Cl i thcror j j .uj, (Edi to r ia l ) , Letters


No more overall effect than burning coal on its own


IN Donald Boardman’s open let­ ter to I’eter del Strothe in last week’s "Advertiser and dimes,” Mr Boardman makes a number of unsubstantiated allegations concerning 11M11’ winch, 1 feel, cannot no unchallenged.


Mr Boardman states that he


interpreted my statement to the Kibble Valley Council's Environ­ ment and Social Services Com­ mittee, on September 20th, as meaning that Castle Cement's authorisation contained "legal safeguards against intefcrence by HMIP."


Let me, therefore, make it


perfectly clear to Mr Boardman and your readers that the auth- n r is a t ion g iv e s no such


safeguards. At the September meeting, as


on previous occasions, for exam­ ple the public meeting on April 2iHh and a report in your news­ paper on January 27th, I said


that if, at any time, 11M1P was of the opinion {hat the use of Cem-


fuel as a supplementary fuel had any more effect on the environ­ ment than burning coal on its own, then HM11‘ would use its powers to stop Cemfucl. I f necessary, this could be


achieved by the issue of a Pro­ hibition Notice, which would take immediate effect. However, the information we


have at the present time, all of which is on the public register


and which local people can see for themselves, shows that the use of Ccmfuel has no more overall effect on the environment than burning coal on its own. In May this year. HMIP deve­


loped a monitoring protocol on the basis of work carried out at Kibblesdale. so that any other cement company planning simi­ lar trials of substitute fuels would follow an equally rigorous monitoring procedure.


Retirements were never put before council committee


TIIK question of who runs Kiltble Valley ('nuneil is one which closely attects all resiilents ot the \ alley ami is particularly pertinent at present. \\V vole for our councillors ami. in theory, it is


they who are responsible tor the work <lone by the paid council staff, including the chief executive. Tlie work of the councillors is divided into com­


mittees. each having its own powers, duties ami functions; those ot the Personnel ( ommittee include “to consider all matters relating to stattinir levels, the terms and conditions of employment ot stall and all related matters.”


Vet the ‘Varlv retirement” of two duel otticers. . . . . . .


and pressure exerted on others, were never pul before the Personnel ('ommittee and were apparently


the sole responsibility of the chief executive. According to Standing Order No lo ot the Pibhle


Valley PoroULth Council: "Where the need for urgent action arises between meeting.- «*t commit­ tees . . • such decisions may be taken by the chiet executive and town clerk who shall tirst consult such


of the following as are available - the chairman ami vice-chairman of the committee concerned


How can the present upheavals and potential upheavals in the council possibly be regarded as "urgent” - it is a situation manufactured bv the rim-1 executive himself and why -vs the chairman ot the Personnel Committee not consulted. The chief executive has talked oj a narrow win­


dow of opportunitv.” If this means anything, it would indicate that he iVlryinir to push through his schemes with the minimum possible consultation.


and in the structure of the council Uselt. neeit the maximum amount ot time and consultation and in no


Such wide-random changes, both at stall level


wav can be recorded as "urgent. fn any case, with a new council to be el


Mav, it would be Joolish to push through which may not be acceptable to the newl\ councillors.


KATHARINE l>YSON. Cart ers, ('alters lame. Itnlton-bv-llowland.


rtrd in •hanurs •okrtr.l


variation notice to Castle Cement’s authorisation, requir­ ing the firm to carry out a fur­ ther monitoring exercise follow­ ing the issue of this protocol. This should avoid any accusa­


tions that HMIP has made any s p e c ia l a l l o w ances fo r


Kibblesdale. The results of this latest moni­


toring, together with an environ­ mental impact assessment, must be sent to HMIP by December Hist and will be placed on the public register soon afterward.


