m i m


12 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, January 14th, 2010 Make interchange


site a coach park I HAVE been following the debate about the future development o f ' Clitheroe and just wondered whether any of the local councilors had con­ sidered the following option. ' I suppose th a t i t means eating


humble pie for many, but perhaps th e new. tran sp o r t interchange


- . should form the basis of an adequate coach park for Glitheroe. Utilising-


■ the transport interchange site could, offer a low-cost provision of a half- decent coach park for tours, offering; toilet facilities.


- -■. /


If i t was well advertised and signed “coaches welcome” from the


^ bsrpass, it could attract much-need­ ed tra d e into th e town without reducing the number of car parking spaces an3Twhere. '■ The bus interchange could retum '


to Well Terrace, with a regular shut­ tle bus connecting with rail services - at the station. Said shuttle bus could _ originate a t Well Terrace, then pro-., ceed past Tesco to Lowergate and to the bottom of Moor Lane for Sains- - bury's, back up towards the town, = centre then down Parson Lane for ; Booths and ultimately the station ^ and back to Well Terrace. Said arrangement could relieve


f I


any timetable pressure on the Skip- ton-Preston services and local serv­ ices could still pass the station as part of their route. I suspect'that there is far more


chance of people actually shopping in Clitheroe if their bus deposits them directly into the town centre and they are not faced with a long walk. - I t will be no great loss to lose rail


interchange between Blackburn/ Burnley services either, although said buses could lay over at the new coach park.


- I t would be even better still if at


least the Blackburn service came direct straight through to Chatburn, like it did in the 1970s. I suspect that there are now so many speed limits cut to 40 from 60 and from 40 to 30 on the route th a t this is no longer legally practical.


.


GORDON PYE, Downham Road, Chatburn


26 days and still Uh


no gritting for us! TWISTON; Day 26; still no gritting. We have no route either in or out


of th e village,-despite repeated req u e s ts to Lancashire County Council from residents. People are now running out of essential supples such as food and fuel and have.no access to emergency services. Apparently we are not on the pre­ cautionary salt route. .


• , i^No, this is not Warsaw or Saraje-'


VO, but Twiston in the 21st Century. I t would only take 10 mintues for the gritter to come down into the village ■ from Annal Cross instead of going back on itself on route C583. But will common sense prevail? JENNIFER PALMER, Hill Foot Collage, Twiston


Get ‘bad boys’ to


grit our streets IN-_your Jan u ary 7th edition, I. notice many of your readers were complaining about lack of gritting-: but did not put forward any ideas as, to how services could be improved;-■ (apa rt from slating Ribble Valley Council).


- .--r- .


www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk


Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 01282 426161 (Advertising), Burnley 01282 422331 (Classined) www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk


tied to some sort of concession. ■ However, I was told quite bluntly there are no concessions for people in


receipt of b enefits at Roefield' Leisure.


In the end I tried the pool next


Writotq:,The~BMitor,ClithprbeAdvertiserafidTitncs,3ffingStrec(.'ClithcroeBB^^ In these exceptional weather cir- ,


■ cumstances, when councils all over - Britain are struggling to cope, would • ■■;it not be far more creative to suggest .‘a solution, rather than slight th e . . council? ,


: My solution would be to pass a by­


law th a t s ta te s th a t in all future freak weather we give our communi­ ty services bad boys (and girls) a spade and put them to work clearing minor roads and villages where nec­ essary.


-


■ Or is this cruel on the criminals? Shame on me!


■ _


C. FLEMING Somerset Ave, - . ■ - Clitheroe ,


^ We’re not getting


service we pay for! I WRITE to add to comments made by other readers of your newspaper with regard to the state of the pave­ ments in Clitheroe. V I have been told by several people


who have contacted the council that the reason for n o t making any attempt a t all to make the walkways safe, was th a t if someone subse­ quently injured themselves the coun­ cil could be sued! ■ I cannot accept th a t p ath etic mentality a t all. I t is merely stopping people from


going out of their homes during this weather. As others have said before me, it is particularly the elderly who have suffered by this. - I am utterly appalled at this atti­


tude. Believe i t or not the M62 (which is notorious for being closed when we have bad weather) was absolutely fine. They had an army of


. snowplough/gritters making sure the' surface was as good as on any nor­ mal day, despite it snowing hard at the time. Roads at the other end of the M62 were far better than our roads here. As has also been said before that


we are paying exorbitant rates here, so why do we not get a t least the same service as others? I hope that anyone who has fallen


on the dangerous pavements due to ice will sue the council for failing in their duty of care to the residents who pay for essential facilities and do not get them. NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED


9 Much of the criticism about snow - and icc on Clithcroc’s streets and pavements has been levelled at Rib- - hie Valley Borough Council. ■ • . - . • Several correspondents have


demanded to know what their council tax is being spent on, but although -


. the borough council collects the coun­ cil tux, the bulk of if goes to Lan-' ■ - cashire County Council, and it is the : • county’s Highways Authority which is responsible for clearing snow and ice. ' -■ . Responding to criticisms, a .


spokesman for Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “The majority of our • residents acknowledge that the .


