Diggle News has now become part of inSaddleworth
We’ve still got all the same Diggle News stories, all the great photos, but now also have all the extra features of inSaddleworth like Notices, News, Business Directory, Events and Galleries
Rail group claim their first success
The Greenfield Rail Action Group was formed in 2010. It joined with existing groups in Mossley and Marsden who were already looking at issues affecting journeys along the Huddersfield to Manchester line. Together they formed the Stalybridge to Huddersfield Rail Users’ Group (SHRUG).
The prime aim of the large group has been and remains 2 trains per hour along the line. With the imminence of the electrification of the line issues have become more complex and during the next 5 years disruptions are inevitable.
During the 3 years SHRUG has existed meetings have been held with Transport for Greater Manchester and Northern Rail. It was at a meeting with the latter in July the closures of the line for work in connection with the electrification were discussed. The closures are between Stalybridge and Victoria at weekends during late October into early December and again over the Christmas/New Year period.
Various suggestions were made at the meeting with Northern Rail about minimising the disruption to services. SHRUG is pleased to report the rail authorities have listened and an extra Trans-Pennine Express train will be stopping at Stalybridge during both these periods giving the option of a good train connection for passengers to and from Piccadilly, rather than a bus from Stalybridge to Victoria.
Mark Ashmore, Chair of SHRUG, said: ‘We are most grateful to Northern Rail, Trans-Pennine Express and Transport for Greater Manchester who have made this possible. We are especially pleased that our views have been listened to and acted upon. During the Christmas/New Year closure trains will turn round at Ashton, giving passengers the option of continuing their journey into Manchester by the newly-opened Metrolink tram. A good example of the various modes of transport complementing each other.”
The times of extra trains during the two closures will be advertised at all stations on the route and by going to Transport for Greater Manchester – Trains on the website.
Related stories:
The South Pennines is a land of opportunity
Standedge Tunnel, Marsden
The Pennine Prospects Annual Conference brought together a wide range of people from across the South Pennines and beyond to discuss the economic and social opportunities available for all in the area.
Pam Warhurst, Chair of Pennine Prospects, sent out a rallying call to put the South Pennines on the map when she welcomed delegates to Rochdale Town Hall.
“This is a vibrant landscape; it’s a people’s landscape. We have a distinct heritage that is inspirational to many and attracts people from around the world. We have fantastic countryside for everybody including walkers, cyclists and horse riders,” Pam said.
“We need to take the message beyond the people who already know about the great things we have on offer in the South Pennines. We need to persuade people that our uplands are worth investing in; we have to grab the initiative now and up our game to meet the challenges of the future.”
The keynote speaker, Dr Michael Schwarze-Rodrian, gave an inspirational presentation about the Emscher Landscape Park, in Germany’s Ruhr Valley; an area devastated by industry. The project has brought together seven neighbouring regions and 53 cities across an area that is home to over five million people. The regeneration started in 1988 and continues today.
Michael said: “We have people with different knowledge and skills working together, on the big plans and the small details. It’s all about teamwork; we are going through a shared experience. It takes time to rejuvenate a post-industrial landscape.”
There have been a number of creative projects, such as the ‘slinky bridge’, which is a colourful footbridge designed by an artist and built by an engineer; and the ‘Still A40’, a celebration which saw up to three million people share their culture and food on a major highway which closed for the day.
Paul Osborne, Programme Manager for Sustrans, set the scene for the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, which passes through the South Pennines in July 2014. He encouraged the conference delegates to consider the legacy of the race now for maximum impact and argued cyclists are a valuable commodity, bringing significant resources into the local economy.
Walter Menzies, Chair of the Manchester and Pennine Waterways Partnership, introduced the work of the recently created Canal and River Trust, a charity that took over the work of British Waterways in 2012
“Moving to charitable status has enabled us to attract more volunteers and new sources of income. We need to extend our appeal beyond the traditional users, such as boaters, and make sure the canals can contribute to the wider visitor economy,” explained Walter. “We want the canals to inspire and excite people.”
Jason Freezer, from Visit England, highlighted the scale of the visitor economy in England and stressed that tourism is an expanding industry. “It has 5% growth year on year and employs more people in rural areas than agriculture,” explained Jason. “The South Pennines should be marketed as a recognised destination and as part of this strategy a destination management plan should be developed.”
