Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, December 28th, 2006


INSIDE YOUR CUTHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


I Valley Matters ................................... 6,7 I Letters ..........................


.30-32 4


■ Weekendplus............. ..........................14 S New Year TV .................


I Family Notices................• • • ............ •1'^ IROadersplus


........... ....................... 11


I Christmas picture sp e cia l-----18,19,20 I Sport . : ............................ ............ .46-48


AT A GLANCE...


' Jingle bells to crack c r im e - page 5 . . Town honours civic servant s^page 7 * ■ - Top marks for CRGS - page 16 ■ ^ Sports review of the year - page 46,47s


- iNFORMAflON


Road, Clitheroe: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Police: 01200 443344. Fire: In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Electricity: 0800 1954141. Gas: 0800 111999. Water: 0845 462200. Councils: Ribble 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 Ccntrc:;01282 416655. Aidslihc:'01282 831101 (7 pi.m. to 9 p.m.). Domestic Violence Helpline: 01282 4220^. Cruse Bereavement Care: Ribble Valley 01200 429346. Environmental Agency: Emergencies - 0800 807060. Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line: 01200 444484. National: 0800 776600. Ribbic 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. Ribbic 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: 01200 443467 editor e-mail: vivicn.mcath@castlancsncws.co.uk news editor e-mail: duncan.smith@castlancsncws.co.uk sports editor c-mail: cdward.lcc@castlancsncws.co.uk


DUNSOP BRIDGE ■


CHIPPING ■


WEATHER ■ SLAIDBURN


GISBURN ■ CHATBURN


CLITHEROE ■ . .BWHALLEY


LANGHOB


' BREAD' I >' B BURNLEY


B ACCRINGTON BLACKBURN B


WEEKEND WEATHER: Forecasters predict it will be cold and cloudy over the weekend with some showers on New Year’s Day.


SUNRISE: 8-23 a.m. SUNSET: 3-55 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 3-55 p.m.


Duty chemist: New Year’s Eve, Mellor Pharmacy, 28 Carter FoW, Mellor: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. ' New Year’s Day: Buckleys Pharmacy, 4 Railway View


concerns of residents • conlinucd from page 1 '


’ on any school day, so that they could really appreciate existing traffic problems in the area. He also raised concerns that the pro­ posed 15-space car park would be woefully


. inadequate. He used the 2001 Census figures ■ on the number of Muslims in the Ribble Val­ ley to suggest there could potentially be more than 90 cars travelling to the mosque.


. “Is it fair to subject us residents to this additional stress?” he asked.


- • Chairman Coun. Sherras pointed out that of the 28 issues raised in letters of objection and 12 in letters of support, only five were material planning considerations. These were noise, parking and traffic, the external 'appearance of the building, loss of employ­ ment premises and impact on residential


' amenity.. Members must disregard all other issues in reaching their decision, he said. Coun. Stuart Hirst said he and other com-


mitee members had received a lot of corre­ spondence on the issue, some of which was “factually incorrect and Intemperate, if not rude”. He said the committee always decided issues on planning grounds and its previous decisions on mosque applications had been upheld independently when challenged on appeal. Ward councillor Stephen Sutcliffe raised


residents’ concerns over the level of -the pro­ posed car park, saying if it was lower than the gardens on Lowergate, then the impact on res­ idents would be greatly reduced. He was also concerned that “injudicious use of yellow paint” could reduce on-street parking avail­ able for local residents..


Bridge club


latest results BRIDGE winners at Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday evening were: NS 1, Ruth Reid and Richard Lapthome; 2, Deanna and Robin Atkinson. EW 1, Steve Higson and Tim Davies: 2, Mary Thomp­ son and Sheila Cornwell. Thursday evening win­


ners were: NS 1, Ken Bushby and Alan Singer; 2, Jean Taylor and Geoff Capstick. EW l, Eileen Wood and Patrick Roche; Kath Higson and Use Park.


Hospice Lottery


WINNERS in the East Lancashire Hospice Lot­ tery weekly draw were: £1,000 - Mrs Wiltcher, Blackburn; £250 - Mrs Varey, Blackburn; £100 - Mrs Warland, Blackburn. A further 15 lucky players each won £10. If you would like to join


the lottery, please call Gill on 01254 342847.


