A look back at 2016
In this final Observer of the year, we look back at some of the stories and images that made the headlines in the first half of 2016
JANUARY
THE year started with bad news for employees at the famous Nori brickworks with up to 15 facing redundancy.
The owners of the Whinney Hill site in Altham confirmed they were making cutbacks due to slowing demand for their extruded bricks.
HOWEVER, there was delight for Rhyddings Park campaigners after £2 million was pledged from the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Fund to revolutionise the Oswaldtwistle park.
Local agencies and the Friends of Rhyddings Park worked tirelessly for two years to secure the funding which will bring 600 trainee opportunities and new jobs to the area.
FEBRUARY
TRIBUTES were paid to popular Accrington Market Hall trader Maneer Siddiq who ran Mani Mobiles for almost 25 years.
The 45-year-old passed away after a brave battle with lymphoma cancer.
THERE was delight for mum Catherine Long after her daughter Alana Long, who was born with part of her brain outside her head, defied odds to survive.
Alana was described as a ‘miracle baby’ after doctors had warned parents Catherine and Mark that she was likely to die in the womb or shortly after birth.
MARCH
FORMER Accrington Stanley striker James Gray was rushed to hospital and put on an IV drip after he was bitten by a venomous false widow spider as he slept.
His left arm started to swell up and ooze a yellow pus and his veins were bright red. Thankfully he made a full recovery.
STICKING with the mighty Reds, club bosses also revealed plans this month for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the Wham Stadium.
Terms were agreed with Hyndburn council on a 50-year lease on the ground and the first phase of the development will be the building of a new 1,500 capacity all-seater stand.
APRIL
SHOPPERS made their final visits to the Marks and Spencer store in Accrington before it closed its doors for good.
The flagship store had been based on Broadway for more than 50 years and shut despite a campaign by local residents and councillors to save it.
A YOUNG family were left homeless when their house was destroyed in a devastating kitchen fire.
However, Rachel Smeeth and Daniel Casson’s ‘nightmare’ was eased thanks to the amazing support ‘kindness of strangers’ and a Crowdfunding page set up by family friend Jessica Davies.
MAY
HYNDBURN was left in shock when a huge fire devastated the historic Accrington Conservative Club.
Fire crews raced to the 125-year-old town centre site in the early hours with dozens of firefighters battling the inferno.
HARDY fell runners braved torrential rain to take part in the annual Great Hameldon Hill Race. It was organised by the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and saw more than 170 runners take part in different events throughout the day.
JUNE
THE seaside came to the heart of Accrington as Warner Street was transformed for a community festival.
More than 8,000 revellers flocked to the ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’ event organised by traders Evonne Harwood and Kathryn Furey.
AND the festival fun didn’t stop there with a record breaking 14,000 people soaking up the sun at the Accrington Food and Drink Festival.