Monday, March 23, 2009

Students Voice Their Opinions On Future Education

Schools of the future should use pupils' biometric information, such as fingerprints to step-up security according to the views of one pupil.

Youngsters at schools throughout the borough were consulted on their ideas to improve learning in the future and the schools environment under Blackburn with Darwen’s £200m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

The event was also intended to address any concerns that students may have for the new and remodelled schools in 2012 as part of the BSF programme.

As part of the programme nine secondary schools are to be built or refurbished on eight sites.

It was one of many events held for children to help shape future education.

Around 80 pupils and teaching staff took part in the consultation event at St Thomas's pupil referral unit, Lambeth Street, Blackburn, on Monday.

The event included a series of workshops to swap ideas culminating in a chance for pupils to record their views on radio to illustrate the sort of changes pupils would like to see in the new schools.

Pupils took part in interactive dance mat classes, had a go using a text system on the computer rather than traditional keyboards, used Wii Fit balance games and had a go at a group race using gaming consoles to demonstrate how technology can make learning fun.

They were also invited to text ideas to a special number and record anonymous views on camera with each pupils face changed into a talking animal to protect their identity.

In group feedback sessions some pupils said they would like to see biometric systems for registration, meal payments and for taking books from libraries.

Another thought-provoking idea was to install CCTV cameras in all classrooms so parents could log onto a secure internet site using a password to see their child.

Pupils thought technology could be used to create holograms of historic figures to help bring history alive in the classroom.

On a more practical note pupils asked for smaller classroom sizes, more open space, more teachers and later start times.


All the ideas will be pulled together in a report which will be widely distributed to key BSF decision makers and stakeholders and the information will be used to inform future BSF programme developments.


Beardwood pupil, Afia Khatun, 15, said: "Quite often there are language barriers when pupils come from other parts of the world. They take up more of the teacher’s time because of the communication issues so I think more teachers would help."

Eleven-year-old Eddie McKeown, of Darwen Vale High School, added: "I would like to start school later, about 10.30am and think shifts would be a good idea because lots of young people don't like getting up so early.

"I think handheld computers are a good idea. Pupils could take them home to do their home work and use on-line teachers to help them."

Councillor Chris Thayne, executive member for children's services, said: "We feel it's paramount to get the views of our young people to help them shape future education in Blackburn and Darwen.

"It's a unique chance to create learning opportunities which inspire, motivate, encourage and support our young people. They deserve the best and we'll make sure this scheme gives them that."

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Darwen's Big Dance Night is set to sax it up with local band “TOTAL MIX”

TOTAL MIX, a local five piece band play Hollins Grove Conservative Club on Friday 27th March 2009 as part of Darwen’s Big Dance Night Events.

This will be the 2nd Big Dance Night organised by Darwen Soul and Salsa featuring music across the generations played by top DJ Crazy Chris.

The Total Mix of music varies from Disco to Salsa, Rock And Roll To Northern Soul. The band, including Spence the sensational saxophonist, will play songs from
Ting Tings To Temptations - Sam Cooke To Shakira .

This promises to be a night to remember. The fun starts at 8pm til 12.30.

Tickets are £5 from Cue Music , Duckworth St, Darwen or pay on the door.

For more information contact 0789 585 7737 or checkout darwensoulandsalsa.co.uk

Tatton Park Flower Show

A victory for the local economy will provide the theme for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s entry to the Tatton Park Flower Show this year.

Over 500 jobs were saved last year after Darwen-based company, Crown Paints Ltd, returned to British ownership following a multi-million-pound deal between the business’s management team and former owners, Akzo Nobel.

The council’s display, called “Crowning Glory”, celebrates that economic boost with a design that exploits the intermingling qualities of the primary colours in the ‘paint’ pouring from two crowns.

Tatton Park Flower Show is being held on July 22-26.

Councillor Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture, said: “This is an excellent tribute to what was a very positive piece of news for the Borough.

"The creativity shown in the design shows how eager Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is to succeed in the competition. I wish the entry every success.”

Ever wondered where all your recycling goes?

