Part-Time Job: Keyring Photographer Required

Local business PC Roadshows are looking for a Keyring Photographer to work in the same bar/club on Fridays & Saturdays to create souvenirs for people attending the events.

They are looking for bubbly & fun people to apply for the part time job.

Read the full forum post here for more details.

Wayne Bridge pulls out of England World Cup selection

Wayne Bridge has made himself unavailable for selection by England as he feels his position in the squad is 'untenable and potentially divisive' following recent events.

Many England fans now feel that Wayne Bridge has been backed into a corner through no fault of his own and although the majority respect the full backs decision they feel John Terry has potentially cost the England team dearly in pursuit of personal gain.

Fabio Capello stripped former captain Terry of the armband for the forthcoming World Cup, yet despite Terry being one of the best centre backs the country has produced for years, some fans would be prepared to see him dropped from the squad completely.

Read the full story at Sky Sports

Drug addict sends Heroin warning from beyond the grave

The tragic story of a teenage drug addict who died from a heroin overdose has been making national news today as her mother has released a letter she wrote just weeks before her death entitled DEAR HEROIN.

Hannah Meredith, just 17, first started taking the drug when she was 15 and vowed to kick the drug. Hannah thought she had finally put it behind her when she penned the moving letter in her diary but was killed by an overdose shortly before her 18th birthday.

Her family are now setting up a charity in her name and offering support to other addicts in her hometown of Llanelli, South Wales. They have also decided to release the personal diary entry in a hope that it will warn other kids to stay away from heroin and alert them to the related dangers.

The letter explain how heroin can take over you, it's not just the risk of overdose that people should consider - it's the effect it has on your life and how ashamed you can become of your actions as the addiction forces you to do things out of character.

Read the letter in full:

Dear Heroin, I never want to touch you ever again, you've ruined my life, made me steal from my family, on probation 'cause of you, why I choose you I don't know?

You're the worst thing that ever came into my life. Yes, I did love you but now it's time to say goodbye.

I'm so ashamed of myself 'cause of you. I OD three times, you're a big risk to anyone that does it and to me.

So I'm going to be strong and stay away from you and never touch you again.

My family have supported me all the way but I just kick them up the backside taking advantage of them.

Stole off my mother, grandad, Mam Iscoed. I borrowed money off her and didn't give it back. She's getting old now, and look what you've made me do, my nan £120 stolen off her, once again 'cause of you.

I love my family from the bottom of my heart, it's not nice being called a junkie or smack 'ed.

It feels horrible, you feel so small. Well I feel small, you made me feel like I'm worth nothing, just a dirty junkie sticking needles in my arms.

You're out of my life now, don't need you no more.

Yeah, you've messed me up nearly 2½ years of my life but I've still got my whole life ahead of me and I'm going to prove to everyone that I can stay away from you, going to college, getting a job and a car.

Then get on with my life and get my family's trust back. Stop offending, that's the only reason I was doing all that 'cause of your dirty addiction. You make me sick, to be honest with you.

I did love the buzz of you but you're not worth it. By losing my family, thinking about you pi***s me off.

But not any more, I'll make sure you stay away from me, and I'll stay away from you.

I was brought up by a good family not a bad one, yeah I've had a lot of problems in my life, been quite bad actually, all because of you (heroin) (gear), (smack)!!

You're a killer, you've killed a lot of people and really they are good people.

I'm lucky that you haven't put me in a box cemetery.

Lost loads of my mates and it hurts me, they sometimes blank me 'cause they know I've been on you (gear) it's not nice when I've got pin holes in my arms and marks, track marks.

The illness that I go through when I use you and the after effects, cold turkey, clucking, withdrawals, it's the worst feeling that you've put me through, being bad off you.

Wanted to kill myself a few times 'cause I couldn't go through it.

Well guess what (heroin) I can and did do it. I can beat you any time. I can control you, you don't control me.

I've got enough will power to get you out of my life for good. I'm strong and much stronger than you can ever be.

I'm not losing anything over you. Goodbye heroin.

Never again. Family comes first.

Hannah Meredith

Keep all of your online passwords in one safe place

How often do you find yourself hitting the "forgot password" link on a website because you've forgotten your login details?

If you regularly forget passwords because you followed security advice and don't keep a written record of your username/password combination then Password Safe might be the answer to your problems.

