March Newsletter 09

HGRA MARCH 2009 Newsletter

Leigh Rd, Hindley Green.

The campaign mounted by residents of Leigh Rd, The Hindley Green Residents Association and local councillor, has resulted in surface work being carried out by Wigan Council on this treacherous bend.
Over the years this stretch of Leigh Rd has seen a number of serious incidents and has become an accident black spot that has been well documented by local resident Ken Ellis. Ken has spent years keeping track of these events and also of any work that has been carried out.
As a result of Ken's tenacity, the intervention of the Hindley Green Residents Association and Councillor Bob Brierley, WMBC has completed most of this remedial work. The work included, new road and pavement surfaces, road markings, traffic warning signs and an electronic speed control sign. The camber of the road which is believed to be the cause of many of the incidents has also been altered. Anti skid surfaces are to be laid at a later date.
Ken said at the March HGRA public meeting, "whilst the residents of the area are pleased with the work carried out, in his opinion there is still a lot of speeding traffic that possibly could only be reduced by a speed camera". A speed camera has been included in the wish list at the Township Forum for 2009.
Hopefully, the work already done will see an end to the accidents, the damage to property and the fear that the residents lived under.
Leggy Road, Hindley Green.
Just to show what a little initiative can do.
This excellent job shows how an eyesore can be made to look clean and tidy. This area is located just off Richmond Rd to the rear of the shops on Atherton Rd

Hindley Green Signage:

............................Artists Impression

The funding for the new Hindley Green signage has been approved and is to be made available.
These signs are to be funded by Hindley Greens Councillors, Barry & Louise Fagan from their Brighter Borough Funding.
5 signs are to be erected on entry into Hindley Green. The locations being, Laurel Nurseries, The Tamar, Swan Lane/Alder Lane area, Corner Lane & Bickershaw Lane.
HGRA Notice Boards:
The proposed notice boards for the Hindley Green Residents Association are an ongoing issue that is still being followed up by the HGRA officials.
HGRA March Public Meeting
This meeting saw the visit of Tracy Williams of Wigan & Leigh Housing. Tracy was making the association aware of the funding that is available from the Better Estates and the Community Involvement Fund.
HGRA will be looking at the ways that the association can utilise this funding.

Guest Speaker at the HGRA April meeting:Councillor for Hindley, Jim Ellis is to speak at the HGRA meeting on Wednesday 1st April at the Family church @ Bethel, Atherton Rd, Hindley Green.
Cllr Ellis will be informing the meeting about the developments to the shops on Borsdane Avenue.These shops have been an eyesore for quite a few years.

Row of shops in Bordane Avenue
Free Swimming for ALL:

In 2006, Wigan became the first borough in England to offer free swimming to under 16s. A year later, the deal was extended to include everybody over 60 years old.
Now… Everybody can swim for free!
Free swimming for under 16s and over 60s apparently has been incredibly successful.
If you want to know more about this, visit: www.wigan.gov.uk/freeswimming

Free Swimming for All is being administered through Wigan Leisure Culture Trust’s existing Lifestyle scheme.

To apply for a Lifestyle card: Cost £1.50

Telephone 01942 486901
Visit: www.wict.org/lifestyle
Or contact your nearest leisure centre.
Hindley Pool:
01942 255401
Howe Bridge Sports Centre:
01942 870403
Leigh Indoor Sports Centre:
01942 487800
Tyldesley Pool:
01942 882722
Ashton Leisure Centre:
01942 720826

Digital TV:
The Winter Hill Transmitter Group which serves the borough of Wigan will start switching to digital on 4th November 2009, concluding on 2nd December.
People need to be thinking about converting all their TV sets before the 4th November deadline.
Getting your home ready
How many TVs do you have in your home?
Consider every TV set that you want to continue watching. Any TV left unconverted will not work after switchover.
Do you like to record TV programmes?
Video and DVD recorders will still play back and record but most won't be able to record one channel while you watch another. If you enjoy recording, consider getting a digital TV recorder that will also convert your TV.
( Digital Recorder )
( PVR ) Personal Video Recorder
You should check your TV aerial
If you choose a to receive a service like Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV, you may need to upgrade your aerial. It is estimated that around 5-10% of rooftop aerials and up to 50% of set top aerials will be affected by switchover.
What to consider with a satellite service
If you choose a digital satellite service and live in a listed building or conservation area, you may need planning permission.
Will switchover affect my radio?
Your radio equipment will not be affected by switchover.
Website info:
http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk
or call 0845 6 50 50 50
Refuge Island:
The proposed work installing a refuge island near to
Long Lane/Richmond Rd, Hindley
Green has for
the moment been
stopped but we are to understand from Wigan Councils Local
Transport Plan Delivery
Manager,that there have been no objections from
residents to this work being carried out.

