A VICAR of a parish where a controversial care home is set to open has appealed to residents to put the children's welfare first.

Rural Dean, the Rev John Armes, vicar of St Mary and All Saints, Goodshaw, wrote to parishioners about the publicity given to the plan for Moorland View, a former nursing home on Burnley Road, Dunnockshaw.

Residents formed an association and have held meetings, raised petitions and organised a motor cavalcade to Burnley to voice objections.

Mr Armes says: "I, for one, am grateful to the Dunnockshaw Residents Association for highlighting the inadequate level of supervision proposed in the new children's home.

"They question whether private enterprise is the appropriate way to care for the most damaged children in our society.

"This must underline for many of us, our unease about our nation's treatment of children in care, whether public or private. "Children in care are among the most vulnerable people in our national community and they deserve the very best."

He talks about the fluorescent 'NO' posters which can been seen in houses from Clowbridge to Crawshawbooth and questions what the campaign is out to achieve.

"Are you really saying: 'Not in my back yard?'" he asks.

"If the home is not opened, will you celebrate victory and then return to life as normal in your close-knit community?

"Or having exposed a disturbing truth about our national culture are you prepared to fight for a better deal for children in care, wherever they happen to live.

"But, what if the battle is 'lost' and the home is opened? Here is an even greater challenge.

"Will you have the grace to swallow your opposition and to welcome new members to our community offering them the friendship that Rossendale folk are so good at giving to others? After the DRA campaign things ought never to be the same again."

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