ROSSENDALE REVEALED
THIS week Barry Hyde, a member of Promoting Rossendale Partnership Board, looks at Rossendale’s Civic Pride group.
CIVIC Pride was formed in 2000, after local businesswoman Jan Shutt appealed to local citizens to help to clean up their town. From this appeal the group was formed and volunteers have been regularly gathered to ensure this goal is achieved.
In 2009, Chris Blomerley was appointed chairman, bringing a new level of enthusiasm, commitment and a ‘Just Do It’ attitude, while rapidly raising Civic Pride’s profile within the community and expanded the group’s remit. Charitable status was gained and serious fundraising has taken up.
The group began to expand beyond Rawtenstall, with sub-groups being set up in Haslingden and Bacup.
In March 2012, the decision to demolish the town’s 40-year-old Valley Centre was implemented, and in 2013, Rossendale Borough Council contacted Civic Pride and asked them to provide solutions for the newly created Town Square, and take on the maintenance contract.
With their usual enthusiastic approach, grants were won, plants, boxes, materials were ordered and volunteers assembled from various organisations.
The result is there for all to see, and this site is now frequently used for a range of events.
Civic Pride continues to play a major role in creating and maintaining a cleaner, greener environment, but none of this would be possible without the commitment from their team of volunteers. As with any organisation, more volunteers are always needed, so please step forward and help them in their quest.
Civic Pride have again entered Rawtenstall into the Britain in Bloom competition, and so are appealing for budding gardeners or greenfingered residents to help. For more information, contact Helen on 07955 110199 or visit www. civic-pride.org.uk.