This week we see Blacko, Bradley and Walter Street Schools, hold winners dinners, fly the flag, enjoy Jekyll & Hyde and cut Park High's 50th cake

Monday 21 April

The days are starting to warm up a bit, the swallows have found their way back to my garage and the primroses in my field give out a bright splash of colour.

Summer's on its way

We are busy making arrangements for the Pendle Community Volunteers Awards on May 7th. The awards are for me to be able to pass on the Borough’s thanks the army of volunteer workers who work week in, week out to support their community. I met with our communications team to sort out the PR and then with Pendle Community Networks who are helping organise the event. All of the nominations are now in and we shall soon be deciding the winners to be announced on the night.


Wednesday 23 April
At 9am we went along to Blacko village school to present the chess certificates.

Presentation of the Walton Chess Tournament certificate

We were shown into the school assembly where I asked the children if they knew what the special day was. And they did – St Georges’s Day of course.

We ask Blacko School what the special day is

Back to the Town Hall in Nelson in the afternoon to greet Walter Street School who had come to visit us. As usual I went into the Council Chamber, in my full regalia of gown and chains. I also showed the children how big the Mayors seat is and also how uncomfortable it is.

Walter Street children join me at the Mayor's chair

We showed them the mace which is actually a weapon with which the attendant can defend me if required, although we haven’t used it for that purpose yet. We showed them the Mayors cocked hat, size
7¼“, which is almost 100 years old and is far too big for my head, but perhaps some earlier Mayor’s had bigger heads than me.

Andy - press photographer takes a shot on the roof

Then, we did a bit of a first (probably) as I went onto the Town Hall roof for a photo of me and the flag of St George which we fly on our public buildings.

This is one of Andy's shots with me looking like I am holding the flag pole up

Both press photographers turned up and the weather was fine and sunny so we got a few good shots.

Another of Andy's shots with the flag of St George flying over the Town Hall

We then went down into the basement where we had set out one of the old police cells for a St Georges day English tea party. We had invited members of staff from other countries to join us. So we had people from Jamaica, Greece, New Zealand, Scotland and Pakistan joined us for cucumber sandwiches (with the crust cut off of course) and cream scones with our cups of tea. We all got on splendidly and compared how different parts of the world did things.

Into the old cells for our English high tea

Here’s what I would have said;
Today is St George's Day, which is England’s national day – the perfect opportunity to invite everyone living here to come together and celebrate the country in which we all live.
Today we all lead such busy lives that little of our time is devoted to appreciating our country. That is why St George’s Day, is so important.

It's the one day of the year when the whole of the nation can unite in celebration of England: its past, present and future; its countryside, towns and cities; its rich harvests, thriving industry and commerce – and, most importantly, the people who live in this land - People who live in a caring, tolerant and democratic society, who enjoy freedom of worship and freedom of speech. People who have much to celebrate.

Here are a few facts about St George;
St George was born in Cappadocia Turkey in 280AD, died on 23 April 303AD in Nicomedia Palestine –when he unfortunately lost his head!
The ancient tale tells us that St George had slain the dragon and rescued the princess
The Flag of St George was flown by Walter Raleigh, Francis Drake and by the Pilgrim Fathers when they went to discover America
St George is the Patron Saint of Scouting
Pendle usually flies the flag of St George on all its public buildings

Please enjoy the English tea of cucumber sandwiches and cream scones in these historic police cells where in times past some Nelson miscreants would have spent a bit of time.

And of course Shakespeare wrote; Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!

Thursday 24 April
I attended Reedley Court to support the Council with the appeal against the Shamania Festival event License which as the Licensing Committee we had granted some months back. Barristers where representing both the council and the objectors and being Chairman of Licensing I was there as a witness. However the district judge decided as this was in effect a re-hearing and what had happened at the Committee was not relevant to the day. So I was released, and as the case was scheduled to take around 3 hours I was glad to do other things. I heard later that the judge had still given the go-ahead for the event with a limit on attendees at 1500. This was slightly more than attended last year at 1300.
In the evening we went to see Jekyll and Hyde the musical at Colne’s Hippodrome Theatre. The impressive old theatre is run entirely by volunteers funded by what they take at the box office.

We are greeted at Pendle Hippodrome to see the excellent Jekyll & Hyde

The professional standard show with excellent acting and singing was well received by the audience. I thought that the sound and lighting were excellent and set design outstanding. We had been warned that it could be considered slightly raunchy, but they said that you can’t put of Oklahoma every year! We thoroughly enjoyed it, well done The Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Company.

