Wigan's Sport Makers
17 October 2012
Wigan is aiming to have the highest number of volunteer “Sport Makers” in the whole of Greater Manchester!
So far, 150 people have signed up in the borough to carry out a minimum of 10 hours volunteering within their local communities and, with two more inductions due to take place in the next few weeks, organisers are hoping to top the 300 mark.
Inspired by the huge success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Makers – those 70,000 volunteers who ensured such a smooth games – a national project called Sport Makers aims to continue the Olympic legacy though volunteering and by inspiring people to play sport.
In Wigan and Leigh, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) Sports Development Unit are leading on the initiative in partnership with Greater Sport.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of WLCT, said: “Wigan already has a strong voluntary sports club sector but we’re delighted that so many people have already signed up to take part.
“Many of those taking part want to give something back to their club or community but there are also a large number of students looking to gain employment in the sports sector at the end of their courses who also see this as a wonderful addition to their CV.”
British Champion inline skater Jenna Downing will lead two induction sessions at St John Rigby College on Tuesday 23 October and 9 November where 200 new Sport Makers will pledge to uphold the Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship.
Cabinet member for leisure Cllr Chris Ready said: “One of our main aims as a council is to create a confident place with confident people and this initiative has a major part to play in that. Volunteering can increase confidence, creates a closer connection with the community and can lead to employment.
“We’re delighted the people of Wigan are leading the way.”
Anyone over the age of 16 can join the Sport Maker programme which hopes to give those taking part the knowledge, information and connections to help make sport happen.
The project hopes more than 40,000 people nationally will sign up.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Make Sport Happen
Make Sport Happen
26 October 2012
More than 100 St John Rigby College students have become the latest volunteers to sign up to make sport happen in their community.
The 16 to 18-year-olds signed up to become “Sport Makers” following an induction at the college by former Team GB track cyclist Bryan Steel this week.
Steel, who won bronze alongside Bradley Wiggins in the cycling team pursuit at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 also helped the team to silver at the Athens Games in 2004
So far 250 people have signed up in the borough to carry out a minimum of 10 hours volunteering within their local communities
Inspired by the huge success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Makers – those 70,000 volunteers who ensured such a smooth games – a national project called Sport Makers aims to continue the Olympic legacy though volunteering and by inspiring people to play sport.
In Wigan and Leigh, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) Sports Development Unit are leading on the initiative.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of WLCT, said: “To see so many young people signing up to make sport happen in their communities is just wonderful.
“They can choose to organise something as small as a five-a-side game in their local park or get involved in much bigger projects. For these students it’s a wonderful addition to their CV and one that could help them find employment once they’ve qualified.”
Cabinet member for leisure Cllr Chris Ready said: “One of our main aims as a council is to create a confident place with confident people and this initiative has a major part to play in that. Volunteering can increase confidence, creates a closer connection with the community and can lead to employment.
“We’re delighted the people of Wigan are leading the way.”
Oliver Gildart, 16, and Elliot Dainty, 16, both signed up at the St John Rigby event.
Elliot said: “I’m studying A-Level PE so this really will be great for my CV but I also really want to make a difference. I’m planning to get involved in a range of sports to get more experience.”
Anyone over the age of 16 can join the Sport Maker programme which hopes to give those taking part the knowledge, information and connections to help make sport happen.
The project hopes more than 40,000 people nationally will sign up.
For more information call Rob Burrows at Wigan Sports Development on 01942 488 495 or e-mail R.Burrows@wlct.org
26 October 2012
More than 100 St John Rigby College students have become the latest volunteers to sign up to make sport happen in their community.
The 16 to 18-year-olds signed up to become “Sport Makers” following an induction at the college by former Team GB track cyclist Bryan Steel this week.
Steel, who won bronze alongside Bradley Wiggins in the cycling team pursuit at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 also helped the team to silver at the Athens Games in 2004
So far 250 people have signed up in the borough to carry out a minimum of 10 hours volunteering within their local communities
Inspired by the huge success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Makers – those 70,000 volunteers who ensured such a smooth games – a national project called Sport Makers aims to continue the Olympic legacy though volunteering and by inspiring people to play sport.
In Wigan and Leigh, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) Sports Development Unit are leading on the initiative.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of WLCT, said: “To see so many young people signing up to make sport happen in their communities is just wonderful.
