Heartfelt tributes at Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone event

By Limitless PR

04 Apr 2024

Website
Jack Straw Wayne Wild Blackburn Youth Zone.jpg.jpg

Rt Hon Jack Straw was honoured and celebrated for his commitment and contribution to the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone at a packed-out event hosted by the charity at Blackburn Rovers.

Mr Straw was the focal point of the "Supper Club" event, hosted by long-term Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone Trustee Wayne Wild, who took over as chair of trustees from Mr Straw in December 2023. Having served as chair since 2015, Mr Straw will continue to support the charity and its members as a trustee.

The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to Jack from the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s chief executive, Hannah Allen who acknowledged that in Blackburn, Jack Straw needs no introduction.

She described working with Mr Straw as an amazing opportunity, and that the successful position of the charity is in, referencing the exciting £3.1m Fuse Box redevelopment and £3m that will enable Blackburn with Darwen Council to double the size of Darwen Youth Centre through the Youth Investment Fund, down to the “hard yards” he has put in with the team.

Before the Q&A began, Wayne Wild told the crowd of 110 patrons and supporters from the local business community that, “This is a surreal moment for me. Jack has been a very instrumental figure throughout my life. I’m exceptionally proud to be able to be sat here with you, asking some questions.”

Mr Straw fielded questions on a wide range of topics, from his experiences early in his career to his opinions on current issues. While asking for advice for the next generation of politicians, one delegate thanked Mr Straw for being an inspiration, and described “seeing you stood in the middle of Blackburn on your literal soapbox.”

The final question came from Ram Gupta, from Nybble IT, who thanked Mr Straw for "turning hope into reality” before asking his question about AI and politics.

Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s founder and trustee, Andrew Graham, gave the closing remarks, echoing the gratitude and admiration that had been shared throughout the evening. He said: “In the journey of Blackburn and now Darwen Youth Zone, we’ve had some tremendous evenings, and I actually think this is the best one that we’ve ever had with all of our patrons – a huge thanks to you all. 

“Jack Straw has been involved in the Youth Zone project from day one. Even when he was serving on the Cabinet he gave the time to the project. You heard from Hannah about his forensic knowledge about the Youth Zone and passion for numbers that drove us to be one of the best Youth Zones in the Country.

"It’s been an absolute honour to serve with you. We’re so delighted you’re staying on the board, and with Wayne’s leadership and brilliant trustee board that we have, we ain’t finished yet.”

Rt Hon Jack Straw described his time as chair of trustees for the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone as, “fantastically interesting and rewarding.” He thanked the attendees for coming, and their ongoing support for the charity, “because without your support we couldn’t do what we are now doing.”

His parting words were to his successor, Wayne Wild. He said: “Wayne, you’re already doing a fantastic job, and you’ll continue to do so. And Andrew and I will be there to support you.”

For further information, go to www.blackburnyz.org

Enjoyed this? Read more from Limitless PR

Latest news

1

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild Karen Lilley Front Of House Lecturer David McKown David Lyon Scholars Manager And Blackburn College Principal Dr Fazal Dad

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild

10 Jun 2025

2

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley Badgequo have agreed to let the site on Frontier Park

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley

10 Jun 2025

3

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment Kamal Essa

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment

09 Jun 2025

4

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management Graham Cowley

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management

09 Jun 2025

5

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director Napthens appointments Jayna Mistry, Onyeka-Obedi and Rebecca Rhodes

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director

09 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking
Sub36 Social1200pxandi Lewis
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

Mytton Fold Hotel , Blackburn , BB6 8AB

09:30 - 11:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College Industry Hub, Burnley, BB120AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron
BU-June-Event-BRAD-1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron

Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

08:30 - 11:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

90 day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

90 day Business Planning Workshop

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:00 - 16:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin