BIG PICTURE

●● This week’s Big Picture is Holden Wood reservoir by Leesa Amiin. Email your pictures to freepressnews@menmedia.co.uk or upload them to flickr.com/groups/rossendalepics wonderful man, God Bless You sleep well X

Anne Ingham: I’ve known Joe since I was knee high to a grasshopper and he was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He always greeted me with a big beaming smile. A true gent! Sending his lovely wife and family my heartfelt sympathy. R.I.P.Joe x

Andy Darcy: So so sad. What a lovely gentleman he was. RIP JOE. and prayers to your lovely family

Junior Harris: Good night Joe, fond memories when me and brother was kids, night and god bless

Chris Duerden: The nicest man I have ever met. Condolences to his family. R.I.P Joe x

Sharon McNeill: Such a genuine, sincere, caring, friendly and lovely man. He was LOVED by everyone who met him and if everyone would follow by his example then what an AMAZING tribute that would be. Sincere condolences to his family and friends and everyone who know him

Eileen Mortimer Webster: Such a gentleman, remember him also when he was an inspector on the buses. RIP Joe

Michelle Southern: I have known Joe for many years, he worked with my late father on the buses. I also had the pleasure of looking after his mum and dad when they had to go into care at Roselands. He will be sadly missed by so many

Melanie Fishwick: This man was a true gentleman an absolute legend, you honestly wouldn’t find anybody who had a bad word about him. He’s going to be greatly missed around Haslingden. Rest easy Joe x

Jason Pawluk: We were very sorry to hear this news. Many a happy evening was spent with Joe on the bowling green, who’s kindness, warmth and positivity shone through in bucket loads. He will be missed by us all. Play your accordion in heaven Joe to celebrate the next “2” for Greenfield.

Rest in peace my friend Kath Calvert: I remember Joe working on the buses when I went to school. Lovely man and very handsome

DON’T SEEM TO HAVE VOICE

IN the Free Press, dated September 25, our MP for Rossendale, Jake Berry, was quoted as being in support of local businesses, who at the present time, are struggling to survive the effects of the current and continuing Covid-19 virus.

Mr Berry is quoted as stating: “It’s now time to get out and support them (local businesses in Rossendale) and help to ensure they remain open for business.

“Together, we will beat this disease...a part of it, will be that we all do what we can to support the valley, its community and its business...our high streets are vital and Bacup is playing its part in the Valley’s shop local survival” (Bacup reference, regards an apparent, recent £1 Million grant... reminds me of Cameron’s farcical “we’re all in it together”.

Great, just what the community wants, supportive comments from our area MP, which I assume all Rossendalians would welcome.

It is with complete astonishment, to now learn that at a recent vote in the Commons, open to all MP’s, noted as “Jobs and Businesses Protection Plan” - a plan which would extend and provide, aid to all our struggling, Rossendale businesses, in an attempt to protect and safeguard jobs” (direct quote) Mr Berry decided to vote AGAINST this motion...AGAINST supporting businesses in Rossendale, AGAINST a plan to support Rossendale businesses through covid-19 and its effects.

In reality, our local MP has supported virtually every single Government vote, regardless as to the effects on the local community he serves... one example is the question of supporting primary school meals, which was defeated and which Mr Berry voted against, along with the majority of Conservatives.

I am now at a loss, as to what support Rossendale will actually receive from Government as it doesn’t appear we have a voice anymore.

Chris Henry Hawthorne Meadows, Crawshawbooth

PUSHED TO BE CASHLESS

I WAS sorry to read about the closure of the TSB in Haslingden - on two fronts.

Sad to hear of more job losses, plus I feel we are being pushed into being a cashless society.

This all to the benefit of banks, not the customers.

They say branches are not used much these days but they have made it more of a pain to use them.

I fear it won’t be long before we are charged a fee for every card transaction, yet more money for the banks to the detriment of the customer.

Not everyone is a slave to technology.

Joe Donnelly via email

See story on page 14