The campaign to save the Woodhead Tunnel for public transport initiatives rather than allowing the National Grid to take it over for electricity cables, then seal up the two smaller tunnels it presently uses has caused a huge amount of public concern and debate.  Apparently once taken over for cables, it cannot be used for anything else for forty years, i.e. the life span of the cables.  It does seem like a great missed opportunity to improve public transport networks – if the work goes ahead without full investigation to decide on the best use for the tunnel.  The only problem is that all three tunnels seem to be owned by the National Grid …

The  Electoral Reform Society has strongly come out against Government Proposals for MPs to decide how they should be elected – whether to make their appointment truly representative or keep our present first past the post voting systems.  See the Make My Vote Count web site - a coalition lobby group, with an on-line petition and loads of info.

“Nowadays, with our modern mania for morality, everyone has to pose as a paragon of purity, incorruptibility, and all the other seven deadly virtues”

Oscar Wilde’s ‘Ideal Husband’ was a fantastic ending to the week and a rare evening with my hubby out together, on our own and not at a political or work-related event.  It’s a pity we didn’t have the energy to stay out afterwards for a bite to eat rather than heading for the take-away near home!  For me, this week has been a community and education mix of evening events.   

This Monday evening we have our annual Holocaust Memorial Service.  It is a very moving service, which brings together young people from our different faith and community schools to remind us all of the atrocities of the past.  It aims to remind us that we must learn from history and not to let human beings do such dreadful things to each other.  My nephew is taking part in the service this year, as Head Boy he will represent his school.  It’s been interesting to listen to his views, feelings and experiences of the practice sessions leading up to this event.  His parents and teachers are nurturing a very capable, astute and tolerant young man.

At least I’m honest.  With vest, jumper, thick fleece jacket, hat, Vibram soled rambling shoes (terrible grip on wet pavements), I braved the winter dampness to leaflet this morning.  I’d even put extra protection nail varnish on – as I am apt to get my fingers stuck in snappy-flappy-nippy letterboxes and loose bits.  I do enjoy being able to talk to residents as I deliver though – but few were out. One jumped out of his car to demand how we stand on congestion charging – he was delighted at our present stance – and suggested improvements needed for their neighbourhood.  His suggestions were soon fed back to my two fellow cllrs and we agree they are worth exploring.  All I need to do now is remember which house he lives in to report back to him!

If you’d like to attend the Local Area Partnership meeting for Prestwich (LAP) - the next meeting is Tuesday 15th January from 6.30pm at St Monicas’s High School.  The meetings now run differently than our previous Area Board. Now we have the business meeting of the partners who represent Prestwich (Councillors, PCT (Primary Care Trust partner rep), Police rep, Schools rep, Council Officer rep, Faith representatives (at present, one personfrom the Council of Churches and one from the Jewish Rep Council), local Businesses Representative, Tennants/Residents Group’s rep etc..we still have places for more community representatives.) first, followed by question time from residents and then presentations about things happening in our area. Meetings are approximately every 6 weeks.

The major happening - is the beginnings of research towards plans for a new-look centre of Prestwich village - URBIS has been commissioned to investigate and consult what we need to happen to the Longfield/area/shops etc… in order for change for the future.  Bury Rock development and the new Radcliffe Centre has been before us in the queue for re-development and it’s now our turn.  So we all need to start visioning and thinking what we need for the centre of our community i.e. health/leisure/sport/shops/library/heritage/art/open spaces/parking/sustainability/environmentally sound/pedestrian access …

Arthur phoned me yesterday evening - reminding me that my un-collected newspaper in Green Bags were still outside my house - as was his.  If you are on the Tuesday bin round, green bags were to be collected yesterday (Thursday) but they had problems getting to us - I got an email apology this morning - they collected at lunchtime.If you’d like a new green bag/an additional one - I still have 10 new ones in the garage, looking for new homes - I am more than happy to drop one or two through your letter box.   I just need an email for your Sedgley address: mail@anngarner.net