AFTER 40 years of proud service to the town of Padiham, the Nativity figures were deemed too scruffy to represent a 'new born' Padiham and were thrown into a tip.

However one of Padiham's best known conservationists, Mrs Hazel Rushton, now the Mayoress of Padiham, rescued them and they were given shelter in and promised restoration by Gawthorpe High School. But this proved beyond the expertise of Gawthorpe's art department and Gawthorpe Hall staff offered them new shelter.

They were taken to Gawthorpe Hall by Mick Mills who runs the private ambulance service in Hapton and there they lie today willing and anxious to be of service again but still too scruffy to appear in public. Is there anyone out there who can restore them to their former magnificence? Ring the Town Clerk, Elizabeth Bolton on 779961.

PADIHAM'S Memorial Park has been awarded the Green Flag award, the top standard in Britain for parks. The Mayor of Padiham, Councillor Bob Clark, the Mayoress Mrs Hazel Rushton and Padiham Town Council wish to thank the parks service manager Simon Goff, his team of workers and the many volunteers who have brought Memorial Park to such an amazing standard.

COUNCILLORS are to hold special planning meetings on the third Monday in the month starting on December 15. It was decided at the last full meeting of the Council that planning issues were not being given enough time and that vital issues were rushed so the planning meetings were decided upon. These meetings will be solely confined to planning issues.

A PACKED town hall on Tuesday night was the scene of a 'Save Our Baths' plea. This was in answer to a review by Burnley Borough Council, which decided that there is an "oversupply of swimming facilities." One of the options is to refurbish Padiham Pool which recently saw an improvement programme, or to close it completely.

It it this suggestion which has brought the people, not only of Padiham but from a wider area, together to protest strongly.

The campaign was orchestrated by Mrs Carol Stinton, a well known conservationist and swimmer. Petitions are in many venues and Mrs Stinton is pleased both with the turnout on Tuesday night and the volume of signatures on the petitions.

All ages were represented at the meeting with senior citizens shouting as loudly as the teenagers and primary school children about the unpopular proposal. Headteachers of primary schools who use the baths regularly are also astounded at the prospect of losing the town's baths.

THE bugler, Tim Gowers, who travels from the Isle of Man to play at Hapton's recent memorial services was held up in traffic congestion as a result of a fatal accident and did not arrive in time for the service. The Parish Council thanked him for his valiant efforts and expressed sympathy to the family caught in the accident.

The procession to the Cenotaph had to halt to allow an ambulance through and villagers were distraught to learn later that it was for 13-month-old Emily Greeenhalgh, of Bridgefield Street, who had contracted meningitis. She was in Burnley General Hospital for a week but is now at home with her Mum and Dad Amanda and James.

HAPTON'S first-ever street decorations will be switched on by Burnley soccer star Dean West, on Thursday, December 4, at 6pm. There will be a torchlight procession from the village school to the Methodist Church led by the Brownies. The school choir and the Methodist choir will sing and lead carols along the way and it is hoped that as many villagers as possible will make this night special.

THE Parish Council was told at its recent meeting that a successful Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was now in operation in Carter and Ruskin Avenues. Three signs are to be erected around the area.