‘ For news online go to... WWW.


cIitheroeioday.co.uk However, he was in favour of the applica­


tion, saying it could repair a lot of the dam­ age done to the site through its use for manur facturing. He formally proposed approval of the application with the conditions set out in the officers’ report. Planning officer John Macholc assured


Coun Sutcliffe that his concerns over the car park level and loss of parking were addressed by those conditions. Seconding the motion to approve, Coun


Frank Dyson said: “We have here a Victorian building of considerable architectural value, at least externally. There is already leakage in the roof and if it continues to be unused there will be further degradation. “I t was erected as a place of worship and


served for many years in that purpose. I t seems to me that this is an admirable propos­ al for a reversion to a place of worship and a place where the general community can enjoy the amenity of getting together. I cannot see any grounds for refusal.” Coun Michael Fielding, vice-chairman of


the committee, disagreeed, sasdng he believed the proposal would cause an unacceptable level of disturbance and be detrimental to res­ idential amenity. The majority vote in favour of the plan was


greeted by applause from supporters in the public gallery and in the foyer outside, where a capacity crowd heard the proceedings over loudspeakers. Some got up to leave, but were reminded by the chairman that the second application, for consent to deniolish the sheds, remained. Speaking in favour of it, Mr Sheraz Arshad, spokesman for the Medina Islamic Centre,


first thanked members for their prevous deci­ sion. He also reaffirmed his commitment to continue working closely with all residents in the area to make it “a development which benefits everyone, not just a few”. Regarding the unsightly sheds, he said their


removal would be an enviromnental plaiming gain. Mr Ron Loebell was due to speak asgainst


the proposal, though his comments to the meeting bore little relation to it. Instead he congratulated the applicant on “a battle well won” and said he looked forward to more mosque applications from the various Ribble Valley villages. He also accused the council officers of bias towards the applicant, claim­ ing there were serious ommissions and mis­ leading information in their report to the com­ mittee. Playing to the gallery, he suggested there


may be a case for the Local Government Ombudsman to investigate whether the appli­ cation had been dealt with in “a fair and just manner” - a thinly veiled reference to the Ombudsman’s recent finding of maladminis­ tration in the way the council decided not to sell a different plot of land for a mosque. Coun Frank Dyson said he did not believe


Mr Loebell was in any way addressing the application before the committee and, as such, his views had no value. Coun Dyson successfully proposed approval, adding: “I consider the removal of these sheds to be in the interest of the area generally and a great improvement for householders in the vicinity.” • A spokesman for Clitheroe police said the


following day that the evening had passed peacefully, with no trouble or arrests;


Kindly pupils Trutex lends a hand


FOR the second consecutive year, £500 cash and more than £200 worth of toys and games were donated to Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity by Clitheroe’s schoolwear supplier Trutex. The company decided to use money


normally allocated for the design, priiit and distribution of Christmas cards to instead buy toys and games for the hos­ pital charity after receiving such a posi­ tive response from eustomers and suppli­ ers following last year’s donation. Commenting on the donation, Trutex


marketing director Claire Rix said: “I t’s great to be able to put a little smile on children’s faces, especially those who will


be spending Christmas in hospital.” Pat Whiteside, Manchester Children’s


Hospital’s charities manager, comment­ ed: “We are thrilled th a t Trutex has made such a generous donation. The fab­ ulous toys donated for our play area will help to provide a home-from-home expe­ rience for our children and will make their stay in hospital a little more inter­ esting.”


Pictured, from the left, are Trutex


marketing manager Daniel Tomlinson, patients Harrison Flemming (seven) and Jessica Rigg (nine) and hospital play spe­ cialist Jo Wright trying out some of the Christmas toys, (s)


think of others EVERY pupil in year 10 at St Augustine’s RC High School, Billington, brought in presents, including toiletries and tinned food, which they packed up to take to the Nightsafe charity in Blackburn. This provides an emergency shelter for 16 to 24-year-olds, offering food, a bed and someone to talk to.' The pupils were shown around the hostel and told that every night the hostel, which can take four young people, is full, but especially at Christ­ mas time. 'The pupils found their visit most informative and will be raising money for the charity in the new year.


