This week we collect a big cheque, welcome Roughlee, visit Lancaster, Speed date, chair the Council and visit the Pensioners and Scouts

Tuesday 25 March
At 10am we met up with Allison, Phil and Bob from Pendle Leisure Trust at Colne Muni to receive the cheque handover for our Meet the Bradshaws Concert.

We receive the big cheque for the Bradshaws concert

The LeisureTrust had generously given us free use of the hall so we were very pleased to receive £3074, all of which is all going into the Mayoress’s Charity Fund. The press turned up for a quick photo which went in the Leader Group of newspapers on Friday. This amount takes the fund to over £10,000.

Mr Pilkington comes into the parlour to get his prize

Just after lunch Andrew Pilkington of Wenning Street, Nelson came into our Parlour at the Town Hall to be presented with his prize for entering our Healthy Communities Quiz. The promotion was to encourage people to alternate their drinking with some non-alcoholic drinks.
At 2pm we welcomed the Roughlee Luncheon club in the Council Chamber.

We welcome the Roughlee Luncheon Club

I go in dressed in my red gown and with the chains to tell them a little about how Pendle works. I demonstrate to them how big the Mayors chair is, how uncomfortable it is and what happens if you sit back!

We show them the chains and regalia

I also show them the Mayors cocked hat which is several times too large for me and which I wear only if I absolutely have to at ceremonial occasions. Afterwards we showed them around the Mayors Parlour.

The old Nelson Mayor's Chain - complete with an enamel picture of the sewage works!

Whilst they were all having a cup of tea and a biscuit, I showed them the bit of my Blog from when we went to Roughlee Christmas party.
In the evening I attended the Scrutiny Management Committee at Nelson. We considered several reports including Housing Pendle and Pendle’s promotion of Tourism and Corporate Equalities Monitoring.

Wednesday 26 March
I had to be up bright and early to be ready for an 8am set off for our visit to Lancaster City Council. Together with 24 other Lancashire Mayors and Mayoress’s we were met by the Lancaster Mayor, Helen Helme, at Dennison’s Trailers.

Mayors all kitted out in safety gear

We then had a tour of the business led by the Managing Director. One interesting fact was that the cost of a wheel and tyre for the trailers was £200, which for a wheel that size is very cheap compared to cars.

This is where racehorses go when they stop racing

From there we went to The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre at Halton. If you ever wondered what happened to race horses when they are no longer required, this centre was an eye opener. The horses are bred to race and so need lots of training to be able to be used for anything else. The day was very cold and we got absolutely freezing being showed around, so my feet never warmed up again all day.

Fish pie for lunch

From there to Glasson Dock for lunch at the Dalton Arms which was fish pie and very good.

The estate Land Rovers take to the hills

In the afternoon we went to Abbeystead to meet up with the Land Rovers of the Duke of Westminster’s estate. We were driven over the moors on rough tracks used for grouse shooting.

Barbara and one of the estate gamekeepers

The Game Keeper and Estate manager who were in our vehicle were very informative about how the moors were maintained for shooting. We were told that it can cost £70 per bird to take part in grouse shooting parties.

Mayors on the Moors

The day was cold, damp and misty so we didn’t see very much apart from lots of grouse. We were then taken back to The Duke’s country residence but only had time for a quick peek inside as I had to get back to Barlick.

The gamekeepers guard the front door

On the way back we got completely snarled up on the M65 as I understand someone was threatening to throw themselves off a bridge. And in the same week we found that an 81 year old lady had driven down the motorway from junction 4 to 13 the wrong way!
I was therefore very late for the meeting of Barnoldswick Town Council. I got a spot of tea at about 10pm when I got home and was ready for bed very soon after.

Thursday 27 March
This was a first – Political Speed Dating in the Council Chamber. Students from Pendle Vale College had come to quiz councillors on things that concerned them.

Tough questions at the political speed dating

I started the meeting off by explaining what Pendle Council did, how it fitted within government and facts about our area. The speed dating was very interesting and I am sure we all learned a lot form listening to the students. They all said that they had been impressed with how the councillors answered them, which is not what some of them were expecting.
In the evening it was the full council meeting and as this is the last before the local elections it usually interesting to say the least. It mostly went well although some councillors went past their allocated speaking time and I had a difficulty getting them to wind up. I have not had to bang the gavel during my term and had no intentions of using it now – but I was sorely tempted. I wished the councillors who were retiring best wishes for the future. I had had to perch in the big Mayors chair, in my heavy gown and chains all evening until around 9.45, when the meeting finished, so I can tell you that I was rather tired by that time!


Friday 28 March
We received a nice letter from Lord Shuttleworth thanking us for the Earl of Wessex’s visit last week, remarking on the “absolutely splendid and vociferous welcome”.