Over 100 delegates attended the Pennine Prospects annual conference, which was held in Rochdale Town Hall. The conference was supported by the Watershed Landscape Project and the South Pennines LEADER programme, (the Rural Development Programme for England), which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union.
Related stories:
First Bus Consultation
Diggle
First UK Bus will be consulting with Saddleworth bus users, during November, about the quality and value of bus routes and services serving Saddleworth. They are giving people living and working in the Saddleworth and Lees areas the opportunity to shape their future bus services as part of a wide ranging consultation exercise.
Three drop in sessions will take place on Saturday 2nd November:
Greenfield near Tesco from 1000 until 1200 on Saturday
Diggle at the Hanging Gate from 1300 to 1430
Scouthead from 1530 to 1700.
Passengers who cannot attend a meeting can fill in an on line service form on www.firstgroup.com/manchester or can pick up questionnaires from local post offices and libraries.
Mr. McGraw said, “We are determined to grow the number of people using buses in the area and will consider what network changes can be introduced following the consultation meetings. We have come up with a number of ways for the local community to get their views across to us, either face to face, online or in writing. We now need local people to take a small amount of time out of their daily routine to respond to us.
Full details of locations will be on the First UK Bus website: http://www.firstgroup.com/
Oldham wins best city award at North West in Bloom
Oldham has scooped the title of Best City*, for the fourth year in a row, at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s North West in Bloom competition.
The judges were bowled over by Oldham’s entry and awarded the Borough the top prize at an awards ceremony held in Southport Theatre and Convention Centre that was attended by community gardening champions. The Borough has now been nominated as the region’s representative for Britain in Bloom 2014 in the Best City category.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing, said: “To participate in such a prestigious event was a real honour and our entry has been warmly welcomed by the whole community. This award has added a real sense of achievement and reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment from all who have been involved in what has been a real co-operative project. This is yet another example of Oldham’s growing regional and national reputation as a great place to live, work and visit. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken the time and made the effort to get involved so that we have been able to achieve such fantastic results.”
The prestigious award is the culmination of a year’s worth of work involving local businesses, residents and community groups. This year’s theme was ‘Edible Britain’ which centred on the plants and shrubs which grow naturally in the country, but also make delicious and nutritious ingredients for the cooking pot.
In keeping with the theme, the WOW bed outside the Spindles Town Centre Shopping Centre was in the shape of a boot – a reference to the magic beans from the ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ fairy tale – this year’s Christmas pantomime at the Oldham Coliseum.
* Although Oldham is a town, entries to the Britain in Bloom ‘Best City’ category are based on the size of the electoral roll.
Year 4 pupils at Diggle Primary School share their dream of equality
Year 4 pupils sharing their ideas.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous, ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, Year 4 pupils from Diggle School were, last week, treated to an inspiring workshop given by professional musicians from Manchester Camerata, Manchester’s world-class chamber orchestra.
The pupils explored the famous speech whilst learning about the civil rights movement in America.
Through games and role play, they experienced what it feels like to be socially and politically excluded and explored, through discussion and debate, what equality means to them. By using what they learned, they were able to develop their own ‘equal rights’ manifesto for Diggle School!
Together with Camerata musicians Amina Hussain and Helen Quayle, the children created their own song for equality and performed it at the end of the session.
If you would like to find out more about Manchester Camerata or the workshops, please visit www.manchestercamerata.com
The children wrote and performed a song to promote equality.
The childrens’ suggestions for an ‘equal rights’ manifesto.
Winter Craft Festival in Uppermill
Letter to the Editor regarding a new Saddleworth School in Diggle
This plan is currently only a suggestion
Notwithstanding the need for a new Saddleworth School, having now seen the full extent of the proposals and the impact this will have on Diggle village and its residents, I am now strongly of the opinion that that the present scheme should be abandoned.
The cost in terms of the loss of a beautiful rural valley and the negative impact the development will have on the quality of life for hundreds of Diggle residents does not justify the present hurriedly put together and flawed scheme.
I would urge residents to protest at the present proposals. It is clear there is no easy fix that will make them acceptable. I feel that the scheme should be abandoned in favour of a better site, preferably the present one and that more time and consultation should be given in arriving at a better solution, one that we can be proud of and one that protects Saddleworth rural character and beauty.