11M1P will then hold a period of public consultation (although


there is no legal requirement for tins), before any further decision on the continued use of Cemfuel


is reached. The question of an immediate


moratorium on the use of Cem­ fuel, therefore, does not arise. Depending on the outcome of the present work and the deci­


In September, HMIP issued a


sions reached, Cemfuel will either continue to be used in kilns five and six, as currently authorised, subject to any fur­ ther conditions HMIP considers necessary, or it will be stopped.' Mr Boardman also makes it


clear that he does not accept the views of either HMIP or even the Regional Health Authority. He fails altogether to mention


the monitoring of cows’ milk in the area, undertaken by the Min­ istry of Agriculture, Fisheries and'Food, at the request of the National Farmers’ Union. This confirmed that levels of


dioxins and metals were typical of those in rural or lightly indus­ trialised areas such as Clitheroe and, therefore, were of no cause for concern.


Mr.I. ISHERWOOI), HM inspector of pollution, Lancaster.


A l l o u r c o u n c i l c a n o f f e r i s e x c u s e s


THE comments made bv the council spokesman on the subject of the Clitheroe Christmas lights, in last week’s “Advertiser and Times, " 1 .... are seeking an opportunity to pres-


were so misleading that we


ent our view of the situation. The original initiative


for decorative lighting in Clitheroe came from the Chamber of Trade. Chamber members pro­


vided all the funds and resources in tile early


days. Over the years, many thousands of pounds of chamber money and donations from the public were invested in tile fes­ toon lightin g, which became a central and much-admired the town c en t r e at


Christmas. Tile erection of tile


In all the years that we


were involved in tile erec­ tion of the Christmas lights, we can recall only ONE council employee helping with the work and


he was not a technical mail, but an officer who, to his e te rn a l c r e d i t , volunteered. It is fatuous for the


council to sugeest that it must “again take the lead’


in the matter of Christmas


feature of lights, as it has yet to ini­ tiate anything in this


direction. On the contrary, it 'is


lighting was a hard and often dangerous task, undertaken mainly by chandler members work­ ing dawn to dusk on a siic- cession of November


Sundays. We were only too happy


to do this for tile commu­ nity. in order to make


beautiful Clitheroe even better over tile Christmas period. Whilst it is true that the Kibble Valley Council was the source of monies on a number of occa.sions,


was not as an unsolicited council take responsibility MlUlN m n 4»i argues that, should til tliir


contribution from general funds, but in the form of a grant, which had to be applied for and considered committee, on some


by ............... occasions unsuccessfully.


Democracy has been reduced to “quangos”


YOUR readers will probably recall the Lancashire Association ol Dis­ trict Councils which, a year ago, recommended the famous "carve up


of the district. This Christmas Let Us r TT


Take The Strain Of All That Home Cooking!!


I lomc imuic Christmas Puddings & Mince Pics plus


Urine yom own disli in .uul you c.111 even say you ‘ '


ANY DISH MADl i TO ORDER made ii yourself.


■\n excellent selection of cheeses and cooked meats, freshly baked bread, dried Irtuts. A GOOD RANGE OF 'I LAS & COITEE


CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Preserves, Crvst.iliscd Ginger, Speciality Oils & Vinegars at


41 MOOR LANE, CLITHEROE Telephone


At the end of last month


this same body determined its disapproval and con­


Q i C.ovcrnnicnt and accepted ■


cern at the amount of time anti resources devoted to , , tile Review of Local


t i th e co in in i s s i o n e r s ’


I1 proposals for "no change." jj i


It should come as no


},( I surprise Unit Kibble Val- Li| I ley opposed this view and, lift, ! indeed, had already


* * started to implement its own proposals as if it had been granted "unitary authority" status.


Hence the removal of a


senior tier of management and moves to introduce unelected (but thankfully unpaid) "quangos” to represent three created sectors of the district.


