Monday 8 October
Today was the Mayors Tour of Pendle. At this event we invite all the Mayors of Lancashire, plus Craven, which is just over the boundary into Yorkshire to join us for a tour of Pendle. We met all the Mayors at Junction 12 Shopping outlet by the side of the M65. Here we gave them tea and toasted current teacake whilst showing our Pendle Witches DVD, to get them set up for the day. On then to the coach which took us through Nelson, Colne, Winewall, and Trawden to Wycoller.
Today was the Mayors Tour of Pendle. At this event we invite all the Mayors of Lancashire, plus Craven, which is just over the boundary into Yorkshire to join us for a tour of Pendle. We met all the Mayors at Junction 12 Shopping outlet by the side of the M65. Here we gave them tea and toasted current teacake whilst showing our Pendle Witches DVD, to get them set up for the day. On then to the coach which took us through Nelson, Colne, Winewall, and Trawden to Wycoller.
Lancashire and Yorkshire Mayors see the remains of Wycoller Hall
Because the coach cannot get into Wycoller village we transferred to the community bus for the short trip down. In the Aisled Barn Visitor Centre we were met by Peter Short, one of the Countryside Wardens who gave us a run through the history of the beautiful village. Wycoller Country Park is one of the prettiest Country Parks in Lancashire and the area is famous for its association with the Brontè sisters who referred to many of the nearby landmarks in books such as "Wuthering Heights" and "Jane Eyre".
Thornton Hall Farm welcomes the "Chain Gang"
Back to the coach for a very pleasant drive through to Laneshawe Bridge and up to Back Lane Ends. The Pendle countryside is really stunning even when the weather is a bit cloudy. Remember the saying around here "If you can see Pendle it's about to rain, if you can't see it, it's already raining!"
The Llama eyes the Chain of Office to see if its edible
Everyone got long distance views up to the Yorkshire dales before we drove down into Earby and then up to Thornton Hall Farm.
Feeding the goats
Here we had a guided tour of the working farm with many surprises including Lamas and giant rabbits. Thornton Hall farm is an excellent vistor attraction and will encourage many more people to come and visit beautiful Pendle. We then had a guided walk round the paddocks to see the wide range of animals before getting back onto the coach to go for lunch.
A quick trip around the farm
Back then through Earby, Sough and Kelbrook. We had decided to go to Kelbrook Fisheries for fish and chips as a change from the more fancy stuff that we often get on Mayoral visits. But we didn’t tell the Mayors, instead we read out the sumptuous banquet for the Nelson Charter in 1890 implying that that was the menu.
You can't beat fish and chips! (with Peter, the Mayor of Burnley)
Only when we arrived at the chippy did we say it was fish & chips instead! From lunch we drove Greenberfield Locks to board the Marton Emporer narrow boat which took us on a leisurely cruise down the lovely Leeds & Liverpool canal to Foulridge.
Onto the Marton Emporer for a cruise on the Leeds & Liverpool
From there it was back on the bus for a scenic tour of all of the Pendle villages before driving to Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford. A cup of tea and a quick look around the museum was fitted in before the Mayors left to go back to their own boroughs. They all said that they had enjoyed the day and we had managed to get to almost every Town, Village and Hamlet in the Borough of Pendle. (I counted 28).
Tuesday 9 October
In the morning together with other ward councillors and a council officer we visited Gisburn Road School to discuss parking issues. We agreed to put forward plans for addition road lining to maybe help the problem.
In the afternoon we continued with our anti-clockwise Pendle way walk from Newchurch in Pendle to Brierfield, it was dry and sunny and it is surprising how the walk is so different when walking the other way.
I had a quick tea before going to the West Craven area Committee which was held at Kelbrook Village Hall. Our Area committee which takes decisions for all West Craven issues including planning, is the only one that moves around the area. All of the other Area Committees in Pendle stay at one base.
In the morning together with other ward councillors and a council officer we visited Gisburn Road School to discuss parking issues. We agreed to put forward plans for addition road lining to maybe help the problem.
In the afternoon we continued with our anti-clockwise Pendle way walk from Newchurch in Pendle to Brierfield, it was dry and sunny and it is surprising how the walk is so different when walking the other way.
I had a quick tea before going to the West Craven area Committee which was held at Kelbrook Village Hall. Our Area committee which takes decisions for all West Craven issues including planning, is the only one that moves around the area. All of the other Area Committees in Pendle stay at one base.
Wednesday 10 October
The IT team arrived at my home to set up the Mayor-on-Line video internet facility. I am piloting this for anyone to be able to speak to me face to face on Pendle issues. It is early days yet but the test run looked excellent.
After lunch I went along to the IT service area for an ‘official’ visit. We have now visited all of the Pendle service areas and seen lots that we wouldn’t normally have. We have also met lots of back room staff who very rarely see councillors. We seem to have been well received. I am for ever popping into to IT for one thing or another, so I am well known there and when on the Pendle Executive it was my area of responsibility.
After that we went along to Pendle Community Network for a visit and to meet their board.
The IT team arrived at my home to set up the Mayor-on-Line video internet facility. I am piloting this for anyone to be able to speak to me face to face on Pendle issues. It is early days yet but the test run looked excellent.
After lunch I went along to the IT service area for an ‘official’ visit. We have now visited all of the Pendle service areas and seen lots that we wouldn’t normally have. We have also met lots of back room staff who very rarely see councillors. We seem to have been well received. I am for ever popping into to IT for one thing or another, so I am well known there and when on the Pendle Executive it was my area of responsibility.
