Keep Leigh in Leigh Campaign

Whitehall have decided to carve up Leigh -   Leigh Town Hall and the Centre of Leigh will no longer be in Leigh but in Westhoughton.  Howe Bridge and the whole of the Atherleigh Ward will move to Westhoughton!!!!

 Pennington Flash will be in Makerfield .....  and believe it or not - Irlam, Cadishead, Walkden and Little Hulton will be in the new Leigh Constituency!

I think a southerner with a felt tip pen, and a bottle of whiskey, drew these new boundaries!!!

Join the Keep Leigh in Leigh campaign protect Atherleigh!!!!

There is a rally on Leigh Town Hall Square next Saturday 24th September 11.30 a.m be there bring your your signs and your flags    !!!

Keep Leigh in Leigh (2)

Keep Leigh in Leigh (2)

Great Results!!!

The young people of our borough have done really well in their A levels, their GCSE's and at key stage 2 . 

Well done ot everyone and good luck in the future.

My Mark

Using Facebook ?  are you young\?  Do you live in Wigan?

 If you are a young person, living in Wigan, and you help to anyone, in your community, in your family or with your neighbours ....in fact -   anyone in any way ...  "Make your Mark" ...go to the actual  place where you help ...make a sign - and take a photo.  Post it on "My Mark" facebook page  and you could win a prize ....  more importantly you will be making your "Mark" for young people in Wigan... Make your mark!!!!.  

My Mark    -   FACEBOOK  

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• Make Your Mark

  linconline.wordpress.com
  

  A brand new project for young people has just launched, giving you the chance to show how you contribute to your local community and make your mark in Wigan Borough. Set up to show the positive side of being young!!!!  ...

July and early August

Look at Plank Lane

Who would believe that Bickershaw Colliery would ever look like this?

I walked from Pennington Country Park up on to the Leeds to Liverpool Canal and along to the bridge at Plank Lane ..... passing Leigh Marina.

Pennington was full of local families enjoying the scenery, the swings, the ducks and the walks.

If we have the weather, I recommend a walk round the Flash and along the canal - a local beauty spot that all members of the family can enjoy.

Councillor Susan Loudon: Here is Crumble - she has been round Gibfield Site...

Councillor Susan Loudon: Here is Crumble - she has been round Gibfield Site...: "Here is Crumble - she has been round Gibfield Site with me. She is a Guide Dog Her owner (my sister Joan) is in hospital with a broken hip..."

Here is Crumble - she has been round Gibfield Site with me.  She is a Guide Dog  Her owner (my sister Joan) is in hospital with a broken hip...  so I am looking after the dog for a few days

What have I been up to????

Update for readers!!!!

Last week saw me at another street surgery with the Police.  We went to Bright Street in Leigh.
Street Surgeries seem to be really welcomed by the local community -  they come and talk to us ...and even make us a cup of tea.

The week before was In Bloom Judging Day for Howe Bridge - all seemed to go well and the Bridgers put on a fine presentation for the Judges and they took them on a tour of the village - Well done!!!!

It was confirmed today that Colliers Corner has gained the Green Pennant for another year.  I went down to the Corner this morning and of course it was wonderful.  Thanks to John and the two Keiths for all the work they do.

Traffic Calming

Our Ward has now got two new Central Refuges - one on Kirkhall Lane and one on Leigh Road - these have been requested by residents with the aim of trying to slow traffic down also to help pedestrians cross these busy roads.  We are still trying to get one on Smallbrook Lane.

Footpaths

Over the last few days (now the rain has stopped) I have been able to walk over the old Gibfield Site along a number of footpaths. You would never know there was a massive opencast mine there 10 years ago.  The reclamation is good.  There are obviously still areas to be re-developed so the site will keep on changing for a number of years.

Armed Forces Day - 25th June 2011

In the Borough the place to be is leigh Sports Village, Sale Way  (off Atherleigh Way)

Opens at 10 a.m. and official opening 11 a.m.

