15 October 2009, 09/235
‘Your Community Matters’ event at Digmoor
Help to make Digmoor a cleaner, safer and greener place to live
in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire night.
Following the success of the previous ‘Your Community Matters’
two-week events in other parts of Skelmersdale, agencies including
West Lancashire Borough Council, Lancashire County Council,
Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Groundwork,
the faith and voluntary sector and local schools will be
concentrating their efforts in Digmoor next. They will be working
alongside local community groups, residents and the Safer, Stronger
Community Board to blitz the area.
From 26 October to 7 November there will be gardening projects,
fire safety talks, graffiti removal, sport activities, youth clubs,
community skips, and other events to promote cleanliness, safety,
and encourage community spirit.
It starts on Monday 26 October with a free events buffet at
Digmoor Community Centre, Birleywood, from 12noon to 4.30pm, for
people to come along and find out what’s going on in the area
during the two weeks.
There will be a bigger emphasis on fire safety as the initiative
coincides with Bonfire Night. Digmoor has one of the highest
numbers of rubbish fires in the county so agencies will be working
hard to reduce these figures. Selected areas will be tidied up,
repaired and painted and skips and rubbish collections will be used
to help reduce the amount of fuel for burning, which will improve
the environment.
Other events not to miss are the Halloween-themed Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle Festival and the Ice Rink, both on 7 November at
Digmoor Community Centre. Young people aged 13 to 19 can also ‘gym
and swim’ for free at Nye Bevan Pool on the same day, from 6pm to
8pm.
It is part of the Neighbourhood Management project through the
Safer Stronger Communities cash windfall of £3.7m to make Digmoor,
Moorside and parts of Tanhouse cleaner, greener and safer over the
next year.
Councillor Ian Grant, Chair of the West Lancashire Local
Strategic Partnership, said: “I’m delighted that the partnership
has been able to support this positive two-week initiative to
enhance Digmoor, which will benefit the local community and the
environment.”
Margaret Highton, Chair of the SSCF Neighbourhood Board, said:
“To ensure that the initiative is successful we need help and
support from the people of Digmoor. I want to encourage everybody
in Digmoor to come along and join in with the activities, to have
pride in their area and help us make the area a great place to
live.”
Further ‘Your Community Matters’ events will take place in other
areas in the next few months so that other neighbourhoods reap the
benefits too.
Cllr Paul Greenall, West Lancashire Borough Council’s Portfolio
Holder for Community Safety, said: “I’m delighted that agencies are
really rallying round to help make these areas cleaner, safer and
greener places for people to enjoy. I’m sure all the events will be
great fun and will enhance the local environment.”
For a full list of planned activities, visit the community safety web
pages or contact the Neighbourhood Management Office on 01695
585207 or email neighbourhood.management@westlancs.gov.uk.
Related information