Mayoral Viewpoint: Councillor Mike Booth
With a surprisingly warm last couple of weeks, September has brought both a late sunny spell to Hyndburn and another fantastic line-up of engagements that the Mayoress and I have been privileged to attend. Thank you as always to all who have invited us along to share your special events, it has been wonderful once again to meet with so many people who give their time to the borough.
A gloriously sunny last day of August for the 1st Oswaldtwistle Scouts Gala in the gardens of Oswaldtwistle Mills brought out many people to enjoy the day. There were plenty of great stalls on display throughout the day and the Mayoress was particularly pleased to show-off her throwing skills by winning a prize for knocking down all the cans on the tin can alley. Meeting the ex-Servicemen’s Biker Association was also a real pleasure, affording us the chance to learn more about their enormous fundraising efforts across the country.
The Mayoress and I are pleased to share that September has turned our focus onto fundraising for our named charities, inspired especially by our attendance at the East Lancashire Hospice Corporate Challenge Awards. The Mayoral charities for this year include: East Lancashire Hospice, Macmillan Nurses, Carer’s Link, the ACT Street Angels and Accrington Stanley WFC. Over the coming months, the Mayoress and I will be working on our plans to raise funds for these worthy local causes and look forward to welcoming all sectors of the local community to join us in these endeavours.
This summer may have been a tricky one for the gardeners of Hyndburn but nevertheless, the Mayoress and I were pleased to attend two excellent horticultural shows this month. Beginning with the Horticultural and Craft Show at Bank Mill Centre in Great Harwood and followed by the Baxenden Allotments and Garden Society event hosted by Hollins Technology College, there were prizes galore to be won that day. Congrats to all who took part – this day certainly reminded us that allotments and greenhouses are also a key part of our heritage.
Once again in full ceremonial attire, the Mayoress and I also attended the installation ceremony at Blackburn Cathedral of the new Bishop of Burnley, Dr. Joseph Kennedy. The strength of our Christian communities was there for all to see in their charitable and multi-faith endeavours. Bishop Joe will no doubt continue in this noble mission of bringing communities together through the good example set by the Building Bridges in Burnley organisation.
Finally, this last weekend saw the rededication of the Accrington Pals Memorial Garden. The 1914-18 war had a big impact on East Lancashire and this highly emotive statue, dedicated to the Accrington Pals, on Church Street says something words cannot express. Nearly forty-four years ago, I listened to someone who took part in that attack on Serre village on the 1st July 1916. Then in his mid-eighties, he recounted to me his experiences as a young soldier. It was a harrowing account of sheer courage and bravery but also of disaster, and one that comes to mind when I look at this memorial. I am certain that the rededication of Great Harwood’s War Memorial this coming weekend will also prove to be poignant, and I would encourage all to make a trip down to immerse themselves in our proud heritage at the newly refurbished gardens at Memorial Park. Lest we forget.