COUNCIL CARE HOMES IN CRISIS
Fourteen homes for the elderly in Wigan are under threat because of a cash crisis.
Around 550 elderly residents could be affected by proposals by Cheshire Life Services (CLS) which owns the 14 homes across the borough.
CLS, which took over the operation of all council nursing homes back in 1990, has already been forced to close four homes in the Cheshire area. The company is currently in talks with Wigan Metro about the 14 homes in the borough.
CLS provides 44 care centres throughout the North West with 24-hour residential support, respite breaks and day care.The lack of funding for homes is a national problem with 750 homes closing in the UK this year.
And CLS bosses say there are insufficient funds to cover running costs for the 14 homes in the Wigan borough. Norley Hall Home, in Norley Hall Avenue, Pemberton, is already earmarked for closure because it caters for just 30 residents.
Coun David Kelly, cabinet member for the health and social care panel, today demanded all closure plans be suspended and called for talks with CLS.
He has stressed there will be no 'mass closure' and that the 550 elderly residents will not be turfed out onto the streets. He said, "Our biggest concern is for the elderly residents who live in these homes."
Nick Dykes, operations director for CLS, which provides 44 care centres across the North West said the situation was now becoming desperate. He said, "We are holding a series of meetings with Wigan Metro to discuss the plight of these 14 homes. The problem we have now reached is the fees coming in, paid mostly by Wigan Metro, are insufficient to meet running costs.
"One solution is to reduce the number of homes and although we are keeping an open mind at this stage, it is possible a number of homes may have to close. We are hoping to secure their future but the main problem is the lack of money to pay for the care."
THE 14 HOMES UNDER THREAT ARE:
- Norley Hall Home, Norley Hall Avenue
- Ancliffe, Warrington Road, Goose Green
- Farmoor, Church Street, Orrell
- Garswood House, Wentworth Road, Ashton
- Golborne House, Derby Street, Golborne
- Greenacres, Green Lane, Standish
- Hourigan House, Myrtle Avenue, Leigh
- Lakelands, Grizedale Drive, Higher Ince
- Lyndhurst, College Street Leigh
- Manor Fold, Bag Lane, Atherton
- Park House, Charles Street, Tyldesley
- Sherwood House, Sherwood Crescent, Platt Bridge
- Thorley House, Hazlemere Gardens, Hindley
- Woodlands Hall, Bradshaw Street, Whelley
WAR HERO DOCTOR DIES AT 80
A decorated war hero who was among the few Britons ever to be awarded two American bravery awards has died.
Dr Gordon Searle,
who served as a GP in the Orrell and Pemberton areas for 33 years, died in Morecambe, aged 80.
Born in Manchester in 1921, Dr Searle was awarded for his bravery in the battles after D-Day with two American Bronze Stars,
becoming one of a handful of Britons ever to collect two US military honours. He was mentioned in Dispatches, receiving a certificate from King George VI as a tribute to his valour.
He later studied medicine becoming a GP at
the Orrell Road surgery in 1952.
During his 33 years in Wigan, Dr Searle was instrumental in helping ex-miners and mill workers receive the treatment they needed. An avid train spotter, he retired in 1975 and moved to Shevington
with his wife, Iva, whom he first met when they were children.
In 1988 they moved to Morecambe, where Iva died in 1995.
Their only child, Jane Bancroft, has paid tribute to her father, who died on July 22nd.
She said, "My dad was a wonderful man and was very well known around Wigan. He and my mum were absolutely devoted to each other.
"He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Wigan, because he spent a lot of time helping people.
"He was
always very modest about his military achievements, but receiving two US Bronze Medals is very unusual.
"He was a passionate believer in the health service. In 1952 there was an enormous amount of poverty in Wigan, and my dad
was a real community doctor who would always help."
CADET LEADER HITS THE GOLD STANDARD
Wigan Army Cadet youth leader Steve Shacklady has just received a special award marking his success in reaching the Gold standard in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
24 year-old Steve, from Orrell, is now a Staff Sgt Instructoe with the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force, but he began his award when he was a cadet.
Steve joined the cadets at the age of 12 and later stayed on to become an adult youth leader at Wigan's Grenadier Guard cadet detachment situated in Canal Street Wigan.
He was presented with a miniature lapel badge to honour his success, and is now waiting for his important invitation from the Duke of Edinburgh to attend Buckingham Palace, where he will be presented with his full award.
