Up for the Cup!

Up for the Cup!





“I’m rooting for Wigan,” says council leader Lord Peter Smith. The big game - Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons – is looming ever closer and the town is pledging its support as our local champions look to win the World Club Challenge.



Cllr Smith, along with the cabinet’s customer lead Cllr Chris Ready and culture champion Cllr Brian Baldwin, joined two local sporting legends today in Wigan. The venue was the equally famous trophy shop on the Wiend in the town centre as they pledged support for the lads’ 27th February match.

“It’s a big celebration, a great occasion for Wigan, let’s hope Wigan can come out on top,” he says.
Cheering on the team, local heroes of yesteryear Billy Boston and Andy Gregory called at standards trophy shop on the Wiend – where the impressive collection of sporting memorabilia was temporarily dwarfed by the arrival of the Probiz cup itself.

Billy Boston said he was looking forward to the game: “It’s only a club game but it’s much more, “ he said. “It’s the top Australian team against the top English team If they continue what they started it will be a good game.” Andy Gregory and Billy agreed that it promises to be a tough game but Wigan can win.

In recent weeks leading politicians have been meeting with both the Warriors and the Latics, not to discuss pitch tactics, but to further develop ties between town and teams. Wigan Athletic lent their weight to a major campaign about domestic violence this week and players from the Warriors toured a number of local schools to meet loyal young fans.

Shop owner Ross Winstanley was delighted to pledge his support to the rugby lads and to the council’s campaign to work ever more closely with local sporting talent. “The work done with the Warriors – and the Latics – is important for our town’s pride,” says Ross Winstanley. “Let’s get behind our local teams.”

Warriors Against the Dragons

Warriors Against the Dragons

On February 27, the Rugby League World Club Challenge will be coming to Wigan’s DW Stadium. The Warriors will take on the Illawara Dragons and with the aim of being declared the best team in the world.

And the council is cheering on the team for their support for the community and the work that players and officials do in partnership with schools and other local groups.

Council leader Lord Peter Smith and cabinet member Cllr Chris Ready joined Thomas Leulai and Michael McGuire pitchside this week to thank them. The halfback and manager both said they were backing the town.

Lord Smith says: “We’re delighted to wish the Warriors well this time for their upcoming club challenge. I’m sure the whole town – and the whole borough – will want to see our sportsmen succeed in the battle between Australian champions St George Illawarra and our own Super League winners.”

The Probiz World Cup Challenge, held between the champions of the Australasian National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions, will be held at the DW Stadium on February 27.

Thomas Leulai says: “I’m really looking forward to the World Cup Challenge. It will be a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves. We will represent Wigan and England, so we’re all prepared to give 100 per cent and hopefully put Wigan on the map internationally.”

Cllr Ready has been meeting top officials from both the Latics and the Warriors and is impressed with their passion for their town as well as their sport. “The work they do in the community is superb and behind the scenes both clubs work in partnership effectively,” he adds.

“They’re getting behind Wigan, so we’ve got to get behind them!” says Cllr Ready. “Both our top flight teams and everyone at the council is committed to making Wigan a success so let’s all back our sporting heroes and help them help us. “

Schools Swimming Gala 2011

This years swimming gala was won by Our Ladys who beat Aspull Church by 1 point others schools who took part are canon sharples, St Davids,Holy Family,St johns and St Michaels Councillor Chris Ready provided and presented the medals

Don’t Pass By

Don’t Pass By
It’s the ticket to freedom for millions of senior citizens across the country, and for thousands of local pensioners too. The bus pass is a gateway to a full and active life, as well as one of those universal rights of passage for the population as they retire from work.
But with government cut backs threatening all aspects of public services, Cllr Chris Ready is concerned that older people may become an easy target for the next round of coalition cuts. “Pensioners are rightly proud of their bus pass,” says Cllr Ready. “It is a badge of independence and freedom for them, and well-earned after a lifetime paying in to the system.”
Pensioners, such as this group at XXXXXX say that they are alarmed at the idea of being stripped of their bus passes. Cllr Ready adds: “Not everyone can afford to run a car, and perhaps infirmity and age means that driving is no longer an option. Buses offer a green alternative to owning your own car and their routes link in with many of the public buildings and shops that older people enjoy visiting.”

Cllr Ready and his new Grey Army want to send a signal to Whitehall that the benefits to health, the environment and to the dignity of the over 60s that free bus passes bring is something to treasure…not something for the Treasury.

Flowers for Chris

Michelle Sutton, Amaryllis Flowers, Scot Lane, Aspull, is upset that roadworks have begun outside her shop without notice. Michelle is concerned that trade and deliveries will be affected on the busiest days of the year for her. Pictured are LtR: Michelle Sutton, kneeling, Emma Winstanley, Coun John Hilton, Coun Ron Conway and Coun Chris Ready

A FLORIST has hit out at roadworks which left her business stranded on one of her busiest days of the year.

Michelle Sutton, who owns Amaryllis flower shop on Scot Lane, Aspull says her Valentine’s Day business was severely hit by roadworks outside her window.

She slammed Electricity Northwest, who are carrying out the works, for failing to give her prior notice and claimed it has cost her hundreds of pounds in passing trade.