“They can choose to organise something as small as a five-a-side game in their local park or get involved in much bigger projects. For these students it’s a wonderful addition to their CV and one that could help them find employment once they’ve qualified.”
Cabinet member for leisure Cllr Chris Ready said: “One of our main aims as a council is to create a confident place with confident people and this initiative has a major part to play in that. Volunteering can increase confidence, creates a closer connection with the community and can lead to employment.
“We’re delighted the people of Wigan are leading the way.”
Oliver Gildart, 16, and Elliot Dainty, 16, both signed up at the St John Rigby event.
Elliot said: “I’m studying A-Level PE so this really will be great for my CV but I also really want to make a difference. I’m planning to get involved in a range of sports to get more experience.”
Anyone over the age of 16 can join the Sport Maker programme which hopes to give those taking part the knowledge, information and connections to help make sport happen.
The project hopes more than 40,000 people nationally will sign up.
For more information call Rob Burrows at Wigan Sports Development on 01942 488 495 or e-mail R.Burrows@wlct.org
Be Inspired!
Be Inspired!
25 September 2012
Organisers of the borough’s Active Choices activity sessions are hoping Team GB’s Paralympic success will prove an inspiration over the next few years.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) Active Living Team has been organising activity sessions for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or severe and enduring mental illness for over five years.
Last year more than 600 people attended events which included Boccia, tennis table, badminton, dance, drama, adapted cycle sessions and a variety of sports and gym sessions. Now they’re hoping Team GB’s magnificent record breaking tally of 120 medals will serve as a launch pad for greater involvement here in Wigan and Leigh.
Elanor Reynolds, Active Living Officer for WLCT, said: “The aim of Active Choices is to improve access and choice, to get more people physically active in the borough, but we also want to keep the legacy of London 2012 alive and kicking in the borough.
“Whether people want to aspire to become the next Ellie Simmonds or David Weir, or maybe just want to have fun and try something new, we are here to support that. As well as providing activity and sports sessions every week, Active Choices can also help those attending to find out about different places where they can go to be active and play sport and which sports clubs would suit them best.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Cllr Chris Ready added: “These sessions not only improve health and wellbeing but can also improve confidence.
“We’ve had a fantastic summer of sport now we have to build on that here in Wigan and Leigh and inspire the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians.”
25 September 2012
Organisers of the borough’s Active Choices activity sessions are hoping Team GB’s Paralympic success will prove an inspiration over the next few years.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) Active Living Team has been organising activity sessions for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or severe and enduring mental illness for over five years.
Last year more than 600 people attended events which included Boccia, tennis table, badminton, dance, drama, adapted cycle sessions and a variety of sports and gym sessions. Now they’re hoping Team GB’s magnificent record breaking tally of 120 medals will serve as a launch pad for greater involvement here in Wigan and Leigh.
Elanor Reynolds, Active Living Officer for WLCT, said: “The aim of Active Choices is to improve access and choice, to get more people physically active in the borough, but we also want to keep the legacy of London 2012 alive and kicking in the borough.
“Whether people want to aspire to become the next Ellie Simmonds or David Weir, or maybe just want to have fun and try something new, we are here to support that. As well as providing activity and sports sessions every week, Active Choices can also help those attending to find out about different places where they can go to be active and play sport and which sports clubs would suit them best.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Cllr Chris Ready added: “These sessions not only improve health and wellbeing but can also improve confidence.
“We’ve had a fantastic summer of sport now we have to build on that here in Wigan and Leigh and inspire the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians.”
Aspull's Community Spirit
Aspull's Community Spirit
03 August 2012
Residents in Aspull were thanked this week for showing true “community” spirit.
Eight months ago members of the community stepped in to help run their local library.
Faced with massive cuts of £1.1m, due to the national austerity measures, Wigan and Leigh’s entire library service was re-defined in 2011. But unlike some other authorities, where large numbers of libraries closed, in Wigan the picture is very different.
The new look library service reduced costs by reducing some opening hours in certain locations, relocating services and by maximising stock and staff rotation across libraries. It was developed in response to key information such as local demand, lifestyle needs and cost effectiveness.
Volunteering and community support has also played a major part in ensuring access to library services in some areas. At Aspull, 24 volunteers ensure that their friends, neighbours and fellow residents can still access their library.
And on Wednesday (August 1) local dignitaries thanked them personally for all their hard work.Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready, said: “The scale of the national cuts to the public sector have been, and still are, extremely tough.