.


weather conditions of the past three . weeks have been exceptional, with -. comparisons' made with the extreme­ ly cold winters of. 1947 and 1981. , Because of the unprecedented ; ; - weather, we understand that the • - Highways Authority has directed its '


*


•resources to keeping main routes ■ open. As far as Ribble Valley Borough Council.is'coiicerned, our limited resources have been diverted to


. maintainiiig'services., “Our. workforce, who could not


sweep streets or maintain parks, have


• been diverted to clearing those public areas for which the council is directly


- responsible, and by last Wednesday had also started shovelling snow from footpaths in the town centre to help people go about their business safely. ,“We would like to thank people for


bearing with lis during this unprece­ dented cold spell.”


Hospital problems


will not melt away WHILST I wholeheartedly agree ■with the complaints last week about the state of minor roads in the Rib­ ble Valley, the snow and ice ■will melt and go away. ■ The same cannot be said for the


problems surrounding Clitheroe Hospital. Once again I urge indmduals and


groups to write to Nigel Evans MP. and Steve Spoerry, East Lancs Pri­ mary Care Trust Chief Executive, expressing our concerns about the broken promises, and fears of losing this very valuable amenity. Mr Spoerry’s address is: Walshaw


House, Regent Street, Nelson, Lancs. BARBARA PARK, Whalley Road,


' Langho ■ - -


Memories revived by Valley article


■I VERY much enjoyed the article in the January edition of The Valley magazine, entitled “A Whiff of Hydrogen!”, which revived many childhood memories for me. . The photograph, taken by my late


grandfather, Edward Pye', reminded me, too, of a rare winter when the Ribble was frozen and I had the sheer pleasure of safely ice-skating on the river with one or two friends and responsible adults. A magical day I shall never forget! My brother John, sister Catherine


and I .“grew up” swimming in the River.Ribble, long before the 1972 dawning of Ribble Pool, at Edisford. Children in the 1940s and ’50s (and here I give away my age) swam regu­ larly in the river, as an alternative to busing or steam-training it to the Blackburn baths, (another part of life's rich tapestry). However, many a summer day


after school, our family would take our swimsuits down to Brungerley and have a swim and picnic tea: (Did it ever rain I wonder?). •: Our. favourite par t of the river


where we swam was the area known as ‘‘Spikes spit” - a delightful part of


■ the river which was shared ■with min­ nows, tid d lers and bullheads! I remember every submerged rock there, where I could safely put my feet. We never seemed to tak e any


harm, nor did we catch any horrible disease!


However, the very interesting point (raised in your article) was


tha t over all those years of swim­ ming at “Spikes spit”, it turns out according to Gerald Searle, we were actually swimming in “Spark's Pit!” . “Well I never did!” -a s my Grand­


mother would say! ■ I shall now have to revise all my


childhood memories - switch on - boot memory - enter - download -


save - print copy! ELIZABETH SCHOLES, Clithcroe


Roefield criticism


is unwarranted I AM responding to Ms Emma Sin­ gleton’s letter, published on January 7th, relating to Roefield Leisure’s relationship with Ribble Valley Bor­ ough Council. As an ex-employee, Ms Singleton


must know that Roefield is neither “an independent profit making busi­ ness” nor has RVBC been required “to bail Roefield out time and time again”. Roefield, whose official title is


Ribble Valley Sports and Recreation Association, is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee and as such must satisfy both charity and company law. Anyone wishing to do so can


inspect its actmties and finances on the two relevant websites and estab­ lish the true facts for themselves. Ms Singleton’s letter is neither


motivational for the Roefield Trustees (who like all other charity trustees are not paid) nor its staff. It is hardly surprising that so few peo­ ple want to become unpaid charity trustees when they are subjected to such unwarranted criticism.. However, all of us continue to be


motivated by the ongoing participa­ tion of hundreds of Ribble Valley residents in the wide range of activi­ ties that we provide. TREVOR MARKLEW, Company Secretary, Sandilands Farm, Rimington


. . Make a success of


our investment! FIRSTLY, let us hear a huge round of applause for Ms Singleton, who last ■week highlighted some of the


•major problems we the people of •


'Clitheroe experience with Roefield Leisure. ' ; Indeed, “why should council bail


out Roefield?” I have had many encounters with


Roefield over the years, all of which


have been far from satisfactory. Can­ celled classes and events, price dis­ crepancies, misinformed staff and, most notably, my child's birthday party which was a total sham and disappointment. -


■ 'The nail in the coffin came when I gained a lot of weight due to a seri­ ous knee injury.


