AUGUST NEWSLETTER 2009
After 26 years of getting up before the crack of dawn, local newsagents Len and Sue Cloake whose shop is at the junction of Corner Lane and Westleigh Lane have finally decided to hang up their news bags and embark on a well deserved retirement.
Len and Sue have been the mainstay of the Corner Lane community and have kept going long after the other shops in the area gave up the ghost. Paperboys and girls have come and gone as have many of the customers who have moved out of the area, but to a large number of their loyal customers they have been the smiling face either going to work or coming home from work and a source of information to many.
Also, to a significant number of people in the area they have been and will remain good friends and we will miss not being able to pop in for a paper, a loaf, and a bottle of milk or just a chat
To say that the closing of the shop is the end of an era is an understatement, but Len and Sue will continue to live at Corner Lane, but if, after.4.30 pm on Saturday 1st August, you forget and go knocking on the front door at 6.00 in the morning for your paper you may get something more than you expected.
Hindley Green Residents Association would like to thank Len and Sue for all the work they have done over the years in generating a huge sense of community spirit in the Corner Lane area and wish them both a long and happy retirement.
At the HGRA general meeting in July, there was strong feelings expressed regarding the WMBC Local Development Framework.
The proposals to build houses and industrial facilities on land to the south of Hindley Green and North Leigh, is a matter for concern.
According to the Core Strategy on the WMBC website, to the south of Hindley is a large area behind Thomas St playing fields and the old railway line, from Leigh Rd all the way to Hindley that Wigan MBC is proposing to develop. Wigan MBC is proposing that approximately half of this area be used for housing, about a quarter for employment closely associated with the employment site currently at the PPG Site at Leigh Rd in Hindley Green, and the remainder for open space. This site would need substantial new road infrastructure to bring it forward, and Wigan MBC say that they would make sure that traffic currently going through the heart of Hindley on the A577 was diverted onto this new route as much as possible, and there would also be significant benefits for public transport, walking and cycling.
The other area is north Leigh site (To the left of Leigh Rd and left of Nell Pan Lane ). This would need a road link to the Atherleigh Way to take traffic out of Westleigh. This site would be mainly housing, plus a large element of employment land and open space. More information can be found at: http://www.wigan.gov.uk/ldfcorestrategy
It was decided at the meeting that a sample letter of objection be written and made available to anyone that wished to object.
Regeneration at Colliery site £19.4m regeneration of a former colliery site in Greater Manchester has been approved.
The government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has released the funding for the derelict Bickershaw colliery site near Leigh which closed in 1992.
The investment will provide a new spine road into the area and land remediation to tackle the contamination from its former use as a coalmine.
About 640 homes and a canal boat marina are planned for the location.
The first phase of the project, Bickershaw South, is seen as a major boost to the economy of Leigh.
The site is currently owned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) who has been undertaking land assembly and feasibility work in recent years to prepare the site. Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA said.
”I am delighted we can make progress on a project which is important in securing the economic future of Leigh “
Bickershaw South was announced as a Carbon Challenge site in November 2007 - a government initiative to build new housing which would have a "zero carbon" footprint.
To help achieve this, a 2MW wind turbine is proposed to provide energy for the development.
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: "With the release of this funding, we will be able to fully remediate the site and create an attractive prospect at Bickershaw for future private investors.
"I am delighted we can make progress on a project which is important in securing the economic future of Leigh."
It is hoped that future funding will be secured to progress later phases of the development to include the creation of a country park, 18-hole golf course, driving range and an outdoor activity centre at Bickershaw North.
Deer have been spotted in Hindley Green and Bickershaw.
A lady from Hindley Green driving up Leigh Rd had to brake quickly to avoid 2 deer crossing from the one side of the old railway ( Thomas St side) to the other side.
She said. “In all my years of living here, walking the fields and the old railway, I have never seen deer”.
She went on to say, “If these are wild deer that are now living here in the area, then I personally feel it is something we should protect. If it can be confirmed there are wild deer then I am sure it would be to the benefit of all to have road signs indicating that deer are crossing on Leigh Rd and maybe West Leigh Lane , if the deer are travelling that route also. I'd also be concerned about people hunting the deer.