Actually, the manage­ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SALE, LEATHER


STARircHRISTOs’ EVE PUIS BOXING MV MONDAY 9A.M. PROMPT!!


ment issue was already being effected by standing order -15 (the use of emer­ gency powers, eh?), so the councillors only had to be informed (this entailed the handing out of letters to councillors at the end of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting to tell them who else was leav­ ing, even though council­ lors bad been asking ques­ tions during the course of the meeting and getting nothing in response, eh?).


As to the "quangos,"


this got the encouraging support of 11 votes to eight for a recommenda­ tion to council.


Once we got to the juicy


bit at council to see what way the majority adminis­ tration would jump, the


w h o l e sh o w w a s “adjourned” by its motion, with discussion allowed on the word "adjourned" and


nothing else. Democracy had been reduced to the “ quangos" it wanted to impose.


The public, parishes anil .ESSSea


Stuarts w leathers


*AU CfW M Ci'jt*


staff now have a jolly fes­ tive period of shelf life as we await the next instal­ ment of Ossie Hopkins “commandments.”


BRUCE DOWLES, 145 Whalley Road, Clitheroe.


--- .. ...


the local application of EC directives which has pre­ vented the chamber from once more decorating the town. We have been advised


by a contractor involved in the or. ion of the lighting


that <• splays in other towns are contravening these regulations, but they have been erected not only with the blessing of, but actually by, the local authority concerned. The council spokesman


for town centre decora­ tion, then it would have to consider Mellor, Whalley and Longridge. Bunkum! We are sure that Black­


burn does not provide dis­ plays in Pleasington, nor Burnley in Hapton. Clith­ eroe is the administrative centre of the authority — end of discussion. Regrettably, all the


(Adver t ising) . Burnley MUSS 1 (C la r i f ie d )


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, December 22nd, 109) 11 I


Is there suddenly a civic conscience?


ADJACENT and parallel to the Pimlico Link Road there is an old road which has its own tunnel under Chatburn Road and its own bridge over the railway. Originally it was a railway linking various quar­


ries to the "cement works. Later it became a road to link tbe original Bellman Quarry to the cement works. It has not been used, to my certain know­ ledge, for the last 12 years and for most of that time lias been little more than a rarely used footpath.


Suddenly, over recent months, a lot of time, effort


and heavy plant has been devoted to this track. All the undergrowth and intruding trees have been cut back, the accumulation of leaves and mud and debris lias been cleared and the road is now wide enough for two heavy lorries to meet and pass with­ out problems. The rubbish lias been piled to discour­ age access to Bellman Quarry.


The local authorities appear to be unaware of


all this activity and the machinery used vanishes when not in use. It is never there in the eve­ nings or at weekends. 1 wonder, has someone suddenly developed a civic


conscience? Or is our friendly local cement man­ ufacturer once again up to something?


BRIAN M. CAl’ l’S, ■10 Moorland Crescent. Clitheroe.


Our beautiful Pine Furniture is now even better value. Most of our ranges are reduced, and large sav ings are to be made on ex-displays and slight seconds


fables from £ IS 5 Wardrobes from £199 Chairs from 0 9


Chests from £129


W i n t e r S a le S t a r t s 2 7 t h D e c e m b e r 1 9 9 4


Ribble Valley Council can offer is excuses, for it really lias no will to do anything. I f it did, the council would have taken


over this task long ago, as a s e r v i c e to t li e


community. At the very least, the


council could have sought a relaxation of the oft- quoted EC directives and the Christmas lights would have been with us, bigger and better, by courtesy of the Chamber of Trade and friends!


CHRIS WOOD and BARRY STEVENS,


Past presidents, Clitheroe Chamber of Trade.


ALTHOUGH we do not have all the usual over- street lighting this year, we do have several shop­ keepers who obviously care enough and have taken the trouble to put up their own displays, both inside and outside, to help to brighten up the streets


Some shops have shone „


MRS II. SHEPHERD, 2 Corporation Street. Clitheroe.


