Thank you to everyone who contributed to all the fantastic Coronation events that took place in Pendle over the weekend! I was pleased to join a number of celebrations of our new King, Charles III.
Nelson Town Council’s event was very well attended and I had great fun at the Roughlee Village Coronation Day event with performances from the Malkin Morris Cloggers, the Barrowford Community Choir and many others. I also attended Coronation weekend events in Barley, Colne, Foulridge and Trawden and rounded the festivities off watching A Right Royal Screening on the Big Screen on Laneshaw Bridge Recreation Ground. That was after I’d dried off from being soaked by sponges after being put in the stocks in Barley village!
Organising these events takes hard work and community spirit, so thank you to all those who made them happen and allowed people all across Pendle to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation in style.
Back down in Westminster, I was pleased to welcome Pendle resident and member of the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service Chris Jowett and his colleague Lindsay for a tour of Parliament. They were down to attend a reception with the Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street to thank Chris, Lindsay and others from the UK’s International Search and Rescue Team that was deployed to Turkey following the recent earthquakes. It was humbling to hear about the work they have done, not just in Turkey but around the globe. The UK’s International Search and Rescue Team have saved countless lives and its members can be incredibly proud of their service.
In other news, I’ve received an update from Cash Access UK this week on their work to set up a new Banking Hub in Barnoldswick, following Barclays deeply regrettable decision to close what was the last branch in town. Banking Hubs are being set up to respond to the loss of bank branches we’re seeing due to more people banking online. Different banks staff the Hub each day of the week ensuring access to banking services and local choice too.
Cash Access have advised that a proposed site for the Barnoldswick Banking Hub has been identified. They are now in the final stages of negotiating the lease. I’ll continue keeping he pressure up on Cash Access to ensure the new Hub opens as soon as possible.