I will be there ---- hope the weather does not put people off.

Postcard Campaign

A few months ago we organised a postcard design competition. Young people from Atherton Primary Schools were asked to design a postcard that could be used to remind neighbours of the school to look after the school during the holiday time. 

The members of the Atherton Super Council, were concerned that quite often their schools gets vandalised during the summer when the children were on their holidays. The young people decided to ask people to "look after the schools" by reporting incidents.

The competition ran and young people put in their entries. We ended up with three finalist -  and today we arranged for those young people to visit Wigan Town Hall...  They had a tour of the Town Hall ...they then met the Mayor of Wigan and she told them who were the runners up and who was the winner of our competition. The young people really seemed to enjoy the morning - they all got a gift voucher and the winner got a framed copy of the winning design.

This afternoon I delivered the postcards to all the schools in Atherton. Most of the schools were over the moon and thought the idea was fantastic.

Well done to all who entered and particularly to the winners.

Art Work in ATHERTON

Today, along with some chlidren, we had a "photoshoot" near the new Art Work on the roundabout on Wigan Road / Atherleigh By-pass.

The Art work is named the Spirit of Enterprise and has 3 terns flying through two stainless steel ribbons

Apart from the terrible weather it was a good day.

Latest News

 Brass Band Concert  July 9th 2011     

    7 p.m. for 7.30 start.

This is being held in Briar Wood (behind the scout headquarters) Leigh Road, Howe Bridge, Atherton on Saturday July 9th arrive at 7-00pm for 7-30pm start.

The concert will be performed by Tyldesley Prize Band who are undoubtedly one of the best brass bands in the north of England. Tickets are only £5.00 for adults, £2.00 for accompanied children. No unaccompanied children will be allowed.

Bring chairs blankets and food come and enjoy our very own proms in the park......  Tickets are available from Terry Daly and, to order tickets or for further information call Terry on 01942 603175 or 07412 521040 or pay on the night on arrival

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Look After Yourself Look After Your Area Day .....       

 If you attended - thanks,      

Damian Jenkinson - In Bloom Co-ordinator said ......     

  "It was a great day - and soup was brilliant!!"

The Bridgers Group took the initiative and asked  residents to become - healthy, happy and making

their area a better place to live. The Bridgers hosted a Look After Yourself Look After Your Area Day on 18th May 2011.

The day consisted of exhibitions, and information stalls -  covering health, security, hobbies,

exercise, and eating more healthily. The PCT, the Police, Fire Service,  the local Health Centre,

the Leisure Trust, Wigan and Leigh Homes, Belong Atherton, Guide Dogs, and Metrofresh were among

the many exhibitors.  There was free refreshments available all day and at lunchtime there was

free  soup and roll and scrumptious muffins and cake.

We hoped that people would visit the exhibition, enjoy the day, and get some worthwhile

information to take away with them. It was a very good day but would have been even better

 with the support of more of our local residents.

Take a look at the photos --------- 

   

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Tour of Leigh Town Hall

Last night (14th June)  saw Lowton St. Mary's Mothers' Union visit Leigh Town Hall.  I took them on a tour of the Town Hall  - a wonderful grade 2 listed building. 

The tour lasted approx. one and a half hours and the women who walked round the building seemed to really enjoy it.

Wet Wet Wet!!!!!

What a wet weekend!!!!!

This weekend I spent Saturday in Howe Bridge doing a plant sale on Colliers Corner.  It was a great day and we also stripped out all the old plants ready to re-plant the shield on the Sports Centre Hill.
Sunday I helped set up at Howe Bridge and then went over to Taunton Ave to help with their hanging baskets.  The weather was awful and we were lucky to be working in someone’s garage.  Meanwhile back in Howe Bridge the rain came down and they had nowhere to shelter. 
Hopefully in the next few days we will have the plants, the time, and the weather to plant up the shield….
Looking forward to our partnership meeting on Friday and I hope lots of people come from the area to talk about our next plans in Howe Bridge.
Thursday and Friday are clean up days on the Trees Estate I will be there supporting Wigan and Leigh Housing and the residents to make the area tidier.
On Saturday it is the Fun Day in Westleigh Park (Westwell Street in Westleigh)
12 noon – 4 p.m. If you can make it will be a good day!

