Clitheroe Advertiser &Times, Thursday, August 4th, 2005


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


a Valley Matters.................................. 4,5 a Village News .................................12,13


B Letters................................................ 1® Weekendplus................................ 20,21


1 Weekend TV .................................18,19 1 Family Notices.............................. 24,25 IReadersplus .......................................1*1 IJobs ............................................ 27-29 1 Propertyplus.............................. 32-34 IMotorsplus ................................ 36-51


1 Sport AT A GLANCE...


Death of devoted mum - page 6 Worst Witch at Castle - page 7 Edisford pupils’ surprise - page 9 Wartime memories relived - page 17


INFORMATION Duty chemist: Lloyds Pharmacy, 5 Church Street,


Clitheroe: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Police: 01200 443344. Fire' In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Electricity: 08001954141.


Change of council landlords? Gas: 0800 111999.


Water: 0845 462200. Councils: Kibble Valley Borough Council, Clitheroe


425111. Clitheroe Town Council, 424722. Hospitals: Blackburn Royal Infirmary: 01254 263555. Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn: 01254 263555. Airedale General Hospital, Steeton: 01535 652511. Clitheroe Community Hospital: 427311. Alcohol Information Centre: 01282 416655. Aidsline: 01282 831101 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Domestic Violence Helpline: 01282 422024. Cruse Bereavement Care: Kibble Valley 01200 429346. Environmental Agency: Emergencies - 0800 807060. Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line:


01200 444484. National: 0800 776600. Ribble Valley Talking Newspaper: 01200 428604.


Samaritans: 01254 662424. Monthly Volunteer Helpline: 01200 422721. Lancashire Rural Stress Network: 01200 427771. QUEST (specialist smoking cessation service): 01254 358095, Rihble Valley Citizens’ Advice Bureau: 01200 428966.


CONTACT US! News: 01200 422324


Advertising: 01200 422323 Classified: 01282 422331 Family Notices and Photo Orders: 01282 426161, ext. 410


Fax: 01200443467 editor e-mail: vivicn.mcath@castlancsnews.co.uk


news editor e-mail: duncan.smith@easllancsnews.co.uk sport e-mail: cdward.lcc@castlancsncws.co.uk


WEATHER hs la id b ur n


DUNSOP BRIDGE!


CHIPPING a ■ GISBURN BCHATBURN


CLITHEROE B HWHALLEYv BREAD


LANGHO ■ B BURNLEY B ACCRINGTON BLACKBURN B


WEEKEND WEATHER: Saturday is forecast to be cloudy with possible showers, while Sunday will remain dry. SUNRISE: 5-27 a.m. SUNSET: 9-04 p.m.


LIGHTING UP TIME: 9-04 p.m. _________


have with the council. A consultants report to the council, updated last month, more or less spells out that retaining its housing stock is not a realistic option for Ribble Valley. It weighs the current condition of


the housing stock - comprising 746 houses and 453 flats - against the predicted cost of future upkeep and meeting the Decent Homes Stan­


dard. Its final valuation of £1.05 million


is the amount the council could expect to receive from an RSL on transfer of the housing stock - equat­ ing to £898 per property. But Mrs Grimshaw stressed that


did not mean the council was “selling off” its houses tor £900 each. That figure is not a market value


and the council is not allowed to sell its property on the open market. Instead, the figure reflects the


rental income of the property and what a new landlord would have to spend to bring it up to and maintain it at the required standard. Transferring its housing stock could also have an impact on jobs at


the council. Most of those who currently work


predominantly in housing would transfer to the RLS, while some hou^ ing roles would stay with the council. But there would inevitably be some restructuring and possible


redundancies. Some councillors remain bitterly


opposed to transferring the council’s housing, seeing it as “selling off the family silver” , and the meeting on August 23rd could be stormy. But Mrs Grimshaw stressed that if


the majority do vote for transfer, it will only be the beginning of an 18-


month process. “The ultimate decision will rest


with the tenants,” she said. Local lads in Floyd tribute gig


A YOUNG local band will support leading Pink Floyd tribute show “Off The Wall” at this weekend’s open air concert in Clitheroe Castle s


grounds. Oversight, which consists of three


Clitheroe Royal Grammar School students, last hit the headlines back in February after helping raise funds for the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal through the Rockin 4 Asia concert held at The Grand in Clitheroe. The group, which consists of Neil


Balfour, of Whalley, who plays lead guitar, Chris Kindle, of Clayton-le- Dale, who plays the drums and Alex Flannagan, of Fence, who plays bass, have been together for more


than two years now. They play a wide range of music from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s to modern day covers as well as some of their own materi­


al. The ambitious teenagers have


even released a debut album entitled “ Full of Mistakes” , which is report­ edly selling well, and have been in great demand for gigs locally. Saturday’s concert will be held in the natural amphitheatre below the


Castle Keep. Tickets are available from


Clitheroe Tourist Information Cen tre, telephone 01200 425566 o online through www.ticketweb.co.ul (tel. 08700 600100).


