Diggle News has now become part of inSaddleworth
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Saddleworth North Monthly Crime Figures: March 2015
| CRIME | JAN | FEB | MAR |
| BURGLARY (Of homes) | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| BURGLARY OTHER (Shed, Garage, Business) | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| THEFT FROM A VEHICLE / vehicle interference | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| CRIMINAL DAMAGE | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ROBBERY | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| OTHER THEFT | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Burglary Dwelling
Springwood Estate – Unknown offenders gain access to property via insecure front door and remove car keys from a handbag and jewellery. Offenders then steal vehicle which is parked on neighbours driveway.
One male has been arrested and charged for this offence.
Burglary Other
Delph Allotments , Holland Close – Unknown offenders approach a secure detached shed and using a screw driver remove screws from hinges and steal items from within.
Vehicle crime – (Theft from a motor vehicle and vehicle interference)
Rochdale Road, Denshaw – Offender uses a crow bar to force open a storage container and steal a leaf blower from inside.
Huddersfield Road, Denshaw – Offenders approach a parked secure vehicle and smash the offside drivers’ window. Once inside the vehicle they conduct an untidy search stealing items from within.
Platt Lane, Dobcross – Offenders smash front nearside window of vehicle.
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Woods Lane, Dobcross – Offenders steal parked secure vehicle by unknown means.
Huddersfield Road, Austerlands – Offenders steal parked secure vehicle by unknown means.
Criminal Damage
Ward Lane, Diggle – Unknown offenders throw object at ground floor window causing it to smash.
Southgate, Dobcross – Unknown offender punches two small holes in each tyre of vehicle
Huddersfield Road, Scouthead – Victim attends filling station and stops at the pump asking the attendant to fill up his vehicle. Attendant does this then victim drives off, approx 5 miles later the vehicle breaks down and is recovered. A diagnostics test is conducted and fuel is said to be contaminated.
Other Thefts
Huddersfield Road, Delph – Hydraulic drill attachment is stolen from the side of the road near to road works by unknown offenders.
Rivington Road, Springhead – Lead flashing is stolen from the roof of the garage by unknown offenders.
Huddersfield Road, Delph – Unknown offenders steal two bay trees in ceramic pots from either side of the properties front door.
Robbery
Dobcross New Road, Dobcross – Victim is walking home when he is approached by the offender who demands the victim hands his property over. Offender pushes the victim causing him to fall over a wall hurting himself.
Be aware that theft from motor vehicles is still a problem in the area and please take all appropriate measures to stop yourself becoming the next victim.
PCSO Monica Seville and PCSO Kath Crompton
PC 09098 Mark Clough
Contact oldhamborough@gmp.police.uk or call us on 0161 856 8825
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The Parish Centre, Uppermill: Election Forum
Election Forum on the 19th April 2015 at the Parish Centre, Lee street, Uppermill , 2.30 – 4.30 pm.
The candidates from 5 parties have been invited to an election forum at The Parish Centre, Lee St., Uppermill to answer written questions from the public. E-mail questions to alison@brittle.org.uk subject: election, phone 01457 876076, or hand in on arrival no later than 15 minutes beforehand.
About Debbie Abrahams
Standing in Oldham East and Saddleworth for Labour Party.
Find out more at YourNextMP.
About Miranda Meadowcroft
Standing in Oldham East and Saddleworth for Green Party.
Find out more at YourNextMP.
About Peter Klonowski
Standing in Oldham East and Saddleworth for UK Independence Party (UKIP).
Find out more at YourNextMP.
About Richard Marbrow
Standing in Oldham East and Saddleworth for Liberal Democrats.
Find out more at YourNextMP.
For more information visit: inSaddleworth or Meet Your MP
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Saddleworth Group of Artists Summer Exhibition
Rainy Day in Manchester. Artist: Jane Braithwaite
Saddleworth Group of Artists Festival Exhibition
May 9 to June 18, 2015,
1.00pm to 4.00pm daily, Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill, Saddleworth.
This year, The Saddleworth Group of Artists, will hold its annual summer exhibition at the Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill, in conjunction with The Saddleworth Festival of Arts.
Always a popular show, the exhibition is on from 9th May to 18th June, with up to fifty works including oil, watercolour, pastel and textiles on display. Styles range from photorealism to expressionistic and well known local artists such as John McCombes, Sheila Dewsbury and Peter Stanaway will be exhibiting. Most work will be for sale.
Now in it’s 65th year, the group is comprised of over fifty enthusiastic members wishing to paint and exhibit their work. Inspiration is not hard to come by in this moorland area to the north of Oldham, with local artists taking full advantage of the rural landscape and cityscapes as well as historical cotton mills and machinery.
Later in June, the group will also be hosting the popular ‘Journées de Peinture’, when artists from Europe and America paint outdoors in Saddleworth. (For examples of their work from previous visits, see the display in the ballroom of the Civic Hall during the festival).
The Saddleworth Group of Artists is a dynamic organisation, full of ideas to encourage interest and bring art to the public view. The group welcomes applications for membership or offers of new exhibition spaces.
For more information about the Group and its individual artists contact the secretary on 01457 875718 or president on 01457 876716.
