Valley’s pride gets royal honour

CIVIC Pride Rossendale has been honoured with a prestigious award for its voluntary service.

The group is one of only five from across Lancashire to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - known as the MBE for voluntary organisations - and is the highest recognition they can receive in the UK.

Members, who work tirelessly to keep the Valley’s streets free of litter and maintain 14 gardens, were presented with the award by Lord Shuttleworth, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, on behalf of the Queen at a ceremony in Preston.

Chris Blomerley, group chairman, said it was an ‘honour to receive this recognition on behalf of the many volunteers past and present who have made it possible’.

Council leader Alyson Barnes said: “This is a very well-deserved award. Civic Pride do so much to make Rossendale a better place to live. I want to congratulate all the volunteers for their hard work, and dedication.”

Civic Pride will hold a ‘Celebrating Community’ day at Kay Street Methodist Church, Rawtenstall on Saturday, October 21 from 11am to 3pm.

It will be attended by other Pride groups and dignitaries.