Blue Peter becomes ‘Green Peter’ next Tuesday when the show visits the new high tech recycling plant in Birmingham where Blackburn with Darwen’s recycling goes for sorting.

The Greenstar ‘Super MRF’ – a large scale materials recycling facility - utilises cutting-edge technology and equipment to separate and sort all the Borough's recycling including paper, cardboard, cans, plastics and glass.

The new facility is the first in the country to be able to offer this service.

It can process up to 250,000 tonnes of recyclables every year.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was one of the first local authorities to give its residents the opportunity to put all their recycling into just one bin, in spring last year. Previously residents had to sort their recycling into different containers.

With help from the Greenstar plant those recyclables are collected, separated and sold on to UK companies for reuse.

Blue Peter will show that process when it airs at 4.35pm, on Tuesday, March 24.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for all of our residents to tune in and see just what happens to their recycling.

“I visited the plant myself recently and to say it’s impressive is an understatement. With its help we have been able to offer our residents a simple and extremely convenient way to dispose of their recyclables.

“Around 85 per cent of the recycling that goes there is sold on to companies in the UK for reuse.

“Residents can be assured it doesn’t end up in landfill.”

Duck race fits the bill when it comes to fundraising

Fundraisers have been going quackers for the great Blackburn with Darwen annual duck race.

More than 400 plastic birds have been adopted for the Mayor’s annual charity race on Saturday, March 28.

The ducks will be making a real splash when they are raced along a 200 meter stretch of waterway along Darwen River at Sunnyhurst Woods.

The event will see Donalds and Daffys going beak to beak as they bob down the river, with volunteers taking to the water to ensure they stay on course.

People have been invited to ‘adopt’ a duck for £1 each, all of which have now been sold. Prizes will be attached to the ducks.

The money raised will go to the Mayor’s annual charity.

The Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Khan, said: “The kiosk will be open from 9am so everyone can have a chat and a cup of tea before the big race starts.

“It’s an ideal opportunity for people to spend a fun day out enjoying a couple of hours in the countryside racing hundreds of plastic ducks down a river.”

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Accidents cut on busy stretch of A666 in Darwen

Accidents on one of the busiest stretches of the A666 have been cut by almost half since Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council reduced the speed limit.

The Council cut the limit between Bull Hill, near Darwen, and the Bolton boundary to 50mph in December 2003.

Statistics revealed a 45 per cent reduction in accidents between 2004-08, from 47 to 26, compared to the same period between 1999-03.

Casualties were also down by 45 per cent in the same period, from 86 to 48. Of those injuries, there was a 19 per cent reduction in people killed or seriously hurt and a 50 per cent reduction in slight injuries.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “It’s fantastic to see our road safety schemes working so effectively.

“The borough has few rural roads but we are keen to make those under our jurisdiction as safe as possible. Now we have made progress we will be taking positive action to ensure they remain so.

“The significant reduction in both accidents and casualties on this busy stretch of road should be celebrated and shows we made the correct decision to cut the speed limit there.”

Celebrations as Government’s legacy means free swimming for all

From April 1 this year children and young people aged 16 and under, from across Blackburn with Darwen, will be able to enjoy free swimming as part of a new £140m Government initiative to boost sport and fitness and to ensure a lasting sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The free swimming initiative was introduced last year and is the centrepiece of the Government’s ‘Legacy Action Plan – Before, During and After: Making the most of the London 2012 Games’ and in Blackburn with Darwen, it will enhance the £6m re:fresh your health and wellbeing scheme which was introduced last year in a bid to reduce shocking health statistics of people who live in the borough.


It is estimated that up to 40,000 under 16s in Blackburn with Darwen will be eligible for the free swims at the Council’s four pools throughout the year for the next two years.

Councillor Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture and borough play champion said: “This is superb news. Offering free swimming to children and young people is yet another measure of our commitment to helping our residents make a real difference to their lives. Our already ambitious free leisure programme, re:fresh, has paved the way for first-class health opportunities so we are well placed to add yet another string to our bow.