We are met by the Head at Marsden Heights Community College

In the afternoon we visited Marsden Heights Community College where we were met the head, Mr Tull. He showed around what used to be Mansfield School site. The school is run as faculties including Discovery, Exploration, Communication, Realisation and Expression. The school is presently on two sites here and Edge End, Nelson until the new £20m+ site is built. The head showed us the impressive plans for the new school which is part of the schools for the future projects and is to be built on Bent Head.

I view the impressive plans for the new school about to be built

As there will be all new equipment on the new site, it is planned that the old school furniture will be shipped to Gujrat in Pakistan to help their schools.

Saturday 29 March
At 11pm we went down into Barnoldswick to the Pensioners Club on Frank Street for their Spring Fair.

We help drawing the raffle at the pensioners

I was met by the chair Peggy Witowski and other members of the committee. We had interesting chats with most of the people there and then said a few words, before drawing the raffle.

Chatting with some of the regulars at the Pensioners

There were over 40 prizes including chest perfume! From there we rushed over to Earby to meet the 1st Earby scouts at New Road Community Centre. The young scouts and sea scouts were acting as waiters for lunch.

We are smartly welcomed in Earby by the Scouts

They did an absolutely splendid job and the food was home made and very good. I managed to get around the tables to chat to the rest of the diners who all had interesting tales to tell.

We meet some of the committee members

We then managed to nip next door into the Earby Annual Bulb Show to have a chat with their committee members.

A great splash of colour from the bulbs

It great to see a splash of colour at this time of the year and it means that spring is on its way.

This week we open Boundary Mill, visit Fisher More School, wave Dorothy off, congratulate the Life Savers and walk in Lothersdale

Monday 17 March
Up bright and early to get to the opening of the new Boundary Mill Store in Colne at the end of the M65.

Boundary Mill 1000 space car park, gets ready to fill up rapidly

We were met by Richard Bannister the owner who showed us around. The store is well designed and will bring in millions of shoppers into Pendle. We visited all of the new departments and the impressive warehouses on two floors.

We are shown around Discover Pendle

We also had time to have a quick look into the new Discover Pendle which is close to the entrance. This is to promote the wide range of facilities and events which we have in Pendle.

We meet the Boundary Mill managers

This will really put Pendle on the map. At 10.00am we joined Richard and his wife together with Steven Barnes – Pendle’s Chief Executive to perform the opening of the new mega-store. As we got ready to cut the ribbon to open the doors started moving at the back of us, so shoppers eager to pick up a bargain started to charge past.

Richard shows us his wonderful new store

We then managed a quick cutting of the ribbon and saying a few words before standing back so that the shoppers could get in. Afterwards we went into the restaurant for coffee and to look at the great view of proud Pendle Hill from the new balcony. That must be the best view from any store in Britain. Richard then gave us a quick tour to of his new office suite on the top floor with yet more views of Pendle and surrounding countryside. As I was going around on the tour, I asked shoppers where they had come from and they told Cheadle, Wigan, Bolton as well as more local towns. From Richard’s office we saw the 1000 space car park start to fill up rapidly.

The new restaurant has great views of Pendle Hill

Boundary Mill will bring millions more people in to Pendle. We will encourage these visitors to see a bit more of what Pendle has to offer with our great countryside and lovely villages. Lots of tourism and other businesses could benefit greatly from this development.

We get ready to cut the ribbon quickly, so that the shoppers can get in

The site also has Banny’s fish and chip restaurant, which will rival Harry Ramsden’s as a destination. I was told that they sold over 1000 portions of fish and chips on the first day. Afterwards I went onto Fresh Radio news to give them a bit of a run down of the opening.


Tuesday 18 March
Up early again to visit Fisher More School in Colne. We were shown around the school by the Head teacher Mr Bowhills. We went into most of the classes and had a quick look at what they were doing.

The students show me how to make pasta

We were really impressed with the friendly feel to the school and you can see that the students were enjoying being there. We also met the head boy and girl to tell them a little about what the Mayor does and for a chat about their plans for the future. My son Alex was a student here some years ago and enjoyed their excellence at sport. They also presented me with a copy of the interview which we had had on our visit to FMFM school radio, a couple of weeks back.

Congratulations to the young chess players of Fisher More

Afterwards we gave out the Chess prizes from the competition held at the Town Hall last week.
In the afternoon after a quick call into the office I went to the Public/Private Partnership Board meeting in the new Number One Market Street in Nelson.
After tea I went back to Pendle Town Hall for our regular monthly group meeting.

Wednesday 19 March
In the afternoon we went to see Dorothy Carthy a long time resident who had been Barlick Town Councillor and a Pendle Councillor for many years and was leaving to live nearer to her daughter in Scotland.

