CRICKET: MACEDONIA MATTERS

Sat 10 May

Failsworth Macedonia secured their first victory of the season in a close , exciting game at Westleigh. The home side posted a score of 144-8, with opening bowler Khaliq Ur Rehman taking the honours with 4 for 31. With the game always likely to suffer from rain interruptions, the chase for runs was difficult to gauge, and  with several overs lost, the result was decided on the last 10 over rule, requiring the batting team to reach the target or accept a draw. Thanks to a splendid knock of 60 by skipper Dave Rigney and 30 by Chris Gawler, "Macy" achieved their target in the final over to secure the welcome 4 points.

Sun 11 May

Calverley Cup

A remarkable first round cup victory for Macedonia away to Fothergills. After an opening stand of 55 without loss, Macedonia collapsed to a disappointing 73 for 7. Their cup hopes were saved by an excellent innings by all-rounder Khaliq Ur Rehman, who smashed an aggressive 78 out of a 8th wicket stand of 99 with Pete Haselden.
Once again, rain affected the game, with several stoppages. Skipper Dave Rigney took  4 for 18 as Failsworth bowled well to dismiss the home side and progress to the next round.



Stokes Cup

Macedonia seconds found it hard going in their cup match at Holt Lane, and runs were hard to come by on a slow, low wicket and some tight bowling by Glodwick. Although batting with spirit and using their allocated overs, their score was never enough to trouble a good batting side who made light work of their task. The higher standard of this new division showing itself in the first home match of the campaign.

Link: Failsworth Macedonia Cricket Club

PROPERTY PRICES RISE AND RISE

Average Property Prices by District

Local estate agents; NP Estates, Tom Clarke, Cousins, Ryder & Dutton

Data source: HM Land Registry

SKILL SHARING CUTS WAITING LISTS

Patients at doctors' surgeries in Greater Manchester could find they are treated by the receptionists.

A new scheme in Oldham is designed to improve services and free up GPs so that they can see patients more quickly.

Receptionists have been trained in basic medical skills, including taking blood samples and taking blood pressure readings.

Nurses also ease doctors' workload by carrying out initial consultations.

We can now guarantee an appointment in under 24 hours, usually with the doctors of the patient's choice Dr Hugh Sturgess, Hopwood House

The Collaborative Working System has been praised by Prime Minister Tony Blair - and led to a reduction in waiting times.

Oldham Primary Care Trust has led the project and paid for the training of new health care assistant posts.

A review by the trust has shown that at the Hopwood House practice 50 GP appointments a month were saved by highlighting nurse-led services.

About 85% of patients using a special telephone consultation line at Failsworth Medical Centre did not then require a GP appointment.

Minimal cost

The scheme has also led to a reduction in waiting times to see a GP at Chadderton town health centre from 10 days at the peak of demand, to same-day service.

Dr Hugh Sturgess, of Hopwood House, said: "Prior to joining the collaborative, patients with routine problems could have been waiting for anything from three to five days to see a GP.

"We can now guarantee an appointment in under 24 hours, usually with the doctors of the patient's choice.

"We have achieved this without an increase in our workload and at very minimal cost."

Nine practices are currently working within the new scheme and another five are due to start training next month.

NEW CONTENT ADDED

Just added..... Read about the Failsworth Cemeteries, The Failsworth Sewage Works and the Failsworth Floods.

Lots of historical info added all the time so keep coming back.

FAILSWORTH EAST WARNING

Failsworth East had the lowest turnout of the whole of the Oldham Council area.

The turnout, just 29.7%, shows just how complacent we are in the East. Be warned it is this type of laziness which lets the BNP think they can have a go. After coming 2nd in West there is now a good chance that they will go for East next year when all council seats are up.

You have a year to arrange your diaries, 10th April 2004, don't let other residents down!

LABOUR TAKE CONTROL OF OLDHAM COUNCIL

Above: How Richard Knowles and Chris Hilyer might look leaving the Council (in the name of humour of course!)

The results came in thick and fast after the local elections. Labour managed to kick out the incompetent Lib Dem council after huge gains across the borough.

It was a great night at home when Labour took Failsworth East, Failsworth West and Hollinwood.

