|
|
The
NEWSLETTER.This page will
be updated every time the newsletter is produced.
What's happening?
Welcome to the first issue of NAAG News. We hope to issue this newsletter on a bi-monthly basis giving updates on what NAAG is up to and the outcomes of any victories.
First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank parish councils that invited NAAG to give a presentation. We enjoyed meeting you and we would like to welcome any councilors or interested parties to attend any of our meetings.
We meet regularly at the Royal Oak Hotel, Wigton,
normally on a Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm. Our next meeting dates are:
Tuesday 2nd November / Tuesday 7th December.
Please make a note in your diaries and we will look forward to meeting you. NAAG have several projects on the go and within these pages there are updates that will inform you what is happening. NAAG is looking to get involved with community projects and we would welcome news on any projects in your area in which you think NAAG could get involved even if it is only highlighting an event. We talk to so many people that sooner or later news of your project will be widespread and you will be reaping the benefits.
NAAG are looking for people with knowledge of business planning, funding and many other matters. If you think you can help please contact us and let us know what you can do. Remember:
Together WE can make a difference.
How to contact NAAG
45-47
Croft Court, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9NH
Tel: (016973) 43625 after 6 pm
Fax: 016973 44815
e-mail c/o wd.observer@virgin.net
Save the Southend Site Update
As many people know, NAAG has been campaigning for the retention of the Southend Site/Building.
NAAG do not believe that the building is as bad as Allerdale make out. It is only through neglect (25 years in fact) on Allerdales part that we find ourself in this position. The building was put up in the 1960's and has been home to all our services that Allerdale and the county provide for the people of Wigton and surrounding parishes from Silloth to Caldbeck, Bowness to Ireby.
NAAG estimates that approx. 25,000 people use this facility each year whether it is to pay rent/council tax, register a birth, death or contact one of the other services housed there.
Members of NAAG and Wigton town council met Chris Hart (Chief Executive of Allerdale) and Mark Fryer (the leader of the council) recently and have been told that the building will probably close in April 2000 and we will receive a one-stop shop somewhere in Wigton. Sites being touted are the old bus station at Station road opposite Ashursts, a building on the front of the library, or a purpose built site behind the market hall. None of these are really acceptable as we already have a good site. In 10-15 years the current council offices will be in the centre of Wigton!
NAAG have expressed an interest in purchasing the Southend building/site to Allerdale and we can only wait and see what they say.
Have you a view on this issue? Are you aware that the nearest registrar office will be in Carlisle if this goes?
Write to NAAG or come along to one of our meetings and voice your opinion !
Wigtons threat to lose even more heritage, save the Millrace !
In 1832 Speed Gill had 3 water mills within a 1/4 mile of each other. The only piece of this history left is the sluice part of the millrace in Birdcage walk, and parts of the building that is now Wilkinsons Joiners shop on Market Hill.
There is a proposal to build several houses, the road into which will desecrate and destroy this history forever. Members of NAAG have wtitten letters to Mr Outhwaite (head of planning at Allerdale) to try to stop this part of the development from happening. By building here not only will the residents of Birdcage Walk area have their 'quiet enjoyment' disturbed but the users of the Brook Side Centre will look out upon more housing and not the beautiful countyside and wildlife that has set up home there. John 'Binky' Armstrong has started a petition to save the mill race and NAAG would appreciate letters of support in the hope that planners see sense and alter this development sympathetically. Further information from NAAG on (016973) 43625
Support Your Local Newspaper !
As many of you live in and on the Solway Plain are aware there is a local newspaper, 'The Wigton & District Observer'. It is filled with local news and stories from around the area.
Managing editor Joseph Cowell started the observer nearly a year ago and the paper covers North Allerdale from Caldbeck to Silloth. There are several weekly contributors, Nosey Parker from Wigton with all the latest gossip, Antics from around the local pubs, and George Scott from Knoxwood Animal Sanctuary, tells us of his families marvellous tales of animal magic.The very funny Quarter Master Stories written in Cumbrian, Latin and modern day English are also included.
Joe offers very competitive advertising rates so why not call him on 016973 45500.
The paper is out every Friday and is well worth its price of 25 pence.
Useful Telephone Numbers & Addresses.
Neighbourhood Development, Allerdale Office, Workington Library, Vulcans Lane, Workington. 01900 325013
West Cumbria CVS, 1st Floor, Lowther Buildings, 21b Lowther St, Whitehaven. 01946 852955
Voluntary Action Cumbria, The Old Stables, Redhills, Penrith. 01768 242130
Magistrates Court.
It would appear that the Magistrates court committee
has finally decided, after its consultation period, that they are going to
close Wigton magistrates court.
We, as a group, have contacted both Fiona Cox (Wigton magistrates campaign
leader) and David Mclean (our local MP) to offer our support to their efforts
to get this decision reversed. They are hoping to travel to London and meet
with the Lord Chancellors dept to explain our protests at closure.
Cumbria county council, through our local councillors, are hopefully also
going to register an objection to the Lord Chancellors office, and various
other bodies as well as ourselves have written complaining and asking for
the matter to be re-considered.
All is not lost, but it is getting bleaker by the day. Our justifications
for keeping the court have not changed and to be able to say 'I told you so'
gives us no comfort. Lets hope common sense prevails.
The Retention of the Ambulance Service.
It seems that this is one where positive results can be reported. After a meeting between Wigton town council and the ambulance trust, contrasting views were expressed as to the health of the service. The officers of the service outlined their hopes and aspirations, which coincided with those of the town council. There seems to have been a re think on both sides, and we a certain to retain our crews at a more acceptable level.
Members of the town council have been invited to visit the ambulance hq and even to get some first hand experience, by spending a day with the crew.
We feel that a good result has been achieved here, and that our input was the key factor in alerting the town a parish councils that the service was at risk.
The Police Station.
If all the latest press reports are true, it looks like our next campaign could be to retain the police station at Wigton. It is not only for the people of Wigton, once again it is the whole area that will suffer. We lost good stations at Silloth and Aspatria, so lets not sleep in on this one. Lets get our act together and work as a team to retain this service, or better still, enhance this station for the good of the community.
To recieve a
regular newsletter from NAAG,
please use the form below.