As more and more website require usernames and passwords users are trying to remember an ever growing list of login details for shopping sites, email access, banking and so on.

With Password Safe all you have to do is create and remember a single master password in order to unlock and access your entire user name/password list.

By using this software you are keeping your passwords secure and encrypted yet easily retrieved when needed. If you don't have a problem remembering passwords because you keep a list in your drawer by the computer or use the same password over and over again across a wide spectrum of websites then Password Safe (or some other secure method of logging passwords) is a MUST HAVE!

Maintaining unsecure lists, hand written or in a text document on your desktop, is a security risk - as is using the same password over and over again, especially if it is easy to guess (for example your child's name). Ideally a password should be difficult to 'crack' also so try to use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols where possible.

Obviously, the more random your password is the more difficult it will be for YOU to remember! This is where software like Password Safe comes in.

Keeping passwords safe protects your online identity safe from email to social networking, financial & retail.

You wouldn't keep your credit card pin number next to your credit card so do away with your password list which is stored in a Word document or stuffed in the top drawer of your desk and start using Password Safe - it's FREE and SECURE.

Council Tax increases below the level of inflation again

An inflation ‘busting’ draft budget has been revealed and although no rise in costs is a welcome rise Blackburn with Darwen Council is due to set its council tax below the level of inflation for the third year running.

The proposed increase of 1.90% means that the average band D council tax bill per household in the borough for 2010/11 will be £1,266.85 – a rise of just over 45p a week on 2009/10

Councillors are due to set the charge at a meeting of the Finance Committee on March 1. The Council’s budget for the year will also be agreed.

Councillor Colin Rigby, executive member for Resources at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We know people are facing a lot of pressure on their finances. This is the same for the Council. We have seen a huge rise in demand for our services yet face less money coming in.

“We have kept the promise we made in 2007 to keep the rise below inflation. We have worked hard to keep rises to a minimum over the past few years at the same time recognising that the Council has a key role to play in the current difficult economics times. Council tax is essential to protect services and we continue with efforts to improve our two towns. I’m pleased that most of the people who shared their views with us as we prepared the draft budget agreed on this.”

As part of the process for producing the 2010/11 council tax bills, new council tax accounts are being set up for anybody living in the five wards of Darwen that make up the new Darwen Town Council. The changes are needed because, like parish councils, the town council runs separately to Blackburn with Darwen Council and sets its own budget.

The extra charge for people covered by the Darwen Town Council has been set at £14 for an average band D household.



Further information, including advice for anybody struggling to pay, will be issued with bills once the budget and council tax has been set.

JakeBerry.org: Time to Listen

As the election campaign hots up Jake Berry has set out his contract with the voters of Rossendale and Darwen. Central to Jake’s pledges will be a radical new style of politics for the area incorporating a local forum.

If elected as your MP, Jake Berry has pledged to hold regular public meetings called “Jake Berry Listens ” to enable the people of the area to hold their local MP to account and to enable people to ensure they are working hard and delivering value for money.

Read the full story on Jake's own blog:
JakeBerry.org: Time to Listen

Vision 2030 conference helps to pave future

A major conference was held to discuss what people want to see in Blackburn with Darwen over the next 20 years.

More than 100 people took part in the event at King George's Hall which featured speeches from Blackburn MP Jack Sraw; Blackburn with Darwen's Mayor, Cllr James Hirst, and Mike Murray, chair of the local strategic partnership.

A presentation was also given to share the research and consultation that has gone into Vision 2030 over the last nine months.

Hundreds of local people have been involved and they were invited to take part in the important conference to give them another opportunity to have a hand in the final Vision.

And people attending the conference got the chance to record their thoughts using specialist video equipment, which will be uploaded to the Vision website. The long-term "Vision 2030" will help shape the borough's future.

The draft Vision has four key themes providing a focus over the next 20 years, they are: prosperous towns; safe, healthy towns; clean towns and connecting communities.

Key findings from the consultation and the draft Vision were presented to to conference.
Jack Straw, who gave a key note speech and took questions from the audience, said: "It's essential to this area that we follow the example of previous generations and grip the future, have dreams and turn them into reality."

Mike Murray, chair of Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Partnership, who also spoke at the conference, added: "The 2030 Vision for Blackburn with Darwen was a well attended event, indicating the enthusiasm amongst residents for the borough's future.

"I have every confidence that if we dare to dream the impossible we will almost certainly achieve the attainable.

