Shaw Youth Centre closure – 6-8 weeks from 25th March

Shaw Youth Centre will be CLOSED from Monday 25th March 2013 for approximately 6 -8 weeks.

This is to allow for essential building work to be completed.

There will be no access to the centre.

The youth club will continue at the usual times at the following venues:

Monday: George St playing fields building at 6.30-9.00pm
Tuesday: Dunwood Park community room at 6:30-9.00pm
Wednesday: Junior Youth Club-Compton Library at 3.30-5:00pm
Thursday: Higher Crompton Park Bowling Green hut at 6:30-9.00pm

Any queries, concerns or further information please contact Jeanette or Lynda on 0161 770 8648/8649

E-mail: lynda.winrow@oldham.gov.uk or Jeanette.booth@oldham.gov.uk

Shaw and Crompton St Georges Day Celebration Sunday 14 April

Shaw Memorial Gardens, West Way.

We have managed to secure the Market which will include food stalls, the car boot sale, Rochdale Hedgehog Rescue, Circus acts.

The Lifelong Learning Centre will be used for indoor activities and workshops including an English afternoon tea, face painting, aromatherapy sessions, circus skills workshop and more to be confirmed.

The Market will run between 10.00 – 13.30.

Further info to follow when confirmed.

DO NOT LET LOAN SHARKS GET THEIR TEETH INTO YOU

Stop Loan Shark Launch Photograph web

Oldham Council has teamed up with a pioneering team to tackle illegal money lending in the Borough.

Trading Standards Officers are working with the Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) to tackle loan sharks and bring them to justice.

Loan sharking is an illegal activity which makes victims lives a misery.

Borrowers are trapped into spiralling debt by loan sharks who often resort to the most extreme methods such as violence, threats or intimidation to pressure them into paying loans back.

From March 18 to 28 the Borough will host a series of events and activities – supported by the District Partnerships – to raise awareness amongst residents about the dangers of loan sharks.

At each event representatives from the team, accompanied by mascot ‘Sid the Shark’ will be offering advice on how loan sharks can be avoided and reported, and recommending Oldham Credit Union as a safe and legal alternative.

Shaw Lib Dem councillor Howard Sykes said: “Loan sharks are criminals who prey on vulnerable people and blight communities. They fleece their victims and often use intimidation and violence.”

“I am pleased Oldham Council has said it will not allow this bullying and criminal behaviour and will work with our partners to target those who think they are above the law and can get away with it.”

“Instead of turning to loan sharks I would encourage residents to use Oldham Credit Union, which offers great saving and lending opportunities.”

Nationally there are an estimated 310,000 households borrowing from illegal money lenders. With a lack of paperwork, victims are kept in the dark about how much is owed and will charge exorbitant interest rates – in some cases in excess of 130,000 per cent APR.

More than 220 people have been prosecuted leading to more than 150 years worth of prison sentences being handed out by the courts.

Almost £40million worth of illegal debt has been written off and more than 19,000 victims have been helped.

Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said: “Illegal lenders not only rip people off with extortionate rates of interest but resort to the most despicable methods to enforce their debts.”

“We are sending out a clear message that this will not be tolerated.”

If you have been the victim of a loan shark Call the 24 hour confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222;

Text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003;

E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk;

or Private message on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

To find out more about Oldham Credit Union call 0161 678 7245

or email enquiry@oldhamcreditunion.co.uk.

Alternatively you can log onto www.oldhamcreditunion.co.uk

To find out where Sid is during the campaign follow @stoploansharks on twitter or visit www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

88% increase in apprenticeships

2,710 people were on an apprenticeship last year in the Borough of Oldham thanks to the Liberal Democrats, final figures reveal. That is a huge increase of 88% compared to the last year of Labour’s government.

These figures are a big boost for apprenticeships and young people in Oldham which comes at the end of National Apprenticeship Week (11th – 15th March), which aimed to raise awareness and celebrate the successes of the apprenticeship scheme.

Commenting, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes said:

“Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for young people to learn the skills and get the experience necessary for a successful career.”

