Haslingden being ‘restored to former glory’ as £2.3m Lottery project begins

Residents will soon see shop fronts being renovated and restored back to their former glory – the first phase of a £2.3m lottery project.

Haslingden 2040 Vision, a consortium project led by rossendale-council>Rossendale Council, was awarded money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in the summer of 2021. As well as improving the appearance of shops on Haslingden’s main Higher Deardengate, there will also be extensive public realm work carried out around the Big Lamp.

Rossendale West County Councillor, Rossendale Borough Councillor and a member of Haslingden 2040 Strategic Partnership Board Samara Barnes said: “I am delighted that, after all the hard work that has been going on behind the scenes, the public are now going to see work starting in the town with the first shop fronts being renovated.

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It was a major achievement by all concerned to secure the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant and it will make a positive impact on the town. We were allocated the money because the bid had the backing of all parties and the community and the funders could see what a huge difference it would make to Haslingden.”

A number of community engagement projects have also been held to encourage families and local residents to get involved with the work and learn more about the heritage of the town.

These include an Eid party at Haslingden Library when families were invited to a free event where there was henna hand painting, a workshop saw children building and decorating their own mosque, there was a reading of a Mister Men/Little Miss Happy Eid, a treasure hunt and traditional food.

To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, an afternoon tea was held for Friends Reminisce in Haslingden Library with flowers from local florist Buds to Bloom and food from Cissy Greens.

Chair of Friends Reminisce Carole Watchorn said: “The opportunity to get together socially, really does play an important part in the wellbeing of our members, especially those affected by dementia. The afternoon was a great success and very much appreciated. Everyone who came, thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, and it gave them the chance to celebrate the King’s coronation.”

Over the Coronation weekend, a series of free events were held on Haslingden Market which attracted 400 people. These included 1940s dancing, a knitting demonstration, a popular children’s theatre show, food and traditional children’s games.

Artist Simon Watkinson has worked with 120 school children and community groups on a public art project to turn their designs into Jacquard cards, these were the templates used to create designs in woven fabric.

Heritage walks, called ‘Her Story’, are also being planned for schools and the general public later in the year. These will be led by community artist Emma Long.

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