Latest News....
Village Garage
The village committee has rented a plot on the Council garage site for some time and a garage has now been obtained for storage of committee equipment currently stored in garages, spare bedrooms etc around the village. The garage will also as a base for serving refreshments for social events held on the recreation ground.
The garage has been funded by The Big Lottery Fund with additional funding from Hyndburn Borough Council. No village committee funds were used in either drawing up garage plans, submitting the planning application, purchase of the garage and fitments or any other aspect of the project.
Clearing out the pond...
The attached photo was taken a couple of weeks ago, of Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Prospects Foundation staff and volunteers wading in and clearing the bullrushes from the village pond. Well done to all those involved for helping to make our village a nicer place for all our residents, including the ducks!
News from Belthorn Primary School
Belthorn Primary School has applied to become an Academy under the Academies Act 2010. The school has held meetings with staff, and has been keeping pupils informed throughout the process. The school is also interested in forging greater community links with the village and this is indeed one of the principles of an Academy.
An Academy is essentially an independent school which is funded by the state. It is independent of the Local Authority and receives its funding direct from central government. Previously Academies tended to replace schools which had poor results or otherwise needed to improve. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH BELTHORN SCHOOL.
Under the Academies Act 2010 Belthorn School became eligible to apply for Academy status because it is a good school with outstanding features (Ofsted). Academy status for Belthorn Primary School will not change Belthorn except in ways which will improve the school even more. For pupils it is unlikely that they will see much, if any, change in their day to day school lives.
Academies do have the power to vary their curriculums and vary the length of the school day although these steps are not intended to be taken. The Governors believe this is the right move for the children, parents, local community and all those associated with the school. It will not alter the way the school is managed or the character and ethos of the school but will give Belthorn the flexibility and resources to continue to make this the successful school it is.
Dog Mess
Numerous requests have been made for dog owners to be more responsible for any mess their dog makes particularly in public areas such as pavements and on the Recreation Area which is an area for the children of the village to enjoy. The village’s various children’s football teams train on the Recreation Area and the dog waste is not only a health hazard to the children but also to all those who wish to enjoy the Recreation space.
Please could dog owners who walk their dogs or allow them to roam on the recreation ground please clean up the waste they produce so as to keep the areas clean and free from unwanted dog waste. There are numerous dog bins in and around the village for the waste.
If anybody notes any stray dogs or unsupervised dogs in the village these should be reported to the local dog wardens either in Blackburn or Hyndburn:
Blackburn Dog Wardens 01254 585397 Hyndburn Dog Wardens 01254 388111
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