"We need people to join with us in making Blackburn the place to work, play and thrive."
For more information on Vision 2030 or to get involved in the online debates and see the draft report go to: http://vision2030.bwd.public-i.tv/viewfinder_core/

New Darwen youth centre has wow factor

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Jim Hirst will officially open the new Darwen youth centre next week.

The former Knott Street Community Centre has undergone a £400,000 refurbishment after receiving funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

A new IT suite, an all-weather pitch, an interactive white board and games screen, a dance studio and a meeting room are all included in the newly refurbished centre and young people from the Darwen and rural area have already been meeting there to try out the facilities.

Councillor Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture and play champion for the borough, said: "It's great to see the youth club up and running. Young people have already been experimenting with the new equipment and it's proving a great success.

"This new facility certainly has the wow factor and it's good for youngsters to have something to do on Friday and Saturday nights."

There will be a seven days a week programme until 10pm for youths aged 13 to 19, including dance sessions, games nights, and skills classes for young people not in education, employment, or training.

And sessions for young people up to the age of 25 years will be available for youngsters who have a disability or are leaving care of the local authority.

Additionally there will be play projects as part of the Council's 'Off For Fun' programme during school holidays, which will provide play provision for children aged five to eight and nine to 14 years.

Provision for young people aged up to 19 is also part of this programme.

The Mayor will be joined by Councillor Law-Riding to officially open the centre at 2pm on Wednesday February 24.

More snow on the way for Darwen?

Forecasters are warning of more heavy snow across the country over the next week or so with the worst of the weather predicted to hit Darwen over Sunday and Monday.

Temperatures are forecast to fall below zero overnight for the rest of February in parts of Lancashire and early predictions say we could see the odd flurry of the white stuff at the beginning of March - so don't pack your children's sledges away in the loft just yet!

Although weather forecasts are sometimes wrong, especially long range ones, early indications show it is likely to start snowing around lunch time on Sunday with showers lasting for approximately 24 hours. We'll just have to wait and see if they are right!

William Hague MP Visit to Darwen

Darwen welcomed former Conservative party leader William Hague MP to town today, February 19th 2010.


After arriving at the new Darwen Conservatives Office on Railway Road Mr Hague visited Derwent Hall before taking an escorted walk round the town centre to meet local shoppers and talk to some of the market traders.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary was shown round parts of Darwen by Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Darwen and Rossendale Jake Berry on a gloriously sunny Lancashire afternoon.

The MP is widely tipped to become deputy prime minister if the Conservatives win this years General Election so it was quite an important visit as Jake Berry bids to become the next MP for our constituency in the forthcoming election.

Jake Berry himself is aiming to restore trust in MP's locally following the expenses scandal and the local candidate likes to keep in touch with residents through his own website: http://jakeberryuk.blogspot.com/

Shorey Bank, Darwen to be given makeover

The spare land behind Duckworth Street is to undergo a transformation to open up the area as a riverside walkway. A new entrance to the land, which stretches from Heys Lane to the town centre, will also be created by way of a footbridge off Duckworth Street.


Plans have been approved by local planning bosses to restore some of the historic features, repair boundary walls, remove trees & overgrown shrubs and create a new path for pedestrians and cyclists which will include lighting and seating areas.

Repair work will also take place along the banks of the river, restoring the existing culvert.


The work will be a welcomed improvement to the former gas works site following a number of failed plans over the years which included ambitious plans for a new football stadium & shops.

Local residents and business owners say the work will help tidy the area up and give the area of town a better image. What are your thoughts on the plans?

Find out about fostering in Blackburn with Darwen

Ever thought about fostering? Get more information and ask any questions at a special information evening being organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The event takes place at Livesey Children's and All Age Centre on Monday, February 22 at 6.30pm..

The fostering team urgently needs people to care for babies and pre-school children, as well teenagers.

Foster carers provide vital support and guidance to young people who are unable to live with their own families and there are many different types of fostering, from short-term placements and respite for families with children with disabilities to to providing a long-term or even permanent home

For an informal chat or to receive an information pack, please contact 0800 328 6919.

A new world of possibility for local young people

Exciting job opportunities are being created for young people in Blackburn with Darwen thanks to the borough’s ambitious Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Hundreds of young people could benefit from apprenticeships in job sectors across the board to boost the local economy and give them a crucial first step into growing and established job areas, and build up local skills for the future.

