Pride in Place Timeline:

📍 2024 – The Journey Begins

We asked residents what would make Rawtenstall, Waterfoot and Crawshawbooth better places to live and successfully secured £20 million of Government funding to help make those ambitions a reality.

The Pride in Place Board was established, bringing together community representatives, local businesses and service providers to develop a shared vision and oversee investment in the area.

💡 July 2025 – Your Ideas

Residents, businesses and community organisations were invited to submit project ideas that could help improve local neighbourhoods, public spaces and community facilities.

📋 November 2025 – Our Towns Plan Submitted

The 10-year Our Towns Plan was submitted to Government, setting out the community’s priorities and long-term vision for investment through the Pride in Place Fund.

🏙️ February 2026 – Business Improvement District Consultation

Businesses in Rawtenstall were invited to share their views on the potential introduction of a Business Improvement District (BID) to help support the future of the town centre.

✅ March 2026 – Government Approval

The Government approved Rossendale’s 10-year Our Towns Plan, endorsing the long-term programme of investment shaped by local people.

First Projects Approved

The Pride in Place Board approved the first package of projects, allowing improvements to begin across the area.

🎵 Sound It Out!

Young people took part in Sound It Out!, developing songwriting, sound engineering and stage lighting skills in partnership with the White Horse Project and St Mary’s Chambers. Participants showcased their work at a live event on 29 April.

🌱 April 2026 – Investment Begins

⚽ Marl Pits Sports Improvements

Funding was approved to improve the grass pitches at Marl Pits, supporting Rossendale American Football Club and improving facilities for local players.

🤝 Community Grants

Work began to appoint an organisation to deliver a new Community Grants Programme, enabling local groups to apply for funding for parks, buildings, activities and community spaces.

💼 Rossendale Works

Free football sessions, volunteering opportunities, skills support and wellbeing activities launched in Staghills and Edgeside.

🏅 May 2026 – Building Momentum

Commonwealth Games Community Fund

Small grants opened to help local clubs deliver inclusive sports and physical activity sessions during the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Listening to Staghills & Edgeside

Detailed conversations with residents began to better understand local priorities and shape future improvements.

🌐 New Website Launch

The new Pride in Place webpage was launched, providing updates on projects, funding and community opportunities.

👥 Young People’s Engagement

Young people attended an engagement event at The Zone, sharing ideas about careers, mentoring, creative opportunities and entrepreneurship.

🎭 Creative Skills Programme

A search began for an organisation to deliver a new creative skills programme, helping young people develop skills for careers in the creative industries.

🚧 June 2026 – Improvements on the Ground

🛝 Edgeside Park

Additional match funding was secured to improve the upper play area at Edgeside Park, with designs informed by feedback from local families. Construction is expected to begin around September.

🚶 Woodside Crescent & Heys

Additional match funding was secured to improve walking routes between neighbourhoods and the town centre, making paths safer, cleaner and more accessible.

🎉 Waterfoot Wakes

Funding of £10,000 per year for four years was agreed to support the continued success of the popular Waterfoot Wakes community festival.

🚴 Zona Moller BMX Track

Improvement works began at the Zona Moller BMX Track in Crawshawbooth, creating a better experience for riders.

🏐 Marl Pits Netball Court

Construction started on a new netball court at Marl Pits, creating more opportunities for local people to take part in sport while retaining the area for parking when required.

📈 More to Come…

The Pride in Place programme continues to develop, with further investment, community projects and improvements planned over the coming years as the 10-year vision is delivered.