OCS Volunteer Ranger Event Sunday 29 October 2017 Crompton Moor

Last Sunday of the month is upon us again, so if you can spare some more of your valuable time this Sunday, 29 October 2017, it would be appreciated.

This month’s tasks will comprise of some green finger activity to the car park area, and repairs to the rear car park steps.

The current weather forecast is Light Cloud, likely high/low of 11º/6º 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 text/phone me on 07961107860; to ensure we have the right amount of materials & tools, please could you let me know if you intend to join us on the day.

Sara & I look forward to seeing you in the Crompton Moor Car Park ~ 10.30 on Sunday. Thank you.

Kindest Regards

Edward John Fulton (aka Ed/Eddie), Countryside Volunteer Ranger, (Mob) 07961 107860 [Calls may be recorded], (Text) 07961 107860, (Fax)  01706 661813, (E)  edward@edwardjohnfulton.uk, (E) edward.fulton@btinternet.uk

Liberal Democrat Leader calls for Recognition of Peacemakers

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Assistant Cabinet Member responsible for First World Commemorations Councillor Cath Ball asking for her help to mark the contribution of Oldham’s peacemakers and peacekeepers.

Councillor Sykes explained: “2018 will mark two special anniversaries – the centenary of the Armistice ending the First World War and the 70 anniversary of the first United Nations peacekeeping mission.”

“Recent research by volunteers at the Oldham Historical Research Group has identified over 100 Oldham men in the First World War who refused military service because of their consciences,” he added.  “Although we have rightly commemorated the sacrifice of our armed forces personnel, I also think that we should recognise that these men also displayed great courage and endured sacrifices in making the difficult choice to be a conscientious objector and pacifist.”

“Veterans from Oldham must have also served in some of the United Nations peacekeeping missions that have taken place around the world since 1948.  Again I feel that it is important that we mark their important contribution to world peace as peacekeepers wearing the UN blue helmet,” stated Councillor Sykes.

In his email to Councillor Ball, Councillor Sykes has asked the Council to work with relevant groups to establish memorials to conscientious objectors, pacifists and peacekeepers from Oldham, and to hold commemorative services for them.

Councillor Sykes also asks for the Council to consider establishing a town centre peace trail and an exhibition in the new Oldham Museum.

He said: “Peace trails exist in Birmingham, Bradford, and Manchester with the locations of relevant events and places relating to peace-making, peace-keeping and social justice.  We already have a Pals Trail, now I would like to see a Peace Trail.  It would also be good to see a permanent display to Oldham’s peace movement within the new Oldham Museum.  Both would help to raise Oldham’s profile as a Borough working for peace, and, as this represents good news, let’s celebrate it.”

The email sent to Assistant Cabinet Member Cath Ball is below.

From: Howard Sykes
Sent: 20 October 2017 14:56
To: Cllr C Ball
Cc: (A) Kay Gibson (kay.gibson@oldham.gov.uk)
Subject: Remembering Peacemakers and Peacekeepers in Oldham

Councillor Cath Ball

Assistant Cabinet Member for World War One Centenary Commemorations

Dear Councillor Ball,

Remembering Peacemakers and Peacekeepers in Oldham

I believe that, as the first local authority in the UK to sign the Pledge to Peace, it is incumbent upon Oldham Council to recognise the contribution of those people and organisations in the Borough who have, past or present, been dedicated to the promotion of peace.

Specifically, in my view, it is important that we recognise that those Oldham people who chose, through personal conviction, to refuse military conscription and opposed war as conscientious objectors and pacifists also displayed courage and made sacrifices.

Recent research conducted by members of the Oldham Historical Research Group has identified over 100 Oldham men who refused military service in the First World War on grounds of conscience, at least one of whom died as a result of force feeding in prison.

I would also like us to recognise the service of members of the armed forces and police service from our borough who have participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Around the world, two dates are commemorated that are relevant, both in May:

  • May 15 is recognised each year as International Conscientious Objectors’ Day.
  • May 29 is designated by the United Nations as UN Peacekeepers’ Day.

