Works at Holy Trinity Church, Shaw

The works are still ongoing due to a problem that the contractor encountered with the condition of the iron railings, which basically fell apart in places when they were detached from the stone pillars; requiring careful restoration off site by specialists before being signed off for reinstatement/ fitting.

The problem with the railings has been resolved and they will be reinstated by the end of September 2017.  Other works are progress as planned.

Commuters warned of two days of rail strike disruption 

Transport for Greater Manchester travel advice for Friday 1 and Monday 4 September – tfgm.com/industrial-action

Commuters, parents and school returners are being warned to plan ahead and expect disruption on Friday 1 and Monday 4 September as staff on Northern rail services hold two one-day strikes.

The strikes will run from 0001 to 2359 on each day.

Most Northern services are not expected to run and any that do operate, working to a revised timetable, will be extremely busy.

All public transport and Greater Manchester’s roads are expected to be busier, especially at peak morning and evening times, with key commuter routes forecast to face the most pressure as people affected by the strikes make alternative arrangements.

Monday 4 September is expected to be the most affected day as the majority of Greater Manchester schools return for the new academic year.

No rail services will operate between Manchester and Preston via Bolton as the line is currently closed due to a burst water main and a severely damaged bridge at Moses Gate. This is also causing local road disruption and bus and route diversions are in place.

Customers are advised to check the details of their journey at www.nationalrail.co.uk or by following @northernassist.

In addition the A6 through Stockport is currently closed for essential engineering and thus the surrounding road network is expected to be very busy. TfGM’s travel advice for the A6 closure is beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/stockport-a6-bridge-works

Transport for Greater Manchester, which is helping to co-ordinate the region’s response, is urging people to plan ahead and consider carefully their travel arrangements.

It is working to support Northern’s own customer communications effort and has created a special travel information page on its website to help keep Greater Manchester commuters on the move: tfgm.com/industrial-action.

As well as working with other transport authorities across the North, TfGM has taken action locally to help people who have to travel on the days of the strike, including;

  • Ensuring as many Metrolink trams as possible will be in service
  • Deploying additional staff on Metrolink and at key bus stations to help commuters
  • Advising rail customers with monthly or greater season tickets that they can travel for free on Metrolink
  • Publicising various park and ride sites to allow customers to complete their journeys by different transport options
  • Working with bus and other train operators to maximise capacity across the network, particularly on the busiest commuter corridors
  • Enhanced monitoring at its network control centre so traffic flows can be optimised by altering signal timing
  • Working with local highway authorities to temporarily suspend roadworks where possible on the region’s main commuter routes

For detailed information about the Northern rail industrial action please visit www.northernrailway.co.uk/industrial-action

Let’s Talk – Crompton and Shaw- Exploring the best in growing older – 16 September 10.00am – 3.30pm, St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Trent Road, High Crompton, OL2 7QU

Come join a group of holistic therapists for an enjoyable exploration of active ageing.

We are sharing experiences of Emotional Freedom Technique; mindful practices; laughter therapy; and exploring the concept of a ‘Book of Life’.

This community initiative was started by Dr Susie Miles who wanted to create choices in her approaching older age.

Anyone aged 50 and over, who wants to get together in a relaxed setting with others to talk about the challenges and opportunities of the ageing process, is invited to join in.

There will be something for everyone and lunch will be provided.

If you are open to different ways of thinking and learning new techniques, drop in for all or part of the day – and enjoy yourself.

Further information is available from Paul Oakley: Tel: 07554 868664

Free entrance.

Booking is essential for catering purposes either by phoning Paul or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutageing

Liberal Democrats welcome for Green Burials in Shaw and Crompton

The Leader of the Opposition, the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council and Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the recent adoption by Oldham Council of a proposal to provide land for green burials and celebration woodlands at Crompton Cemetery and High Crompton Park.

Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “This is something that I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Crompton and Shaw have sought for many years.  Making land available for green burials and celebration woodlands means that those who seek a non-traditional, or non-religious funeral may be interred within the Borough, and allows their relatives to visit a local burial site or remembrance site that will remain beautiful for all time.”

