Monday, March 25, 2019
Town Events

9

 Seven young people, aged 16-25, are currently taking part in a 12-week team programme with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Prince’s Trust programme at Hyde Fire Station. Part of the programme involves a community project, with the group deciding themselves to help the Droylsden Water Adventure Centre.

Team Manager Sarah Quinn explained: “The team had to research in the area to see what they could choose as their project. This was put forward as one of their options.

“They chose the Water Adventure Centre because of the range of young people that access this centre. One member of the group had accessed the centre before and she was grateful of the help she got while she was here, so she said that she wanted to give something back.

“It needed to be self-funded so the young people did a bag-pack as ASDA in Hyde, which raised £460. Everything that has been done, we’ve paid for ourselves.”

Over a fortnight, the team renovated the path to improve disabled access down to the water, painted all the wooden benches and canoes and renovated the meeting room in the lock cottage, making it brighter and more inviting for people who use the centre.

“We’ve just finished now,” Sarah added. “It’s took blood, sweat and tears and a few little arguments along the way but they can see that with planning and hard work, you can achieve anything. That runs through any aspect of their life, including gaining employment.”

The 12-week team programme also involves a five-day residential trip, three team challenges and a fortnight’s work placement. There is also ‘Next Steps’, which involves things like CVs and interview techniques to help get the young people into employment.

The GMFRS Prince’s Trust runs all across Greater Manchester, with three programmes in each area every year. The current programme finishes on April 18th, with the next one starting in May.

For more information or to sign up, you can visit www.facebook.com/GMFRSFutureHeroes, or text your name, age and postcode to 07580698595.

 

35

Staff from the multi-award winning accountancy company ‘Your Tax Shop’ are taking part in Willow Wood Hospice’s 20/20 challenge; an annual event which this year is in celebration of their 20th year of being one of Tameside’s amazing local charities.

Willow Wood’s event organiser, Elaine McConnell, explained the concept behind the charity’s 20/20 event. “We handed out two £20 notes to companies around the region, and asked them to use their imagination to invest the money to raise as much as they can for the hospice.”

As part of the challenge, ‘Your Tax Shop’ was given £40 and by gathering their entrepreneurial skills, collectively embarked on clever ways to invest the cash and are now well on the way to return a great dividend to Willow Wood at the end of the event.

Speaking on behalf of ‘Your Tax Shop’ Francesca Harrison, Client Care Manager & Digital Marketing Manager, enthusiastically told us, “We are already half way through the challenge and are on track to raise an incredible amount all for this fantastic  local cause. So far we have been selling healthy nutritional meals, snacks and treats at a local gym and selling £1 raffle tickets for a chance to win two lovely Yankee Candle bouquets.

Some of ‘Your Tax Shop’s’ other events that they have coming up, include a Charity Car Wash at Willow Wood on Sunday 7th April; an ongoing ‘Guess How Many Sweets Tombola’ and a silent ‘Online Auction’ for bidders to win incredible prizes!

The auction will take place between Friday 5th April and Monday 15th April.”

To take part in ‘Your Tax Shop’s’ 20/20 challenge and raise much needed funds for Willow Wood Hospice, please contact them on: www.yourtaxshop.co.uk or you can follow them on social media.

19

Hyde’s Stroke Awareness Day, organised by the members of the Hyde Rotary in conjunction with the Stroke Association UK, will be held Saturday 6th April

The annual event will run from 11.00am to 3.00pm at the Clarendon Square, where medically trained members of the Rotary Club of Hyde will be offering free blood pressure checks to the public.

High blood pressure, which is not always recognised by the patient, is the biggest risk factor in the cause of strokes, and can be easily treated and controlled by medication.

On the day, shoppers, visitors and members of the community who volunteer to have their blood pressures checked on the day will be given their respective readings and advice to consult their general practitioner for a further check if appropriate.

The Rotary Club of Hyde want to encourage the people of Hyde to take this great opportunity to have a free check and help themselves and Rotary’s efforts in the prevention of strokes in our community.

22

Stewart Fleming and his mum Margaret.

Stewart Fleming has more family links with St Ann’s Hospice than most.

His mum Margaret, from Bredbury, died in the hospice in January. Margaret (64) had lung cancer.

His late grandparents Kitty and Frank were also patients there years ago.

In addition, Stewart’s wife Louise is Volunteer Manager at St Ann’s where she has worked for the last 12 years.

