Borough Life Spring 2006: News is Brief
Christmas winners
Three more Borough Life readers are celebrating after winning our great Christmas competition. Winner of the trip for two to Paris was Mick Aspey from Leigh. H. Lloyd from Wigan won tickets to the Monaco Ballroom, and C. Hart from Bryn received tickets to Haigh Hall’s popular carvery. The answers were 1)Haigh 2) Angers and 3) Westwood.
Support group for carers
A support group for mental health carers meets on the second Friday every month, between 1pm and 3.30pm at the Church of Christ in Longshoot, Scholes. New members are welcome - more information from Pat Belshaw, family support worker on 01942 705965.
Land of opportunity
Council chiefs have welcomed a trade delegation from China to look at investment opportunities. China is set to become the world’s most important 21st century economy and Wigan is seen as a major opportunity. The delegation looked at development sites and was given a town hall reception by the mayor.
Beacon shines
Wigan Council is in line for be named a ‘beacon’ of good practice because of the way it involves council tenants in improving local services. The council is one of just six nationally shortlisted for the accolade, which is only given to authorities that show evidence of “excellence and innovation”.
‘Attractive’ Ashton in line for £150,000 facelift
Ashton is “an attractive Victorian townscape including some notable examples of historic inns and shop fronts.” That’s the verdict of the council blueprint which planning chiefs hope will unlock £150,000 of government cash. The money will pay for a three year programme of improvements to buildings and the town centre environment. The report highlights important ‘ecclesiastical spaces’ such as St Oswald’s and St Thomas’ churches, and some early terraced housing. It identifies three distinct character areas – Gerard Street and Warrington Road, St Thomas’ and St Oswald’s churches, and Heath Road. The council expects to hear from English Heritage in April whether the bid has been successful.
Over 60s in the swim
As Borough Life went to press, councillors were set to agree the introduction of free swimming for all residents aged 60 and over. The move follows the success of a similar scheme for under 16s that has led to 22,000 young people now taking advantage of free swimming. The scheme will be part of the new Lifestyle programme and older residents wanting to take part will need to apply for a special card. Council chiefs believe free swimming for the over 60s will make a big contribution to improving the health and enjoyment of the borough’s older residents. The plan, recommended by the Metro’s cabinet as part of a 3.37% council tax increase, will mean more people are eligible to swim for free in Wigan than most parts of the country. More details will be included in the next Borough Life.
Residents urged to help bid
Wanted: keen gardeners with community spirit able to spare an hour
or two to brighten the borough. This year the council is trying to
win a prestigious Britain in Bloom award for the first time, and they
need volunteer gardeners to help with landscapes, floral displays,
tree planting and seed sowing.
Cabinet member for the environment Cllr
David Molyneux said: “It
would be another step in changing the old-fashioned national perception
of us as living in a coal-mining industrial landscape. We want to celebrate
our blooming borough!”
There are many ways to get involved, from
a one-off morning or afternoon planting session to a long-term commitment
to maintaining a newly landscaped area. If you want to offer your own
designs and advice to help improve the quality of our floral landscapes,
or simply plant a few bulbs, call 01942 705244 to help the borough
to achieve Britain in Bloom status.
SHIP-shape housing event in May
Wigan gets SHIP shape in May, with a major event promoting housing and other services to support independent living. If you’re over 50, make Wigan Town Hall your destination on Tuesday 16 May (10am-3pm) for the annual Sheltered Housing & Information Partnership (SHIP) awareness day. The free event will showcase the many local organisations that provide services to the over fifties, with information and entertainment, and discussions and demonstrations and throughout the day. For more information, contact Amanda Davison at Wigan & Leigh Housing on 01942 486538.
Fair trade campaign needs help
Fair Trade Fortnight (March 6-19) is underway and one local group is determined to make Wigan a Fairtrade borough. Lowton & Golborne Fairtrade Group hopes to persuade enough food outlets to sell Fairtrade products to gain the borough Fairtrade status. The group’s Mary Waterworth explains: “We need Borough Life readers to tell us where Fairtrade products are on sale locally, and we need more cafes and retails outlets to come forward and sell Fairtrade products. “If developing countries can increase their share of world exports by just 1%, 128 million people would be lifted out of poverty.” For details or to contact the group, visit www.wiganfairtrade.org.uk
Capital move to borough
LITTLE London, a counselling service for young people in Wigan borough, has relocated to new premises in Bridgeman Terrace thanks to a £202,000 grant from The Big Lottery Fund. The free and confidential self-referral service for under-25s helps young people to deal with all sorts of problems including bullying, bereavement, depression and loneliness. Anyone wishing to access the service can do so by calling a confidential helpline on (01942) 776767.
On yer bike!
Wigan Council is encouraging residents to get cycling. And they have 30 copies of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ glossy Bicycle Owners’ Handbook to give away to the first people to email: ltp@wigan.gov.uk or write to James Noakes, Wigan Council, New Market Street, Wigan WN1 1RP. It’s packed with information on how to maintain your bike and stay safe on the road.