Saddleworth Museum, High St, Uppermill, OL36HS Tel. 01457874093.
Run as a registered charity the museum is reliant on admission charges as part of it’s income. Open daily 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Adults £2 – Children – £1 – Concessions £1 –Family Ticket – £4 (2 adults and up to 5 children)
Liverpool Street Station – Waiting for the Train. Artist: Jane Braithwaite
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Concern grows for missing Stalybridge man
Police are growing concerned for the welfare of a Stalybridge man who has gone missing.
Adam Faulke, aged 42 went missing from his home in Stalybridge and was last seen at 5am on Monday 13 April 2015.
Adam is a keen walker and regularly takes walks around Stalybridge and the Dovestones area of Saddleworth.
He was last seen wearing grey combats, grey walking trainers, dark black thin Regatta waterproof jacket and a red zip up fleece.
Adam is a white, 6ft 2in tall, he has short dark brown hair, brown eyes and he speaks with a Liverpool accent.
If anyone has seen Adam or knows of his whereabouts please call the police on 101 and quote reference 1949 13 April 2015.
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Candidates for Elections – Thursday, May 7
Nominations for candidates in next month’s elections are now closed.
The nominees are as follows:
Election of a Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth Constituency
Debbie Abrahams Labour
Sajjad Hussain Conservative
Peter Klonowski UKIP
Richard Marbrow Liberal Democrats
Miranda Meadowcroft Green Party
Oldham Council Ward Seats
For more information visit: inSaddleworth or Oldham Council
Saddleworth to host International Art Week
It’s International Art Week (otherwise known as Journee de Peinture) here in Saddleworth, from Saturday June 20th to June 27th 2015 .
Up to 30 accomplished international artists will be arriving from America, Germany, France and Switzerland in order to paint alongside local artists here in Saddleworth and surrounding areas. Our local art group, the Saddleworth Group of Artists, will be supporting the visitors with all their needs, leaving them free to paint.
This event has happened every four years since 2002 (now every five years, as artists from Germany have recently become involved). Each of the other countries is visited in turn with the artists always receiving a wonderful reception, along with involvement from local dignitaries and press. Local people here, have always been eager to host our international guests and many lasting friendships have been formed. We are hoping for extensive media coverage of the event.
Perceived barriers of language, age difference and experience soon disappear during the week as friendships bond and camaraderie builds up. Artists’ anxieties about their abilities to paint quickly alongside others, deal with the differences of terrain and light in a different country and the worry that ‘everyone will be better than me’, all have to be overcome. By the second day of painting these concerns have dissolved as assumptions of competition between artists are blown away and friendships develop. It’s a great experience for all involved.
The event follows a simple formula that has worked for over 19 years in 9 different locations around the world. Every day, the artists go out on location to paint. That evening, the paintings will be displayed, by the artists in the Museum, Uppermill, ready for the public to view the following day.
How you can help:-
We need-
– Offers of B and B accommodation for visitors
– Transport and drivers (airport runs and delivery of artists to and from painting venues)
– Wet weather painting facilities with views (gazebos, garages, etc)
– Welcome gifts for the visitors (many local businesses have already made very generous offers)
If you are able to help or donate in some way, please contact Jean Fenton or Cliff Moorhouse for more details on 01457875718 Cliff’s email:- cliff.moorhouse@talktalk.net
If you would like to watch the artists at work, the painting venues will be posted at the Saddleworth Museum each day.
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Diggle Site Approved by Cabinet
WH Shaw Pallet Works, Diggle (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2015)
At Oldham Council’s cabinet meeting last night (30/3/15), the Shaw Pallet Works site in Diggle was approved as the location for the new Saddleworth Secondary School.
This approval follows the decision of the Education Funding Agency to choose the Diggle site as their preferred option in 2014 after dismissing three alternative locations – two on the existing Saddleworth School site and one at the front of the Diggle site.
The total amount available for the project, including money raised by the land swap, currently stands at around £19 million. Oldham Council have agreed to give all money raised by the land swap to the project. This is expected to be in the region of £2 million. The money will mainly be used to support local highway improvements, residents parking, an upgrade to the sports pitch and the cost of demolition works. Any funds remaining will be used to buy equipment for the new school.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton said: “This has been a long and hard but undoubtedly necessary road we had to go down. I don’t think anyone disputes that the current school is not fit for purpose for current or future pupils.
“The debate centered around the location and the feasibility study made a clear recommendation.
“We appreciate the depth of feeling this has created and we have listened to all concerns.
“We will work with the local community to make the school aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with the area. Building a new school is an educational issue and the decision was made on what best suits the pupils.”
Keith Lucas, speaking on behalf of the Save Diggle Action Group said: “Contrary to these claims and reports, the decision of OMBC’s cabinet that their choice of site for the school is to be the ‘back-land’ at Diggle is not the end of the story. It is not inevitable that the school will be built there.
“OMBC will first have to secure planning permission for the highways works they will need to undertake (for which they seem to have no clear plans as yet).
