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F O R . . . P r o g r e s s o r d e c l i n e


fairyland! IF someone can bring some of tile members of Clilheroc Chamber of Trade -kicking and screaming into the 2()tli century (remem­ ber we are only eight years away from tile 21st), then I welcome Nigel Evans’ contri­ bution to tile debate.


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that we have a full­ blown recession, but the writing has been on the wall for Clitli­ eroe shopkeepers for as long as I can remember (I have lived here for 3-1 years) — they have ne v e r w anted t o move witli the times.


I fully understand


that long ago, that if there was a bank Holiday on a Monday the shops in Clitlieroe did not open again until the Thursday!


I remember, not all


remarked that Clith­ eroe was half in Lan­ cashire and half in fairyland. I say to some of tile members of Clitlieroe Chamber of Trade that it is now ALL in fairyland.


S o m e o n e o n c e


Lake your blinkers off!


For heaven’s sake.


K L I / A 15 E T II COATES, Liltlcmoor, Clithcroc.


THE hard-hitting letter from the Clitheroe and District Chamber of Trade to the "Prime Minister and the equally robust response by- local MP Nigel Evans draws atten­ tion to the continuing impasse with re g a rd to Clith e ro e s fu tu re


England,” written several decades ago, refers to Clitlieroe as being “half in fairyland and half in Lancashire, that is to say half in England and half in old,” and while that old world charm still pre­ vails it will not, in itself, meet the chal­ lenge of the 21st century. During the last 30 years all our neigh­


direction as a market town. I I. V. Morton, in his book “The Call of


site of the former Auction Mart, thus providing an area of sufficent size for a variety of uses. The use of the land for the extension


sions and Lhe availability of suitable sites, but they were achieved, while in Clithcroc little progress could be made in the absence of a significant site located in close proximity to the town centre. Clitheroe’s opportunity came at last in HISS, when the council repossessed the


bouring towns, be they large or small, have witnessed a measure of central redevelopment, not only to improve faci­ lities for their residents, but to act as a magnet for the many tourists and visi­ tors to their towns. Such developments needed bold deci­


such a development, integrated with the remainder of Clitheroe and especially Castle Street, would not only benefit our residents but would strengthen the role of the town as a visitor destination, thus supporting existing establishments in Chthcroc which provide personal ser­ vices in shops, catering, accommodation and leisure? I know that comparisons can be


requirements. Who could argue with the view that


CONDEMNATION


WE are compelled to write in response to Lhe comments made in your newspaper on November 5th by Mr Nigel Evans, the MP for this constituency. Initial anger lias given way to amazement that lie could so condemn a town


odious, but Skipton’s tasteful devel­ opments and the introduction of new retail outlets and other facilities have given it Lhe air of a bustling and prosper­ ous market town geared to the future, without in any way affecting its attrac­ tion as a Dales market town. Clitlieroe’s former Auction Mart site


has been in our possession for four years and, while providing a continuous source


of debate and argument (often ill-in­ formed), the site remains undeveloped. As my views are purely personal, I do


and improvement of the market, combin­ ing an under-cover facility and an appro­ priate number of specialised retail out­ l e t s , would seem to be bas ic


not expect them to meet with general acceptance but, while having a deep affection for my adopted town, of one thing I am certain — namely, that Clith­ eroe cannot forever remain in the past and must either progress or decline.


ERIC I5RACEWELL, Primrose Street, Clithcroe.


C o n g r a tu la t io n s , N ig e l


MAY I comment on the article that your paper carried on the front page regarding Nigel Evans. What a marvellous article; congratulations to your reporter and to Nigel


doldrums!


came into the ’(Ids and I do hope that some of the traders sit up and take notice — obviously after the dust lias settled — as, no doubt, it will have been disturbed! Yes, we are in a recession, but it doesn’t mean that we arc all in the


Evans for speaking out. I wholeheartedly agree with his comments; it is high time that Clitheroe


MRS JILL LIGIITFOOT, B7 Chnthurn Park Drive, Clitheroe.


L a c k i n g o n c o n s u l t a t i o n O N L Y IBS® 9 9 e T H E P E R F E C T G I F T ENVELOPE i WITH


NOW that the dust has settled concerning the Ribble Valley Borough Council’s lack of visible action in respect of the Department of Environ­ ment’s recent Consultation Paper about the tem­ porary uses of land for markets etc., (see “Adver­ tiser & Times” dated Sep­ tember 17th, 2‘ltli and October 1st), 1 should like to challenge the RVUC’s consultation policy itself.