Friday 25 April
We needed an early start to be at Bradley school in Nelson for their assembly. We always enjoy watching the children getting prizes and certificates for their efforts and we were there to present our chess certificates. Afterwards we were shown around the school which is full and probably needs more space. It is an old style school building with big windows and classrooms.
From there I nipped in to Pendle Community Networks office to agree the winners of the Community Volunteers Awards. I then walked back to the Town Hall and signed over 125 letters which we are sending out to invite the Friends of the Parks to our Reception. Incidentally have you ever tried signing your name lots of times – I can tell you that your signature takes on a life of its own. I once had to sign 2500 individual letters to residents when I was standing for election and had just had my tonsils whipped out so wasn’t feeling in the best of health. I did get elected as it turned out.

Winners Dinners! Pendle Business Award Winners lunch at the Town Hall

Then we had the last of our Business Lunches, at this one I had invited the winners of the Pendle Business Awards. I was going to call it Winners Dinners but decided instead to call it Winners Lunch as I am not sure if they still called it dinner as we used to. It was an excellent lunch and I got everyone to tell us why they started their own businesses. It was most illuminating.

Saturday 26 April
Off to Colne for Rotary’s Stroke Awareness day. I had my blood pressure checked but was busy sorting the photograph out so the reading showed slightly high. I shall have to check it again when I not busy doing stuff.

Blood pressure check up

From there we went down to Park High School for their 50th anniversary. I have been trying to get to as many schools in Pendle as possible but I have been to Park High much more than the others, for different events that they have held.

We join Park High for their 50th birthday

The sports hall was full of present day students, ex-students, staff and ex-staff. I told them that I was wearing the same old Colne Chains of Office that were worn on that day 50 years ago. I also showed them the Birtwhistle Diamond that the Mayoress was wearing.

Cutting the 50th birthday cake which is being distributed to senior citizens

Interestingly I met a gentleman who used to teach at the school and was also the last Mayor of the Borough of Colne, before we all got joined together into Pendle. I asked him if he had had the gas lamps installed outside his house – he did, and was the last Mayor to get them, one of which is now in Colne Library. On an earlier entry in this Blog we have a photograph of it.
In the evening I attended the Burnley & Pendle Music Society to hear the Mather String Quartet at Christ Church in Nelson. The programme included Haydn’s string quartet in C major (The Emperor), Shostakovich’s string quartet No 7 in F sharp minor and Mendelssohn’s string quartet No 2 in A minor. The young musicians - all from the Royal Northern College of Music - told me afterwards that they had enjoyed playing this evening -and it showed. I asked them where they were from and they told me Gloucester, Dublin, Hartlepool and Reykjavic. So I welcomed them to Pendle.

And finally another picture of Pendle Hill - this one taken at night and showing the great whale shape of it.

This week Barbara gets a surpise birthday cake, we visit community centres, tour all of the parks, celebrate Doreen's 90th and open the Spring Fair

Monday 14 April
It was the Mayoress’s (my sister Barbara) birthday today and I had remembered - after she had reminded me a few times - to get her a card and a pressy. We have a busy week in front of us with around 20 engagements, so we started with a meeting at Pendle Community Networks to discuss the forthcoming Pendle Community Volunteers Awards.

Some hand made birthday cards for Barbara

From there we went with Laura their Marketing Manager to Christ Church on Carr Road in Nelson. They are one of the nominees for an award so we were given a tour of the building and met with lots of groups using it. We followed this with lunch with them in their café.

Here's your birthday cake

Christ Church is unusual in that there are Roman Catholic and Methodist Church congregations using the same building.

Computer wizz kids at the Rocking Horse club

From there we went to the Rocking Horse Club on Walton Lane in Nelson which is one of the largest children’s centres in Britain with over 460 children attending. The head of the centre was proud of what they had achieved – and quite right too.
We then travelled to Earby to the New Road Community Centre which is housed in an old school. Here we met with just some of the groups who were using the facilities.

The New Road manager and some of the user groups have a chat with us

They range from toddlers groups, to a youth club, to slimming world, to Age Concern pop-ins. They were all very enthusiastic about what the centre meant to them.

Tuesday 15 April
They say that one swallow doesn’t make a summer but I saw my first one today and it feels like mid winter. It fact the weather is still so cold that I bet the birds wished that they were back in sunny Africa.
Today we visited Grassroots Family Centre at St Phillips Church in Nelson. This centre is run by the Diocese of Blackburn and we were met by Suzanne who showed us round. It never fails to surprise me that we have excellent centres such as this which I hadn’t heard about.

