Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network
10.30 a.m. February 25th 2013 at Tudor House, Hindley
Present - John O'Neill (Greenheart Partnership Board), Joe Taylor - Billinge History Society, Jackie Roberts (Bridleways), Richard Sivill (Atherton Heritage), Glenys McClellan & Marge Harrop (Leigh Family History Society), Geoff Jones (Astley Green Colliery Museum), Jan Johnston (LENDF), Vince French (Atherton), Neil Forshaw (George Formby Society), Mary Pennington (Wigan Archaeology Society)
Apologies - Avis Freeman (Leigh Soroptimists), Peter Taylor & Tom Price (Wigan Civic Trust), Dave Wilson (Bickershaw Conservation Group), David Shallcross (Leigh Ornithological Society/Chowbent Chapel), Ken Barston (Stubshaw Cross Residents Group), Tony Bishop (Leigh Ornithological Society, Peter Goodwin (Tradition Films), Allan Roberts (RSPB)
The Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting
Announcements:
· Glenys has arrange a speaker Matt Holker from Greater Manchester Ecology
Unit for the next meeting
· Awards for All have money to allocate for Wigan. Meetings 25th Feb
at Robin Park Arena 2 pm or 5pm. Grants from £3K to £10K.
· The Network Celebration Evening to be held 24th October, at MOWL..
· Bickershaw North Open Day 25 March - contact Martin Purcell for details.
· Lightshaw Meadows meeting about notice boards 20th March 10.00 - 1.00
at Museum of Wigan Life
· The Rugby League Word Cup will be held this November, with opportunities
to celebrate across the borough.
Minutes of the last meeting:
True and accurate.
Matters Arising:
John wrote to Tony Hilton offering our congratulations on his recognition by the Vatican for his contribution to heritage.
Mesnes Park official re-opening is set for Sunday 4th August.
Scouts Association was contacted re Waterloo Monument restoration and will probably support it if there is no financial obligation. Billinge History Society to be approached.
Richard has written an article on WW1 for Past Forward and the libraries have compiled newspaper reports for that period for easy reference.
Neil reported on WW1 project for Earlstown.
Environment & Heritage Visioning:
In March, Council will determine its budget and we will know then what will happen to WL&CT re downsizing and the future structure of the Council. John had discussed concerns over the future shape of the Heritage Service with Peter Gascoigne. They are awaiting the issue of a new strategy.
High Speed 2.
The internal briefing note for HS2 Phase 2 was circulated. People have until the end of the 2014 to lodge objections.
Members Reports:
Peter Goodwin reported by mail about the new Sharing Heritage funding opportunity from HLS. It was decided to make this an agenda item for the next meeting and to consider a workshop about how to develop community projects.
Any Other Business:
The Local Development Framework Core Strategy will be discussed at Leigh Sports Village from the 5th to the 8th of March including objections to proposed sites for further housing development
Next Meetings:
8th April, 20th May