Helping to create a better Simonstone

Are you interested in developing the quality of life for Simonstone residents?
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jan 2015, 06:00 BST
Mayor and Mayoress of the Ribble Valley Coun. Michael Ranson and Janette Ranson, company clerk of the Royal Regina Rifles Corporal Stacey Bouck, standard bearers John McCarthy and Leonard Key, deputy lieutenant Michael Kershaw and parish council chairman David Peat, at the new war memorial outside St Peter's Church, Simonstone.Mayor and Mayoress of the Ribble Valley Coun. Michael Ranson and Janette Ranson, company clerk of the Royal Regina Rifles Corporal Stacey Bouck, standard bearers John McCarthy and Leonard Key, deputy lieutenant Michael Kershaw and parish council chairman David Peat, at the new war memorial outside St Peter's Church, Simonstone.
Mayor and Mayoress of the Ribble Valley Coun. Michael Ranson and Janette Ranson, company clerk of the Royal Regina Rifles Corporal Stacey Bouck, standard bearers John McCarthy and Leonard Key, deputy lieutenant Michael Kershaw and parish council chairman David Peat, at the new war memorial outside St Peter's Church, Simonstone.

During the last few months we have enjoyed a number of successful community events in the village of Simonstone.

In November about 120 people attended the dedication and act of remembrance relating to local soldiers killed in the two World Wars, the culmination of over a year’s work by Simonstone Parish Council, St Peter’s Church, local industry, local historians, the library and borough council, supported by the Canadian Army and Household Cavalry Association.

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In December, 250 residents celebrated the Dedication of the Village Christmas Tree, jointly facilitated by St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s School, the Guides, Brownies, Rotary and Simonstone Parish Council.

We also hosted the annual senior citizens’ party, providing over 60 meals, served by local people, and also with entertainment.

Reflecting on these events, historians have offered to lead a history walk around the village, themed on the First World War, probably in April or May. The parish council is investigating the options for a travelling theatre company to perform a family-suitable play, or plays, later this year.

We are also working with others to try to make the former railway track in the village available to walkers and others.

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While there are a number of social and cultural organisations linked to the village relating to the library, church, school, the joint fete with Read and some sports, the parish council thought it would assist to know which organisations exist and if there are any unmet demands for interest groups for residents locally. It could be chess, theatre, facilities for the young or not so young, but please let us know.

The parish council would like to know if residents are currently in organisations or are interested in trying to form new social groups and would be interested in meeting the parish council to facilitate this.

If nothing else, we can log local social/cultural organisations, or hopefully assist with expertise or modest pump priming support to improve the social and cultural life of our village through meeting unmet needs in this area.

Please reply by writing to Roger Hirst, Clerk to Simonstone Parish Council at 24 Ennerdale Road, Clitheroe BB7

2PB; telephone 01200 428742 or email [email protected]

David Peat

Chairman, Simonstone Parish Council