Holy Saviour's parishioners lay on a nice lunch

Then we went for lunch at Holy Saviours also in Nelson. The parishioners made us most welcome and we managed to have a chat with most of them over a sandwich. They are obviously proud of what they have achieved with their centre.

Gisburn Road lets me have a go with the puppets

Over then to Barnoldswick to see the new Gisburn Road Children’s Centre. This brand new facility for parents and children will work with health services, the job centre, and others to provide a wide range of support for the family.
We then called in at the Barnoldswick Pensioners Club on Frank Street in where a bingo session had started so we had to be very quiet. For the last game I was asked to call the numbers – something that I hadn’t done before so I got a bit of banter about my calling.

I would never get a job as a bingo caller

The centre is self-funded by the club who put on something most days, which is much appreciated by their members.
In the evening I got out on the doorstep supporting my group in the local election campaign.

Wednesday 16 April
In the afternoon we went again to Marsden Grange in Nelson. This is an excellent home for our senior citizens and today we helped to celebrate Doreen Widdows 90th birthday.
In the evening I got very cold and wet again knocking on doors in Barnoldswick for the election campaign.


Thursday 17 April
It is another very cold day with bitter east winds coming straight here from Siberia.

We meet with the Susan from the Friends Group and Michelle the Park Keeper at Barrowford

Today we are starting our tour all the parks in Pendle, we first visited Barrowford Park and were met there by Julie the Parks Outreach Officer, Michelle the Park Keeper together with Susan and Ian from the Friends Group. We were shown some of the issues concerning this park including the fact that the ducks are heavily outnumbered by the drakes.

The press ask us all to ruin our knee joints for this posed shot

Before we went we planted a wild rose in the new bog garden.
We then went to Victoria Park, which is part in Barrowford and part in Nelson, to meet with Carole and the Friends Group to see their issues. Michelle is also the Park Keeper for this park. We were very impressed by the commitment of all of the Friends Groups, who really showed us how much they cared for their local parks.

The hard working group of Friends at Walverden Park show us around

We then travelled on to Walverden Park in Nelson and met Keith and others from their Friends Group with Aaron the Park Keeper. This park is getting much needed investments of around £200k.

Marsden Park with Pendle Hill peeking through in the background

We then went up to Marsden Park and had a quick buffet lunch at the old hall.
In the afternoon we called at Heyhead Park in Brierfield and met John and others from the Friends Group with Aaron again who is their Park Keeper.

I am sure that not many bowling greens have a view as good as that

This park used to be in my ward when I was a councillor for this neck of the woods so I still knew it pretty well.

The "all weather" Brierfield bowling club don't seem to care much about the cold

The bowlers were enjoying a game in the cold weather. We certainly breed them tough up here!

Carole and the Friends of Alkincoates give us a warm welcome

Our final visit was to one of the largest Parks in Pendle which is Alkincoates in Colne. We were shown round by Carol and others from the Friends with Matthew the Park keeper. We had already been to this park a couple of times to open the new band stand area and the play area last year.

I planted this evergreen tree last summer and its doing rather well

It is a wonderfully well kept park with lots to offer everyone including a woodland walk. Here we saw lots of birds including a Jay and we also heard, what we were told, was a nuthatch. When we arrived at the children's play area I had to ask a few "big kids" to please get off the swings and leave it for the youngsters, which they did. The Park is being promoted as Pendle’s bid for a big government investment in parks.
In the evening we were back on the knocker again where we had some interesting chats with local people.

Friday 18 April
It’s still very, very cold! We continued our parks visits and started at Valley Gardens in Barnoldswick. This is probably the smallest park in the Borough but is used as a pleasant walk. It has an old mill race which used to power the corn mill but today it only grows water cress.
Staying in the Town we then went down to Victory Park to see the £1.5m investments including a new Multi Use games Area (MUGA), new pavilion, new children’s play area and new Rugby pitches.

The new Victory park Pavilion starts to take shape

The park is used for lots of games and with these new investments will be used even more.
Still in Barlick we went up to Lettcliffe Park which must be the highest we have in the Borough.

The renovated bandstand area at Lettcliffe offers lots of performance opportunities

Lettcliffe is the only County Park operated by Pendle in the Borough. The wind chill factor here was severe as we looked around this interesting Park with its sheltered, tiered band stand area. We hope to be able to put on live performances here in summer. We also hold the popular children’s kite festival here because of the windy aspect.