There is never only one chance for government funding. I believe a much better result would be achieved by a more considered and better funded approach to the new school and that residents should work in partnership with the school and authorities to make a future bid for funds to achieve this.
If anyone feels the same as I do and would like to form a protest group please ask them to contact me on 01457-820015 or mikebuckley@saddleworth.net.
Cllr. Mike Buckley, Saddleworth
Parish Councillor,
Representing Dobcross and Diggle
Please leave a comment below. It will help me as editor of Diggle News to gauge how the public are feeling.
The views and comments expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the editor. Letters may be edited.
Related stories:
Residents asked to submit questions for a public meeting: “The Future of Saddleworth School…”
Saddleworth Parish Council concerned about the lack of consultation re: Saddleworth School
The fight will continue say Saddleworth residents
Saddleworth residents angry about the lack of consultation in relation to proposals for a new Saddleworth School
Letter to the Editor
Saddleworth Blues Night – Kyla Brox and Ian Siegal live at Friezland Church
If you only attend one gig this year, then this is the one. Ian Siegal is the No 1 UK Blues Artist.
Ian won Best Male Vocalist at the 2013 British Blues Awards for the third year running and his album “Candy Store Kid” won Best Album and produced the song of the year “I am The Train”. He is the only artist outside North America to be nominated in the 2013 American Blues Music Awards. This is in the Contemporary Album category for Candy Store Kid.
As well as this acoustic performance, Ian performs with his own British band and also a group of American musicians – The Mississippi Mudbloods who will be touring the UK with him later in the year. Check out his website http://iansiegal.com/ for more of his music.
MOJO magazine said of Ian, “One of the most gifted singers and songwriters in contemporary blues”
If Ians achievements are not enough to convince you to come along, then how about Kyla Brox Duo in support. The Kyla Brox band have just returned from a tour of Germany and are looking forward to this gig in their own backyard. There’s no need to tell you about the quality of this duo.
Ian Siegal supported by Kyla Brox Duo
Friezland Church Hall, Greenfield
Saturday 19th October – 8pm
Tickets – £10 advance, £12.50 on the door ( you can reserve tickets by texting Neil on 07707090108)
Tickets available from: Saddleworth Post Offices, Mossley Chippy (opposite station), Royal George, Greenfield, Rockers and Picadilly Records, Oldham St, Manchester
Tickets are going fast on this one and we have the most advanced ticket sales of any of our gigs, it is proving so popular.
Keep music Live in Saddleworth
Digglers dig Diggfest!
Cherry Hintons
Diggle’s first Diggfest at Diggle Band Club on Saturday 28th September was hugely successful. A fantastic range of music and perfect weather brought in the crowds packing the popular music venue to the rafters.
The festival was in aid of three charities; Springhill Hospice of Rochdale, The National Autistic Society and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Springhill Hospice’s mascot, Springy the Frog. was on hand to officially open the festival and from 3pm till late, it was non-stop music.
Bands taking part were Green Street, The Cherry Hintons, The Non-Skills, Artful Dodgers, Naughty Dog and the Homegrown Effect. There was something for everyone, Jazz, Blues, Soul, Rock, Indie, Bluegrass, Ska and Reggae. Even BBC Radio Manchester got involved with a couple of, live, high profile slots earlier in the week.
In addition to wall-to-wall music, there were stalls fundraising for charity, a children’s play area and an outside bar and barbeque with local Diggle lamb roast on the menu.
Tom Robinson, One of the organisers from Friends of Diggle Band Club said, “I’d like to thank everyone for making this a great event for the charities, the community and the Band Club. We were very fortunate with the weather and even though we had competition from other local events it was a fantastic turnout. Great music and quality bands are always well received by Digglers. Thanks to everyone who took part and we look forward to seeing you at our growing music festival next year.’
The event raised over £1000 with each of the charities receiving £350. The Friends of Diggle Band Club have asked that villagers get involved early in nominating three charities for next year’s event. Further details can be found on the Friends of Diggle Band Club website: friendsofdigglebandclub.com.
In addition to Diggfest, Diggle Band Club hosts a variety of live music events every month. Check out their website for detailed information and booking arrangements.
Oldham Council use nanotechnology to fight crime in Saddleworh
Maintenance equipment used to tend the parks and green spaces of Saddleworth and Lees, Oldham, Greater Manchester, has been marked with a new forensic trace product to prevent and deter theft.
