Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network
10.30 a.m. September 19th 2016 at Museum of Wigan Life.
Present:
John O’Neill (Greenheart), Peter Fleetwood (Save Wigan), Peter Goodwin (Tradition Films), Mary Pennington (Wigan Archaeology Society), Avis Freeman (Leigh Soroptimists), Glenys McClellan (Leigh Family History Society), Richard Sivill (Atherton Heritage), Joe Taylor (Billinge History Society), Tom Price (Civic Trust), Alex Miller (Wigan MBC).
Apologies:
Bob Bruce (Astley Green Colliery), David Shallcross (Leigh Ornithological Society),
Neil Forshaw (George Formby Society), Peter Taylor (Civic Trust), Ken Barston
(Stubshaw Cross Residents Group) Lynda Jackson (Wigan MBC), Dave Wilson (Leigh
Ornithological Society), Eileen Walsh & Eileen Bithel (BETA)
Minutes of the last meeting: Accepted as a true record.
Matters Arising:
It was agreed that we visit Dam House 31st October. The cost will be £10
per head.
The meeting 12th December will incorporate the annual presentation day.
Kevin Anderson, portfolio holder for Environment, replied via the planning officer
regarding councils position on fracking.
Alex Miller brought the meeting up to date with developments concerning the funding bid for the Leigh Archives regeneration project.
Fracking:
It was decided that the Network should write to Council regarding our position about the numerous environmental concerns associated with fracking - chair and secretary to initiate.
Incredible Edible Wigan:
The Network supports this initiative and will try to encourage wider participation. Initially, the secretary will apply for permission to maintain and develop a small strip of waste land adjacent to Greenslate Community Farm - clearing rubbish, strimming nettles, installing a litter-bin, planing fruit trees.
Lynn Kay, officers responsible for asset transfer, will be invited to attend the January 23 meeting.
Members Reports
John O’Neil: Approximately 160 sites are being considered for the BLINT
list and will be submitted for approval November/December.
Work on the restoration of Waterloo Memorial is virtually concluded and the
opening ceremony will arranged in the next three months.
Mary Pennington distributed the latest Archaeology Society newsletters.
Glenys McClellan: Leigh Family History Society attended the busy “Leigh
for All’ event at the Leigh Library.
Our meetings are still having a regular attendance of around 30 and members
are continuing to help others at the Monday Helpdesk in the Archives & Local
Studies Department of Leigh Town Hall.
One member was nominated as Volunteer of the year at the recent Volunteers Presentation Evening held at Manchester Central Library and several of our members were also nominated for the Volunteers Team of the Year. Although we did not win it was still good to have been considered. The presentation announced that over 250 volunteers in the Greater Manchester area had carried out 22,000 volunteer hours during the year in the Archives departments.
Other members reports to emailed into for inclusion in the minutes.
Avis thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.
Next Meeting: Dam House 31st October.