Mayor of Darwen to stand down

4:30pm Tuesday 10th April 2012 in Politics news Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

Paul Browne was Darwen's first mayor since 1973. Paul Browne was Darwen's first mayor since 1973.

THE Mayor of Darwen Town Council is to stand down from the role ‘to ‘give someone else a chance’.

Coun Paul Browne campaigned in favour of originally setting up the town council, despite his party, the LibDems, being against it.

Coun Browne, 70, said: “To be the first mayor of Darwen since 1973 made me feel proud as punch. As a Darrener, my first priority has been Darwen. I am a Darrener first and a politician second.”

He said he was pleased with the job he had done as mayor.

“Wherever I have gone, the people of Darwen have made me and my wife feel very welcome. Even when we have had other engagements in Blackburn, Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley, I have always been made to feel welcome as the first mayor of Darwen Town Council.”

Coun Browne, who is standing for re-election as a councillor next month, said although it was tough getting going, he believed the town council had worked.

He said: “I know at the beginning there was a lot of political movement going on and all the parties were falling out. But it all fell into place and we have finished up as one happy family.”

Coun Browne added: “I am so chuffed when people ask for the Darwen mayor. That was what I liked.

“It seems small, but it is so nice that they ask for me, rather than the borough mayor.”

During his time as a borough and town councillor, and as mayor, Coun Browne has had his devoted wife Ruth by his side.

Ruth, 66, said: “It has been really nice to be mayoress and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Darwen. I think Paul has done a wonderful job.”

Comments (25)

4:38pm Tue 10 Apr 12

happycyclist says...

Dave Smith for Mayor.
(unless Tony Melia wants it)
Dave Smith for Mayor. (unless Tony Melia wants it) happycyclist

4:48pm Tue 10 Apr 12

Keep Darwen Green says...

"Happycyclist for mayor" seems pretty level headed to me. Gets my vote and he's green.
"Happycyclist for mayor" seems pretty level headed to me. Gets my vote and he's green. Keep Darwen Green

4:57pm Tue 10 Apr 12

mavrick says...

Keep Darwen Green wrote:
"Happycyclist for mayor" seems pretty level headed to me. Gets my vote and he's green.
Agreed, providing he publishes his expenses through his off shore company.
[quote][p][bold]Keep Darwen Green[/bold] wrote: "Happycyclist for mayor" seems pretty level headed to me. Gets my vote and he's green.[/p][/quote]Agreed, providing he publishes his expenses through his off shore company. mavrick

5:03pm Tue 10 Apr 12

english rose 1 says...

Tony Melia won't want it as he's not standing in the election in May !
*
Personally I think it's daft having 2 Mayors, - one for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and one for Darwen Town Council. Most parish councils don't have a Mayor, - so I hope that Darwen Town Council vote to abolish the position.
*
Whilst Ruth Browne is a lovely person there is no such position as Mayoress of Darwen Town Council, - Paul Browne made this up so that his wife could attend functions, - it was never voted on.
*
Paul is also incorrect about being the first Mayor of Darwen since 1973. He is the first Mayor of the Town Council, - which is completely different to the former Darwen Borough Council.
*
The LT also plugs Paul in his bid for re-election to the Borough Council next month, - so I'll give a plug to the Darwen Labour Candidate in Sudell, - Matthew Worden who would make an excellent Councillor.
*
Tony Melia won't want it as he's not standing in the election in May ! * Personally I think it's daft having 2 Mayors, - one for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and one for Darwen Town Council. Most parish councils don't have a Mayor, - so I hope that Darwen Town Council vote to abolish the position. * Whilst Ruth Browne is a lovely person there is no such position as Mayoress of Darwen Town Council, - Paul Browne made this up so that his wife could attend functions, - it was never voted on. * Paul is also incorrect about being the first Mayor of Darwen since 1973. He is the first Mayor of the Town Council, - which is completely different to the former Darwen Borough Council. * The LT also plugs Paul in his bid for re-election to the Borough Council next month, - so I'll give a plug to the Darwen Labour Candidate in Sudell, - Matthew Worden who would make an excellent Councillor. * english rose 1

5:36pm Tue 10 Apr 12

chris283 says...

did not know darwen had a mayor shows how much interest i show in the hole lol
did not know darwen had a mayor shows how much interest i show in the hole lol chris283

5:54pm Tue 10 Apr 12

Ian the Beancounter says...

