The Rossendale Rambler

Following an article sent to Headquarters on opencast mining by our secretary Alan Johnson, which is heading for publication in the Countryside News, his wife, Jean, has been invited to become Countryside Officer for Rossendale.

Jean has a great deal of experience in the area of mineral issues as well as in the opposition of encroachment on the countryside generally. Jean is not able to attend meetings but will send regular reports via Alan. She will be co-opted onto the committee at the meeting on the 31st March.

Jean and Alan founded the Bacup Moors Action Group and have been campaigning tirelessly to prevent wholesale exploitation of the moors above Bacup. They are currently active to try and halt the growth of the moonscape that is Britannia Quarry.

The Countryside Officer's job is to be the RA's local representative at public enquiries, meetings as well as planning applications and to present the Association's case there. This means monitoring draft local plans for new structures, motorways and all other developments which are likely to impinge on the countryside generally. These things are already of prime interest to Jean and over the years of campaigning she has built up an impressive list of contacts in the area.

The next issue of The Rossendale Rambler will feature an article by Jean telling us more and also what we can do to help.

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