May I offer my thanks to the 3,000 good people of Darwen who joined Blackburn with Darwen Council's centenary celebration of Darwen Tower.

The level of support received for the event on Sunday, June 22, was unprecedented and a true indication of the importance Darwen folk place on the freedom to roam the beautiful moorland surrounding the town.

Their attendance on Sunday was a credit to our forefathers who fought for that freedom and was a splendid display of gratitude to the family of Richard James Whalley, the tower's architect, who had travelled from the USA for the celebration.

The number of people, young and old, who attended the celebration far exceeded our expectations and unfortunately we were unable to offer souvenir certificates, rock and badges to all who attended on the day.

On behalf of leisure, sport and cultural services, may I apologise to all those people who did not receive their mementoes and thank them for their patience.

However, extra souvenirs are now being printed and manufactured and will be given out within about a month to those who did not receive them on the day.

To obtain them people need to leave their name and address at Darwen Information Centre.

I would also like to thank the various media, including the Citizen, for their coverage of the occasion, which has added to the overall importance of this milestone in Darwen's history.

May I once again issue my sincere gratitude to everyone who joined in the celebration and apologise again for any inconvenience.

Councillor Eileen Entwistle

Blackburn with Darwen Council

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