-
Sounding A Fanfare For Whit Friday
IT’S Whit Friday on June 1, and once again Tameside will be hosting the ever-popular brass band contests which are often billed as the greatest free show on earth.
The tradition dates back to the late 19th century, and this year the borough is hosting 11 events, all organised by volunteer committees under the aegis of the Tameside Friends of Whit Friday.
To have a chance of being crowned champions, bands have to perform at six of the contests. As well as demanding proof of a band’s musical prowess, the evening also tests discipline, stamina and organisational skills.
Cllr John Sullivan, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for music, culture and performing arts, himself a one-time euphonium soloist and brass band musical director, said: “Whit Friday is one of my favourite days of the year.
“I’m happy to be able to say that the Tameside contests attract some of the best bands in the north and I’m looking forward to enjoying the usual high standard of music.”
The Whit Friday band contests will also be the focus of Tameside Council’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad, the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic movements.
In Greater Manchester, all 10 boroughs are working with young people to help them understand key events in their area, create new work and bring together communities. Here in Tameside they will be using the latest digital and social media techniques to celebrate the borough’s rich heritage.
And on Saturday, June 2, Stalybridge Civic Hall will be the venue for a concert to celebrate Tameside’s brass band heritage. To celebrate the centenary of the famous marching song “Long Way to Tipperary”, which was written in Stalybridge, Stalybridge Old Band will be performing alongside CY Kickham Band from Tipperary and the Yew Tree Singers.
The June 1 Whit Friday band contests are:
Audenshaw: Aldwinians RUFC, Droylsden Road, Audenshaw, M34 5SN – 4-10 to 30pm.
Broadoak: Broadoak Hotel, Broadoak Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8QD – 5 to 10.30pm.
Carrbrook: Carr Rise, Carrbrook, Stalybridge, SK15 3NY – 4.30 to 10.30pm.
Denton: Denton Cricket Club, Egerton Street, Denton, M34 3PB – 4 to 11.15pm.
Droylsden: Bush Inn, Moorside Street, Droylsden, M43 7HL – 4.30 to 11pm.
Dukinfield: Tame Valley Hotel, Park Road, Dukinfield, SK16 5LX – 4.30 to 11pm.
Heyrod: John Street, Heyrod, Stalybridge, SK15 3BW – 4.30 to 10.30pm.
Hurst Village: Ashton United FC, Surrey Street, Hurst Cross, OL6 8DY – 4 to 11pm.
Stalybridge, Stalybridge Labour Club, Acres Lane, Stalybridge, SK15 2JR – 4.30 to 10.30pm.
Stalybridge Celtic: Stalybridge Celtic FC, Bower Fold, Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2RT – 4.30 to 10.45pm.
Upper Mossley: Mountain Street, Mossley, OL5 0ES – 4.30 to 10pm.
For more information, call the Tameside Arts and Events team on 0161 342 4144, or visit www.tamesidebrassbands.org
-
London 2012 Mascots To Visit Ashton
ASHTON will get a special visit from the London 2012 Olympic Games mascot on Saturday 26 May as part of the Great McDonald’s Mascotathon.
To get families and children excited about the London 2012 Games, and spread the ‘get active’ message, the two mascots will tour around the UK collecting ‘rainbow power’ to help them get to the opening ceremonies on time.
And if plans go well and the mascots collect enough rainbow power, Mandeville, the Paralympic mascot will be entertaining crowds on Ashton Market ground.
Exciting games areas will be set up on the market ground so children can help Mandevillle clock up energy with hops, steps, jumps and skips, to help them onwards on their journey.
With plenty of give-aways including activity toys, members of the ‘mascotathon’ team will show the kids how they can use the toys to be more active. There will also be chance to have a photograph with Mandeville.
There is also the chance to win an amazing Olympic or Paralympic experience, once children have registered to clock up their rainbow power, they will be in line to win not only Olympic or Paralympic Games tickets but also have the chance to meet an Olympian or see behind the scenes at an Olympic event.