She said: “The whole thing has been a nightmare. The work started last Thursday without us being given any warning. On Valentine’s Day, the temporary lights were outside our store. It ruined our passing trade, which in previous years has made us so much at this time.”

A sign had been placed up by Electricty Northwest stating work would begin on Stanley Road which is opposite Ms Sutton’s store. However, there was no mention that the work would spill over onto the front of Amaryllis.

She says the shop was forced into carrying out deliveries further afield to make money.

Ms Sutton added: “We were hit hard at Christmas with the weather and we just had to accept it as nothing could influence that. We were relying on Valentine’s Day to make our money back and so this is very disappointing.

“I’m sure the work they are carrying out is worthwhile and as a local business I appreciate it, but if they had given us some notice, we may have been able to talk about when jobs were to be carried out so our busiest day wouldn’t be affected.”

Aspull, New Springs and Whelley councillor Chris Ready said: “It’s hard for local business to make a living in these difficult times. Emergency work is difficult to manage but it’s not difficult to send letters to explain the situation.”

The work being carried out by Electricty Northwest is part of a cable reinforcement programme where backup electricity would be at hand should there be a power cut.

A spokesman for Electricity North West said: “This work is part of a 3km network reinforcement project to improve supplies to thousands of homes and businesses. After speaking with the shopowner last week, we agreed to delay work over the weekend but had to progress on Monday. We take care to speak to local businesses so that we can amend our work programmes where possible, and we apologise for any inconvenience that cannot be avoided.”

Martinez’ New Signings

Two big hitters are joining the Latics. And Roberto Martinez was eager to clinch the deal and bring on side two star teamplayers with their sights on the goal.

But the excitement was more in the boardroom than on the pitch as deputy council leader Cllr David Molyneux and cabinet customer services lead Cllr Chris Ready met with the Latics manager and chief executive Jonathan Jackson this week to discuss tactics – and the continued partnership between club and borough.

Roberto Martinez says: “Of course we’ve been talking football, but we have also discussed closer ties between Wigan Athletic and the community. I am very proud of this town and want all my players to feel a real loyalty to the area.”

Season ticket holder Cllr Molyneux said that the prestige of a premier league team was excellent for the town. “Wigan’s name being heard around the world is extremely important to us. We are fortunate in having first rate sporting links which keep the town’s profile strong and I’m immensely proud to support my local team not just by cheering them on from the stand, but also behind the scenes.”

The history of the DW Stadium itself is closely linked to the council, and the council remains a shareholder and owns the land on which the teams play.

Cllr Ready also met with Wigan Warriors stars this week as part of his work to develop ever closer links between the teams and the town. And Martinze was pleased to help highlight a difficult local issue this week: the Latics team took time out from their training at Standish Lower Ground to sign a giant Valentine’s card pledging their support to a partnership of agencies including the police, PCT and council to stop the scourge of domestic violence.

Cllr Ready adds: “The sporting heritage of this town is one we can be justly proud of and I welcome Roberto’s strong commitment to working with us for the benefit of the community – the work done so far is testament to that and there is more to come.”

Chris and Ron meet the Warriors

Warriors on Tour

Members of Wigan Warriors took time out to visit schools in the north of the borough this week.

Pat Richards and new signing Brett Finch delighted pupils and staff alike during their trips to Aspull Church School, Haigh St David’s and Canon Sharples C of E.
The two players – both currently recovering from injuries – signed autographs and took questions from the children. The schools had been preparing by holding a ‘Red and White’ day, with regular uniforms swapped for Warriors’ strip in honour of their visitors.

“We’re thrilled to meet our young fans,“ says winger Pat Richards. “It’s great that we have their support from such an early age and they are really keen too.”

The visit is part of work by cabinet member Cllr Chris Ready to develop ever closer links between the team and the town. He and leader Lord Smith met with manager Michael McGuire last week, and Cllr Ready also met with Latics coach Roberto Martinez this week to continue the rapport with the premier league team as well.

The players – accompanied by officials, two tv crews and the World Club Challenge Cup itself – spent time in classrooms and assemblies at each school. They even took questions on delicate subjects that some of the grown-up journalists were nervous about asking. Challenged by one 7 year old on his choice of team for his international career, Pat Richards said that he was proud to play for both Wigan and for Ireland, where his parents hailed from.
Cllr Chris Ready said: “It’s excellent that both the Latics and the Warriors are so positive about supporting our community and bring our local sporting culture right to the fans of tomorrow. The children know a surprising amount about their local teams and that’s great for the future, and it is also great that the players are happy to spend time meeting young fans.”

Brett Finch was thrilled to hear Aspull Church School pupils singing their school anthem, and also thanked young fans at Haigh St David’s for making him welcome in the UK. Visiting Canon Sharples Primary in New Springs, he said: “The support and enthusiasm of the children has been great to see and we’ve made some great friends here today.”
Roy Mason, head of Canon Sharples, said: “Welcome to the Warriors – and thank you for brightening the children’s day and letting them meet their heroes.”



Although Brett and Pat will be out for the World Cup Challenge itself, they proudly showed off the trophy to the children and vowed to encourage Warriors to win it in style at the 27 February match against Australians St George Illawarra Dragons.