Interserve, the Developer will also have to submit a very detailed planning application for the development of the Diggle site. SDAG, working with leading planning and environmental barrister Robert McCracken QC, will be scrutinising every aspect of the planning application. There are significant legal, environmental, ecological, transportation and infrastructure issues which, as their most recent report reveals, OMBC has not yet even considered. Securing planning for this project will not be straight forward.
“We will be holding OMBC and Interserve to account at every twist and turn of the planning process.
“We’ve been told again and again that ‘this is the end of SDAG’ or ‘it’s all a done deal, the school will be in Diggle now’ but we have never been distracted by these claims. This is not the beginning of the end, it’s the end of the beginning: our fight goes on.”
Mark Brooks, Chairman of the Diggle Community Association said: ” I believe that the decision is indicative of Oldham Council’s disastrous handling of the whole school issue. After virtual silence since the first public meeting in October 2013 a decision has now been made without any meaningful consultation with the very people it will detrimentally effect.
“I find it incredible that such a decision could be made without even the basics of a travel plan or infrastructure change being shared with the community, a community that will be left to pick up the pieces when it all goes wrong.
“It’s no wonder that people are angry. A chasm of distrust and animosity is growing rapidly in the village. My concern is this will only deepen as this ill conceived debacle continues.”
Councillor Nikki Kirkham, speaking on behalf of the Saddleworth Independents said: “The cabinet decision was predictable, it was a formality that the council felt they had to go through because of the lack of consultation that has taken place to date on the school site.
“It was nevertheless a disappointment and a slap in the face for the thousands of Saddleworth people who have made their views very clear that they want the school to remain in Uppermill. No-one can now doubt that none of the major political parties are interested in listening to the views of the people they purport to represent.”
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Free wifi rolls out to all Metrolink trams
Greater Manchester’s ambition to become a top 20 worldwide digital city region has taken a major step forward with the rollout of free, superfast wifi to Metrolink trams.
The £1.7 million scheme means that Metrolink customers can now surf the web for free on all 96 trams, which join the 20 buses running the free city centre Metroshuttle service.
The move is part of an innovative £7.25m scheme being run by Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) – with funding from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Thanks to the scheme, Manchester and Salford are also providing superfast free wifi in public buildings right across the cities.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “Metrolink is not only the largest light rail network in the UK, but now also the first light railway in England to become fully wifi capable, symbolising the region’s digital ambitions.
“With over 30 million passenger trips made on Metrolink every year, this will help hundreds of thousands of people make the best use of their travel time with quick and simple access to free wifi.”
Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, said: “I’m delighted that Manchester has taken up the challenge to become one of the UK’s Superconnected Cities as part of the Government programme. It’s vital that our cities have the digital infrastructure – like superfast broadband and wifi – in place to deal with the demands of the digital age. Our investment in Manchester and Salford has delivered a welcome boost to the local economy, and is all part of our long term economic plan.”
Metrolink customers need to complete a very quick and simple registration the first time they use free wifi, and can sit back and enjoy surfing the web for free. Go to www.metrolink.co.uk/wifi to find out more.
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Monthly crime figures for February 2015 in Saddleworth North
Monthly crime figures provided by Greater Manchester Police
Burglary Dwelling
Oldham Road, Delph – Offenders entered the dwelling via an insecure front door and stole items from within. They were disturbed by the home owner and abandoned the stolen items on the front lawn.
Station Approach, Delph – Offenders opened an insecure front door stealing property from the hallway. They fled unseen.
Standedge Road , Diggle – Offenders entered the rear garden of the property and using a garden chair to stand on, prised open a ground floor kitchen window. They stole a handbag and fled unseen.
Stoneswood Road, Delph – Offender used a garden fork, taken from secure shed, to force open a rear ground floor window. After being disturbed by the home owner, he/she fled in the direction of Delph centre.
Burglary Other
Delph Allotments Holland Close, Delph – Offenders forced the door on a wooden shed and stole several items from within.
Delph Allotments, Gartside Street, Delph – Offender damaged the lock on a shed but failed to gain access.
Rochdale Road, Denshaw – Offenders used a screw driver type implement on a rear wooden door of a public house in an attempt to gain access. He/she fled after being disturbed by the licensee.
Vehicle crime – Theft from a motor vehicle and vehicle interference
Huddersfield Road, Austerlands – Drill driver stolen from a vehicle . Offender fled in a vehicle down Huddersfield Road.
Thorpe Close, Austerlands – Offender smashed the front near side door window of vehicle. A sat-nav and tools were stolen.
Thorpe Lane, Austerlands – Offenders entered an insecure vehicle via the front door and stole several items.
Sugar Lane, Dobcross – Offenders gained access to a secure vehicle and stolen property from within.
Gateshead Croft, Delph – Offenders smashed the nearside window of a vehicle and removed a sat-nav from the glove compartment.
Oldham Road, Delph – Three offenders used a wooden log to smash the passenger side window of a vehicle activating the alarm. The glove box was searched but no property was stolen
Station Approach, Delph – Offender stole property from an insecure vehicle.
Criminal Damage
Station Approach, Delph – Damage to the rear window of motor vehicle.