Replacement strimmers, ride-on mowers and hedge cutters belonging to Environmental Services based at Churchill Playing Fields in Wellington Road have been marked with SelectaDNA Trace by a team of officers from Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership. The marking session follows an incident where more than £21,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the centre.
Local youngsters aged 13-19 regularly use the council-run youth centre, together with the adjacent Churchill Playing Fields, for which the maintenance equipment is needed. The fields are the largest recreational area in Saddleworth and Lees, covering approximately 7.8 hectares of land. They are used for a wide range of sporting activities and community events.
SelectaDNA Trace is ideal for outdoor metal marking projects. The solution, which comes in an easy-to-use aerosol contains two identifiers: Trace nanoparticles which authenticates the mark as a genuine SelectaDNA product, and metal microdots which identifies who the registered owner is. The code on the metal microdots is linked to a secure database which is accessible to Police at all times via a secure online login.
The main benefit of Trace over standard forensic property marking products is that it allows Police to identify stolen property on the spot, which means they are no longer reliant on lengthy analysis times. This has subsequently led to arrests and convictions, with thieves admitting their crime because the on the spot evidence is so strong.
Michael Fleming, Community Safety Officer, Saddleworth and Lees District Team, said: “After expensive equipment was stolen from Churchill Playing Fields, we decided to use SelectaDNA Trace to deter further incidents of theft. Replacement equipment has now been marked so that it is traceable back to the centre, which plays an important role in the local community. We are doing all we can to prevent the centre being targeted again and are using deterrent warning signage to alert potential thieves that this new security system is in place.”
Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Cooperatives and Neighbourhoods, said: “Oldham Council is supportive of the use of SelectaDNA to mark this valuable equipment and we are confident that this is a high-tech way to fight crime.”
Celebrity Diggler Stapleton offers ‘whole-hearted support’ to campaign to save Village Green
John Stapleton (Photo: Stuart Coleman ©2013)
Diggle Community Association’s fight to prevent Diggle Village Green from being developed for housing has received a boost, thanks to the support of award-winning journalist and popular television presenter John Stapleton.
The Green, a small plot just opposite Diggle Chippy, has been a recreational space for residents since the 1920s and the focus for community events but has now been identified as a development opportunity by its current owners. First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) wants to build two new houses on the site, arguing that more affordable housing is needed across the Borough.
The DCA has campaigned vigorously against FCHO’s plans and have applied to have the land registered officially as a village green. When he became aware of the threat to the green John, who grew up on Spurn Lane in Diggle, said: ‘The application to apply for village green status has my whole-hearted support. Like members of generation after generation I loved playing in that area and feel strongly that it should be kept green’. John has fond recollections of the annual bonfire-night celebrations on the green. These events were typical of the valuable role the land played in the past in fostering a sense of community in the village, a role it continues to play through its informal use and as the setting for the annual Christingle service and Christmas light switch-on, which are now held there.
Oldham Metropolitan Borough’s Commons Registration Committee will decide on whether the land can be registered in October. Although the DCA has always agreed there is a need for more affordable housing in the village, it argues that this is not an appropriate site as development here would lead to the loss of valuable green space in the heart of the village, a recreational amenity and a vital part of the village’s heritage and community identity.
FCHO, meanwhile, have effectively implied, in recent statements concerning the land, that Diggle village doesn’t exist and is not a meaningful community. These astonishing and absurd claims are part of tortuous legal arguments, in which lawyers acting for FCHO state there is no ‘entity known to law as Diggle’ and that the village is ‘not a cohesive entity that would be understood by those living in the area as their “neighbourhood”’ in their objection to the village green application. When informed of FCHO’s claims John Stapleton remarked: ’As for claims that Diggle isn’t really a village well that is, frankly, just plain ludicrous’.
FCHO have tried to justify such assertions on the grounds that only people from a small part of the village ever use the land, but a survey conducted in December demonstrated that residents from all over Diggle identify themselves as users of it. Such remarks by the developers are the latest indication of the apparent indifference to local opinion shown by FCHO, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that the vast majority of Diggle residents regard the Village Green as a recreational and amenity space for the whole village.