The apprenticeships will be delivered within the BSF programme and have been developed by Balfour Beatty Education, the company which is building the state-of-the-art schools which will transform education and community facilities in the borough.

The apprenticeships were announced at a glittering launch at Bolton Town Hall, to celebrate the BSF partnership between Blackburn with Darwen and Bolton Councils and Balfour Beatty.

Apprenticeship opportunities will be created in a range of sectors, including agriculture and horticulture; arts, media and publishing; business, administration and law; construction, planning and the built environment; engineering and manufacturing technologies; and information and communication technology.

Chris Thayne, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for children’s services, said at the event: “We all have a shared vision in this partnership. There will be a transformation and the apprenticeship scheme will be one practical element of that transformation.

“Together we can access the elements of community wellbeing, and these elements are education, economy, inclusion and aspiration. We are bringing communities and people together and that promise is starting now.”

“At this present time, education, training and employment is so important for the development of young people in this area These new apprenticeships through the Balfour Beatty supply chain will offer the working and learning opportunities young people across Blackburn with Darwen need and as such they will form an extremely important part of what the BSF programme can deliver”

Cllr Linda Thomas, deputy leader of Bolton Council, added: “This is a huge opportunity for all our young people and for the economy. Hopefully in many years to come people will look back on today as a really important day for Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen.”

The new apprenticeship model will be rolled out to other Balfour Beatty projects throughout 2010 and will be in addition to existing opportunities and initiatives offered by Balfour Beatty. The apprenticeships will be delivered in partnership with the North West Apprenticeship Company.

Mark Howden, head of regeneration at Balfour Beatty Education, said at the event: “There will be a long-term skills legacy in the local area through these apprenticeships and real investment and planning into the future of a modern workforce.

“These schools will be made with modern materials and using modern methods, so we need to make sure we are offering modern apprenticeships.”

And Andrew McNaughton, chief operating officer for Balfour Beatty, added: “Working within this BSF partnership in Blackburn with Darwen and Bolton, we will leave behind a real skills legacy as significant as the buildings themselves.”

Work to begin on new Darwen THI scheme on Bolton Road

The restoration of another building in Darwen’s conservation area will start soon.

The Darwen Town Centre Townscape Heritage Initiative comprises of a £2m Common Fund providing by Heritage Lottery Fund and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Grants are provided towards property and environmental improvements within a designated area of the town centre.

The new scheme, at 17-21 Bolton Road, includes the reinstatement of architectural detail and repairs and improvements to the shopfronts, doors, windows and vacant floorspace.

The upper floor will be used for commercial use with the ground floor taken up by a take away and taxi office.

A grant of £132,244 has been awarded.

Councillor Alan Cottam, Executive Member for Regeneration and Environment, said: “The Darwen THI scheme seeks to reinvigorate historic buildings in Darwen that are run down and losing their original character through the removal of architectural detail and alterations.

“It is great to see another of Darwen’s historic buildings being brought back to life. They all play an important part in the unique nature of the town.”

re:fresh wins community partnership award

The unique £6m re:fresh scheme picked up the Sporting Communities award event held earlier this month.

A unique partnership between the NHS and the Council, the re:fresh scheme aims to reduce health inequalities across Blackburn with Darwen and tackle low physical activity levels of people in the borough. This followed a report released in early 2008 which revealed shocking health statistics of local people.

Since re:fresh was launched in July 2008 over 78,000 people over the age of 16 who live, work, are educated or have a GP in Blackburn or Darwen have signed up to take part in the scheme. This has translated into an overall increase in activity levels in Blackburn with Darwen as the Sport England Active People Survey of 2008/2009 revealed that Blackburn with Darwen has risen by two places since the last survey in 2005/2006.

All activities under the re:fresh scheme are free for people who sign up for a beeZ card, which is also free.

The scheme has seen the Council and the NHS work closely together to provide free leisure and support at a local level and introduce extra health trainers along with life long learning courses and healthy community partnerships to raise awareness of what is on offer to help people make healthier lifestyle choices.

Chair of NHS Blackburn with Darwen, Nick Kennedy said: “We are really proud to see the re:fresh initiative recognised at this national level. We realised that working in partnership was the only way to maximise the impact on the health and wellbeing of local people. This led to us being the first borough in the country to offer this type of support for exercise and physical activity. Now the activity levels in the borough are rising as a direct result of re:fresh, and this proves that partnership working can lead to great results for the people of Blackburn with Darwen.”