“The library review was a wonderful example of how we could rise to the challenge of meeting such stringent cuts and maintain service for the people of the borough. Volunteering has played a key role in that and we’re extremely proud of the community spirit here in Aspull.”Under the guidance of Kim Collins, Libraries Deputy Customer Service Business Manager and colleagues from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) – who manage libraries on behalf of the council - volunteers are not only helping to keep the community facility up and running but flourishing. When the new volunteer run library opened in January the site was accessible for 11 hours a week. It’s now open for 19 hours a week and could open for longer with more volunteers.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “We’re extremely proud of the volunteers here at Aspull who do a tremendous job.
“People can volunteer for as long or as short as they want, they can pick what they’d like to do and they can have their say in how the library is developed.“This is real community spirit in action and we’d encourage anyone thinking of volunteering to get in touch.
Wigan’s Labour MP and Shadow Children’s Minister, Lisa Nandy, said: "Councils up and down the country have been forced to close much loved libraries because of the Government's spending cuts. I am delighted Wigan Council has found a way to keep our library service going, with the help of the local community."
Vince Broomhead, 73, has been volunteering at Aspull Library since January. He said: “It’s fantastic, I get a lot of enjoyment and personal satisfaction from it, they’re a great bunch of people here.”
For more information on events and activities taking place at Aspull Library visit www.wlct.org
03 August 2012
Residents in Aspull were thanked this week for showing true “community” spirit.
Eight months ago members of the community stepped in to help run their local library.
Faced with massive cuts of £1.1m, due to the national austerity measures, Wigan and Leigh’s entire library service was re-defined in 2011. But unlike some other authorities, where large numbers of libraries closed, in Wigan the picture is very different.
The new look library service reduced costs by reducing some opening hours in certain locations, relocating services and by maximising stock and staff rotation across libraries. It was developed in response to key information such as local demand, lifestyle needs and cost effectiveness.
Volunteering and community support has also played a major part in ensuring access to library services in some areas. At Aspull, 24 volunteers ensure that their friends, neighbours and fellow residents can still access their library.
And on Wednesday (August 1) local dignitaries thanked them personally for all their hard work.Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready, said: “The scale of the national cuts to the public sector have been, and still are, extremely tough.
“The library review was a wonderful example of how we could rise to the challenge of meeting such stringent cuts and maintain service for the people of the borough. Volunteering has played a key role in that and we’re extremely proud of the community spirit here in Aspull.”Under the guidance of Kim Collins, Libraries Deputy Customer Service Business Manager and colleagues from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) – who manage libraries on behalf of the council - volunteers are not only helping to keep the community facility up and running but flourishing. When the new volunteer run library opened in January the site was accessible for 11 hours a week. It’s now open for 19 hours a week and could open for longer with more volunteers.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “We’re extremely proud of the volunteers here at Aspull who do a tremendous job.
“People can volunteer for as long or as short as they want, they can pick what they’d like to do and they can have their say in how the library is developed.“This is real community spirit in action and we’d encourage anyone thinking of volunteering to get in touch.
Wigan’s Labour MP and Shadow Children’s Minister, Lisa Nandy, said: "Councils up and down the country have been forced to close much loved libraries because of the Government's spending cuts. I am delighted Wigan Council has found a way to keep our library service going, with the help of the local community."
Vince Broomhead, 73, has been volunteering at Aspull Library since January. He said: “It’s fantastic, I get a lot of enjoyment and personal satisfaction from it, they’re a great bunch of people here.”
For more information on events and activities taking place at Aspull Library visit www.wlct.org
It’s “A Little Scary” at Leigh Library
It’s “A Little Scary” at Leigh Library
20 August 2012
Horror writer Stephen King may have some new competition when it comes to films intent on chilling you to the bone!
A group of young people attended their own version of the Oscars at a special ceremony at Leigh Library on Friday.
The youngsters, aged 9 to 16, took part in a series of workshops at libraries in Tyldesley, Wigan and Leigh, over the summer developing, creating, producing and editing their own horror film.
The project called “A Little Scary” was organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) in partnership with Wigan and Leigh’s Youth Service.
Andrew Pickup, from WLCT who manage the borough’s libraries on behalf of Wigan Council, said: “It’s been a great success helping them to forge new skills such as using technology, creating stories and team working.
