After all the rows town is in the market for thriving future
IT’S a year since Rossendale Council took the decision to axe plans to develop the Town Square site, as it originally had planned to.
Over the past few years, since demolishing the Valley Centre, so-called Spinning Point Phase Two has taken on different guises.
At various points, the council and partner Barnfield have proposed a spa, a hotel, flats and shops, with development underwritten by loans taken out by the council which, in theory, would turn into ongoing revenue via rents to the council.
Shortly before Covid forced the first lockdown, the council finally concluded it made more sense not to build on the site.
In hindsight, the decision was borderline genius - across the country, councils which have speculated with property development and investment in the hope of generating new income streams to replace the a decade’s worth of disastrous council funding cuts from government are now feeling the pinch, and exposed.
Rochdale Council, for example, took on the role of head tenant at the Riverside Shopping Centre, receiving rent from shops, but is now liable for payment for empty units to the property landlords and business rates too.
The question for Rossendale Council now, however, is what to do next in Rawtenstall.
So much had been pinned on Spinning Point’s completion, that the council now has to work out what happens next.
The timing couldn’t be better in many ways.
The pandemic, and subsequent lockdowns, have changed the way many people live their lives.
Even as offices re-open, it’s highly likely people will commute to the office less frequently.
For towns like Rawtenstall, where people are more likely to commute out than commute in, this could be a big opportunity, as the town centre could become a place which is used by more people during the week, as well as at the weekend.
The question for the council is how to make the most of this opportunity.
At the same time, the council has also signed a six-year management contract with a new team to run Rawtenstall Market.
They have big plans for the market, referencing places such as the Mackie Mayor in Manchester and Altrincham Market – both places which have reinvented the idea of what a market should be.
To this columnist, the promise to build on what is already in the market is really important - such progress has been made in the last few years, and it is already a great place to shop and, when we are allowed, socialise.
But attention could perhaps also be paid to how Chorley has preserved its market - the six-day covered market and the weekly ‘flat iron’ on a Tuesday.
The town centre strategy now revolves around the market in Chorley.
Likewise, Clitheroe market has been well protected over the years.
The phrase ‘market town’ is often bandied around for any town which has, well, a market - but it feels as though Rawtenstall has the opportunity to really make itself a market town with a difference.
After a lot of heat, anger and frustration over where the regeneration of Rawtenstall town centre was going, it appears the town could be in a good place to thrive in the future
And it feels as though the market could be at the heart of that.
ROSSENDALE Hospice’s Sunflower Memories return this summer to offer an opportunity to remember lost loved ones.
From June 6, sunflowers will adorn designated lamp posts on the Valley’s streets - each one dedicated to the memory of a special individual.
Last summer saw 550 sunflowers brighten our streets, bringing much comfort and joy to so many.
This year is set to be as successful and especially poignant as we approach the National Day of Reflection on March 23, a day to remember those who died during the pandemic, be it from Covid-19 or another cause. The Day of Reflection, spearheaded by Marie Curie, has been arranged for the one-year anniversary of the country going into the first national lockdown.
“Rossendale Hospice continued to provide much needed support during Covid to so many local families, and our Hospice at Home team have seen first-hand the affect this cruel virus has had on so many,” said head of fundraising Clare Richards.
“As well as offering an opportunity for reflection, our wish is that the sunflowers bring brightness and hope to many in the Valley.”
Each sunflower will have the name of the person remembered and people can to choose where they would like their sunflowers to be displayed within the available designated streets. The sunflowers raise funds for the hospice whose fundraising activities were severely affected by Covid-19.
The sunflowers can be ordered via www. rossendalehospice.org/ sunflower-memories-2021
BANDMATES of a talented young jazz drummer are walking 10,000 steps a day throughout March in his memory.
Matthew Densfield, from Helmshore, passed away just ten days after his 20th birthday when a heart operation in March 2017 led to complications.
Each year since, four of his friends - fellow passionate musicians from Haslingden High School - meet up around this time to raise a glass in his memory and share fond stories.
However, with that impossible this year, Lucy Rushton, Hollie Peat, David Clough and Philip Taylor are being united in different parts of the country by a joint walking challenge in aid of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
With each covering at least 10,000 steps a day at locations such as Greenwich’s Cutty Sark, Haslingden Halo, and Portsmouth Beach, the friends will pace out more than 1.2 million steps collaboratively - the equivalent of over 500 miles. They have already raised the bulk of their £2,000 target.
Matthew, who left family including parents David and Susan and sister Holly, had lifelong condition DiGeorge Syndrome, and his family were supported by Ronald McDonald House throughout his life. He had already had three life-saving heart operations by the age of 10.
He began his BA Hons degree in Modern Jazz at Leeds College of Music in September 2016 and was looking forward to becoming a professional musician and composer.
Lucy, 22, said they were all part of the same friendship group at school through their shared love of music.
“We were all part of the same band at Haslingden High School,” she said.
“We would usually meet up about this time of year because it’s the anniversary [of Matthew’s death], and also his birthday. We see each other at Christmas, as well as his music teacher Mr Kevin Gibbs. Kevin was a massive part of Matthew’s musical life, and we were all very close with him.
“We usually just go and meet up for a drink. It’s helped us all to stay closer, and this challenge will as well, definitely.”
Lucy now lives in London but all her family remain in the Valley, along with Hollie, from Helmshore and Philip, of Rawtenstall; while David is in Portsmouth with the Royal Navy.
She said she didn’t realise how difficult it would be to fit the required steps in every day around working full-time, but they are all keeping each other going.
“We have been messaging each other on group chat,” she said.
“Hollie and Philip also met up for a socially distanced walk. They both have dogs that they can go out walking with. I’ve been trying to pace around the house while brushing my teeth to get a few hundred [steps] in around the house!
“It’s been really positive. Matthew’s mum has been really involved as well, which has been really nice.”
Philip, who plays double bass and piano, and Lucy, who plays drums and guitar, went on to study music at degree level, and Philip is doing a Masters in Composition.
Hollie is a primary school teacher who specialises in music and plays the flugelhorn and guitar, while David plays the guitar, sings and writes his own music.
Lucy credits Matthew, whose life revolved around music, for helping her to develop her drumming skills, and remembers how he was determined not to miss the chance to drum at Birmingham Symphony Hall shortly after undergoing open heart surgery.
“He was a very generous person, an amazing drummer and had a really positive energy,” she added.
A video diary of the walking quartet’s progress can be viewed on their Facebook page ‘500 miles in March for Matthew’ or at Instagram ‘500milesformatt’. To sponsor them visit justgiving.com and search for ‘Hollie Peat’.