WRECKED BY YOBS!
A magnificent Wigan vicarage has been wrecked by vandals and looters. The former Pemberton St John's Church Vicarage, a Victorian red-brick building was left empty and secure when the last vicar left a couple of years ago.
since then, the once proud building, valued at around £100,000 in good condition, has been the target of vandals who:From outside, the former vicarage, on Orrell Road opposite the M6 sliproad, stil looks intact except for broken windows.
- Broke windows.
- Ripped off doors.
- Wrenched out fittings.
- Stolen fixtures.
- Torched the property.
But residents are appalled at the catalogue of vandalism and looting revealed on closer inspection.
The property would cost a fortune to repair. One local rumour is that it is to be demolished to make way for several smaller homes. A neighbour, who did not want to be named said, "We just can't understand it. The vicarage was a wonderful proerty, full of old fashioned charm.
"It must have been expensive to maintain after the last vicar left and the church authorities bought the new vicar a much smaller home.
"One rumour we have heard is that the house, which has a wonderful view from the back, is all set for demolition and smaller new homes will be built on the land."
Clive Gardner, a spokesman for the church authorities in Liverpool, said "It was a vicarage on our patch, but we sold it last year. We aren't prepared to say who bought it because since the sale we are not to know if it has changed hands."
But Coun George Seaward said, "It's a pity such a fine house has been left to go to ruin. I shall be making enquiries."
A Wigan Council spokesman said, "We haven't recieved a planning application in respect of this property. We have had people ringing in to say they have heard rumours that new houses are planned for this site, but other than that we have not had anything official."
CONCERT BOOSTS CANCER APPEAL
A Wigan mum and daughter who both suffer from cancer have given a huge cash boost to the hospital which is treating them.
When Rita Baron and her family staged
a charity night in front of 300 people it was the Christie Against Cancer appeal they had in mind rather than Stars in their Eyes.
Rita, from Marsh Green, is being treated at the Manchester hospital for a breast tumour, while daughter Maria is
undergoing therapy in the very same building for cervical cancer.
But that did not stop mum doing a Shania Twain act during their concert at the St Thomas Labour Club in Marsh Green.
And the one night's effort by Rita, her family and friends
have now totted up to an amazing £2,269 towards Christie's £25m centenary appeal.
Two of Rita's three other daughters also took to the stage. Emma Butler appeared as Cher and Vanda Richardson did a credible Madonna. Vanda even lost her long curly brown hair
for the cause, her head being completely shaved.
People paid between £10 and £5 for a turn with the clippers, raising £750 and Vanda promptly put on a blonde wig to impersonate the queen of pop.
Rita's fourth daughter, Sheila Richardson, lives in Spain
but her brother-in-law Chris Baron earned more money by having his chest waxed.
Handing over the proceeds to Christie's regional appeals officer Christine Blease, Rita said, "It was a fantastic night and only the club's fire regulations stopped us selling
twice as many tickets.
"After a year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and care, I and my family and friends just had to give something back for all they have done to help me and Maria. We never thought our concert would be so successful."
Christine
said "Rita, her family and supporters have given a terrific boost to our appeal locally and if anyone else wants to help, they can ring me on 0161 446 3988 for more details."
EYESORE GOES AT LONG LAST
Bulldozers have moved in to clear an eyesore in the heart of Platt Bridge.
The row of semi-derelict shops at the bottom of Liverpool Road is being pulled down in readiness for an 85 seater McDonalds drive-through restaurant that will create up to 40 jobs.
Coun Barry Hampson believes the redevelopment could also help boost investment in the area by massively improving it's appearance.
Pre- fabricated building techniques used by the burger giant mean the restaurant could be ready to open at the beginning of March.
The row of shops has been the subject of a complicated battle between the town hall legal department and various landlords who denied maintenance responsibility.
The impasse has seen most of the units steadily deteriorate over the last decade to a semi-derelict state linked to rat infestation problems.