“We already have a wealth of excellent young swimmers who use our pools. And, who knows this initiative may help produce some Olympic standard swimmers from our very own borough!”
Swimming is included in the re:fresh initiative for all adults across the borough and this helped the Council access funding to strengthen the existing programme and expand free swimming all-year-round for those under 16.

An additional part of the Government’s legacy is access to capital funding to improve the customer experience. Improvements including an upgraded PA system at Daisyfield Pools, internal painting and decorating; new carpets and new spectator seating for the small pool viewing area and new lockers and an extension to the car parking at Shadsworth Leisure Centre have already been completed. Further work will be completed in the coming months.

Councillor Law-Riding added: “The additional funding to carry out improvements to our buildings and facilities, along with the work already carried out at our centres will make a big difference to users. It will enhance the facilities used by the growing number of people using this service.”

Lancashire schools celebrate energy success

Three year 5 classes from primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen are celebrating after success in a Council energy saving event.

Turton and Edgworth CE/Methodist, on Bolton Road, Daisyfield Primary School, on Clinton Street, and The Redeemer CEP, on Jack Walker Way, claimed the top spots winning up to £150 each in high street vouchers.


The winning classes received their prizes at special assemblies held in their schools in February and March.

Eighteen schools in total took part in the event last autumn which was designed to promote the importance of conserving energy.

The classes were required to give a presentation on what energy is and ways of conserving it, then take part in a multiple choice quiz.

A letter was also sent home to parents with an energy questionnaire to complete and win prizes.

So far nearly 100 energy saving prizes have been given to borough homes.

Councilor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “The event was designed to engage the children in activities and help them choose energy saving ideas that they can put into action themselves.

“My congratulations go to everyone who took part, especially the winning classes.”

Owing to the success of last year’s event there are plans to repeat it this autumn. Invites have been sent to all Blackburn & Darwen Schools.

Police call on parents to take responsibility

Lancashire Police and Blackburn with Darwen Council have called on parents to take more responsibility for their children after 18 young people were picked up on the streets in the latest night time patrol.

Police and council officers took 18 children, many of them found drinking alcohol and involved in anti social behaviour, to a safe place on Friday and Saturday night as part of Operation Stay Safe in the Bank Top area of Blackburn.

Their parents were asked to collect them, reminded about their responsibilities and given information about support services.


Police and Council staff say they spoke to up to 350 children and young people in the area - most behaving sensibly and simply making their way home - but they are concerned that a number of vulnerable children were found.

Blackburn police inspector Insp Muz Patala who ran the weekend operation said: “This is the second time we have run this operation in Blackburn and I am concerned that some parents do not know where their children are, who they are with or what they are doing.

“Some of the 18 children we found were a long distance away from their home and the majority of them were involved in anti social behaviour. Some were on the brink of committing crime and were clearly putting themselves at risk of harm.”

Councillor Chris Thayne, executive member for children's services, said: "I'm delighted to say that the vast majority of young people were simply on their way out or going home and behaving sensibly, so that is a positive outcome.

“We are now doing follow up work with the 18 young people we identified as vulnerable and their families to make sure they receive any extra support or services that they need.

"It's important that parents understand what they need to do keep children safe, but the safety and welfare of young people is everyone's responsibility and I would urge people to support all agencies in our work to protect children from the risks they face when they are out at night."

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Talking about their generation

Local teenagers were invited to meet with older people to help break down barriers.

Seventeen year-olds, Jamie Lynch and Ricky Roocroft, were invited to speak at the intergenerational event organised by the Council called Talking ‘bout My Generation.

The pair hang around in the Church Street area and use the spot as a meeting place with other young people.

The event at King George’s Hall aimed to bring together people of different ages to discuss stereotypes and to encourage them to share experiences.

Jamie, a Blackburn College student, said: “It really helped a lot of people.

“Afterwards people came up and said things like: ‘Before we were scared to walk past Church Street, now we know what you’re like we don’t have a problem’.”


Also invited were a number of young people from BWDYouthBank, members of the youth forum¸ BwD Cross-School Group and teens who work with the Council’s young people’s services.

