Conservative Leader brands Todmorden Curve motion as 'boring'

Great Harwood Labour Councillors Noordad Aziz and Kerry Molineux submitted a motion to full Council on Thursday 26th June requesting that HBC put pressure on the Department of Transport to provide trains and carriages (rolling stock) for the newly refurbished Todmorden Curve.

The rail line is now re-opened after decades of disuse and provides a direct link between Accrington and Manchester for the first time in years but the DoT have not ensured that there are any vehicles to use and now it looks unlikely that there will be trains in service until the start of 2015.

Cllr Tim O'Kane observed that the new rail link does not currently travel through any Conservative constituencies which may be the reason for the delay.

But Leader of the Conservatives, Cllr Peter Britcliffe, talked throughout the motion and commented, "This is boring, has the timer not gone yet? A new train line? You don't know what you're talking about." He indicated that the Todmorden Curve rolling stock was his idea and that Labour were simply jumping on the bandwagon.

However, Cllr Britcliffe was present for a Labour press photo call in the Accrington Observer calling for immediate provision of trains and Cllr Kerry Molineux stood up to say that the option was there for him to have brought the motion to Council himself, yet he had failed to do so.

The motion was voted for by all Labour members and can be read here:

Motion to Council 1 - 26th June 2014

Oswaldtwistle: Armed Forces Day 2014

Hyndburn Armed Forces Day was commemorated in Oswaldtwistle this year and a service was held at the War Memorial following a parade along Union Road.

The event was well attended and many Labour Councillors and supporters came along, including MP for Hyndburn, Graham Jones.

Mayor Munsif Dad and Oswaldtwistle Councillor Judith Addison gave thanks and prayers for our serving armed forces personnel before retiring to the Social Club for refreshments.

A full set of photographs can be viewed at the Hyndburn Labour Facebook page:

Facebook - Hyndburn Labour

Lancashire Telegraph employees stage protest against staff relocation to Newport

Lancashire Telegraph workers and other members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) held a picket line from 7.45am outside their Blackburn offices on 25th June to raise public awareness of Newsquest's plans to relocate 25 sub-editors to Newport and the response from the public was very positive.

At 12.30pm, following a pizza dinner courtesy of Shuaib Khan, they marched through the town centre to Blackburn Town Hall, where we were greeted by Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern, who was also very supportive. She spoke to members and north west NUJ rep Chris Morley about her dismay at the Newport move.

There was a very strong turnout of members and there were also visits on the picket line from the NUJ vice president, local reps from Unison, UCU (University and Colleges Union), Blackburn with Darwen councillors and Hyndburn Councillor Clare Cleary, as well as the famous ex-Telegraph Harold Heys.

Spring Hill: Roar in the Gore - 29th June 2014

Roar in the Gore is a community fun day at Bullough Park including a bouncy castle, gladiator challenge, climbing wall, rides and attractions.

It will take place this coming Saturday from 8.00am until early evening and admission is free.

Milnshaw: Letter to Laneside residents from local Labour Councillor

Milnshaw Labour Councillor, Paul Cox, has drafted an open letter to the residents of Laneside estate updating them on the situation at Highams playing Fields in Accrington. The playing fields have undergone a huge transformation over the last few months in order to tackle the severe drainage problems that existed on the site.

Cllr Cox said, "Working with external funders Hyndburn Borough Council secured almost £500,000 to redevelop the sports pitches on Thorneyholme Road. The work has been hampered by the incredible amount of rainfall we experienced from December 2013 till March 2014. So making it almost impossible to complete the project on time."

HBC have been assured, by the contractor, that the scheme was delayed due to the ground being unsafe for heavy site machinery to operate. But as the weather has improved it is hoped that the scheme will be back on schedule over the next few months. So allowing for the protective fencing to be removed latter this year with access returned to residents as soon as possible.

Paul added, "I have delivered this letter to the residents of Laneside to keep them informed of the situation and hopefully let them know how we are progressing. But I do ask that if anybody from the community wishes to discuss the issue then please feel free to get in touch"

Duke of Lancaster Freedom Parade - 1st July 2014

Excitement is building in Accrington ahead of the Freedom Parade next Tuesday 1st July, which will see 120 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment march past the Town Hall to exercise their Freedom of the Borough.

Starting from in front of St. John the Evangelist Church, Addison Street, Accrington at 12.00 noon the soldiers will march through Accrington, with drums beating, bands playing, colours flying and bayonets fixed, finishing at the Town Hall  at 12:20 pm.  (Please note that all timings are approximate due to the nature of the event.)

This is the first time that the Regiment, known as The Lions of England, has been able to exercise its right to march in the Borough, after being awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Hyndburn, the Borough’s highest honour.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said; “Excitement about the Freedom Parade is really building now. It will offer us all the opportunity to show how proud we are of our soldiers who risk their lives both at home and abroad to serve our country.  Everyone is warmly welcomed to come and see the Freedom Parade and show our thanks and appreciation for the Regiment’s gallant and courageous service, so please come along on the 1st July to show them your support.”

Colonel Chris Owen, of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment said; “It is a tremendous honour for the Regiment and its soldiers to exercise the Freedom of Hyndburn, and it is fitting that we will do so in the home town of the Accrington Pals on the anniversary of their great sacrifice. Parades such as this give us an opportunity to publicly express our gratitude to the communities our soldiers come from. We very much look forward to July 1 and to thanking the people of Hyndburn for their long-standing and continued support.”
The day will feature a service for the regiment and invited guests at St John The Evangelist Church, Accrington, where Hyndburn’s Mayor, Cllr Munsif Dad will be joined by Mayors from across Lancashire, military dignitaries, cadets, the British Legion and those involved in Hyndburn’s First World War centenary commemorations.

The annual Accrington Pals Memorial service at the Pals Memorial on Church St Accrington is also taking place on 1st July at 11.30am and members of the public are very welcome to attend this.

There are likely to be disruptions to traffic, particularly when the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment makes its way into Accrington town centre. To keep delays to a minimum, we advise people to allow extra time for your journey and try to leave your car at home and catch the bus or walk in where possible.

For a map of the route please see Council’s website www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

The Freedom Parade is part of a programme of activities running from 2014 to 2018 in Hyndburn, to coincide with the programme of national commemorations of the First World War. For more details visit: www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

Milnshaw: More improvements made to Milnshaw Park

The next phase of Milnshaw Park's long term improvement works took another step forward this week with the installation of a handrail to the newly refurbished steps. This rail replaces the previous rail that had to be removed when the new footpaths were upgraded by Hyndburn Borough Council last month.

Milnshaw’s Labour Councillor Paul Cox said, "When I was elected I stated that Milnshaw Park would be a priority of mine. Over the last couple of years I have worked with our Council staff to find funding to improve the Borough's oldest Park. Part of this was a much needed £100,000 spent on the footpaths, this handrail is yet further improvement and another step towards its revamping."

The handrail will provide a great help to many residents who used the new steps. The previous steps, located to the side of the winter bowling green, had become unstable and when the new footpaths were installed this area had to be transformed. When the new footpaths were complete residents asked for the handrail to be placed back in its new position and approached Cllr Cox to see if it was possible. 

Cllr Cox added, "Milnshaw Park is a real asset to this area and is something that I will continue to work to improve. For too long this park has missed out, my own children have never known a functioning park, something that is a real disgrace and something I will not allow to go on. Work like this, footpaths, handrail and community gardens will restore pride in this park and also Milnshaw Ward."