The Branch - Lower Darwen Sports Hub

07/09/2025

The travellers yard has now blocked all vehicular access to Branch Road field, so that's a local facility lost due to inaction by the Trust in charge of the land.

Land that was left in Trust for the Lower Darwen Community by the Eccles family 150 years. Land with a rich history.

Land stolen without an objection from the managing Trust.

Land that could have been saved for minimal cost and effort.

I officially give up on this.

01/02/2025

Lots of activity on the new travellers site this week. I am reassured the council are taking action.

They are not doing of course. It would be helpful if every resident contacted the managing Trust who are the only people who can take any civil action.

Anyone who wants their contact details and a template message please let me know.

27/01/2025

I haven't posted here for along time. Not since the unsuccessful fundraising effort through the Aviva community fund competition. I think it might be time to have another go at something like that.

Here are three photos from historical google earth images. These are the latest view, the view in 2019 and view in 2000.

The 2000 view shows where the public footpath should be, and the 2019 view shows the buildings on the Rec and that the spoil from the recent excavation now covers this land.

The best way to sort this for the future of the community is to take an active interest in the land. Is anyone interested in helping to look at funding or other support to get the area developed a bit? Happy to coordinate through here.

21/06/2022

06/06/2022

20/06/2021

Small sample of the contribution made by the youth in last 18 hours.

20/06/2021

I am going to put some cameras up on the Rec. Please complain now about privacy if you want to.

09/04/2021

Small grants can make a huge difference. Especially with the return of grassroots football just around the corner.

We've got grants of up to £25,000 available for items that can help you get ready for the restart.

Check it out 👇

https://footballfoundation.org.uk/game-on

04/04/2021

We are really disappointed to see recent problems with rampaging youth in the lower Darwen area. Time to restart this project and develop facilities and security in the area.