The Wedding Planners
When it comes to weddings, there’s very little the team at Wigan Town Hall don’t know.
Every year hundreds of couples decide to tie the knot in the majestic central atrium that serves as the borough’s register office.
And more and more of these couples are choosing to stay on after the ceremony and have their celebrations in the heart of the town centre.
Now the team from Metrofresh, the council-run service responsible for functions at the town hall, has introduced a new service aimed at taking the stress out of the big day.
Metrofresh boss Debbie Clarke explains: “We cater for up to 40 weddings in a typical year. It’s always a great occasion but we know that the planning can be a big headache. So to help we’ve introduced a new wedding planning service.
“We can arrange the food, décor and dressings for the day – that’s what we do,” says Debbie. “We can sort out the photography, the cars, hotel rooms, the disco and entertainment and more. If you want a string quartet or a bagpiper, we can organise it!”
Debbie adds: “When it comes to our menus, if there’s so much choice that you really can’t make up your mind, you can come in for a taster day. There’s so much we can do that will make your wedding truly special… just don’t forget the ring!”
For more information on weddings at Wigan Town Hall you can call Metrofresh on 01942 828096.
Free Swimming for Everyone
Local swimming star Alice Fitton of Howe Bridge Aces welcomes the extension of free swimming to everyone.
Over 36,000 residents are now using the swimming pools at Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Hindley and Ashton, and the numbers of those aged between 17 and 59 has doubled this year.
Some 16,000 more residents have signed up for their Lifestyle card to access the pools since the coming of free swimming for all.
Just complete a lifestyle application form (available to download from www.wlct.org/lifestyle) or pick up a form from your nearest leisure centre, take it to reception with proof of identification and pay £1.50).
Police monitor wanted
Greater Manchester Police Authority closely checks the performance of our police force and there’s currently a vacancy for an independent member to help them do this.
If you’re over 18 and living or working in Greater Manchester, able to offer between seven and 10 hours a week and have a wide range of ‘life experiences’, you could be just the person the authority is looking for.
Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community. The closing date is July 31 with interviews planned for early September. Contact 0161 793 3127 for an application form or visit the vacancies section of the GMPA web site (external link) to download one.
Comeback for council homes
New council homes are to be built in Wigan - the first for more than twenty years. Wigan and Leigh Housing, which manages the council's 23,000 properties, has been given the green light for a £6 million development in Scholes.
The company, which won nearly £3 million of grant towards the scheme on a former demolition site at Kay Close, will be looking for contractors prepared to use local labour. Building is set to start in the autumn.
With waiting lists higher than for many years, the council is hopeful this will be the first of several new developments of council housing across the borough. The last council homes were built in Hindley Green in 1985.
Experts transform history shop
Wigan’s 130 year old History Shop is receiving some loving repair from one of the country’s leading specialists in the restoration of historic buildings.
Manchester based William Anelay Ltd, whose projects have included Victoria Baths and Gorton Monastery in Manchester, is transforming the historic building.
The year long £1.6m scheme will see a new exhibition about the history of Wigan along with major improvements to access, study and research facilities.
Internet tribute to art ‘great’
Wigan artist James Lawrence Isherwood, whose life and works are celebrated on a new website.
Wigan’s great if eccentric artist James Lawrence Isherwood died two decades ago, unrecognised and in poverty.
But today, those who laughed at Isherwood are having to look again at this original master, whose works are now in demand countrywide.
To celebrate his success, the Isherwood family has launched the official website celebrating his life.
The site, Art by Isherwood (external link), is already receiving hits from all over the UK and abroad.
The Turnpike Gallery in Leigh is hosting an exhibition of Isherwood’s work from 7 November to 2 January.
WOW moves to Newtown
WOW is on the move!
Our yearly free family carnival is taking a hop, skip and jump from its usual location of Mesnes Park to Alexandra Park in Newtown.
Last year more than 9,000 attended Wigan One World Festival and this year organisers at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust are hoping it will be even bigger and better.
The WOW festival has relocated as Mesnes Park undergoes the start of its multi-million pound redevelopment.
WOW will take place on Sunday 2 August, from 12noon to 5pm.