Millgate car Park, Millgate, Delph – Damage to a lock on a van. The offender was found asleep in the rear of the van by the owner and ejected. The offender claimed to be homeless and fled through the rear of the car park.
Bus shelter,Oldham Road,Delph – Damage was caused to the glass of the bus shelter.
Other Thefts
Oldham Road, Denshaw – Offenders entered an insecure yard at the front of the premises and stole several items using fabricated steel tools.
Friarmere, Delph – Victim placed a parcel on the roof of his vehicle and returned to his house forgetting to take it with him. When he returned, a few hours later, the parcel had gone.
Warth Mill, Diggle – Offenders stole slate from a derelict outbuilding roof.
Be aware that theft from motor vehicles is still a problem in the area and please take all appropriate measures to stop yourself becoming the next victim.
If you have any information regarding the above, please contact PCSO Monica Seville, PCSO Kath Crompton or PC 09098 Mark Clough at oldhamborough@gmp.police.uk or call on 0161 856 8825
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Searching for skydancers in the Peak District
Female Hen Harrier
With spring around the corner, the RSPB is asking people who spend time in the Peak District to keep their eyes peeled for hen harriers, England’s most threatened birds of prey.
The nature conservation charity has relaunched its Hen Harrier Hotline with the aim of finding out where these birds might be breeding.
There is enough suitable habitat in the English uplands to give a home to at least 320 pairs of breeding hen harriers but last year there were only four successful nests in the whole country.
Amanda Miller, Conservation Manager for the RSPB in Northern England, says: “Sadly, hen harriers are a much rarer sight in the Peak District than they should be. But if you are lucky enough to see one, it’s an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. The male’s courting ritual is a particularly stunning spectacle; a series of breathtaking swoops and somersaults that earns it the name Skydancer.”
Hen harriers are in trouble largely because of ongoing illegal persecution. In addition to their diet of small birds and mammals, hen harriers sometimes eat grouse, which brings them into conflict with the driven grouse shooting community. This type of shooting requires huge numbers of gamebirds and some game managers feel they need to illegally kill or disturb harriers to protect their business.
A government-commissioned scientific report, published in 2011 (see note 1), found that illegal persecution continues to be the biggest single factor preventing the hen harrier’s recovery in England.
Amanda Miller continues: “Breeding hen harriers are so rare that any sighting is extremely important. We have dedicated staff and volunteers ready to protect nests around the clock but we can only do so if we know where they are. I would urge anyone who spends time in our beautiful uplands to keep an eye out for these stunning birds and get in touch with us if they see one.”
Male hen harriers are an ash-grey colour with black wing tips and a wingspan of just less than a metre. They are sometimes known as “ghostbirds” because of the pale colour of their plumage.
Female hen harriers are slightly larger, owl-like in appearance, and have a mottled brown plumage, which camouflages them when they nest on the ground. They have obvious horizontal stripes on their tails, giving them the nickname “ringtail” and a patch of white just above, on the rump.
The Harrier Hotline number is 0845 4600121 (calls charged at local rate). Reports can also be e-mailed to henharriers@rspb.org.uk. Reports
Male Hen Harrier
of sightings should include the date and location of sighting, with a six-figure grid reference where possible.
The Hen Harrier Hotline is part of Skydancer, a four-year RSPB project aimed at protecting and conserving nesting hen harriers in the English uplands. The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and United Utilities, with additional support from the Forestry Commission. For more information about the project, visit www.rspb.org.uk/skydancer.
This year, Skydancer’s monitoring and protection work will be getting an extra boost from the RSPB’s new European-funded Hen Harrier LIFE Project, an ambitious, five-year project, which aims to expand on hen harrier conservation work across northern England, and southern and eastern Scotland. For more information about the Hen Harrier LIFE Project, visit www.rspb.org.uk/henharrierlife. .
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Huddersfield Road, Diggle / Carriageway Works
Letter from Oldham Council informing residents of Diggle about the forthcoming improvements to the Carriageway on Huddersfield Road.
Re: Huddersfield Road, Diggle / Carriageway Works
We shall shortly be carrying out the reconstruction of the carriageway outside your property. The Highways Services Division of the Council will carry out the work.
Due to the nature of the work some disruption will be inevitable, although I will endeavour to keep this to a minimum.
The planing out and resurfacing works will be carried out on site on Sunday 1st March and Sunday 8th March 2015.
I would appreciate if you can arrange for your vehicle, if any, to be parked away from the area between the hours of 6:00am and 4:00pm on both Sundays so the works can completed with minimum disruption. Access will be maintained wherever possible.
Should you have any problems regarding operations on site please contact the Assistant Operations Manager for the works Mr Geoff Roberts on 0161 770 3326 or geoff.roberts@oldham.gov.uk
The Council is constantly striving to prove its services to its customers and I am sure you will welcome the improvements the works will bring to the area over the coming weeks.
Huddersfield Road, Diggle / Carriageway Works
Letter from Oldham Council informing residents of Diggle about the forthcoming improvements to the Carriageway on Huddersfield Road.
Re: Huddersfield Road, Diggle / Carriageway Works
We shall shortly be carrying out the reconstruction of the carriageway outside your property. The Highways Services Division of the Council will carry out the work.
