BARLICKERS who have made an outstanding contribution to the town were honoured at a special ceremony.
The Pride of Barnoldswick Awards were held during the Town Council’s annual meeting after nominations had been made by local people.
Presenting the awards, vice chairman Lindsay Gaskell said: “It’s fantastic that so many people have made such contributions to our town, including young people and those less able than others. Barnoldswick is truly proud of these outstanding citizens.”
Allan Buck represented Barnoldswick on both town and borough councils for several years and was the first Mayor of Pendle from Barnoldswick for a long time. He became know as the “Walking Mayor”, promoting West Craven through many outdoor initiatives. These include the renowned Beating the Bounds walk and stone boundary markers throughout West Craven. He has also done a lot to promote business in Barnoldswick and instigated the borough’s business awards event.
Hugh Lawrence was commended for his contribution to the town as the first chairman of the newly established Barnoldswick in Bloom group, which was successful in the town’s first entry into the regional “In Bloom” scheme.
Hugh has also been horticulturally involved with the Garden Gate Association and is a principle worker with young people through the Bloom initiative.
Graham Cartwright was nominated as “an enthusiastic supporter of many Barnoldswick activities who has overcome many difficulties to play an active part in the life of the town.”
In the last year, Graham made an outstanding contribution to Barnoldswick in Bloom and has also been a helper at the Barnoldswick Beach event and involved with the local disability forum and Garden Gate Association.
Alan Thomas chaired the hospital mini-bus committee for many years, not just driving but using his mechanical skills to keep the bus on the road. His dedication has helped keep the vital service available for local people over many years.
Wendy Ranwell was thanked for helping to transform Barnoldswick’s street scene with her renovation of the new Bravo shop on Rainhall Road. Nominators said the opening up of windows on the rear and side walls had introduced greater interest for passers-by and added to an intriguing town centre for visitors.
Retired teacher Joan Plumb was praised for her church and Girl Guiding volunteer work, as well as her central role in the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Member of a Barnoldswick band who are helping to put the town on the music map were also commended.
Sam Curran, Chris Dickin and Lewis Rennision, better known as Effluence, have had air time on regional and national radio with regular attention on BBC.
They were number four in a national “bands to look out for” survey, have been signed by Music Cuisine and got 10 out of 10 in the Independent Music Magazine.
Teenager Tom Whipp has been a regular volunteer at events and activities in Barnoldswick for many years, at the Barlick Beach and Switch On events, getting his hands dirty with Bloom activities and as a key member of the technical team running the town’s Centre Screen Cinema. Tom is also one of the few people to have walked the annual Beating the Bounds route each year.
Through his photography, Gus Brennan promotes Barnoldswick with a passion and his photos of daily life in the town are seen across the world.
Nominators said the digital camera was invented for Gus and he uses it well to ensure everyone knows what’s going on in the town.
John Langtree has been a volunteer at St Andrew’s House for two years where he helps serve breakfast and chats to the residents. At Christmas, John arranged for friends to sing carols at the home, which was greatly appreciated by residents and staff.
Coun. Gaskell said: “It’s lovely to meet a young man who is so caring and helps others less able than he is.
John thoroughly deserves recognition for giving his time and energies for others.”
Trustees and volunteers in the cancer support group Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends were commended for all the work they do in the area. This does not just include the tremendous amount of money raised and used to help people locally, but the caring support offered to families affected by serious illness.
Two founder members of the Barnoldswick Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Phyllis Hartley and Paul Redfearn, collected an award on behalf of all the people who have kept the group alive and well over the years, especially as it is now the only such society left in the area.
Joan Shaw and her green fingers have played a major role in improving the environment of Barnoldswick. She has dedicated a great part of her life to helping run the town’s horticultural society, been a long-standing member of the local allotments committee, and a key member of the park friends group at Valley Gardens. She has also helped run a local flower arranging group and, in her spare time, assisted Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends raise funds.
Margaret Bell was a founder member of Barnoldswick Town Council in 1987 and represented the town on Pendle Council for two decades. During this time she was a strong representative for residents, campaigning for many improvements in the town. Nominators said her greatest legacy is the work carried out at Victory Park following a 10-year campaign for improvements.
Susan Harman was commended for taking on the job of organising the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Barnoldswick last year. As well as leading the team to collect a significant amount for the charity, Susan also organised a successful concert at Holy Trinity to help mark the organisation’s 90th anniversary.
Susan is also a very active member of the congregation at Holy Trinity Church and a volunteer with Barnoldswick’s community cinema at the Rainhall Centre and Bosom Friends.