Calls to promote town's market and produce beyond annual festival
The market and locally-grown food were raised at Ribble Valley Council's latest Economic Development Committee meeting by Conservative and Green councillors.
One councillor said he was surprised at, in his view, the committee's low number of big economic development projects.
It came when the committee reviewed its spending on large one-off projects, called capital spending.
Clitheroe Food Festival takes place on August 9 this year, with smaller events in the week leading up to it, called Ribble Valley Taste Fest.
The market has undergone a revamp Meanwhile, Clitheroe Market has had a £250,000 upgrade and other parts of Clitheroe have had improvements too by the borough and Lancashire County Council.
However, responsibility for the market currently sits with Ribble Valley's Health & Housing Committee, but that arrangement has now been questioned.
At the economic committee, Conservative Councillor Kevin Horkin said: 'I have always been interested in this committee, but I'm constantly amazed at how little happens.
"This is economic development – this should be the engine room of the authority.
'We had a wonderful market traders' discussion before this committee meeting. There was a lot of energy expressed there and, OK, some rough-and-tumble too.
"But I think the market should come under the remit of this committee. Why does it come under the Health & Housing Committee?
'One thing said at the discussion was that there is not enough marketing of Clitheroe Market. It needs to come under this committee.
"Councillors need to think about what they want for the future. The market is more than 1,000 years old.
"It's looking fabulous now, but I think it sits with the wrong committee. How can we move it forward?'
Nicola Hopkins, the borough's director for planning and economic development, said she would look at it.
Conservative Cllr Simon Hore, the leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: 'I'd be happy to progress this. But I think we would need the full council's approval.'
Fellow Tory Cllr Richard Newmark, new chair of the economic committee, said: 'It's a good idea, and it could be covered by Tom Pridmore, the council's tourism officer, who attends this economic committee.'
Mr Pridmore had earlier given an update on his work around tourism, hospitality and travel sectors.
Regarding local farm produce, Green Cllr Gaye McCrum said: 'Rather than just having a food festival once a year, I would like to see how we can develop opportunities for people to buy more food grown in the Ribble Valley as soon as possible?
"So food is fresher and involves less transport, less 'food miles'."
Conservative Cllr Robin Walsh added: 'I totally support these ideas."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
Thursday Briefing: Air Conditioning Politics
Air conditioning and the culture wars It's August, and Europe is sweltering. Temperatures are expected to surpass 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Spain and France this week. (Track the heat here.) In that kind of heat, many turn to air-conditioning. But in France, feelings about A.C. have suddenly become a political litmus test. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, declared last month that she would deploy a 'major air-conditioning equipment plan' around the country if her party came to power. Marine Tondelier, the head of the Green party, scoffed at the proposal. Instead, she suggested, France should focus on 'greening' cities and making buildings more energy efficient. An opinion essay in the conservative Le Figaro defended air-conditioning. The left wing Libération called the technology 'an environmental aberration.' 'Is air-conditioning a far-right thing?' one talk show asked. An awfully American amenity For years, Europeans have viewed air-conditioning as an unnecessary — and awfully American — amenity. But times are changing fast. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
U.K. Secretly Spent $3.2 Million to Stop Journalists From Reporting on Data Breach
The British government spent $3.2 million on a secret legal order preventing journalists from reporting a data breach that put almost 19,000 Afghans and their families at risk, according to records obtained by The New York Times. The breach, which happened in 2022, exposed the personal details of thousands of Afghans who had worked with British forces before the Taliban takeover in 2021. The government, led by the Conservative Party at the time, went to England's High Court to obtain an order barring anyone from disclosing the breach, even to the people whose lives were feared to be at risk from the Taliban as a result. Journalists were also prevented from reporting on the existence of the court order itself. The government's legal action began in August 2023, when journalists first asked the Ministry of Defense about the breach, and continued until the order was lifted last month. It cost the British government 2.4 million pounds, or over $3.2 million, according to information disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information request. Government ministers involved in the decision have since defended the stringent legal order, which is known in Britain as a 'super injunction,' arguing that it was necessary to protect the people whose personal details had been disclosed. As a direct result of the data breach, Britain spent at least £400 million on a secret program to relocate 4,500 Afghans to Britain. But the government's unprecedented use of a super injunction has intensified questions about freedom of the press in the country. The State Department's annual publication of reports on international human rights on Tuesday criticized Britain's record, describing 'credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression,' while Vice President JD Vance has also argued that free speech is