NEWS AUTUMN 2014 In this edition - another bumper show! IT’S A BEST-KEPT GOLDEN VILLAGE! BLACKO is a very To mark the milestone, there proud village. In were special awards, and we were first up to receive one four years we have for “Blacko’s Golden won the Champion Bedding” to quote the Village Class in the citation on the certificate! A Best Kept big thank you to everyone and to our sponsors Village Competition • A Ashworth & Son three times, and once • Blacko Events again, we’re the best Committee kept village in • The Caravan Lancashire. What’s Dealers Ltd more, we have had • Claire Byrne our cake well and • The Hoare Family in truly iced by securing memory of Jean a Gold Medal award • Peter & Betty Byrne Pure of in North West in • • Rising Sun Bloom. • Robinson & Lawlor And on top of that, for THE AWARD-WINNING NOTICE • Salterforth Garden the third year, Julie BOARD (DONATED BY BLACKO Centre Proctor’s barber’s shop PEOPLE AND FRIENDS) SHOWING won its BKV class, and THE GOLD THEME OF NWIB • Wheatley Financial David and Sarah Rigby at Green in the finals, once again, but it goes Services rd the Rising Sun were to show what a strong community spirit On Monday 3 November, runners-up in the best pub can achieve. In NWIB, there were just two was the opportunity for all category. The notice board villages clinching gold, the other being the hard work to be near the shop scooped best Elswick on the Fylde. As it was Britain in recognised at the annual in its class and the Bloom’s 50th anniversary, the theme was Presentation Evening, a full children’s play area was “Growing for Gold”, and all the village report of which is inside. also a runner-up. It was a planters reflected that, Salterforth Garden close-run thing with Wrea Centre supplying plants and expertise. What’s on at a glance – details inside

Sunday 7 December Thursday 11 December Monday 22 December Saturday 31 January Christmas Fair Over 70s’ Christmas meal Carols Around the Tree “Stars & Stripes” at the school at Village 6.30pm Dinner dance, 1pm to 4pm Centre Stirk House A “cracking” day at Blacko Show A GLORIOUS summer day, much to see and do and people flocking on to the recreation ground on Sunday, 7th September, perfect ingredients for a highly successful Blacko Show and Family Fun Day, organised by Blacko Events Committee. The magnificent sum of £897 was raised, all going towards village amenities. As always, the committee was assisted in its running by the ever- growing band of volunteers.

ABOVE The grand finale was the egg- ABOVE The high-tech “Net-a-Duck” throwing competition. Is Sue Howarth in (designed and built by Mark Hartley) did a the left background (taking a breather roaring trade. from barbeque duties) wondering what RIGHT Doreen Barnes admiring the Vivienne Hesketh (right) is now going to produce in the horticultural show. make for tea? LEFT The senior runners in the Tower Race being briefed by John Osborn. This year the event was extended to local running clubs. RIGHT The handicraft exhibits in the show were up to the usual high standard. BELOW The runners in the junior race wait for the off.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JANET MATTHEWS & LIZZIE FARMERY BLACKO FROM THE ARCHIVES 100 years ago 10 years ago Needless to say, the progress of the War featured The lead story in the Autumn, 2004 edition of Blacko News was prominently in the minutes of Blacko Parish Council in most appropriate, as it was recorded that the village had come 1914. The Prince of Wales Relief Fund, referred to in the third in the Champion Village class of BKV. The results of the last Blacko News, was up and running, and the Blacko first Frontage Competition were announced, with Edna Ashworth winning the large class, Jean Kippax being runner-up, and Lynne committee decided to raise money through a house-to- th and Steve Halstead winning the small class, Ian and Alison house collection. The Parish Council decided on 7 McDonald runners-up. September, that it would contribute £20 to the Central Jean Lord, the village postmistress, retired, the business being th Relief Fund at Barrowford, but by 17 of that month, the bought by Andrew Hennessy. BKV volunteers averted a Blacko Relief Committee had decided to go it alone and flooding disaster by quickly removing rubbish which had been deal with the village’s cases themselves, until the Prince of dumped in the stream adjacent to the recreation ground, and Wales Fund was working satisfactorily. Rachel Ormond, headmistress at the school, reported that work Such relief for the needy in the parish was reflected by on a new classroom and cloakroom was about to start, a dance at the recording of thanks to Mr Mitchell of Gisburn, who had the Tempest Arms, boosting funds. donated rabbits for distribution. There had been a village sports day in June, after missing a year. A joint school/Events Committee venture, it was not on the grand scale as previous ones, but was enjoyed by all, and raised 50 years ago rd enough money to cover costs and make a small profit. The At the Parish Council meeting on 3 December, 1964, the Gardening Club’s annual show had been held in August, in the chairman revealed plans for the proposed public Chapel, it being, as always, a great success. PC Julie Ayre had conveniences in the village, although the possible location been appointed as the Pendleside PC, but the Parish Council is not known. However, this had been rumbling on since wrote to the Chief Superintendent, declining an offer to hold 1958, when Rural District Council had been asked “surgeries” in the chapel, it being considered a waste of valuable to provide them at one of two possible sites. The first was resources. directly opposite the County Council yard (where the Grants had been obtained towards the security bollards on telephone box now stands), the other below the then Hollin Fold car park and for work on the entrance to the recreation ground to make it Disability Discrimination Act- recently made car park at the Rising Sun. compliant.

