The Cleaning and Conservation of Crompton War Memorial

I am pleased we have manged to do something about the fixing of wreaths that has been a problem, see link: Arrangement_For_Fixing_Poppy_Wreaths

Read the full: Heritage Statement

SUMMARY OF THE WORKS

The scope of works for the project will be:

The work to clean and conserve the memorial has now started.

This display describes the works that are to be carried out and specialist processes involved.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused while these essential works are carried out to protect Crompton War Memorial.

The memorial is a Grade II listed monument and was commissioned by the Crompton War Memorial Committee in 1919, the main bronze statue being designed by Richard Reginald Goulden.

The bronze statue sits on a Scottish Granite plinth and depicts a male figure protecting children from two marauding beasts.

1.0 Recording of the Works

The works will be recorded prior, during and following completion of the proposed treatment.

Prior to commencement, a comprehensive photo record of the monument, granite plinth and adjacent stone paving should be undertaken as an existing record. Any areas of damage will be clearly recorded and noted accordingly.

During the works and at each defined work stage a series of record photographs should be undertaken to record the treatment process and provide an archive record of the tasks undertaken.

Following completion of the works a final “as-constructed” photographic record should be undertaken and documented accordingly. This will form part of the completed Health & safety file for the project and the Historic Environment Record (HER).

2.0 Site Temporary Works

A full scaffold has been erected around the monument to allow full access around the bronze work and offer protection from the external environment.

The scaffold will be erected independently of the monument and no fixings or attachments will be allowed from the scaffold to the monument structure. Where necessary, additional kentilage shall be provided to ensure the structure remains independent.

All tube ends shall be capped off and timber sole plates provided under all base plates. The scaffold structure shall be fully sheeted to provide a watertight enclosure during the execution of the works and additional extract ventilation shall be provided during any chemical stripping or treatment of the bronze work.

The scaffold shall be made secure by additional fencing provided around the base of the structure. This should be a min of 2.0m high and fixed to the base of the scaffold. No materials, plant or equipment should be left on the scaffold overnight.

3.0 Bronze Treatment

3.1 Removal of existing coatings

The removal of the existing lacquer coatings should be undertaken to ensure minimal disturbance and colour change to the existing patina of the monument. Whilst it is noted that the original dark patination is no longer present the works to treat the bronze work should ensure the retention of the current monument patina.

Removal of the current lacquer coatings will require trials to be undertaken to determine the most effective and least intrusive cleaning method.

The failing lacquer coating should be removed from the surface of the bronze using the Enviromorse softener manufactured by Chemicals Ltd and as used in the trials process. The removal process should be carefully undertaken to ensure that the Enviromorse is fully cleaned from the bronze once the lacquer is softened. Adequate protection should be provided to protect adjacent stonework and areas of bronze where lacquer has been removed.

The stonework and softened areas of lacquer coating should be removed using the DOFF / Thermatech high temperature steam cleaning system as was trialled on site.

3.2 Patination

The bronze work should be patinated to a mid-brown colour to closer match its original appearance using the Potassium Polysulphide solution and 2 costs of clear microcrystalline wax applied and hand buffed to a polished finish.

3.3 Wax Finish

The finished surface is to be protected by application of a coating of a microcrystalline wax to replicate the original finish of the monument. This is to be applied hot rather than cold, to ensure good penetration into the surface to give maximum protection. The surface of the bronze should be gently heated to warm the bronze and to ensure any residual moisture has been removed. The liquid wax is to be applied by brush to the bronze surface and left for 10 – 15 minutes so that the solvents can evaporate off. The wax coating should then be gently heated in order to allow it to be absorbed fully into the surface and left before buffing to a polished appearance.

All areas of porosity and holes in the cast bronze are to be filled using a tinted wax to prevent future water ingress.

4.0 Granite Plinth Treatment

The granite forming the Memorial and steps is to be cleaned using a DOFF or Thermatech cleaning system. These systems clean using low pressure, low water steam. Steam cleaners or hot wash systems will not be permitted. Areas of staining on the granite which remaining visible after cleaning shall be treated by poultice to remove staining where possible.