-1 was desperate to shed the excess


pounds and approached Roefield Leisure to help me achieve this, I automatically assumed our local charity would be exactly the place geared up for this sort of situation I '


was receiving disability benefits a t ' the time and hoped I would be enti-


door where I discovered concessions for people on benefits are standard All you have to do is take along some form of identification and proof of benefit receipt and you are away! I was disappointed th a t I was


unable to use the gym. Let us not forget i t was we, the people of Clitheroe, who raised the money to make Roefield possible in the first place. We have provided the tools with which to work, now it is up to Roefield to make a success of our investment.


So come on Roefield, step up to


the mark, take some responsibility and make the centre we put our faith and money into work for us. MRSJ.HARROP Whallcy Road, Clithcroc


Help charity shops


through cold snap! I AM asking your readers to urgent­ ly visit their local Age Concern and Help the Aged charity shops (both in Moor Lane, Clitheroe) and give generously to stop them losing cru­ cial funds because of the cold snap. The ch a r ity relies on generous donations from the public to stock


its shops and fund its vital work, but due to bad weather charity collec­ tion vans have been unable to pick up donations. In addition shops have had to shut and the ones that do open have seen much reduced busi­ ness and a decrease in people bring-- ing in goods. Age Concern and Help the Aged


estimates th a t over the past two weeks the charity has lost around £500,000 and, with the weather worsening across much of the coun­ try, that number could get far higher. The money raised from selling


donations is used to improve the lives of older people in many ways, from running lunch clubs and offer­ ing benefits ad'vice to lobbying Gov­ ernment. Donations to your local shop as


soon as possible will help the charity continue its fantastic work. FIONA PHILLIPS, Journalist and Age Concern and Help the Aged ambassador


You still need to


remove dog dirt I CANNOT help but be amazed at the train of thought that must go through some dog owners’ heads. I t seems th a t because there is


snow on the ground they feel that they do not need to pick up their


dogs mess. ' As I walk through Waddington


pulling my children and their friends • on sledges, I am amazed at the ■ amount of dog dirt on the footpaths. This does not melt along with the


snow you know, so while you are out walking your dogs, please give some consideration to the children that are sledging and making snow balls ; where you have allowed your dog to - leave it business! ‘ I do hope th a t those of you who


have allowed this to happen have managed to pick soirieone else’s dog mess up. on your shoes as a reminder ; . to you of how disgusting this is.


; right thing! '


Be responsible, be clean, do the ; •


;


LIZ HAWORTH, , Waddow Grove, : Wadclington ■


" IT’S FREE, IT’S LOCAL, IT’S FLEXIBLE, : IT’S FOR LIFE,iT?S FOR YOU


Clitheroe422324(Editorial),01282426161 (Adverbsing), Burnley 01282 422331 (Classified)


www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, January 14th, 2010 13 Eric’s a Rotary stalwart


A RIBBLE VALLEY man who has been a stalwart member of Rotary for 50 years has been honoured with one of highest awards in appreciation of his long service. At Blackburn Rotary Club’s Charter Night Mr


Eric Walmsley, of Bolton- by-Bowland, was present­ ed with a Paul Harris Sapphire Pin in acknowl­ edgement of 50 years of Rotary membership. He had previously been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowhip for his contri­ butions to the organisa­ tion. Mr Walmsley started


his Rotary activities in Padiham in 1959, becom­ ing president of the club in 1963. He also became Dis­


homes and clubs for sup­ per in their homes after, members had taken them on a tour of the Ribble Valley in their cars. He organised this for a num­ ber of years. He was also editor of “Warp and Weft”, the club’s journal, for 17 years. Mr Walmsley, a retired chartered surveyor, has


tr ic t Youth Exchange Officer when, in addition to initiating exchanges between Rotary families in Europe, he arranged “camp” holidays for bojfs and girls from 11 Rotary


countries in Europa In 1971 Mr Walmsley


joined the Rotary Club of Blackburn, hosting mem­ bers from Blackburn’s American contact club in Griffin, Georgia, on sever­


al occasions. He was also chairman of the Commu­ nity Service Committee on three occasions, one hightlight of this office was to entertain senior citizens from residential


■ also served the communi­ ty of Bolton-by-Bowland, where he lives with his wife Chris, in many differ­ ent ways, both through the church, giving help and advice in a profession­ al capacity and support­ ing local events. Our picture shows Mr


Walmsley being present­ ed with the Paul Harris Sapphire Pin by the Dis­ trict Governor, Mr Mick Eady. (s)


Crashing into railings put chef behind bars


THE head chef a t a Mellor hotel missed Christmas morning with her children after being breathalysed as she drove home from work the previous night. Blackburn magistrates heard


