Coun Barbara Ashworth
Mayor of Rossendale
OUR first engagement of 2020 was the Showmen’s Guild Annual Luncheon. The event is held as a “thank you” to Local Authorities who host travelling fairs. It was excellent to meet a number of travelling showmen and find out more about their lives and the Showmen’s Guild Membership.
On January 27 we attended the Holocaust Memorial Service at the Church of St George the Martyr, Preston. This was a very moving service and we were reminded of how the atrocities of the Holocaust began and how this is still relevant to the discriminatory attitudes and behaviours we are seeing today.
This month we also attended another brilliant performance by The Rossendale Players. This production was “Jumpers for Goalposts” and again the actors/actresses involved were great; another very enjoyable evening at the Millennium Theatre for myself and the Mayoress.
The Rossendale Players are also hosting a charity night on Sunday 22 March, in which they will be showing their latest production ‘Be My Baby’, and all profits raised will be donated to M3 Project - one of my chosen charities this year.
Dansworks awards presentation was again a pleasure to attend. Clearly the young people love their dancing and are encouraged to progress and develop their talents by their dance teachers. Dale and his team do a fantastic job with the children throughout the year, which is visibly evident by their achievements and their joy.
In early February, Hyndburn and Rossendale NSPCC branches held a joint fundraising concert at Accrington Town Hall.
Performers were The Houghton Weavers and our very own 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band.
Valentine’s evening was a little different for me this year; my husband and I were guests of the Mayor of Chorley (the first Asian female Mayor in Lancashire) at her Bollywood Ball. This was a wonderful experience with fantastic food and entertainment, and a brilliant opportunity to raise money for charities.
Last week, I was delighted to present Chris Blomerley, retiring Chair of Civic Pride Rossendale, with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Council, to mark his untiring work for the organisation. Thankfully though, Chris will be continuing in a new role for CPR and so his skills and talents will still be utilised.
On February 19 we held a very successful fundraising quiz at Bacup Cricket Club. The evening was very enjoyable and I must say a huge thank you to the organisers and all those who attended. Most importantly we raised £460 for the Mayor’s Charity Fund.
Finally, a plug for the big fundraising event of the Mayor’s year – the Mayor’s Charity Ball. This year the Ball is on Friday March 13, 7pm, at the Riverside, Whitworth. There will be a three-course dinner and entertainment provided by The Backstep Boogie Club. Tickets are £35 each. Please contact Stephanie Carroll on 01706 252427 or stephaniecarroll@ rossendalebc.gov.uk for further information and to book tickets.