Councillor Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture for Blackburn with Darwen Council added: “This is brilliant news for everyone in the borough. The hard work that’s being done in the community has been recognised by this prestigious award. However, we are not complacent, there is still much to do to make sure the health inequalities of the people of our borough become a thing of the past.”

For more information on The Community Partnerships Awards go to www.communitypartnershipsawards.co.uk

Blackburn with Darwen Mayor’s Charity Golf competition

Blackburn with Darwen Mayor’s Charity Golf competition will take place at Blackburn Golf Club on April 1, 2010

To include Stableford competition ¾ handicap. Maximum handicap men 24 ladies 30

Prizes for the winners, in various categories, in addition to the overall winner’s shield

Tee off times have been set between 9am and midday, and 1pm until 3pm

The presentation will take place at 7pm

Entry fee is £15 per person and £7.50 for Blackburn Golf Club members.

To book tee times please contact the Blackburn with Darwen Mayor’s Office by the March 29. If you require further information and/or entry forms telephone (01254) 585229.

Fifteen go for the burn to help local children

Fifteen staff from Blackburn with Darwen Council will be fire walking next week to raise funds for local deaf children.

The team, who come from a variety of Council departments, have volunteered for the walk of their lives – a short dash over coals burning hotter than the fiercest summer day.

The money they raise will go to the East Lancashire Deaf Society to help teach sign language in schools to enable hearing and deaf children to communicate and socialise. Around 30 people in total are expected to participate in the event.

Chief executive Graham Burgess said: “Our staff do a lot of great work and fund raising for both local and national charities and I’m pleased so many have been brave enough to take up this challenge.”

The event will take place at the Knowles Arms, Pleckgate Road, Blackburn on Monday, February 15 and will start at about 6.45pm. Those taking part will be walking 20 feet (6 metres) over coals burning at 120 degrees Farenheit or 48.89 degrees Celsius.

The red hot team are:
Giuseppe Moncado, Smiera Yousaf, Janet Leeming, Mehrun Hafiz, Fiona Macauley, Lorraine Taylor and Sam Woods from the Council’s employment agency

Stuart McAuley, Adam Lohar and Mohammed Sidat from regeneration and environment

Jen Smith and Amy Gillespie from children's services

Shabir Elahi from housing

Marc Schmid and Andy Rhodes from the Council’s policy and communications team.

Blackburn with Darwen achieves 'Believing in Breastfeeding' recognition

Children's centres across the borough are celebrating after achieving a ‘Believing in Breastfeeding’ award.

The prestigious award is part of local work towards the UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative, which accredits organisations helping to promote infant feeding.

It recognises the commitment of teams working within children's centres to promote, support and protect breastfeeding.

In Blackburn with Darwen, teams working together include Little Angels, midwives, health visiting and the infant feeding team. They work to ensure health facilities and childrens centres are breastfeeding friendly places.

And to further help promote breastfeeding in the borough, a baby friendly champion has been appointed in each centre. The roles will help ensure that the children's centres retain the ‘Believing in Breastfeeding’ status by carrying out annual audits of centres, advising on the displays and information which is available.

To achieve the award, all staff have undertaken training over the last three years to raise awareness about the needs of mothers and babies and the importance of the roles that dads play.

Training has included learning about the health benefits of breastfeeding to both baby and mum, how to support and the maintenance of breastfeeding.

Another aspect of the award is ensuring that the children's centres are sensitive to the needs of breastfeeding mums and their families.

Councillor Chris Thayne, executive member for children’s services, said: “This award and the roles of baby friendly champions who will act as keyworkers will further help to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding not only for both mother and baby but to their partners, peers and families.

“Breastfeeding is the best way to give babies a good start in life, it has been proven to help support babies' immune systems and their development but also helps to reduce child hood obesity and diabetes.”

Each centre also has a breastfeeding policy which includes the WHO guidelines for the protection of breastfeeding by ensuring breast milk substitutes are not advertised.

For more information on breastfeeding and to find the children's centres nearest to where you live, contact the families information service on (01254) 667877.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

Blackburn with Darwen Council is supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.