The event, organised in conjunction with Tameside’s Arts and Events team, will be held on Ashton Market Ground between 12.30 – 4.30pm.
The event will help to build excitement before the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay to Ashton on Sunday 24 June.
There are plenty of other ways to feel part of the London 2012 Olympics here in Tameside, go to www.tameside.gov.uk/olympiclegacy
-
Putting Road Safety In The Picture
CHILDREN have played a creative role in keeping the roads outside their schools safe.
Pupils from Oakfield, St Paul's, Flowery Field and Bradley Green primary schools in Hyde have created posters to promote new 20mph speed limit zones outside their schools.
The two winning designs from each school have been turned into metal signs to be used as part of the local safety schemes.
The winners (see below) were presented with gift voucher prizes for their eye-catching posters.
Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Technical Services, Cllr Peter Robinson, who organised the competition and presented the prizes, said: "We've massively reduced the number of injuries on Tameside's roads over the last 20 years and we clearly want this downward trend to continue. In 1992, 256 youngsters were injured. Last year the figure was 74.
“The competition not only raises awareness among pupils and parents about road safety outside schools, we hope the child-designed posters will have a greater impact in reminding drivers of the potential presence of school children in the 20mph zone. We were very impressed with the standard of the children’s entries; the winning designs were chosen for having the boldest designs with key messages relating to speed.”
WINNERS:
Oakfield Primary: 1, Callum Pennington Barnes (7) Year 3; 2, Tia Hett (8) Class 3. Flowery Field Primary: 1, Callum Warbuton (7) 2SK; 2, Brad Noutegnie (7) 2SK. Bradley Green Primary: 1, Kaedon Booth (5) Class 1; 2, Jennifer Cope (9) Year 4/5. St Paul’s RC Primary: 1, Max Phillips (9) Class 4; 2, Eleanor Moran (8) Class 4.
-
Thanks For Your Support
TAMESIDE Civic Mayor Cllr Susan Quinn is thanking everyone who has helped her raise the magnificent sum of £14,392 for her charity appeal fund.
This means that her chosen local charities – Willow Wood Hospice and Our Kids Eyes – will each receive a cheque for £7,196.
The money has been raised through kind donations and a number of highly successful events including the Mayor’s Valentine’s Ball, Charity Golf Day and her `At Home’ event in Ashton Town Hall.
Cllr Quinn said: “I’m extremely grateful to everybody who has so generously supported the appeal fund. This money will make a real difference to the valuable work carried out by these two charities.”
-
Get Your Hands Dirty At Pole Bank Park
THE newly-formed Friends of Pole Bank Park group is asking the people of Hyde to help mount a major clean-up and litter-pick on Saturday (May 19).
Starting work by the lake at 10am, they will be using tools supplied by Hyde District Assembly and the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, Jonathan Reynolds.
Cllr Raja Miah, who helped to set up the Friends group on behalf of Hyde District Assembly, said: “Before the elections I promised I would help to create green spaces for people to enjoy, so I’ll be there on Saturday morning.
“The Friends of Pole Bank Park, led by David and Karl Barlow, have done some really good work cleaning up the lake, restoring the Victorian bridge and recreating woodland.
“A neglected area has been turned into a beautiful corner of Gee Cross but we can still do more. So I would like to invite the people of Hyde to come down and join me at the weekend.”
Anyone interested in helping should meet by the lake in Pole Bank Park, off Stockport Road, Hyde, at 10am on Saturday. Tools will be provided but please dress appropriately for what will be dirty work.
Pole Bank Park was originally the grounds to Pole Bank Hall, home of the Ashton family who founded the world famous Hyde cotton company Ashton Brothers.
-
Bucks Fizz Are The Toast Of Tameside
ORIGINAL Bucks Fizz have been lined up as the headline act for Tameside Council’s 2012 Party in the Park which takes place in Hyde Park on Sunday, July 22.