“It’s been such a hit we intend to roll out this project, and other activities, to other libraries across the borough.”
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready said: “Offering activities like this in our libraries helps to change young people’s perceptions that libraries are stuffy places just full of books.
“I’m delighted that this project has taken off. The short films they made were brilliant and worthy of any Oscar.”
At the presentation Team Wigan's film called “Zombie Library” won Best Makeup, Team Leigh won Best Storyline for “The Doll” and Tyldesley were awarded Best Actors and Best Film for “The Lady in the Library”.
Logan Brown, 15 from Wigan said: "I've loved it. It's been a great experience. I've learnt loads and it's given me a different perspective on libraries."
20 August 2012
Horror writer Stephen King may have some new competition when it comes to films intent on chilling you to the bone!
A group of young people attended their own version of the Oscars at a special ceremony at Leigh Library on Friday.
The youngsters, aged 9 to 16, took part in a series of workshops at libraries in Tyldesley, Wigan and Leigh, over the summer developing, creating, producing and editing their own horror film.
The project called “A Little Scary” was organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) in partnership with Wigan and Leigh’s Youth Service.
Andrew Pickup, from WLCT who manage the borough’s libraries on behalf of Wigan Council, said: “It’s been a great success helping them to forge new skills such as using technology, creating stories and team working.
“It’s been such a hit we intend to roll out this project, and other activities, to other libraries across the borough.”
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready said: “Offering activities like this in our libraries helps to change young people’s perceptions that libraries are stuffy places just full of books.
“I’m delighted that this project has taken off. The short films they made were brilliant and worthy of any Oscar.”
At the presentation Team Wigan's film called “Zombie Library” won Best Makeup, Team Leigh won Best Storyline for “The Doll” and Tyldesley were awarded Best Actors and Best Film for “The Lady in the Library”.
Logan Brown, 15 from Wigan said: "I've loved it. It's been a great experience. I've learnt loads and it's given me a different perspective on libraries."
Monday, 1 July 2013
Going North heads East
Going North heads East
19 July 2012
One of Wigan’s most famous paintings is heading for a tour of China!
Donated to Wigan Council in 1922, by Alexander Young, Going North by George Earl is a bustling narrative of nineteenth century railway life, depicting friends travelling from King’s Cross to Scotland for a summer of grouse shooting.
It currently hangs in Wigan Town Hall but soon the prestigious painting will be on a journey of its own as part of the tour of China organised by the International Touring Exhibition Group in an exhibition called “Toward Modernity: Three Centuries of British Art”.
Paintings, drawings and watercolours from across Greater Manchester and the North West of England have been selected for the 12 month exhibition opening at the Hunan Provincial Museum, Changshain September.
Yvonne Webb from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Heritage Service said: “This exhibition will draw on the great richness of art that is the legacy of collecting and patronage by the men and women of the North West.
“By drawing on the entire spectrum of styles and specialisations represented within the public collections in Greater Manchester the exhibition will show a comprehensive survey of the development of British painting from the mid-eighteenth century to the present day.”
It’s estimated that over the 12 months the exhibition will be seen by more than four million people showcasing Greater Manchester and the North West’s rich heritage, talent and diversity to the world’s second largest economy.
The tour will end at the Henan Provincial Museum, Zhengzhou in August 2013.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready, said: “This is an exciting exhibition and we’re delighted to be able to loan Going North as part of it and to proudly showcase the painting on the other side of the world. Alexander Young’s gift to the people of Wigan epitomises the generosity that exists throughout the region and shows that art has a universal meaning and is of great benefit to all people.”
More than 80 pieces of art from across Greater Manchester will be displayed as part of the exhibition including Peel Park by LS Lowry and Coal Mine by Keith Vaughan.
For more information on the exhibition call: Richard Burns, from Bury Museum and Art Gallery who is the International Touring Exhibition Co-ordinator for this exhibition.
19 July 2012
One of Wigan’s most famous paintings is heading for a tour of China!
Donated to Wigan Council in 1922, by Alexander Young, Going North by George Earl is a bustling narrative of nineteenth century railway life, depicting friends travelling from King’s Cross to Scotland for a summer of grouse shooting.
It currently hangs in Wigan Town Hall but soon the prestigious painting will be on a journey of its own as part of the tour of China organised by the International Touring Exhibition Group in an exhibition called “Toward Modernity: Three Centuries of British Art”.
