News from Neil

Former Mayor of Pendle and local Councillor Neil Butterworth hung up his robes in May 2022, but it didn’t stop him striving to make Colne the best it can be.

COLNE IS ALL HEART

Throughout 2021 and 22, Neil raised over £15,000 as mayor, split between the charity Blood Bikes, a domestic violence charity and to fund defibrillators for the town. 

The defibrillators have now been installed with one for Colne FC, one for Kanokwai Budo Renmei Dojo – a local judo club, one for Helen Green Dance Academy, and then Colne Gala.

With the help of MP for Pendle Andrew Stephenson, Neil is hoping to keep hearts thumping by offering training on the defibrillators to give people the confidence to use them if they need to.

After raising money for a variety of causes around the town, Neil also wanted to make a difference further afield. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, Burnley-based veteran charity Healthier Heroes were sending medical aid to a town in Poland on the Ukrainian border called Nowy Zmigrod. The former soldier felt compelled to help and, working with Healthier Heroes, Neil and the charity held a pop concert and raised £4,500 for medical aid.

“Months later on I received an award, I didn’t expect it – it was from the mayor of Nowy Zmigrod, thanking the Borough of Pendle for all our humanitarian efforts.”

COLNE GALA – A RIGHT ROYAL APPEAL

Aside from fundraising, Neil is also busy with an event every Colner looks forward to – the Colne Gala on Saturday 17th June. Last year thousands packed Colne’s high street to watch the procession. Neil promises this year is to be bigger and better than ever before. Colne’s King of the Road Matthew Kibble is again kindly donating seven HGVs and drivers to transport Colne FC, local dance groups and more up to the Crown Pub.

“We start with the carnival at 11am, and finish the parade at Holt House Playing Fields where there are stunt riders, a fair, the famous tug of war with the local rugby club and fire brigade. They will be a variety of different stalls, Colne FC with a football net, climbing walls – everything you could imagine. “If it’s a sunny day we can get up to 3,500 people – it’s a great day out with no need to travel!”

The most anticipated part of The Gala is surely the crowning of the Gala Queen and Princess. So, if you fancy your chances of joining the realms of Colne royalty and representing your town at other local galas, get yourself down to the Union Exchange, 63 Market St, Colne on the 30th April at 1 pm for the selection process. Princesses must be aged between 7-11 while Queens must be
12-18 to qualify.

ColneLife Spring 23