In addition, members of the Older People’s Partnership also attended. Pauline Walsh, chief executive of Age Concern Blackburn with Darwen, spoke at the event.

Christine Robinson, chair of Higher Croft Action Group, who was also a guest speaker, congratulated organisers for helping to build bridges.

She says it is the minority of youngsters who ruin the reputation of young people.

“The majority of kids especially in Higher Croft are wonderful and they are being slighted by a handful of kids.”

She added: “Some elderly people do feel very, very vulnerable only because of a lack of communication with the kids.

“We run a youth club and I want to invite the older generation to come to meet
up with them, have tea and coffee and just to get to know them.”

Executive member for culture, leisure and sport, councillor Michael Law-Riding said: “As a council we work hard to try and understand the needs of young people and events like these help to make sure their voices are heard.”

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Darwen artist's mosaic of Lennon raises money for charity

A Darwen born artist has created a unique mosaic portrait of John Lennon to raise money for Cancer Research.

Ed Chapman, who attended St Cuthbert's primary school in Darwen, raised £3,500 for Cancer Research.

Read more on the Lancashire Telegraph website.

Darwen Live 2009

Local radio station, The Bee, have released their top picks for Darwen Live 2009. This year marks the 10th anniversary on the highly popular music event and promises to bring together various different performers to provide the free music.

The Bee have singled out Boomtown Rats and Bay City Rollers as the main acts to see with the Rollers performing on Sunday 24th May and two of the original members of Boomtown Rats will perform the following day, Monday 25th May.

Other acts featuring in the two day event include favorites such as Jamie Mac Band and the Jo Danuki Band.

The free event takes place on Sunday May 24th and Monday May 25th 2009. To read more information visit The Bee who will also be back stage throughout the event.

Blackburn with Darwen's new youth MP

Fifteen year-old Amal Idriss has been selected as Blackburn with Darwen’s new youth MP.

The Our Lady and St John Catholic Arts College student replaces outgoing youth MP Minhaz Khelya who has come to end of his term in office.

The announcement was made at Blackburn Town Hall on Friday by council leader Councillor Michael Lee who was the returning officer.

The nine candidates and their supporters along with councillors and council representatives had gathered in the council chamber to hear the news.

It was also revealed through a live link up to King Georges Hall where the Blackburn with Darwen Citizenship Conference 2009 was taking place attended by MP Jack Straw.

Fifteen year-old Becky Thomas of Darwen Vale High School and Cassie Knagg, 15, from St Wilfrid's C of E High School and Technology College were selected as deputy youth MP’s.

Amal who campaigned on transport issues, anti bullying and street safety said she was surprised and delighted at having been chosen.

She said her first priority was to work on changing negative perceptions about young people.

“I’m going to try my best to make sure issues are solved and make young peoples’ voices heard.”

Organisers were pleased that again the election encouraged a large number of young people to vote.

Just under half of the borough’s young people who were eligible took part in the democratic process.

Amal is now set to embark upon her role that will see her shadow local councillors, attend council meetings and meet with youth groups to seek their views on issues.

Executive member for culture, leisure and sport, councillor Michael Law-Riding, said: “Congratulations to Amal, being Blackburn with Darwen’s youth MP is a big responsibility and I am sure she will more than live up to the challenge.”

Friday, March 06, 2009

Funding secured for £50 million PennineReach

Funding has been secured regionally for a £50 million rapid transport scheme in Pennine Lancashire.

The North West Region has reviewed its priorities and knocked back plans for a major scheme in Manchester to make way for PennineReach.

It decided to delay the A57/A628 Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle bypass until after 2015, allocating the funding to a range of schemes including the proposed new bus service which is designed to improve public transport between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen.

It means that work will begin in 2011, subject to final approval by the Department of Transport.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council have both approved the final draft plans and the business case will now be submitted to the Government at the end of this month.

North West transport guidance allows £4.5m within 2010/11 and £13.5m for the following three years, with the remaining £5m funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council.

Local people will continue to be involved and consulted on the finer details of the scheme in their areas.

