HUNDREDS of people ignored the damp weather to visit Padiham's charity market on Saturday.

One stall was run by the Mayor and Mayoress of Padiham and the civic couple were kept busy selling goods to raise money for their chosen charities.

At the other end of the market the Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley were also busy raising money.

Two talented face painters were also very busy with children queuing up to become their favourite characters.

THE Gawthorpe festival was also held on Saturday and people braved the weather to get involved in the spirit of the event by dressing to the 50s theme in ankle socks, Brylcream, ponytails and circular skirts.

The event was sponsored by the Marsden Building Society.

SUNDAY saw the finale of Padiham's 2002 sports week. The sports grounds were packed with people enjoying themselves. The tug-of-war was popular, as was the all-day barbecue.

This was a day for families to enjoy and they certainly entered into the spirit of things. The brass band was warmly applauded and a trouble-free beer tent did good business. It was a very successful end to an action-packed week and the organisers and helpers -- all of them volunteers -- are to be praised for their efforts.

THE next major event for Padiham is the Mayor's Ball on Saturday, August 17, at Padiham Town Hall, 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

PADIHAM Football Club has a splendid sports bar and function room which is not only open on match days, but is available for private hire. Ring 01282 778831/771963 for details.

PADIHAM schools reopened this week. Pristine children in brand new uniforms were in evidence all over the town. Gawthorpe High School has a new layout, having had builders in for the last five weeks. Staff were issued with maps and guides to enable them to find their classrooms.

A POP quiz, held at the Bridge House pub, Hapton, was well attended and raised funds for the village's environmental group, to enable the good work they do to be expanded.

COUNTY Councillor Steve Large expressed concern at a meeting at county hall that the proposed visit to the Hapton Colliery site to consider the possibility of agreeing to an animal waste incinerator plant being built there would be held during Burnley's September holidays.

His concerns were felt to be valid and it is hoped that both the site visit and the planning meeting which will consider the proposal will be held in November.

Councillor Andy Tatchell is delighted with this move.

HAPTON Parish Council held their first meeting after the summer break on Tuesday night.