The original ferrous fixings used to fix the planters in position are to be removed from the stonework by locally core cutting around the fixings. Cores should be no more that 2mm greater than the body radius of the fixings.

The granite stones, forming the body of the Memorial, are to be re-pointed using a lime mortar made up to match the existing in consistency and colour. Samples of the original pointing material shall be taken and analysed to determine the original mix proportions which shall be replicated in the re-pointing material.

A number of the granite steps around the base of the Memorial are misaligned or no longer level. These are to be lifted and re-bedded to the correct line and level on a suitable lime mortar mix

The monument should be repointed using the Mix1 as per the sample area undertaken on site.

5.0 Planters

The three cast planters sitting at the base of the Memorial (two to the rear and one to the front) are to be carefully lifted and transferred to a workshop for treatment.

The existing iron fixings, securing the planters to the granite steps are to be removed and replaced with new formed in 316 grade stainless steel.

The missing planter is to be replaced with a replica based on the originals in a matching material.

The existing planters are to be cleaned to remove old paint layers and corrosion back to a sound metal surface.

The 4 no planters are to be repainted using a suitable Sherwin Williams paint system in a bronze colour to be agreed with the Conservation Officer.

The planters are to be reinstated on site, back to their original locations using the new stainless steel fixings set in an epoxy resin.

6.0 Wreath Fixing System

The existing nylon string that surrounds the base of the monument is ineffective at retaining the wreaths to the base of the monument in windy conditions and shall be removed and disposed.

4 No new stone coloured nylon blocks will be manufactured and loose fitted at each corner of the stonework at the base of the monument.

2 No new 3mm stainless steel wires will be fitted around the base of the Monument over each nylon corner, locating into a slot in each. The meeting ends are to be connected using a stainless steel Duplex wire grip of the correct size, immediately adjacent to the side of one nylon block. This should be tight fitting.

Oldham Council celebrates Peace Week 2016

Oldham Council will be celebrating action on peace between Wednesday 21 September and Monday 26 September.

Oldham’s Peace Week is a week of celebration, reflection and action on peace, starting on the UN International Day of Peace on Wednesday 21 September.

The week of activities aims to engage the public, schools, the community, faith groups and businesses in helping to make Oldham a more peaceful borough.

In 2015 Oldham Council became the first local authority in the UK to sign the Pledge to Peace; a commitment of intent that saw Oldham put in place projects and actions promoting a culture of peace.

13 local organisations have joined the council in signing the pledge and they have formed the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum.

The council further showed their commitment to peace in 2016 by appointing the first Mayor of Peace, Councillor Derek Heffernan.

Various activities will take place throughout the week including a Peace Day celebration event at Oldham Gallery/Library on Saturday 24 September from 1 to 4 pm – with the launch of a new peace book section, live music, entertainment, poetry and book readings, and a technology section with Hack Oldham and Roamer the Robot.

The event will be followed by a Peace Picnic in Dunwood Park on Sunday 25 September with arts and crafts, face painting and family entertainment.

A webpage has been set up which includes more information and a full list of events www.oldham.gov.uk/peaceweek

Oldham Council 7 September 2016 – leaders questions from Councillor Howard Sykes

Council 7 September – Leaders Question 1

LOCAL PATIENTS FAILED BY ‘INADEQUATE’ TRUST DAMNED IN REPORT

Mr Mayor, my first question to the Leader tonight relates to the very disturbing findings of the report published last month by the Quality Care Commission (QCC) about our local Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust.

The Commission found the Trust to be providing ‘inadequate’ services overall, with several departments requiring ‘improvement’.

At the Royal Oldham Hospital, inspectors were concerned about ‘suitable and appropriate medical staffing’, especially in critical care, maternity, gynaecology and children and young people’s services.

In young people’s services it was found that there were no consultants in place after 5pm. As though our children only get sick nine to five!

And in the high dependency unit, many standards for critical care were ‘not being met’ and that it was only during the inspection that ‘adequate’ staffing levels were provided, when for three years management knew of the shortfall.