The trio - Cheryl Baker, Jay Aston and Mike Nolan - were all members of Bucks Fizz who won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Their rendition of “Making Your Mind Up” famously involved long skirts being torn from the girls to reveal much shorter ones.
Original Bucks Fizz, who will be performing all their 1980s hits, remain as popular as ever. They have drawn huge crowds at many major music festivals and are regulars on the nightclub circuit.
They recently sold out a 30th anniversary show at the London Palladium and are about to release a new album entitled “Fame and Fortune.”
On the previous evening - Saturday, July 21 – Hyde Park will be the venue for the ever popular Proms in the Park. Yet again, the Manchester Camerata Orchestra will be performing an extensive programme including patriotic favourites such as “Rule Britannia” and “Land of Hope and Glory”.
Cllr Gerald Cooney, Tameside Council’s executive member for learning and achievement, said: “Splendid Weekend is always one of the highlights in the borough’s calendar. It’s a really great event and with the Manchester Camerata Orchestra and Original Bucks Fizz.
“I’m sure it will be more popular than ever and I would like to thank my colleagues Cllr John Sullivan and Cllr Jackie Lane for all their hard work.”
There are no advance bookings for Party in the Park on Sunday, July 22. It is strictly pay on the gate - £2 for adults and £1 for concessions. As well as Original Bucks Fizz there will be a wide range of other entertainment including music, community performances, children’s zone, activities zone, funfair and inflatables.
Admission to Proms in the Park on Saturday, July 21, is £15 for adults and £10 concessions (one child admitted free with a paying adult). Gates will open at 5pm, with pre-show entertainment from 6.30pm and the start of the concert at 7.30pm.
Tickets will be on sale from Monday, May 21, and available from Hyde Music Centre, Market Street, or the council’s arts and events team on 0161 342 4144, and other outlets – see website.
www.tameside.gov.uk/splendidweekend
-
Diamond Jubilee Parties Promise To Be Gems
TAMESIDE Council has a right royal celebration planned for Diamond Jubilee Day – Tuesday, June 5.
Nine of the borough’s parks will be hosting open-air parties but the jewel in the crown will be at Stamford Park, Stalybridge, which will also be marking the near-completion of a £5 million regeneration project.
Entertainment and attractions will include something for everyone. Between noon and 6pm there will be theatre performances, music, crafts, face-painting, boats and a circus workshop. Youngsters will also have the chance to plant magic seeds to grow a beanstalk which should be at its height at Christmas when the pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk” is being staged across Tameside.
The other parks taking part are Dukinfield Park; King George V Playing Fields, Ashton; Hyde Park; Lees Park, Droylsden; Lymefield, Broadbottom; Mossley; Park Bridge; Victoria Park, Denton.
At these, entertainment/activities will be provided between 11am and 3pm. Each will cater for a particular section of the community such as young families, teenagers or older age groups. The key thing to remember for all the parties – including the main one at Stamford Park – is make sure you bring your picnic with you.
Cllr Jackie Lane, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for heritage and tourism, said: “This is a great opportunity to celebrate the wonderful restoration work in Stamford Park with lots of exciting activities and things to do. “It promises to be a great day right across the borough. There will be lots of activities and lots of chance to wave the Union Flag as we celebrate our Queen’s 60 years on the throne.
“Hopefully the weather will be kind to us. Just remember to bring your picnic with you.”
The diamond jubilee weekend begins on June 1 with the Whit Friday band contests. On Saturday, June 2, as part of the Cultural Olympiad, Stalybridge Old Band will be staging a Tipperary Celebration at Stalybridge Civic Hall alongside CY Kickham Band from Tipperary and the Yew Tree Singers.
www.tameside.gov.uk/jubilee
-
Bright Idea For Stalybridge Civic Hall
ENERGY leaders have come up with a bright idea for cutting carbon emissions and saving money.