As you will be all too aware, 2018 represents a significant anniversary being the centenary of the end of the First World War, but it is also the 70th anniversary of the first UN peacekeeping mission.

At present, to the best of my knowledge, there are no memorials to conscientious objectors, pacifists or peacekeepers in Oldham, and no commemorative services specifically held on these days.

I would therefore like us to look at how we might work with relevant local and national peace organisations, as well as local branches of military charities and associations, and the United Nations Association UK to establish appropriate memorials to these individuals, and how we might begin to commemorate their contribution on the relevant dates from next year.

I would also like to explore with you the possibility of establishing a town centre peace trail, as exists in other places of peace such as Birmingham, Bradford, and Manchester, which would identify the locations of relevant events and places relating to peace-making, peace-keeping and social justice, and also a permanent display to the conscientious objectors, pacifists and peace campaigners of this borough within the new Oldham Museum, building particularly on the commendable research carried out by volunteers of the Oldham Historical Research Group.

Thank you for giving this matter your consideration.

I shall look forward to receiving your reply in due course, and would be happy to discuss further if you wish.

Best wishes.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition.  Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Oldham Council.  Member for Shaw Ward.  Member for South Ward Shaw & Crompton Parish Council.

CAGED FOOTBALL EVENT – WESTWAY CAR PARK, BEHIND TESCO – SUNDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2017 11:00 TO 17:00 HOURS

This is a non-contact, no tackling event safe for children and young people (Under 17’s) arranged by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue in partnership with Greater Manchester Police.

Why not come along and join us for a game of footy.  No need to bring a team you can play with a mate or have a kick around with the Fire Crew and Police.

Warm up and join us for some fun.

Liberal Democrats still say there is still a chance of Electrification of Trans-Pennine Rail Link

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed a recent speech by Transport Minister Chris Grayling promising: ‘more electrification in and around Manchester, and looking at electrification as part of passenger improvements across the Pennines.’

“Like the Minister I too want to see transport put ‘right at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse,’ stated Councillor Sykes.  “The one sure way to do this is to electrify the trans-Pennine rail link between Leeds and Manchester.  Passengers using Oldham Borough’s only rail station would benefit from this as this link serves Greenfield.”

Councillor Sykes represents Oldham Council on the Transport for Greater Manchester committee.

“Although certain sections of the press have previously reported that the Government has already cancelled plans to electrify the Leeds – Manchester line, this is erroneous; in fact the government has only cancelled proposals to electrify the Sheffield, Windermere and South Wales lines,” said Councillor Sykes.

“My understanding is that the option to electrify the Leeds – Manchester line is still on the table as part of an ongoing bigger review of government spending on rail investment in the north which will be published later in the autumn.  The Minister’s comments have indicated that electrification is still a possibility so we need to continue to put pressure on Ministers to make it so,” he added.

“The Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester want to see a far higher level of investment in the North’s railway infrastructure and rolling stock, which has been neglected for many years,” said Councillor Sykes.  “The one way to improve rail punctuality and efficiency, which is environmentally-friendly, is to replace old smoky diesel trains with new electric trains.”

Liberal Democrat Leader calls for Play Areas to go Smoke Free

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jean Stretton, asking her to make play areas in Oldham smoke free.

Oldham Council has recently proposed that Parliament Square be made smoke-free. Whilst Councillor Sykes supports this, he is confident that Oldham Council can do so much more.

“Smoking is a public health emergency; it is a contributory factor in many of the deaths that occur in our Borough from cancer, heart disease and strokes, and it causes chronic ill-health amongst many of our residents,” stated Councillor Sykes.  “We should do all that we can to reduce tobacco consumption, and above all to reduce the exposure of non-smokers, especially children, to tobacco smoke.”

In his letter to the Council Leader, Councillor Sykes cites voluntary bans introduced in Basingstoke and Deane and in Norwich to prevent smoking in children’s play areas.

