so#sr%K^'-iLri-. 2 Cl itheroe Ad vert iser & T im e s, Thursd ay, Janu a ry 14th, 2010


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


■ Valley Matters . .. . .. . : .. . . . .. . .8,9 ■ Letters . . . . . . . . ; .......


. .


. ^ .19 20,21


12


■ Village News ....................... .16,17 ■ Readersplus ; ■ Family Notices


■ Weekendplus............ .................. 22 ■ Motors Today .. .•.................... 30 ■ Sport . .. ... ; ........:. .39,40


AT A GLANCE...


Shoe shop shut after 110 years - page 5 Dogs race to new home- page 6. -'


Royal honour for Wendy - page 7 GBE for fire chief - page 9


INFORMATION


Duly chemist: Duty Chemist: Peter Buckley Ltd, 4 Railway View, Clitheroe: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Police: 01200 443344. Fire: In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Electricity: 0800 1954141. Gas: 0800111999. Water: 0845 462200. • Councils: Ribble Valley Borough Council, Clitheroe 425111. Clitheroe Totvn Council, 424722. Hospitals: Royal Blackburn Royal Hospital: 01254 263555. Airedale General Hospital, Steeton: 01535 652511. Clitheroe Community Hospital: 427311. Alcohol Information Centre: 01282 416655. Aidslinc: 01282 831101 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Domestic Violence Helpline: 01282 422024. Cruse Bereavement Care: 01772 433643. Environmental Agency: Emergencies - 0800 807060.; Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line: 01254 226200. 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. Ribble Valley Citizens’ Advice Bureau: 01200 428966.


CONTACTUS! : .


News: 01200 422324 Advertising: 01200 422323 Classined: 01282 422331 Family Notices: 01282 478134 Photo Orders: 01772 838026 Fax: 01200 443467 editor e-mail: roy.prcnton@eastlancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail: duncan.smith@eastlancsncws.co.uk


News online 24 hours a day’, 7 days a week at


www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk WEATHER


DUNSOP BRIDGE ■


CHIPPING CLiTHEROE


■ SLAIDBURN I GISBURN ICHATBURN


LANGHOI ■H E R O E B fe^ l^


■ READ ■ BURNLEY ACCRINGTON I«£f.&-; BLACKBURN I


WEEKEND WEATHER: THERE will be sleet and light rain with cold temperatures during the day and just above freezing temperatures at night.


SUNRISE: 8-17 a.m. SUNSET: 4-22 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 3-52 p.m. :.


" i ’’ ' ' ' V T e ^: "


PROBLEMS caused in E,ib- ble Valley by inadequate gritting during.the, “big freeze”- must never be repeat­ ed, according to local Con­


servatives. - “The problems encountered


by Ribble Valley residents in the big freeze must not be allowed to happen again,” said Coun. Ken Hind, senior vice-chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association. “We have seen in recent days


able bodied people unable to get to work, disabled and elderly people, and families living in side roads, unable to get their cars out or get out of their homes. Village communities have been cut off and residents unable to get to work and shops. ■ “Lancashire County Council


is the local authority responsible for gritting the roads and pave­ ments, unfortunately not the Ribble Valley Borough Council. “Unfortunately, the current


budget and plans, made before the county council elections in May 2009, were inherited by the new Conservative administra­ tion at County Hall, which opposed Labour's plan to take £250,000 out of the gritting budget for this year. “Despite this the county


call for by Duncan Smith council has gritted the roads for


. 27 days,-including more roads that any other authority in the -North of England, and does


have supplies left. . “Due to other authorities cut­


ting budgets. Central Govern­ ment has stepped in and told- Lancashire they cannot fill grit bins in side roads, or grit side roads, and is now controlling all supplies of salt to local authori­ ties. Only main A and B roads can be gritted to make supplies of grit go further. “Lancashire has forward-


ordered supplies of salt for next month, but now the Govern­ ment is controlling the supply, disrupting local plans by telling the council how much salt they can receive.” Coun. Hind cadded: “Local


farmers who have traditionally cleared country roads have been prevented from doing this by new rules from the EU requiring NVQ qualifications and Health and Safety controls. As a conse­ quence some rural communities have been unnecessarily cut off for days, such as the -village of Cow Ark.” Ribble Valley county council­


lor Albert Atkinson, who is also deputy leader of the county council and chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association; has promised a major review of the gritting plans throughout Lancashire.


Hiead’s invite to


A VALLEY headteacher was entertained at 10 Downing Street.


. • Mr Stephen Cox was asked


to attend a special reception with Prime Minister Gordon . Brown to mark Bowland High School's “improved” status. : When invited to the educa­ tional get-together, Mr Cox was told it was being held “to celebrate the achievements of some of the most improved schools in the country”. His invitation said: “The


reception, for headteachers from primary, and secondary. schools, will be an opportuni­ ty to recognise the enormous;: difference that you and others have made to the lives of so many pupils. “Educational standards


have improved significantly over the last decade. In recent ■ years your school is.one of . those which has improved the most." ' Our picture shows Mr Cox; meeting the Prime' Minister.


