Borough Life Summer 2006: Life Lines
Holiday charity seeks new volunteers
SIR, – I am the co-ordinator and vice treasurer of a registered charity, Friends of Families.
We provide holidays for children and families who might never get the opportunity. We have a caravan in Martin Mere, Blackpool.
There are seven charity members who meet once a month at St Peter’s church in Hindley.
We also provide transport and a small food hamper for the families. All the work is done voluntarily and we receive no money.
We are currently desperate for new volunteers.
If anyone can help please contact Christine Boydell at Wigan Children's Fund on 01942 776924.
Kath Thompson, Kenilworth Drive, Hindley Green
Shortcuts
Sir, – I see that further green bins are to be distributed freely throughout the borough yet there is a charge for home composting bins - which are limited to one per household! Surely home composting should be encouraged since it is more environmentally friendly. Any seasoned gardener knows that at least two compost bins are needed.
Andrew Greenough, Appley Bridge
Editor’s note - the limit of one per household no longer applies. Contact WRAP for more information on 0845 077 0757 or go to www.recyclenow.com.
Sir, - I recently drove down Atherleigh Way from the East Lancs Road to Atherton. In the section from the East Lancs Road to Lovers Lane, I counted 38 signs for housing developments alone. Have I missed something or have new housing estates now become a major destination?
Bob McLellan, Lowton (by email)
Sir, - A group of local residents and workers have formed a local Amnesty International group. We are all strong believers in human rights and feel that by creating a group we can tackle abuses across the world as well as raising issues of local importance. Meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at St Nathaniel's resource centre, Platt Bridge. Please email andygregory@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.
Andy Gregory (by email)
Radio-controlled street lights on the East Lancs Road.
‘Pot noodle’ lights control a real turn off
Sir, – Congratulations on another excellent edition of Borough Life. It really is a very interesting and lively magazine. The article about radio-controlled lights on the East Lancs Road had me chuckling because here in the backwoods of Ashton we have ‘pot noodle’ controlled lighting! I reported the street light outside my home was not working. A few days later somebody came round and placed what looked like a taped up pot noodle container on the light, which switched it on. The lamp blazed on, 24 hours a day for four months!
Ken Critchley, Rutland Drive, Ashton
The ‘pot noodle’ is a control unit and the problem has now been sorted. We have now cut repair times from an average 12 days in 2000 to just 4 days. Street lighting boss Keith Benson says: “Although more than 99% of our lights are always working, there are still many needing attention and we appreciate the help we get from the public. Problems can be reported online or to 01942 404331.”
Recycling need because we’ve gotta lotta bottles
Sir, – Can you confirm if the council has plans for recycling of materials such as plastic bottles, especially milk bottles?
Kevin Gillibrand, Henfold Road, Astley
Sir, – Why are we not able to have collected our polythene bottles? I am collecting large amounts and can only take it over to the Rufford tip which is costing money & petrol.
Frank Maxwell (by email)
Recycling officer Dr Gail Schofield writes:
“We’re aiming to provide as many recycling facilities as possible - but plastic only forms a small fraction of the waste of the typical household (2-4%) and is non-biodegradable. Paper can be in excess of 20% of bin waste and is biodegradable, and garden waste contributes a similar fraction. That’s why the priority so far has been to place resources into collecting paper and garden waste for recycling. “Also it is the biodegradable waste that can cause more problems for the environment when it breaks down, releasing greenhouse gases. Our Kirkless site in Ince is closed because of a fire, but people can take their plastic bottles to the Slag Lane Recycling Centre. Our long term plan is to introduce collections of plastics.”