Golden tributes to Keely’s triumph
The golden makeover to Keely Hodgkinson’s star is now on show on Leigh Civic Square, reflecting the hero-athlete’s gold medal success. Margaret Galvin and Angela Pike from Leigh Harriers joined the Mayor of Wigan Borough, Councillor Debbie Parkinson, cabinet members and chief executive Alison Mckenzie-Folan while the new design was unveiled. The new star joins the amazing golden phone-box in Atherton as a permanent reminder of the Olympic triumph.
At a recent meeting of the full council, Mayor Parkinson thanked everyone involved in the phone-box project, including Atherton North ward councillors who contributed Brighter Borough funding, and fellow community representatives and businesses. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Popular parking offer extended
Getting organised with your shopping for the festive season and supporting local businesses is now even easier in Wigan and Leigh town centres. In addition to free weekend parking, a majority of council owned car parks, along with some roadside bays, are now free to use after 3pm each weekday. This offer is available through until Friday, 3 January. The offer includes free after 3pm weekday parking and free weekend parking on most Wigan Council town centre car parks and designated roadside pay and display bays (excluding Wigan Lane).
New chapter opens with library card scheme
School-starters will receive a library card as part of a new Wigan Council scheme to help families access wide-ranging support. All reception pupils will be given the cards to encourage more residents to visit the borough’s amazing library network. Each of the borough’s 15 library locations give children opportunities to borrow books and resources free of charge and offer fun classes alongside regular advice and support sessions for all the family.
Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “Our libraries are the heartbeat of our local communities and offer so many opportunities to families across the borough. “We hope this scheme will see our new school-starters have easy access to the wealth of books and e-books available and encourage their whole family to also sign-up. “Remember, our library cards here in Wigan Borough are free for all ages and we have wonderful teams ready to welcome you to their library community, unlocking amazing learning and leisure resources.”
For more information and details of what’s available at your local library, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/libraries
Purple Flag flying high in town centre for third year in a row
Wigan town centre will continue to proudly fly the Purple Flag after retaining its prestigious international accreditation. The scheme recognises town centres that meet high standards of safety and offer a vibrant night out for all visitors. Wigan was first awarded Purple Flag status in 2022 as a result of Wigan Council working with partners such as Greater Manchester Police and private businesses. Overseen by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), Purple Flag requires places to meet a set of rigorous standards, as well as identifying further opportunities to enhance the evening and night-time offer. Assessors were particularly impressed with the strong partnership working, the focus on regeneration projects and the various safety campaigns.
Councillor Yvonne Klieve, lead member for district centres and night-time economy at Wigan Council, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we have retainedour Purple Flag status. It reflects the hard work undertaken by many council teams, partners and local businesses. All our partners are very passionate about continuously improving the town centre.”
Purple Flag – similar to Blue Flag status for beaches and Green Flag for parks – aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town centres.
For more information about our town centre safety schemes: www.wigan.gov.uk/CallItOut
Milestone reached for Here for You
A further multi-million pound milestone has been reached by Wigan Council’s flagship cost-of- living crisis support campaign. More than £5.2m of previously unclaimed financial support has now been accessed by local people thanks to Here for You. Launched in 2022, the campaign includes a regular community event schedule helping raise awareness of what benefits residents may be entitled to. The latest milestone includes 370 people who have claimed £2m of Attendance Allowance and more than 160 pensioners who are now receiving a share of almost £800k through regular Pension Credit payments.
Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet member for welfare, said: “This additional income has made a life-changing difference to thousands of households. We couldn’t be prouder of our teams’ efforts to raise awareness of what our residents are entitled to and offer expert guidance and support.”
Here for You sees council officers – such as welfare support, housing and community teams – work closely together to identify opportunities to help residents with cost-of-living crisis related issues.
New era arrives with key missions
Wigan Council’s new ‘Progress with Unity’ approach is underway. The masterplan to create a fairer and more prosperous borough is the culmination of a research project with local organisations, businesses, partners, independent experts and the community. Two key missions have been identified that the council and its partners are committed to delivering; create fair opportunities for all and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish.
www.wigan.gov.uk/ProgressWithUnity
‘Wheely Smart’ boat is lasting legacy for Helen at Low Bank Ground
A new wheelchair-accessible boat named in tribute to a former Olympic swimmer and much- loved Wigan headteacher will help people with disabilities enjoy thrilling adventures in the Lake District. Adapted powerboat ‘Wheely Smart’ is the latest arrival at Low Bank Ground – the Coniston activity centre where generations of Wigan Borough residents have discovered a taste for the outdoors.
Part-funded by The Wheelyboat Trust and other donors, it has been named in honour of Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School headteacher Helen Smart who tragically passed away last year. Helen’s family and friends were joined at an official launch and naming ceremony by some of herformer school colleagues as well as Inclusion Champions from Wigan- based Happy Smiles CIC, who were able to enjoy the vessel’s maiden voyage on Coniston Water.
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “Our new Wheelyboat is absolutely fantastic and I’d like to say a massive thank you to The Wheelyboat Trust and all the other donors who have helped make this possible.”
For more about what’s on offer at Low Bank Ground.
Around the borough
In Golborne, the first new train station in Greater Manchester for 25 years has moved a step closer. A planning application was submitted in September by the GM combined authority for the £32m development. In Tyldesley, a new parking facility off Astley Street will soon be installed to support the Guided Busway. The new travel hub will feature 100 new park- and-ride spaces. A new Family Hub in Atherton opened its doors earlier this year, offering wide-ranging support and classes all under one roof. Please check out their Facebook page for all the latest updates. In Whelley and Standish, upgrades will mean 4km of paths will now become high quality, hard surfaces and be added to the region’s Bee Network. This project includes an extension of the Whelley Loop Line and work on Standish Wood Lane.
A newly restored war memorial garden has opened at Smithy Green, Ince. The improvement works include new landscaping features with striking military silhouettes around the central monument, which has been updated. New accessible toilet and changing facilities are now available at Platt Bridge Community Zone – which is also the home of Embrace Wigan and Leigh - as part of the national Changing Places scheme. The latest library in the borough to benefit from new green-energy features such as LED lighting and solar panels is Shevington. The new technology will help cut energy usage.