& E l ■'-1 It will include consultation


vrith town and parish councils, a full review of the “gritting map” and provision to train local


•farmers to enable to' meet EU- requirements for clearing rural


roads. ■ “Speaking from a personal


point of -view, the review must include consideration of gritting of side roads and pavements, more grit, bins in residential areas and in villages for pave­ ments and roads that are essen­ tial, but not classified as A and


- B roads, plus the refilling of grit bins in bad weather,’’;, said Coun. Hind.


. . . “This review will not wait for


the Spring, as there are poten­ tially three months of winter


■ weather remaining and we must prepare for further snow falls and freezing weather in Febru­ ary and March. In the interim, Ribble Valley local councillors, whether borough or county, would welcome representations from the public to make a contri­ bution to the review, highlight­ ing particular local problems.”


;Previous'AIITICLES| ii'v. • Cat Dtter/gntting'vraminq


fsnemra^ ib continues^^^'^^ ! •


for poDce''^ g r it te rs '^ '^ ’ CIHhiroe'tiinis' into fice ’i ; lwww.clitheroeadvertisei;co.uk| www.clttheroeadvertiser.co.uk Clilheroe 422324 (Editorial).01282 426161 (Advertising), Burnley 01282 422331 (Classified) MP raises


farmers’ plight in


Commons .: Continued from page 1


, The farmers’ and villagers’ plight has been raised in the Commons by Ribble Valley ME Nigel Evans, who is calling for an ui^ent review. On Monday he urged the Gov­


ernment to give farmers the green light to continuing snowploughing the roads, —f- . - . Addressing the Minister for


Transport; Sadiq Khan MP, he said: “In the past, farmers have often cleared the roads of snow, but many have .been told recently that now they need NVQs in Health and Safety in order to do so. This can­ not be the way to go about things! . “We must ensure that farmers


who know how to use their own equipment can clear roads them­ selves which would, in turn, allow their neighbours to access the main networks of roads.” In response the Minster said that


he would look into the matter of the NVQs, but that common sense should prevail. Mr Evans also called for urgent


action to be taken for villagers liv­ ing in places like Twiston, who have been stranded in their homes for three weeks. Mr Brian Eagle, highway main­


tenance manager at Lancashire County Council, said: “We must ensure anyone contracted to work on the highway is competent and has undergone basic training. . “We must also make sure the public is protected from the conse­ quences of any contractor’s actions, as part of our public liability requirement. Other local authori­ ties have a similar policy in place. “We do need some farmers who


can demonstrate they are compe­ tent and are available to work on key routes in remote locations to clear snow if our own staff are not available.”


Street


Search for local ‘bigfoot’


Continued from page 1


the size 15 wellies has some very big boots to fill. They are a whopping 14 inches long and five inches .wide, perfect for dealing with the current snow or. any other extreme weather condi­


tions. ; . ' “They are so.big they look like you could live in •them,” added Colin. “We


are sure there must be a big'strapping farmer or rugby player out there ; who’s looking for a pair


"just like them.” 'f;:-,Ken Varey’s Outdoor


■'World: is one of the ■largest stockists of wellies in the North West, selling an'extensive range of


; Hunter,-Aigle, LeCham- eau and Joules boots.


Clitheroe 422324 (Ediloriai), 01282 426161 (Advertising), Burnley 01282 422331 (Classified) www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk Clitheroe A d ve r t ise r & T im e s , Thursday, Ja n u a ry 14th, 2010 3


Axe to fall on Whalley’s famous Pickwick Night?


by Faiza Afzaal


CRISIS talks are being held over the future of 'Whalley’s famous Pick­ wick Night extravagan­ za.


The annual Christmas


event, which is in its 22nd year and sees the -village of Whalley take a step back in time to have a Dickens of a time, faces an uncertain future. The move is being blamed


on the recession and reduced sponsorship and donations from local busi­ nesses. Speaking to the Clitheroe


Advertiser and Times, Mr Neil Martin, chairman of the Pickwick Committee, revealed a meeting is set to be held next month to decide the fate of the festi­ val. “Although last year’s


event was a huge success, with thousands of people descending on the village, due to the recession local


■ businesses were not able to support the event as much as they have done in previ­ ous years,” he commented. “The cost of organising Pickwick Night is approxi­


mately £5,000, which includes road closures, sig­ nage, insurance, entertain­ ment etc., and the whole idea is to raise thousands of pounds for local charitable causes. Unfortunately, last year we were only able to raise £170.” He added: “We are plan­


ning to hold a meeting in the first week of February, which will determine whether or not we go ahead with the event in Christmas 2010. “We will try our hardest


to put it on this year and consider alternative options, but we have to be realistic about the financial situa­ tion.” One of the founder mem­


bers of the successful event has expressed her sadness. Whalley councillor Joyce


Holgate said: “I am not sur­ prised, but quite sad that talks are being held with regards to Pickwick Night’s future. “Pickwick Night was