Cadet training fits very closely with the requirements of the scheme, and in order to earn his gold award, Steve participated in a number of challenging, skillful and community-based events.
Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force has over 40 detachments throughout the region, providing an action packed training programme of challenge and fun for the benefit of local youngsters.
Membership is available to boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18, and there are also vacancies for adult youth leaders.
FIRE HERO IGNORED BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
A Wigan man, hailed a hero for risking his life to save others in Australia's biggest fire tragedy, is still waiting for recognition a year later.
Keith O'Brien, 23, was
staying in Childers backpackers hostel in Queensland when fire swept through the building killing 15.He risked his life to rescue a Welsh friend.
Keith, who lives with his parents in Broadlands, Shevington, was mentally scarred by the horror.
His parents,
Susan and Paul, believe the non-recognition of his bravery by the Australian government is a scandal. Now Wigan MP Neil Turner has agreed to take up the case with the Australian High Commission in London.
He said, "This young man should get a medal, perhaps
the George Cross."
The O'Brien family say that although Australia's worst fire tragedy hit the headlines at the time, it now appears to have been swept under the carpet.
Susan said, "All the papers hailed Keith a hero. He was. Certainly he risked his own
life in rescuing a friend. Since the tragedy he is a changed person. He has gone from bright, fun loving and carefree to someone who has lost his zeal.
"Over the months, we expected to hear from the Australian government that Keith's bravery was being recognised
but there has been no contact at all."
Keith who has just finished a temporary job in London said, "I know I'm a changed person. The memories of what happened haunt me."
On the night 15 backpackers died, Keith managed to put the Welsh girl into a bathroom,
then fought through the smoke to find a window exit. When he returned to rescue Kelly Symonds, he had to break down a door that had been slammed shut by the force of the fire. Bars on the windows had to be forced apart to allow Kelly to be pushed outside to safety.
Keith's father added, "It seems as thought the Australian government is just forgetting this terrible tragedy."
Neil Turner said, "I believe Keith should be given a bravery award, perhaps the George Cross. I can well understand his parent's feelings. Armed with all
the facts, I will get in touch with the Australian Embassy or their High Commission and put suggestions forward."
CARAVAN ROW GYPSY TO FIGHT ON
A Wigan traveller has lost his legal battle against eviction with the Metro, but has immediately pledged to fight on.
Gypsy grandfather John Evans lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal for his extended family to remain living in caravans on green belt land which they own at Martland Mill.
The decision, which effectively freezes any renewed eviction campaign by the council until after it is heard, follows his defeat before the High Court after a four day hearing.
It is Mr Evans' latest salvo in a five year war with the council to live where he wants.
Metro solicitor Shirley Hilliman said, "We can take no further action until the appeal is heard, hopefully this year."
Council chiefs thought they had finally won a victory over Mr Evans in December 2000 when a government inspector dismissed his appeal against being refused planning permission and enforcement action.
But the determined traveller then employed Birmingham-based Community Law Partnership to seek judicial review.
Metro bosses now believe his huge mounting legal costs may be being funded by the Gypsy Council as they see it as a test case with national significance.
Mr Evans and his relatives have been involved in legal wrangles with the council since 1996 to prevent eviction from land between the canal and the River Douglas and ,latterly, a stable yard site in Martland Mill.
the situation has been complicated by the fact that he owns the stable site, Greenacre Farm, so formal trespass wasn't a factor.
Mr Evans won a partial victory over the town hall when the inspector granted him a further period to find a new, legal pitch.
The council's original enforcement notice would have given him just seven days to move on.
But the inspector still concluded,"Caravan site use of the land has had a seriously harmful impact on the openness of this tract of green belt. Although it is located alongside long-standing stable buildings, which in many respects are unattractive, they were built for a use appropriate with the green belt and reflect a rural character. The caravan is quite different in nature and damaging to the green belt."
Mr Evans had fenced in a yard between the canal and the River Douglas to make the gypsy caravan site, with the vehicles pitched on specially laid hard-standing.
But the council is now investigating the erection of telegraph style posts.
Mr Evans has proposed demolishing two or three of the existing stable buildings and screening the camp with trees and shrubs. His planning agent, Philip Brown, argued unsuccessfully that the accommodation needs of Wigan gypsies justified the 'very special circumstances' suitable for an exception.
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