PennineReach – the facts

* Bus lane is not continual and only in MOST CONGESTED AREAS. There is only 2.1 miles of bus lane in Blackburn with Darwen and 0.5 miles in Hyndburn along the whole 21 mile PennineReach route.

* Residents and customer car parking has been retained and extended in Darwen, Furthergate and Accrington Road. The bus lane has either been moved over or brought forward to prevent the loss of parking spaces.

* The bus interchange in Ewood has been relocated from outside residents’ homes to minimise the impact.

* Bus lane has been removed at Ewood to retain as many car parking spaces as possible.

* New bus station for Blackburn and Accrington

New car parks have been provided in Darwen to support local shops and one in Furthergate has been removed because residents did not want it.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, in conjunction with Lancashire County Council,
carried out one of its biggest consultations exercises last summer.

More than 60,000 leaflets were sent to homes and businesses along the proposed route and a telephone survey of 1,500 people was carried out by IPSOS MORI.

The results of the telephone survey showed that 53 per cent of respondents supported the proposals and only 14 per cent were opposed to the scheme. Thirty two per cent had no view either way.

A series of public meetings were also held across the borough in July and comments made by residents and businesses were reviewed and improvements to the proposals were made were possible.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “The Council and County Council have worked closely with the Department of Transport in the run up to submission of the Major Scheme Business Case to government, which will be submitted by the end of March.

“We have also been working hard to ensure that Pennine Reach remained a regional priority, given the exercise to refresh regional transport priorities.

“The plans will not only improve public transport in the borough, it will also address the issue of lack of parking spaces which many businesses have complained about for years.”

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Take a dip for charity

Swimmers around the borough are being urged to take a dip for charity.

On Thursday 16 April Daisyfield Pools is holding its annual sponsored Swimathon event in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Join thousands of other swimmers around the UK and sign up for Swimathon 2009.

Over the past two years 30,000 people around the country have raised more than £3 million through the event.

Every £20 raised means a Marie Curie Nurse can provide an hour of support to a terminally ill patient.

Swimmers can choose to swim either 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k and enter individually or in teams of between two and five people.

The event starts at 6.00pm.

For more information call Daisyfield reception on 01254 277300 or log onto www.swimathon.org

Four star council status continues for Blackburn with Darwen

Independent inspection scorecards released today (Thursday, March 5) show Blackburn with Darwen is among the country’s top performing four star councils.

The Audit Commission says the Council is ‘improving well’. The overall four star rating is based on:

- what progress has been made in the last year
- how well finances are managed and the value for money
- how the main services perform
- how the council is run

The impressive rating – including a ‘performing well’ for use of resources - comes the same week the Council agreed the lowest council tax in Lancashire and the overall lowest increase in the county for the second year running.

The inspectors confirmed that the Council is providing some of the best services in local government. They praised the speed of processing new benefit claims, the access provided to public libraries and their stock, the way people in the areas valued and used waste recycling and how it works with partners and also the quality of community housing.

Their report said ‘effective partnership and neighbourhood working is helping to improve quality of life’, ‘services provide good value for money and financial management is strong’, and ‘educational performance continues to improve’, ‘social care and services for children and young people are achieving positive outcomes’.

Councillor Michael Lee, leader of the Council, said it was a ‘great achievement’ for the Council to have maintained four star status, as well as improving on service scores during the seven years that Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA) system was used, including meeting the criteria of the ‘harder test’ introduced in 2004. The Audit Commission is replacing CPA with a new inspection framework -Comprehensive Area Assessment - in April.

“I hope everybody will share and celebrate the prestige and benefits this rating brings. It will continue to improve our borough’s local, regional and national standing and also help us attract funding, attract and keep high quality staff, ” he added.

“The assessment has been extremely rigorous. We certainly have a lot to be proud of but there is always room for improvement and we take any indications of areas where we could do better very seriously. The inspectors said one of our strengths is that we are aware of the challenges we still face. With that in mind, we are working hard to find ways further ways to meet our own high expectations and those of our residents.”