The nationwide event which is today (Friday February 12) is run by National Energy Action (NEA) and sponsored by EDF Energy. The campaign aims to draw attention to the health problems caused by living in a cold, damp home and the help available to improve living conditions.

Once of the coldest winters in decades has seen more people struggle to cope with the rising costs of keeping their homes warm. The message the campaign is trying to get across is to seek help now if you or someone you know is struggling with energy bills as living in a poorly heated home puts you at risk of serious health problems.

For more information about home energy grants and discount schemes available to help make your home warmer and more energy efficient, contact the Council’s energy efficiency advice service on (01254) 588822.

Vision 2030 conference to discuss future

A major conference is being held to discuss what people want to see in Blackburn with Darwen over the next 20 years.

Council bosses and partners say the long-term "Vision 2030" is essential to help them shape the borough's future.

Over the last nine months hundreds of local people have been part of the research and consultation that has gone into Vision 2030.

Local people involved have been invited to take part in the important conference to give them another opportunity to have a hand in the final Vision.

The Vision has four key themes which will provide a focus to help identify priorities over the next 20 years, including: prosperous towns; safe, healthy towns; clean towns and connecting communities.

The conference, at King Georges Hall, Blackburn, will be held on Friday, February 12, and opened by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr James Hirst.

It will feature:

* An introduction to Vision 2030 from chair of Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Partnership Mike Murray
* A keynote speech from the Rt. Hon. Jack Straw M.P. on the future national and international challenges for
Blackburn with Darwen
* Presentation of key findings from consultation on Vision 2030 and the draft Vision
* A chance to record comments on the draft Vision in workshop sessions

Mike Murray, chair of Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Partnership, said: "The conference is a way of making sure voices are heard to shape the future of our borough.

"Vision 2030 is an exciting and ambitious project that has sought to engage with the public in different ways.

"We have already had some interesting debates and want to encourage more feedback at the conference to help influence the final Vision document."

For more information on Vision 2030 or to get involved in the online debates go to:
http://vision2030.bwd.public-i.tv/viewfinder_core/

Fix the potholes in Darwen - Facebook Group

Local business owner, David Scott approached Darwen Online today to help with his campaign for better roads in Darwen.

David, who was recently featured in the Lancashire Telegraph (http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/Poster_campaign_over_Darwen_s_potholes/), asked Darwen Online to help generate support for his petition by creating a Facebook Group.

The group has been set-up today to help generate members in the hope of one day submitting his petition to local MP Janet Anderson. In addition Mr Scott has been asking fellow business owners to display his posters in their shop windows, many of which have agreed having been growing increasingly concerned themselves.

"Many of the shop owners suggested that I should create a Facebook Group to help generate awareness and the majority of them have been more than happy to display my poster in their windows."

He added "The council may have some people believe it is a relatively new problem and that the recent cold weather is to blame. Whenever I've mentioned that to people they're quick to point out the old Beatles lyrics which seem to suggest otherwise!"

If you would like to show your support for the campaign please join the Facebook Group by clicking here.

If you aren't a member of Facebook you may wish to share your thoughts and show your support via our forum where local residents can have their say on local issues: click here. As you can see many of the problem areas have existed for quite a few months now and Mr Scott is hoping he can generate enough support to ensure the appropriate action is taken.

He gave us a statement to publish online for him:

"The last thing I want to do is campaign but I feel I have no choice. Our building and business is under constant, 24 hours a day tremors caused by heavy traffic hitting potholes whilst passing through Darwen on the A666 and we're already seeing structural damage to our property.

The Council say they have no funds available for resurfacing our roads and on one account our complaint was (quote) 'Not actionable as the potholes weren't deep enough' according to the Highways Department. This was despite the cobbles being clearly visible underneath the tarmac!

After mentioning the campaign, some repair work was completed but two weeks later the tarmac had lifted and the potholes returned. It took the Highways Department less than a minute to complete the work on three separate occasions.

The potholes are a problem for everyone in Darwen, whether it be transport, structural or just simply being a pedestrian.

Hopefully the people of Darwen will support this petition and air their own views and fight for the decent roads we all deserve and pay for."

Break down the barriers and get back to work in 2010

A new awareness campaign has been launched featuring two residents from the borough who have successfully found work as a result of Workroutes.

Workroutes is the best route back to work. It helps those currently unemployed to overcome any obstacles in their path - whether it is child care, training, skills or even confidence.