B u rn le y E x p re s s , T h e N elso n Leader Bull Street, Burnley.


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your report of October 1st that Conn. Stan Thomas defended the action of the council’s officers in not bringing Consultation Papers to the attention of the appropriate RVBC committees, hut at the same time lie singularly failed to comment on the council’s responsibility for


You will recall from


yet another DoE Consul­ tation Paper concerning local government, which has been given very little publicity in the Ribble Valley: “Some county and district authorities have a good record of consulting on other issues as well. But many do not. Conse­ quently, local councils often feel that their views and those of tile people th ey r e p r e s e n t a re ignored. In line with its Citizen’s Charter initia­ tives, the Government is keen to ensure that local


bringing such papers to the a t te n t io n of the RVBCs voting public, and tills is despite the words used in the preamble to most Government Consul­ tation Papers inviting views from “local organi­ sations and individuals.” Indeed, to quote from


least two important Con­ sultation Papers on which tlie Government is seeking the views of interested individuals. The first is a DoE Consultation Paper on the role of parish and town councils in England, on which replies are invited by November 30th “from any individual or organisation with an interest in local councils


RVBC is one of those councils which “do not have a good record” and I believe that both the elected councillors and the paid officers need to change t he i r p o I i c y forthwith. At present, I know of at


1 HAVE recently received a number of complaints from citizens over 70 years of age who are now required to pay a fee of ii) to renew their driving licences.


they given a test, they are just picked upon for a .Eli tax. No doubt we will be told this charge is what it costs to issue such a licence.


They do not need a medical, nor are


P i c k e d u p o n fo r a £6 t a x If the Labour Party hail been elected,


RON PICKUP, Clilhcroe county councillor, 9 Lingficld Avenue, Clilheroc.


people’s views are taken into account by local auth­ orities when they formu­ late policies and take decisions.” it seems to me that the


and the part they play in local democracy in England.”


Consultation Paper on the T r a n s - P e n n i n c T r a f l’i c Study, on which replies are invited by March, 1993, and, here again, comments arc invited from (among others) “individual members of the public who may also wish to make their views known.”


The second is a DoT


therefore, to know what the RVBC is doing to ensure that the Govern­ ment’s consultation policy is being followed in respect of these two papers; especially the for­ mer, where action is now urgent.


It would be helpful,


we would have abolished this foe. Perhaps the MP will express his Party


policy on this matter and furthermore seek to justify it.


your paper itself has an important role to play in the dissemination of infor­ mation concerning such Consultation Papers and I appeal to you to find a way to ensure (if necessary, in conjunction with the RVBC) that the public are kept informed in a com­ prehensive and timely manner.


Finally, I believe that


DEREK WALLER, Snowhill House, Gisburn.


of tile economy, that the events of the [last few weeks are part of a grand plan and we in Clitheroe must bear the blame for our plight — even as a result of tlie wider issues. The reader will, we hope, forgive us if we respond at some length to this proposition. The state of the economy lias not come about overnight. It has been deteriorat­


political bias whatsoever, nor did the letter sent recently by this Chamber to the Prime Minister. There is a clear difference between Government and Party politics — a distinction which politicians find hard to accept and appreciate. Mr Evans professes that tiie Government hears no responsibility for the state


and consumer, confidence, which is still rock bottom. The fall in the value of sterling should ease the way for exporters. How­


remaining within the ERM. After wasting seven BILLION pounds of public money, we withdrew and sterling, along with business confidence, sank like a stone. It was this situation that enabled the cut in interest rates. But lower rates do not trigger an upturn in the economy, they must he complemented by business


lie is elected to represent. Before,venturing further, may we categorically state that this letter intends no


. . . A N D A G A I N S T


WE ARE AMAZED AT QUR MP’s


A l l o w U S t o s e t t l e o u r o w n d e s t i n y


I HAVE every respect for what MP Mr Nigel Evans says. But when our town, of which I am privileged to he Mayor, is criticised, it falls to me more than anyone to speak on behalf of those I represent.


saying ("Advertiser and Times,” November 5th) “Ciitheroe has to make up its mind about where it wants to go.” What I find hard is to he accused of not making.up our mind, when the [lower to do so by local government is so limited.