After that we went along to Pendle Community Network for a visit and to meet their board.
Meeting with the Pendle Community Network board
I hadn’t been there before so they showed me the wide range of services that they cover. We are looking to do a Community Volunteers Awards evening with them during the year. This is to thank the many people who provide their time freely for the benefit of others. They often don’t get thanked, so this event is a chance to remedy this.
Thursday 11 October
In the afternoon we went along to the mayors Parlour to present the winners of the Cleaner, Greener, Safer competition with their prizes.
In the afternoon we went along to the mayors Parlour to present the winners of the Cleaner, Greener, Safer competition with their prizes.
Cleaner, Greener, Safer prize winners
They received a chilli plant, a blueberry shrub, herbs and organic seeds. Over a cup of tea I chatted to the ladies about my chilli and courgette growing experience. They have back yards but as we have seen in a recent visit they are often very good places to grow lots of plants.
I chat with a group of artists from Burnley
In the early evening I went to see the pre-view of the Pendle's Open Arts Exhibition at Colne Municipal Hall.
A few words to launch the exhibition
I had a guide tour around the exhibition and thought that the quality of the photographs and paintings was excellent.
Friday 12 October
A morning visit to meet Mr Henry Nelson in his British in India Museum at Hendon Mill in Nelson.
Mr Henry Nelson welcomes me to the British in India Museum
Here I saw the wide ranging artefacts of India including many very interesting personal articles of people living there in the last 2 centuries. There was even the skin of a tiger shot over 100 years ago but I still cannot imagine what they got out of killing these magnificent animals.
Opening the Prince's Trust Team 28 project at Garden Gates, BarnoldswickAn afternoon visit to the Garden Gates project on Coates Estate in Barnoldswick for the Princes Trust team 28 project completion.
The hard working team 28.
They had cleared waste ground, sourced timber and soil and built several raised beds. This will enable disabled people to easily enjoy gardening. We were very impressed with the team and after cutting the ribbon we invited them to come and visit us at the Town Hall.
My letter to the Local papers:
I was very interested to read Geoff Crambie’s account of the banquet for Nelson’s Charter Day in 1890. He surmises that I would have enjoyed the gourmet food on offer. Looking at the menu I could have probably managed small portions of most of it except the stewed sweetbreads!
On Mayoral business last week, I ate out on 4 days, including home made potato pie, meat and potato pie, a chip butty, 2 tuna sandwiches, apple pie, trifle, and 7 cups of tea and coffee. So you can see that things have changed quite a bit since the 19th Century!
I said at the beginning of my year that I would do my best to keep my waist size the same throughout the year. My walking trips are helping with this, as are my efforts not to eat too much “Town Hall Food”.
I am also promoting Pendle’s 5 -a-day campaign and have been keeping a diary of what I eat and drink. So I can tell Geoff that last week I succeeded in consuming my daily 5 portions of fruit and vegetables and I urge everyone to try to do the same.
If anyone would like to see what I do as Mayor, including where I had the chip butty, you can catch up with my activities on my Mayors Blog at; www.mayorofpendle.blogspot.com
Regards,
Allan Buck, Mayor of Pendle, The Town Hall, Nelson
On Mayoral business last week, I ate out on 4 days, including home made potato pie, meat and potato pie, a chip butty, 2 tuna sandwiches, apple pie, trifle, and 7 cups of tea and coffee. So you can see that things have changed quite a bit since the 19th Century!
I said at the beginning of my year that I would do my best to keep my waist size the same throughout the year. My walking trips are helping with this, as are my efforts not to eat too much “Town Hall Food”.
I am also promoting Pendle’s 5 -a-day campaign and have been keeping a diary of what I eat and drink. So I can tell Geoff that last week I succeeded in consuming my daily 5 portions of fruit and vegetables and I urge everyone to try to do the same.
If anyone would like to see what I do as Mayor, including where I had the chip butty, you can catch up with my activities on my Mayors Blog at; www.mayorofpendle.blogspot.com
Regards,
Allan Buck, Mayor of Pendle, The Town Hall, Nelson
Saturday 13 October
During the morning I held a Meet the Mayor Surgery at Barrowford parish Council offices. Meanwhile the Mayoress held a Coffee Morning at the home of John & Judith David in Fence, to raise funds for the Mayoress’s Charities. Back in time to see England get beat at cricket, win at football and win big style at Rugby World Cup semi-final against France.
During the morning I held a Meet the Mayor Surgery at Barrowford parish Council offices. Meanwhile the Mayoress held a Coffee Morning at the home of John & Judith David in Fence, to raise funds for the Mayoress’s Charities. Back in time to see England get beat at cricket, win at football and win big style at Rugby World Cup semi-final against France.
Sunday 14 October
Today we went to Stanley House at Mellor for the Best Kept Village in Lancashire Awards. Roughlee won the top award - champion village - well done! Blacko the best small village and Newchurch-in-Pendle the best hamlet. Barley was the runner up for best hamlet. So Pendle almost swept the board. Blacko, won the best sheltered accommodation (Hill View), the best war memorial and the best special feature (School allotments). Roughlee also won best caravan site again. Newchurch won best shop (Witches Galore). Barley also got a highly commended for the village hall, and Newchurch also a highly recommended for St Marys school. Pendle scooped the most awards out of the whole of Lancashire. So a fantastic achievements for our picturesque Pendle villages. Well done to all of you for your hard work. This will really help to put Pendle well and truly on the tourist map.
