HIGHAMSpout

www.highamparishcouncil.com

News and Views from the Village of Higham

Festive Fun!Following the Church’s annual CarolConcert, Santa’s visit to Higham was agreat success. He arrived on a HarleyDavidson to a big cheer from the excitedchildren. 120 gift bags were handed outby Santa and hopefully he made sure thateveryone got most or all the gifts theyrequested.

The Christmas Fair was held in the villagehall with a wonderful range of lovelystalls, excellent refreshments, tombolaand raffle. Santa was in attendance andthe Church choir sang carols. It was avery enjoyable and successful day,making over £600 for the church.

The Over-60s Party [top right] was wellattended as usual, with good company,good food and entertainment from GlenSouth courtesy of the Parish Council.Many thanks to them for the opportunityto meet up with friends and catch up onnews and get into the festive spirit.

And on New Year’s Eve, The EventsCommittee held a most enjoyable event inthe Village Hall. [above, centre]

Peoplel Jean Willson has left the village afterbringing up her family here. She was wellknown for her contribution to village lifeand as long serving ‘cook’ at HighamSchool and when she retired from that, ascleaner at the Village Hall. We wish herwell in her new home.l A delightful picture of the late BillyEmmot who used to farm Higham Halland later lived at Higham House. Hisdaughter was Mary Fletcher, mother toElizabeth and the late twins Adrian &Allison. All had a deep interest in Higham.

Higham Spout is issued quarterly and paid for by Higham ParishCouncil. This issue and back copies are available online

www.highamparishcouncil.comContent is compiled and edited by Margaret Ingham who would

be grateful for any stories, photos & snippets of news and ofevents which happen and are of interest to the whole village.

m@mingham.myzen.co.uk Tel. 771296

Clean up and Slow DownThe two requests that people tell us about the most

Additional contributors;- Terry Butterfield, John Hammond, Gareth Hollinghurst,Eileen Knight, Brian Sutcliffe, Connie Quinn.

Graphic design and layout is done free of charge by JamesStarkie who is the Pendle Borough Councillor for Higham.

james.starkie@pendle.gov.ukNext issue copy deadline April 10

Village LifeNot the magazine but an open invitationfor all residents of Higham, young and old,newcomers and ‘oldtimers’ to get moreinvolved in activities in the village. It’s agreat way to make friends and help to keepthe village running. The following groups all meet regularly;- l Parish Council. Councillors areelected for four years. (see inside)l Village Hall Committee. The Hallbelongs to the village and is hired out forChurch and village events, private parties,toddler group and other groups.l Events’ Committee puts on varioussocial events throughout the year.l Tap Room Promotions.l Church, church council, choir etc.l Tearoom at village events.l Toddler group.l Helping Hands for those who need ahand with gardening, odd jobs etc. (John Birkett 773524 )l Arts & Crafts Exhibition Committee.l Scarecrow Competition.l and, to be set up this spring, a team to lead the village in the Best Kept Village competition.

Higham Village, LancashireHigham Lancashire Now and Then

Issue #22Spring 2015

HIGHAM ART AND CRAFT EXHIBITION EASTER WEEKEND OPEN GOOD FRIDAY 3rd APRIL TO EASTER MONDAY 5th APRIL

12 NOON TO 5:30PM DAILY. ENTRANCE FEE : £2 FOR ADULTS AND FREE FOR CHILDRENWORKING CRAFTS AND REFRESHMENTS EACH DAY IN THE VILLAGE HALL

WE WILL BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP ~ EITHER WITH STEWARDING OR IN THE TEA ROOM.ALSO DONATIONS OF HOME MADE CAKES GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

l Margaret Almond has lived in andaround Higham for most of her life. Shewas born and raised at Low house Farm,Northwood on 6th December 1924.She later married Fred and ventured outto Lyon, France, taking all they wouldneed and a 1 year old child, on a motorbike and sidecar! They returned after afew years in 1955 to live at 1 Town Gate.Margaret was postmistress for 20 years.She then retired and continued with herhobby pottery painting. She was one ofthe original entrees at the HighamExhibition, which became an annual eventfor her until 5 years ago.

She celebrated her birthday with a lunchat the Fence Gate, followed by an openafternoon at home.Margaret would like to thank everyonewho called on that day for the cards andpresents and for making her 90th abirthday to remember.

BirthChris and Louise Eccles of BarkerfieldClose received an early Christmas presentwhen their son, William James, arrivedearlier than expected on 12th December.A happy surprise for both sets of grand-parents, Christine and John Metcalfe andJanet and Clive Eccles. Congratulations.

Aiming to get fitter? There’s no needto leave the village. l Zumba at the Village Hall on Mondays 10-11am and Fridays 9.30-10.30am with Chris.l Boot Camp [above] on the playingfields on Saturday mornings withAdrian Blackledge 771233.l Country Dancing with 3As in theVillage Hall on Wednesday afternoonsl Walk round the tops each day

(about an hour) or to Fence and back(1 mile approx. each way)l Table tennis in the Village Hall onMonday evenings.Aiming to take up new interests?l Gardening clubl Herb societyl Burnley film clubl CB radio clubl Pub quiz. Mondays at 8pm.