Have your say on First Bus services in Saddleworth and Lees
Diggle
First UK Bus will be consulting with Saddleworth bus users, during October, about the quality and value of bus routes and services serving Saddleworth. They are giving people living and working in the Saddleworth and Lees areas the opportunity to shape their future bus services as part of a wide ranging consultation exercise.
Duncan McGraw, First UK Bus PR Manager said, “We are consulting with bus passengers locally during October to seek their views on what they want from our bus services. Passengers who use services 81A, 180, 184, 350, 353 and 354 in the area in particular are invited to participate”.
Three drop in sessions will take place: Lees Library from 1200 to 1600 on Tuesday 8 October, Uppermill by the Commercial Hotel from 1030 to 1530 on Saturday 12 October and at Delph Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday 15 October from 1600-2000.
Passengers who cannot attend a meeting can fill in an on line service form on www.firstgroup.com/manchester (from 8 October) or can pick up questionnaires from local post offices and libraries (from 8 October). Consultation ends on 25 October.
Mr. McGraw said, “We are determined to grow the number of people using buses in the area and will consider what network changes can be introduced following the consultation meetings. We have come up with a number of ways for the local community to get their views across to us, either face to face, online or in writing. We now need local people to take a small amount of time out of their daily routine to respond to us.
“Please spread the word around the local communities and if I can be of further help on this matter please do not hesitate to get in touch with me via the website.”
Autumn exhibition at the Millyard Gallery, Uppermill
Residents asked to submit questions for a public meeting: “The Future of Saddleworth School…”
Residents of Saddleworth and Lees have been asked to submit questions in advance of a public meeting about, ‘The Future for Saddleworth School’. The meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th October at 7.30 p.m. in Uppermill Civic Centre.
In addition to keynote speakers, namely OMBC Leader Jim McMahon, Executive Director for Children’s Services, Michael Jameson and Headteacher Matthew Milburn, other council representatives will also be present to address public questions, including Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, Director of Development and Infrastructure, Darren Jones and cabinet member for Education, Councillor Amanda Chadderton. Subject to her commitments at Westminster, Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Debbie Abrahams, may also attend.
It is envisaged that the borough will present proposals for its preferred site for building the school on this occasion, widely thought to be the former pallet works at Diggle, a prospect which was openly discussed by residents at last week’s meeting organised by Saddleworth Parish Council. (See Saddleworth residents angry about the lack of consultation in relation to proposals for a new Saddleworth School )
To help ensure that all the key topics are covered during the evening, people are asked to submit questions in advance to dcachairman@gmail.com or by post to Saddleworth School Public Meeting Question, Lees Public Library, Thomas Street, Lees, Oldham 0L4 5DA. This will not exclude spontaneous discussion and response to the council’s proposals on the night, as an open forum will be also be included in proceedings.
This meeting has been organised by Saddleworth & Lees community associations. For further information about this event please phone 01457-81066
Feel free to suggest questions in comments below.
Related stories:
Coffee Morning in support of Christian Aid
Coffee Morning
On Wednesday 9th October 2013
At the Uppermill Methodist Centre
10.00am to 12.00 noon
Traidcraft Stall, Raffle, Home-bake
Christian Aid works in more than 50 countries, helping people regardless of religion or race to improve their own lives and tackle the causes of poverty and injustice.
Registered Charity Number: 1105851
Crime Figures for Saddleworth North: August 2013
| Crime | March | April | May | June | July | Aug |
| Burglary(Of Homes) | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Burglary Other(Shed, Garage, Business) | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Theft From A Vehicle | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Theft Of A Motor Vehicle | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Criminal Damage | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Burglary (Dwelling)
Stoneswood Road, Delph – Offenders gained entry through an insecure rear door and stole electrical items.
Barmeadow, Dobcross – Offenders gained access through an insecure patio door. Several items stolen.
Lodge Lane, Delph – Male offender jemmied open a conservatory window with a garden spade. He then used a spade to smash a kitchen window to gain access to property. He made his way up to the first floor and entered a bedroom where he was disturbed by the occupant. The offender fled the property via the front door which was unlocked. Items were stolen from the property.
Clydesdale Rise, Diggle – Offenders broke into a garage causing damage to a door. They made their way into the house via an insecure internal door. Keys and a wallet were taken plus a number of other items. Offenders made off using the house owner’s vehicle.
