Lockdown in 2020 brought an end to all Civic pride Rossendale activities for several months. In that time the weeds spotted their opportunity and took hold in all the gardens and spaces that we maintain. They quickly spread, choking the flowers and shrubs that had been lovingly planted. With less feet walking the pavements and paths in Rossendale the weeds soon also took hold in the cracks between the paving stones and cobbles. But now the Civic Pride volunteers are back and doing their best to get rid of the weeds and uncover the plants.

The litter picking lone rangers are also back tracking down and getting rid of litter from our streets, roads, alley ways and countryside.

But we need money - for equipment, plants and seeds. We want to be able to plants new flowers and shrubs as we clear the weeds, leaving less room for the weeds to come back, particularly in areas where we are clearing away the Himalayan Balsam.

£5 will buy one or two new perennials, £10 a couple of shrubs, £15 will kit out a volunteer with litter picking equipment, £20 will kit out out a volunteer with weeding equpment, £40 will plant up a barrier basket.