Announcement: The lighting of the Town Council’s Christmas Tree
Due to the current Government advices on social distancing, the Town Council has unfortunately been advised that we cannot host the normal Christmas Tree Carol Service on Blackhorse Street this year. The Christmas Tree will be lit up as normal but in the meantime, the Town’s Mayor and Mayoress, Town Clerk and all members of Blackrod Town Council wish all residents of Blackrod a safe and happy Christmas 2020 and look forward to seeing you all again in 2021.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

Announcement: Remembrance Sunday 8th November and Maroons 11th November 2020


Statement from Blackrod Town Council

In light of current advice from both National and Local Government, including the social distancing restrictions imposed due to Covid 19, Blackrod Town Council, together with representatives from the Royal British Legion, have reluctantly made the decision to cancel the normal Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade on 8th November 2020.

The Town Council has been advised that the practicalities involved in the organisation of the event, together with the resources that would be required to ensure that public safety could be managed in line with current Government guidance, has made it an impossible task.

However, as the Town Council, believes that there is a Civic Duty to acknowledge those who sacrificed so much, arrangements will be made to conduct a smaller service on behalf of the Town and its residents.

Once this formal service has taken place, anyone wishing to lay a wreath on behalf of their organisations should do so on an individual basis, taking responsibility for their own safety and in keeping with Government Social Distance Guidance.

The Cenotaph will be available for wreath laying from 1.45pm on the afternoon of Sunday 8th November 2020. Please observe all Government Guidelines.

Additionally, on behalf of Blackrod, a Maroon will be fired on 11th November but no service will take place.

Blackrod Town Council

Announcement: Blackrod Library Reopens Monday 12th October 2020
Great news! Blackrod Library to reopen on Monday 12th October 2020. The Library is certainly looking forward to seeing the return of friends, old and new.

Mayor’s News: Mayor’s charity Event
60’s night with the travellin’ strings at the Hilltops Social Club. Friday 27th March from 7pm. Tickets available from the Town Clerk. Price £10 to include a hot supper.

Event: Community Carol Singing with the Christmas Tree Lighting
Community Carol Singing with the Christmas Tree Lighting Tuesday 4th December 2018 at 6:30pm. By the Mayor of Blackrod & Friends. Following the dedication everyone is warmly invited to refreshments and more Carol singing at St. Andrews, Hill Lane, Blackrod BL6 5JP.

Announcement: Blackrod Remembrance Day Service and Parade 2018
Due to the 100th year Commemoration of the end of World War One,

The Blackrod Service of Remembrance and Maroons will both take place on Sunday 11th November 2018 from 10.30am.

Proceedings will commence at the Cenotaph in the Cemetery Grounds promptly at 10.30am and include a collective Blackrod schools choir in addition to the normal service of Remembrance.

The second part of the service will continue with the Remembrance Day Parade leaving the Cenotaph at approximately 11.05am and marching through the village to St Katharine’s Church for the Remembrance Day Service which will commence at approximately 11.45am.

Following the completion of the service, refreshments will be served to those who have attended the service & Parade at the Hilltops Social Club on Hill Lane. This year Blackrod has been unable to count on the services of a band for the Service. However, it is hoped that local residents will ensure that the lack of a band will not deter those who wish to ensure that Blackrod’s Service of Remembrance is still held with the dignity and fortitude given to us all by those who served long ago. We look forward to you joining us on 11th November 2018.

Announcement: Blackrod have a new Mayor
Blackrod have a new Mayor. At the Annual Meeting of the Town Council attended by over 55 friends, family and local residents, Councillor Mr Scott Batchelor was elected to became the Town Mayor for the year 2018-2019. Councillor Batchelor will be joined by his Mayoress Mrs Karen Batchelor and supported by Deputy Counsellor Mr John Price and wife Sandra. Blackrod Town Council wish the new civic dignitaries all the very best for the forthcoming year when they will be out and about representing the local residents of Blackrod over a very busy year.

Announcement: 2017-2018 Retiring Mayor
Retiring Mayor Councillor Mrs Isabel Seddon presented over £3500, raised through her Mayoral year to local charities and good causes. These included Bolton Parkinsons Group: Blackrod Guiding Association and AFC Masters a local disability group. Friends and family and local dignitaries gathered at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council to wish Councillor Mrs Seddon a well earned rest after a long event filled year. The retiring Mayor was presented with a beautiful flower arrangement as a thank you from Town Council colleagues.

Announcement: Mrs Susan Gaskell, newly elected council representative
Blackrod Town Council are pleased to announce that they have successfully Co-opted a new member of the team. Mrs Susan Gaskell has been appointed as Councillor for the Central Ward of Blackrod, replacing Mrs Ann Cunliffe who retired from her Local council role., Friends and family joined Susan and fellow councillors to witness Mrs Gaskell take her Oath of Office of Town Councillor at the council meeting held on April 30th. The Town Council is now fully represented again across all three wards in the village.

Announcement: Mrs Susan Warburton, newly elected council representative
Blackrod Town Council are pleased to announce that they have successfully Co-opted a new member of the team. Mrs Susan Warburton, Landlady of the Poachers Pub in Blackrod. Mrs Warburton will replace the vacancy in the South Ward, which had been previously held by Mrs Pat Barrow (Dec’d). Friends and family joined Susan and fellow councillors to witness Mrs Warburton take her Oath of Office of Town Councillor and Town Council colleagues look forward to working alongside Councillor Mrs Warburton over the coming months.

