Parish News

Daylight saving time, or British Summer Time, has ended, the clocks have been moved back one hour, and we are all lamenting that it is used to be daylight at teatime and now it is not. The practice of changing the clocks started back in 1916 during World War 1 to save energy, Germany first implemented it closely followed by the UK. The practice is now over 100 years old and still prevalent in numerous countries.

The annual Remembrance Service will start at 1050hrs on Sunday 9th November at the Turning Area with a short ceremony and two minutes silence at the Memorial Stone at 1100Hrs. Cllr Connor is again making the arrangements and our local Vicar will be contributing to the service – please come along and wear your poppy in memory of local people and others who gave everything. Tea and coffee are available after the service at the Chapel – all welcome.

The Council received five tenders for the planned improvement works to the toilet block most of which were around the £40k. The contract has now been awarded to CL Danson Ltd who are planning to start in early November. The works will include a new flat roof on the shelter, new cladding, fascia and barge boards plus a new floor in the Gents toilet. Works are at the planning and programming stage, and decisions will need to be made on how we ensure a toilet facility is available during the works.

You might have noticed that improvement works have been carried out to the access road to Whitehough. The road was badly pot-holed but a new macadam surface from Barley Road down to the pack horse bridge and about 100m beyond has been laid and it looks good. I understand it was funded by the owner and some residents. Well done to all.

At the PC we have been responding to two planning applications; the first was a two-storey side extension at Bollards Barn, Whitehough. The Council had no objection in principle but raised objections regarding the size and the use of timber cladding which would be alien to the conservation area; a designated area of special architectural interest characterised by gritstone buildings with stone slate roofs, gritstone boundary walls, and featuring Victorian terraces and cottages etc
The Council felt timber cladding would not preserve the character and appearance of the existing building, the row of houses it forms part of (including the Grade II listed Whittaker’s cottage) or the wider hamlet.

The other PA was for a glass conservatory at the rear of Meadow View on Barley Green. The Council raised no objections but commented that a slate roof would be more in keeping when viewed from Cross Lane Bridge.

Following a lengthy period of lobbying of Lancs CC by the PC, we have had more carriageway maintenance works on Barley Lane and the village centre in October. This follows on from works a couple of months previously, but we will continue to encourage more works on Barley Lane.

The external auditor has just approved the 2024-25 Parish Council accounts and information is available on our website for those with an interest.

A thank you to Rod & Sue Statham who have been spreading stone on the access footpath to Pendle opposite the chapel. The PC provided the stone, but they put in the arduous work to spread it, making for a better and mud free surface.

It is with immense sadness that I tell you of the recent passing of Rita Seymour, who lived above Black Moss with her husband John. Rita was a popular, well-known lady and she was a good friend to many in the village. I had the pleasure of her company on many occasions. Rita was a dedicated member of the Parish Council from 2019 for a full term and put a lot of time and effort into the role and she collaborated with me on the village green improvement project. We lost her both suddenly and too early; she is fondly and sorely missed. Our most sincere condolences are with John and the family.