Keep Darwen Green wrote:
"Happycyclist for mayor" seems pretty level headed to me. Gets my vote and he's green.
If, and it's a big "IF", the Town Council survives, then I can think of nobody more sensible than Happy! You'd get my vote, bud, if you'd stand!
[quote][p][bold]Keep Darwen Green[/bold] wrote: "Happycyclist for mayor" seems pretty level headed to me. Gets my vote and he's green.[/p][/quote]If, and it's a big "IF", the Town Council survives, then I can think of nobody more sensible than Happy! You'd get my vote, bud, if you'd stand! Ian the Beancounter

9:35pm Tue 10 Apr 12

Cornswoggle says...

chris283 wrote:
did not know darwen had a mayor shows how much interest i show in the hole lol
Just enough interest to go on the internet, read an article and make a comment. Dope!!
[quote][p][bold]chris283[/bold] wrote: did not know darwen had a mayor shows how much interest i show in the hole lol[/p][/quote]Just enough interest to go on the internet, read an article and make a comment. Dope!! Cornswoggle

10:45pm Tue 10 Apr 12

louderfasterlonger says...

I am pretty sure the next mayor of Darwen (Town Council) won't be coming from the totally ineffective, squabbling (soon to be defunct) For Darwen Party.

But on the off chance that it is given to them, I'm sure they'll be persuaded to switch political allegiance mid-term if they can't get their own way.
I am pretty sure the next mayor of Darwen (Town Council) won't be coming from the totally ineffective, squabbling (soon to be defunct) For Darwen Party. But on the off chance that it is given to them, I'm sure they'll be persuaded to switch political allegiance mid-term if they can't get their own way. louderfasterlonger

2:47am Wed 11 Apr 12

dom jolly says...

Cornswoggle wrote:
chris283 wrote: did not know darwen had a mayor shows how much interest i show in the hole lol
Just enough interest to go on the internet, read an article and make a comment. Dope!!
oh i'm sorry, is this not a comments page that ANYONE can add to?........... hang on its the LT !!!
[quote][p][bold]Cornswoggle[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]chris283[/bold] wrote: did not know darwen had a mayor shows how much interest i show in the hole lol[/p][/quote]Just enough interest to go on the internet, read an article and make a comment. Dope!![/p][/quote]oh i'm sorry, is this not a comments page that ANYONE can add to?........... hang on its the LT !!! dom jolly

6:24am Wed 11 Apr 12

Excluded again says...

Why do we need a separate mayor for Darwen?

Why not abolish the post and use the money saved for something else? There's plenty needs doing in Darwen.
Why do we need a separate mayor for Darwen? Why not abolish the post and use the money saved for something else? There's plenty needs doing in Darwen. Excluded again

6:38am Wed 11 Apr 12

Malthus says...

Will this mean that we will be able to open the telegraph without having to see on an all too regular basis the image of Paul Browne staring back out at us? He is almost as ubiquitous as Bill Taylor once was.
Will this mean that we will be able to open the telegraph without having to see on an all too regular basis the image of Paul Browne staring back out at us? He is almost as ubiquitous as Bill Taylor once was. Malthus

8:55am Wed 11 Apr 12

hasslem hasslem says...