COMIMG UP FOR CHRISTMAS (AND AFTER) THERE’S hopefully something invitation (or know someone), please let well-worn cliché) “blown away!” Blacko for all over the Christmas and Vivienne know on 616562. However, this Community Spirit at its best. is an event open to all villagers. Again, let With Christmas behind us, Stirk House New Year period. Vivienne know if you would like to come is the venue for the Events Committee’s The festive season starts with the school along as a (paying) guest. The after dinner “Stars and Stripes” American-themed and Events Committee’s Christmas Fair st th speaker is Joanne Halliwell, a historical formal dinner dance on Saturday, 31 at the school on Sunday, 7 December comedy performer, who is very humorous. January. Once again, tickets are £30, and from 1pm. Both inside and out, there will Perhaps one of the most enjoyed occasions a coach or discounted accommodation is be a host of stalls and attractions, along in our calendar is Carols Around the available. Star attraction (are you with a barbeque, mulled wine and mince Tree, this year on Monday 22nd December counting up the puns in this edition?) is pies. ay 6.30. No one seems to tire of the Rob Leigh as Neil Diamond, and there The Over 70s’ Christmas dinner will th format: singing to Burnley Alliance Silver will be dancing to the same DJ as last be on the evening of Thursday, 11 Band, mulled wine and mince pies and a year. The editor and friends have been to December, once again at Roughlee Village pie and peas supper in the Rising Sun. see Rob’s act, and he’s superb. Stirk Centre. All those eligible will receive a And, of course, the much-anticipated visit House has had a bio-mass heating system personal invitation. However, if you are by none other than Father Christmas! installed. Please ring Vivienne on 616562 aged 70 and over, and do not receive an Newcomers to the village are (to use a for a booking form.

HOSPICE COMMITTEE NEWS Chapel latest

AS ALWAYS, it’s a pleasure to Christmas cards and donations. So far IN NOVEMBER, Pendle Borough receive committee chairman, in memory of Margaret Woolnough, a Council approved the conversion of Jean Kippax’s report on the hard driving force of the Blacko the ancillary chapel building to a work by her committee and the Committee, donations in her memory single dwelling house, with new generosity of Blacko people. have amounted to £155. The present window frames. The County and balance is £1649. Jean says that they Parish Councils, along with a resident, had In April, the magnificent sum of still have Hospice Christmas cards and objected on the grounds that there was no £4,500 was donated to Pendleside calendars for sale. These will be parking provision, but Pendle believes Hospice, and the stall on show day available at the Christmas Fair, but if there is adequate on-street parking nearby. raised £447, whilst the ever-enjoyable you want them earlier, ring Jean on At the time of going to press, the sale of T at 3 saw £536 being added to the the building had not been finalised. 612264. coffers. That included sale of Where does the money go? IN PREVIOUS Blacko News, it has paid for by the Events Committee (the been highlighted that Blacko Events other, at Hollin Fold by the Parish Committee, besides its main remit to Council), won an award in BKV. provide entertainment for villagers In readiness for Remembrance Sunday, and friend, raises money towards the Events Committee donated £800 to the Parish Council for a flagpole at the War village amenities, good examples Memorial, to commemorate the sacrifices being supporting the BKV and of the First World War. In the near future NWIB effort and paying for the over there will be a dedication service for it, 70s’ Christmas dinner (along with and the flag will be flown on official days. generous benefactors). LEFT The new flagpole is moved into Blacko News can now report that the two position. David Ashworth of the Events picnic benches on the recreation ground and Committee (holding the pole) with, left notice boards are in place. The one to right, Tom, Phil and Lewis Hardman, the family lengthsman team.

