Care village adds a new dimension to regeneration
The continuing regeneration of Platt Bridge has received another boost with the opening of a stunning new ‘care village’ on Millers Lane.
Belong Villages offers care and comfort for older people who want to keep their independence in a modern, stylish setting. Chief Executive Nick Dykes has been working with Wigan Council to make it happen. He says: “We’ve been dreaming of this for several years: a safe, accessible and friendly community, where non-residents can come in for a haircut or a coffee and residents can meet family, keep a pet and receive what help they need.”
Local ladies Mary and Betty were impressed when they visited.
“We used to play round here as girls,” says Mary Cumberbirch.
The 74 year old former millworker and homehelp remembers Brickcroft, an old pond close by from years past. “It’s a wonderful new development making the area look modern and smart.”
Her pal, former Volex employee Betty Fairhurst was born on Victoria Road. “It’s lovely to see Platt Bridge being regenerated. It’s a good step forward for the community.”
To learn more about Belong, their new centre in Platt Bridge, and their plans for a development in Atherton this year, call 0800 032 2266 or go to Belong (external link)
Brand promotes positive image of borough
Wigan Council, NHS Ashton, Leigh & Wigan, and Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, are joining forces to deliver free swimming – and a whole range of exciting new initiatives – under the umbrella of Wigan Life.
As members of Wigan Borough Partnership, they aim to tackle inequalities in health, education and skills, and raise ambitions and aspirations across the community.
Progress is already being made, but partners recognise that changing perceptions of Wigan borough – internally and externally – is an important step.
Through the Wigan Life brand, they aim to present a more positive image of the borough: a place that fosters aspiration and innovation, that’s inclusive and welcoming, that’s vibrant – and getting healthier.
Wigan Life will be the lead brand on the kind of partnership projects that present a more positive – while realistic – image of the borough than the one which exists in many minds.
“A brand can’t do all this”, admits the Chamber of Commerce’s Miranda Allen, “but it can help us focus attention on what can be done and to raise aspirations across the community.”
Why brown is the new green...
Recycling in Wigan borough just got easier with the start of another new collection service across the borough.
This spring, 75,000 more households are being provided with a free brown bin for glass bottles, tin and steel cans and plastic bottles and containers. This follows a highly successful trial involving 13,500 homes which started last year. In the next month or so, some 64% of the borough will be able to recycle these items from home.
And the council’s waste management team say that by the end of next year, every household in the borough will have received a brown bin.
The new brown bins are emptied fortnightly on the same day as the paper sack and green bin collection. The team are reminding residents that if they haven’t got a white sack, they can use a plastic shopping bag and the crews will replace it with a sack after their next collection.
And don’t forget, there are now some 170 roadside recycling banks with facilities for cans and glass: many are located alongside shops and supermarkets so it’s easy to take your empties back when buying new items.
Leigh rushes for the countryside
A major investment for the communities around Leigh is underway.
Big new horizons for Bickershaw
Tens of millions of pounds are being ploughed in to the former colliery site at Bickershaw which has lain abandoned since the pit shut in 1992.
Wigan Council, along with the Homes and Communities Agency, are transforming the derelict site into a 190 hectare country park, activity and education centre that’s due to open in the next couple of years. After extensive local consultation, the new country park is set to be called The Rushes.
Respect for the past will also see major investment in the canal with a new marina earmarked for the site of the old colliery.
And on the former slag heaps and flashes, nature is already reclaiming its own.
The Rushes is set to be open for public access within the next 18 months, with the first game of golf teeing off in 2011.
Exclusive still from new Wigan Casino film
Borough Life has obtained this exclusive still from a new feature film about the legendary Wigan Casino. Souled Out will be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Starring BAFTA award-winning actor Martin Compston, Alfie Allen, Craig Parkinson, Nichola Burley and Felicity Jones, it is tipped to be another British classic. It is a love story set against the backdrop of 1974 Wigan and the famous all-nighters at the Casino. Stoke's Victoria Hall doubled for the sadly now demolished Casino, but those who have had a sneak preview say the film captures the heady atmosphere of the time and is sure to put Wigan on the international map.
Tax increase set for 2.58 per cent
At the time of Borough Life going to print, councillors still had to meet to confirm the council tax for the coming year as part of the annual budget.
But councillors were expected to agree an increase of 2.58 per cent, which includes police and fire precept charges too.
The budget highlights include additional investment that will allow the council to:
- Improve recycling across the borough;
- Provide extra social care for the borough's older population;
- Freeze the price of school dinners, and
- Direct funding towards the £1.1m scheme to offer free swimming to everyone in the borough (see page 7 for more details).
For more information on the services your council tax funds, see the next edition of Borough Life.
Network provides a new LINk to better health
A new network of local people and community groups is set to give the borough’s residents a powerful voice in how local health and social care services are run.
Wigan Borough LINk (local involvement network) will give everyone from individuals to voluntary groups the chance to say what they think about services and let the people who run them know what is working and what isn’t.
The LINk will have the power to scrutinise services and hold them to account. It will be run by those who take part, supported by a local team employed by respected national charity the Carers’ Federation, which is being funded by the council.
Now the LINk needs YOU to get involved and make it a success. It’s looking for people from all walks of life who want to take part – or even become part of a steering group.
However Katherine Fairclough from the council stressed: “The LINk is important because it will involve you in saying how you would like to see your health and social care planned and provided. But sharing your views doesn’t mean having to sit in meetings or read loads of paperwork.”
For further information about taking part, nominations for the steering group or general information about Wigan Borough Local Involvement Network tel: 01942 705522 or 705839, email: Information - Health and Care Together or visit: Health and Care Together (external link)
Tyldesley makes a splash
At the eastern side of the borough a top sporting club is celebrating national success. Tyldesley Swimming & Water Polo Club’s men’s water polo team are looking forward to playing in the national first division after being crowned Division 2 champions.
Coach Lee Cooke said: “Winning the title is a tremendous achievement for what is essentially a local club. This coming season we will be amongst all the big city teams, many with overseas players at their disposal and there’s no doubt it will be an immense challenge for us.”
The 132 year old club was voted Wigan Borough Club of The Year in 2008. For more information go to Tyldesley Swimming (external link) or email Eric - Tyldesley Swimming