Tameside Council has installed solar panels on the roof of Stalybridge Civic Hall.
It is hoped the panels will generate nearly half of the building’s electricity requirements, making a huge impact on the building’s carbon emissions and costs.
Any unused energy is fed into the national grid, which helps to generate extra income and offset rising electricity costs.
The civic hall was deemed particularly suitable for harnessing the sun’s energy as it has a modern, south-facing roof which is not shaded.
However, if the project proves successful, is may be followed by other renewable energy initiatives across the borough.
Cllr Barrie Holland, Tameside Council Carbon Reduction Panel chair, said: “We are keen to champion renewable energy as part of our commitment to cut our carbon footprint, save money and make Tameside an attractive and environmentally sustainable place to live.
“The solar panels at Stalybridge Civic Hall should make a real difference and this is hopefully just the first in a number of exciting projects where we might establish a secure and renewable energy supply.”
-
Roads Safest In Greater Manchester
ROADS in Tameside are the safest in Greater Manchester according to a recent report.
Figures compiled by the police show that overall the borough came out top when the number of deaths and injuries, both serious and slight, are combined.
Altogether there were a total of 327 accidents on Tameside’s roads last year compared to the near 1,400 recorded in Manchester, although the city is much larger, busier and has more miles of road.
In total there were five deaths on the borough’s highways, 52 serious injuries and a total of 379 slight injuries.
Fractures, internal injuries, severe cuts, concussion and severe shock are examples of a serious injury, while sprains, bruises, slight cuts and neck whiplash are classed as ‘slight’ injuries.
The programme of traffic calming across the borough is seen as a major reason for Tameside’s impressive showing in the report.
A Department for Transport report claimed that for each one mph reduction in vehicle speed resulting from traffic calming has been found to reduce accidents by around five percent.
Executive Member for Transport and Development, Cllr Peter Robinson said: “These figures are brilliant news for the Tameside public. We have always known that traffic calming plays an important role in improving road safety and meeting the government’s road casualty reduction targets, now the public can see the results for themselves.”
-
You Choose Is A Winner
YOU Choose got off to a winning start this year with 19 community groups being awarded a share of a £45,000.
More than 120 people attended the first public vote event for 2012 where Tameside-wide projects – from music groups to disabled sports clubs - pitched for council funding.
There will be a further eight events – one in each district assembly area – where residents are encouraged to come along and have a direct say on which community schemes should receive money.
You Choose is a way of allocating council cash known as participatory budgeting. The fund comes from money saved through recycling.
Tameside Council Deputy Executive Leader Cllr John Taylor said: “I’m not surprised You Choose is a resounding success - it’s a great way for people to get involved in deciding how the money they save by recycling should be spent to benefit the community.”
Executive Member for Neighbourhoods Cllr Kevin Welsh said: “We had a great turn out for this first event, with a wide-cross section of the community benefiting. There’s still time to get involved in the individual district assembly You Choose voting events – come along and have your say!”
For details on how to apply for You Choose funding and on the remaining eight voting events see tameside.gov.uk/youchoose
-
Countryside Service Announces Packed Summer Programme
THE days are getting longer. The weather is (hopefully) getting better. It’s a time for enjoying the great outdoors and Tameside Countryside Service offers the perfect way with its packed summer programme.
Tameside has a great variety of countryside to enjoy, from the meadows and woods of the southern valleys to the high open moorland above Stalybridge. All of it rich in heritage and wildlife.
Their new programme, which covers the period until the end of September, offers walks of varying lengths and difficulty. These range from the Olympics-inspired Marathon Walk on Sunday, July 1, which takes in a 26-mile circuit starting and finishing at Park Bridge, to the Walk Back in Time on Wednesday, June 6, which is a gentle two-mile ramble around Werneth Lowe.
