Mayoral Viewpoint: Councillor Mike Booth
One of the delights of being the Mayor of Hyndburn is witnessing the contributions of so many people who help enrich our borough through their selfless voluntary work.
So far, the Mayoress and I have had the pleasure of meeting an increasing number of leaders in our community who create opportunities for young people to get involved in joining organisations, such as the Sea Cadets, the Police Cadets and the Army Cadets. In July, we were invited to give achievement awards to young people who took part in the Prince’s Trust scheme. This wonderful scheme, operated by the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in Hyndburn, is a great example of community action with young people that challenges them and encourages them to consider their future aspirations. The voluntary sector is a large part of our society and there are many voluntary activities in our towns to engage in, from litter picking, community artwork, music, dance and drama festivals, and tree planting to name just a few!
Since Hyndburn Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, there has been an increasing effort by the Council and many individuals, organisations and community groups to work toward combatting climate change in and around the borough. The launch event of the Brookside Restoration project made you realise that with the partnerships between the Council, Prospects Foundation and other key local groups, great strides are being taken in our borough towards net zero by 2030. Brookside and Bury Meadow, as a biodiverse vast expanse of open moorland, woodlands and marshland, is an initiative for generations of Hyndburn residents to be proud of and enjoy.
Another testament to our fantastic green spaces and the hard work of community groups could be found at the ‘Picnic in the Park’ event, held at Great Harwood’s Memorial Park (which received a green flag this year and has undergone upgrade works over the last 12 months). The event was well attended by residents, and it was a pleasure to hear such positive feedback for an event that had community at its heart. Thank you to all involved in organising it and I would encourage all to take a trip to see the park in all its glory.
The Mayoress and I had the pleasure of attending the Soapbox Challenge this bank holiday weekend, a popular annual event that is always guaranteed to attract the crowds. There were some formidable entries, and the organisation of the event was superb. Thank you to the Amazing Accrington team, and I’d like to extend a big congratulations to the winning entry from the Senator Group.
Finally, after chatting with many residents across events, the Mayoress and I have been highly impressed by the talents, knowledge, expertise and skills exemplified in the people of our community. As a borough, we are a forward-thinking community of good people building a better future for all of us, not to be distracted by those who would seek to create divisions in our society. We all recognise that we depend on one another in times of adversity, and it is because we have a strong sense of community that we work together.