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have promoted and invested heavily in apprenticeships because they are one of the most effective ways of helping young people get jobs. Apprenticeships also allow us to build a stronger economy, with a highly-skilled and flexible workforce.”

“Apprenticeships rely on employers making opportunities available. That’s why I urge local employers to offer opportunities to our young people to become apprentices. For my part, I have just this week taken on a part share of an apprentice.

Family Fun Weekend Vehicle Rally 22 and 23 June

As you maybe aware, every year Shaw and Crompton Parish Council organises a Family Weekend & Vehicle Rally. This year the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday 22nd & 23rd June.

Following feedback, and to try to minimise disruption, the Fairground is being moved to Kershaw Street East car park. As a result, this car park will be closed to members of the public from Thursday evening until Sunday evening; the car parks on Westway (Market Ground) and the other town centre car parks will remain open.

Should you require any further information or would like to comment on the Weekend, please contact the Clerk of the Parish Council (01706 847590, clerk.shawcrompc@btconnect.com) and he will be happy to discuss any comments or issues.

Metro works Jubilee crossing

Starting on Saturday 9th March, overnight works will be taking place at the Jubilee level crossing. These works will entail the trimming of trees overhanging the line or obscuring line of sight for Metrolink tram drivers approaching this level crossing.

Due to the proximity of the trees to the operational Metrolink extension, these works must be carried out at night when services are not running and the power to the overhead lines can be isolated. As such, these works are scheduled for 1am-5am, from Saturday 9th March until Sunday 17th March.

For further information:

Karen Aldcroft,
Public Liaison Officer, Metrolink Projects.
Transport for Greater Manchester,
2, Piccadilly Place, Manchester,M1 3BG.
Information Line: 0161 244 1555 Direct Line 0161 244 1417
www.tfgm.com

ELECTRIC CABLE LAYING EDGE LANE STREET, ROYTON TO LINNEY LANE, SHAW – UPDATE (Inc Road Closures)

Just a brief update on the above scheme

There is a short length to complete of approximately 20 metres on Linney Lane which it is proposed to finish over the weekend of 9 / 10 March.

At present work is on-going at the junction of Shaw Road / Blackshaw Lane. Work is complete on Shaw Road itself but is still on-going at the junction on Blackshaw Lane.

To accommodate the works it has been necessary initially to switch off the traffic signals and replace them with temporary 4 way signals. It is hoped that work will have progressed sufficiently up Blackshaw Lane by Thursday at the latest to allow the 59 bus service to safely make the turn in / out of the junction, in turn meaning that the temporary signals will become 3 way, thus allowing two way traffic along Shaw Road. These signals are being manually operated between 7.00am and 6.00pm, as are all temporary traffic signals in use along the route during a working day.

The grassed verges on Blackshaw Lane that the electric cable was laid in have been top soiled. The contactor has been instructed to remove any rubble in these areas and top up were required with additional top soil prior to seeding the areas.

There is a short length of open trench at the top of Blackshaw Lane near to its junction with Perth Street. There was a problem with a gas leak that required attention, however, the trench should be backfilled and surfaced shortly.

Work is still required at the junction of Edge Lane Street / Shaw Road. The contractor has been instructed that this must be carried out over a weekend but that until the permanent signals at Shaw Road / Blackshaw Lane have been switched back on work cannot be progressed. The contractor may carry out this work either the weekend of 9 / 10 March or 16 / 17 March.

Trial holes will be excavated on Oldham Road Friday 8 March, probably under stop / go boards rather than temporary signals as the work will be localised and traffic will be easier to manage.

The above trial holes are a prelude to work commencing on the final length of cable laying, from the entrance to the former Big Lamp Public House to the junction with Water Street and down Water Street to the junction with Perth Street. This phase of the work is programmed to commence Monday 11 March and will take between 4-6 weeks depending on site conditions.

The work will be undertaken under temporary signals in sections along the highway and the signals will be manually operated during the working day between 7.00am – 6.00pm. As you can appreciate Oldham Road is extremely busy and disruption is inevitable. Again, the contractor has been instructed that work cannot commence on Oldham Road unless the permanent signals at Shaw Road / Blackshaw Lane have been switched back on.