A COMMUNITY organisation set up eight years ago to develop Colne as an attractive and thriving area that promotes its heritage and provides a good quality of life for residents and visitors has been wound up.
Colne Connected drew together people from across the town and formed working relationships with Pendle Council, Colne Town Council and other community groups and agencies.
But at last week’s annual meeting, it was announced the group’s management committee had decided to call it a day.
A statement from chairman the Rev. Tony Rindl said: “It has been a difficult decision by the management committee to wind down, but this had to an extent been forestalled by the creation of a town council whose objectives were broadly similar to our own.
“Increasingly we had found meetings rather than actions were predominating, and we felt there was a need to release the few volunteers to engage individually in activities associated with our action plan.”
Among the things Colne Connected was involved in during its eight years were:
l The conversion of run-down Richmond Court in the town centre into the smart area it is today.
l The floodlighting of the railway viaduct at night.
l The distribution of long-life shopping bags to recognise climate concerns and reduce the number of plastic bags used by shoppers.
l The refurbishment of an ancient drinking well in Emmott Lane, Laneshaw Bridge.
l Supporting a plan for borehole improvements at Ball Grove Nature Reserve.
l Lobbying for the improvements to Shackleton Hall and gateway roads into town.
l Keeping the Discover Pendle centre at Boundary Mill.
The legacy report presented at the AGM said: “Having reached the reluctant decision to close the organisation, we were faced with not just recognising what had been achieved but making sure a future legacy is in place.
“Consequently the new Action Plan will be delivered to the Colne Area Committee of Pendle Council, to Colne Town Council and to the village parish councils for them to take forward the relevant actions that fall in their remit.
“It is the document which sets out those actions which will continue to develop the Vision for Colne and places the responsibility for its deliverance upon each of the councillors in those bodies.
“One hopes the public will be watching their response to it and hold them to account.”
The minutes of the AGM also contained a thanks from Pendle Council’s town centres manager Hanna Latty, who said: “I thank Colne Connected for their hard work, support and commitment they have shown to Colne and surrounding villages for eight years.
“Much has been achieved by a relatively small group of experienced and thoroughly commitment individuals. Colne has been lucky to have you.
“Hopefully, your new action plan will still be delivered via other organisations.”