Darwen

Darwen’s ‘Wheel of fortune!

Published on Thursday 27 March 2025 at 11:59 am

When this giant wheel appeared in Darwen Market Square in February, it had us all in a spin!

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Darwen – the town that has it all!

Published on Friday 14 March 2025 at 8:27 am

With Darwen featuring in a new list of places with the fastest-rising house prices, we speak to one estate agent who explains why it’s the place to buy.

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Winner of festive recycling guide cash prize announced!

Published on Friday 17 January 2025 at 3:44 pm

Following the distribution of the festive guide to bin collections and recycling, a winner has been announced for the £500 cash prize.

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Are you an artist? Check this out!

Published on Wednesday 18 December 2024 at 9:02 am

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery is excited to announce its annual Art Open exhibition for 2025.

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A tribute to Darwen Market café owner Ste Fay

Published on Monday 16 December 2024 at 1:30 pm

It was announced over the weekend that Ste Fay, the owner of ‘Biscuit Barrel Café’, or ‘Ste’s Place’ as it’s more commonly known, has passed away.

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Have you received your new festive guide to bin collections and recycling yet?

Published on Thursday 5 December 2024 at 4:58 pm

We’re busy distributing the new recycling leaflet across the borough. If you haven’t had it yet, be sure to look out for it come through your letterbox very soon.  

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Over-60s Luncheon Club is ‘Simply the Best’: From 10 friends to 150 strong

Published on Wednesday 4 December 2024 at 12:19 pm

There’s an over-60s lunch club in Blackburn where everyone is invited!

Spearheaded by former councillor Maureen Bateson over 20 years ago, it has become a lifeline for older residents, offering food, fun, and friendship while tackling social isolation in the area.

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Council Leader responds to Patrick Grant’s “Blackburn Not Black Friday” message

Published on Friday 29 November 2024 at 1:05 pm

Yesterday, Patrick Grant, creator of Blackburn-based Community Clothing and BBC Sewing Bee presenter wrote a bold blog post, calling for shoppers to ‘Think Blackburn*, not Black Friday.’

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Are you one of the people in our borough missing out on Pension Credit?

Published on Wednesday 23 October 2024 at 11:55 am

There are believed to be more than 600 older people in Blackburn with Darwen who could be claiming Pension Credit but aren’t.

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Pupils pitch in with ‘awesomely autumn’ window display in Darwen

Published on Monday 7 October 2024 at 9:05 am

Darwen’s new cultural venue – Fourteen Market Street – has been transformed with an awesomely autumnal window display!

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Schools tour raises awareness of drug dealing and exploitation

Published on Friday 4 October 2024 at 11:40 am

Schools in Blackburn with Darwen have this week been learning some powerful lessons on effective ways to combat crime and feel safe.

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The Time is Now for devolution in Lancashire

Published on Thursday 19 September 2024 at 11:15 am

Proposals to create a Combined County Authority for Lancashire have passed a crucial stage after the Government signalled it was happy to proceed with the plan.

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Emergency Volunteers Needed!

Published on Thursday 12 September 2024 at 6:06 pm

Next week a meeting is taking place in Blackburn for those who would like to volunteer in the event of an emergency in our community.

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More schools take advantage of walking or wheeling to school

Published on Tuesday 3 September 2024 at 2:46 pm

Following it’s launch in January, 16 primary schools in the borough are now taking part in a project to get students walking or wheeling to school, with excellent results.

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Say goodbye to summer with a weekend of family fun in Darwen

Published on Friday 30 August 2024 at 9:55 am

It might be the last weekend of the summer holidays, but there is still time to have fun!

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BwD Young Inspectors award Gold to Earcroft Centre

Published on Friday 16 August 2024 at 4:06 pm

BwD Young Inspectors have inspected Earcroft Centre in Darwen and have awarded the centre with a GOLD certification! 