Mr Evans is reported as


ing for nearly three years. Some of the factors which have affected not only this town, but indeed the whole country, are outlined below. Interest rates wore kept unjustifiably high to support the stated policy of


Rate would leave our region “slightly better off.” A survey of 100 of our members showed a range of INCREASE in rates payable of between 3*1% and 1(10%. The latest Department of Trade figures indicate that 7,000 well-managed


companies failed in the last quarter, along with a rise in the number of personal bankruptcies.


ever, since the GATT talks have collapsed, we are now on the brink of a world trade war. America is even now structuring tariff barriers on Euro­ pean goods and, as Clitlicroc boasts at least two companies exporting to that sector, this bodes ill for their future. Businesses in the North West were assured that the Uniform Business


just returned from a good­ will visit which we [laid on behalf of Clitheroe to a town in Poland. Most striking there is the zest and the "long-term vision” with which the Mayor and council of Pyrzyce are building up their commu­ nity.


town clerk, a Clitheroe councillor and 1 — have


We — the Mayoress,


prises, they have built a sewage plant which pro­ duces water so clean that fish can lie bred in it, which are sold for the town’s benefit. The solids, too, are processed and sold as fertilizer.


the Leader of the Opposition and blame him! Our questions are directed at the GOVERNMENT. When and if Mr Smith is in such a position, he will be accountable. We sympathise with Mr Evans’ confusion as to who is actually at the helm, but regret to inform him that it is, in fact, his superiors. The members of this Chamber now await eagerly receipt of the letter men­


happened. Perhaps Mr Evans could now explain to the people of Clithcroc how the above events, which have contributed so much to the hardships in this town, are OUR FAULT. Hard that it is to comprehend, Mr Evans also suggests that we contact


tioned in the article. We invite Mr Evans to visit us, either at a full meeting of the Chamber or at our businesses in turn, to set out in simple language how the downturn in trade is self-inflicted and advise how, based on his experience of business in Clitheroe, to bring about an upturn. Clitheruc does an enormous amount in the way of self-promotion and adver­


severe problem, rather than pretending, ostrich-like, that all is well and searching for scapegoats. Accept your responsibilities and demonstrate the strong decisive leadership now required to bring about a revival of our collective fortunes. The country can no longer afford political posturings from any direction.


tisement. It is full of energetic people with wide-ranging and exciting ideas. Like every other town in Britain, we need the national climate in whieli to prosper. But Lite lead for that must come from the top. Tile first requisite is to recognise that the country has an immediate and


makes the area attractive to visitors. We are proud of a retail structure based on small independent shopkeepers who offer service, choice and quality second to none. We reject with contempt the comments made about our beautiful town.


It needs urgent selfless action from every corner of the Government. We are a different town and different people. It is that difference which


CHRIS WOOD, President, Clitheroe and District Chamber of Trade.


Problem is a lack of demand — not shops


OVER the last few weeks the Conservative Government has seen many chickens come home to roost and it would appear some are landing at Mr Evans’ door.


mg his re-selection battle, I wrote to this paper expressing my strong doubts whether Mr Evans


Earlier in the year, dur- was the best man for the


position of prospective Parliamentary candidate


for the Ribble Valley. Having read his article a fortnight ago and the remarks attributed to him last week, I am sure I am not the only one who has had such reservations reinforced.


get what went before Black Wednesday, when the Govcrnment was forced humiliatingly into haying to withdraw from its’beloved Exchange Rate Mechanism. The Govern­ ment tried to “buck the market” for two years by artificially linking Lhe pound to the Deutsch­ mark, leading to some of the highest real interest rates large and small businesses have had to suffer in this country for a long time.