Due to the nature of the work some disruption will be inevitable, although I will endeavour to keep this to a minimum.
The planing out and resurfacing works will be carried out on site on Sunday 1st March and Sunday 8th March 2015.
I would appreciate if you can arrange for your vehicle, if any, to be parked away from the area between the hours of 6:00am and 4:00pm on both Sundays so the works can completed with minimum disruption. Access will be maintained wherever possible.
Should you have any problems regarding operations on site please contact the Assistant Operations Manager for the works Mr Geoff Roberts on 0161 770 3326 or geoff.roberts@oldham.gov.uk
The Council is constantly striving to prove its services to its customers and I am sure you will welcome the improvements the works will bring to the area over the coming weeks.
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Related stories:
Huddersfield Road, Diggle / Carriageway Works
The New Saddleworth School – Public drop-in event to take place over the Christmas break
Proposed highway works for Diggle – or does it?
Major sewer upgrade in Uppermill expected to cause serious disruption
Sam Road, Diggle closed for 1 week for resurfacing work
Chemo 5, 6, 7 and 8 – It’s been a hard year
by Jo Taylor
CHEMO 5, 6, 7 AND 8 – IT’S BEEN A HARD YEAR
Incredibly I felt fine when I turned up at Christies for chemo the day after my 60 mile Manchester to Blackpool bike ride for The Christies charity. The 7 week break inbetween the first 4 cycles and the last 4 cycles was great and I was able to train three or four times a week and get ready for the bike ride. Now that was over and completed it was on with the last 4 cycles of chemo. Bloods fine and it was back to the usual 3 week regime of chemo, feeling ‘not too bad’ four days after chemo, then going down hill feeling rough, ending up in bed for a few days and then finally picking up. Number 5 was OK, everything went to the usual ‘plan’. It all went wrong with number 6 chemo.
The children had finished for the 6 weeks summer holidays and the week after this I had Chemo number 6. Everything was ok and the Friday I unusually felt fine whereas I normally started feeling ill but then something hit me on the Tuesday. I had caught a sickness bug from the children. I was so ill, I didn’t move from my bed for 5 days or even go downstairs. Headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea. Jeff was off work the whole week as I couldn’t even look after myself, let alone the children. The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm. I was in bed feeling very cold, very ill and missing all the sunshine. I rang the chemo line, I didn’t want to go into hospital but needed to know what to do. They prescribed various drugs, but by the Saturday morning I was still very poorly. I rang Go to Doc and they told me to come into see them. I was able to sit in a side waiting room away from other people so that I wouldn’t catch anything else as they knew I was on chemo. The Doctor I saw was fantastic. She checked me over, completely understood everything I explained and she prescribed tablets and rehydration sachets as I just couldn’t keep anything down. 12 hours later I was feeling so much better. I must have been getting to the point of dehydration but the sachets finally stopped me from deteriorating any further. I soon felt more like myself again.
The next chemo came around quick due to me having such a bad time last chemo and not really having much of a break
from illness. Number 7 chemo was upon me and apart from a 2 hour delay (yet again) at the hospital, all went ok. I had been delayed THREE times now with basic human error being the main issue. All due to someone not taking the chemo off hold and then this caused a delay as the chemo then needed to be made up ‘fresh’. As I wasn’t too ill this time Jeff was able to go back to work. He then finished work the Friday after as he had booked 2 weeks annual leave.
On the Friday we had booked a mini holiday to Devon glamping (glamorous camping lol!) with the children. We stayed in a camping pod in a field on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea and the shore. It was better in a pod as we didn’t have to put the tent up especially if I wasn’t feeling too great. The weather was good and we visited local places, had BBQs outside the pod, spent time on the nearby beaches and went crab fishing with the kids on the pebbly beach below our pod. It was a few days out of the hospital routine. We came back early Friday morning after driving through the night so that I could have my blood test so that I wasn’t delayed with chemo on the Monday. After bloods, I went to the chemo unit and asked them to check the results of the blood test and to make sure that everything was in order. At 4.45pm I, in addition, rang the ward asking them to do the same.. AGAIN so that we didn’t get delayed on the Monday.
Monday I was delayed. They forgot to take the chemo off hold yet again. This was totally unacceptable. I complained 
and various messages went back and forth on twitter with me complaining and with messages of support from friends and followers. A Duty Manager was sent to see me as apparently some of the Executives were aware of my complaints – the power of twitter. The Duty Manager was full of apologies but I didn’t want apologies I didn’t want this to happen yet again. Information given, she would investigate and get back to me.
Chemo was a hard one and the pain that I felt in my right foot with the cold socks on was SO bad it made me cry. It was like severe frost bite for about 10 minutes. I writhed in pain, it was terrible but thankfully over and only one more chemo to go. Again, the chemo side effects weren’t too bad but I could now feel that I was getting neuropathy in my feet and fingers even though I wore the cold gloves and socks.
