Community Fun day on Jubilee Park

I attended a fun day on Jubilee Park yesterday (Sunday 29th July) It was very well organised with stalls from various groups within the community including Friends of Three Sisters, Surestart and the Home Watch scheme,promoting the work they did within Ashton and Bryn. There was also an impressive climbing wall - which I did not try.And just for a change recently the sun shone all day.

The Children and Young Peoples Service together with the Youth Action Group who organised the event must have been very pleased with the day and should be congratulated for their efforts.

The picture is me and a member of the Friends of Three Sisters at their stall

Lots to do this summer for children and young people

As the summer holidays are now here I thought it would be useful to highlight some of the activities that Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust are putting on in the area for children and young people.

This list only shows what there is to do in the Ashton and Bryn area. There are lots more further afield in the Wigan area.Please contact me for more details

Ashton Library 01942 727119

Regular Events

Wednesday: Under 5s session - 10.30am - 12.30pm

Summer Holiday events

The Big Wild Read will take place every Tuesday 2.00pm - 3.00pm at Ashton Library starting on Tuesday the 24th July 07. These will be fun packed events with crafts and stories. Places are normally in high demand and it is better to book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are £1.00. For ages six years and above.

Crafty Clay Event

Children will have the opportunity to attend Ashton Library on Friday 10th August 07 – 1.30pm – 2.30pm for a crafty clay art session with artist Brian Rollins. Tickets cost £1.00. Places are normally in high demand and it is better to book early to avoid disappointment. For ages six years and above.

Parks and Countryside Activities

All children up to age 15 years are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult or carer.

GRASSLAND SAFARI
Tue 17th Jul, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton. Have you ever wanted to go on safari? Join the Rangers on this mini safari around Three Sisters to see what amazing creatures we can find. Meet at the visitor centre. Booking essential. For further information and to book telephone 01942 720453.

ART WITH A DIFFERENCE
Wed 25th Jul, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Three Sisters Recreation Area, Ashton. Come to Three Sisters and help us make a massive picture on the hill. Using materials from around the park we will transform the field for all to see. Meet at the visitor centre. Booking essential. For further information and to book telephone 01942 720453.

GET ACTIVE
Thu 26th Jul, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Jubilee Park, Ashton. Join the Rangers for an afternoon of fun activities in Jubilee Park. For further information telephone 01942 245369.

Sports Development

Multi Skills Club – Ashton Leisure Centre – September 07. Times dates to be arranged

Community Sports Sessions

Tuesday Evenings - 6.30pm – 9.00pm - Jubilee Park. – Andrea Pilling 01942 404984

Wednesday Evenings – 6.00pm – 8.00pm – Ashton Leisure Centre – Andrea Pilling

Thursday Evenings – 6.00pm – 8.00pm – Landgate Park, Bryn – Andrea Pilling

There are lots of events happening nearby.For more details please contact me.

Big prize for local Tories

I read the following on the Community Action Web site

CHEAP DEAL WITH CONSERVATIVES KEEPS NEW LABOUR IN CONTROL OF THE GREATER MANCHESTER PASSENGER TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

Conservatives rewarded with Deputy Chair of the Bus Shelters Sub Committee

Wow, that's some reward

Pavements in the town centre

In the time I have been a Councillor the state of the pavements outside the Nat West Bank and Quality Save shop has been one of the main sources of complaint from local residents.

Therefore,I was very pleased to learn recently that Wigan Council have approached the owners of these two establishments to ask for approval to improve the footway.If approval is given then the full width of the footway on the south side of Gerard Street from the junction with Warrington Road down to and past the entrance to the Nat West Bank would be block paved.

Captains Lane

During the recent works to improve the sewer system in Ashton, the road surface in Captains Lane was damaged by excess use of cars and heavy vehicles. Following a meeting with Ian McCartney MP and representatives of Wigan Council and United Utilities residents were delighted to learn that United Utilities agreed to undertake to repair the road. The work is now complete and has greatly improved the road.

Mobile masts in Ashton town centre

Plans have been put to the Council to erect two mobile antennae ( overall height 11.2 m from ground level) and one wall mounted antenna ( overall height 9.6 m from ground level) together with three associated equipment cabinets on the top of of the Greensway shopping centre.

While appreciating the need for new antennae and as a mobile phone user myself I have nevertheless objected to the installation of these antenna in the town centre because they do not fit in with the street scene. I have asked for the issue to be considered by the planning committee at their next meeting with a view to a site visit in the near future.

On the subject of the antennae in the town myself and Ian McCartney are still campaigning with local residents to remove the hideous antennae from the roof of the building in Hilton Street.

If you have any comments about the proposed antennae in the town centre please contact me.

No cold calling zone - Crossway Close and Linkway Avenue

Every year in the Borough unwanted and uninvited callers approach people in their homes offering goods and services or trying to trick their way into their houses. Ashton suffers from a particularly high rate of this kind of con trick.

In Wigan the Police,Trading Standards, Age Concern, Victim Support and other agencies take this matter very seriously and Wigan Council's Environmental Services are organising a campaign to stop it happening in the area of Crossway and Linkway.

With residents' agreement they are looking to erect street signs telling people that they are entering an area where residents do not buy from uninvited sales people. Wigan Council is consulting with residents at present with a view to a full presentation of the scheme at the end of July.

If you have any comments about this scheme please contact me.

Beat it team returns to Ashton

For the third time this year the Beat it team will return to Ashton in the week beginning the 16th July. If you know of anywhere in Ashton that needs a really good clean up then please contact me before the 16th and I will inform the Council.