TWO former councillors who have immersed themselves in community work since arriving in Hyndburn 14 years ago are leaving the area.

Husband-and-wife team Bill Goldsmith and Sheelagh Delaney are moving to Cumbria - where they expect to become involved in local issues, once they are settled.

The couple, of Garsden Avenue, Knuzden, served on Hyndburn Council for 12 years. Council chiefs have applauded Bill as "a champion of minority communities" and praised Sheelagh for her campaigning on health issues.

Sheelagh starts a new job on Tuesday as learning support programme manager at Carlisle College.

She has arranged temporary accommodation in Carlisle, but Bill will stay on in Knuzden for the time being until they find a new home.

Bill was a member of Hyndburn and Rossendale Racial Equality Council for 12 years and eventually took over as chairman until the group closed last year. He initially served as a magistrate in Church before becoming a JP in Accrington. Bill was instrumental in setting up a club for elderly people in Knuzden called the Cabin Enders, which is still going strong.

Sheelagh will give up her post as vice-chairman of Blackburn, Hyndburn and RIbble Valley community health council. The post comes up for re-election at the end of August and she has announced she will not be standing. She was also involved in a campaign to save maternity wards at Accrington Victoria Hospital from closure.

The couple, who moved to Hyndburn in 1985 from the Fleetwood area, are members of the Oswaldtwistle Residents Against Toxic Emissions group, set up following leaks from the Nipa Laboratories chemical factory.

Sheelagh said: "We have met such a lot of people in East Lancashire who get involved in campaigns and do good work. They're not just councillors, but people who do things behind the scenes."

Bill plans to become a magistrate in Cumbria once they get settled.

A Hyndburn Council spokesman said: "The council would like to record its thanks to Bill and Sheelagh for their distinguished work on behalf of the people of Hyndburn."

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