under threat. The British government has said it upholds free speech, but that it balances that right with the need to prevent violent disorder, hate crimes and the swaying of trial juries. Justice Martin Chamberlain, the judge who lifted the order relating to the Afghan data breach last month, said that it was the first super injunction ever granted 'contra mundum,' meaning 'against everyone,' and that it interfered with freedom of expression and Britain's democratic processes. When Labour entered government last year, it commissioned an independent review into the super injunction and the resettlement program, which led to the lifting of the injunction and the public disclosure of the data breach. Critics argued that the government's legitimate interest in protecting the safety of Afghans was supplanted over time by a desire to avoid an embarrassing headline during an election year. The breach happened in February 2022, when a member of the British military accidentally emailed an external contact a spreadsheet containing the details of 18,700 Afghan servicemen, police officers and others seeking refuge in Britain after the Taliban takeover. The disclosure was not discovered until part of the spreadsheet was posted on Facebook in August 2023. Within days, journalists approached the Ministry of Defense about the breach, prompting the government's application for an injunction. Holly Bancroft, the home affairs correspondent for the Independent newspaper, was among the first journalists to be served with the order. She told The New York Times that she was unaware of the data breach and had asked the Ministry of Defense why many Afghans who had previously been denied permission to travel to Britain were suddenly being approved — decisions she now knows were part of the emergency response. Ms. Bancroft said she had been invited into a room inside the ministry's headquarters, handed a paper copy of the super injunction and told not to 'talk to anyone about it' other than a lawyer. Ms. Bancroft estimates that over the next 18 months, she attended more than 20 hearings at London's High Court, where The Independent and other news organizations, including The Times of London and Associated Newspapers, were campaigning for the injunction to be lifted. The government fielded a roster of senior lawyers to argue against them. Asked for comment on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense pointed to the statement made by John Healey, the defense secretary, while disclosing the breach last month. He said he felt 'deeply concerned about the lack of transparency' and had chosen to 'reassess' the basis for the injunction when he entered government. Steve Kuncewicz, a specialist media lawyer from Glaisyers Solicitors, said that no legal power comparable to super injunctions existed in the United States and 'couldn't be considered' because of the First Amendment. 'They are a creature of the U.K. courts,' he said. The orders had previously been sought to prevent the disclosure of 'embarrassing details of people's private lives,' he noted, such as the order obtained in 2010 by a former England soccer player, John Terry, over allegations of an extramarital affair. The use of super injunctions has long been contentious in Britain but, Mr. Kuncewicz said, the Afghan data breach case was 'unique.' 'These orders are only meant to stay in place for the shortest amount of time, and be granted in the narrowest terms possible,' he added. 'They are really chilling to free speech.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
SONA Unveils New Guide on Interior Design for Triangular and Sloped Windows
Innovative Solutions for Unique Window Designs Preston, Lancashire , Aug. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SONA, a leader in the field of custom-built electric gable and apex blinds, has announced the release of an insightful new guide titled Top Interior Design Ideas for Triangular and Sloped Windows. This comprehensive guide, which can be found here: aims to simplify the often challenging task of designing around triangular and sloped windows, offering practical solutions and creative ideas for both trade professionals and retail - Triangle Blinds Triangular and sloped windows present unique opportunities and challenges in interior design. These architectural features can transform a space, adding character and a sense of openness. However, they also require specialized solutions to maximize their aesthetic and functional potential. SONA's new guide addresses these challenges head-on, providing readers with a wealth of information and inspiration. "Designing around triangular and sloped windows can be a daunting task for many," said Henry Barker, CEO of SONA. "Our new guide demystifies the process, offering clear and actionable advice that empowers our clients to make the most of these distinctive architectural elements." The guide covers a range of topics, including the selection of appropriate materials, color schemes, and the integration of automated blinds to enhance both privacy and energy efficiency. By leveraging the expertise of Sona in custom-built triangle window solutions, readers can explore innovative ways to incorporate these unique window designs into their spaces seamlessly. SONA's commitment to innovation and quality is evident in this latest offering. The guide not only serves as a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their interior spaces but also reinforces SONA's position as a trusted partner in the home decorating and automation industry. SonaAbout SONA SONA specialises in custom-built electric gable and apex blinds, helping trade and retail networks expand their offerings with an exclusive range of automated blinds. Press inquiries SONA Henry Barker press@ Unit 496 Holly Place,Walton Summit Centre,Preston, PR5 8AX, UK A video accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
