MANY local people attended the annual town meeting at Padiham Town Hall, among them residents of Stonemoor Bottom which became part of Padiham on April 1. Prior to that it was in Hapton.

Karin Wilson, head of the Padiham Life initiative gave a presentation and said the aim to give Padiham market town status has been achieved and a bid has been submitted to the Northwest Development Agency for funding.

This will enable three feasibility studies, one being on the planned business and enterprise drop-in centre at Ivy Bank School.

This centre would teach basic IT skills for the community. and will also be available to small businesses.

Choices on how Padiham Town Centre could be improved will be presented at a public meeting later this year.

Karin did explain it had been a slow process, which had caused much frustration, but the bid is the third one to have gone in out of 16. To speak to Karin about the Padiham Life, contact her on 01282 414800 or e-mail karinwilson@btconnect.com

THE meeting also heard from Coun John Kenyon who suggested that as a large number of allotment holders want town council to take over their management, it should be prepared to do this.

Councillors were told that Burnley Borough Council had no objection to Padiham taking over the running of the allotments.

Deputy Mayor of Burnley, Coun John Harbour, successfully proposed that a letter be sent to allotment holders seeking their views.

Community beat manager, PC Mark Jenkinson, was asked about illegal parking at schools in the morning and afternoon. He replied that all drivers causing dangerous conditions had been warned.

After the meeting, ward councillors each held surgeries.

THE Spring fayre at Gawthorpe Hall on Sunday was very popular.

The farmers market provided fresh and local produce, which was snapped up by the crowds, and the standard of goods on sale in the Handmade Crafts section was superb. Padiham can be justly proud of Gawthorpe Hall and the tourism it generates.