Announcement: Lighting of the Christmas Tree
The Town Mayor was delighted with the very strong turn out for the annual switching on of the Blackrod Christmas Tree. The Mayor was ably assisted in the task of switch on the tree by members of Blackrod Town Council’s Youth Division and following a short service over 200 local residents made their way to St Andrews’s Hall to be entertained by Blackrod Community Choir and young performers who acted out the Christmas story for those present. Seasonal refreshments were laid on by Blackrod Town Council.

Announcement: Remembrance Day Service, Sunday 12th November 2017
The Town Mayor Mrs Isabel Seddon and members of the Town Council and local dignitaries led the way on this year’s Remembrance Day Service This well attended event saw many local residents and dignitaries join the parade and their way from the Cenotaph to the full service of Remembrance held at St Katharine’s Church, to the sounds of the rousing accompaniment performed by Greenfield Band. Refreshments were later served at the Hilltops Social Club donated by the Town Council.

Announcement: Blackrod Sports and Community Centre

Blackrod Sports and Community Centre (BSaCC), Greenbarn Way, Blackrod, BL6 5TA

Expression of Interest for: Centre Development Manager

Have you experience and a track record in:

• Securing funds for capital improvements and revenue grants for a new charitable organisation?

• Supporting, developing and managing volunteers?

• Delivering our vision of a successful, well run and welcoming local sports and community facility?

 
Could you:

• Service and report to the Charity Trustees, the project funders, Centre users and Bolton Council?

• Get a diverse programme of community, social, sports and leisure activities up and running?

• Achieve a breakeven financial position to keep the Centre going year on year?

 
If YES please:

• Read the one page summary (attached PDF file) for more information, and

• E-mail your A4 one side Expression of Interest to drstevesharples@psconsultants.org.uk by Friday 21 April 2017

 
Once the funding is confirmed for this post:

• It will be advertised widely as a formal employment opportunity.

• Full details and an application form will be sent to all those who reply to this initial expression of interest. Thank you.

Announcement: Mr John Price, newly elected council representative
Following the recent Bi Election within the Blackrod Community, The Mayor, Town Clerk and members of Blackrod Town Council are delighted to welcome Mr John Price (Independent Non Political) as the newly elected council representative for the North Ward in Blackrod. Mr Price will take up his role officially following the taking and signing of the Declaration Of Office on Monday March 6th 2017 at the start of the Town Council Meeting. The Town Council looks forward to working alongside their new member.

Announcement: The Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan is well under way…
The Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan is well under way, thanks to everyone who attended the first public meeting on 28th February 2017 and to those who are participating and giving their time to the project. The Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan is not being ran by Blackrod Town Council, however if you are looking for information on the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan then you will find the website address under the Useful Links section or alternatively please visit the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan website here: www.blackrodneighbourhoodplan.org.uk

Event: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Tuesday 6th December 2016, 6:30pm.
LIGHTING UP BLACKROD! Community Carol Singing and Lighting up the Christmas Tree on Tuesday 6th December, 6.30pm. The Mayor of Blackrod will be switching on the lights on Blackrod’s Christmas Tree, on the green opposite Blackrod Library. With singing of carols accompanied by the Rhapsody Community Choir. Everyone is welcome to join in!

Mayor’s News: Body Shop At Home Party, Thursday 8th September.
Body Shop At Home Party, Thursday 8th September.

To be held in the Council Chambers in the Library building.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets just £2.00.

Hosted by the Mayor Of Blackrod in aid of the Mayor’s charities which include:

• Special Educational Needs in the Blackrod Schools
• Bolton centre for blind people

Please see attached poster for more details.

Event: Blackrod Scarecrow Festival 2016, 2nd and 3rd July 2016
Blackrod Scarecrow Festival 2016, 2nd and 3rd July 2016.

Announcement 16/06/16: The “Scare” of a closed road has been lifted!!!

Planned structural roadworks by United Utilities on the location of Station Road, Blackrod had threatened to disrupt the Highly Successful 10th Annual Blackrod Scarecrow Festival being held over the weekend of 2nd/ 3rd July 2016. Following an appeal by the Town Mayor, Councillor Ann Cunliffe on behalf of the Town Council and Residents of Blackrod, United Utilities have agreed to liaise with Bolton Council Highways in order to rearrange these structural improvements as a gesture of good will. The proposed highway works will now take place on the 8th July.
The Town Mayor, Councillor Cunliffe stated that she had intervened on behalf of the people of Blackrod by appealing to United Utility’s “better nature”. The Town Mayor said that “once I had explained the situation to United Utilities, how these structural works on Station Road, which is a major route in to the village would split the village in two and that Blackrod holds this major event each year and it is attended by many thousands of visitors, United Utilities fully understood the situation and I am grateful that a possible disaster has now been avoided and Blackrod residents thank them for their cooperation. Mrs Jean Hibbert, organiser of the Blackrod Scarecrow Festival was also delighted with the outcome and said” A million thanks to all those that have assisted in getting the planned works rescheduled, now the folks from Horwich can also come and join us, which is very good news indeed”.
Blackrod Scarecrow Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday the 2nd and 3rd July 2016. Come along and meet the Scarecrows, spot the celebrities and enjoy a great fun filled weekend for all the family.

Event: Blackrod Scarecrow Festival 2015, 4th – 5th July 2015
Blackrod Scarecrow Festival 2015 4th – 5th July 2015.