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Darwen parks show off new playgrounds

Published on Tuesday 30 July 2024 at 3:27 pm

The children’s playgrounds in Bold Venture Park and Whitehall Park have received huge investment of £100,000 each.

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Shop Darwen Tower Trail

Published on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 2:32 pm

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Shop Darwen scheme, have launched a new campaign which is all about celebrating our independent retailers, supporting our local economy, having family time out of the house this summer and getting creative!

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Car parks across Darwen town centre to be upgraded as part of £120m investment

Published on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 12:00 pm

Car parks right across Darwen town centre are set to be upgraded as part of the £120m Darwen Town Deal.

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Introducing the council’s brand new WhatsApp Channel!

Published on Wednesday 17 July 2024 at 4:00 pm

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has launched a WhatsApp channel to send residents important news, updates, and information directly.

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Saudi Arabian delegates visit the borough on fact finding mission

Published on Wednesday 17 July 2024 at 3:33 pm

Today, 17 July, delegates from the Saudi Arabian government’s waste management centre visited Blackburn with Darwen council’s refuse and recycling team.

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Successful steps made to tackle climate change

Published on Friday 12 July 2024 at 10:52 am

Over the past year, the council have been continuing with their vow to lower the borough’s greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a global call to tackle the impact of them.

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Child safety sessions for 10 schools across the borough

Published on Thursday 11 July 2024 at 3:22 pm

This week, many young people from across Blackburn with Darwen are receiving important safety advice to prepare them for independent travelling.

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Food waste collections for all residents

Published on Tuesday 9 July 2024 at 1:25 pm

Blackburn with Darwen borough council will begin collecting residents’ food waste from June 2026, with businesses of 10 employees or more expected to arrange for their own food waste to be collected before then.

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‘Mini police’ programme for 180 primary school children comes to a close

Published on Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 2:59 pm

Pupils from 10 primary schools across Blackburn with Darwen have had experience in various police matters as part of a pilot launched by Lancashire Police with the help of the council.

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Council issues warning over illegal fly-posting and graffiti in the lead-up to the upcoming General Election

Published on Friday 14 June 2024 at 10:56 am

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has issued a stern warning after reports of illegal graffiti and fly-posting of political messaging on Council street furniture.

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80th Anniversary of D-Day to be marked in Blackburn and Darwen

Published on Monday 3 June 2024 at 1:05 pm

On Thursday 6 June, two events will be held in the borough to signify 80 years since D-Day.

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Darwen businessman on a mission to recycle and reuse mattresses

Published on Thursday 30 May 2024 at 12:14 pm

Council Leader Councillor Phil Riley has been to visit a mattress recycling business based in Darwen with big ambitions for the future.

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Council crack down on underage and illegal vape sales

Published on Wednesday 29 May 2024 at 9:35 am

Blackburn with Darwen borough council Trading Standards team have been busy putting put premises to the test when it comes to vapes, by undertaking two separate operations to tackle the sale of underage and illegal vapes.

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Free activities for all at the Borough’s markets!

Published on Thursday 23 May 2024 at 1:01 pm

This May half term, head down to Blackburn or Darwen market for an array of free activities.

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Reallocated HS2 funding to improve our borough’s roads

Published on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 10:04 am

£612,000 has been received from the Department for Transport to maintain the borough’s road network, which was reallocated from the HS2 project.

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Herbert Parkinson’s set to ‘pop-up’ at Darwen Market

Published on Wednesday 8 May 2024 at 11:34 am

Darwen’s Herbert Parkinson Ltd – the John Lewis soft furnishings manufacturer – is set to host its first pop-up in the town.

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Mayor of BwD shares Easter greetings

Published on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 3:43 pm

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Parwaiz Akhtar, has recorded a video message to share Easter greetings with everyone who’ll be celebrating this weekend.

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Over half a million allocated to upgrade the borough’s roads

Published on Thursday 21 March 2024 at 10:08 am

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have been awarded a total of £555,185 from the Department of Transport to improve the council’s traffic signal systems as part of ‘The Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant’, which will have a positive effect on roads across the borough.