Paintings, drawings and watercolours from across Greater Manchester and the North West of England have been selected for the 12 month exhibition opening at the Hunan Provincial Museum, Changshain September.
Yvonne Webb from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Heritage Service said: “This exhibition will draw on the great richness of art that is the legacy of collecting and patronage by the men and women of the North West.
“By drawing on the entire spectrum of styles and specialisations represented within the public collections in Greater Manchester the exhibition will show a comprehensive survey of the development of British painting from the mid-eighteenth century to the present day.”
It’s estimated that over the 12 months the exhibition will be seen by more than four million people showcasing Greater Manchester and the North West’s rich heritage, talent and diversity to the world’s second largest economy.
The tour will end at the Henan Provincial Museum, Zhengzhou in August 2013.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready, said: “This is an exciting exhibition and we’re delighted to be able to loan Going North as part of it and to proudly showcase the painting on the other side of the world. Alexander Young’s gift to the people of Wigan epitomises the generosity that exists throughout the region and shows that art has a universal meaning and is of great benefit to all people.”
More than 80 pieces of art from across Greater Manchester will be displayed as part of the exhibition including Peel Park by LS Lowry and Coal Mine by Keith Vaughan.
For more information on the exhibition call: Richard Burns, from Bury Museum and Art Gallery who is the International Touring Exhibition Co-ordinator for this exhibition.
Flagship Parks!
Flagship Parks!
26 July 2012
THREE of the borough’s parks have been awarded special Green Flags to mark them out as excellent facilities!
For the third year running Alexandra Park, Newtown, Pennington Hall Park, Leigh and Jubilee Park, Ashton have all been awarded the prestigious national Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors that the parks are well-maintained and well-managed with excellent facilities.
On Wednesday 25 July community groups, councillors and representatives from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT ) - who manage parks on behalf of Wigan Council – took part in a special flag raising ceremony at Alexandra Park, Newtown to mark the occasion and celebrate “Love Parks Week”.
Dignitaries also officially opened the newly refurbished Bowling Pavilion. The work, which includes new toilet facilities, was carried out by WLCT following contributions from local councillors through the Brighter Borough Fund, Wigan Council and the Bowling Forum.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of WLCT, said “We’re delighted these parks have once again been recognised in the Green Flag awards.
“We work tremendously hard each year to ensure that our parks and green spaces are well-managed and well-maintained and this award recognizes all the endeavour that takes place throughout the year.
“I must congratulate everyone who has been involved in gaining these Green Flags, especially those volunteers who give their time and energy free as part of our Friends groups and local councillors for their support through Brighter Borough Funding.”
This year’s Green Flag Award scheme saw 1,424 sites across the UK recognized for their excellent facilities.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready said: “Parks play a major part in our lives. They are places to relax, to play and to exercise and are exceptionally well used by the communities in which they are situated.”
26 July 2012
THREE of the borough’s parks have been awarded special Green Flags to mark them out as excellent facilities!
For the third year running Alexandra Park, Newtown, Pennington Hall Park, Leigh and Jubilee Park, Ashton have all been awarded the prestigious national Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors that the parks are well-maintained and well-managed with excellent facilities.
On Wednesday 25 July community groups, councillors and representatives from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT ) - who manage parks on behalf of Wigan Council – took part in a special flag raising ceremony at Alexandra Park, Newtown to mark the occasion and celebrate “Love Parks Week”.
Dignitaries also officially opened the newly refurbished Bowling Pavilion. The work, which includes new toilet facilities, was carried out by WLCT following contributions from local councillors through the Brighter Borough Fund, Wigan Council and the Bowling Forum.
Stuart Murray, Chief Executive of WLCT, said “We’re delighted these parks have once again been recognised in the Green Flag awards.
“We work tremendously hard each year to ensure that our parks and green spaces are well-managed and well-maintained and this award recognizes all the endeavour that takes place throughout the year.
“I must congratulate everyone who has been involved in gaining these Green Flags, especially those volunteers who give their time and energy free as part of our Friends groups and local councillors for their support through Brighter Borough Funding.”
This year’s Green Flag Award scheme saw 1,424 sites across the UK recognized for their excellent facilities.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Chris Ready said: “Parks play a major part in our lives. They are places to relax, to play and to exercise and are exceptionally well used by the communities in which they are situated.”
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