Early morning anglers at Fan Lodge and Moran’s Moat in Bickershaw have also reported seeing deer with young ones.
The Beat It Team were in action in Hindley Green from the 10th – 14th August.
There was a general cleanup in: Alley at the rear of Laurel Ave.
Side of Quick Save on Laurel Crt.
Footpath from Atherton Rd along side of Cambourne Ave onto cycle path,
Footpath between Taylor Rd and Trent Rd.
Footpath between Lincroft Rd and Brecon Drive
Other areas that were included: Front of 35 Askwith Rd
Footpath at front and side of No 47 Weydale.
Footpath joining Cambourne Drive and Bexhill Drive.
Alleyway at side of No Thomas St.
A total of 31 hours and approx 3 Tonne of rubbish removed.
Information courtesy of Cllr B Brierley.
The lamp post that was causing problems to large vehicles at the Long Lane island has now been removed and replaced with a new one further back.
The work of flagging the shop frontage adjacent to the island has now commenced. The work was negotiated between Cllr Brierley and the shop owners.
If you are in England and feel like you may have swine flu, visit the new website by following the link Left, or call 0800 1 513 100
(Textphone - 0800 1 513 200).
People who have swine flu symptoms will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is.
They should then ask a flu friend - a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu - to go and pick up their antivirals from their nearest antiviral collection point. The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient.
Contact your doctor directly rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if:
You have a serious underlying illness
You are pregnant
You have a sick child under one year old
Your condition suddenly gets much worse
Your condition is still getting worse after seven days or five days for a child.
Fire Don't worry about it - Do something about it.
Our Home Fire Risk Assessment Teams are on call now to offer free home checks, free fitted smoke alarms (where appropriate) and advice on fire safety to anyone who might be at risk.
Why worry when we can put your mind at rest? Simply call us now on
Freephone 0800 555 815
Further advice and guidance is available at www.fire.gov.uk
It's hard to believe, but people are deliberately starting fires, making hoax calls and attacking your firefighters in Wigan Borough.
If you know who is doing it
Call now in confidence.
Put this number in your mobile phone now and use it to help your firefighters.
Freephone 0800 923 9999
A touch of Nostalgia
Hindley Green Farms of the past
Victoria Farm, Atherton Rd
Marsh Farm, Langfords, Atherton Rd
Frodsham Farm Wigan Lower Rd
Belvadere Farm Off Coupland Rd
Owens Farm Smiths Lane
Charnock Farm Long Lane
Parsonage Farm Arnside Rd
Birch Farm Long Lane
Yewtree Farm Bexhill Drive
Ash Tree Farm Atherton Rd
Close Lane Farm Close Lane
Ivy Farm Walsh Row
Six Acres Farm Off Leigh Rd
Alder Farm Alder Lane
Greens Farm Scowcroft Lane
Hall Farm (behind Hindley Green Hall Leigh Rd ) demolished in the late 1940s to make way for Turner Bros. (Jim and Annie Sykes, were tenants there from 1926 to 1943)
We tend to blame most of our bad weather today on global warming.
It appears that 1852 to 1875 had their fair share as well.
1852
27 Dec, Severe hurricane, much damage done in the neighbourhood.
1854
27 Jun, Violent and destructive thunderstorm at Golborne.
1856
25 Jul, Serious damage from a whirlwind at Westleigh.
1858
16 Jun, Severe storm and whirlwind in the neighborhood, great damage to property.
1859
18 Jul, Dreadful storms and destruction of property in the neighbourhood.
1869
29 Jan, Shock of an earthquake felt in Leigh and neighbourhood.
1871
17 Mar, Severe shock of an earthquake felt in Leigh.
20 Jun, Terrific thunderstorm; great destruction of property in the district
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
hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
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
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 2nd September
Wed 7th October
Wed 4th November
Wed 2nd December
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
HGRA Contact Details
Secretary: Debbie Birchall
E-mail
hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Contact Address:
114 Crossdale Road
Hindley Green, Wigan
WN2 4RQ