Mayoral Viewpoint: Councillor Josh Allen March 2026
Mayoral Viewpoint: Councillor Josh Allen March 2026
This past month has been one of reflection, community spirit and coming together.
This past week saw the funeral of former Councillor Marlene Haworth. Marlene not only served St Oswalds ward with passion and dedication, but also served the borough as Mayor and as Leader of the Council. She was well respected across the council chamber and throughout the borough, which echoes the fantastic work she carried out over many years. Marlene was not “just” a councillor or a colleague, she was a friend, mentor and surrogate mother to me, having supported me through the loss of my own mother. My thoughts remain with her family and all who knew and loved her. She will be truly missed.
Alongside these moments of reflection, I have continued my civic duties across the borough, and as always it has been inspiring to see our community in action.
I had the absolute pleasure of “setting off” all the walkers who had gathered for the RSPCA Lancashire East charity walk. For those that may not know, our local RSPCA branch is on the verge of closing, which could mean job and volunteer losses and, more importantly, many animals being displaced. The RSPCA needs your help raising funds and plugging the gap to keep the local branch running. If you can volunteer or donate, please consider visiting their page and supporting in any way you can. I also enjoyed attending the Creative Wellbeing Networking event at The Stables at Elmfield Hall and a wonderful musical afternoon at Trinity Methodist Church – both fantastic examples of how creativity and community go hand in hand.
Supporting and engaging with our young people remains one of the most rewarding parts of my role. I was delighted to join Broadway School for a radio show interview, where pupils quizzed me about becoming Mayor and what the role involves. Their enthusiasm and thoughtful questions were a credit to the school. I also had the privilege of attending Hyndburn Academy’s Iftar, an incredibly welcoming and educational evening that celebrated faith, understanding and community cohesion.
It has also been a pleasure to support fellow civic leaders across Lancashire, including attending Longridge Town Council’s Mayor’s Charity Quiz, Clitheroe Town Council’s Civic Sunday, the Mayor of Blackburn’s Charity Ball, and the Mayor of Chorley’s Burns Night. These events are a reminder of the strong partnerships we share across our region.
Finally, a quick reminder that tickets are still available for my Charity Ball on Friday April 10th. All funds raised will go towards my chosen charities, which do such amazing work in the borough – from supporting our veterans and paving the way for our next generation, to supporting men’s mental health and delivering valued community events. So please grab your tuxedos and ball gowns, and join us for a fantastic three-course meal and an evening of entertainment, all in aid of wonderful local causes.