Blackburn could be in line to cash in from these sand and dust storms which keep blowing over from the Sahara Desert.
A project is being considered to try and collect this sand and use it for various cottage industries. We might even find ourselves in a ‘Coals to Newcastle’ scenario, where we end up selling sand back to the Arabs. From Blackburn’s Barbary Coast to theirs.
This phenomena of sand and dust blowing from North Africa seems to be becoming more of a regular thing, possibly due to effects of climate change. It usually occurs when big dust storms in the Sahara Desert collide with southerly wind patterns. Blackburn’s location in the middle of the island of Great Britain seems to indicate it may be in the driving seat of a vortex for receiving regular deposits of sand and dust from the world’s largest desert, it could eventually be classed as our own magic carpet.
One new cottage industry being talked about is the manufacture of hourglasses, using sand from the Sahara Desert. This 8th century device comes in all shapes and sizes and doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to an hour or any specific time. They can be bought in various lengths of time measurement and are particularly useful for boiling eggs.
Blackburn also has a tradition for making glass appliances and is well known for this. Many radio and TV valves were manufactured at the Mullards factory on Philips Road. It may have been the town’s largest employer at one time. Thousands of people worked there.
Before we get to finished products, this process has to start somewhere. A new company has been formed to collect sand when it lands over Blackburn from the Sahara. It is asking people to check smooth surfaces around their home next day whenever they hear news reports of another blast of sand being blown over here from the desert.
Cars are particularly prone to being covered in sand on occasions like these. People are being asked to carefully brush sand off their cars into plastic receptacles, such as old margarine tubs or lunch boxes. Anything which can be airtight sealed is very welcome. Not only will this help local industry, but will also give your car a clean and help with our borough’s recycling plan.
The sands of time have been blowing through Blackburn for many a year, probably well before the hourglass was invented. There have been good times and bad times. But there is always an opportunity round the corner.