It brings together all the local organisations and services who can help people, whatever their circumstances. Partners include the Blackburn with Darwen Council employment agency, Jobcentre Plus, the Blackburn with Darwen Information, Advice and Guidance team.

It is hoped that their stories will be an inspiration to others who are considering going back to work but unsure how to go about it.

It follows on from the success of last year’s campaign which featured Peter and Leah.

Anne Walton, 52, from Shadsworth, had been out of work for two years as she recuperated from a neck operation. She was on incapacity benefit and decided that she wanted to get back to work so she contacted Workroutes for help.

Anne was referred to Training 2000, one of the Workroutes partners, and she completed their Impact course. It included first aid, food hygiene, health & safety as well as factors affecting health, confidence, team building, money management and career guidance.

Anne completed the course and now works at a care provider.

Sal Mehuddin, 26, of Wensley Fold, Blackburn, was claiming incapacity benefit due to suffering polio in both his hands and legs.

He had previously worked five years ago and found it hard to find a job which suited his needs. Sal got in touch with Workroutes who were helping him to find work. After a couple of months, he decided it was time to broaden his horizons and took the brave decision to go back to university.

Sal got back in touch with Workroutes once his course has finished and was advised about the help which was available to him.

He found a job as a self employed sales rep in Manchester as part of a Business Development Programme. Eventually he hopes to set up his own business.

If you would like Workroutes to help you, call (01254) 222549, email workroutes@blackburn.gov.uk or text workroutes to 60 300.

Darwen Deserves Better Roads

Roads in Darwen and Blackburn have been in a poor state of repair for years, but over the previous 18 months or so the number of potholes in Darwen seems to have increased at an alarming rate.

Yes, there has been a lot of work being carried out throughout the town including the new leisure centre, Darwen Academy and various regenerations such as those being carried out near Harwood Street. BUT is this really a valid excuse for letting the roads fall into such a sad state?


As residents of the town start to become increasingly frustrated with the poor road standards we are trying to find out "Which is the worst road in Darwen?" and are looking to compile a top 5 'worst roads' chart.

To begin with we're running a poll to see which area visitors think is worst affected by poor roads, visit http://www.darwenonline.co.uk/forum/Darwen_Roads to cast your vote.

From there we will start to ask for nominations for the worst individual road before launching a new poll. Feel free to submit photographs as supporting evidence!

You'll notice signs have started to appear in local shop windows encouraging for Darwen to unite in protest about the roads. We're encouraging visitors to contribute to an online debate and help nominate the worst affected roads in Darwen.

'Not In My Name' comes to Darwen

The highly acclaimed theatre production, “Not In My Name”, comes to Darwen Library Theatre on Monday March 1, with performances at 1pm and 7.30pm, as part of a sixty plus performance tour throughout Lancashire.

The play, written and directed by Alice Bartlett, was originally commissioned by Lancashire Constabulary under the ‘PREVENT’ counter-terrorism agenda, and is produced by the North-West company Theatre Veritae.

The play provides a catalyst for the audience, comprised primarily of young people aged 14-plus, to be able to ask questions and speak about terrorism and extremism in a safe learning environment.

The strong messages contained within the script promote racial equality, mutual understanding, and cohesion.

Alice Bartlett developed the script using actual words spoken by young people and people working in communities via interviews and workshops whilst researching the project and the story is a cautionary tale about the aftermath of a fictional terror attack in the centre of a small northern town.

Consequently, the play, hard- hitting and impactive, pulls few punches, and in a survey produced following the successful scale tour in April 2009, one impressed 15-year-old wrote – “Very well done guys, a great piece that’s informative and very thought-provoking.”

This innovative and gritty dramatic approach clearly had a positive learning effect - the 2009 survey demonstrated that of 4000 who went to the play, a massive 99% indicated that they found the work “challenging, informative and relevant”.

Supt Andy Pratt, the PREVENT lead Officer for Lancashire Police said;
“Not In My Name” in 2009 was well received by all the pupils and teaching staff throughout Lancashire . On this current tour however we would welcome not only young people but at certain venues adults such as parents and adult members of the wider community to attend. “

The success of the project has attracted significant interest beyond the Lancashire boundary and the 2010 tour will now be extended to include performances in Merseyside, Cheshire, Durham and Greater Manchester.

For details of forthcoming performances and availability please contact Theatre Veritae at info@theatreveriate.com