The couple are taking part in the Manchester Midnight Walk on Friday, April 26, raising £1,500 through sponsorship from the 10km city centre stroll.

Each year the charity’s flagship fundraising event draws walkers from across the region, many participating in memory of loved ones, others doing it just for fun.

Louise, whose mum Breda Johnson is one of around 740 hospice volunteers, said: “St Ann’s looked after Stew’s mum in her final few weeks.

“Her biggest fear was being in pain or alone at the end and the hospice made sure she was comfortable and that we were all with her. The compassion and support was amazing and we can never thank them enough.”

The walk from midnight starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral. The atmosphere inside this iconic venue starts building from 9 pm with musical entertainment. Refreshments are available.

* Interested walkers can sign up by visiting www.mmwalk.org.uk or call 0161 498 3631.

* To sponsor Louise and Stewart, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stewartfleming86

 

 

18
Manchester Town Hall, MediaCityUK and Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium are among many locations across Greater Manchester lighting up green this week to encourage residents and businesses to switch to renewable electricity.

From today (18 March) residents and organisations in Greater Manchester can register their interest for exclusive offers on green energy at www.gmgreen.energy.

The green energy offers are a result of a partnership between Greater Manchester Combined Authority and green energy experts, Big Clean Switch, who have negotiated the deals exclusively for Greater Manchester.

An exclusive deal for households will be launched on 26 March, with offers for businesses and community groups following in April.

The buildings lighting up green are either already powered by green electricity or are in the process of moving over to green electricity. They’ll light up green every evening from 18 March to 22 March.

The initiative is timed to coincide with Mayor Andy Burnham’s Green Summit, taking place at the Lowry Centre on 25 March. The summit will launch Greater Manchester’s five-year environment plan, which sets out the urgent actions we all need to take in the next five years if we are to meet our long-term vision of becoming a carbon-neutral city region by 2038.

One of the actions needed is for residents and businesses of Greater Manchester to switch to green energy.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This is a great initiative that literally shines a spotlight on a key issue. Switching to a renewable energy supplier is something we can all do, and Big Clean Switch has made the process simple and straightforward. It’s better for the environment, and in many cases will also lead to savings on people’s bills.

“At this year’s Green Summit, we will be launching our five-year environment plan to set us on the path to carbon neutrality in 2038. Only by us all taking action – residents and business included – will we hit that target, so I’d encourage everyone to make that switch.”

The Very Reverend Rogers Govender, Dean of Manchester said:

“Manchester Cathedral is proud to be supporting the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s green energy campaign by lighting the clock on the Cathedral tower green.

In 2013, Manchester Cathedral installed underfloor heating powered by ground source heat pumps that use natural energy stored in the earth to heat and cool the cathedral. We all have a key role to play in working together to make a difference and to protect our planet and switching homes and businesses over to renewable energy is a great way to get involved.”

Clare Philips, Direct of Social Purpose & Julia Giannini, Corporate Responsibility Manager at ITV Services Ltd said: “Improving the environmental impact of our business, both on and off screen, is an important part of our Social Purpose strategy. We’ve been running the buildings we own on renewable energy for some time, and the brilliant team at Coronation Street have worked hard over the years to also reduce waste and the energy they use. We’re delighted to be part of the Green Summit and show our support for a lower-impact Manchester.”

Local households have saved an average of £270 a year switching to green energy since Big Clean Switch started working with Greater Manchester Combined Authority in late 2017.

As well as all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities, a host of other organisations from across the city including football clubs, universities and businesses are backing the Greater Manchester Big Clean Switch campaign, the first of its kind in the UK.

The full list of buildings lighting up green are:

  • Dukinfield Town Hall, Tameside Council
  • ITV studios in MediaCityUK
  • Manchester Cathedral
  • Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad Stadium
  • Manchester Town Hall
  • MediaCityUK
  • Salford Town Hall
  • Stockport Town Hall
  • Swan Street Studios, Royal Exchange Theatre
  • United Utilities’ Davyhulme Water Treatment Works, Trafford

25

Imagine walking around Hyde town centre; minding your own business, just looking to search out another fabulous bargain, when around the corner you suddenly come face to face with a live-sized dinosaur.

No, not one of our town councillors, but an enormous dinosaur – a creature that weighed over seven tonnes, which at 13 feet tall and 40 feet long was one of the largest land predators to ever to stalk the subtropical forests of ‘Tameside’ millions of years ago.