News from School – Headmaster, Mark Harrison, reports IN NOVEMBER Blacko using a number line horizontally, now we We are even realizing that times tables are have gone back to column addition, we probably best taught chanting, the old Primary School are tried using the grid method of multiplying, fashion way. We have tried all the undertaking a ‘Maths skills now we are back to the column computer based multiplication games, and session,’ where parents and multiplication way of doing it. We used to they clearly have a role to play, but teach adding, subtracting, dividing and probably repetition is just as effective for carers can come into their multiplying fractions in KS2, but they the majority of pupils. child’s classroom and ensure were deemed unsuitable for KS2 so they Finally, we come to spelling. I’m sure you they are teaching their were moved up to KS3. Guess what, now will agreed that as a rule, the older you they are coming back again. are, the better at spelling you are, but children the same method at It is exactly the same for the foundation that’s another subject. home as in school. subjects. We all tried teaching a discreet A good example of our pupils’ skills, This made me think, because in most cases geography or history lesson, now we are Class 4 ( 9 to 11 ) comprising 25 children, education has gone back to the tried and back to projects in which we incorporate wrote this very appropriate poem, a line tested methods of thirty to fifty years ago. all the subjects into a theme. each: At Blacko we tried teaching pupils to add

WORLD WAR ONE - THE TERROR THAT THROBS THROUGH THE BODY OF THE SOLDIER BOOM BANG GOES ANOTHER TRENCH CRUSHING THE DREAM OF VICTORY WAR, IT’S A TERRIBLE THING THE EVIL EVERYWHERE, MEN DYING EVERY EVERYONE WAS SHOCKED AND SCARED SECOND THE CEMETERY STANDS THERE, GETTING BLOWN THE BRUTAL SOUND OF GUNS VIBRATING BY THE WIND GAS MASKS TO PREVENT YOU FROM DYING I WAS WORRIED WHEN I SAW THE GUNS THERE AIN’T NO FUN IN WAR I WAS WORRIED WHEN I SAW THE GUNS SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, GUNFIRE DOESN’T END THE HORROR OF THE BRIGHT FLAMES THE WAR WAS SO HORRIFYING, THE GUNS AND THE LINE IN LINE WE MARCH IN DISCONTENT PLANES HORRIFIC SIGHTS OF DEAD CORPSES LAY IN THE THE POLLUTION IN THE AIR, CHOKING YOU MUD EVERYWHERE PEOPLE SAY YOU’VE GOT NO CHOICE THE TERROR THAT THROBS THROUGH THE BODY THE SADNESS AND THE DEVASTATION OF THE SOLDIER BEAUTY & THE PARISH COUNCIL PLANTS NEWS SINCE the last Blacko News, A BIG THANK YOU to Claire Blacko Parish Council has a new Byrne and Jennie Gardiner. clerk. At their respective businesses in Helene Nutter has stepped down, Barrowford (Acupuncturist and Pure with Kelly Wood taking over. There Beauty), they generously hosted ladies is no need to introduce Kelly to most evenings to raise money towards villagers, as she and John were behind plants for the Best Kept Village and the bar in the Rising Sun until North West in Bloom effort. Vey recently. Kelly’s contact details are on much appreciated! the back page.