english rose 1 wrote:
Tony Melia won't want it as he's not standing in the election in May !
*
Personally I think it's daft having 2 Mayors, - one for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and one for Darwen Town Council. Most parish councils don't have a Mayor, - so I hope that Darwen Town Council vote to abolish the position.
*
Whilst Ruth Browne is a lovely person there is no such position as Mayoress of Darwen Town Council, - Paul Browne made this up so that his wife could attend functions, - it was never voted on.
*
Paul is also incorrect about being the first Mayor of Darwen since 1973. He is the first Mayor of the Town Council, - which is completely different to the former Darwen Borough Council.
*
The LT also plugs Paul in his bid for re-election to the Borough Council next month, - so I'll give a plug to the Darwen Labour Candidate in Sudell, - Matthew Worden who would make an excellent Councillor.
*
dave smith for mayor - and the lovely charlotte for lady mayoress
[quote][p][bold]english rose 1[/bold] wrote: Tony Melia won't want it as he's not standing in the election in May ! * Personally I think it's daft having 2 Mayors, - one for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and one for Darwen Town Council. Most parish councils don't have a Mayor, - so I hope that Darwen Town Council vote to abolish the position. * Whilst Ruth Browne is a lovely person there is no such position as Mayoress of Darwen Town Council, - Paul Browne made this up so that his wife could attend functions, - it was never voted on. * Paul is also incorrect about being the first Mayor of Darwen since 1973. He is the first Mayor of the Town Council, - which is completely different to the former Darwen Borough Council. * The LT also plugs Paul in his bid for re-election to the Borough Council next month, - so I'll give a plug to the Darwen Labour Candidate in Sudell, - Matthew Worden who would make an excellent Councillor. *[/p][/quote]dave smith for mayor - and the lovely charlotte for lady mayoress hasslem hasslem

9:00am Wed 11 Apr 12

happycyclist says...

Excluded again wrote:
Why do we need a separate mayor for Darwen?

Why not abolish the post and use the money saved for something else? There's plenty needs doing in Darwen.
It's a ceremonial thing more than anything, isn't it? For the gala, for opening the new tower dome, for the pedal car GP... a minor local dignitary that lends a bit of gravitas to an official occasion. Does everything have to be balanced on the books in financial terms?
Dave Smith would make a great Mayor.
[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote: Why do we need a separate mayor for Darwen? Why not abolish the post and use the money saved for something else? There's plenty needs doing in Darwen.[/p][/quote]It's a ceremonial thing more than anything, isn't it? For the gala, for opening the new tower dome, for the pedal car GP... a minor local dignitary that lends a bit of gravitas to an official occasion. Does everything have to be balanced on the books in financial terms? Dave Smith would make a great Mayor. happycyclist

9:07am Wed 11 Apr 12

happycyclist says...

And whatever anyone thinks of Paul Browne (personally, I think he's bonkers) there is no doubting where his heart is and his enthusiasm for the town of Darwen. For that, I would like to thank you, Paul.
And whatever anyone thinks of Paul Browne (personally, I think he's bonkers) there is no doubting where his heart is and his enthusiasm for the town of Darwen. For that, I would like to thank you, Paul. happycyclist

12:06pm Wed 11 Apr 12

chris283 says...

who cares who is mayor , it is not if they do anything for the town . Hope the new mayor does somert about all the smack heads and pissheads in the town
who cares who is mayor , it is not if they do anything for the town . Hope the new mayor does somert about all the smack heads and pissheads in the town chris283

7:49pm Wed 11 Apr 12

artois says...

It's that time of year again when the vultures circle wanting your vote.
Lib dems leaflet came through the door tonight with the following on the front.

Local residents demand action on dog fouling
It's official-marsh House residents are fed up with the mess that people's dogs are leaving behind.
... And local Liberal democrats are calling for action following dozens of complaints from local people.
The Lib Dem FOCUS team have submitted proposals to the local council:
"We're pressing the council to put in more bins for dog walkers to use in Marsh House as it seems many people don't know that you don't need a special bin to clean up after your dog- any litter bin will do. The council should be making more people aware of this"

Every morning I look out the window and see many dog walkers on the grass area at the bottom of Nave Close some do clean up after their dogs but the majority don't it's not bins they need but a massive fine from the council for their selfish belief that that is what the grass area is for and they really don't need to pick the mess up and put it in the bin.

As for the Lib Dems getting my vote .............. on yer bike come up with better policies and I might consider it.

