pressure group upholding the rights and values of Whitworth, a sounding board for local opinion and a centre for promoting the town's historical, cultural and social identity. Councillors Whitworth's current mayor is Councillor Madeline De Souza and the current deputy mayor is Councillor Lynda Barnes. They lead a twelve strong council made of six councillors representing two wards. Facit & Shawforth to the north of the town, and Healey & Whitworth to the south. The town is also served by 4 councillors on Rossendale Borough Council, 2 for Facit & Shawforth, and 2 for Healey & Whitworth. The town is also served by one member of Lancashire County Council. Geography Situated between the towns of Bacup to the north and Rochdale to the south, the town is built around the Whitworth Valley in the Pennines. In April 1976, an area in and surrounding Healey Dell, at the south end of the valley became legally designated as a statutory local nature reserve. A prominent feature of Healey Dell is the railway viaduct which stands 150 feet above the River Spodden, which rises in the Lancashire Pennine hills above Whitworth and proceeds south through Healey Dell and on to Rochdale, where it merges with the River Roch. Brown Wardle is a hill between Whitworth and the village of Wardle The summit is on the border of Greater Manchester and Lancashire and stands 1,312 ft (400m) above sea level. The hill is part of the South Pennines, lying within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire. Whitworth experiences a temperate maritime climate, like much of the British Isles, with relatively cool summers and mild winters. There is regular but generally light precipitation throughout the year. Communal facilities The facilities available in Whitworth for the pursuit of sports, although limited, are varied, and in some instances unique. Chief among these is water sports. Whitworth Waterski and Recreation Centre based at Cowm Reservoir provides integrated facilities for both the able bodied and the disabled. It specialises in providing for the latter but facilities for all include water skiing, inflatables and banana rides. Whitworth Leisure Centre in John Street was opened in June 2003 thanks largely to the efforts of the Community Leisure Association of Whitworth (CLAW). The centre, which replaced the defunct Whitworth Swimming Pool, caters for a variety of activities including swimming in the refurbished pool. The location of Whitworth close to high moorland, and