HONOUR IS DESERVED
CAN I had my voice to the many who have given or sent their congratulations to sisters, Brenda Bottomley and Denise Dott who won jointly the Rossendale Woman of the Year Award (‘Inspiring sisters share woman of the year crown’, April 27).
Or in their case ‘Women of the Year’.
They both well deserve this prestigious recognition, as has been said, for all their charity work done over many years for so many different charities including the Rossendale Hospice and also in my Mayoral year which raised £15,000 alone.
Their readiness to help people and giving genuine advice and solace has always been appreciated both by their customers and to friends.
They have always shouted from the rooftops of their support to the Haslingden townsfolk, given in so many ways and speaking up for their fellow businesses in the town to ensure the town is not forgotten.
Rightly it’s been stated they are ideal ambassadors for Haslingden and if there was an award for being Rossendale ambassadors, they should rightly deserve this award without hesitation.
Over many years they have employed hundreds of people and were always encouraging and supportive to see their staff’s progress in their careers.
Some of those now own their own hairdressing salons both here in Rossendale and further afield.
They have always been at the forefront to try and encourage new businesses invest here in Haslingden.
They have attempted to restart the Chamber of Trade to try and give support for all the other businesses in the town, never losing heart even when it was apparent there appeared a lack of 100 per cent interest from the other shopkeepers.
They realised they needed to be vocal to ensure Haslingden was heard and listened to and I feel they will be a hard act to follow as being totally supportive to the town they love and cherish.
So don’t ever speak down of the town, in a negative way, in earshot of these two ladies. Coun Granville Morris Haslingden Greenfield Ward Councillor
CONCERN IS NON-POLITICAL
I WOULD like to clarify the position of Rossendale Civic Trust in view of the report in the Rossendale Free Press in which Councillor Alyson Barnes is quoted as saying that the Trust is a politically motivated group (‘Civic leaders slam claim of ‘political’ protest at revamp’, May 4).
As a registered charity, which it has been for over 50 years, our organisation is open to all and is not in any way politically motivated.
We have never been in the least concerned with the political leanings of our members, nor has any individual attempted to, or succeeded, in influencing our outlook.
Whilst we have recently had monthly meetings with council officers, which are very much appreciated, these have covered several local issues.
When we have discussed the Valley Centre, twice on site in hard hats and steel toed boots, we have put forward our concerns and constructive criticism there and then, as well as in comments on the planning applications.
It would have been good to have had Councillor Barnes at those meetings with us.
The bottom line is that there are many unanswered questions still outstanding on the way the proposed centre will actually function, above and beyond both politics and its superficial looks.
Sheer practicality and concerns for the long term future of the town and Rossendale as a whole are at the core of our of our opposition.
We would point these issues out no matter which party was making proposals.
They are facts, not personal likes or opinions.
What is needed is for councillors of all persuasions and council officers to sit back and take a long, cool view of the situation, free from all prejudice, politics and personalities, and sum up where things stand and what can and what can’t be realistically done: a requirement that is long overdue. Kathy Fishwick Chairman, Rossendale Civic Trust
NO MENTION OF OPPOSITION
RE: Coun Annabel Shipley’s letter (‘Spinning Point not right plan’, Letters page, April 20).
The Conservatives on Rossendale Council have a member on the RTB partnership, the group that is working on the town centre redevelopment on behalf of the council - who attends all meetings.
They were given a place on this board to enable them to have an input into the process and comment as things went along.
He hasn’t, at any point, said he is against the Spinning Point proposals.
Councillor Shipley hasn’t, at any point, mentioned to the chief executive that she is against the Spinning Point proposals either.
I can only assume that their objections have only just cropped up!
As for working together I think, residents quite rightly would expect us to do this anyway particularly on major projects like this. Alyson Barnes, Rossendale council leader via email
LABOUR CUT RECYCLE CASH
FOR the second week I have to write to correct ‘the Scribbler’.
In the April 27 edition of the Free Press ‘the Scribbler’ claimed that the Conservatives had axed a £500,000 a year support grant for recycling in Rossendale.
But it was the previous Labour administration, not the Conservatives, who removed the recycling subsidy to all Lancashire District Councils. County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE Leader, Lancashire County Council