launched thanks to the joint efforts of Whalley Chamber of Trade and Whalley Lions. The Christmas festi­ val quickly became a suc­ cess with scores of people coming from far and wide


soaking up the Dickensian atmosphere. “So much so that Pick­


wick Committee was launched.” She added: “People don’t


realise how much hard work and effort is required to organise the annual event. There are a lot of health and safety issues that have to be considered and i t ’s quite expensive to organise too.” Pickwick Night is the


biggest event in Whalley’s annual calendar. Highlights have included carol and opera singing, fire eating, juggling and rnusic. Craft, games and food


stalls, which promise mulled wine, black puddings, black peas and spit-roasted pork, normally line the main street, many hosted by vol­ untary organisations and charities such as Blackburn Lions and the Friends of


Whalley School. Most of Whalley's shops and high street businesses remain open with traders clad in 'Victorian costumes welcom­ ing customers and browsers with sweets, chocolates, sherry and other treats. Our pictures show Joanne


Brown, Emma-Jayne Pick­ up, Nicky Ciku and Gemma Lloyd dressed to impress at last month’s Pickwick Night. (B031209/2)


Walker Tim’s Spanish pilgrimage


A 1,000 km pilgrimage across Spain is the mission of Clitheroe Methodist circuit superintendent Rev. Tim Thorpe. From February Tim will be


stepping away from his chiurch post for three months to follow in the footsteps of


. thousands of pilgrims by completing the “Via de la Plata”. - the longest route of the “Camino de Santiago”, otherwise known as the Way of St James. A sabbatical is a gift from


■' the Methodist Church to its ; ministers and deacons: “After


:; 10 years work you get a sab- ■


; batical of three months off work to develop yourself, to Lake a break and re-evalu-


” ate,” explained Tim. “You are • t meant to do something that ' will benefit your long-term


;■ ministry and benefit you as ; an individual — it is a bit of ; work and play.”- planned route will


’ see him set off from Granada, travelling north to Santiago


■'-'Ja:


~ de Compestela and finally n onto the coastal town of Fin- istere, once believed by pil- grims to he the end of the world. He has opted to take a route which is not as popular as the traditional one, which travels west from St Jean-


Pied-du-Port, near Biarritz. Explaining why he has cho­


sen to walk the entire route alone, Tim said; “I very much like being with people and do not like my own company, but because I am doing it ear­ lier than usual and as it is a less popular route the chances are I won't see many people, particularly when I am walk­ ing during the day and I want to find out what that is like. I hope it will help me become more reflective.” Before Christmas, Tim was


■ called on to baptize prema­ ture twin boys in Derby, grandsons to one of his friends. Although one sur­ vived, James later died, but


. as Tim had decided to walk the way of St James he felt it a fitting tribute to carry with him a palm cross bearing the baby's name which he will leave at Santiago. And back in his home town his pilgrim­ age is being sponsored to raise funds for Derby hospital's


. neo-natal intensive care unit. 'While he is away, the Rev.


Katy Thomas will look after the circuit, with the help of retired minister the Rev. Harry Jones. Tim said: “I want to thank


the circuit for allowing me this opportunity.”


-'Si’ .


Take a walk on wild side


BILLINGTON residents will he able to take a walk on the wfid side. After securing a Big Lottery Fund


grant the Valley village will be buzzing with creatures great and small. Funding of £10,000 has been handed


to Billington and Langho Parish Coun­ cil from the “Awards of All” pot towards a special sensory and wildlife garden which will have new trees, a wicker tun­ nel for children together and a seating


area. Speaking on behalf of the parish


council Andrea Holgate said: “We are delighted to have received this funding for a green area at the heart of our -vil­ lage. What we plan to create will he a place where it is easy to get to for young and old, as we have nowhere in our -vil­ lage for people to go and spend quality time as they wish.” She added: “The sensory garden -will


comprise raised planters -with highly- scented plants and others which are nice to touch. The plants will also be picked to improve the bee, bird and butterfly population in the area and we want to put up ‘houses’ for aU these animals and insects. The children will then he helped to run surveys throughout the summer counting the wildlife that they see.” • Pupils at Whalley CE School are


also celebrating after they were award­ ed a £10,000 grant. The money will be used towards three


outdoor activity areas at the school comprising a climbing wall, allotment area, willow tunnel and outdoor musical instruments aimed at increasing chil­ dren’s awareness of the environment and providing them -with opportunites to play outdoors. • The two local causes are among 46


groups across the North West to benefit from the first Awards for All grants of the new year.


A CLITHEROE man has appeared in court charged with stealing £50,900 from his former employer, Mr David Marsden. David Richard Cowgill


Accused of stealing cash He previously worked at a


newsagents, stationers and toyshop in Market Place, Clitheroe - a business owned, by Mr Marsden. The alleged theft to«?k place


(48), of Church Brow Gar­ dens, was directed to Preston Crown Court when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates.


between June 2007 and Sep­ tember 2009. Cowgill was remanded on bail for the preparation of committal papers.


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