Hello, this is my first time blogging, so you will have to bear with me, and if you don't live in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire then this blog may not even interest you. Although, I am rather opinionated, so I dare say I will comment on everything else that goes on in this world other than my own home.
To start with, for those of you who read this blog who have never heard of Rossendale. It is a beautiful valley nestled in the penines on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire. I was born here on the front room of 87, Fairfield Avenue, Edgeside, Waterfoot on the 17th of December 1963. That makes me all of 21! I wish. No, actually I don't. I would hate to be so young again. I am happier in my 40's than I've ever been.
I love this valley and it's people with a vengeance. It is a fantastic place. After years working in the theatre and living up and down the country, I returned to Rossendale about 18 months ago to be close to my parents. Both now in their 70's, dad (who has angina) was struggling to cope with looking after mum who was in the early stages of Dimentia. I moved here with my partner of 7 years - Neil - he has Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) so I care for him aswell.
For the last 13 years before moving back to the valley - we lived in Manchester where I ran my own theatre company for children and did lots of workshops in schools and after school clubs etc teaching art, crafts and drama.
Since returning home I have involved myself in local issues. Particularly the area of Waterbarn where we live. I have lead the fight to save the land behind our house from development and have it declared a village green. It has been used by the villagers here for over 100 years and now someone wants to destroy it. But hopefully, Lancashire County Council will grant us village green status. Fingers crossed. The application has been in since August - to date - we've heard nothing from them other than a letter confirming receipt of out application.
The main reason I have started this blog though, is my concern for the Valley and it's people. While it is still a fantastic place to live, I don't hold out much hope for the future with concecutive councils destroying much of what we hold dear here. There is so much wrong with the way the council are doing things, and they never seem to listen to anyone. It's not too long ago Rossendale Borough Council was announced by the government to be the 'worst council' in Britain. Although the government now says it has improved - very few people here agree. They are still attrocious and seem hell bent on destroying our beautiful valley.
The first thing I noticed on my return home was - the bins! Rossendale seems to have become the wheelie bin capital of the universe. Most people having 2 or 3 bins each. Which, when you consider the amount of terraced housing here (many of which don't even have a back yard to put the bins in) the streets of this wonderful place is lined with bins. Of course we have to recycle - I probably recycle more than most - but is it necassary to have so many bins???
Even in the city of Manchester we only had one bin. Then a box for glass and plastics and a bag for paper etc. The council really needs to rethink this idea. They say they are so keen on attreacting tourists here (and rightly too - there are so many hills and walks) but is it aesthetically pleasing for tourists to see rows and rows of bins on every street corner instead of the beautiful buildings and the hills and parks?
My other major concern for my valley is, the buildings that are being erected! It seems the planning department is full of idiots! If this valley is to rely ever more on tourism, they should NOT be granting permission for some of the buildings that are planned. They already admit it was a mistake allowing the new Asda in Rawtenstall - it is ugly and has caused no end of traffic chaos in the town centre. The proposed new 'Valley Centre' is an abomination! This is just like all the 'boxes' that are being thrown up in Manchester and certainly NOT in keeping with the valley. And to top it all - they are allowing Hurstwood to build another shopping centre, hotel etc etc etc at Newhall Hey and on the site of Rossendale college. Again the plans by this local firm are not in keeping with the valley and should be fought tooth and nail by valley people. Why can't Hurstwood take their disgusting plans somewhere else? The houses they plan aren't too bad - but the retail and hotel buildings are an eyesore! Let's just hope it falls flat on it's face and get's no business then they might pull it down!
There was a time in this valley and country, where people took pride in their work. those days are long since gone. All you have to do is take a look at some of the terraced houses in the valley and the attention to detail on houses built for the workers is fabulous. Now all developers want to do is make money and build boxes and to hell with the rest of us! Well, I think it's time the 'little people' started taking back control! And putting a stop to this endless destruction of our valley. Maybe I should start my own party to run for election made up of people who adore this valley and want ALL of the people here to benefit?
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