Race complaint still under investigation


A COMPLAINT made about Rib­ ble Valley Borough Council by local Muslim leaders to the Commission for Racial Equality is still being investigated by the enforcement


team


IViUSliiii le a u e ia m u c i quashed the latest bid to build a mosque on the former council depot off Kirkmoor Road in Clitheroe last


November. H A L F P R IC E O F F E R S USUAL PRICE


LEATHER 3 SEATER SETTEE WITH TWO RECLINING CHAIRS - ONE ONLY


LEATHER EASY CHAIR - ONE ONLY LARGE RECLINING CHAIR - ONE ONLY PARKER KNOLL CHAIR - ONE ONLY


POCKET SPRUNG 5’0“ DIVAN - TWO ONLY


SUPERB POCKET SPRUNG 5’0" DIVAN-TWO ONLY


■'fisaa


HALF PRICE


tseaa £1049 £299 £349 £349 £699


*■8603 ftsoa


ftsos


3 SEATER SUITE - ONE ONLY 3 SEATER SOFA BED - ONE ONLY


LEATHER 3 SEATER SOFA BLACK - ONE ONLY


LEATHER 2 SEATER SOFA ' BLACK - ONE ONLY


LARGE LEATHER RECLINING CHAIR - ONE ONLY


■pteea ■fisea 'm a


£799


MEGA PRICE DEALS on UP^ OLS^rERY 3 SEATER SUITE - TWO ONLY


£799 £999 £669


.1/ £599 ■•ssaa £499 *^890 £499 MANY MORE SALE BARGAINS ON SHOW IN STORE


I - ! A K1 so N G a r d e n C e n t r e


* e n t r e THE Garden Centre in the beautiful Ribble Valley .52-56


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Jobs By Vivien Meath______


WITH the loss o f 1,500 jobs after Simonstone computer manufacturer Granville Tech­ nology announced it had gone into administration, Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Val­ ley, has called on the Depart­ ment of Trade and Industry to carry out a full investigation into the reason behind the col-


l3,pS6« Speaking from Westminster, Mr


Evans said: “This is a blow to the area and will come as grim news to the workforce. Many of the workers were handed their redundancy notice with no prospect of holiday pay. I am also concerned that other, smaller, local suppliers may lose out should Granville Technology, through their trading names Tiny


Computers and Time Computers, owe them money through their


services. “ I want the Department of


Trade and Industry to investigate why it is that the company had not issued any figures since June 2003, when the company had made a profit of £2.5m and a turn-over of £207m. I want to know which members of the board knew that the company was in dire straits and


Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) 324 ihu. c. . MP calls for inquiry . , _


when they knew. I also want to know what steps were taken to try notice mat uivj,


or other Government agencies prior to the announcement being made. “ I have called on the Depart­


- - - - L d seek assistLce from either the jobs at the Simonstone-based com-


Department of Trade and Industry pany s premises. This week, a Nelson-based com­


ment for Work and Pensions and the Department of Trade and Industry to get involved with job centres and local authorities in the area in order that full assistance can be given to those who have lost


pany, Daisy Communications, brought forward its planned recruitment drive, starting an immediate search for around 50


workers. Meanwhile, JobCentre Plus and


other agencies are liaising with the workers.


WINNERS at Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday were NS Mr B. Cuba and Mrs I.


Help on hand


for staff, buyers a d v ic e is being offered to consumers and employees fol­ lowing the sudden administra­ tion of Simonstone computer manufacturers, Granville Technology. Lancashire County Council Trading Standards are giving information on consumer


^kTulllI^lrefoTS^^^^^^^^ rightstopeoplewhohavepur- Z L o m S fnto ihe region.


chased extended warranties


“Many within the workforce will from the Time Group, trading be highly trained and must be as Time/Tiny and Computer


given every assistance to retrain as Shop, a matter of urgency in order to seek Anyone who has purchased fresh employment.”


goods using a credit card or Offers of help have flooded in for {jnance agreements will be pro-


the East Lancashire workers left (.g^ted by the Consumer Credit jobless by last week’s shock collapse making the credit of the Granville Technology_ Group. Some 600 people were given no notice that they were to lose their


equally liable for any undelivered goods, customers who


have paid for their goods by cash or cheque will need to contact the administrators direct on 0870 381 7097. All consumers can contact


the LCC Consumer Advice centre on 0845 600 1352 if they have a particular problem. Information is available on


Park, Mr D. Mortimer and


Mrs B. Wilson. EW Mr R. Bailey and Mrs


J. Scott, Mrs K. Thompson and Mr G. Wharfe. On Thursday the winners


were: NS Mr B. Cuba and Mr J. Pollard, Mr and Mrs R.


Ward. EW Mrs B. Wilson and Mr


J. Renton, Mrs M. Thompson and Mrs J. Bowker.


WMJ


Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards Service website www.tradingstan- dards.gov.uk/lancashire which will be regularly updated. Employees who need assis­


tance with personal problems, such as debt, benefits and employment advice for infor­ mation, can call Burnley CAB 0970122 2318 for general advice and 01282 450 535 to make an appointment, Burn­ ley Job Centre on 01282 663101 and Lancashire Wel­ fare Rights Service on 01282 470570.