Whilst none of us want to have to receive high dependency care, if we do, we surely have the right to expect to be treated to the highest standard in a unit with sufficient staff?

All of these deficiencies should be of great concern to us as the patients being most let down are amongst the most vulnerable patients in our hospital.

And can we be clear ‘let down’ means pain and death that could be avoided!

So where does the fault lie?

Not apparently with the staff described as ‘caring’ who continue to do their best with inadequate resources and numbers; instead it lies with the Trust Board and senior management whose conduct is described as ‘inadequate’.

I have been told that aside from health professionals, there are no Oldham residents directly involved in the Improvement Board and Plan put in place to attempt to address these serious concerns; can the Leader confirm if this is true?

If this is true why is there no Oldham citizen directly involved in making sure our Hospital and Pennine Trust improves?

This cannot, and should not, just be left to the so called health professionals; a number of which have close working and contractual arrangements with Pennine Acute Trust!

Does she agree with me this is a highly unsatisfactory state of affairs and a scandal that there is no one from our Borough representing our citizens?

Can the Leader also tell me what we are doing as an authority to put pressure on the Trust Board to address these shocking deficiencies in performance before the Trust goes into terminal decline?

Anything I am my colleagues can do to support her and her colleagues in this matter we will.

Council 7 September – Leaders Question 2

Pokémon Go

Mr Mayor, my second question tonight concerns one of the biggest social crazes to hit the UK in many a year and it is a craze that has been taken up across the whole nation by Britons of all ages but particularly the young and the young at heart – namely the phenomena called Pokémon Go.

According to Wikipedia Pokémon Go is “a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic for iOS and Android devices.”

What that means in plain English is that if you have the correct software on your portable electronic device that you can play ‘hunt the monster’ whilst visiting the park or crossing the street.

For those unfamiliar with the game, in essence you are able to track and catch virtual Pokémon creatures in real-world settings.

So what has this got to do with Oldham Council I hear you ask?

Well some novel ideas have been recently published about engaging Pokémon Go players with public services and in particular public health activities.

Our libraries are, whether they know it or not, virtual gyms, the only location where Pokémon players can go to ‘strengthen’ their monsters and meet with others playing the game.

Some libraries are taking advantage of this to let players know that they are welcome in to play and welcome to stay afterwards.

Some are even issuing badges to players who prove they have won a battle at the gym.

Other suggestions include:

Designating historical landmarks and public facilities as Pokestops, where special items are dropped and in-app lures can be set off, with Lure Parties to cash in on the fun;

Hosting meet-ups, and monster rather than art trails; Community get-togethers to search for Pokémon at the weekend and fund-raising events in partnership with charities.

Weight-loss and health campaigners can utilise one of the game’s key benefit – you have to walk to find the monsters and you are largely outdoors when you do so.

There is already some clear evidence of previous couch potatoes, or those holed up in their bedrooms playing Call of Duty on Xbox or Play Station are now walking and/or running around outside as they hunt on Pokémon Go.

Given the potential, I would like to ask the Leader what this Council is doing to harness this idea and whether we can work with our Youth Council to develop innovative ways in which we can use the power of this technology to connect our youngest residents with our public services?

And even more importantly use it to get people more active and therefore healthy and help tackle the ticking time bomb we have locally with obesity and in particular with obesity in young people.

Shaw and Crompton Councillors Ward Surgeries (no appointment necessary)

Held on the following Thursdays at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre, High Street, Shaw OL2 8TB.

September – 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29: 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

Youth activities Dunwood Park every Monday 6.30pm – 8.30pm

See link for more details: Mahdlo in Shaw @ Cafe Mandels 2016

Retaining Wall located between Rossendale Close and Parkgate Way, Shaw

The retaining wall mentioned above supports a footway at the back of properties 2-20 Parkgate Way and 1-19 Rossendale Close. It has been classified as a risk to the public because the parapet is failing.

The footway in the vicinity of the retaining wall, which are shown on the attached map, are due to be closed until the structure has been made safe. Remedial repairs to the wall will be undertaken within the next 4 to 8 weeks as soon as all options have been assessed and appropriate funding is sourced.

