Archive | Jan 07
NEWS Residents win victory over ball hall 25/07/08
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Residents adjoining Kaskenmoor Ball Hall are celebrating a joint win with local Labour councillors who have succeeded in blocking a huge extension.

The proposal would have seen the size of the current ball hall (shown to the right) doubled in size and brought even closer to neighbouring properties. With fears of increased anti-social behaviour and crime local councillors and residents joined together to oppose the move.

 		Cllr Jim McMahon outside the current ball hall
Above: Cllr Jim McMahon outside the current ball hall.
Speaking at the planning committee meeting Cllr Jim McMahon said "it is not an easy decision to object to increased sports provision, but this must be balanced with the rights of local people to enjoy their peace without fear of increased crime and anti-social behaviour". The committee voted to oppose the plans.

In a bold move Jim has also called for the ball hall managing company to be taken to task over what he calls "poor facility management", he went on to say "the current operators have failed to show they are capable of managing this facility and listening to the concerns of local people, if they can not or will not change the council should seek to cancel the lease and get another company to run the site".
 
NEWS Demolition begins on old school blight 25/07/08
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Work has finally begun to demolish the former Failsworth Lower School buildings on Partington Street after local Labour councillors stepped in following complaints from local residents.

Cllr Peter Dean said "we want to thank residents who joined our campaign and this proves that together we can make a difference".
Lower School nears demolition
Above: Lower School nears demolition
NEWS Residents demand action on road danger 08/07/08
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Local Labour councillors are backing a call from residents of Westminster Road to tackle vehicles mounting the pavement and putting lives at risk.
 

Because of the narrow road impatient drivers mount the kerb and drive along the length of the pavement, posing a danger to pedestrians and residents leaving driveways onto the road. Vehicles only mount the kerb where it lowers in three places so three bollards is all that is needed.
Cllr Jim McMahon with local residents

So bad is the problem that after months of inaction local residents have joined together in a show of support to demand action – before someone is seriously injured or killed.

 

Councillor Jim McMahon said “three bollards would solve this problem easily and it beggars belief why it has taken so long to get any action. The council spent

money installing over 80 bollards on Main Street to protect stone paving, yet when we ask for three bollards to protect human life we are met with a refusal. This is not acceptable and we intend to fight for common sense”.

 

Local resident Julie Pickering said “this is a real danger and all we are asking for is help from the council so that we can be safe”.

 

Tony Noblet, Assistant Director for Highways attended and gave a commitment to look at the refusal and work towards a solution.

 
LOCAL INFO Protect your vehicle 13/07/08
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Failsworth Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams are holding a Number Plate Initiative in conjunction with the AA, this will consist of Neighbourhood Officers and a Patrol from the AA setting up camp on Tesco's car park.  The aim of the initiative is to replace the screws holding number plates on to vehicles with anti-tamper screws in an effort to reduce the quantity of number plates being stolen.  They will also be on hand in order to advise members of the public on general vehicle/crime prevention.
It will take place on Sunday 27th July 2008, on Tesco's car park between 11am - 3pm.
 
 
LOCAL INFO Failsworth Summer Fun 16/07/08
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Summer holiday activities for the children and families of Failsworth

Failsworth Summer Fun is a programme of exciting activities for children and families, which takes place during the first three weeks of the summer holidays 2008.

The project is being coordinated by Mather Street Primary School, Failsworth Children’s Centre, and Failsworth School and Specialist Sports College in partnership with the Failsworth Extended Schools Cluster.

There will be many activities taking place including arts and crafts, puppet making, multi-sports activities, football sessions and drumming workshops.

The sessions will be held across four local venues: Failsworth Children’s Centre at Propps Hall school, Mather Street Primary School, Failsworth Soccer Centre and St John’s Church Mission Hall.

You can download a programme of all the weekly activities here: http://hpmedia/distribution/sumsun.jpg (Please click this link and the flyer will open in a new page - To see a larger image, please "right click" on this image and "save as" to a location of your choice where you can re open the image).

Parents will have to book their places on each session by ringing the relevant venue and completing a consent and medical form for each participating child. Each morning or afternoon session will cost £1 per child.

N.B. Failsworth Soccer Centre will also continue to accommodate children up to the age of 16 years via their Play-4-A-Pound football activity on one of the 3G soccer pitches, as well as their Failsworth Summer Fun programme for 5-13 year olds.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Kelly
 Integrated Services Coordinator
Failsworth School, 0161 688 9745, mkelly1@failsworthlg.co.uk
NEWS Well done Failsworth Carnival!!! 25/07/08
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Failsworth held it's own despite the poor weather and managed to match last years fundraising.

The parade on Saturday weaved through the streets of Failsworth - cheering up a cloudy weekend and collecting money for local groups.

Carnival treasurer Jim McMahon said "once again the people of Failsworth came out to support this great event. This would not happen without the hard work of volunteers who give their time freely for the good of our town - so well done to them!".

Groups are now being invited to apply for funding for projects. You can download an application form from www.carnival.failsworth.info - remember the deadline is 1st November!

Above: Fancy dress on the parade and below, volunteers count the money raised.
 
NEWS Failsworth holds off Hollinwood merger 25/07/08
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Failsworth and Hollinwood residents have fought off plans by Oldham Council to merge Failsworth Community Council and Hollinwood Community Council to create one Area Committee.

Cllr Glenys Butterworth said "the opposition to this plan was huge from both areas. We argued Failsworth and Hollinwood were strong distinct communities in their own right and should not be fob off with a merger just to save money or council officer effort".