PRESENTATION EVENING JUST AS THE SHOW has Large winner – Barry & Judith become a vital part of Blacko Slater, Willaston Avenue; life, so has the annual runner-up – Ralph & Margaret Presentation Evening. Woolnough, Gisburn Road This was held in the Rising Sun, by Medium winner – Jim and courtesy of David and Sarah Rigby, Bernice Scott, Malkin Close; on Monday, 3 November. Besides runner-up - Gregg & Ann Wood, being an opportunity for a get- Stone Edge View together, it is, as the name suggests, a Small winner – Bruce & Wendy Pickles, Gisburn Road; runner- time for presentations. Each year, the Peter Reed Cup is awarded to the AWARD WINNERS AND WELL-WISHERS up – Claire Taylor, Gisburn Road person(s) who has made the most to, in effect, make Blacko such a contribution to the Parish, and often Commercial – Julie & Ray wonderful place to live in many ways. In Proctor, barber’s shop goes to couples. Such is the case this respect of BKV and NWIB, those who time, as the very worthy recipients Best hanging basket – support the competitions financially Mohammed & Farhat Haque, are Graham and Sandra Farnhill of through sponsorship and individual Willaston Avenue. Graham and Willaston Avenue Most donations, were thanked, whilst Neil made innovative – Colin & Lynn Ford, Sandra are tireless workers, but very special reference to the magnificent results much behind the scenes, usually Gisburn Road in both competitions. Julie Proctor had Chairman’s special award – shunning publicity. However, they been unable to be at the BKV Awards are regarded as reliable stalwarts, David & Lesley Stone for their Ceremony, so her cup and certificate for allotment who perform benevolent acts on the the barber’s as the Best Shop were condition that they remain Before everyone enjoyed the presented to her. excellent buffet and admired the anonymous. Well done, and thank Jane and John from Salterforth Garden you both! fine array of awards and trophies, Centre judged this year’s Frontage including the cup, plaque and However, before the presentations Competition sponsored by the Parish were made, the two chairman hosting watercolour of the village painted Council and the Events Committee, by Gordon Wilkinson, the the occasion, Cllr Neil Hodgson of whereby every house in the BKV judging the Parish Council and Peter Hesketh Lancashire Life artist, Mick area is automatically entered, and they from Salterforth Garden of the Events Committee, paid tribute were called upon to present the prizes: to Blacko people who work so hard Centre gave a Christmas tree for auctioning, which raised £75

You can be sure of a TWO YEARS AGO, villager, OBITUARY Janet Matthews, won in the The village was saddened greatly warm welcome at photographic section at the show. So by the death of MARGARET inspired was she that she enrolled on WOOLNOUGH in October, aged BLACKO a course at the College, and this time 88. Born in Bury, she grew up in hers and Lizzie Farmery’s work Holcombe Brook, and on leaving illustrate the report. school went to work in a local bank. LUNCHEON BLACKO has another traditional However, after the war she decided on finger post (but by default!). a change in career. Her decision to Identical to the ones on Beverley and train as a teacher proved to be a happy CLUB Barnoldswick Roads, it replaces the choice, and many years later retired at the Rising Sun on the post at the top of Wheathead Lane, from Lord Street School in Colne. at the junction with Stang Top Lane. Whilst teaching at Edenfield, one of third Tuesday of the However, the old one was in Barley her first posts, she met her future Parish, but the new one could only husband, Ralph, and they married in month for a two-course be positioned across the road on our the church across the road from the side of the boundary. Thanks, school. Their children, Judy and Peter meal with excellent Barley; it looks good! were born in the village, before the family moved to Colne. Soon there company THE EYESORE on the former was another move, this time to Blacko (often with nursery site at the back of the Rising in 1967 to live on Gisburn Road. She Sun will soon be no more. Mark and Ralph quickly made their mark on entertainment)! Sugden and his family bought the Blacko, and became well-known and land, and work is now underway to liked in the village. A stalwart of the replace the partly-built house. As Hospice Committee, Margaret cared Ring 616562 for more with all newcomers to Blacko, a warm for and was interested in almost details welcome is extended to them. everybody. She had a wonderful zest for life, and will be sorely missed. ROAD SAFETY MATTERS ABOUT TEN YEARS ago, the issue of the 30mph limit was raised, and LCC low-floor buses be positioned to facilitate Parish Council was unsuccessful in suggested a buffer zone of 40 mph between to wheelchairs (and prams) easy access. A month top side of the bend and the current start of the after the report to LCC, the work was persuading the County Council to 30mph. Whilst the Parish Council, believes completed after a couple of day’s work. The extend the 30 mph speed limit this is a step in the right direction, it can see no bollard was included! So, users of the shelter, around the bend at Blacko Laithe. reason why its original proposal can’t be taken those walking past it and those who donated it The Parish Council’s rationale was that there on board. (the people of Blacko and friends) have had a could be count-down markers along the Blacko Thanks to the Parish Council, a potentially good deal! Mile on approaching the bend. What goes dangerous situation has been averted with the On the down-side, though, LCC has decided round, comes round, of course, and it looks like prompt assistance of the County Council. A that in view of a looming change in legislation, a version of the plan could come to fruition couple of months ago it was noted that a large any work on yellow line installation (including, after a change of heart by LCC. Residents of vehicle had struck and damaged the Diamond of course, Spout Lane), is to be put on hold. Spout Houses called a meeting with the Parish Jubilee bus shelter. It was obvious that the Affected also is the junction of Beverley Road Council, County and Borough Councillors and vehicle had been driven on the pavement, and and Malkin Close, where it is hoped to extend MP, Andrew Stephenson, to voice their shortly afterwards there was another strike. At the present yellow lines. County Councillor concerns about poor lines of sight when this point there is a long section of dropped Paul White told the October Parish Council emerging into Gisburn Road from Spout Lane, kerb, and many drivers see the ability to be meeting that the variable time 20 mph zones, due to parked vehicles. LCC agreed to start the able to drive easily on the pavement a better such as the ones in front of and behind the ball rolling with a consultation regarding alternative to waiting for oncoming traffic to school, are to be converted to permanent 24- yellow lines at the junction, but it was also clear. hour ones, and that no new ones will be agreed that to ensure there is no loss of parking A bollard on the footway on the Barrowford considered. That is a blow, as it was hoped available, the lines at the junction at Hollin side of the shelter was requested, but when that the one on Beverley Road could be Fold be reduced. (A while ago, LCC told the LCC did a site inspection it was realised that extended to beyond the junction with Willaston Parish Council that under new guidelines, they the area in front of the shelter did not comply Avenue, to afford protection to pedestrians could be reduced, but after the Parish Council with Disability Discrimination Act walking on this narrow section of the road and expressed concern that the line of sight up recommendations and LCC’s transportation the entrance to the recreation ground. Cllr Gisburn Road would be compromised, no policy, in that there should be quite the White is to press the County Council to make action was taken.) At the meeting, the opposite: a higher than normal kerb to allow an exception in the interests of road safety.

USEFUL NAMES & ADDRESSES

Highway problems Blacko Neighbourhood Watch ring Lancashire County Council on Mr Bill Peacock, 386 Gisburn Road, Blacko, BB9 6LS 0845 053 0011 616956 or on line at [email protected] Blacko School PTA Ring Blacko School on 616669 Burnley & Pendle Hospice Care, Blacko Blacko Events Committee Committee Mrs Vivienne Hesketh, 445 Gisburn Road, Blacko, Mrs Jean Kippax, The Meadows, Beverley Road, BB9 6LS 616562 Keep in touch on Facebook – Blacko, BB9 6LX 612264 Blacko Events

BLACKO PARISH COUNCIL meets at 7.30pm in the School (Beverley Road entrance) on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except July), and members of the public are invited cordially to attend

Chairman Mr Peter Hesketh, 445, Gisburn Road, Blacko, Mr Neil Hodgson, 7, Hollin Fold, Blacko, BB9 6LW BB9 6LS 616562 (Blacko News editor) 692565 Mr John Osborn, 258, Gisburn Road, Blacko, BB9 Members 6LP 613047 Mr Brian Riley, 10, Beverley Road, Blacko, BB9 6LX County Councillor 612273 Mr Paul White, 14a Emmott Lane, Laneshaw Bridge, Mr Phil Sipocz, 4, Malkin Close, Blacko, BB9 6LY BB8 7JE 07866 684 531 619064 Borough Councillor Mr Stephen Barnes, Moorcock Barn, Gisburn Road, Mr Noel McEvoy, 17 Hollin Fold, Blacko, BB9 6LW Blacko, BB9 6NG 698053 07758 072960 Mr Roy Fewster, East Stone Edge Cottage, Clerk to the Parish Council Barnoldswick Road, Blacko, BB9 6RE 616676 Mrs Kelly Wood, 30, Dryden Street, , BB12 8TQ 07713 125677

Blacko News is published by Blacko Parish Council, edited and designed by Peter Hesketh and printed by Hudson & Pearson Limited 01706 210582

VISIT US AT www.blackovillage.com & DON’T FORGET TO JOIN UP!