SPLENDID PARCELS


1 WISH to express my most sincere thanks to the Mayor of Clitheroe and'his committee for the splendid Christinas parcels recently delivered to many of the


town's senior citizens. It makes me think of the generosity of the people or


Clitheroe in supporting your welfare fund to make it possible and of all the voluntary effort that must go into preparing these very suitable and accept­


able goods. I do wonder if this happens in other towns or is it , . ..


just made possible by the warm-hearted citizens ot Clitheroe?


GRATEFUL OCTOGENARIAN. THANKS FOR HELP


1 HAVE been requested by the Mayor of Clitheroe, Coun. llowel Jones, through the columns of your paper, to extend the appreciation of Clitheroe Town


Council for assistance in erecting the council’s Christ­ mas trees and crib. The tr


charge bv Brockhall Estates and erected, together with the'erib, bv Clitheroe Round Table. The crib service was supported by the children of Edisford County Brimary School. To all organisations we would like to say “thank you." The council, as with other organisations, has had to


trees this year have been supplied . . mi • •s .H-u ti'


II . _A. . .. ..1 n u.wil / t/1 1 rklflll M 111* w-r r -.-~ — - free or ,


meet new regulations for street lighting in respect of Christmas and festive lighting, but has considered the increase of cost to be worthwhile to continue part of tbe traditions of Clitheroe. Might 1, on behalf of the Mayor, wish you and your


readers a happy festive season.


PETEK ROBERTS, Town Clerk, Clitheroe Town Council.


OVERWHELMING


ALISON and Marcus and Shirley and Allan would like to thank, most sincerely, all those who have given so generously of their time and energy, as


well as materially, to Marcus’s appeal. The response has been truly overwhelming and, .


after providing a special holiday for Marcus, wall ensure that a substantial sum will be available for


charities involved with childhood cancer. With best wishes to you all for a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New i ear.


ALLAN and SHIRLEY BUTT, Dorayne, Ixingworth Road, Hillington.


Where is panto tradition?


ARE there any traditional pantomimes in the area? I took my grandchildren


to Read and Simonstone’s "Snow White and the


Seven Dwarfs,” only to find alternative comedy which only appeals to a limited audience; dwarfs who were as tall as, if not READ GRANDPARENT.


tr


taller than, Snow White; old-fashioned songs the children did not know; and no handsome prince, but Woopert of Wamsbottom. I shall not be going


again and a lot of other people agree with me.


S E £70 A V


Lowest Prices Guaranteed! H, within inn dip ol purchase, you hnd you could haiu bou|ht the


uint clactrical ilea tor lilt lluo Ihi eaikptJCt paid at NORWII, loclndint


any chaw lot delitity and couiction, fiom another local iitailti. wi will ptadly itfund Iht diltetunci. Aik io-stoia lot detail!. ■


run no ran u mv **«i C^i> a » NORWEB Ask for details of longer opening hours before Christmas — Nobody B e a ts Norweb a t C h r is tm a s . ^


Or Ne* P*> talar an c«0 O


u (100 O data ihs«n. Qij


apatit. 1 n


tpatil. 10 *<».! »*MM, 2 s«l m


d fr«» Crtdil aatkly p*|**«t« •! C


. .. S1-31- 'M ^ • ’ t z : U ,c .v .i.t .oI .h .h:


jov d.o.iii 1, itaalitd tiimpl* •*» 10 M M IMtittl fit* C (OO^APPI O


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S at aet U BmUi U V.«‘h


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a, •«'•» ... ..4e.-.bt. ................. . her eau


laraM Put C thar altar. W


oM ...................... . 1 f . . . r , .a n redH Taw. Cat* Pelt# CO.SO iadlt l*n*»i C s . . l w .: .. rarin rittea t.Maha.t aaailabla •• teavett


aih price U00. ..HI .M


U ,. . .


o f C l i t h e r o e th is Christmas.


Without the efforts of


.


these few, Clitheroe would indeed be a town without "sparkle.”


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