“Although such ‘bans’ are voluntary, they are intended to provide a further ‘nudge’ in behaviour to encourage smokers to refrain from smoking in areas where children may breathe their secondary smoke,” added Councillor Sykes.  “These bans had strong support from the public in consultations, and they have been successful in affecting behaviour change.”

“I therefore believe that they should be introduced in our play areas here and I have asked the Leader to consider consulting on and piloting several such schemes,” he said.

Councillor Sykes does however caution about excluding E-cigarettes from any ban.

“I think it should be clear that these bans apply equally to E-smokers as well as smokers; partially because it is often unclear where an E-cigarette in use is actually nicotine-free.”

The email sent to Council Leader Councillor Jean Stretton below.

From: Howard Sykes
Sent: 20 October 2017 14:34
To: Cllr J Stretton
Cc: (A) Kay Gibson (kay.gibson@oldham.gov.uk); Carolyn Wilkins
Subject: Smoke free areas

Dear Jean,

I note and support the recent proposals of Oldham Council to make Parliament Square smoke-free as a contribution to the Tobacco Free Greater Manchester Plan.

If we do this, I think it should be clear that it applies equally to E-smokers as well as smokers; partially because it is often unclear where an E-cigarette in use is actually nicotine-free

But I do think we can be more ambitious.

In other local authority areas, just two examples in Basingstoke and Deane and in Norwich, voluntary bans were introduced in play areas, following strong support for such measures in public consultation.  Although such ‘bans’ are voluntary, they are intended to provide a further ‘nudge’ in behaviour to encourage smokers to refrain from smoking in areas where children may breathe their secondary smoke.  In Norwich, the associated signage is paid for by the local CCG so, if we can get our health partners on board, there may be no actual installation cost to the Council.

I certainly think it is worth consulting on and piloting a few schemes in play areas across the Borough.

We should too ask our social housing providers to look to adopt this approach, as many outdoor play areas are managed by First Choice Homes and some by Great Places.

Lastly can review where our own staff can smoke in and around the Civic Centre and other Council buildings to ensure that smoking does not take place in areas shared with the public?

I look forward to receiving your reply and as always happy to discuss.

Best wishes.

Howard

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Oldham Council, Member for Shaw Ward, Member for South Ward Shaw & Crompton Parish Council.

Work With Us To Improve Life On Crompton Moor

Your Shaw Councillors have been working closely with volunteer groups to improve Crompton Moor over many years, but are sometimes hindered by anti-social behaviour.

This ranges from people going up to the moor to camp, light fires, use drugs/alcohol.  With this in mid, we have been working over the past twelve months to activate new powers to enable Oldham Council and Police to take action when people damage and mis-use the moor.

These new powers are activated using a Public Space Protection Order.

What will the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) do?

Agencies have raised concerns, echoed by the local community regarding the behaviour of some individuals using Crompton Moor who are setting fires, littering, injuring wild life, allowing dogs to run wild and causing damage to plant life.  There have also been a number of incidents which are Anti-Social in nature including verbal abuse and threats to legitimate users of the Moor.

Local Councils now have the power to put in place Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) to help manage such issues and we completed the first round of consultation earlier this year.

Why are we consulting again?

The PSPO then went to a panel at the Council who made a number of small but significant recommendations primarily regarding dogs during the nesting season.

The panel have asked us to consult again as they have recommended we include a clause regarding dogs on leads during the nesting season to protect our nesting birds.

We have also become aware of issues around nitrous oxide usage and psychoactive substances by young people, which have also now been incorporated into the order.

How can you get involved?

You can tell us your views about the order by taking part in the consultation in any of the ways below:

At Crompton Library from Monday 16 October 2017.

On line at:

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200321/crime_and_safety/1720/public_spaces_protection_orders_-_proposed

There will also be volunteers out on the Moor from the Friends of Crompton Moor Group and the Volunteer Countryside Rangers, talking to people about the PSPO, so if you are a moor user – why not keep your eyes open and have a chat if you are approached!