Rant over
It's that time of year again when the vultures circle wanting your vote. Lib dems leaflet came through the door tonight with the following on the front. Local residents demand action on dog fouling It's official-marsh House residents are fed up with the mess that people's dogs are leaving behind. ... And local Liberal democrats are calling for action following dozens of complaints from local people. The Lib Dem FOCUS team have submitted proposals to the local council: "We're pressing the council to put in more bins for dog walkers to use in Marsh House as it seems many people don't know that you don't need a special bin to clean up after your dog- any litter bin will do. The council should be making more people aware of this" Every morning I look out the window and see many dog walkers on the grass area at the bottom of Nave Close some do clean up after their dogs but the majority don't it's not bins they need but a massive fine from the council for their selfish belief that that is what the grass area is for and they really don't need to pick the mess up and put it in the bin. As for the Lib Dems getting my vote .............. on yer bike come up with better policies and I might consider it. Rant over artois

10:24pm Wed 11 Apr 12

english rose 1 says...

Well said artois ! I got a lib-dem leaflet too...as you say it said they would campaign for more dog poo bins in Marsh House........only trouble is, I live in Sunnyhurst !! Really they are clueless !
*
You are right..it's fines that are needed not bins. If you know the folk who are letting their dogs s**t on Nave Close then phone the Council. If you are willing to give evidence then the Council will prosecute !
*
A few years ago I saw someone fly-tipping. I gave a statement and evidence at Court and the fly-tipper was fined around £400.
*
Come on folk....shop those who let their dogs cr*p anywhere bar their own yard / lawn !!
Well said artois ! I got a lib-dem leaflet too...as you say it said they would campaign for more dog poo bins in Marsh House........only trouble is, I live in Sunnyhurst !! Really they are clueless ! * You are right..it's fines that are needed not bins. If you know the folk who are letting their dogs s**t on Nave Close then phone the Council. If you are willing to give evidence then the Council will prosecute ! * A few years ago I saw someone fly-tipping. I gave a statement and evidence at Court and the fly-tipper was fined around £400. * Come on folk....shop those who let their dogs cr*p anywhere bar their own yard / lawn !! english rose 1

10:41pm Wed 11 Apr 12

dom jolly says...

its getting desperate when my comment telling the truth about the LT gets removed, are we living in east germany yet?
its getting desperate when my comment telling the truth about the LT gets removed, are we living in east germany yet? dom jolly

12:29pm Thu 12 Apr 12

louderfasterlonger says...

english rose 1 wrote:
Well said artois ! I got a lib-dem leaflet too...as you say it said they would campaign for more dog poo bins in Marsh House........only trouble is, I live in Sunnyhurst !! Really they are clueless !
*
You are right..it's fines that are needed not bins. If you know the folk who are letting their dogs s**t on Nave Close then phone the Council. If you are willing to give evidence then the Council will prosecute !
*
A few years ago I saw someone fly-tipping. I gave a statement and evidence at Court and the fly-tipper was fined around £400.
*
Come on folk....shop those who let their dogs cr*p anywhere bar their own yard / lawn !!
Was a bit perplexed also in reading that we can cut down on dog fowling in Sunnyhurst by placing bins in Marsh House !
[quote][p][bold]english rose 1[/bold] wrote: Well said artois ! I got a lib-dem leaflet too...as you say it said they would campaign for more dog poo bins in Marsh House........only trouble is, I live in Sunnyhurst !! Really they are clueless ! * You are right..it's fines that are needed not bins. If you know the folk who are letting their dogs s**t on Nave Close then phone the Council. If you are willing to give evidence then the Council will prosecute ! * A few years ago I saw someone fly-tipping. I gave a statement and evidence at Court and the fly-tipper was fined around £400. * Come on folk....shop those who let their dogs cr*p anywhere bar their own yard / lawn !![/p][/quote]Was a bit perplexed also in reading that we can cut down on dog fowling in Sunnyhurst by placing bins in Marsh House ! louderfasterlonger

2:28pm Thu 12 Apr 12

darwenTower says...