Ambrose Crescent, Diggle – Unknown offenders forced a patio door handle but failed to gain entry.
Burglary (Other)
Thorpe Close, Austerlands – Unknown offender(s) forced a door handle and lock on a garage door with an unknown instrument. Property was taken.
Friarmere Cricket Club, Denshaw Road, Delph – Unknown offender/s removed an outer plastic frame from a window and two double glazed units to gain entry to the pavilion. Although they activated the alarm, items were taken.
Oldham Road, Denshaw – Offender/s forced a panel off a secure shed and removed property.
Spurn Lane, Diggle – Offender/s forced a rear ground floor door to gain entry to a building being refurbished and removed a quantity of copper.
Three Crowns, Huddersfield Road, Scouthead – Unknown offender jemmied off an hasp and staple to gain entry to a walk in, outdoor refridgerator. Several items were stolen.
Golden Fleece, Oldham Road, Denshaw – Unknown offender/s entered a premises via an open front door and took vehicle keys from a sideboard. They left in the owners vehicle.
Vehicle crime – Theft from a Vehicle
Grains Road, Delph – Car window smashed. The vehicle was searched but nothing stolen.
Grains Road, Delph – Offenders cut a motorcycle’s fuel pipe and siphoned fuel from the tank.
Diglea, Diggle – Offender stole a handbag from a car’s front seat whilst it was being unloaded.
Newbank Garden Centre, Dobcross – The front offside quarter light, the catalytic convertor, the exhaust and a number of tools were removed from a car parked in the car park.
Vehicle crime -Theft of a Motor Vehicle / Vehicle Interference
Den Lane, Springhead – Offenders gained entry to a parked vehicle and removed the cover off the centre of the steering wheel. Whilst doing so they activate the car horn which woke the owner. Two males fled towards Stamford Road.
Criminal Damage
Grains Road, Delph – Damage to vehicle
Woodbrook Road – Damage to vehicle
Huddersfield Road, Diggle – Damage to vehicle
King Street, Delph – Damage to out building
Hudderfield Road, Scouthead – Damage to letterbox
Prosecutions
Two male youths received restorative justice after causing criminal damage to an outbuilding located on King Street, Delph.
Help the Saddleworth Olympic Committee win £3000 for next year’s Olympics
![dad's photos download 11-9-13 293[1]](http://insaddleworth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dads-photos-download-11-9-13-2931.jpg)
Children releasing balloons at the 2013 Saddleworth Olympics
We hope you all enjoyed this years Village Olympics. Would you like to help us ensure we can do it all again next year? Well you can by helping us win £3,000 from the Lloyds Community Fund. We are already guaranteed £300 from the fund but with your help we can get this up to £3,000. All you need to do is vote using either of (or ideally both) the methods below. Please NOTE if you vote online they will send you an e-mail and your vote only counts once you have clicked on the link.
Thanks for your support and ensure you ask all your friends and family to vote as well.
Online: https://communityfund.lloydsbank.com/voting/cf_org_vote_profile.asp?cfr=98A875
Kind regards,
Saddleworth Olympic Committee
Saddleworth residents angry about the lack of consultation in relation to proposals for a new Saddleworth School
Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council
Are residents of Saddleworth better informed and being consulted following the public meeting, organised by Saddleworth Parish Council on Wednesday 27th September at the Civic Centre, Uppermill? The leader of Oldham Council, Jim McMahon and the head of Saddleworth School, Mathew Millburn sat on the panel and fielded questions from both councillors and the public.
Councillors Rob Knotts and Mike Buckley explained why the Parish Council had requested the meeting explaining that they were concerned that, to date, there has been no consultation with residents and parents of Saddleworth on the proposals for a new secondary school. Mike Buckley pointed out that, at the speed negotiation s are progressing, there is potentially too little time for residents to be consulted in advance of the final decision.
The purpose of the meeting was to inform residents of what is known about the present proposals and to open a dialogue with Oldham Council. Also, it would allow the public to voice their opinion, highlight their concerns and seek reassurance about the issues faced.
Was this achieved? To a point. Jim McMahon confirmed what the audience already knew. They could not be consulted on the choice of site and the limited budget would ultimately control the outcome.
Issues raised at the meeting:
- If the preferred site is Diggle, what are the access arrangements? How will this impact on the quality of life for residents of Diggle? Why to-date has a traffic survey not been undertaken? What attention has been given to health and safety?
