This week we go for a walk around Wycoller, publicise Buzz Hawkins and the Bradshaws, show residents around the Town Hall and open Harp Ceramics

Monday 21 January
I spent some time arranging the events that we have coming up in February and March. First is our Business Lunch, which is to be on Monday 4th Feb. at the Town Hall. The two other lunches, which we have arranged, were very well received so we need to keep up the standard. The next up-coming event after that is The Mayor of Pendle meets Buzz Hawkins and the Bradshaws.

Buzz Hawkins is coming to see the Mayor!

This is our Press Release;
The Mayor of Pendle meets the Bradshaws at Colne Muni at 8pm
on Friday 8th February and invites everyone to join him.
The Bradshaws are Alf, Audrey and little Billy Bradshaw, an ordinary family living an ordinary life in an ordinary two-up two-down terraced with outside loo, set in the fictional Manchester suburb of Barnoldswick! It is in the era of pounds, shillings and pence (probably sometime in the 1950s), when convenience food was bread and dripping, sugar butties or condensed milk butties. There is almost always a Brass Band playing two or three streets away. The Bradshaws are a normal working class family with little money, although they are able to afford a few luxuries such as Alf's Woodbines.

Buzz Hawkins the man behind the Bradshaws presents this unique and wickedly funny show, which it is said, could cause face-ache, wheezing, loss of breath, loss of dentures, sore ribs and temporary incontinence due to the unavoidable amount of laughing you have to do. So unbutton your cardigans and be ready for a night out you'll never forget.

The comedy show for all the family is being put on by the Mayor to raise funds for his chosen charities. There is also a real ale bar and Lancashire Hotpot available.
So come and Meet Buzz Hawkins and the Bradshaws with the Mayor of Pendle
for a great Friday night out.
Tickets are only £10 (or £12 on the door) from
the Pendle Leisure Box Office, Albert Road, Colne Tel. 01282 661234

In the late afternoon I attended a meeting with supermarket developers who want to build a store in Barnoldswick on the site of what is now Carlson Filtration, with access via the Butts. As usual when we are asked to meetings regarding planning applications, we do not give any indication on how we would vote when it comes in front of the committee. The developers said that even if planning was granted the build would take about 2 years. They also told us that they are holding a public consultation meeting at The Rainhall Centre from 2.30 – 7.30pm on Wednesday 30th Jan.


Tuesday 22 January
In the afternoon we continued our Tuesday Mayors afternoon walks.

The walkers admire the willow tunnel and horse with rider at Wycoller

This one was from the home of John Belbin in Colne. We walked from his house to Wycoller and then over the moors before dropping down to Trawden and then back to Colne via Winewalls.

Wycoller with its Hall associated with the Brontes and its ancient foot bridge

The weather was again good -as it usually is on Tuesday afternoons. We stopped for while in Wycoller to have a sit on the new bench in the memory of Brian Akrigg.

Brian's bench at Wycoller - sit, rest and enjoy

Brian was a councillor for several years in Brierfield when I also represented the area. Although we were not in the same political party we worked well together for the benefit of Brierfield. Brian was a good man and is sadly missed.

Our walkers have a look at the milk churn from Stunstead Farm outside Trawden

In the evening I attended the Scrutiny Management Committee which I sit on. Amongst other things we had presentations on the Council’s draft Sustainable Community Strategy and also the Council’s 2008/9 budget consultation. We also had a look at the Charter between Pendle Council and all of the Town and parish Councils in the Borough. This is particularly import around now as we have also applied for parish status for Colne and Nelson which are the only 2 areas not parished at present.


Wednesday 23 January
In a very strong wind I fought my way through Boundary Mill sales shoppers for a publicity picture. We went to the site of the new Next Store which is due to open soon.

I'm not a real shopper - the bags are full of paper

The photo for Pendle News was to show all the supermarkets vying to build in Pendle. We have Booths, Tesco, Sainsburys and others all putting planning applications in. The massive Boundary Mill complex is also due to open in 8 weeks time. The very fact that they all are looking to develop here must mean that they have a great deal of confidence in Pendle.

In the evening I attended the Standards Board, which I sit on, and where we looked at the consultation document on arrangements for new powers for local Standards Committees.

