DARWEN has a new Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods group following the folding of the original earlier this year.

A packed meeting decided to resurrect the hard-working voluntary organisation with local councillor Pete Hollings as interim chairman, The original group was disbanded after 15 years in June following the lengthy illness of long-standing founding chairman Dennis Gillibrand, aged 81.

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After concern from local councillors, it was decided to revive it and the meeting last month drew up a draft constitution and appointed a new committee.

The new rules and aims for the group will be confirmed at its next meeting on Tuesday, August 18, at 6.30pm at the Sunnyhurst Visitor Centre Sunnyhurst Labour Cllr and Darwen Town Council deputy chairman, Mr Hollings, said: “As a new group it was difficult to find a willing chairman, so it was agreed that I would chair the group myself until a permanent chairman could be found from the volunteers.

“The group will be made up of any members of the public who wish to join and all members will get the chance to contribute to decision making.

“Our two major problems are Himalayan Balsam and silting of the ponds.

“It is hoped that the group will be successful in bidding for a grant from Darwen Town Council to remedy the silting once United Utilities have completed works at Sunnyhurst and Earnsdale Reservoirs.

“Following the meetings I attended the Residents of Sunnyhurst Association AGM and was given considerable support from this group, including a promise of a donation once the friends had a bank account.”

Hayley Kilpatrick was elected treasurer and Annette Sultana secretary.

Fellow Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “I am delighted the group is back.”

The original group formed in 2001,as residents felt the woods were falling into disrepair.