I like a lot of the Liberal's policy (also dislike much of it), and many of their councillors seem to work a little harder than the others.

I'm not convinced about slowing most of Darwen's roads down to 20 mph though.

And if Dave Smith became mayor, I would be sorely tempted to leave the town.
I like a lot of the Liberal's policy (also dislike much of it), and many of their councillors seem to work a little harder than the others. I'm not convinced about slowing most of Darwen's roads down to 20 mph though. And if Dave Smith became mayor, I would be sorely tempted to leave the town. darwenTower

1:30am Fri 13 Apr 12

english rose 1 says...

dave smith has absolutely no intention of becoming mayor of darwen town council - so u have no reason to leave town !
*
The police have made it clear that they do not have the resources to enforcethe 20mph limit....so what's trhe point of it ?
dave smith has absolutely no intention of becoming mayor of darwen town council - so u have no reason to leave town ! * The police have made it clear that they do not have the resources to enforcethe 20mph limit....so what's trhe point of it ? english rose 1

1:30am Fri 13 Apr 12

english rose 1 says...

dave smith has absolutely no intention of becoming mayor of darwen town council - so u have no reason to leave town !
*
The police have made it clear that they do not have the resources to enforcethe 20mph limit....so what's trhe point of it ?
dave smith has absolutely no intention of becoming mayor of darwen town council - so u have no reason to leave town ! * The police have made it clear that they do not have the resources to enforcethe 20mph limit....so what's trhe point of it ? english rose 1

10:04am Fri 13 Apr 12

happycyclist says...

dom jolly wrote:
its getting desperate when my comment telling the truth about the LT gets removed, are we living in east germany yet?
You as well? It's pathetic, isn't it?

More like North Korea.
[quote][p][bold]dom jolly[/bold] wrote: its getting desperate when my comment telling the truth about the LT gets removed, are we living in east germany yet?[/p][/quote]You as well? It's pathetic, isn't it? More like North Korea. happycyclist

12:03pm Fri 13 Apr 12

darwenTower says...

You should all post on www.Blackburn247.co.
uk

The guy behind the site (not me) is struggling to get enough users, meanwhile people are frequently wasting their time on here posting comments that get deleted.
You should all post on www.Blackburn247.co. uk The guy behind the site (not me) is struggling to get enough users, meanwhile people are frequently wasting their time on here posting comments that get deleted. darwenTower

12:46pm Fri 13 Apr 12

louderfasterlonger says...

english rose 1 wrote:
dave smith has absolutely no intention of becoming mayor of darwen town council - so u have no reason to leave town !
*
The police have made it clear that they do not have the resources to enforcethe 20mph limit....so what's trhe point of it ?
Central Government cuts have seen a rapid decline in roads - so much so that only a 4x4 can travel over most roads in Darwen at more than 15mph.

Putting up 20mph signs all over the place at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds is merely stating the obvious.

While any RTA that causes injury is tragic, I challenge the Liberal's to show the statistical evidence that such action would save life or serious injury in Darwen.

A simple map on their next election leaflet with a cross displaying where a serious accident has occurred, where a car has been travelling at 20mph plus, say in the last 10yrs.
Also the exact areas where they propose to cut speed.
[quote][p][bold]english rose 1[/bold] wrote: dave smith has absolutely no intention of becoming mayor of darwen town council - so u have no reason to leave town ! * The police have made it clear that they do not have the resources to enforcethe 20mph limit....so what's trhe point of it ?[/p][/quote]Central Government cuts have seen a rapid decline in roads - so much so that only a 4x4 can travel over most roads in Darwen at more than 15mph. Putting up 20mph signs all over the place at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds is merely stating the obvious. While any RTA that causes injury is tragic, I challenge the Liberal's to show the statistical evidence that such action would save life or serious injury in Darwen. A simple map on their next election leaflet with a cross displaying where a serious accident has occurred, where a car has been travelling at 20mph plus, say in the last 10yrs. Also the exact areas where they propose to cut speed. louderfasterlonger

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