MP'S KIND DONATION TO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The society had looked into the purchase but after some consideration by Jim McMahon, Secretary and Bryan Shepherd, Elected Committee Member (and book expert), it was felt the estimate of £100-£120 was out of the societies reach.

The books, all 32 of them, will be stored for future research by the society.

So a warm thanks to David Heyes, MP and friend to the society.

CONTENT UPDATE

The new content is coming thick and fast this week, we have just added a weekly Horoscope section. Plus more local history information added, including the Failsworth and Hollinwood Riots, the War Memorial and the starting of the clock at St Johns.

Our ears are open and happy to receive comment, good and bad, but always constructive.

Jim McMahon

WEBSITE RE-THINK

To those loyal readers, let me explain for the change back to frames.

I moved onto tables as a trial to help those who can not view frames on their PC, after the 6 month trail was over myself and the other writers had to decide which to go with.

The reason for returning to frames is that when we want to add new content it is easier and quicker to do with frames as the menu bar only needs to be modified once, with tables each page has to be changed - that's over 45 pages!. This was putting us off adding new content, which of course is what you come here for.

Much new content has been added as a result of the change and I hope you enjoy the site more and find it easier to navigate.

Look out for the image, it lets you know when new information has been added. Additions stay new for 1 month.

Some pages may be unavailable or running on the old system for a week or so, but please bear with it.

I welcome comments jim@failsworth.info

Jim

Election News Update

ý Candidates

Why I am backing Judith Heyes, by Jim McMahon

I make no apologies for being so outward in my political opinions. I wasn't always such a avid Labour supporter but the more and more I see the way Failsworth is going, the more and more angry I get with this Lib Dem Council.

I am sick to death of Failsworth coming last to everything. I could rant on about the so called shopping centre (aka the bombsite) or the fact that our roads are crumbling, or that almost every road in Failsworth is ruined with potholes, speed bumps and mini roundabouts, I could rant about the litter but to be honest I am sick of hearing my own voice. Its time to take action, use your vote to make a difference.

I can not express in words my anger when I opened last nights Chronicle to read that Valerie Knowles is standing in Failsworth East. For those who do not know this is the wife of Richard Knowles (also known by other names I can not publish), I hope she know where Failsworth is - Richard sure as hell doesn't. How Valerie Knowles thinks she can represent us from GREENFIELD I'll never know, she must have a different opinion from that of her husband. Unless this is a sick bet made between Richard and Valerie then I am at a loss to understand the reasoning behind this insult!

You would be forgiven if you haven't seen Judith Heyes in the newspapers, she is a quiet lady who would rather fight for Failsworth than be forever self-publicising herself.

Judith has a love for Failsworth that is a warm surprise, her anger when Oldham Council changed Failsworth's Robert Sidlow Library's name to Oldham one stop shop - was clear, from her fighting they are putting the rightful name back on the library.

Because she doesn't put herself in the paper for opening a packet of crisps means that she can get on with the important things, the things which matter the people of Failsworth.

The people of Failsworth are fighters by nature and we need the councillor to fight on our behalf, and at the very least the councillor should live in the town, as Judith does.

Judith is also the wife of David Heyes, MP for Ashton-U-Lyne, which includes Failsworth and Hollinwood.

Make your vote count

Its your vote, not mine, I can only use this site to try and make a difference in Failsworth, its down to YOU, please vote, not voting can be a bad as voting for the Lib Dems.

Just one last thing to bear in mind, Failsworth East current has a Lib Dem councillor, he is Cllr Glover, but where is he? Not in Failsworth, he is meant to live on Main Street but members of the public can not contact him, he is rarely at the area committee meetings and only attends the council to make sure he gets paid!

Thank you for listening to my rants, normal service is resumed.

FAILSWORTH MACEDONIA CRICKET CLUB NEWS

Sponsored Walk

Help the club by joining the sponsored walk. Sunday 4th May 10.00 am meet at willow tavern, Ashton Road East, FAILSWORTH. The walk will be approximately 8 miles (round trip), along Rochdale canal to Slattocks in Middleton. With optional visits to pubs en route/return hopefully buffet provided at willow on completion of walk - sponsor forms and details from Larry Johnson on 688 4549.

Ask not what Failsworth can do for you, but what you can do for the good of Failsworth!

The Failsworth Charities Appeals Committee met to discuss the next Failsworth Carnival.

The programme is coming along and already has many adverts, but of course the more the merrier - if you own a local company then why not boost your profile by helping this well established charity. For residents of Failsworth please be generous when the sellers come round, either by purchasing a programme or by giving a donation. A pound is not a lot of money to most, but to the groups who benefit it can be the difference between carrying on, or closing because of lack of funding!

More urgently we need motors, cars and trucks to be precise. We need fancy open top cars for the Queens precession on Sunday 20th July 2003 for around 2 hours, so if you can help and don't mind driving at a snails pace then get in touch.

In addition to this we urgently need to secure the use of two curtain sided trucks, or one truck and one trailer to use a platforms at the events. Come on local businesses this is a great chance to raise your profile, and we only need them on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July 2003.

If you can help in any way please call Jim McMahon on 0161 681 6448 or email me at jim@failsworth.info

TOP COP AND TEAM REDUCE CRIME BY 20%

Above: Inspector John McNeil and Sergent Tony Foster.

Policing in Failsworth and Hollinwood changed direction when the new Township policing programme came into force. The town benefited from the arrival of Inspector John McNeil, a man with vast experience in more dangerous locations. John joined the force in 1987 and started his career in Oldham Central where he stayed for 10 years working as a patrol officer on Limeside and also in CID. John then move to Longsight where he served for 2 years facing drug gangs and guns. He then made a career jump working as temporary Inspector at Grey Mare Lane station in Beswick before taking up the permanent post of Inspector at Chadderton.

Sept 2002 saw the introduction of Township policing, and the arrival of John to Failsworth, an event much welcomed by residents and press alike.

The road to Township policing started in the aftermath of the Oldham Riots which produced the Riche report into the borough. One recommendation was to improve communications and localise policing.

John has responsibility for his officers and as well as meeting the targets set by the government and the police authority he can also set his own priorities which affect the people of Failsworth and Hollinwood.

You couldn't of failed to notice the improvements made by John and his dedicated team, cracking down on the criminal which ruin our towns good name.

The police are working with many different agencies in trying to combat the cause of crime, nipping it in the bud.

Above: Jim thanks John for his dedication to Failsworth and Hollinwood

This view is shared by John Crompton, member of the Failsworth and Hollinwood Area who is starting a petition which we urge you to sign. The fight is being joined by Labour Councillors Currie, Heyes and Johnson who see this as ludicrous. In the meantime the Police are tackling crime which affects everyone of us, that of anti-social behaviour and youth crime. The Police are working closely with the council and housing associations to make sure those responsible are make to account for their actions against the community. We are lucky enough to have an Inspector who cares and understands the real issues that affect our quality of life, which makes it harder to accept we may lose him and his team from Failsworth.

A new police post will also open soon at St. Chad's Crescent, more details soon.

John is happy to speak to members of the public by phoning him directly on 0161 684 8124 or by email at john.mcneil@gmp.police.uk