Former PO to be home or adult store

A man has vowed to open a sex shop if he is not allowed to turn a former village post office into a house.

Andrew Hennessey, who owns the former post office at 423 Gisburn Road, has been battling to convert it into a house after it closed in November 2005.

He was initially denied planning permission in January when councillors called for proof that the shop could not be viably run as a business.

In his latest application, which will go before Pendle Council's Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee on Thursday, he has included accounts which show that the post office made a net loss of more than £17,500 in its last two years of trading.

But planning officers are still recommending it for refusal as the borough has fulfilled its housing provision requirements until 2016, and as the shop does not meet the criteria for an exception to the policy because it is in open countryside.

The shop has been painted black since October, with "XXXX" painted on the front, to suggest it is already a sex shop, in a protest against the planning process.

After his application was denied last time, Mr Hennessey vowed to open the building as a novelty-style sex shop if his hopes for a cottage could not be realised.

As the premise is already allowed to be a shop, Mr Hennessey believes he would be able to sell the items without needing any special permission.

In response to being recommen-ded for refusal again, he said: "I am surprised as I was told I would be supported and it would go through if I supplied these accounts. They can either have a house or a boarded-up shop."

Councillors could still approve the house.

Source: http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk

Manager's sacking 'an obscenity'

A mental heath trust has been accused of sacking a manager while he was suffering from a depressive illness.

John Lobley, from Barrowford, had worked for a number of years as research and development manager for Clitheroe-based Calderstones NHS Trust, an employment tribunal heard.

He accepted that his performance had suffered after his son-in-law died suddenly in 2004, closely followed by his mother's health deteroriating, requiring him to place her in full-time care, the tribunal heard.

Disciplinary action was launched by the NHS trust in early 2006, after he was accused of departing early on a regular basis and a string of unauthorised absences.

He expected to be punished - but not sacked, the hearing was told. Mr Lobley has taken Calderstones to an industrial tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal.

Mr Lobley's counsel, David Humphreys, described the disciplinary process which led to his client's dismissal as an "industrial relations obscenity." The claimant exhibited to his employers the symptoms of a depressive illness and in my submission they ignored it", said Mr Humphreys.

"This is an NHS trust, with a human resources department, and it is almost incredible that they did not do something about it."

An initial disciplinary hearing, chaired by the-then acting finance director David Young, decided that Mr Lobley should be dismissed, the tribunal heard. Then a subsequent appeal hearing, led by Russ Pearce, the trust's chief executive, reaffirmed that decision, the tribunal heard.

The tribunal was told that the system was clearly unfair - as Mr Pearce, who reaffirmed the sacking decision, was responsible for instigating the disciplinary procedure in the first place.

Giving evidence earlier about the impact of the disciplinary hearing, Mr Lobley said: "I just thought they would have looked after me and taken into account the work I had done for the trust in the past."

Mr Humphreys added: "The claimant absented himself from work and all they could think about was the effect."

One comment made to him during the appeal hearing, when his depression was highlighted as a possible contributory factor to his behaviour, was that he "was not alone in that", the tribunal heard.

He claimed that he had been given permission to work from home on Thursdays and Fridays - but conceded that he had often left early on other days.

Ed Morgan, Calderstones' counsel, told the hearing that Mr Lobley's line manager, John Caldwell had arrived at his office frequently to discuss work and not been able to locate him. Mr Caldwell, in his evidence to the tribunal, denied there had been an agreement over home working between the pair.

The three-strong panel reserved a final decision on the case until a date to be fixed.

Source: http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk

Mountain climb for disabled boy

An uncle is to scale one of the world's highest mountains to raise money for his severely disabled nephew.

Dave Bateson is attempting to raise £4,500 by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, the largest free-standing mountain.

The money will buy a wheelchair and stairlift for 14-year-old Ryan Padgett, who suffers from muscle wasting disease muscular dystrophy.

Ryan has lost his mobility and is in need of 24-hour care.

Dave, 29, a freelance website developer from Barrowford, will push himself to his physical and mental limits as over 40 per cent of people who attempt the climb turn back before reaching the top. Temperatures range from 30C at the base to minus 20C at the summit.

Dave said: "I was wanting to get into mountaineering and I was told Kilimanjaro was one of the best and most challenging to start with.

"I've been training three or four times a week, swimming climbing and going to the gym. I'll be training all year to make sure I'm physically in great shape, but I'm under no illusions as to just how tough it will be. For me the altitude will be the biggest test, as there's no way I can replicate that before I go." Dave is no stranger to challenges, having prev-iously competed in rally driving at a national level and recently walking 85 miles across England following Hadrian's wall.

Dave hopes to secure sponsorship by June and climb in September. Ryan is very close to me. When I'm not training in the great British weather, the motivation will come from the charities I am supporting. Money raised will also be going to Oxfam."

Source: http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk

Top artist to take up residence at mill

An internationally renowned artist is heading to Barrowford to spend four days creating a special piece.

Julian Beever's chalk-on-pavement artworks have become world famous for their clever use of perspective. They make what appears to be a distorted and smudged picture a three-dimensional masterpiece from the right angle.

Julian will be taking up residence at Higherford Mill, Barrowford, for four days.

He will create a special piece of art on the mill's stone floor, chatting to visitors while he works.

Julian, who also creates murals, oil paintings and collages, was invited to the mill by Mid Pennine Arts, the trust behind the Panopticons scheme which has seen sculptures built in Wycoller and Cliviger.

His contribution will be the Land project, which has run alongside the Panopticons, and focused on community art using the environment and surroundings.

Gail Knight, of Mid Pennine Arts, said: "He perfectly matches the criteria for the Land project and we really wanted to work with him.