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Historic civic memorabilia is heading home to Darwen

Published on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 10:24 am

An ornamental casket, a ceremonial mace and an historic trophy are returning to Darwen and were presented in a civic ceremony by the Mayor of Blackburn, Cllr Parwaiz Ahktar.

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Get down to the Jobs and skills fair for new careers, new learning and a new start

Published on Wednesday 21 February 2024 at 8:42 am

Blackburn with Darwen Employment Skills and Support Hub are hosting a Jobs and Skills Fair to give people the opportunity to find a new career, get back into work, volunteer or get learning again.

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Parking charges in Darwen waived during youth centre development works

Published on Tuesday 20 February 2024 at 4:34 pm

As work begins to transform Darwen Youth Centre, Knott Street car park in Darwen will be closing in March 2024.

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This week is National HIV Testing Week

Published on Monday 5 February 2024 at 4:37 pm

From February 6^th to 8th, pop-up testing and information stations will be arriving in the community in BwD, aiming to reduce the numbers of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late with HIV.

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Spark to deliver new gambling support service across Blackburn with Darwen

Published on Monday 5 February 2024 at 1:16 pm

Recovery collaborative Spark are set to provide a new service offer for people across Blackburn with Darwen with gambling addictions with a Gambling Related Harms Support Worker joining the team.

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Our top tips for free things to do in Blackburn with Darwen

Published on Wednesday 27 December 2023 at 10:30 am

Discover a taste of what Blackburn with Darwen has to offer with our guide to some of the top free things to do across our borough.

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Christmas opening times

Published on Thursday 21 December 2023 at 9:41 am

While many council services will be operating as normal throughout the festive period, some buildings will be closed over Christmas and New Year.

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Don’t get caught out this Christmas – Free sanitary products are now available at even more venues in BwD

Published on Friday 15 December 2023 at 11:54 am

Many of us need period products every month – girls, women and people who have periods – but they can be expensive if you’re struggling for money, especially with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

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Fuel and energy advice coming to Blackburn and Darwen

Published on Friday 24 November 2023 at 9:28 am

As part of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, special roadshows are coming to Blackburn with Darwen to give people advice and support about fuel and energy costs this winter.

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Free sessions to protect your little ones from flu this half term

Published on Thursday 19 October 2023 at 2:20 pm

The free flu vaccine is being offered to children aged two and three – and you can get this at special clinics at some of our Family Hubs in the borough over the October half term holiday.

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World Suicide Prevention Day – special walk and vigil to take place

Published on Friday 1 September 2023 at 11:55 am

A special walk and vigil will take place in Darwen and Blackburn next week to help people come together to raise awareness of suicide prevention in the borough.

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Historic trophy to take centre stage at Darwen’s Festival of Brass

Published on Friday 23 June 2023 at 2:03 pm

This weekend marks the 8^th Annual Festival of Brass in Darwen – and the appearance of a historic trophy for the winner!

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Help us to fight air pollution on Clean Air Day – June 15

Published on Thursday 15 June 2023 at 11:35 am

Special trails are in place in parks in Blackburn and Darwen to help us all do our bit to improve air quality and tackle pollution in our borough.

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Sign up for free family fun sessions this half term!

Published on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 2:46 pm

BwD Adult Learning are running free family learning sessions at our community centres during half term week – with cupcake making, painting and planting activities.

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Town centre event promoting Better Mental Health for All

Published on Thursday 6 October 2022 at 3:28 pm

Due to the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the difficult decision was taken to postpone the World Suicide Prevention Day vigils in September in line with other local and national events, as the nation entered a period of mourning.

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Blackburn with Darwen to hold town centre vigils to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Published on Thursday 11 August 2022 at 5:48 pm

Hundreds of people in Blackburn and Darwen will come together on Saturday, 10 September to raise awareness of suicide in the borough.

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