Double delight for Samara at place among new faces
ELECTION day provided a double celebration for Samara Barnes, who admitted she was taken aback to add county council success to her win at the borough council ballot box.
Rossendale’s Woman of the Year for 2019 held Hareholme - the seat vacated by Labour colleague Andy MacNae - with a 74 majority on Friday afternoon, and followed it up on Saturday by gaining Rossendale West from the Conservatives by a 77 margin.
She was one of seven new faces to take up a district council seat at Futures Park.
Ms Barnes’ closest rival Laura-Beth Thompson had been eyeing her own twin triumph as the new Tory candidate, having comfortably held Greenfield ward the previous day. Coun Thompson posted on her Facebook page that she was “absolutely over the moon” at being elected.
Speaking about her election to county hall, Coun Barnes, who lives in Haslingden, said: “It was possibly not what I expected given the fact that [former Conservative incumbent] David Stansfield won by quite a lot last time.
“Obviously him standing as an independent made things interesting.”
Ms Barnes, 39, was instrumental in setting up the Rossendale arm of the Red Box Project - a national charity aimed at supporting young women, regardless of social and economic background. The project provides access to free sanitary protection to allow girls to remain in school and continue their education. Two years ago she was honoured in the
Rossendale Hospice Woman of the Year contest, also in recognition of her fundraising and work with young carers, care leavers and the young homeless.
Also the project lead for the Haslingden Food Box, she admitted she is going to be busy juggling her new responsbilities, but said the one thing that really drove her to stand was to show that ‘normal people’ can do it.
She said: “It’s going to be an interesting time over the next couple of months learning how I need to divide my time.
“But I’ve always worked well with people and been well supported; it’s not just been me. I’m a mum and I’ve got two girls and I wanted to be a great role model for them.
“If I can do this and stand up and be counted, hopefully it will encourage other people to do it as well.”
Council leader Alyson Barnes was delighted to welcome namesake councillor Samara and Gemma Rooke to the Labour benches, saying they are two “outstanding” new female additions.
She added: “I’m delighted that they’re joining us, and they will really add value to our group.”
New Conservative Goodshaw councillor David Foxcroft - who had been Mid Rossendale county councillor - said he was “incredibly humbled” by the faith the residents of Goodshaw had placed in him to be their representative for the next three years.
“With the council now in No Overall Control it’s clear that residents are ready for the change and I’m looking forward to being able to continue building on my work from the last few years,” he added.
Victorious Facit & Shawforth Independent councillor Janet Whitehead thanked everyone who voted for her and believed in her, after unseating her fellow town councillor Labour’s Tom Aldred.
“I think people are ready for a change,” she said.
“They know me - they know I get involved in things they know I’m not frightened to speak out. It’s an honour to be elected as a councillor on RBC. I will work to the best of my ability and with colleagues from all parties to secure the best outcomes for the borough and more importantly, Whitworth.
“Coming out of the pandemic presents both challenges and opportunities so it could be a real opportunity to do things differently, concentrating on actions and projects rather than infighting.”
Conservatives Alan Woods and Jenny Rigby also won in Helmshore and Whitewell wards respectively, while there was no vote in Healey & Whitworth this year.