- Where will the school be located on the site? Will the cost of cleaning contaminated soil and other groundwork push the school onto the two green fields close to the road?
- Will the school have sporting facilities?
- Will there be any additional housing built on the site?
- Will the new school building be of a high standard and be sympathetic to the environment?
- What is the future for the listed building on the site?
Mathew Millburn said that the quality of education at Saddleworth School is very good and the only thing failing the children is the building. He viewed the proposals for a new school to be a positive move forward.
Jim McMahon commented that his hands were tied by the constraints set by central government in particular Educational Funding Authoriy (EFA). However as Mike Buckley pointed out other options are still available, for example to develop the current site.
The EFA have stipulated that a new school cannot be built on the present site as it is not large enough. They point out that there are obvious issues with the topography and health and safety. The logistics of building a new school, for 1500 pupils, on a constrained site are unworkable whilst the existing school remains operational.
As a result, they have stated that the £15million currently on offer must be used for a new build and that Oldham Council should identify their preferred site quickly or risk losing the funding.
Diggle News would be interested to know what you think. Please leave a comment below.
Triathlete Carolyn Robinson completes two back-to-back endurance events for charity
Diggle resident Carolyn Robinson is celebrating after completing two back-to-back endurance events, for charity, within a week of each other.
Carolyn took part in the Great Swim in London’s Docklands on August 31st, then a week later she completed the North West Triathlon in Nantwich, Cheshire – raising over £500 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Carolyn’s 9 year old son, Jake was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was just 4 years old.
Carolyn told Diggle News: “Jake deals with his condition very well – it has to be monitored closely on a daily basis, which includes multiple blood glucose testing and insulin injections. This will continue for the rest of his life or unless a cure is found. This, to a certain extent limits a carefree childhood and unless managed properly Jake could face many medical complications including blindness, kidney failure and amputation.
JDRF are the leading charity that concentrate on Type 1 and endeavour to find a cure. This is why it is vital to raise funds to drive world class research which will allow people with Type 1 (the majority of which are children), to a better future. ”
A keen swimmer, Carolyn trained for the Great London Swim at both Saddleworth Pool and at organised sessions held at Salford Quays. On the day, she joined over 3,000 swimmers to swim 1mile on a set course in the River Thames starting and finishing at Millwall Docks. Carolyn finished in a respectable 40 mins, where she was cheered home by Husband Tom and of course, Jake – however there was little recovery time as her next event was the following Sunday.
The North West Triathlon is the largest event of it’s kind in the UK, where competitors can either enter as a team or complete it solo. The triathlon took in swim, cycle and run in succession, with Carolyn finishing in 1hr 40m.
Commenting after the events Carolyn said: “I really enjoyed them both, and highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for their next challenge. I know lots of people in Diggle both sponsored me and wished me well, so want to thank them for their support.”
If you would like to sponsor Carolyn to support JDRF, her website is: http://www.justgiving.com/carolyn-robinson1
To find out more about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: http://www.jdrf.org.uk/
Marketplace Event for Additional Needs and Disabilities
From Parents of Oldham in Touch (P.O.I.N.T)
Marketplace event for additional needs and disabilities at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham onFriday 27th September, 5.30pm to 8.00pm
If you or anyone in your family has an additional need or a disability then come along to this fantastic free event where you will be able to meet service providers offering support for adults and children in Oldham. The event will include:
- Marketplace where you can find out about the support available and meet service providers with stalls and displays from a range of organisations – ‘All providers under one roof’
- A wide range of providers from drop-in, informal support services to specialist provision meeting complex needs
- Workshops to provide information and advice on how the system works
‘The World of Assessment’ (workshop 1) and ‘The World of Support Planning’ (workshop 2)
- The opportunity to ask professionals questions
- Dance and music displays from local acts
- Fun face painting and activities for children
Free parking available outside Queen Elizabeth Hall, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1NL.
Places must be pre-booked for workshops
Session times for 15 minute workshops:
Workshop 1 (Assessment) 5.30pm, 6.10pm, 6.50pm
Workshop 2 (Support Planning) 5.50pm, 6.30pm, 7.10pm
For more information or to book your place, please contact:
- All Age Disability Service on: 0161 770 3110 or e-mail: acns@oldham.gov.uk