Thursday 24 January
In the morning I chaired our monthly board meeting at my company in Nelson. However because of that I had to miss hearing Buzz Hawkins and the Bradshaws on the Ted Robins show on Radio Lancashire. As I could access it on the listen again section of their website, I heard Buzz give our event on 8th Feb. at Colne Muni a good plug.
At 6pm I went along to Barnoldswick Town Council office where with Martin Bell and Keith Bailey, who are fellow Town Councillors, we had a look at the Towns website. We decided that it needed updating and more publicity, so that people knew to access it. We also had a look at the town council’s newsletter – Communicate and our notice boards. We will report to the Town Council this week.

Friday 25 January
I have received my new petrol generator, which will produce 650w – enough for a few lights. The reason that I got this, is that we have lots of power cuts, mainly because a lot of the electricity lines are overhead in these parts. When we get strong winds – which is often – we also get trees falling onto the power lines and cutting us off. Last year was particularly bad, when we had umpteen power cuts. The power company sent men around in Summer to cut back branches that are near to their lines, so I hope that this helps. It seems to have done so far.

Saturday 26 January
We were driven into the Town Hall for one our regular Town Hall Tours.

We welcome our vistors to a tour of Nelson Town Hall

We had around 14 residents mostly from Dudley Pickles's group, coming for a look around. We showed them everything from the old police cells to the Mayor’s Parlour. About half-way round their tour I go into the Council chamber in my robes and chains to show them how the council meeting are conducted. We also show a bit of the long civic history –particularly of Nelson and Colne as well as present day systems. One person on the tour told me about when as a school child they saw the old King and Queen came to Nelson in the 1930’s and who were mainly ignored by the Town, as it was then know as Little Moscow!

Sharon, Paul, me and the mayoress cut the ribbon to open Harp Ceramics

From the Town Hall we went to help open the new Harp Ceramics tile shop in Colne. Sharon who was opening the new business came along to one of our business lunches so I had promised that I would go along to her opening event.

This what I said at the opening;
I am really pleased that you have invited me to be here today for the opening of your brand new shop - Harp Ceramics.

Starting a business is one of the hardest things to do for someone who hasn’t done it before. But I have a suspicion that Sharon has business in her blood. And the very fact that she is starting a tile business, which I think is much needed in Pendle, in a spot such as this with all of the passing traffic and maybe bigger developments nearby, says to me that she has her head screwed on properly. So I am sure that the business will flourish and go from strength to strength. I know that Victoria Lamonby and the team at Pendle Council have been supportive and the funding via LEGI (Local Economic Growth Initiative) has helped.

I am always pleased to see women starting their own business, as they sometimes perceive it to be more difficult for them. But it doesn’t need to be and Sharon has shown that. What Sharon needs to do now is sell her tiles for all she’s worth, spend very little, work very long hours, keep a good control of the paperwork, always put the client first and keep a smile on her face whilst she’s doing it. If she does all that, she will make her own luck and prosper.

30 years ago I was in the same position as Sharon when I started my own business over in the back bedroom, I didn’t expect that we would now be employing around 50 staff. That was achieved through commitment, drive and dogged determination, which I also think that Sharon has in bucketfuls. So I expect that in the years to come, she will be one of Pendle’s major companies. As they say, “From little acorns mighty oaks grow”.

Sharon, you have got off to a great start - so good luck for the future - I am sure that you and Harp Ceramics will go from strength to strength.

This week we arrange the Pendle Business Awards & Mayors Ball, serve pie and peas at home to the Tuesday walkers and Beat the Bounds of Foulridge

Monday 14 January

I called into the Economic Development unit to discuss the Pendle Business Awards Evening. This year we are introducing Pendle’s prestigious business event to encourage local businesses to gain recognition for all of their hard work and dedication. I also did a spot on 2BR radio about the awards.

Here are the categories:

Pendle Business Person of the Year This category is open to anyone within a Pendle business or organisation be it large or small. Judges will be looking for evidence of activity that has improved the business you own or work for in any way i.e. increased turnover, better staff motivation/training, or have you been pivotal in a new development or product.

Pendle Environmental Business of the Year This category is open to any business located in Pendle who have improved their environmental performance.

Pendle Most Outstanding small Business of the Year This category is open to any business located in Pendle with less than 10 employees.