Just one of the impressive stone work items at Marsden

We then travelled to Marsden Park in Nelson to meet Alison from the friends group for a look around probably the main park in the Borough and where most of the parks staff is situated.

This is the fascinating old sundial where you can see the time all over the world

It has had very big investments in it in recent years and Marsden Old Hall has been renovated and is now used for lots of activities. Last summer we were very privileged to re-open the unique wishing gate in the park.

You can make a wish at the Wishing Gate by putting a leaf in one of the holes

After a quick buffet lunch with the Friends, park keepers, and Colin Patton the Parks Manager we set off for Sough Park.

I help to plant the silver birch tree which looks great by the beck

This small park is well looked after and here we planted a silver birch tree by the beck. We had time for a chat with the gardener who was clearing weeds already from the flower beds.

Jerry shows me around Ball Grove

On then to Ball Grove Park where until around 30 years ago the largest tannery in Europe was situated. We met Jerry from the Friends and Park Keeper Matthew. Jerry was a mine of information about the site and what was there previously. This is more of a wild life park than a formal one, with its large lake with plenty of ducks on. On of them had 12 tiny ducklings in tow.

The young duckings stick close to mum

Now there is not much evidence of the massive tannery works that were once there, but we were shown the brick outline of what would have been the base to the chimney. It was still freezing and raining, so we were rather glad to get back into the warm car afterwards.
When I got back home I had an email asking to write around a 350 word for an introduction to the Pendle Heritage Newsletter, so I will have to find time to fit that in somehow.

Saturday 19 April
In the morning I went along to Linden Road in Earby to open the Earby and Kelbrook Senior Citizens Welfare Association Spring Fair.

Flowers for sale at the spring Fair

We were met by Lou Stott their chairman and I then had a look around the stalls and bought a few Eccles cakes for later.

I can never resist the cake stall

After saying a few words about what I had been doing during the Mayoral year, I declared the Spring Fair open and then drew their 20 club where a happy lady won £40.

A press photo outside the centre

Whilst having a cup of tea, I chatted to some of the resident who was attending, including an interesting lady who had been moved to Earby as an evacuee from London but then stayed on after the war and got married here.

We spotted this fine example of a 3-wheeled Reliant Robin in the car park

The Linden Road building was built around 20 years ago and they are now looking forward to upgrading their kitchen. And finally, another picture of Proud Pendle, taken from Colne this time.

This week we visit Accrington Stanley, see the Tiffany Glass collection, tour Number One Market Street, enjoy the jousting Knights and get on my bike

Monday 7 April
In the afternoon we delivered Focus leaflets for the forthcoming local Pendle Borough elections on May1st. There are 49 councillors on Pendle Council who every 4 years retire or stand for re-election. 17 council wards seats are being contested. There are new Town Councils being set up in Nelson and Colne so all of those seats are also being contested.

Tuesday 8 April
Today we went on the Mayors tour of Hyndburn. This area covers Accrington where Barbara - the Mayoress who is also my sister and I were born.

We are welcomed to Hyndburn by their Mayor & Mayoress

We started at the Dunkenhalgh hotel in Clayton-le-Moors. Robert a long time employee showed us around and gave us a history of the building.

We are shown around one of the haunted Dunkenhalge rooms

There was a building on that site as far back as 1285 which later came into the hands of the Rishton family who owned it until 1571.

Judge Walmesley - The hanging judge

Later the Walmesley’s bought it and one of their family – Judge Walmesley was known as the hanging judge. Robert indicated that there were plenty of ghosts still at the Dunkenhalgh.

Accrington Stanley - the club that wouldn't die

From there we went in the coach to Accrington Stanley FC for a look around and to hear some of its history. I had a bit of that in my pocket. My dad’s membership booklet from the 1948-9 season has his signwriting business advert on the back page.

My Dad's 1948-9 official handbook with his advert on the back

My dad was a signwriter and we lived in the Town and he had signwritten all of the big signs around the ground.
From there we went to the Haworth Art Gallery also in Accrington.

Wood carving in the Haworth Gallery

The gallery houses the largest public collection of Tiffany glass in Europe. The art-nouveau glass was the collection of a local man called Joseph Briggs who worked at Tiffany glass until the company closed in 1933. There was also a list of photographs of the Accrington Pals - the soldiers from the Town who all went out together to fight in the First World War. Many of them didn’t come back.

