making use of this service.

Great Harwood: Labour newsletters being delivered

After attending the Town Crying of the Market Charter on Wednesday 21st August, local Councillors Ciaran Wells, Miles Parkinson and Kerry Molineux went out delivering information leaflets around Great Harwood regarding Labour activities in the area.

The Labour group are trying to keep residents more aware of their activities through leafleting and blogging and a dedicated Great Harwood blog can be found here:

Harwood First

Great Harwood walkabout

Cllr Kerry Molineux (right) and Cllr Noordad Aziz have undertaken a walkabout in Great Harwood over the weekend (ably assisted by Carmel, left) to ask residents if they have any issues that they would like the Council to deal with.

Cards were posted the previous week through letterboxes so that residents were aware that their local representatives would be knocking over the next few days. This is a scheme that has already been successful in Peel by Cllrs Bernard Dawson and Wendy Dwyer, Barnfield by Cllr June Harrison and Rishton by Cllr Clare Cleary and will be rolled out by Labour Councillors in other wards too.

Great Harwood Community Clean Up

Great Harwood Area Council have teamed up with Lancashire Constabulary to hold a Community Clean Up on Saturday 16th March from 10.00am until 12.00pm. HBC and the local police are calling on all members of the local community to come along and help to improve the area.

Skips and equipment will be provided at Hameldon View, Princess Street and Park Street. The local Councillors will be in attendance to lend a hand and all help is welcomed.

Great Harwood Area Council - 8th November 2012

The next meeting of Great Harwood Area Council will take place on 8th November 2012 at 7.00pm at Bank Mill House. Labour Councillors Noordad Aziz (pictured), Ciaran Wells, Gareth Molineux and Kerry Molineux will be in attendance to answer residents' questions and provide updates.