Pendle Most Outstanding medium/large Business of the Year This category is open to any business located in Pendle with more than 10 employees.

Pendle Business Woman of the Year This category is open to women within a Pendle businesses or organisation be it large or small. Judges will be looking for evidence of activity that has improved the business you own or work for in any way i.e. increased turnover, better staff motivation/training, or have you been pivotal in a new development or product.

Pendle New Business of the Year This category is open to businesses that have started operating within Pendle in the last two years.

Pendle Business Commitment to Community This category is open to businesses and organisations that are actively involved in their local community.

Pendle Business Commitment to Staff Training This category is open to businesses who can demonstrate positive commitment to ongoing staff training and development. Companies need to show that staff training has improved their business performance and given them a competitive advantage.

Pendle Small Retailer of the Year

Tuesday 15 January

This week our “Mayor’s regular Tuesday afternoon walking group” called round to my house at Hollins for a spot of tea. The walking group consisting mainly of Barnoldswick residents was set up to walk the Pendle Way last summer but enjoyed it so much that they carried on walking! Before they were able to sit down for tea they first completed a 6-mile walk, which took them up Brown Hill, along Gisburn Old Track, up to Weets Hill and then back via Duck Pond Farm and Folly Lane. As is usual when our Mayor’s walks take place, the weather was fine and sunny. On the completion of the walk the group enjoyed homemade meat & potato pie with mushy peas, which were followed by a piece of parkin and a pot of tea.

Throughout his year we have been promoting the healthy activity of walking and have already clocked up hundreds of miles throughout Pendle. I am also pleased to see that the 2008 Pendle Walking Festival, which takes place between 30 August and 7 September, will be more days and more walks. I encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the absolutely stunning countryside on our doorstep in Pendle.

Thursday 17 January

I had to nip into Brierfield for my not so regular haircut and ear bending at Talking Heads. Manfred keeps up the chatter about changing the world and also about his house in Sicily.

You have just got to see Buzz Hawkins and the Bradshaws - its only £10 to get in!

I did some sorting out for our Buzz Hawkins standing up for the Bradshaws show on Friday 7^th February at Colne Muni. The tickets are only £10 and you are sure to have a great night so get down there!

Friday 18 January

Called intro the Town Hall to discuss with Jane in Committee section and Paul from Pendle Leisure the 2008 Mayors Ball. We chose the wide-ranging buffet menu including the popular chicken curry, which always goes down well. We have also booked an 18-piece swing band for our entertainment. The theme will be black and white and looks like it will be a right good do – as they say up here.

We get ready to set off - and no I didn't walk all the way round in my chains

Sunday 20 January

Setting off at 9.30 we walked the Foulridge Beating the Bounds walk. Their leaflet states that; The walk takes in a variety of landscapes from the gentle setting of the Leeds & Liverpool canal reservoirs to remote upland with spectacular views of the surrounding area. Around 13 of us set off from St Michael’s church and headed up and across the L&L feeder reservoir, which was pretty full, where I spotted a Crested Grebe.

Now I can't say that it doesn't rain a little bit occasionally in Pendle

After passing Lancashire Gyhll the old County boundary, I spotted a Jay with its vivid colours. Then we went across the busy Colne to Skipton road and down to the Canal and past County Brook Mill, which is the oldest working mill in Lancashire. We went back via Foulridge lower reservoir and finished our walk at the Hare and Hounds in Foulridge where I had a welcome pint of Marston’s bitter followed by pie and peas.

The pie and peas at the Hare and Hounds went down very well

We have completed around 8 miles and it had taken us about 3 ½ hours. The weather had been wet but we all managed to keep our spirits up including the youngest in the party Jodie who looked to me to be about 9 or 10.

Well done Jodie!

The Pendle count this week is 21. (The number of times that I mention Pendle).

This week we visit factories, collect charity cash, talk to the Samaritans, hold Meet the Mayor surgery and take down the Christmas Trees

Monday 7 January
After 2 weeks of much needed R&R after the hectic run up to Christmas, I am now ready again to “get back in the saddle”.

Today I went into the Town Hall for the Licensing Committee hearing. We were to consider 2 sites for an event planned around summer for a Shamania Festival aiming for 2000 visitors.

