News from Wigan

News from Wigan < BODYBACKGROUND="temple.jpg" > NEWS FROM WIGAN Last Updated 1st October 2000

News reports from Wigan Observer, Wigan Reporter and Wigan Evening Post

TOP HONOURS FOR PRIZE PUB

A Wigan pub has scooped a top prize handed out by ale connossieurs.
The Bold Hotel in Worsley Mesnes has been named Lancashire Pub of the Year.
Hundreds of pubs entered the competition run by the Campaign for Real Ale to find the best public house in the region.
Licensee Lawrence Owens is delighted with the result. He said, "Being named Pub of the Year for the region means a lot to us because it's an official stamp of quality. As we're a small pub, we didn't think we'd win!"
The pub is proudly showing off it's achievements with a plaque presented by CAMRA.
The Bold Hotel has featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, 'the bitter lovers bible', for the past eleven years so it clear they know a good ale when they see one.
But Mr Owens said it was not just the ale the pubs were judged on. "Not only does the award tell our customers that they are guaranteed a good pint, but first class service as well."

MAKING A FRESH START

A baker is returning to his Wigan roots more than 30 years after getting his first job in the town.
Alf Glover, originally from the Standish area, opened his first Wigan bakery at Ormskirk Road in Pemberton on August 17th and is hoping to make it part of the local community.
Alf started out working for R O Lace bakers at Standishgate back in 1966 before leaving home to work for a number of others across the region. He opened his first bakery in Leyland in 1982 and has since built up his business to five shops.
And he is promising to make the Pemberton shop a real part of the community. "I've wanted to return to Wigan for a number of years and when this opportunity came up it was too good to miss," Mr Glover said, "We sell everything from wedding cakes to picnic pies and I'm sure the Wigan people will appreciate what we offer. There may be competition from supermarkets but I believe we can offer a freshness that they will never be able to compete with.
"Many of our range of products are actually made on the premises." He added, "I think that our staff enjoy working in Glovers and we like to think that they get to know the people in the area."

TRAMS COULD BE ON WAY BACK TO WIGAN

These trams could be a familiar sight in Wigan in the next ten years.
The Manchester Metrolink tram system could be extended to cover the town under plans being considered by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive bosses.
Transport Authority chairman, Coun Joe Clarke, has called for the borough to be at the forefront of any developments and has suggested an innovative scheme that would involve trains able to transfer onto tramlines.
GMPTE's director of planning and passenger services, Keith Howcroft, said, "We need to examine the most appropriate way of improving rail-based services to Wigan, whether by Metrolink or other means. One option that would make best use of the existing infrastructure is the tram-train system which the chairman of the authority, Coun Joe Clarke, has indicated is an option worthy of serious investigation.
"Vehicles using this system can operate fast, comfortable train services on the existing rail network, but also have the ability to run on the street and therefore replicate many of the benefits of Metrolink."
Wigan councillor,John Hilton, who is also the vice-chairman of the GMPTA's rail transport network commitee added, "We are currently beginning to examine a number of options for the west of the county. These include looking at the possibility of extending Metrolink to Bolton, together with significant improvements to the rail system. One issue that must be addressed is the best way to deliver high quality, frequent and reliable public transport to the Wigan area."
GMPTE bosses this week announced they are set to invite companies from across Europe to express an interest in taking over the running of the Metrolink operation. Whoever is awarded the contract will be asked to consider undertaking extensions to areas including Oldham and Rochdale, and investigate the feasibility of Wigan and Bolton.