Local Resident Charlie from Ashton Road West says 'Let me be one of the first people to congratulate the Labour party for gaining control of Oldham council. Lets not hear anymore excuses now lets see some action it's time to deliver the promised land to the people of Failsworth. I hope we have seen the last of the BNP ... go away'

We can now expect 24 new street cleaners to make our streets cleaner and 24 new community safety officers to make our streets safe to walk!

	PARTY	2003	PREVIOUS	CHANGE
	LAB	33	27	6
	LD	25	30	-5
	CON	2	2	0
	GRN	0	1	-1

COUNCIL HISTORY
 

TYPE	Met
BOUNDARY CHANGES	No
NEW SEATS	0
COUNCIL CONTROLLED BY	1973-LAB, 1975-LAB, 1976-NOC, 1978-CON, 1979-CON, 1980-LAB, 1982-LAB, 1983-LAB, 1984-LAB, 1986-LAB, 1987-LAB, 1988-LAB, 1990-LAB, 1991-LAB, 1992-LAB, 1994-NOC, 1995-LAB, 1996-LAB, 1998-LAB, 1999-LAB, 2000-LD, 2002-NOC

The results for our town was as follows:

Failsworth EAST

Failsworth WEST

Hollinwood

You may be interested to know, those 184 of you, that Valerie Knowles didn't either bother to show up for the count, perhaps she really doesn't know where Failsworth is!

It was a shame to see so many votes for the BNP in Failsworth West and Hollinwood, lets hope a bit of confidence in mainstream parties is returned in time for next year.

Paul Martin (con), came second in Failsworth West and was welcomed with a respectable 739 votes. But of course it was our own Judith Heyes who topped the charts with a massive 1550 votes, well done Judith!

OMBC Press Release: Grants up for grabs!

Voluntary groups are being urged to take advantage of cash grants from Oldham Council.

The Council has re-launched its minor grants scheme to help voluntary and community groups across the Borough to start up new projects or improve existing ones.

The one off payments of up to £7,500 can be used towards the cost of items such as furniture or office equipment.

Local community representatives and ward councillors will decide which local projects receive the money through the Area Committees.

Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Performance and Regeneration) Andrew Fletcher said: "The Council recognises that voluntary groups play a crucial role in the life of the Borough and we would welcome any creative and innovative ideas for improving the quality of life for all the communities of Oldham.

"The minor grants scheme is an excellent way for local voluntary and community groups to improve the services they offer and I would encourage them to apply for a grant."

The closing date for this round of applications is Friday, 9 May 2003, although there will be another chance to apply at the end of August. Practical support and assistance is available for groups to help with their application.

Further information, advice or an application form can be obtained by contacting Hellal Choudhury on 0161 911 5182.

CRICKET: MACEDONIA MATTERS

North Manchester Cricket League Div 1

FAILSWORTH MACEDONIA CC     155 ALL OUT
FOTHERGILL & HARVEY CC         132 FOR 5
BAD LIGHT STOPPED PLAY.........MATCH DRAWN

Newly promoted Failsworth Macedonia had mixed feelings after their opening game of the season. Following on from last years success, the Holt Lane club were keen to asses the standard required to compete with the best of the Division 1 sides.

The away fixture at Fothergills indicated that it will require a determined effort with the bat in particular to post competitive scores this season.

Macedonia made a great start to their innings ,with the welcome return of Michael Wallace after injury, who top scored with 47 in an opening partnership with Nick Daly (31). However , from a start of 78-1 ,they were pegged back by some good bowling from Harveys. The following batsmen struggled to a disappointing total of 155 a.o.

Harvey's reply, in a rain affected chase, with several stoppages in play, was to go for the runs as quickly as possible in the remaining overs. They appeared to be well on course for victory, but the introduction of Chris Akin and Ian Wilson had the desired effect , and Harvey's found the slower bowling more difficult to deal with. With the overs reduced Harvey's needed 9 per over off the remaining 10 overs, but lost vital wickets in the chase.

The match was finally called to a halt by the umpires due to bad light with 2 over left to bowl.

Link: Failsworth Macedonia Cricket Club

FIRM CHARGED OVER SCRAP FRIDGES

CONTENT UPDATE

Just added: Historical info on the two Failsworth Libraries, Carnegie and Robert Sidlow. PLUS photos added to the Failsworth and Woodhouses section. If there is anything you'd like to see please let me know jim@failsworth.info