Mr Evans seems to for­


cuts in interest rates, thanks in large part to Arthur Scargill, but for­ gets' his Government put them up by five per cent in one day. How can people, whether small b u s i­ nessmen or possible house-buyers, have confi­ dence that they will not do something similarly stupid next week? Mr Evans reiterates


He refers to the recent


eroe, Cleckheaton, Black­ burn, Skipton, is not sup­ ply, but demand — the lack of it! — due in no small part to his Govern­ ment’s policy. I am sure lie 'is pleased that inflation has been reduced from a peak of nearly 11% to under *1%, but this has been achieved over ^ two-


that old chestnut, much beloved of Coun. Fleming, that the problem with Clithcroe at the present time is that there are not enough shops! The problem with Cllth­


have his tongue in his cheek when lie [mints out that the Chamber of Trade’s letter ignores recent economic growth


tion of Maastricht, Mr Evans was bold enough to sign the Early Day Motion calling for a fresh start on Europe, yet his career, demanded that we saw him at . the forefront of those prepared publicly to air their change of view in aid of Party loyalty. At least my MP, Eliza­


remain in office when nearly E2 billion has been squandered propping up the pound? Two billion pounds disappeared with nothing to show — this from a Government which disqualified Labour coun­ cillors for their financial recklessness. After the Danish rejec­


statements by the Prime Minister and Chancellor. The only thing that I can r e m e rn h e r g row in g recently is MPs’ expenses. How can the Chancellor


beth Peacock, had the courage of her convictions to stick by her principles. She lost her job for her pains, but then there are always people like Mr Evans looking for one.


J U L 1 A N PARKINSON, 3 Temperance Fields, Scholcs, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.


A


dous, especially consid­ ering all the hard work Mrs Thatcher did to repay our foreign debts and shrink the national debt. Mr Evans surely must


year-period, when GDP has fallen substantially. Yes, there is a world recession, but if Germany, France, USA and Japan had suffered what we had suffered they would have negative inflation rates. The PSBR is horren­


And now Mr Evans tells us that all will he well because the Government lias made “a new statement on growth and recovery” — words, just more words! The above is not opinion, it is not political propaganda or double speak, il


recovery were appearing.” The week before the General Election, the Prime Minister pledged “Return a Conservative Government on Thursday and the economic recovery will begin on Friday!” The recession continues to deepen. Did he forget to mention which Friday?


Six months before the election we were assured that “the green shoots of


were there, a bore-hole l.liOOm (one mile) deep had been sunk to tap hot water for every dwelling in town. These tilings — and there are many other equally impressive under­ takings — are possible because power lies locally. When [lower lies with the people, then things can be done.


At the very time we


that Clitheroe will sur­ vive. Compared with much of the rest of the country, our citizens and busi­ nessmen and women show tremendous courage and imagination and dogged determination in the face o f ev e ry k i n d of discouragement.


I have every confidence


am sure, we could do were we able to settle our own destiny. Give us the [lower — locally — and we will finish the job — locally.


But how much better, I Among other en te r ­


Clitheroe 22324 (Editorial.), 22323 (Advertising). Burnley 4-2331 (Classified) .......*?$!


MP sparks off debate on local economic crisis fa Kibble Valley MP Mr Nigel Evans Mr Chris Wood, president of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade


C O U N . C . I) . McWILLIAM, Mayor of Clithcroc, S t a n d c n II a 11 Farmhouse, Clitheroe.


M P s h o u l d o p e n u p i n t h e t o w n


up-its mind where to go,” lie said. Perhaps it would be easier to do that if the Government showed that IT knows where IT is going.


example in how to prosper under the present Govern- m e n t a n d p e r h a p s someone wit h m ore experience of life and its hardships and more sensi­ tive to the mood of the people could be asked to r e p r e s e n t us i n Parliament. Clithcroc “has to make


how many businesses are going “to the wall” each day — businesses which were su c c c e s s iv e ly encouraged, then clob­ bered, by this Government and the banks. This does not instil confidence, in either the: planners or ■ j prospective business


economic statements made by the Government — well, how many of THOSE have we had in the pas' two years? None of them has proved to be accurate. Is the current one to be any more reliable? Does Nigel Evans know


As for his reference to


Government which is proving to be'adept at U- turns, a Prime Minister who_seems to pot obsta­ cles in his own path week after week and a local MP who, having lived in the area for five . minutes, reckons he knows it all,' there doesn’t seem to be in u c h li o p e f o r ■ improvement.


ieople. While we h av e a


, :


13 Lancaster Drive, Clithcroe.


MRS JOAN MARSH,


AFTER reading on the front page of the “Adver­ tiser and Times” Nigel Evans’ comments, “We’ve only ourselves to blame,” in connection with the recent letter sent by the Chamber of Trade to the Prime Minister, I won­ dered why lie doesn’t return to his former career and set up a small business in tlie town? He could be a shining


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