The next day was another mini holiday was booked to go to St Davids Bay in Anglesey with friends Jayne, Steve and 
Thomas. This time we were camping with our tent. The camp site was small and lovely. It was a windy start but we finally got the tents up. Jeff had holidayed as a child on Anglesey and he didn’t have very good memories so didn’t know what to expect at all. It had a lovely restaurant and bar on the site. It lead directly to the campsites own private beach, it was beautiful. After setting up the tents we went for a walk along the sand. It was very picturesque. We had a lovely couple of sunny days and enjoyed the company of our friends. We visited a few places, walked along the cliff path to the next bay and explored. We really did have a great time, lots of laughs and memories. The 3 days were soon over and we were packing up and heading home. I had started to feel a bit ill from the chemo now being 4 days post treatment. No extreme illness this time but still off for a few days before I picked up feeling better.
And lastly I was at the big finale – number 8 chemo – I made it to the finish line. It was hard but I’m hoping that it’s been worth the pain. No pain no gain as I’ve said before.
My next scan was on the 24th September and I thankfully had the same result as last time that I’m officially in remission. No more lumps in my neck and the 2 spots in my sternum were ‘healing’. I saw a Radiologist and in his opinion radiotherapy wasn’t needed. I was disappointed but yet understand that they may need this in reserve if the situation changes in the future.
And so it continues… a ‘new normal’ as some call it. I will still continue 3 weekly drug infusions of Herceptin and Pretuzumab (Perjeta) which is now my ‘
maintenance’ treatment, basically they will keep the cancer at bay for as long as possible. I will continue on them for the foreseeable future. As long as they do their job I will do whatever I can. Unfortunately, remission does not mean ‘cure’ it is an incurable disease I have. I am living with this disease and hoping that it does not progress for a long time. I am ‘stable’ and no signs of cancer at the moment. This is now my life as a secondary breast cancer patient. Scan, treat, repeat.
My hair is now regrowing and I have not worn my wig since New Years Eve. I think I will have a ‘burn the wig’ celebration with friends seeing as I don’t need it any longer. Having a night out with friends to celebrate finishing chemo and finally having the good news of being in remission was quite emotional to think how far I’ve come. It’s been a hard year.
#cockoffcancer http://abcdiagnosis.co.uk/index.php/press
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Huddersfield Road Diggle to be closed for resurfacing
Oldham Council have announced that they will be closing Huddersfield Road, Diggle for three weeks for resurfacing work.
The work will be completed during the next eighteen months and the council will give two weeks notice before any work is started.
During the road closure a diversion will be in place taking vehicles up Standedge Road to Field Road and then back into Diggle via Huddersfield Road.
For further details contact Oldham Council at 0161 770 1866 or via www.oldham.gov.uk/roadworks and follow the link to ‘Upcoming closures for resurfacing’.
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Related stories:
Saddleworth Teenager Missing – Update: Found
Police are appealing for help to trace a missing Saddleworth teenager.
Rebecca Laithwaite, 15, was last seen on the 184 bus from Diggle yesterday afternoon (Saturday) at about 3.10pm heading towards Oldham.
It is unknown at the moment where she got off the bus or her movements since.
She is described as white, 5ft 5in tall, of medium build with light brown shoulder length hair. When last seen she was wearing black leggings and possibly a coat
Anyone who has seen Rebecca or knows of her current whereabouts is asked to call police on 101.
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The fight will continue say Saddleworth residents
Public demonstrating outside the council meeting (Stuart Coleman©2015)
At Oldham’s full council meeting, on Monday 5th February 2015, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Oldham’s Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, and all but three councillors voted to reject a petition from 3000 Saddleworth residents asking for the new secondary school to be built in Uppermill. It is the first time a petition from the public has been large enough to trigger a debate at the council.
Independent Cllr for Saddleworth North, Nikki Kirkham, was the only council member to vote against the motion. Unfortunately for residents in Saddleworth South, Cllr Graham Sheldon who is deemed to have pecuniary interests (i.e. a shop in Uppermill) wasn’t allowed to cast his vote as he is currently forbidden, by council rules, from commenting or voting on any issues relating the new Saddleworth School.
Cllr McCann arguing with members of the public gallery (Stuart Coleman©2015)
Around fifty Saddleworth residents, angry at the council’s decision began heckling the council from the gallery and, following several direct exchanges with Liberal Democrat Cllr John McCann, they stormed, en masse, out of the meeting. Saddleworth resident, Julie Johnson said: “I’m very disappointed and am saddened by their decision. We’ve been ready to help them find a solution since day one but they have never been willing to listen. How can Amanda Chadderton talk about constructive dialogue? To-date, there has not been any consultation with the people of Saddleworth.”
Cllr Graham Sheldon getting ready to leave the meeting (Stuart Coleman©2015)
Cllr Buckley’s presentation:
Mr Mayor and Members of the Council, First of all thank you for this opportunity to address the Council this evening on the siting of the new Saddleworth School and to explain the concerns of the overwhelming majority of Saddleworth people.
The new secondary school is warmly welcomed by everyone in Saddleworth; parents, teachers and residents alike. The old school is no longer fit for purpose and a new school presents a wonderful educational opportunity.
