Things for to do in the school holidays

I was happy to attend the opening of the Stubshaw Cross summer events for young people with Yvonne Fovargue our local MP.

Rock FM were there and over the next few weeks there will be activities organised for young people on Golborne Road park.

For further details contact Ken Barston on 272605

And more fun --

On 21st August there will be a Beach Day on Ashton market from 10am to 2pm. Attractions will include donkey rides children's entertainer and face painting. All free!

And even more fun on Jubilee Park

The following events are to be held in Jubilee Park over the summer.

9.11,13 August 12.30 - 2.00 pm - Rounders

10,12 August 12.30 to 2.00 pm - Street Dance

620 Saved

Talks to safeguard a vital bus route have proved successful following an intervention by Abram Ward Councillor, Eunice Smethurst.

Those avid readers of my blog will remember that in October 2008 I together with the local MP Ian McCartney and other local Labour Councillors supported a campaign under the name of Use it or Lose to save the 620 bus route from being scrapped.


It is with great pleasure that I can now announce that thanks to the work of Abram Councillor Cllr Smethurst we have now obtained the support of GMITA to continue the service on a permanent basis, by advocating an extension to the service which will now link Hindley, Platt Bridge, Bamfurlong, Ashton and Stubshaw Cross with St Helens, rather than terminating in Ashton.

Last week Cllr Smethurst was joined by myself and Cllr Keir Stitt (Hindley Green) to celebrate the safeguarding of the route. - see picture above.

Two great awards for Ashton residents

Congratulations to all involved with Jubilee Park for their achievement in gaining the prestigious Green Flag award for the park and to the Town Green Residents group for their award of a Green Pennant for their beautiful garden on Bolton Road

Lib Dems at rock bottom - and it could get worse

It was with some delight that I read yesterday that the Liberal Democrats support has fallen to 12% and Nick Clegg's rating is now +8 from a high of +72.

Clearly voters have seen what a set of self seeking set of politicians these Liberals are. They - much like their friends in the Council Chamber the Community Action Party - have always told people exactly what they want them to hear to gain votes. They have no policies as such. And now they have been found out because, unlike in the past when they had no power, they have to be accountable for their actions. In effect voters have made the judgement that Nick Clegg was not honest about his policies and has abandoned any principles the Party might have had. A good example of this is the rise in VAT to 20 % which Nick Clegg and his party labelled as a Tory tax bombshell but which now they support wholeheartedly.

I am looking forward to the next local elections when the Community Action Party will have to explain to local voters the reasons they support this Government and then justify the massive cuts that will be made and which will be so harmful to the residents of the Borough.