In addition, there are Wild Woods family fun days, looks at wildlife and flora, a vintage car rally to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 17, and Wild Woods and Wigwams to celebrate National Play Day on Wednesday, August 1.
Cllr Gerald Cooney, Tameside Council’s executive member for learning and achievement, said: “Over the next three months the countryside rangers will be offering something for everyone, no matter what age, interest or ability.
“Their events offer a great chance to enjoy the outdoors with all the benefits that brings.”
Leaflets are available from Tameside’s three visitor centres: at Park Bridge; Lymefield, Broadbottom; and Lower Higham, Werneth Low, Hyde. Alternatively, call 0161 330 9613 or log on to www.tameside.gov.uk/countryside
-
Jubilee Exhibition Ready To Open
PORTLAND Basin Museum is marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with an exhibition of royal mementoes. “Jubilee Joy” - which opens on Thursday, May 24 - features medals, mugs, magazines and more from the museum’s collection, as well as items loaned by the community.
There are photographs of celebrations from the 1953 coronation and the 1977 silver jubilee, including a party on Minto Street.
As well as ceramics and medals commemorating coronations and jubilees since Queen Victoria, there are some unique items given to the Royal Family by the Commonwealth. A beautifully engraved casket containing a letter of congratulation, an intricately carved ivory ball, and an ornate silver ornament were all presented to King George V by the people of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) for his coronation in 1937.
The museum has also decorated its 1920s street with bunting and flags, giving a flavour of how people up and down the country would have made their streets look for any of the four 20th century coronations.
Cllr Jackie Lane, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for heritage and culture, said: “What a great look-back to Tameside’s royal commemorations of the past. Portland Basin is always well worth a visit but even more so now. The items from Sri Lanka are beautiful.”
The museum is open on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) with face painting, art activities and a 1950s character to meet. There will also be an art activity on Diamond Jubilee Day itself (June 5).
The exhibition runs until October. Portland Basin Museum is open 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and admission is free. Call 0161 343 2878 for more information.
-
Twitter A Hit At The Polls
Twitter a hit at the polls
AN impromptu piano recital and a would-be feline voter were just some of the quirks of Tameside's local elections highlight by a unique Twitter feed.
Tameside Council is thought to be the first authority to bring to life the full election process with on-the-ground tweets from the election office, returning officer, counters and polling station staff.
The move follows the success of the council's 24-hour twitterthon last June when more than 60 services tweeted throughout the day and night, highlighting the breadth, challenges and value of their work.
Similarly, the election tweets helped to raise awareness of the democratic process and encourage more people to vote while also dispelling some of the common myths – for example people thinking they needed their polling card to vote.
The #TLE12 twitter feed proved to be a lively insight into the proceedings and was also adopted by many voters, journalists and politicians who added their own comments and perceptions.
A voter playing the piano in a polling station, a cat found in a polling booth and voters being entertained by a West African drum band rehearsing for Jubilee celebrations were among the many stories coming from polling stations.
While the feed also highlighted the exciting build up to the results at the count - with external contributors adding their own thoughts and speculations.
Tameside Council Deputy Executive Leader Cllr John Taylor, who is responsible for communications, said: “We are always looking at new ways of communicating with local people and helping them to get more involved in the democratic process.
“Twitter is a great way of capturing the sense of responsibility and professionalism but also excitement which surrounds the local elections while also providing live updates from the ground. Hopefully it helped to inform more people about the process and also encouraged them to vote.”
-
Tameside Council Election Results For 2012
LABOUR has retained control of Tameside Council, winning 18 of the 19 seats up for grabs in this year’s elections.
The Labour party gained seats from the Conservatives in Ashton Hurst, Hyde Werneth and Stalybridge North. They also took the seat in Mossley after the Independent candidate Roy Etchells retired.
The Conservative party retained their seat in Stalybridge South.
A full breakdown of results is available on the council website at www.tameside.gov.uk
|