Published Tuesday 25 August 2015 at 16:22
Here’s the Shuttle’s top ten reasons why Blackburn is a great place to live
1. Home of Blackburn Harriers
The club that has produced many sporting champions including three Olympic participants, practises at Witton Country Park.
2. Everybody needs good neighbours
20,000 people have taken part in the Council scheme Your Call, which invites people to give something back to their community. Projects have included community clean-ups and health projects.
3. A youthful population
The borough as a whole has a relatively young age. It has a higher than average proportion of young people compared to the national figure
4. Couch to 5k
A real community success story. Thousands participating in this grass roots running movement at the stunning Witton Country Park
5. Re:fresh
Free leisure for those who live, work or have a GP in the borough.
6. Blackburn is home to major international businesses
They include Graham and Brown, Accrol Papers and Crown Paints.
7. An ambitious regeneration programme that continues despite the financial pressures
This has seen the redevelopment of the Mall, the building of Witton Park Arena, the Blackburn Leisure Centre and the Cathedral Quarter.
8. Countryside on the doorstep
Gems like Witton Park and the beautiful Corporation Park attact visitors from around the region as does the beauty of Darwen Moors, Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland.
9. Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
This stunning institution houses a world class collection mostly donated by the Edwardian industrialists who spent their fortunes on collecting rare and beautiful artefacts including Japanese Prints, Turner watercolours and early editions of revered books like a collection of Shakespeare play.
10. Cultural calendar
A growing cultural calendar that sees the year packed with unique and vibrant events including Printfest, Festival of Making, Night at the Museum, Blackburn Heritage Weekend.