Mayor’s column

Granville Morris Rossendale Mayor

IT doesn’t seem like two minutes since the children broke up from school for their summer holidays.

I know the weather hasn’t been the best, but I’m hoping the children have enjoyed their break. I hope they are looking forward to the new school term.

It’s wonderful to see the parks being well used when the weather’s at its best, which cannot always be guaranteed here in Rossendale.

I visited Whitaker Park recently when the weather was hot, it was good to see people relaxing and enjoying the hot sunshine.

We are very lucky to have these green spaces, a place to relax and walk through enjoying the scenery with the family.

Although I think the grass was awaiting its regular grass cut, but that said, everyone was enjoying the sunshine.

I was very privileged to have been invited to cut the ribbon and welcome two new businesses into the Valley.

It’s good to see people having the confidence in investing in Rossendale, bringing with them jobs for local people, both on their extensive refits before and when they eventually open their doors.

The new ‘Haslingden Bar & Grill’ Restaurant, on Blackburn Road, has a mix of Italian and English meals to choose from.

In Waterfoot the ‘Nook Hairdressers’.

I wish them both good luck and success in their business venture.

I had the honour of presenting and rewarding some children for their school achievements, with their awards at an Annual Presentation Ceremony for the ‘Rossendale School’, held at the Haslingden High School.

I cannot overstate the pleasure I get to see these young people receive and express the excitement at these events.

Well done again for everyone attending, and the very special support of all the staff at this inspirational Independent Special School.

We are very lucky in Rossendale to have some wonderful villages and communities.

I was invited to a community fun day at Lumb Baptist Church.

I had a great time there, meeting wonderful people enjoying a well-organised event in a beautiful part of the Valley.

Watch out for this event next year to go and visit, you will enjoy the experience.

We recently attended the Hyndburn and Rossendale Regional AGM meeting for the NSPCC.

I was told, the first Rossendale Branch opened in Rawtenstall in 1901.

We were made aware that in 2006/7 NSPCC and Childline merged.

We also learnt that incoming calls cost £4 per call to cover the Freephone Number and the Special Training of the Volunteer Counsellors.

But over the years they have struggled to maintain adequate numbers of volunteers who organise and collect donations to fund this charity.

Surprisingly though with limited volunteers and a restructure some 13 years ago, Rossendale has collected donations in that period to the value of £103,000, therefore funding 25,750 phone calls in that time.

Noting NSPCC and Childline last year received 1.2 million calls. (Not all calls are bad stories. Some, we were told, were positive good feedback stories but the majority are obviously very sad and traumatic stories.)

Without volunteers, without your donations this important charity cannot help these many thousands of young people, who in desperation call to speak with someone.

If you want to give some time to volunteering to raise funds for the charity, or wish to make a donation please contact Gillian Quinn on Mobile 07531 993063 or email gqvalley@hotmail.com.