The green burial scheme provides for interments at unspoiled locations that are not obviously burial sites, and where coffins or shrouds made from natural, sustainable materials are used.  There are no permanent memorials or gravestones in contrast to a conventional, regimented cemetery.

Celebration woodlands allow relatives to make donations for the planting and maintenance of trees in remembrance of a loved one.  Although no plaques or tributes are placed by individual trees, the living woodland is itself a collective, shared memorial to all of those who are remembered, and specific reference to individuals is made in a memorial book or tablet on the edge of the site.

There will also be a continued option for relatives to fund a specific tree linked to their loved one through the Life for a Life scheme.  Here cremated remains can be interred.

Councillor Sykes added: “These proposals enable a full range of options for local residents in Shaw and Crompton for traditional burials and cremations to less traditional but increasingly popular non-traditional.  The full range is now available for Shaw and Crompton citizens locally in our Borough that are personal, dignified and respectful, whilst creating sites of great natural beauty for everyone to enjoy.”

Full report: Celebration treesGreen Burials

Oldham RUFC Junior Academy are looking to recruit new players/team/squad members – age group under 14/15’s

Oldham RUFC, Byrth Road, Oldham, OL8 2TJ

  • Training every Tuesday at the Rugby Club 6pm – 7pm.
  • All welcome, experienced or complete new to the sport.
  • All coaches are full DBS/CRB checked and fully qualified by the Rugby Football Union.

What we promise….. 

  • Expert coaching leading to increased fitness
  • Great training sessions
  • Friendship
  • Sportsmanship
  • Discipline
  • Respect
  • One to One coaching for newcomers
  • Occasional Non rugby activities (Paintballing, Bowling, etc)
  • Competitive games
  • Oh and most importantly FUN, FUN, FUN!

 Come on give it a go – just turn up or for more information contact Tim Barlow: 07930 153303 or timbarlow@email.com

Official notice of bus changes (58, 59 and 408) in Oldham to take effect from 3rd September 2017

Commercial service changes

58 Middleton – Oldham – Rochdale

This half hourly Monday to Saturday service will be revised to operate between Oldham and Rochdale only.  The Middleton to Oldham section of route will continue to be served by service 59.

59 Manchester – Middleton – Oldham – Rushcroft

The Monday to Saturday day-time frequency will be increased from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes between Manchester and Oldham, with through journeys to Rushcroft continuing to operate every 30 minutes.

408 Stalybridge – Oldham – Shaw

The following Monday to Friday trips will be withdrawn:

  • 0648 Shaw – Stalybridge
  • 0654 Stalybridge – Shaw
  • 0754 Stalybridge – Oldham
  • 1602 Oldham – Shaw
  • 1610 Oldham – Stalybridge
  • 1651 Stalybridge – Shaw
  • 1628 Shaw – Stalybridge

 Alternative trips are available on service 435 (hourly between Shaw and High Crompton), 402/403 (hourly in Thornham/Royton), 231 (half hourly between Tameside General Hospital and Hartshead) and 331/333/393 (half hourly to Hartshead/Smallshaw).

Oldham Country Service Volunteer Ranger Event 27 August 2017

That time of the month again, so if you can spare some of your valuable time this Bank Holiday Sunday, 27 August 2017, it would be appreciated.

This month’s task is of a prevention nature; preventing motorcycle access to the moor and preventing the fencing to the car park access road from possibly collapsing! It will also take in some green finger activity?

The current weather forecast is 18C so please ensure you have enough liquids, the appropriate clothing, footwear and a packed lunch if you are up for the day.

Meantime, if you have any issues that you may wish to discuss prior to Sunday, please do not hesitate to email (on either address) or phone me on 07961107860; we will have a vehicle, materials & tools.

Given our task is in the vicinity of moving vehicles, please can you ensure you bring your Hi-Viz vest – if you do not have one, hopefully one can be provided.

Look forward to seeing you in the Crompton Moor Car Park 10.30 on Sunday.

Edward John Fulton (aka Ed/Eddie), Countryside Volunteer Ranger, (E)  edward@edwardjohnfulton.uk