"We approached him and he was thrilled with the idea. He's working for us for a very small fee considering that he really is an international artist and it's really exciting that he's coming to take part."

Although the trust has seen a sketch of the artwork Julian has planned, exactly what he will be drawing is being kept a closely-guarded secret.

He will arrive at Higherford Mill on Thursday to begin drawing out his work, and will be finished by Saturday. On Sunday, he will show off the finished piece and talk about it to visitors.

Mrs Knight said: "We hope to keep it there for a few days but ultimately, because it is chalk, it can't stay forever and will have to be washed away. He expects them to be gone within a few days - a large part of the nature of his art is the process of it being created and then destroyed.

"We hope lots of people will come and see him - he will be happy to chat to people as he works, and it really will be spectacular when he is finished."

Source: http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk

Singers scale Kilimanjaro

Four local singers with an average age of 64 are back in the area after climbing the highest mountain in Africa.

Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir conductor Frank Smith and choir members John Shaw, of Barrowford, Frank Barnes, of Earby and Ian Haydock, of Trawden, successfully scaled the 19,340ft high Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and hope to raise more than £2,000 for Pendleside Hospice.

The four were in a party of seven climbers who made the ascent, setting off at midnight and taking seven-and-a-half hours to reach the summit.

But there was little time for celebrating on the mountain top - Mr Shaw said temperatures were as low as minus 20 degrees.

"We saw the sun rise as we neared the top which was very spectacular," he said. "We hope to have raised around £2,000 and would like to thank all those who have contributed through sponsorship."

Source: http://www.pendletoday.co.uk

By George! They’ve won a beer award

The George and Dragon pub in Barrowford has won a prestigious award for the quality of its beer.

The Beautiful Beer Awards are a new scheme, just 12 months old, organised by the British Beer and Pub Association, and open to applications from pubs nationwide.

The Gold Award, presented to the George and Dragon, follows the Swan Hotel at Whalley which won the same award which recognises pubs that serve great quality beer - both draught and bottled.

Landlady Margaret Wood said "We pride ourselves on the quality of our beer, so it's great to receive this external recognition. The Beautiful Beer plaque tells customers that when they order a beer in here, they can be guaranteed that it's a great one."

The George and Dragon is featured in the newly published "Witch Beer? The East Lancs Good Beer Guide" and sells John Smith's Cask Bitter and a changing beer from the Bowland Brewery near Clitheroe.

The mother of two said she wanted it to be a traditional community pub where people could enjoy themselves.

Source: http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk

Doorstep fish sale warning

Rogue door-to-door salesmen are putting elderly people at risk of food poisoning by pressuring them into buying unfit fish, police have said.

Officers have warned pensioners against buying from two men who have been selling fish door-to-door in Barrowford.

In a number of incidents in the village, the men have tried to talk vulnerable residents into paying what police say are vastly inflated prices. Officers also said they believed the rogue salesmen's van had no refrigeration.

Sergeant Graham Lister, of Nelson police, said: "We sometimes get visitors like this from the Durham area trying to sell fish like this.

"Depending on the assertiveness of the person who answers the door, they will charge higher and higher prices. In some instances, this can be up to £50 for produce worth less than a tenth of that."

He said officers had identified what they believe was the men's white Ford Transit van.

Sgt Lister said: "As well as the crime of deception, there is a significant health and safety issue here. If the fish has, as we believe, been driven from Chester-le-Street in an unrefrigerated van, then who knows what sort of a state it's in. In most cases with this type of crime, there is nothing in place to ensure that the food is fit to eat."

The salesmen are targeting sheltered accommodation, and police warned people not open it to anyone they did not know.

Sgt Lister said: "If you are going to buy anything at the door, you need to be absolutely sure it is a reputable trader. If you are not happy, don't buy."

Source: http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk

Tony to oversee telecoms industry

A former ambulances boss is set to take up a seat on the board of the government's telecoms watchdog.

Tony Dixon, who is also a member of Barrowford parish council and former chairman of the village's agricultural show committee, has been appointed to the Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman, Otelo.

He has worked at Daisy communications, based in the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson, since the company was formed in 2001, first as a consultant and later on the board as commercial director.

He said: "I am extremely pleased to have been chosen to represent the communi-cations industry on this essential body and will do my utmost working alongside colleagues from BT, Vodafone and NTL to promote Otelo on behalf of all its stakeholders and ensure a fair deal for the consumer.

"I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career.

"It is a great achievement to have been appointed on to the member board and I am proud to have had my work recognised with the position.

"The ombudsman, in particular the member board, plays a very important role in the communications industry."

Source: http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk

Sponsors sought for show

Organisers of the annual Barrowford Show are on the look out for more sponsors to make the 85th show one to remember.

Pendle firms Howard Rigg Properties Ltd and Barnfield Construction have given £10,000 in sponsorship for the past two years, but the show committee is hoping to attract more donors to ensure the event's future.

All sponsors will be included on the show's website, which can be set up to link with the companies' own websites.

Potential sponsors should contact committee vice-chaimran Neil McGuinness on email

Source: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Lunch served in new venue

The weekly luncheon club for elderly and disabled people has moved from Holmefield House, Barrowford, to the civic hall and the Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle were guests of honour at the first serving.

Organised by Pendle Council, the weekly get-together offers a two-course lunch followed by tea and coffee for just £3.60.

The luncheon club is one of 18 in the area - the non-proft events also take place in Nelson, Colne, Brier-field, Trawden, Kelbrook and Roughlee every week.

The Mayor of Pendle, Coun Geroge Adam, said: "Our luncheon clubs are a lifeline for many of our elderly and disabled residents.

"As well as offering a warm and nutritional meal, the clubs provide many people with the opportunity to make new friends and meet old ones."

For more details about club days and times, call 01282 661561.

Source: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk