Tributes to ‘great community man’ Alan
TRIBUTES have been paid to an honoured community servant who passed away this week aged 85.
Grandfather- of- three Alan Whalley, from Great Harwood, passed away at home on Sunday surrounded by his family, after a battle with leukemia.
Alan founded Great Harwood’s Community Action Group and University of the Third Age at Trinity Church, a social learning group for retired people (U3A).
He also served as a rotarian at Great Harwood and Rishton Rotary Club for over 40 years, was a former governor at Norden High School in Rishton, served on the town’s Civic Society, and also acted as adviser to the Norden Young Enterprise companies.
His ‘outstanding service to the community’ was recognised by Hyndburn council in 2014 when he was presented with a special Ruby Award.
Peter Holden, president of the Great Harwood Civic Society, said Alan had left ‘a legacy in the town’.
He said: “He really has been a great servant to Great Harwood and one of the final things he did was to set up the U3A, which now has about 150 members. All these things are a testament to him and his legacy in a way. He was a great fella and a great bloke and will be sadly missed.”
Ward councillor Noordad Aziz said he was a ‘great inspiration’ after meeting him at Norden High School in 1999.
He said: “He really inspired me from a young age. He really made a massive difference shaping what I wanted to do. He has been a stalwart of Great Harwood and dedi- cated himself to the town and the betterment of it.”
Patrick McGinley, president of Great Harwood and Rishton Rotary Club, said they are all ‘deeply saddened by his death’.
He said: “He was a giant of a man who has done so much over so many years for the community of Great Harwood.”
Norden High School headteacher Tim Mitchell said he was a ‘highly respected member of the local community’.
He said: “He was passionate about supporting the needs of the young people of Great Harwood and Rishton, and took a keen interest in activities such as Young Enterprise and mock interviews. He will be sorely missed.”
In a statement, his family said: “Alan’s wife Kathleen and daughters Fiona and Kathryn are heartbroken that Alan has now died. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was a big man who has touched the lives and hearts of hundreds of people through
A HOUSEHOLDER has applied for a 28-day non-material amendment to decrease the width of the proposed extension from 9225mm to 7050mm at 1 Redwing Avenue, Great Harwood.
Other planning applications submitted to Hyndburn council include:
MR Lee Roberts placed a full application for the erection of security fencing at St Nicholas CE Primary School, Dill Hall Lane, Church.
MR and Mrs M Barnes have applied for prior approval of the change of use of an agricultural building to a dwelling at Lower Holker Farm, 19 Oak Bank, Whinney Hill Road, Altham.
A HOUSEHOLDER has applied for the erection of a rear dormer extension and change hip to gable at 69 Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle.
MR Oliver Chadwick has placed a full application for the erection of a rear extension and internal remodelling including works to create an annex and home office in the existing outbuilding and his services to the community.
“At home he was a warm, kind and loyal family man who supported his loved ones through happy and sad times.
“He was the wise and reasoning counsellor to many.
“He had an abiding love of walking in the country- to create a new access road at Sandy Beds Farm, Broadfield, Oswaldtwistle.
HOUSEHOLDERS have placed a full application for the removal of a condition (noise impact assessment of 11/16/0158) at 88 Abbey Street, Accrington.
H3G and EE Ltd have applied for telecommunication prior approval of the installation of a replacement 10m monopole and one equipment cabinet and ancillary apparatus at Land at Southwood Drive, Baxenden.
MR and Mrs Jade Smith have placed a full application for the erection of a dwelling at Willow Grange 49B Henry Street, Rishton.
MR Phil Bowdler has placed a full application for the erection of eight three-bed semi-detached properties at St Andrews Works, Kay Street, Oswaldtwistle.
MRS Katy Morley has applied for various work to trees within Rhyddings Conservation Area at Rhyddings Park, Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle. side, reading, playing with new technology, learning and talking.
“He loved life and his enthusiasm for life was infectious. He leaves a big space in our hearts.”
A funeral service will take place at Trinity URC Church in Great Harwood on Wednesday, November 23, at 12.15pm.
PUNCH Taverns has placed a full application for the erection of an external pergola at Crown Inn, Whalley Road, Accrington.
A HOUSEHOLDER has applied for the erection of a single-storey rear extension at 436 Burnley Road, Accrington.
COACH House has placed a full application for the installation of two sprinkler tanks and a pump house at former Coach House, Metcalf Drive, Altham Business Park, Altham.
MR M Hewitt has placed a full application for the demolition of the existing workshop and erection of one twobedroom bungalow at land to the South of Worsley Street.
A HOUSEHOLDER has applied for prior approval of the erection of a single-storey extension to rear (projection 3.4m eaves, height 2.5m, overall height 3.7m) at 23 Percy Street, Oswaldtwistle.
A HOUSEHOLDER has retrospectively applied for the erection of a rear basement level extension at 43 Selby Close, Baxenden. HYNDBURN Homewise and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust are asking local knitters to create special hand muffs to help local people living with dementia.
The knitted gloves have interactive bits and bobs attached to provide stimulation for active hands while promoting increased flexibility and brain stimulation.
Knitters can easily make a Twiddle Muff. Visit www.elht.nhs. uk/departmentswards-and-services/ dementia-care. AGLOW International Inter-denominational Christian fellowship will hold its next meeting at Sparth House in Clayton-leMoors on Monday, November 21.
It will start at 7pm and feature speaker Les Edwards.
The meal costs £9.50 including tea and coffee. To book a place call Rosemary on 01254 772694.
Organisers say any bookings made and not cancelled before the previous Friday will have to be paid for. A CHRISTMAS coffee morning will be held at Rhyddings Methodist Church, Oswaldtwistle on Saturday, November 19 from 10am to 12.30pm. There will be various stalls, cakes, a raffle, chocolate tombola and refreshments. Adults £1. Children free.
The Watson Street church will also hold a Christmas tree festival from December 2-4. Open Friday 2pm-6.30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1pm4pm. Refreshments available every day.