However, the proposal to site the new school in Diggle has been met by widespread dismay and incredulity. It’s perhaps the biggest issue that has faced the community for many years. Contrary to stories circulated by the small pro-Diggle lobby, opinion in Saddleworth is not divided. Over 3000 people have signed the petition, most of them unprompted. The on-line petition Change.org stands today at 1332 names. An alternative petition in favour of the move over the last six months has only been able to garner 161 names and no new names have been added for a long time. Several polls in the press reinforce this message and the electorate sent a clear message at the Saddleworth North Council election last May.
The report of the EFA, the Educational Funding Agency, published last week has once and for all squashed the argument that the school cannot be built in Uppermill. All of the four options considered, two of these at Uppermill and two at Diggle, were assessed and the report shows that the same school, with the same educational facilities, can be built at any of the four sites. The costs of the all four options were the same within a few percentage points. The differences well within the margin of error of the estimated costs. At our meeting in November with Mr Mike Green,
Cllr Buckley making his presention (Stuart Coleman©2015)
Director of Capital at the EFA ,we were told that the EFA would be guided by the Council in deciding the site for the new school. He indicated there was flexibility in the budget, a flexibility of up to £5 million. The extra cost to the EFA of building at Uppermill would be nothing like this amount.
The decision of the school’s location is now firmly in the hands of the Council.
Why do people not want the school to move to Diggle? The list of reasons is long. Diggle is at one extremity of the district, and access is by a single road, effectively a cul de sac. What drives in has to drive out again. This has the effect at doubling up on the traffic issues compared with Uppermill. Traffic is already very heavy into and out of Diggle at peak periods. This road is also the only real pedestrian access to the school from other parts of the district (that is excluding the canal tow-path). There is a single footpath along most of the road and over at least a hundred yards of its length it is very narrow, presenting a serious hazard to pedestrian safety. A row of terraced housing prevents widening the footpath. Apart from the safety concerns, up to 200 students from Uppermill, and beyond who presently walk to school in Uppermill, will no longer be able to do so, because of distance. Extra traffic will be created by parents dropping off and picking up children and many more will now have to travel by bus.
The greatest concern to many of us is the loss of a the precious countryside. Now a rural valley, the views from the popular walk along the canal towpath from Uppermill to Diggle will no longer be of cattle or horses grazing but of playing fields bordered by 12 foot security fences and floodlights. The lapwings and curlews will be gone for ever.
Timescales and costs for building at Diggle and Uppermill are very similar; the educational facilities offered at both locations are essentially the same. The costs of either are acceptable to the EFA.
Choosing Uppermill protects the beauty of Saddleworth and its wildlife and has no detrimental effect on the amenity and quality of life of many of its residents. Hundreds of children will still be able to walk to school in safety and traffic chaos will be avoided.
Oldham Council prides itself on being a listening Council – please listen to the people of Saddleworth and ask the EFA to build the school in Uppermill. It’s not too late to make this decision, the contracter has only just been appointed and the project clock has only just started ticking.
Cllr Chadderton responding on behalf of the council (Stuart Coleman©2015)
Cllr Amanda Chadderton’s response:
Unfortunately I am unable to accept the recommendations of the petition. The results of the feasibility study, carried out by the EFA, where released last week and the conclusion is that the preferred site is the rear of the WHR Shaw’s Pallett site in Diggle.
This preferred option will provide the largest site of the four options circa 18 acres. It will see dilapidated industrial buildings cleared for the school, a sports hall and ancillary buildings. The greenbelt land will only be used for the provision of sport’s pitches and will be made available for community use.
Oldham Council understands the level of debate this issue has created in Saddleworth and Diggle. We have listened and we will continue to do so. I personally believe that constructive dialogue will be imperative over the coming years.
We know there are issues with regards to the preferred site and we know it will need vital works like carriageway and footpath widening, residents car parking, fencing work and the introduction of a school safety scheme. We are committed too undertaking these works to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
I’d like to highlight a section the community that has been under represented in the debate and that is the children of Saddleworth. It is those students that have the current misfortune to be educated in portacabins and classrooms that are simply not fit for 2015.
Keith Lucas ‘We will fight on!’. (Stuart Coleman©2015)
Cllr Nikki Kirkham’s question:
The approval of finance by the EFA towards a new school for Saddleworth is most welcome. This is a major investment in Saddleworth and a decision which will affect the lives of many generations in the future.
I am speaking as the ward councillor for Saddleworth North and would like to share the many concerns I hear daily from Saddleworth residents. These fears are assuming the site of Diggle is chosen for the new school
The fears and concerns are:
As echoed by Mr Buckley, the access road through Diggle is a narrow road with a single footpath, this in itself is a serious worry and would surely be unsafe for a large number of pedestrians.
The road junction from the Stanedge road to Huddersfield Road, Diggle has poor visibility for traffic and is a potential accident black spot.
Many children will be unable to walk the extra one mile to Diggle from areas such as Greenfield and Friezland and will need to use public transport, this will incur additional transport costs to their families at around £38.00 per month per child.
The village of Dobcross will face additional traffic as a short cut to Diggle, inevitably this will be a rat run twice daily.
Any large development on the Diggle fields, deemed to be a flood plain, will affect properties in Dobcross, Uppermill and Greenfield. The risk of flooding for these areas will increase.