Last year they held the festival on a hillside between the villages of Fence and Roughlee. We had few complaints then and on the Saturday night of last year’s event at around 11pm I drove up to the site to see for myself. The event looked well planned and they had security people in place. The music in my opinion was not too loud, but we drove into Roughlee to see what it was like there. I couldn't hear anything at all.

The licensing committee starts at 1pm and we went through until around 5.15 to enable everyone to have their say. We had lots of objectors at the Licensing hearing mostly on the issue of noise. Our environmental officers told the committee that they would do sound checks throughout the festival and the organisers would liaise with them on the levels. The committee considered that the applications met the criteria for the Licensing Act 2003 so we granted both applications.

Tuesday 7 January
In the evening I attended the West Craven area Committee. We move our committee around the Earby, Salterforth, Kelbrook and Barnoldswick. Tonight we were in Barnoldswick at the Baptist Centre. It can be a bit cool in winter there so I put plenty of layers on, as it turned out it was nice and warm. We had 5 planning items on the agenda and these tend to take up most of the time. Plenty of residents attended and had their say. The agenda had 19 other items besides the planning ones. Pendle Council was one of the forerunners of delegating authority down to Area committees; many other councils all over England have now followed. This brings the democratic process closer to local people and allows them to participate.

Wednesday 8 January
The pheasants - 2 cocks and 3 hens continue to come down close to my kitchen window to see if I have put anything out for them to eat. As I had run out of birdseed, which they can hoover up at great speed, I had put down some cooked rice. They eat it but they obviously prefer the birdseed.

At lunchtime I paid a visit to Hartley’s Farm Foods Ltd. In Nelson. Michael Hartley showed me around their impressive factory where they process meat mainly for sandwich bars. I watched as beef from Uruguay, which they had bought by the container load, was quickly thawed. It is then bagged and steam cooked in ovens for around 8 hours. The meat is then rapidly cooled in a refrigerated room before being taken out of the bag, sliced and packed into air-free packs. The whole factory had very strict hygiene rules and I had to wear a clean overall, hairnet, and covers on my shoes. The business looked extremely successful and providing jobs for local people.

In the afternoon I attended the Public/Private Partnership Board at the new No1 Market Street in Nelson. This is the Liberata/Pendle Council board, which considers the services that Liberata provides for Pendle. We met in the boardroom, which is fitted out with video conferencing facilities. The building internally is huge and has space for the 300 extra jobs that are going to be accommodated there.

I then nipped home to get the wood-burning stove fired up before turning around to come back to the Town Hall for a Member Development Group meeting. Here we met with Blackburn College who are proposing to put on a degree course for councillors. Some councillors showed an interest in the degree, which takes between 2, and 4 years and we decided to offer it to all of them.

Thursday 10 January
The Mayoress and I went into the Town Hall for a meeting with Committee Services who are this year organising the Mayors Ball. We decided to hold it at Colne Muni again and to have a black and white theme. We are also trying to get a swing band to entertain.

Workers at Strategy pack chocolate for Father's Day

After that we went to Strategy Group Ltd on Lomeshaye Estate in Nelson to collect a cheque from them for the Mayoress’s charity appeal.

We turn the camera back on the press photographers

This year the company had sent e-Christmas cards instead of normal ones and had saved £200 doing so. We had a tour round the factory and were shown chocolate being packed in special offer packs for Father’s Day.

We all get into our protective clothing for the Cheque hand over from the Strategy Group

In the evening we went along to visit the Samaritans on Market Square in Nelson. They cover a wide area from Rossendale up to the Yorkshire Dales and are available to listen to anyone who has something that is troubling them. The local branch was formed in 1973 and has helped many people since that time. We met several of their volunteers who all looked to enjoy what they were doing. Their director told us that they had over 100 volunteers but always needed more as they operate every day, all day. If you want to consider becoming a Samaritan give them a ring on 01282 694929.

We meet with the Samaritans who are doing a great job

Friday 11 January
The Mayor’s secretary left just before Christmas and as the position is still vacant, we have agreed to hold a monthly update meeting with Richard Townson who is the Service manager. We went though all of the forthcoming events, which we have been invited to, and also all of the special things coming up. These include Meet the Bradshaw’s at Colne Muni on Friday 7 February, The Pendle Business Awards on 27 February, The Mayors ball on March 7^th and Pendle Community Volunteers Awards – which we haven’t as yet fixed the date for. So lots going on - and as my term finishes in May not long to do it in.