Remembering The Accrington Pals

From there we went to the Globe Centre for lunch. This is what used to be a massive engineering company premises making weaving and spinning machinery to export all over the world. After the business closed it was imaginatively changed into offices, restaurants and meeting areas.

Wednesday 9 April
Another full day, starting with an officer briefing for the Licensing Committee. The main part of the hearing which started at 1pm was for a review of the premises license for the Good Night Club in Nelson. The police had brought forward the review because of alleged crime and disorder at the premises. We saw two videos of fighting taking place in the early hours of the morning. The police were represented by their solicitor and the club owner by a barrister. The committee took around 3 hours to come to its decision, which was after 5.30. We agreed to amend the license to reduce the hours of opening. We also suspended the license for 4 weeks.

Thursday 10 April
At 10.00am we had a very interesting visit to Number One Market Street. This is the brand new impressive Liberata building where some of Pendle's council services have been contacted to. We started by seeing the document scanning team who process all paper work received and then send it to the PC of the relevant council officer in Councils throughout Britain – not just Pendle. Liberata have decided that all of their scanning will be done in Pendle so they are presently recruiting new jobs in this area.

New scanning equipment make document handing much faster

We were shown the training rooms, the contact centre and all the new facilities that they have. We also visited I.T., Estates, H.R. and Revenue and Benefits.

The IT department had saved this bit of kit from a time before computers

From the new building the views of Pendle Hill are great and because of the large number of windows there is plenty of light.

Great views of Pendle - this is called the big end

From one of the offices we could see a magpie starting to build its nest in a tree on Market Street.
I had to nip over to Talking Heads in Brierfield for a quick hair cut and obligatory ear bending by Manfred as my hair was starting to get a bit embarrassing. With my smart new haircut we went to The West Craven Sports Centre in Barnoldswick to promote the Healthy Eating 5 a Day campaign.

On yer bike

The idea is to mix a smoothie by peddling like mad on a stationary bike which is fixed to a blender. We were joined by the children who go each day during the holidays to do different healthy pursuits at the Centre. I let the kids go first then then got a head of steam up to make my banana, kiwi fruit and orange smoothie. Very nice. And rather healthy – another one of my five a day!
The tiles were delivered today for one of our bathrooms that is being revamped. I rang Peter the plumber to let him know that they had arrived, as had the bathroom suite, only to find out that he had done his back in.


Friday 11 April
I had an early morning business meeting in Accrington and had to get back in time to be ready to go to Euravia’s open day in Kelbrook.

Dennis Mendoras of Euravia and I welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire to Pendle

On the field opposite the company, the knights of Middle England were gathered to demonstrate their jousting skills.

The impressive knights of Middle England

The day was perishingly cold at about 6 degrees and one of the things that Mayors can’t really do is dress for this.

The jousting was very realistic

Whilst a minstrel band entertained, the knights gave very impressive shows of horse riding and jousting to which I wondered how they had done their risk assessment!

We meet up with the Knights

Afterwards in Euravia’s premises, The Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth unveiled a plaque to commemorate the company’s new factory extension.

The Knights pose in front of the new Euravia plaque

All of the village of Kelbrook had been invited and there were plenty of young children there with their parents.

St. George gets ready to slay all dragons that were in Kelbrook

We had several photographs taken with the knights and I asked for one just with St George which we could use for St George’s Day which is coming up soon.

St George helps me with a bit of publicity for his Day

It was a great spectacle and I just wished that it had been slightly warmer as my feet took hours to thaw out.

The Euravia guys compare their gold chains to mine

Saturday 12 April
It’s still very nippy with fresh snow on the hills in the Yorkshire Dales but it doesn’t seem to bother the flock of field fare (birds) in the field or the pheasants that are still coming down for their daily snack of seeds that I put out for them.

A male pheasant in fine plumage gets stuck into the bird seed

At noon we went to take part in the Nature Day at Ball Grove just outside Colne.

Ball Grove Nature Day - its a bit cold

This was organised by the Pendle Council Park Keepers. Plenty of youngsters turned up with their parents, all keen to take part.

I join the youngsters spotting the clues

We walked through the park up to the old lake and on the way the children had to spot letters on clue cards hidden around. When they had completed all of the letters they had then to re-arrange the letters into a well know insect. The children then went in for a spot of pond dipping to see what they could find. Being a bit wimpy we decided that we were more than cold enough, so we said our farewells and walked briskly back through the fields to the car. And finally another great pic of my favourite hill;

Hang gliders taken about a month ago by my son Alex from the top of Pendle Hill