Granted bail


A 21-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with going equipped for stealing diesel. Patrick Maughan, of


Beny's Lane, St Helens, is alleged to have had a hand pump and piping and 16 heavy duty fuel containers in his van when he was stopped near Sawley. He was remanded on


bail. ty. www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, December 28th, 2006 3


Local Muslims celebrate the end of a 40-year struggle


by Faiza Afzaal


SPEAKING after the meeting, Mr Sheraz Arshad, spokesman for the town’s Medina Islamic Education Cen­ tre (MIEC), said he was over the moon with the decision, which meant the end of a 40-year battle for a place of worship for the town’s small Muslim communi­


“I cannot believe it,” he said. “I’m quite


relieved that we have finally been able to realise our ambition, which has stemmed from my grandfather’s generation to now. “I think the way people celebrated after


the meeting just demonstrated the level of frustration and emotion that had built up over the 40 years. “For them it was almost a feeling of final­ ly being accepted in a town they call


‘home’.” Mr Arshad expressed his gratitude to all


the people tha t had supported the plans, saying: “The support the Muslim communi­


ty has received has been overwhelming and we are incredibly grateful. “I think i t ’s just testimony to so many


people out there who are prepared to stand up for their rights. I would like to thank all those people, hundreds if not thousands, who have expressed their support for the proposal.” He also praised planning officers at Rib­


ble Valley Borough Council for the profes­ sional way in which they dealt with the application. “I would like to commend the council on


this occasion for running a very efficient and professional meeting. “I was very pleased that Coun. Sherras


made it very clear that the application would be assessed on planning grounds.” Looking ahead, Mr Arshad revealed it will


be 18 months to two years before prayers are conducted a t the former Mount Zion Chapel. He reiterated his commitment to working with other faiths so that the facility can benefit local organisations and all denominations. “We would like to work with the local res­


idents so that any development is sensitive to their needs. “We are not going to isolate them. We will


talk to anyone who has concerns. A Muslim place of worship is very much a spiritual home for the whole community. “We will be taking this project forward


very much in this ethos, in terms of building it as a resource for the wider community. He added: “I would like to reiterate to all


those people who have been concerned about this scheme that our intention has never been to isolate ourselves. “We acknowledge it is natural for humans


to fear the unknown and many people do not understand what a Muslim place of worship will entail. “V/e can understand and appreciate peo­


ple’s concerns and would like to continue in our efforts to build positive relations with the wider community and talk to people who are reluctant to, or feel shy, to share their opin­ ions.” Mr Arshad said it was too early to say what


would happen to the MIEC in Holden Street, Clitheroe, once the new centre is open.


Some strong words from chairman


BEFORE opening the mosque application up to debate, plan­ ning committee chairman Coun. Richard Sherras, pic­ tured, spoke of the controversy surrounding the issue and the undue pressure on councillors in making their decision. He told the meeting: “The Code of Practice for coun­


cillors in planning matters states that committee members should make oral declarations of ‘sub­ stantial or oppressive lobbying’ on a particular application. “I declare that this has arisen


and has come from both objectors to and supporters of this applica­ tion. “I t has ranged from objectors’


letters at one extreme being abu­ sive and frankly racist, through all grades of opinion to supporters at the other extreme attempting to


mittee members, even accusing them of ‘institutional racism’. “As a result members are in a


‘Catch 22’ situation: They can approve the application and be accused of ignoring the wishes of the majority of the public. They can refuse the application and be branded racist. “Previous planning applications


have been dealt with on purely planning grounds, with the com­ mittee’s decisions being upheld at appeal as correct by independent planning inspectors. “This application will be dealt


discredit the council by feeding the media with negative ‘spin’ regard­ ing previous council decisions and questioning the integrity of com­


with on the same basis and if any comments or submissions are made that are not material plan­ ning considerations, then I will draw attention to that fact accord­ ingly. “Any attempts to influence


members votes by shouting or applauding will not be tolerated.”


Tiny tot meets X-Factor’s Leona


EVERY cloud has a silver lining and when little George Smith was taken ill his family had no idea it would lead to meeting newly-crowned X-Factor


winner Leona Lewis. George (16 months) and his parents, Jonathan


and Nicola, who live in Simonstone, were visiting family in London when the toddler suffered a seizure and had to be rushed to St Thomas s Hospi­ tal. Doctors there diagnosed a ■'.nral infection that was expected to keep George in hospital over


Christmas and the New Year. With their initial fears allayed, the Smiths were


thrilled to meet some surprise visitors to the Lon­ don hospital — X-Factor winner Leona, accompa­ nied by judge Sharon Osbourne, her rock legend husband, Ozzy, and their popstar daughter, Kelly. It was Leona’s first public appearance after winning the massive TV talent show the previous evening, and, according to Nicola, the talented singer was


still trying to take it all in. George has now been brought by ambulance to


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APPLICANT Sheraz Arshad, right, with Jo Harding, who spoke in favour of the application (A211206/6k)


the Royal Blackburn Hospital, where his family were planning to spend as much time as possible with Mm over Christmas. Our picture shows X-Factor winner Leona with Nicola Smith and her son George, (s)


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