Well, if you get down to Hyde’s Civic Square on Saturday April 13th 2019, don’t forget to take your cameras, because that’s day when a dinosaur will be making a popular return to Jurassic Hyde.

Building on the tremendous success of the day when ‘dinosaurs’ last roamed the town; Hyde Town Team have once again arranged for a huge dinosaur, to meander around the town centre, as part of the town’s Dino Event.

As a further addition to the ‘Dino’ event, the Town Team have also teamed up with The Tameside Reporter and Findel Education’s Philip Harris Brand, who are a leading supplier of equipment for school science; to invite young primary school children and year 7 secondary students to get involved in the event by entering a ‘create a model Dinosaur’ competition.

This will be judged on the day by Hyde & Stalybridge MP Jonathan Reynolds and the Philip Harris Brand Manager

It’s a great way for the kids to show off their creative modelling skills, with the best model maker winning £100 of equipment for their science programme together with a winner’s plaque to be permanently displayed in the winning model maker’s school.

So mark Saturday 13th April 2019 as a day to bring your little dinosaur hunters to Hyde …. It promises to be a pretty awesome sight with one of the largest walking Dinosaurs roaming the town’s markets ready to amaze the adults and children; – but don’t worry the Town Team’s Rangers will keep a close eye on him.

And after you’ve, enjoyed your Dinosaur Adventure, what better reward than a coffee, tea or hot chocolate with cream and a homemade cake in one of the Hyde many cafés, or perhaps make it a lunchtime visit and enjoy a hot meal, or a glass of wine or beer.

   

Make Hyde Town Centre your number one shopping town this April where visitors and shoppers can expect plenty of Easter activities and fun across in the Indoor and Outdoor Markets and within The Clarendon Shopping Centre.

39

A local group of walkers are swapping the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside for Manchester City Centre this April.

The team from across the North West has signed up to take part in this year’s Manchester Midnight Walk to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice.

Jackie Oldham, leader of the team ‘Awelonites’, is also Chair of the hospice.  She explained:  “The Manchester Midnight Walk is such an iconic event in the city’s annual calendar and even before I was involved with the hospice I was aware of how important it was in raising money for local patients.

“Our team is made up of walkers aged between 25 and 65.  We usually enjoy heading into the Welsh countryside to walk together and relax, but we’ve decided to put our walking boots to use in aid of a good cause and take part in the Midnight Walk this year.

“As volunteer Chair of the hospice’s board I’m privileged to see first-hand the amazing, holistic care provided to local people, right when they need it most.  St Ann’s needs to raise £20,000 a day to keep that specialist care provision going for patients and their families, and I know that every penny raised in our sponsorship for the 10km walk will make a real difference to their lives.”

The Manchester Midnight Walk, which will take place on Friday 26th April, has become a staple on the city’s fundraising calendar, with last year’s event raising £163,795.09 for St Ann’s, bringing the total raised since its launch to more than £2million.

The event has pulled in the crowds every year since it began in 2007, creating a unique late-night party atmosphere.

Manchester Cathedral has supported the event, along with headline sponsor BetFred.

The walk leaves Manchester Central at midnight, with music and entertainment on the event stage starting at 9pm.

The 10km route covers landmarks such as Manchester Cathedral, St Ann’s Square and Spinningfields.

Organisers are urging anyone interested in taking part to register as soon as possible.

Many fundraisers walk in memory of loved ones, with others happy to join the fun at this family event.

*To register please visit www.mmwalk.org.uk or call the hospice on 0161 498 3631.

*To sponsor Jackie’s team, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/awelonites

 

23

comic relief

Specsavers is once again supporting Comic Relief and the Hyde store is getting in on the act by selling funny frames which are sure to raise a smile.

It is the third Red Nose Day that Specsavers has supported the charity by launching the frames in store, with this year’s red glasses jester theme in keeping with the charity’s comic ethos.

Since 2015, Specsavers stores have raised £848,000 and have pledged to raise £250,000 this year in their quest to break the £1million mark.

This will be done through the sale of the Comic Relief frames which cost just £2, with 100% of the proceeds going to the charity. They will be available to buy in stores and, for the first time, the Comic Relief website.

