Hyndburn's Community-Owned Environmental Charity
For more information on the location and details of the woodlands that are in the project then use the links below.
Map showing the location of the woodlands: LocationsMap showing woodland Locations
Details of each woodland: Image and brief summary description of each of the 8 woodland sites
It is with sadness that we report that Bernard passed away on 15th October 2019 aged 72. As anyone who knew Bernard will know, he was one of the driving forces behind the Church Prospects Panel for many many years. Without Bernard and the rest of the Church Panel there would be no Donkey Back Picnic Site, Gatty Park Community Growing Space or Prospects Tools Store (now at Oakhill Park).
As well as supporting the Church Panel for many years, Bernard then went on to set up the Hyndburn Heritage Museum which is now in Accrington Arndale Centre.
Bernard and his vine at Gatty Park (Sep 2007)
For the 2nd year running Rotarians in Lancashire are collecting your old, unwanted coats and giving them to charities that support the homeless, refugees, children living in poverty and people fleeing domestic violence (to name a few) and our very own Windfall Fund has supported the project.
Any size, style, colour of men’s, women’s and children’s coats will be greatly appreciated. All donations will then be sorted and delivered to our nominated charity partners, for distribution to those in need just in time for winter.
Help keep vulnerable people warm this winter by donating a coat this Winter!
Go to www.wrapuplancashire.co.uk to find a collection point near you
We have started an ink toner and cartridge recycling scheme. Please drop off your empty toner and ink cartridges in our collection box at the PROSPECTS Environment Centre in Accrington and we will ensure they are processed and recycled in the UK according to all current environmental waste regulations.
The cartridges will be recorded and sorted according to brand and re-usability. Re-usable cartridges will be re-manufactured and re-used. Non-reusable cartridges will be broken down and separated into raw materials such as plastic, metals and toner then re-used in other industries.
Wednesday October 23rd
Meet at Tesco, Queen Street, Great Harwood, BB6 7AT by the steps entrance by the bus stop at 9.50am
Wear suitable clothing and footwear
A group led by professional photographer Matt Gartside went on a walk around The Coppice Local Nature Reserve to learn some photography tips and take photos of the sunset as well as the sites of the reserve. Luckily the weather was fine and a good sunset was seen over Accrington with everyone getting some useful tips for there future photos.
The partnership between the Canal and River Trust and The PROSPECTS Foundation is proving a huge success.
Barbara Sharples, Activity Organiser at PROSPECTS explained, “In just three months the Volunteer Workparty has made a real difference. We have cleared an overgrown bed near the Canal Café at Rishton and planted it with cottage herbaceous plants to attract butterflies and bees, uncovered a set of steps and the picnic area at Tottleworth Bridge entrance, cleaned up cobbled areas and exposed towpath edges, cleared a lot of vegetation to improve the towpath for walkers and cyclists in Clayton-le-Moors where we also removed a huge amount of ivy from a boundary wall. The PROSPECTS Foundation is pleased to be working alongside the Canal and River Trust during our 21st Anniversary year.”
“We meet at 10am on the first and third Wednesday of every month and people turn up and stay for as long as they can. We aim to finish around 2pm and have a 20 minute lunch break. Towpath works is ideal if you want to volunteer on your local canal, but need the flexibility to fit that volunteering around a busy lifestyle.
“There are many benefits to volunteering alongside water and the canal. You get to meet and speak to new people, you become more active and take regular exercise, have some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you, it enhances your self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life and participation in social and community life makes people happier.”
Gary Wilkinson, Volunteer Team Leader for the Canal and River Trust, added ”Tasks vary at each location and can include hedge-planting, weeding gardens, litter-clearance from land and water or repairing towpaths.
“In August we will be improved the towpath entrances and mooring at Bridge No 114B at the junction of Chequers and Whalley Road in Clayton-le-Moors so we will be painting bollards, restoring the triangular information board and inserting publicity information at future events. At each location the tasks depend on what’s most needed in that area.
“On arrival we run through what’s to be done that day and volunteers select the task that appeals most to them. We try to make sure the task is suited to an individual’s ability and remain on hand throughout the session to provide help, advice and the all-important tea and biscuits.”