Cash handover from Pendle Operational Services from the Bit of a Do Raffle

After the meeting we nipped into the Mayors parlour for another charity cash handover, this time it was the raffle at the Mayor’s Bit of a Do held in December. The press turned up for a group photograph and we had a chat with the officers who ran the event.

At 3pm I went into the monthly administration’s meeting with council officers.

Saturday 12 January
We held another of our Meet the Mayor Surgeries, this time at New Road Community Centre in Earby. The idea of this is to get out of the Town Hall and into the Towns and Villages in Pendle to listen to residents concerns. We also took the opportunity as we were in Earby to go along to the Earby Parish Council’s parish rooms. The parish Councillors were all busy taking down their Christmas trees, which had been above all the shops during the festive period. The Christmas decorations in Earby were excellent and I am sure that their residents appreciated them.

Sunday 13 January
Today it was Barnoldswick’s turn to get their Christmas Trees taken down. So I went into to town with my trailer at 10.30 and met with my fellow councillors David, Ian, and Margaret. Between us we took down what must been around 60-70 trees and removed the lights from them. After about 2 ½ hours we had completed the task and had taken all of the trees to the re-cycling depot.

This week we visit Pendle Hospital, open Blakey Hall, see Father Christmas, help regenerating Nelson centre and visit Barrowford and Colne shops

Monday 17 December
At 10.30 we arrived at Pendle Community Hospital in Nelson for a Christmas visit. We were met by the Matron who showed around all of the wards where we were able to chat to many of the patients.

The Matron introduces us to one of the patients at Pendle Community Hospital

The hospital is now used for recuperation for the Blackburn, Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle areas.
From there we went to the 17th century Blakey Hall Farm for the opening of their barn conversion into high quality tourist accommodation. Rachel & Stephen showed us around their excellent bed and breakfast and self-catering facilities.

We cut the ribbon at Blakey Hall Farm - with a sharp pair of scissors!

Mr & Mrs. Boothman has successfully managed to diversify from traditional farming into tourism. The tourism team from Pendle Council were all there to join with me when I cut the ribbon and congratulated them on the 4 double bedrooms addition to over night stay accommodation in Pendle.
Afterwards we went to Townhouse School Christmas party to hand out presents to all of the children.

We meet the Christmas Fairy and Father Christmas with the children

Whist there we managed to meet Father Christmas and the Christmas Fairy in their colourful grotto.

Tuesday 18 December
We were at Hibson Road in Nelson at 11.00am for the Groundbreaking ceremony for the start of new Transport Interchange.

We help to get Nelson Transport Interchange started

By next year this will provide a new high quality bus station, linked to the existing train station with taxi ranks to bring another part of Nelson regeneration.

Now I'm not really knocking down those buildings

One of the demolition workers gave us some old galley proofs from the Free Press, which they had found whilst knocking the old shops down. This is a long forgotten local newspaper, which must have had its office here in 1897.

I show Peter, the local reporter, the 1897 Newspaper galley proofs

After a few press photos we went back to the Town Hall. At 1pm we went to be photographed at the start of work on the old Water Board offices on Every Street. Renovation work is starting on these premises to provide new business start up offices.

The new business start up hub gets underway

This site is part of the Whitefield regeneration area and will form a part of exciting plans for this part of Nelson. I was interviewed by the Pendle Movie Makers who record for posterity significant events in Pendle’s history. They plan to put a film together sometime in the future.

I interview Kelly our Economic Development officer for Pendle Movie Makers

I followed this with a meeting with our Economic Development team on our updated plans for a business awards evening. The event seems to be coming together well and we plan to hold it at the Fence Gate Inn on Wednesday 27th February.

Wednesday 19 December
At 1pm I went to the start of site work for the new ACE centre, which will be built on Russell Street/Cross Street in Nelson.

Another new build in Nelson - the ACE centre

This significant new creative new building will be an Arts and Community facility to replace the old Civic and Silverman Halls. Local people can now see that there is more regeneration going on in Nelson town centre than there has been for many years.
Between 2pm and 3pm I invited all of Pendle’s staff to drop in to my Parlour for a Christmas Drink. I welcomed many members of staff that I have known for many years and some new faces.
In the evening I attended Barnoldswick Town Council where I remained as vice-chair as we appointed Coun. Bell to be the chair for the remaining of the year to replace the chairman who had resigned.

