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.

Great Harwood: Councillors out cleaning bus shelters

The Great Harwood Labour Councillors have been out cleaning bus shelters around the ward to improve the general appearance of neglected stops.

Cllr Jenny Nedwell said, "We are undertaking the work which people will notice and improve the look of Great Harwood. Plenty of buses went past with waves from passengers who seemed to appreciate what we are doing."

The Councillors are planning more sessions to clean road signs which have grown dirty.

Rishton: Construction begins at Parker Place

Construction on the 72 new homes at the old Gaskells Carpets site, currently going by the name of Parker Place, was officially started on Thursday 10th November with a ground cutting ceremony. Cllrs Clare Cleary and Miles Parkinson were in attendance along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Hyndburn.

Cllr Cleary said, "This represents a real beginning of regenerating this site. The local Councillors are all enthusiastic about this and we have had many enquiries about how residents can buy new houses before the first one is even built. It's an exciting time for Rishton."

Oswaldtwistle: Vote for The Abundance Hub

Please click on the link below to support the Abundance Hub bid for funding through the Aviva Community Fund.

They’re looking for 800 great projects throughout the UK – and you can have as many as 10 votes – so please help to bring this opportunity to Hyndburn.

The Abundance Hub - where excess produce can benefit local people in need rather than going to waste. Community food growing training and support, healthy eating, and cooking skills. It will also act as the community hub for donation of surplus locally grown fruit and veg. The programme will be open to all but will particularly seek to support disadvantaged communities and marginalised groups across Hyndburn.

Here is the link for the Abundance Hub bid - LINK.

Please register – which is quick and easy – and then cast your 10 votes.

Accrington: Remembrance Day 2016

 

Hyndburn Borough Council and the Royal British Legion organised the annual raising of the flag on Armistice Day out side Accrington Town Hall on 11th November 2016. The event was introduced by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Tim O'Kane, and featured readings from local clergy, schoolchildren and ex-servicemen.

 

The Deputy Mayor of Hyndburn, Peter Britcliffe, did not attend the service.

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