Christina Green crashed into railings outside St Mary’s


Catholic Church, Osbaldeston, after drinking a t the Feilden Arms, where she had been work­ ing. She was arrested and not released until 3 p.m. on Christ­ mas day. Green (30), of Billington Gar­ dens, Billington, pleaded guilty


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to driving with excess alcohol. She was banned from dri'ving for 20 months and fined £100 ■with £100 costs. The court heard th a t Green


gave a reading of 84 against the legal limit of 35. Mrs Liz Parker (defending)


said Green was very remorseful. “She missed her two boys,


aged five and eight,on Christ­ mas Day morning which was very upsetting,” said Mrs Park­ er. “Prior to this incident she hadn’t had a drink for two years and clearly it went to her head.”


Families have some tree-mendous fun!


NATIONAL Tree Week provided fun for adults and children alike in the Forest of Bowland, with the focus firmly on ha'ving ago. Organised by the For­


est of Bowland Area of Outstanding N atura l Beauty (AONB) Unit as p a r t of its “Landscape S to ries” project, two weekend workshops gave families the chance to get creative and learn from the professionals. Willow weaving was


the order of the day a t Chipping Village Hall, where a r t is t Cherry Chung demonstrated how to make all kinds of things from simple ■willow wands. Eager hands were soon producing very impressive results, with stars, fish and butterflies all making an appearance. The action then moved


to Beacon Fell Country Park, where keen -visitors got seriously stuck in to recycled paper making. Guided by Anita Bur­ rows, everyone rolled up their sleeves to experi­ ment -with wood shavings, pulp and fruit tea! “Landscape Stories” is


a community-led heritage project, funded through th e Heritage L o tte ry


Fund, which aims to. understand and celebrate the Bowland landscape we see today through dis­ covering more about the people and activities that have helped to shaped it. The area around Chip­


ping is particularly well known for its chair mak­ ing history, a rural indus­ try which would have relied hea-vily on a ready source of healthy timber close to hand. Traditional management techniques are an important part of helping to keep wood­ lan d healthy and produc­ tive for wildlife, timber and people. Although no-one quite


managed to make a wil­ low chair, the Tree Week activities gave families the chance see a t firs t hand some of the things th a t can be made from wonderful wood! The Forest of Bowland


is planning more Land­ scape Stories events throughout 2010, begin­ ning -with a ceramic work­ shop in Barley on Satur­ day. For more informa­ tion or to book a place call Sandra Silk on 01200 448000,


e-mail:


sandra.silk(glancashire. gov.uk or go to: www.for- est ofbowland.com


SMOKEFREE EAST LANCASHIRE Find your local group MONDAY


Clitheroe Oswaldtwistle Rawtenstall Nelson Nelson Padiham Padiham


• Accrington Burnley


TUESDAY


Great Harwood Accrington Barnoldswick


WEDNESDAY


- Rawtenstall Haslingden


; Colne


• Burnley : Accrington Nelson


THURSDAY


Clitheroe Briercliffe


' Bacup Burniey Nelson


FRIDAY


Nelson Burnley


SATURDAY Burnley Accrington


Yarnspinners PHCC, Carr Rd


St Peters PHCC, Church Street Accrington Victoria Hospital Dining Room


1:00pm Kiddrow Lane Health Centre, KIddrow Lane 1:00pm


10:00am 10:00am


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o f local pharmacies and the Stop Smoking Service.


Please call 01254 380424 to book an appointmerit a t your nearest One-To-One venue.


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Clitheroe Health Centre, Railway Rd Briercliffe PHCC Briercliffe Rd entrance Maden Centre, Rochdale Rd St Peters PHCC, Church St Ace Centre, Cross St


6:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 1.30pm 6.00pm


. Haslingden


Lowerfold Youth 8i Community Centre Accrington Town Hall


11:00am 11:30am


Barnoldswick Children's Centre, Gisburn Rd 5:45pm Rawtenstall Bacup HC, Bacup Road


Haslingden Health Centre, Manchester Rd 2:00pm Colne Surestart, Church Street


Haslingden Health Centre, Manchester Rd 6:00pm St Peters PHCC, Church Street


Accrington Victoria Hospital Dining Room 6:00pm Ace Centre, Cross St


12 noon 5:30pm 6:00pm 10.00am


Clitheroe Health Centre, Railway Road Oswaldtwistle Clinic, Union Road Rawtenstall Health Centre, Bacup Rd Ace Centre, Cross St Yarnspinners PHCC, Carr Rd Padiham Leisure Centre Whitegate Children's Nursery, Victoria Rd Acorn PHCC, Blackburn Road St Peters PHCC, Church St


12:30pm 2:00pm 5:30pm 12noon 6:00pm 1.00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 5.30pm


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