Thursday 20 December
In the morning we held our monthly board meeting at Printoff Graphic Arts Ltd where I am chairman. We also presented all of our staff with a bottle of Champagne.


Friday 21 December
We completed our tour of the Borough’s shopping towns by visiting Barrowford and Colne

Beeches butchers show off their finest sausages

to encourage more local people to support our many excellent small local shops.

Edmondon's shop was full of gift ideas

Starting in Barrowford we visited Chris at Village Fayre, and then to Beech's Butchers, across the road to Edmondson Interiors and then we popped in to Humberstone’s Jewellers

Humberstones had an unusual Christmas tree

where we were shown round their handsome shop before having a welcome cup of coffee.

A White Room had lots of different modern furniture

We the drove up to Colne and started our visit at A White Room, which is a very trendy interior design shop, run by Kelly & David Riley.

The Butcher in the Market hall showed me his flying pig

Our next call was at Ocarina, which sells Fairtrade products, then across the road to Flowers of Distinction, followed by a visit to Colne Book Shop

I could have browsed in Colne book shop all day

where I bought a few books including A plain cookery book for the working classes, first published in1852. Recipes include how to make sick-diet jelly and how to make gruel!

A sherry and mince pie in the Market hall kept us going

We then called in to Colne Market Hall and met the hall keeper Ian Varley who showed us around.

Shaws greengrocers was filled to bursting with vegetables for Christmas Dinner

We met with a lot of the stallholders, the Christmas band and with Father Christmas.

We meet Stuart - visiting from Scotland

Whilst in there we saw Stuart Swain who used to work with me several years ago, but who has lived in Scotland since retiring.

Father Christmas takes a short break from seeing the children of Colne

Our final call was at Graham's Poultry, - Graham is the Chair of the Colne Town Centre Forum.

Graham is kept busy at Christmas

Whilst in Colne we picked up the new Events Guide for the Muni. The guide publicises our Meet Buzz Hawkins and the Bradshaws, which is on Friday 8th February at the Muni. Tickets only £10.
From there we went to Printoff’s works Christmas party in the afternoon.
We now do not have any Mayoral events to attend until the week commencing January 7th so there will be a gap of a couple of weeks on my blog. So - best wishes for a great New Year.

This week we awarded a Big Idea, enjoyed Roughlee's Christmas lunch, visited Earby, met Pendle's past Mayors at Pat's Do and sung at Light up a Life.

Monday 10 December
Another very busy week coming up. And to start it off I had to get to the Town Hall in Nelson by 9.30am to present the Big Idea Awards.
Ideas UK has given Pendle Council a silver award for its staff Big Ideas suggestion scheme. The scheme was launched in 2003 to give Pendle Council staff a way to make suggestions about how to improve services for customers, save money and be more environmentally friendly. The Big Idea, as the suggestion scheme is known, picked up a silver award at Ideas UK's national conference last month.

I congratulate staff on winning the award for their Big Ideas

This is wonderful recognition for Pendle Council’s Big Idea scheme. It's the first time we've put our suggestion scheme forward for accreditation, and we're really pleased to have done so well. Ideas UK were very impressed with the Big Idea, so much so that we were only 2% away from getting the gold accreditation award. Well done to all the Council staff that work on the Big Idea, and those people who've put forward their suggestions.
One of the winners was Timebank, which lets Council staff donate unwanted holidays and flexitime to a central system for people to use when they have to take extra time off work in exceptional circumstances.

Well done for winning with the Time Bank

The idea has already helped people who have had to take care of children while their partners are ill or recovering from medical treatment, and people dealing with extreme cases of bereavement.
In the evening I attended the Standards Committee where a councillor who had had a complaint filed against was cleared of the allegation.

Tuesday 11 December
We drove over to Roughlee Parish Council for their annual Christmas Party. The council office is in what used to be the shop at Roughlee pleasure gardens. When I was still in short pants I used to buy my fishing net there when my mum and dad took me on a day out in summer. We got there on the Burnley, Colne & Nelson single decker bus that used to huff and puff over the hills so much so that sometime you could have walked faster.