Uppermill has long been the vibrant centre of Saddleworth. A new school here could provide the educational facility we need to replace a building which is fast becoming ‘not fit for purpose’.
Councillors waiting for residents of Saddleworth to leave (Stuart Coleman©2015)
The Uppermill site could be integrated into the village further to provide a hub for many extra activities,
There will inevitably be some distruption but this is normal in these circumstances. Many of the schools in this programe are being built on existing sites.
Mathew Milburn, headteacher, and chair of governers, Brian Lord have previously stated in public that they would manage the distruption on site if it was to stay in Uppermill.
The school debate is massive. The residents I am representing ask for all these major issues I have highlighted to be taken into consideration.
The residents I represent simply want the best for Saddleworth. So I would like to ask the council to support the residents and build the new school on the existing site in Uppermill.
Video link to Oldham’s council meetings online:
http://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200613/live_council_meetings_online
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Register to vote or lose out
Oldham Council is urging residents to make sure they register to vote.
As part of National Voter Registration Day (Thursday, February 5) we are urging people to make sure their name is on the electoral register as there are just over three months to go until the General and local elections.
If you don’t think you’re registered or want to check your details are correct then we’d urge you to get in touch now.
Registering to vote is quick and easy and you can do it online in less than five minutes at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote – you just need to have your National Insurance number and date of birth handy.
Alternatively you can contact the elections office on 0161 770 4718. Council officers will check if you are on the register and, if not, will sign you up over the phone in a couple of minutes. Again all you will need is your NI number and date of birth.
Carolyn Wilkins, Chief Executive of Oldham Council and Returning Officer, said: “May 7 will see local and national elections taking place and if you aren’t on the register you won’t be able to have a say on how Oldham and the country is run.
“Our message is very simple – register now and don’t leave it too late. We don’t want anyone turning up on polling day only to find that they can’t vote because they are not registered, or their name is listed against a property where they used to live.
“It’s up to individuals to make sure this doesn’t happen to them. But the good news is that registration has never been easier.”
Kay Jenkins, Head of English regions for the Electoral Commission, said: “National Voter Registration Day exists because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible to be on the register, but has not yet registered, does so. Young people, students and people who have moved home recently are much less likely to be registered to vote. We’re urging them to use the day as an opportunity to get on the electoral register.”
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Hanging Gate Storytelling Group
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Ian Siegal at the White Hart
Ian Siegal supported by Garron Frith
White Hart, Lydgate, OL4 4JJ
Friday 13th February
Doors 7.30pm, Show 8.00pm – Tickets £15
Tickets from: White Hart, Uppermill Post office, Mossley Station Chippy, wegottickets.com, yorkshiregigguide.co.uk, neilsbluesnight@hotmail.com
Take a look at Ians awards and what the press has to say about him:
Contemporary Album of the Year – BLUES MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE 2012 & 2013
Album of the Year – BRITISH BLUES AWARDS 2013
Male Vocalist of the Year – BRITISH BLUES AWARDS 2011, 2012 & 2013
Song of the Year – BRITISH BLUES AWARDS 2013
Acoustic Artist of the Year – BRITISH BLUES AWARDS 2012
Blues Band of the Year – BRITISH BLUES AWARDS 2010
Blues Album of the Year – MOJO MAGAZINE ‘09
“One of the most innovative, gifted and engaging blues performers on the planet today.” MOJO
“A national treasure.” CLASSIC ROCK
Official press release from Nugene Records:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Ian Siegal has entered the building. If you know the name, but not the game, it’s high time you made his acquaintance. He’s the multiple British Blues Awards winner and hot tip of everyone from Mojo to Classic Rock. He’s the songwriter whose recent CD releases sound like career peaks, but are only the start. From one night to the next, he might be a solo acoustic performer or a blood-and-thunder bandleader.
Siegal is known as a bluesman, but it’s just one shade in the palette of an artist who slips between continents, eras and expectations. They say you can’t sing the blues until you’ve lived the life, and when Ian Siegal steps up to the mic, you can hear the slings and arrows. Recent years have seen the songwriter catch fire, with British Blues Awards raining down and consecutive nominations in 2012 & 2013 for Contemporary Album of The Year in the Blues Music Awards – in effect, the Grammys of the Blues.
To find out more about Ian Siegal, check out his website http://iansiegal.com/
Keeping music live in Saddleworth
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Saddleworth School Update
A Feasibility Study to identify and review the options to identify a new Saddleworth School site is now available to the public.
The Education Funding Agency (EFA) led this study which concluded that the preferred option is to locate a new school building and facilities on the rear of the former WH Shaw Pallets Works in Diggle.
That conclusion is supported by the EFA Saddleworth School and Oldham Council but is contested by the Save Diggle Action Group.
Also published today is a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which are available from the websites of both Oldham Council at www.oldham.gov.uk/ and Saddleworth School at http://www.saddleworth.oldham.sch.uk/
Copies of the EFA’s Feasibility Study are being made available on request to the EFA. Please send an email to:
PSBP.EFACAPITAL@education.gsi.gov.uk
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