Volunteers should let Barbara or Gary know if they are attending in advance, so they can look out for them and let them know of any last-minute changes. Volunteers should wear suitable outdoor clothing they don’t mind getting mucky or snagged. Sturdy shoes are a must. If they are volunteering from 10-2 they should take a packed lunch but a hot drink ior water are provided. Wear waterproof clothing or sunscreen — depending on the weather. You do not need any tools as all tools and equipment are provided for the tasks to be undertaken on the day.
People wishing to volunteer can contact Gary Wilkinson via mobile 07483 341 954 or email gary.wilkinson@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Would you like to meet new people, enjoy some healthy exercise in the great outdoors and make a difference to your local canal? Volunteering on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Hyndburn could be just the thing you’re looking for.
On 1st May a new Towpath Team for Hyndburn was launched. The launchtook place alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Rishton Bridge No 108A, Hermitage Street, Rishton opposite the Canal Café. The launch format was the first ‘Hyndburn Work party’ session.
Barbara Sharples, Activity Organiser at PROSPECTS explained, “There are Towpath Taskforce Volunteer Teams for Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Colne so we felt Hyndburn was missing out. Several of the PROSPECTS Panels, including Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Church PROSPECTS Panels, have done a lot of work on sections of the canal over the years. The PROSPECTS Foundation is pleased to be working alongside the Canal and River Trust to start up a Hyndburn team of volunteers during our 21st Anniversary year.
“The canal enters Hyndburn at Whitebirk, where the retail park occupies the site of Blackburn’s former power station. It leaves Hyndburn near Altham Barn Bridge No 118 so we have a large area to cover and plenty to do. Initially we will be working on urban sections and key entrances to the canal towpath where work is most needed but eventually, we hope to include some of the more rural sections.”
Towpath Taskforce is ideal if you want to volunteer on your local canal, but need the flexibility to fit that volunteering around a busy lifestyle. This way you can go along whenever you’re free, whether that’s once a month or more regularly.
Gary Wilkinson, Volunteer Team Leader for the Canal and River Trust added, ”Tasks vary on a regular basis and can include lock-painting, hedge-planting, weeding gardens, litter-clearance from land and water, repairing towpaths and more – depending on what’s most needed in that area.
“On arrival volunteers will be greeted by myself and I will run through what’s to be done that day, assign tasks and demonstrate the safe use of any equipment. I will help to make sure the task is suited to an individual’s ability and be on hand throughout the session to provide help, advice and the all-important tea and biscuits.
“Volunteers should let us know they are coming in advance, so we can look out for them and let them know of any last-minute changes. They should wear suitable outdoor clothing they don’t mind getting mucky or snagged. Sturdy shoes are a must. For full day sessions they should bring a packed lunch and we will provide a hot drink but they may also want to bring their own. Wear waterproof clothing or sunscreen — depending on the weather. They do not need to bring any tools as all tools and equipment are provided for the tasks to be undertaken on the day.”
Danielle Kay, a medicinal herbalist, took a group for a forage walk on Woodnook Vale. Once fruits, berries and seeds had been gathered the group returned to Oakhill Park to make Elderberry Syrup, Fruit Oxymels, Nettle Seed energy balls, Hawthorn Berry tea and fruit squash. The group had an enjoyable time and went home with some treats for the Winter months.
On Saturday 6th July the Panel, in conjunction with the Foundation, ran a stall at the annual Rishton Festival. We were blessed with wonderful weather which meant a bumper turnout to the event. On our stall we attracted lots of children who wanted to decorate the hazel cookies that Woody Hyndburn had donated to us. We gave out lots of local walk leaflets as well as talking to people about the work of the Rishton Panel.
On 20th June 2019 Prospects attended the annual Schools Eco Conference which was held at Ewood Park Blackburn. Schools from all over Lancashire attended and Prospects ran a workshop to make butterfly feeders and also had a stall to promote our work to teachers and pupils.
A task with Great Harwood Rotary Club planting trees to make a small copse by the health centre