The scheme is intended to reduce pedestrian accidents along Atherton Rd.
Membership:
If you would like to become a voting member of Hindley Green Residents Association and you have a Hindley Green address.
Please pick up a membership form from a committee member.
Or Join online.Web site address below.
http://hgra.web.officelive.com/membership.aspx
No subscription fee.
Donations accepted.
Please see the HGRA Treasurer, Eric Dickens.
Dates Of Public Meetings for 2009

Wed 1st April
Wed 6th May AGM
Wed 3rd June
Wed 1st July
Wed 5th August
Wed 2nd September
Wed 7th October
Wed 4th November
Wed 2nd December
The Annual General Meeting of the Hindley Green Residents Association will take place on Wednesday 6th May 2009 at the Family Church @ Bethel, Atherton Rd, Hindley Green.
All members and non members are welcome to attend.
Refreshments will be provided. Also there will be a raffle.

At this meeting the election of officers will take place.

Nomination forms have been sent out to all HGRA members and should be returned by 14th April 2009.
The Hindley Green Residents Association web site & Newsletter.
It is the objective to make both the HGRA web site & the HGRA Newsletter as interesting and informative as possible.
If you come across any information or news that may interest the residents please submit it to HGRA Webmaster or HGRA Secretary
If you have any old photographs of Hindley Green buildings or Street scenes; HGRA would be possibly interested in using them on the Old Photo’s page. http://hgra.web.officelive.com/oldstyles.aspx
You could scan them and send them by Email or lend them to us and we would return them to you.
The address of the web site: http://hgra.web.officelive.com
If you have any suggestions you can Email the Webmaster. hgrawebmaster@fastmail.fm
Or HGRA Secretary: hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm

Police Officer Wendy Rowson’s Surgery
Last Wednesday every month
7.00pm to 9.00pm
Bethel Community Centre

Please make use of this service.
This is your opportunity to voice any concerns about incidents in the Hindley Green area. Please be aware that if you do not report any complaints and obtain a log number, incidents will not be recorded and this gives the appearance that Hindley Green does not have any issues with crime or anti social behaviour.
Tel: 0161 872 5050
Please ring the Police ensuring you receive a Crime Reference Number.
Do not feel under pressure of becoming a “nuisance”.

Visit the Police Help Page on HGRA’s web site for further useful information.

Your local Police team
PC 8243 Wendy Rowson.
PSCO Donna Longhurst.
PSCO John Barker.
Inset: Special Constable
Louise Barber
Home Watch Scheme
Following on from our recent 'home watch' presentation at the HGRA meeting in October. The Neighborhood Team are currently encouraging members of the local Community to contact us with a view to joining 'Home watch' and that further information and advice can be obtained by contacting John Barker or Donna Longhurst (Hindley Green PCSO'S)
Tel: 0161 856 7053
Hindley Green Councillors Surgeries
Cllr Barry Fagan
Cllr Louise Fagan
E-Mail:
B.Fagan@wigan.gov.uk
L.Fagan2@wigan.gov.uk
The Family Church at Bethel,
Atherton Road, Hindley Green.
2nd & 4th Friday in the month 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Cllr Bob Brierley
E-Mail: R.brierley@wigan.gov.uk
From 6.00pm to 7.00pm
The Family Church @ Bethel
1st Tuesday of the month
Park High School:
2nd Tuesday every month
Mornington Rd
High School:
3rd Tuesday every month.
Support HGRA
There are now two easy ways for you to help raise funds for Hindley Green Residents Association!
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/hgra
http://hgra.easysearch.org.uk
Sponsorships by Local Businesses.
If you have a local business and would like to sponsor HGRA.
Please contact the Secretary
HGRA Secretary
Debbie Birchall
114 Crossdale Road
Hindley Green
Wigan WN2 4RQ
Tel: 01942 515690
E Mail: hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Web Site: http://hgra.web.officelive.com

See Our Sponsors & Friends

Next Public Meeting
Wednesday 1st April 2009 at 7pm
The Family Church at Bethel
Atherton Rd, Hindley Green.
All Residents of Hindley Green are invited to come along and share in this meeting.
If you would like to become a voting member of Hindley Green Residents Association and you have a Hindley Green address.
Please pick up a membership form from a committee member.
Or Join online.Web site address below.
http://hgra.web.officelive.com/membership.aspx
No subscription fee.
Donations accepted.
Please see the HGRA Treasurer, Eric Dickens.
HGRA Contact Details
Secretary: Debbie Birchall
E-mail
hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Contact Address:
114 Crossdale Road
Hindley Green, Wigan
WN2 4RQ
Tel: 01942 515690

Hindley Green Residents Association

HGRA Working Together to Benefit the Community