GPs under fire, green belt homes battle – and it was Zoom time down on farm
IT’S been a year when things began to get back to something more like normal.
Following the write-off that was 2020, the past 12 months saw people getting on with their lives once more - albeit with the shadow of Covid never too far away.
Here’s our annual look back at some of the headlines we brought you in 2021.
●●JANUARY
There was a belated white Christmas in Rossendale as residents woke up on Tuesday to find the white stuff was falling - and sticking. Grane Road was closed overnight between December 27 and December 28 after a multi-vehicle crash as snow fell.
Veterans lending their support to assist Covid-19 vaccination hubs faced verbal abuse from some car drivers. Several members of Veterans In Communities (VIC), based in Haslingden, were providing car parking marshals at vaccination sites in Rawtenstall and Accrington.
●●FEBRUARY
A farm had made an amazing extra £50,000 from providing Zoom calls with goats during the pandemic. When Dot McCarthy took over Cronkshaw Fold Farm in Helmshore from her mother in 2016, she diversified the farm into a sustainable business, including educational trips, weddings and accommodation.
There were claims that the prolonged cold snap had taken its toll on one Valley landmark. Rossendale council said they are now working to bring the Halo’s lighting back up to its full 100 per cent effect.
●●MARCH
A treasured school deputy head who has taught the grandchildren of some of her early pupils retired after some 45 years of service. Angela Warburton first joined Holy Trinity Primary School in Stacksteads at the age of 21, and saw thousands of children come and go in the time.
Expressions of interest were being sought from suitable providers for a hotel facility within the new Market Square redevelopment of Bacup town centre, we reported. The proposal forms part of the original Bacup 2040 Vision and Masterplan.
●●APRIL
A loyal employee who worked for Marks and Spencer for half a century finished her final shift. Jean Southworth retired from the Rawtenstall branch, to which she relocated in March 2016 after 40 years at the former Accrington town centre store.
A major step towards normality was toasted as pubs, hair salons, nonessential stores and gyms reopened across Rossendale. In almost comically grim timing, the big day was nearly scuppered by April snow, but hardy punters of all ages were determined not to miss out.
●●MAY
Therapy sheep brought smiles of joy to Olive House care home residents. Adorable
lamb Mocha choca was the star guest, offering up much-needed cuddles to lovestruck residents.
Thousands of pupils across the Valley faced disruption following a surge in Covid-19 positive tests. Haslingden High School and Sixth Form, and Tonacliffe Primary School were among schools confirmed to have closed, with others also sending year bubbles home following localised outbreaks.
●●JUNE
Valley firefighter Joey Hawke completed an epic coast-to-coast fundraising challenge by proposing to his girlfriend Emily Harrison on the finish line. Oncall firefighter Joey and four friends trekked from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire in full fire kit in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity and the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity.
The Burnley Road Chippy, near St James Health Centre in Rawtenstall, closed for good after 32 years to be redeveloped by SPAR. Linda Schofield, who has owned and run the chippy alongside husband Glen since 1989, wanted to enjoy her retirement.
●●JULY
The green light was given to the £2.5million transformation of Haslingden town centre to create a brighter shopper and visitor attraction.
Rossendale council’s Haslingden 2040 bid won the backing of the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
A medical centre had to call out police on four occasions, due to an increasing problem of abusive and aggressive patients. A GP at Irwell Medical Practice said they would do whatever they could to prevent repeat incidents after being beset by verbal and physical intimidation of staff.
●●AUGUST
A memorial service was held at a care home to pay tribute to its 22 residents who have passed away with Covid-19 during the course of the pandemic. The poignant event at
Haslingden Hall Care Home was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rossendale, family members, residents and health officials.
Police closed their sixyear investigation into the collapse of Rossendale’s Empty Homes Scheme – as the council bill for the fiasco neared £7m. In a statement they said: “Following a complex, lengthy and thorough investigation, we have concluded that there was no criminality and from a police perspective the matter is now closed.”
●●SEPTEMBER
Rossendale MP Jake Berry spoke out against his own government’s plans for a tax to fund social care - in breach of the Tory manifesto. In a House of Commons statement, PM Boris Johnson said that a new 1.25 per cent health and social care levy based on National Insurance contributions would be introduced across the UK.
Brassic actors returned to the streets of Bacup filming scenes for the fourth series of the hit Sky comedy. Fans watched from the streets for filming of the Sky Showcase show.
●●OCTOBER
Several homes were evacuated as a precaution as crews tackled a large fire involving an external gas pipe. South Street in Bacup was shut in both directions between St James Street and Venture Street.
Valley GP Dr Abdul Mannan bit back against criticism of GPs to show the reality of his working day during the pandemic. It followed the announced launch of a council probe into alleged problems with booking appointments at local doctors’ surgeries.
●●NOVEMBER
Some of the Valley’s finest Adonises (almost) bared all in an eye-opening charity calendar for 2022. Creative director Lia Holmes, who set up WaterWell Foundation alongside her aunt Tracy Cuthbertson, developed the Rossendale Calendar Boys project.
Controversial plans by Taylor Wimpey for more than 130 new homes on greenfield land were given the go-ahead by borough councillors, who blamed the Government planning requirements for leaving them no grounds for refusing the scheme in Helmshore.
●●DECEMBER
Council leader Alyson Barnes said “they were not trying to be the fun police” after imposing a ban on the sale of a trader’s “best selling” product. The Handmade in Rossendale Facebook page posted messages goading the council after mugs carrying the slogan In Rossendale We Call Our Idiots ‘The Council’ - were taken off sale at the Rawtenstall market hall stall.
Families were put on red alert after several cats were shot. A Rawtenstall vet said “numerous” cats have been shot recently in the Helmshore area. Tracey Shaw said her and husband David’s 10-month old tabby Loki was hit by an air gun pellet.