Major shake-up plan for council tenants?


By Duncan Smith


TEN AN TS in council houses and flats across the Ribble Valley could have a new landlord, but only if they


agree. Later this month, the council will con­


sider options for the future of its entire housing stock, just short of 1,200 proper-


ties. . . The most likely outcome is that it will


transfer that stock out of council owner­ ship to a “Registered Social Landlord” (RSL) - an independent housing organi­ sation registered tvith the Housing Corpo­ ration under the Housing Act 1996. The crucial decision on the future of


council housing in the Ribble Valley will be taken at a special meeting of the full council on August 23rd, but the final deci­ sion will rest with council tenants. If the council decides to transfer its


housing stock, as seems likely, that deci­ sion will set the ball rolling on an_ 18- month process of planning, negotiations and consultation, culminatring in a ten­


ants’ ballot. Every tenant of a council property will


have the chance to vote and the transfer will only go ahead if more than half cast a vote and more than half of those who vote


are in favour. But much still rests on what councillors


decide on August 23rd. Chairman of the Housing Committee, Coun. Joyce Hol-


gate, said this week: “ It is one of the most important and difficult decisions that Ribble Valley will ever have to make, and it has to be the right decision.” Ribble Valley is not alone in considering


the future of its housing, as local authori­ ties across the country grapple with the same issue. By 2010 all council housing must meet the Government’s “Decent Homes Standard” . To do so it must be in good repair, have modern facilities and services and be energy-efficient. The Government has told councils to


prepare detailed plans showing how they will meet the standard, including options for the future management of council- owned property. Those options include: e Retaining council housing and bring­


ing it up to the new standard ©'Transferring housing stock to an RLS,


which must meet the standard © Setting up an “arms length manage­ ment association” (ALMO), which must


also meet the standard © Entering into a Private Finance Ini­


tiative with a private sector partner. Ribble Valley began looking at those


options almost two years ago, in October 2003, setting up a panel of tenants, coun­ cillors and officers to work through a set housing stock options process. It included training by specialist con­


sultants, a survey of tenants, newsletters, an information day and 21 roadshows


around the borough. It also established a “Tenants’ Jury ,


which, in October 2004, voted 14 to two in favour of the housing transfer. The council’s housing manager, Mrs


Christine Grimshaw, said the jury felt it was financially the best way forward for tenants, helping secure the sustainability of social housing for the future. She explained that the only money the


council could spend on its housing was the rent from tenants, and it must pay a pro­ portion of that income to the Government - currently around £500,000 per year. That means it would be impossible to


meet the new Decent Homes Standard by the 2010 deadline without significant rent


rises. However, an RSL, such as a Housing


Association, could keep all the money from its rents and use that income to bor­ row on the money markets. It would have more money to invest in the property without raising rents. In fact, restrictions would be imposed to ensure that rents would not rise above the levels they would


Junior broadcaster takes to the air


IS Pendle Primary


School pupil Morgan


Roe (six) the


youngest amateur radio


licence


holder in the


country?


© For full story, see page 24


(A140705/2)


Police issue warning over


car thieves CAR thieves are targeting the Ribble Valley. Two Volkswagen Golf


saloon cars, valued at £15,500, and property worth more than £3,000 were stolen in midnight raids over the weekend. In the latest incident, a house­ holder awoke to find a bur­ glar in his home, en-route to the garage. Police believe one gang


may be behind the spate of thefts, which appear to have been centred on Lang- ho. Since the weekend thefts, Clitheroe Police Insp. Bob Ford has vowed to tackle the problem of criminals targeting homes and vehicles and has renewed his plea to home- owners to be extra vigilant. In the first incident,


thieves burgled a house in Whalley Road, Wilpshire. Between midnight and 6 a.m. on Saturday, they gained entry by forcing a window. They searched the premises before stealing a laptop computer, valued at £350, and the keys to a £7,000 black V-registered Volkswagen Golf GTI, in which they escaped. A day later, police found the vehi­ cle abandoned in Bolton. Between Saturday and


Sunday, thieves entered a detached house in Hawthorn Close, Langho.


• cbnlinued.on page 2,4-.


The Cliiheroe


vertiser and 1 imes rp including Barrow, Billington, Langiio, Calderstones and Brockhall


?IW H A M S O M S G A K B ’B M € IB M T K M • yy


And we do mean everything, furniture, barbeques, plants, pots, even compost.


SALE STARTS SATURDAY 6th to SUNDAY 14th o f AUGUST Also look out for our new coffee shop coming soon.


HANSONS GARDEN CENTRE WHERE PLANTS MATTER


Whalley Road • BarrO’W ® Clitheroe Note: Sale excludes pet products, sheds, gas, existing in store promotions, and coffee shop Telephone 01254 822145


O p en in g T im e s M o n d a y - Saturday Sam - 6 pm Sundays 1 0 am - 4 pm m SMpt©n o


Slockbum • zn


^ J 0*if CKib


to WholUy HE


M;5.NSON|g^ W« or* h*r«


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