More details onwww.highamparishcouncil.com

Parish CouncilHello. Another year and more new tasks ahead. You willbe pleased to hear high speed fibre optic broadband is nowlive in Higham. The Seniors’ Christmas party was againa huge success and from those who attended, a big thankyou to all our helpers. There was a good turnout for Santaand a dry night. He came by Harley Davison this yearand went home on the bus! It was great to see everyonehaving a good time. The builders are all but complete onClover Croft. The site cabins are all gone and the groundsoiled over. The fencing must stay till Spring, when thearea will be seeded. As reported in the last Spout, it wasdecided to enter the Best Kept Village Competition again.Personally, I feel that we will be wasting our time becausethere are piles of dog excrement on pavements all over thevillage and the playing fields. I feel sorry for theresponsible pet owners let down by lazy, irresponsible, socalled dog lovers. And, be aware the dog warden is about. SOME PEOPLE DO NOT CARE ABOUT HIGHAMBUT I DO, ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHERS. p.s. If the people responsible for failing to clean up aftertheir dogs read and take notice, I will have nothing towrite about Regards, Mike

Vacancy for Parish ClerkThe ideal candidate will be highly motivated and havegood organisational skills. The person will need to be

computer literate and have a good knowledge of keepingaccounts. Duties include publishing meeting agendas,

producing minutes, liaising with outside bodies, actioning the Council's decisions and managing the

finances of the Council.Hours are approximately 16 hours per month includingone evening monthly meeting. The successful candidate

will be required to work from home.Remuneration is negotiable according to ability and relevant experience. Applicants should send CV and

covering letter to Cllr. M. Tetley, 1 Hambledon Terrace,Higham, Burnley, BB12 9BN.

Tel: 773450 e-mail: chairman@highamparishcouncil.com

Council ElectionsThursday May 7 is Election Day this year, and votes willbe cast in the Village Hall for the Member of Parliamentand the Pendle Borough Councillor. Additionally, the

four-yearly cycle for eight Parish Councillors is this yearand all incumbents are due for election. Cllr. Bernard

Ingham has indicated his intention not to seek re-election so nominations will be required to fill theeight positions. In the event of more than 8 names

coming forward, an election will take place. Otherwisethe vacancies will be filled by co-option. Please consider

the democracy of local government, help shape the future of Higham and put your name forward.

Details will appear on the Noticeboards or speak to any Councillor.

Next Meetings: February 17, March 17 &April 21 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Clover Croft Mill Development completed

Higham’s largest building project since the seventies cameto a conclusion in January. Clover Croft had lain emptyfor several years after its use as a cotton mill had ceased: itsaw further life as a furniture showroom but in the early2000s, the site was given permission for housing. Part ofthat permission was that the building nearest the pubshould echo elements of the old structure, hence the “up

and down, in and out” nature of the elevations. Work proper started about six years ago and it is believedthat all dwellings are now sold. It has been a financialwindfall for the village, with over £60,000 being receivedand more importantly, the addition of over thirty newfamily households adding to the vitality and sustainabilityof Higham. Welcome to you all!

Home Library“I run the Lancashire County Council Home LibraryService for Burnley and Padiham areas. It’s for people whoare housebound due to age,poor health,mobility or whoare carers. The service is a door to door delivery every 3weeks, delivered by volunteers in their own cars. I selectthe library items and pack in special bags for each reader.At the moment we only visit one lady on Halmote Ave. inHigham. My volunteers and I wondered if there might beother residents who might benefit from this service. I hopewe might be able to help some residents in Higham.

Thank you.” Sandra McGowan Home Library Service Manager

Email: burnley.hls@lancashire.gov.uk Tel. 463761 or 437115

Church Appeal for Urgent Building Repairs

Once again the children of Higham St. John’s put on twomagnificent shows to delight parents and the community.Over the course of the two weeks, over 800 peoplecrammed into our school hall to see the infant nativity, ‘AnEmpty Stable’ and the junior production of ‘Aladdin’. Thefeedback once again was wonderful and our little starsshone brightly. To end the term and bring in Christmas,we also held a Carol Service in St. John’s Church, wherethe children sang beautifully.

As we turn our attention to the Spring term, we have lotsof exciting events planned, in-cluding another of our famousLondon trips, a residential tripto Patterdale and a host ofsporting events. If you wantregular updates of the excitingthings that go on each day atyour local school, why nothave a look at on us Twitter.

Another ‘Tap Room Promotions’ Triumph!Nick Saunders and members of Taproom Promotions heldanother well attended event at the Village Hall andgenerously donated £750 of the proceeds to PendlesideHospice in gratitude for the care given to Chris Crowtherand Susan Blezard, and continued care to Pat Stoney andother villagers. Well done to all!

www.twitter.com/highamschool

2255St. John’sHIGHAM

Appeal

Top left: In the 1950s there were several outbuildings in the pub car park. Top right: Whilst in use for selling furniture, note that the chimney had been lowered.Above left: Eight years ago, Cllr. James Starkie shows Andrew Stephenson (MP) the rubble. Above right: Here we see phase 3 being built.

Below L-R: Recent pictures show the site of the compound, now removed; the new track that links Higham Hall Road to Croft Lane and the finished elevation.

The defibrillator attached to the side ofthe Four Alls will have been up for ayear shortly and thankfully it has notbeen needed. However it is due for itsannual service and training update onfirst aid for any interested villagers.Look out for notices.

The Gables of the church all require repointing whichincludes replacing the lead flashing and soakers whereappropriate also the ridge tiles all require re bedding, allessential work as identified in the last Quinquenial reportwhich is basically a surveyors report on the fabric of theChurch carried out every five years. The ingress of water hasnow become evident causing damage to the plasterworkinside the Church, which will have to be repairs once thework has been undertaken to make the building watertight.

The cost is in the region of £25,000 on top of the annualrunning cost of the church which is in the region of £36,000so we have a cash crisis at present, some grant aid has beensecured and more is being applied for, you can help bysupporting any of the fund raising events being planned forthe coming months or by making a donation. A new fundraising committee is to be formed shortly tolaunch an appeal for 25 people to contribute £1000 eachand interest has already been pledged.