Coun Hampson said, "I'm delighted to see the bulldozers have moved in at last and we are closing the book on one of the most frustrating chapters of my time on the local authority.
"Ward members have fully supported residents in their concern over the deteriorating condition of these shop units but chasing London-based absentee landlords two or three times removed and getting them to do anything has been aa long and tortuous affair.
"This has been going on for seven or eight years as their condition steadily got worse and worse until they have become Platt Bridge's worst eyesore.
But I'm delighted that after full co-operation between the developers Bushwing Ltd and the local authority the problem has been solved."
Councillors are now turning their attention to the vandal hit Platt Bridge Inn pub premises closed two years ago.
WIANERS INVITED TO HAVE A SSAY IN TOWN'S FUTURE
Wiganers are being invited to influence the town's destiny over the next 15 years.
Council planners are starting work on a new version of the Unitary Development Plan, known as the planner's bible.
It shows in detail which land can be used for new homes, shopping, industry or leisure pursuits and also sets out the boundaries of the green belt.
The UDP is a comprehensive land-use plan which guides all planning decisions in the borough and planners in Wigan have started the process of re-drawing it, looking towards the year 2016.
And after producing the first stage, which suggests some of the main problem areas and opportunities, the council wants to know what local people think.
John Sloane, Wigan's director of planning and development said "The Unitary Development Plan is one of the mst significant plans which the council produces, and because it deals with the use of land, it concerns every resident in the borough.
"The Issues Report is just the first stage in what is inevitably a fairly lengthy process. It sets out the main themes and issues which the council thinks will need to be tackled.
"We genuinely want to hear the views of local people and this is a chance to influence matters such as how the borough can reconcile the various pressures and needs for development with the desire to preserve amenity and as much land as possible."
Topics covered by the report include new employment sites for the 21st century, protecting existing businesses, new housing on 'brownfield' sites, protecting the green belt, wildlife, sustainable transport, the design of new developments and helping our town centres prosper. A Breakdown of the council's future plans for regenerating Wigan inludes:
- Identifying new employment sites for the 21st century.
- Local Regeneration- Unppular areas need to be made attractive places to live.
- Protecting the Green Belt.
- Helping Town Centres adapt and survive.
LION CUB SETS THE PACE ON CYCLE MARATHON
Wigan Lions did a roaring trade for charity after a marathon bike ride through Ireland.
Even one of their cubs did the charity organisation -proud 11 year-old Paul Jackson was right up there
for the whole of the 170 mile trek!
In fact by the third and final day the super fit youngster from Green Meadows Westhoughton, was leading the pack and putting seasoned professionals to shame.
He had pestered his dad Malcolm for two years to bring him on one of the Lions' now traditional
cycle fund raisers and Mr Jackson finally caved in. They were joined by experienced cyclist David Thomas plus another newcomer 59 year-old Brian Hall.
The quartet rode from Sligo on the west coast of Ireland to Dun Laoghaire on the east coast, enjoyed plenty of Irish hospitality and managed
to avoid the rain to boot.
They have now been able to present Derian House children's hospice at Chorley with a cheque for £2,500.
It is the third year running that Malcolm and David have raised money for the hospice through bike rides. The first time they cycled coast to coast across England
and the following year they took a 360 mile circuitous route from Hull to Harwich, this time notching up £2,000.
Malcolm said, "Each year we try to raise a bit more and this time it was made possible by having one more on the team. Even more are thinking of taking part next time.
"Paul wanted
to come with us on the first ride and I said I would take him in the future. The following year I thought it was a bit of a heavy ride for a ten year-old but this time the route was 'only' 170 miles and Paul leapt at the chance. He soon got into the swing of it and by the third day proved himself to
be the fittest of the lot of us. I think he might do it again sometime."
The fund raisers were helped on their way in Ireland by Stena Line who gave them free passage on their ferries and the state railwau CIE, who gave them free travel warrants.
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