Dorthy chats with Marjorie, Margaret and me

We had a very pleasant chat over a cup of tea and cake about the changes that Dorothy had seen to the Town. The photographer from the local paper turned up and here’s the information that I also supplied to the press.

A farewell ceremony was held recently at Robinson Court for Dorothy Carthy, a well-know resident of Barnoldswick who is leaving the Town.
The Mayor of Pendle, Coun Allan Buck together with the Chairman of Barnoldswick Town Council, Coun. Margaret Bell and Coun. Margery Adams wished Dorothy a fond farewell. They presented a picture of Pendle Hill painted by a local artist to reminder her of the wonderful countryside in these parts. Dorothy, who is leaving the town to be able to live nearer to her daughter in Scotland, served as a Liberal member on both Barnoldswick Town Council for over 10 years and on Pendle Council for 4 years. Her father and her grandfather were also well know-known local councillors. She first started work as a school secretary at Gisburn Road School and after teacher training went on to become the Deputy Head Teacher. She was also a founder member of the Barnoldswick History Society and was involved in lots of local organisations. Dorothy promises to come back to visit Barnoldswick.

Thursday 20 March
Peter, my plumber turned up to see what I needed doing to change a couple of our bathrooms. As plumbers and Peter in particular, are really hard to get hold of, I needed to “get him booked in” for the alterations.
At tea time it was back to the Town Hall for an ELEP meeting. This is the group of East Lancs. local councillors that join together to oversee local government procurement. Savings to date this year are over £130k.

The Pendle Life savers show off their trophies for the press photographer

Afterwards we held a reception for Pendle Life Savers who have swept the board with Lancashire Awards. We had our photographs taken by the press before having a few drinks and nibbles.

I congratulate the Life Savers for their dedication

Here is what I said;

We are here today to honour the success of The Pendle Life Saving Group with Tommy Morgan, Kevin Wilding and the young people who teach essential Life Saving Skills to the people of Pendle at Pendle Leisure Centre.

At this year’s Lancashire Branch of the Royal Lifesaving Societies A.G.M. held on Saturday 10th March at Police Headquarters in Preston they won 6 out of a possible 9 Trophies which is a really fantastic achievement.

The Trophies that they won are:

1) Maude Russell Rose Bowl, for gaining the most points by one organisation (points awarded for different categories of life saving awards taken during year)

2) North Lancashire Branch Shield, Most Awards gained by one organisation

3) T. Preston Trophy, most life-support Awards

4) Dennis Wilson 1 trophy. Most Open Water Awards

5) Rothervend Trophy, Most Bronze Medallion Awards

6) Dennis Wilson 2 trophy, most Awards of Merits.

Tommy and Kevin, the two main Instructors, together with the new young life savers at the Leisure Centre Colne have kept the classes going for quite a number of years. All being volunteers they have given their time freely on Sunday early evenings to help train our life savers in Pendle.

In Pendle we have a long tradition of Life Saving but without the long standing commitment of Kevin and Tommy this essential training could have folded on a number of occasions.

To win against all the "bigger Authorities" of Lancashire is a massive credit to both of them and the rest of there team, they are indeed a credit to Pendle.

Friday 21 March
Its Good Friday today and as we didn’t have any Mayoral events to attend we went a great walk around Lothersdale.

A couple of pictures of our Pendle Hill - it looks wonderful all year round

The day was very cold and the North wind was blowing hard promising snow to follow.

A new born lamb checks us out

Setting off from the hidden little village of Lothersdale we climbed over Elslack Moor and got some great views of our local hills and the Yorkshire Dales.

Great views of the Yorkshire dales

We saw lots of new born lambs, curlews, grouse and pheasants. Part of the walk was on the Pennine Way, which eventually brought us back to Lothersdale, where we had an excellent pint and a good butty at the local pub.

An old boundary stone to Colne spelt in the old way without the e

On Sunday the snows came so I took this photo looking towards the three peaks from my front door.

This week we encourage chess, tour new Pendle Vale, welcome a royal visitor, meet palestinian women, open Likkle Monkeys and receive a charity cheque

Monday 10 March
The new born lambs are in the field braving the strong winds and freezing rain, the daffodils are starting to show their vivid colours, the curlews are back with their piercing cries and the pheasants are starting their courting.

New born lambs get ready for a bit more rain

Winter keeps reminding us it isn't quite finished yet, but gradually spring is starting to push through, with the prospect of Haworth blossom, the returning of the swallows and warmer days to come.

A winter view towards Barlick and Skipton

Tuesday 11 March
In he afternoon we went into the Town Hall for the first day of the Walton Chess Competition run by John Belbin.

