CLARIFICATION IS NEEDED

I’M somewhat baffled by the ‘Identifying Heritage’ letter published in the Free Press on August 17.

This letter talks of a project to include heritage that people identify as important on the community assets register.

In order to help communities to take control of assets and facilities that are important to them, community asset registers were introduced by the government under the Localism Act 2011 as part of a process often referred to as ‘the community right to buy’ or ‘the community right to bid’.

Whilst the information from CAST (Community Assets Standing Tall) appears to relate specifically to a request for heritage assets to be nominated to them; they fail to clarify what their intentions are, or that it is the council who maintains this register and decides what is included.

An asset does not necessarily need to have any heritage value to be eligible and there are strict criteria and procedures that the council have to follow when a community group or charity are seeking to take over the ownership and running of a community asset such as a community centre, library, swimming pool, village shop, market or local pub.

As a result could both CAST and Rossendale Borough Council please clarify exactly what is going on here and the processes involved? Name and address supplied

TAKEAWAYS ARE RUBBISH

IN reply to some of the Facebook comments ( Free Press letters page August 24), yes I do go out litter picking around my home patch once a week.

Hall Carr Road to the end of Bocholt Way, including the two paths to Tesco and yes I also do Fallbarn Park which can be a mess at times.

This takes about two to three hours and I can fill two or three green bags and on occasion five, and so far this year I’ve collected 123 bags plus plenty of heavy fly tipped rubbish from my round plus four steep difficult well known grott spots.

I also hand pick when out for my daily paper, and yes I agree at least McDonald’s make the effort, which can’t be said of the other takeaways.

But Sandra Healey that was the point of my complaint. If they were picking up all the litter there would be less of other takeaway’s rubbish.

One thing we all agree on is we all should put it in the bin or take it home, after all I can’t think of any thing that weighs more when it’s empty. Keith Ormerod via email

CAN YOU HELP INA SEARCH?

WE are helping Ina Giddins research her family history and she would like to meet anyone who might be able to help add further information to her family history.

Ina’s great grandfather was John William Gibbins who married Margaret Harris at Christ Church, Healey in 1878.

They settled in Lumb where they had a large family including John who married Bertha Painter in 1912.

Ina’s father, Thomas, was their son and was born at West View, Whitwell Bottom, Lumb in 1919.

He attend the local school and died in 1963 when Ina was eightyears- old.

Ina would like to obtain a photo of her father. The only one she had was in her purse that was stolen a few years ago.

She would like to meet other members of this large family.

If you think you can help the please contact the Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society on 01254 239919. Tony Foster Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society