Diane Wood, retail store director, says: ‘Our glasses this year are fantastic and we hope everyone gets into the fundraising spirit by picking up a pair in store and help us smash our £1 million fundraising mark. We are really proud to support Comic Relief and all the good causes they fund.’

Catherine Cottrell, fundraising and partnerships executive director at Comic Relief, adds: ‘We’re so pleased Specsavers is continuing to support us for the third year. It’s great to see people having fun wearing their Comic Relief specs to help us raise much needed funds on Red Nose Day and we’re thrilled to now be offering these on our online shop too.’

Frames are available in your local Specsavers store in Hyde now ahead of Red Nose Day on Friday 15 March. Customers who would like to recycle the glasses after Red Nose Day will be able to return them to their local store and they will be sent onto a specialist recycling company.

 

For more information visit www.specsavers.co.uk or www.comicrelief.com

 

 

22
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled proposals that put firefighters at the heart of the work that we do and lay the foundation for a stronger organisation, focused on keeping communities safe and delivering a sustainable, affordable, frontline-first emergency service.

Like all fire services, Greater Manchester is continuing to have make savings because of Government cuts and pressures on council tax. The package put forward rises to this challenge but without compromising frontline safety or response times.

Since 2010, central government has cut funding to GMFRS by more than £20m, 17.5% of its total budget. The grant accounts for 55% of funding for the fire service, as compared to 64% in 2010. The rest of the funding comes from precept. These proposals will ensure that the service is on the right financial footing to be able to continue to serve the people of Greater Manchester.

Firefighters sit at the heart of these proposals. They will be supported by an organisation which has a culture of trust, respect and accountability, with improved working conditions, modern facilities and better training and equipment.

Proposals include:

  • A refocus on frontline delivery
  • Integration with place-based teams in every locality, targeting resources and meeting needs of communities
  • Maximising fire cover across Greater Manchester within available resources
  • More devolved power to the frontline
  • Re-investing in local stations and improved facilities
  • Investment in fire engines and equipment
  • Improved training and development
  • Investment in supporting technology and systems

The ‘root and branch’ review of the service was announced last year following the publication of the Kerslake Report and also in response to concerns raised with the Mayor by firefighters.

As part of the process, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor have visited every fire station and team to get the views of staff about the organisation. The proposals announced today respond to that feedback.

A key part of the work has been the Fire Cover Review, which has seen a range of options analysed to optimise fire cover in Greater Manchester.

This includes the following proposals:

  1. Mergers of 6 fire stations into three, establishing new state-of-the art fire stations with opportunities for collaboration with blue light partners and for facilities for the communities.  Initial consideration is being given to mergers at Bolton, Manchester and Stockport – the detail will be examined during the consultation.
  2. Crewing levels of 4 firefighters on all engines, reflecting current practice in Greater Manchester and services across the country.
  3. Removal of 8 second fire engines from stations currently with two engines.
  4. Maintenance of our position as one of the fastest responding fire services nationally, our average response times will still be more than a minute better than the national average.
  5. A new delivery model for Prevention, Protection, Youth Engagement and Administration.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who is also Greater Manchester’s Fire Commissioner said: “Despite the continued austerity we are doing everything we can in Greater Manchester to maintain the level of service that our fire service provides. As a result of these changes GMFRS will still be able to boast some of the fastest response times in the country.

“We are not doing this by making unfair demands of our firefighters. The frontline remains our focus. I have asked the new fire chief to adopt a frontline first ethos throughout the organisation and make sure our firefighters have the right training, modern equipment and facilities.”

Deputy Mayor, Baroness Beverley Hughes said; “These proposals, by reverting to the core business of rescue, prevention and protection will enable our firefighters to make an even better contribution to the safety, security and wellbeing of people in communities across Greater Manchester.

“I am grateful for the spirit in which staff from right across the organisation have been willing to engage with us and tell us what they think. Their views are at the heart of these plans and whilst the transformation will be challenging it is essential to put GMFRS on a better and sustainable footing to deliver services.”

Chief Fire Officer, Jim Wallace said: “These proposals outline some of the most progressive changes in the history of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service but they are important ones to make sure we are a service fit for the future.

“This will put us in a position where we can continue to keep people safe, but also ensure that we are a sustainable, efficient service. There will be tough decisions to make going forward but all of this will be informed by staff feedback and with the use of a robust evidence base.