'EYESORE' CLAIMS OVER PUB PLANS

An Orrell pub's plans have left a bad taste in the mouth of Tory councillor Michael Winstanley.
Owners Punch Retail want to put up nine new signs around the Stag Inn in Orrell Road.
But the ward member claims that they will ruin the historic flavour of Orrell Post and be an eyesore for neighbours. He said, "The erection of illuminated signs will have a detrimental effect on the area and would be more suited to a town centre development than a residential area, as well as detracting from the historic landmark of Orrell Post."
He claimed that they would also cause a traffic hazard on a very busy lighted junction by being a distraction to motorists. He was backed by Stag neighbour Harold Winstanley of Orrell Road who claimed, "This is a retrograde step and one which will be detrimental to the area.
"Wigan hasn't enjoyed the best of publicity and the media has gone out of their way to highlight areas which they feel fall short of good standards. The local authority should be seeking ways of improving the environment and we hope that the signs will be thrown out."
Borough planner John Sloane is recommending that two of the signs-a "moving message" plus a single sided logo- be refused but the other seven be approved.
Metro development commitee coucillors were evaluating the scheme this week.

COMMUNITY SCOOPS TOP CLEAN UP AWARD

Blooming lovely! That's the verdict on a comunity effort to brighten up the environment.
The One Voice resident's association based in Ince, has cleaned up at the Tidy Britain Group's prestigious annual North West In Bloom award held in Chester. One Voice was outright winner in the Best Community Effort and the Urban in Bloom categories.
Residen't association president, Barbara Nettleton said, "We're absolutely delighted to have beaten off stiff competition from the whole of the North West to win our two awards. It has been a whole-hearted community effort with everyone getting involved in one way or another."
The association has been in operation for more than two years and has transformed the Darlington Street East area.
It has worked in partnership with Wigan council's People and Places programme, the probation service, police the Tidy Britain Group and local group Team 2000.
Projects undertaken by the residents include a hanging basket scheme, landscaping schemes, regular clean-ups and a superb community garden right in the centre of the neighbourhood.
Coun Joan Hurst, Mayor of Wigan and ward councillor said, "To win these two awards is a real boost. It recognises the effort and commitment which has come from One Voice in getting this far. I'd like to congratulate them personally for all they have achieved."
A presentation has been organised on October 4th to thank everyone who has been involved, with the Mayor presenting awards to the children who have worked in the garden on behalf of One Voice.

STONEMASON TOLD NOT TO TRADE IN TOWN

Metro chiefs have won a court injunction to prevent a stonemason working in the borough's cemeteries- after first banning him more than 20 years ago.
A County Court judge this week ordered Kenneth Scholefield, who trades under the name of Raphael Faith, not to enter the town's cemeteries.
The unusual move follows a number of failed attempts to prevent Mr Scholefield , whose business is based in the Chorley area, from working in the borough.
He was first banned in 1979 while offering to carry out work without complying with Metro regulations which include paying a fee and gaining permission to trade. Mr Scolefield appeared at Wigan magistrate's court in 1982 and 1985 and was convicted of breaking the same regulations again. He applied to have his ban lifted in 1991 and was told he would have to meet the council criteria, but again failed to do so.
Council officials say Scholefield has placed 16 memorials in local cemeteries during the past ten years and earlier this year an injunction was applied for which was finally granted this week.
Peter Hassett, of the Metro's legal department said, "Some of Mr Scholefield's work in the past has been what we would consider to be sub-standard and he has continuously refused to go through the right channels to entitle him to work in the borough cemeteries.
"We have, in the past, publicised the fact that people should not use his services. The action has been taken to protect the interests of the people in Wigan who may have used his services without knowing he was not registered with us. If we discover he has broken the injunction we will go back to the judge immediately."
But Mr Scholefield, 66, says he is planning to appeal against the injunction and has denied accusations of ever touting for business in cemeteries. He said, "I would like to continue working in the Wigan area and will be appealing against the injunction. The council has not got the right to ban me and act dictatorially. Much of the evidence they have put forward has been largely based on rumours. They have never produced a member of the public who has said I approached them in a cemetery and touted for business."
Mr Scholefield, who has worked as a stonemason for more than 50 years, also maintained his work has always been of a high standard.
The injunction forbids Mr Scholefield "or any other person instructed, encouraged or permitted to act on his behalf" to enter Wigan Borough cemeteries. He was also ordered to pay Ł4,000 in court costs following this week's judgement.