Burnley Rural District Chairman, Councillor Frank W. Burrows and the Chairman's lady, Mrs Olive Murfitt pose for a photograph outside Oakleigh. A previously unpublished image.

Yesterday's monthly meeting of Burnley Rural district Council was strictly formal - so formal in fact that evening suits for the gentlemen and full-length gowns for the ladies were the order of the day! The object of the exercise, outside on the lawn of Oakleigh, in near-freezing conditions was the taking of an official photograph. This will be displayed together with other civic regalia in the museum of Towneley Hall to mark the end of the present Burnley Rural District Council when reorganisation takes place on April 1st. In all 30 councillors, including Burnley Rural District Chairman, Councillor Frank W. Burrows and the Chairman's lady, Mrs Olive Murfitt, and five council officials, braved the cold - and the stares - for the sake of posterity. Afterwards it was a case of "all dressed up and nowhere to go" as the best-dressed council in the area sat down and resumed normal business in the council chamber.

Read's lone rebel Councillor, Cyril Law, who represents the village on the new Ribble Valley District Council as well as the present Burnley Rural District Council stuck to his guns however. Earlier this week he announced that he would be attending minus an evening suit - but in his ordinary lounge suit. Other events which will mark the change-over in local government at Burnley Rural include two buffet receptions at Oakleigh, a more formal dinner at the Higher Trapp, Simonstone, and a get-together for members of the outside staff at the Belvedere-Calder Vale Sports Club. Councillors will also receive copies of the official photograph and mementoes inscribed with the Burnley Rural District Council's Coat of Arms.