“We want to use place-based working to make a real difference in preventing fires and other emergencies but also to work with partners to allow them to focus on those who require specialist assistance.

“By working with our partners we can make sure we are doing the best we can to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe.”

No final decisions have yet been made on these proposals as we are consulting with staff and trade union representatives. We will also be launching a public consultation around the plans and details will be released in due course.

You can read the full Outline Business Case here.

19

The full to capacity £24m Glossopdale School is so popular there’s no room for all the children hoping to start studying there in September.

Some parents who put the Hadfield School down as first choice in their placement application to Derbyshire County Council were instead offered a place in New Mills.

The result was a surge of resentment and anger from parents who want their children taught at Glossop’s high school.

Families who failed to get a place at Glossopdale School for September are demanding answers. They say the offer of St Philip Howard, Longdendale and New Mills schools are unacceptable.

They called the Chronicle, High Peak MP Ruth George and turned to social media with complaints that DCC built the school too small.

Gareth Wilson was fairly confident of getting son Freddie a place at Glossopdale School. But Gareth and his wife were in for a shock despite putting it as his preferred option.

He said: “He’s been told to go to New Mills; we can’t get him a place in Glossop at all. I’m livid – my own town’s got no room for my son and loads of people are in the same boat.”

Gareth went on: “The 2019 secondary school placements announcements have revealed the new ‘Glossopdale School’ is a school only for Hadfield and those living on its periphery.

“Children living in central and east Glossop have been refused places at Glossopdale School and instead offered places at Longdendale, Philip Howard and even New Mills eight miles away.

“Glossop has effectively been rendered outside the catchment area and is left with no non-denominational school at all.

“No consultation was undertaken at the time of Glossopdale School’s move to make residents aware of these consequences.”

High Peak MP Ruth George has written to Derbyshire County Council asking why so many local students have been refused a place at the new Glossopdale School.

She told the Chronicle: “Lots of parents in Glossop have contacted me, very upset that their child has not been allocated a place at Glossopdale School, in spite of their being in the catchment area.

“Some have been allocated to St Phillip Howard when it was a lower choice of school for them, or not on their list as they do not wish to attend a faith school.

“Others have been assigned to New Mills School, which involves considerable travelling.

“I’m pleased the newly-built school is popular but it can be very unsettling for children facing a long journey to a school they didn’t choose, or being separated from friends.

“Glossopdale School was designed with space for an additional 240 places.

“Given the clear demand for places at the school, I’ve asked the county council to look at expanding the number of places as soon as possible, preferably so that the children refused a place on the basis of current capacity can be accommodated.

“I know how worrying the move to secondary school can be for children.

“Even more so if they’re being sent to a school they didn’t choose or they have the uncertainty of a lengthy appeal.

“That’s why I’ve asked the council to look at this urgently and I hope they’ll act quickly for all the children and families who are affected.”

Replying to the concerns, a Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: “We are aware of the issues arising from the number of applications received for places at Glossopdale School and can understand the disappointment of any parent or carer and their child who has not been allocated a place at this school.

“Our aim is to ensure that every child in Derbyshire has a place in a local school, but unfortunately not every request for a place at a chosen school can be accommodated. A high number of applications were received this year. In common with many other areas in the country it is a large year group.

“The investment in the new school has made it more attractive and fewer people have sought places outside the town than in the past.

“In 2017, 73 per cent of pupils remained in the area but in 2019, 85 per cent have opted to remain in the Glossop area. Also fewer people have been able to secure places at out of area schools, for example Chapel-en-le-Frith.

“All these factors have come together, and although 20 extra places were allocated, 39 Derbyshire pupils have not received their first choice of Glossopdale and been offered alternatives, either at St Philip Howard, New Mills or Longdendale. Parents whose children will have to travel outside their local area will be able to apply for support with transport.

“While there is expected to be a couple of years of high numbers of pupils at Glossopdale School, the forecast intake is expected to decline significantly over the medium term, from 220 this year to a forecast of 202 by 2024.

“We believe that over the medium and long term the school has capacity to meet the needs of the local area.

“In the short term it is necessary to carefully manage the intake to ensure that classes and timetabling are manageable for the school and class sizes are not too large, as this would have a detrimental effect on learning.”

Gareth Wilson responded to the incident by creating a petition, telling DCC “to address their capacity problems urgently” – which has quickly garnered 1,009 signatures in three days.

You can sign the petition here.

 

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