Chief executive Graham Burgess said he was particularly pleased that the Council had met the criteria of the ‘harder test’ unlike some other high profile Councils who had lost their long standing four star status following its introduction.

He explained the CAA will have a new focus. "For the first time the Council will be held collectively to account for performance with other public bodies in the area. Partnership working is one of our key strengths. We look forward to meeting the challenges this will bring. We are not complacent so are using the opportunity it provides to assess how we can provide even better services to local people , ” he said.

Full details of the CPA inspection are available at www.blackburn.gov.uk

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Who will be Blackburn with Darwen's new youth MP?

Young people will be going to the polls this week to vote for their new youth MP.

Young people across the borough are encouraged to get involved and use their right to vote for the next youth MP who will represent them and make sure their voices are heard.
The elections will see nine young people standing for election from across the borough.

The candidates aged 14 to 18 years of age are representative of Blackburn with Darwen’s diverse communities and included a young carer and young person in our care.

Issues that candidates have explored during their campaigns include transport concerns, bullying, community cohesion and things for young people to do or places to go.

The winning candidate will shadow local councillors and attend council meetings, as well as meeting with youth groups to seek their views on issues and the policies that affect them.

Ballot boxes are in all schools, youth clubs, colleges, and other places young people attend.

The count of the votes will take place in the Old Town Hall on Friday with the successful candidate announced at 3.30pm

The returning officer will be the Leader of the councillor Michael Lee.

Councillor Michael Law Riding, executive member for culture and leisure, said: “Young people should make sure they use their vote and not miss out on this opportunity to get involved in the democratic process.”

Would you like to see Darwen Market open for late shopping one day per week?

Darwen Market traders are looking for feedback from local shoppers about whether they would like to see later closing times, perhaps one night per week.

If it gains support the move to extend opening hours past the current closing time of 5pm would allow some local residents to do a bit of shopping after finishing work.

Currently supermarkets are the answer for many people who work 9am-5pm as they are still open for business and as a result some of the market traders are suffering.

Questions have been asked in the past on our online forum about the half day closing on Tuesdays, but do you think extended hours would help make market shopping more accessible?

In a recent meeting, traders were looking for ideas to help boost local trade and are looking to receive feedback from the public about what improvements local shoppers would like to see.

One resident told Darwen Online "I finish work at 4.30pm and rarely call into the market because it's almost closing time by the time I have driven back to Darwen and parked up. I think it would be great to see that market open later."

According to local historians late night shopping isn't a new idea. In fact, 100 years ago, Darwen Market used to remain open until 11pm on Saturdays!

Have your say in the Darwen Forum - What improvements would you like to see? How do you think opening hours should be changed? How often do you visit the market? What would make you visit more? What do you like/dislike about Darwen Market? Click Here

Pledge to children and young people in care

Blackburn with Darwen Council has revealed its new pledge to children and young people in care.

For the authority has launched UR Care Council, a service to be run by children and young people in care.

The new initiative is aimed and transforming the lives of children being looked after by the authority by giving them a voice.

The Council, made up of chair, vice chair, secretary, social secretary and treasurer, is run by children and young people in or leaving care.

To support its work an innovative website has been launched for children in care to share their views and ask questions.

Blackburn with Darwen's Children in Our Care Council’s new website has been designed to look like a young person’s writing pad with scribbles and an i phone.

The child-friendly site, www.urcarecouncil.com, offers a vast array of information about life in care and tackles the problems and worries young people can come up against in every day life.

The site went live at the launch of the Children In Our Care Council last month attended by Coronation Street’s Chesney Brown, played by East Lancashire’s Sam Aston.

The event gave youngsters in care the opportunity to look at the site and comment on how they would like to see it developed.

Councillor Christopher Thayne, executive member for Children’s Services, said: “This move shows Blackburn with Darwen’s commitment to children and young people in care.

“It is about ensuring that they have the best possible care and support, which suits them as individuals.

“It’s also about listening to them and making sure that our services are flexible to their needs.”

The website is running a competition for creative people to help design their new logo. If you're interested in submitting your entry please click here for more information.

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