Rouglee'ers get ready for their Christmas Lunch

The Christmas lunch was turkey again but I managed it, together with some Christmas pudding and a mince pie. The entertainment was the whole of the 27 children of Roughlee School who came to sing Christmas songs for us. They were very well received, as were the Trawden Ladies Choir, which followed them. In between we managed to get round to see all of the people from Roughlee who were enjoying the party.

Trawden Ladies Choir entertain

I didn’t need any tea as I got ready to go to the Burnley & Pendle NSPCC Christmas Concert at Towneley Hall in Burnley. We met the Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley in the magnificent entrance hall. Towneley Hall is an absolute gem, which is run by Burnley Council. I also used to go there a child to stare at the stuffed bear and if we were lucky get shown the “dungeons” – which I now find is a wine cellar. The Christmas Concert by the South Pennine singers had me guessing where they came from. I guessed Rochdale but got it completely wrong as they came from Burnley. They were very good and we had front row seat to enjoy their wonderful songs. The concert was followed by an impressively large buffet. As I was still full up from lunchtime, I got away with a few small sandwiches.

Wednesday 12 December
At 9am I was at a meeting of West Craven Together in the new Rainhall Centre, Barnoldswick to consider a grant application. From there I went into Nelson Town Hall for a meeting with our Communications Manager regarding the P.R. for the new Pendle Business Awards that we are planning to stage early in the New Year. I then changed into my role as Chair of Licensing and drove up to Colne’s Exchange Pub for a press photograph launching a new Taxi scheme. This will enable taxi drivers, if they decide to, to ask for the fair before allowing customers into their taxis.

Earby lights up

Back home for a quick change and then on to Earby to meet up with their Parish Chairman.

Helping the Parish Council to judge the Best Dressed Earby Shop Competition

We are there to help the Parish Council judge their best-dressed shop competition and also to continue with our Christmas shopping throughout Pendle.

Seasonal cakes in an Earby confectioners

It was an enjoyable event even if the day was very cold.

I'll have some of those sausages that you recommend

The shops had all made a special effort for Christmas and I thought that Earby shopping centre was looking its best.

The flower shop had a great display

We went back to the Parish offices to add up the scores and have a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Whilst there, Morris, a Pendle & Earby councillor, showed me their innovative wood chip boiler.

Morris shows me the Earby Parish's environmental wood chip boiler

Thursday 13 December
I went into the Town Hall for 10.30 for a meeting with officers to consider what will happen with administration of the Mayoralty, with Pat Hudson the Mayors Secretary leaving. Afterwards I went into my business for a meeting with Tom my non-executive director.

At 5.00 I was back at the Town Hall for Pat’s leaving party. We had invited all of the past Mayor’s of Pendle, who were still with us, to join us. Pat had worked for over 22 years at Pendle, so she had known 22 Mayors.

The past and present Mayors of Pendle congratulate Pat on looking after 22 of them

Ten Mayors attended and we all presented Pat with flowers and presents together with a photomontage of all of the Mayors that she had worked with. At 7pm I chaired the full Council meeting in my red robes and civic chain. This was the last meeting of the Council before Christmas and it has become traditional to have drinks in the members room afterwards. I got home by about 9.30pm.

Friday 14 December
We continued promoting Christmas shopping in local shops and this time we were in my hometown of Barnoldswick. The shops all looked inviting and we got to as many as we could.

Stephen, the Barlick Butcher is busy at Christmas

The House of Flowers - flower Shop looked really festive

Decisions Decisions has lots of Christmas gift ideas

The recently refurbished Post Office sells me some stamps for my cards

Sunday 16 December
IN the afternoon we went Pendleside Hospice in Reedley for their Light up a Life outdoor carol service.

Light up a Life Carol Service is well attended

Muriel and the hard working team at the Hospice greet us

It was absolutely freezing and although I had my coat on the cold went straight through me. Muriel Jobling who has been the driving force for the Hospice started the service.

The piper and the Salvation Army Band must have been even colder than I was

We sung well know carols accompanied by the Salvation Army band played and a kilted bagpiper played a lament.

It was absolutely freezing by this time

When it was my turn to say a few words I was so cold that my legs were shaking.

I get to meet the Hospice's resident sheep dog

Afterwards we were able to warm up inside with a nice cup of tea and a piece of cake.