The young chess players in the Council Chamber

Tonight it was the turn of the primary schools from Barrowford, Blacko, Bradley, Holy Saviour, and St Philips. It was a pleasure to see all of the children enjoying their games. I told them I hadn’t played for many years but like riding a bike, you never forget. I also said that chess was more than a game, as amongst other skills it can also teach strategy and taking a longer view. Oliver Smith was the winner with Stephen Parkin second.
In the evening I attended the board meeting of West Craven Together at the new Rainhall Centre in Barnoldswick. Funding for this project is like a large jigsaw but the effort that is put in to gaining these show some really positive achievements for west Craven.

Wednesday 12 March
At 10.00am we went to see how the new Pendle Vale School, which is presently being built, was coming on. It is costing around £30m but it looks to me to be worth every penny.

This is the impressive entrance area to the new Pendle Vale College

The facilities are extensive including a coffee bar, climbing wall, fitness gym, restaurant, lots of classrooms, a massive sports hall, (which looked like it could easily fit a jumbo jet), and a very big outdoor sports area.

Here we are in what is a fantastic large hall, the roof of which you can see from miles away

We were kitted out in safety gear including wellies and then the site manager, together with the Head Teacher accompanied us around the massive site which is due to open in September. We were really impressed and I would expect children coming to this school would be able to be able to strongly develop and to go on to take big roles in their future. This new Pendle school is certain to win design awards when it is completed.

Togged up in safety gear we are shown around the exciting new school

At 4pm it was back to the Town Hall for the second day of the Walton Chess competition. Today was for secondary school students. They were from Park High and Fisher-Moore schools. Again, excellent standards were shown and the senior winner was Joshua Wood from Park High for the second year running.

The winner of the senior trophy, Joshua who is going on to study Rugby at College

Joshua told me that his granddad taught him to play when he was 5 years old. Divas Bhandari from Fisher Moore School won the junior trophy.


Thursday 13 March
We had a royal visit today by Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex who was here to officially open Number One Market Street in Nelson.

We welcome Prince Edward to Number One Market Street

We had previously met the Princess last year, when as Deputy Mayor we had welcomed him to the Coldwell Centre on a really hot day in July.
Today children from lots of our local schools welcomed him. It was cold and wet day but the children gave a splash of colour waving their flags and cheering the Prince. He managed to find time in the busy programme to chat to some of them.

The children didn't seem to mind a bit of rain, as they got ready to greet the Prince

Inside Number One he was shown around the impressive facilities and to meet with some of the staff. I then invited The Prince to unveil the plaque to commemorate the opening. Everyone was pleased with the visit and it spotlighted the many big improvements that are now underway in Nelson town centre.

Friday 14 March
In the morning I chaired the monthly board meeting at my business in Nelson. Afterwards I nipped in to Nelson Town Hall to meet with a group of Palestinian women who were over to highlight their issues.

The Palestinian ladies liked our green fields but not our rain and cold

They all had caught a bug from not being used to our rather cold and damp air at this time of the year. We showed them our civic regalia and got them to sign the visitors book before leaving.
We then had a meeting to go through the Mayoral budget with council officers, which looks like we are just about on target. I asked for more umbrellas as the ones that use now could do with being replaced. I was told that we were now around the £10k mark in the Mayoress Charity Fund.

Saturday 15 March
In the morning we opened Likkle Monkeys a new children’s indoor play and party centre in Colne.

Opening Likkle Monkeys play centre in Colne

The business is run by June Smith and Susan Kelly and has been supported by a grant by Pendle Council.

Susan, June and Mark join us for a group photo

We cut the ribbon to open it and then went in for a look around the play areas accompanied with a big red monkey. After a short speech we chatted with some of the people that were there for the opening.

The little lad on the left wanted to get past in a hurry

They opening was very well attended and it looked very promising for the successful future of Likkle Monkeys.
In the evening we went to Brierfield Community Centre for a Charity Dinner organised by the young people of the town.

We receive a big cheque from the young people of Brierfield

The group of young men had been on a leadership course organised by Brierfield Action in the Community and agreed to hold the fund raising event. They had produced their own DVD to explain what they had achieved. We presented certificates to all them and received a cheque for the Mayoress’s Charities for over £500. We were very impressed with their commitment and I am sure that they will go on to greater things. I used to live in Brierfield for many years and still care about what happens there, I get my hair cut there so I still find out what is going on in the town.

Colne British Legion give us a nice welcome

From there we went along the The British Legion Club in Colne who were also raising funds for our charities. We met many of the club members and showed them the civic chains, which were first worn over 100 years ago in Colne. I was also shown the Croix de Guerre awarded to Gilbert Tempest as a young soldier who fought in the First World War who was well know in Colne.

Gilbert Tempest - 1898 - 1999

Born in 1898, Gilbert died in 1999 after living to the ripe old age of 100 and in his will he left his medals to the club.