During this time it has been agreed with the Oldham Council Waste Collection teams that your bins will be collected as follows:

For residents of Parkgate Way, as part of the works it will be necessary for us to accommodate your refuse and recycling collections, could I therefore ask that you move all your bins and containers to the path at the front of your property. The Waste Collection team have agreed to collect all containers from this location and therefore you will not be required to take them to a collection point.

For residents of Rossendale Close, your bins will be collected from the front of your properties as usual.

The retaining wall will continue to be monitored. We are hopeful that any necessary major works (i.e. retaining wall replacement or strengthening) will be undertaken as soon as appropriate funding is made available.

Finally, we apologise in advance for the inconvenience that these works may cause, however the safety of the public is paramount and cannot be compromised.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

Yours faithfully

Antony Bhunu

Bridges / Structures / Drainage & Flood Management

Asset Management, Highways & Engineering

Direct Line: 0161 770 3851

Email: antony.bhunu@unitypartnership.com

Former Shaw Market demolition and anti social behaviour

Joint statement from Shaw and Crompton Councillors about the anti-social behaviour on the former market site in Shaw Town Centre.

Tuesday evening (2 August), saw a group of young people wreaking havoc on the former market site, where demolition work is being carried out to remove the stalls and create more parking spaces.

This was not the first time it had happened. On Monday evening (1 August) they had wrecked the site by pulling down the fencing. So, it was agreed that a security guard would be deployed to the site the following evening, to monitor the situation.

Last night (2 August), he was assaulted by these young people, who were throwing objects at him, one of which was a broom that hit him on the shoulder. Not only that but they were pulling the fencing down and riding their bikes over them. Somebody said they looked like a “pack of wolves”.

Councillor Rod Blyth, who was going home at 8:45pm, saw a police officer talking to a group of young people. However, the youths were not dispersed and were still congregating on Kershaw Street and Westway when the police officer left.

Then about 9:00pm the situation escalated and Councillor Rod Blyth called the police again and called his colleagues, two of whom were available to assist. Councillors Dave Murphy and Diane Williamson attended at 9:30pm where they were greeted with a group of young people being dragged back to a police car, where one young person had to be put inside the car.

The police who attended the scene tried to explain to the young people that they would be complicit in any crime that was committed, if they did not do one of three things. Ring the police; tell the others to stop what they were doing; or walk away. Needless to say the young people did not take on board this message, despite being reminded of a similar situation that had happened in Ashton last week, which had sadly resulted in a death.

The young people said that they were protesting about the demolition of the market, because it was their chill space. However, because of a history of anti-social behaviour, not just by these young people on the market, the site needs to be cleared so that those living in Shaw Town Centre are not frightened to go out at night.

It took a couple of hours for all of this to calm down, with the Councillors calling First Response (the Council’s Emergency Team) to ask for assistance, but because the security guard was not employed by the council, all they could do was carry out a welfare check.

All six Shaw and Crompton Councillors have requested a co-ordinated approach to this, so that we can stop these young people from acting so atrociously and ensure the safety of the residents and the security guard on site. This has been happening for years, but each year the young people’s behaviour has become more anti-social.

The police, PCSOs, the Council and the Detached Youth Team will be out over the next two nights patrolling the area and a Dispersal Order has been drawn up which covers the area between Rochdale Road, Crompton Way, Market Street and Greenfield Lane.

We would urge anyone who sees anything happening around the market site, please contact the police by phoning 101. Any intelligence about any anti-social behaviour would be welcomed.

In addition to this, Councillor Diane Williamson, as Chair of the District Executive, has written to the Leader of the Council asking for reassurances that despite the delay in the demolition, that all works will be completed in time for 22 August, as well as raising concerns about what happened on 2 August.

Local Councillors believe in zero-tolerance when dealing with these issues and a meeting with a number of partners will be taking place on Friday to review the measures that have been put in place.

Summer Holiday Activities in Shaw and Crompton

Full Circle is providing these school holiday activities after being commissioned to do so by your local Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Monday 1st August

1pm – 3pm – Georges Street Playing Fields

Friday 5th August