Cabinet for 2011 - announcement.

Following the results of the recent local elections and in preparation for a new session of the Full Council, Lord Peter Smith, leader of the council, has made changes to the town hall’s top table.

“I have announced a team which will lead Wigan Borough through difficult times,” says Cllr Smith.  “We are building on excellent foundations as we bring the council, as well as residents and businesses, through the most challenging period I have encountered in local government.”
Cllr Smith has confirmed that deputy leader Cllr David Molyneux will continue with his role as the cabinet champion for the economy and regeneration.
Cllr Kevin Anderson will take on responsibility for the environment alongside his existing role as champion for neighbourhoods.
Cllr Chris Ready, currently customer services champion, will also take on work to make back office savings and he also becomes the cabinet member for the Leisure and Culture Trust.
Returning to the cabinet is Cllr Ged Bretherton, who will have a role looking at the crucial issue of efficiencies.
Cllr Susan Loudon will continue as cabinet champion for children, young people and education.
Cllr Keith Cunliffe will continue the role as champion for healthier communities.
And confirmed in senior roles, but outside the cabinet are: Cllr Paul Prescott, who will continue to chair the planning committee, Cllr Fred Walker who will lead the fire authority, and Cllr Brian Baldwin will lead on national human resource issues.
“I want to demonstrate that a slimmed down, carefully focussed cabinet is the right place to deliver the changes Wigan Borough needs,” says Cllr Smith.  “The councillors I have appointed will have bigger roles which reflect the joined up priorities we found ourselves dealing with and also with the council’s new slimmed down management structure. 
“We have the right team to focus the borough on supporting the most vulnerable in our society and giving our community the very best services we can.”

June - what a good start

The weather has really improved over the last couple of days.
Walked over the site of the proposed "North Leigh" on Wednesday ...  there are some bits that are lovely and other parts where there is slag and a lot of smelly stagnant water. 

Rubbish!!!!!

Before you request a bulky household collection why not think about donating it to a charity shop or see if anyone locally can make use of it.
Bulky free-standing items, (like fridges and freezers), and free-standing household furniture, (like sofas and wardrobes), can be collected from residents' homes by arrangement.
Three items of bulky waste can be collected for free from each household. There is only one free collection per household per year.

• Upto 5 items can be collected at the time of this collection, but there is a charge of £5 for the fourth item and a further £5 for the fifth item. If a second collection is required within a 12 month period a charge of £75 is made.

Household items, including sofas, beds, fridges and washers, can be collected by arrangement with the team.  This service must be booked in advance.  You will be asked to ensure the items are accessible and, if appropriate, kept dry.  Once you have confirmed each item, you will be given a date on which the collection will be made.
For more information on the bulky item collection service, please contact the Environmental Services Helpline on 01942 404364.

Today 28th May

Today has been wet and very windy.  Not a good day for our planting day in Howe Bridge but we did well.

Another day tomorrow..

The next weekend is 11th and 12th June at Colliers Corner -  on the corner of Leigh Road and Lovers Lane.

I will only be there on the Saturday as the area of Tiverton Taunton are also planting up baskets ...from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.   if you live in that area come along!!!!!

Had a couple of reports on fly tipping in the area that will be followed up on Tuesday after the Bank Holiday

What did May Bring

Since the begining of May I have seen the end of a very hectic election period closing with 6 new Councillors added to the ruling group of Wigan Council and my colleague in Atherleigh , Cllr Mark Aldred was re-elected.

I was re-appointed to the porfolio of Children and Young People and am a member of a smaller Cabinet.

