Parish News

And before we knew it, we had another prime minister in Andy Burnham, the king of the north some say, and the seventh we have had in 10 years, or the fifth in four years. The only constant in Downing Street throughout has been Larry the Cat who has greeted every single one of them and heard them say they would bring calm to the chaos. The previous six were subsequently booted out by the electorate or their own party and we can only hope the new boy has a plan, patience and persistence and the ability to persuade us he can improve things.

If you do not know, the way Lancashire is governed locally is going to change in 2027. The County and all the Borough Councils will be abolished and, subject to Parliamentary approval, four new unitary authorities will be created across the county, to replace the current fifteen councils. The option the government has chosen for us is the combination of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and Rossendale to form a single unitary authority. Like it or not, our starting point will be that we are one of the most deprived unitary Council’s in the country. Our new Councillors will have their work cut out to attract government funding in front of others and deliver growth in the area. It will be a challenge, but the new arrangements may offer better opportunities than the current arrangements.

Following on from the last newsletter, works at Upper Ogden Reservoir are moving along in the pleasant weather and the increase in the height and thickness of the concrete wave wall on top of the dam is shown below, copings will be going on this second section soon. The contractor is still hoping to complete in September then footpaths will re-open again.

Pendle BC have confirmed that they can offer grant funding support to the PC’s planned improvement works on the Turning Area to reduce standing water after rainfall. The work will include drainage, relaying stone setts, and macadam resurfacing at the access bridge.

Construction drawings are complete and supporting documents being prepared, the project should go out to tender in the next two weeks. The project is expected to take place in the Autumn.

One date for your diary, the 7th August it is International Beer Day, a day for beer lovers everywhere. In backyards, gardens, taverns, pubs, and breweries all over, people celebrate beer’s greatness while showing gratitude to their bartender and waitstaff. Don’t miss this one, I never do.

It is with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Brian Nelson who was a good friend to the Council when he was the chairman of Roughlee PC and more recently as the Chair of Trustees for Burnley FC in the Community based at Whitehough. He was well known to many in Barley as a warm and caring man suited to working in the community. He is a loss to all the area, and our sincere condolences are with his wife, Sandra.

Finally, congratulations to Tom and Becca Cosway (of the Bullion) on their marriage in July. We all wish you the absolute best for your future together.