We saw the instalment of a new Mayor,, Joy Birch and Deputy, Mayor Myra Whitesid,e and the day was very nice. The mayor and her deputy seemed to really enjoy the civic occasion.

I have attendedtwo of the three consultation sessions about the new North Leigh Development and have noted local people's concerns. 

I am doing regular street surgeries with the Police and they are proving to be a good interface with the residents. The regular Westwell Street Surgery in Westleigh and the one at the Scout HQ happens once per month but are not well used by the community.

I am hoping that residents may stary to ask when ewill we go to their area - the two hour sessions are good interfaces with the local people and gives them the opportunity to talk to Ward Councillors and the police on their patch.

The Battle of Howe Bridge

Yes we did it!

Last week the 12th February we re-enacted the battle of Howe Bridge.  Funded by our Brighter Borough Funds the production included residents of Howe Bridge and students from St. Michael's and St george's primary Schools.  Susan wrote the script and produced the show!    Look at the photos!!!

Message About Domestic Violence

Athletic back new Domestic Violence Campaign.

Monday 14 February 2011

This Valentine's Day, cupid's arrow has a very different target...
People across the borough are being asked to show they care by pledging their support of a major domestic abuse awareness campaign.
As part of the Greater Manchester-wide drive, a giant Valentine's Day card is being distributed around Wigan borough for people to sign.
And so far signatories include players from Wigan Athletic FC and Trevor and Sheila Fairhurst, whose daughter Carly tragically died five years ago at the hands of her abusive partner.
Featuring the poignant message love shouldn't hurt , the card will be signed by representatives from all the agencies whose job it is to tackle the causes and consequences of domestic abuse - including Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Wigan and Leigh Primary Care Trust and other partners, voluntary groups and charities.

The Valentine's Day event is part of the ongoing End The Fear campaign, which highlights the issues around domestic abuse on specific dates on the calendar, when increased tensions between partners and families can potentially lead to an increase in the number and severity of incidents.

An electronic copy of Wigan's card, together with the cards from the other nine local authorities in Greater Manchester, will be uploaded onto GMP's End The Fear website, where people can also sign the on-line petition.

Throughout this period, more police officers will be available to attend incidents, and a specialist domestic violence investigator will be on hand to provide advice and support to officers.

In addition, police will attend those households in Wigan most affected by domestic abuse, to reassure victims that help is there should they want it. They will also ensure any bail conditions or curfews are being complied with, and provide information leaflets on support for offenders should they wish to change their behaviour.

Detective Inspector Amber Waywell of Wigan's Public Protection Investigation Unit says: "We are totally committed to tackling the problem of domestic abuse. There are now four full-time independent domestic abuse advisers to provide support to victims, as well as a specialist domestic abuse court which can fast-track cases.

"We also have a committed multi-agency group who discuss domestic abuse cases to ensure that all agencies are doing as much as possible to protect victims and families. This has resulted in us massively reducing the repeat victimisation rate in our most serious cases.

"Through our work we will continue to help victims to either leave violent relationships, live more safely within relationships or support the prosecution of offenders."

Cllr Susan Loudon, Wigan Council's cabinet champion for children and young people, says:

"Domestic abuse tears families apart, and children and young people can be emotionally and psychologically scarred for life. It's thought that children witness the abuse in 80% of cases. Those who are exposed to violent behaviour within the family can suffer low self-esteem, become low achievers and even go on to offend. Wigan Council wholeheartedly supports this campaign."

For more information about the services available to help stop domestic abuse, visit www.endthefear.co.uk or call the Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 636 7525.
Those responsible for abuse can also get help by contacting the Respect Phoneline on 0845 122 8609
Key National Statistics:

• • A victim can suffer from 35 attacks before the abuse is reported to the police.
  • In the UK on average 2 women per week are killed by a current or former male partner.
  • Domestic abuse accounts for 15 per cent of all violent incidents.
  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime with women at greater risk of repeat victimisation and serious injury
  • 89 per cent of those suffering 4 or more incidents are women.
  • One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute.