Recruitment & Retention Co-ordinator at Home Instead, Debra Sparks
Saddleworth based Home Instead Senior Care, who provide at-home care for older people, have just completed a number of free Alzheimer’s and other dementias workshops for family members in Oldham.
The free workshops which took place during National Dementia Awareness Week (19-25 May), were also attended by local people who may interact with someone with dementia and were extremely well received.
The ground breaking family workshops were adapted from the company’s City & Guilds accredited dementia training programme, specifically developed for Home Instead’s caregivers. They helped both family carers and community members to identify the typical signs of dementia and gain a better understanding of the condition, as well as arming them with effective techniques for managing the many different and sometimes challenging behaviours associated with the condition.
In total 25 people from across the Oldham & Saddleworth area attended the workshops and key attendees included representatives from the local NHS palliative care team, members of the Oldham Council Safeguarding Team and DWP staff.
The response from attendees was extremely positive. Those who undertook the training believed that the workshops “needed to be rolled out across the borough”, that they offered “practical suggestions for the carer and the individual cared for”, and that they “would benefit more front line facing professionals to help identify people with early signs (of dementia).”
Owner of Home Instead Mick Sheehan added, “I was delighted with the number of people who attended our dementia workshops and with the feedback we received. My hope is that those who undertook the training will now be able to share their knowledge with others, causing a domino effect across the community and helping us to make Oldham a dementia friendly town.”
As a result of the resounding success of the training, the company are looking to run further workshops on a monthly basis. For further information please call: 01457 874 566 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/oldham
Brighouse and Rastrick Band are celebrating after once again being crowned overall champions in last week’s Whit Friday band contests in Saddleworth.
Conducted by their professional conductor Professor David King, they won through despite stiff competition from approximately 100 Brass Bands from across the UK, Europe and Scandinavia.
The Band competed in 8 of 11 possible contests open to them and won 5 of these plus gaining a 3rd place, a 4th place and a 5th place, various members of the Band also won a total of 8 individual prizes.
Brighouse and Rastrick Band are the most consistent band in the history of the contests and have won the overall prize far more times than any other band. This year the band won approximately £7600 for Band funds on the night.
Band President, Paul Beaumont, praised the players and Professor King for their professionalism and consistency and commented that the prize money will be “most welcome” as the band costs in excess of £130,000 a year to run.
The Band will be performing a concert at Central Methodists Church in Brighouse on Saturday 1st of June as part of the Brighouse Business Initiative 1940′s weekend, tickets are available from Graham Ward on 01484 712355.
This weekend Saddleworth will be hosting its Whit Friday band contests with thousands of people expected to turn up.
This traditional event dates back to an earliest-recorded contest in 1884 and is dubbed ‘the greatest free show on earth’.
Contests will run across 12 villages from around 4.00pm until 10.30pm or later on Friday May 24th – following on from the traditional ‘Whit Walks’ in the morning.
The organisation of these contests takes several months of close discussion and work with partners to ensure all families – residents and visitors alike – can enjoy them in total safety.
The Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership has again been closely involved in organising the event and its’ members have contributed around £15,000 of their devolved funding from Oldham Council towards the costs of prizes, stewarding and other vital amenities.
Councillor Barbara Beeley, Chair of the District Partnership, said: “The Whit Friday band contests are the biggest annual free event in Saddleworth and Lees and the huge effort made by the contest organisers and volunteers is to be applauded whatever the weather.”
“There are always challenges and we’ve worked closely with the contest organisers and other parties to ensure our community promotes a positive image of our area and, as ever, our priority is to ensure that everyone enjoys the event in safety.
“The simple message is for people to enjoy themselves but to please act responsibly and with respect for others – have a great evening!”
Some road restrictions are in force in the area from 4pm until midnight on May 24th. These have been signposted two weeks in advance. Event stewards or police are also on hand at venues if motorists need help.
Greater Manchester Police officers will be in attendance across the various contests. They advise all parents to keep in touch with children throughout the day so that you know where they are, who they are with and when you can expect them to return home.
Any young person suspected to be in possession of alcohol may be searched.
Anyone aware of young people planning to bring alcohol to the band contest is asked to report this to the police by calling 101. You do not need to provide your own personal details.
It’s only 18 months since Rock Choir opened in Saddleworth, but its members have already broken a Guinness World Record, flash mobbed for Sport Relief, sung with comedian Jimmy Cricket in aid Comic Relief, performed to thousands of people at the prestigious Manchester Theatre Awards, and helped raise over £1 million for charity!
“Rock Choir is the UK’s largest amateur contemporary choir and has 16,000 members,” explains local Rock Choir Leader Phil Reynolds. “There are no auditions and you don’t need to read music, yet we make a fantastic sound and get invited to sing at all kinds of exciting events, many of which support charities and local causes.”
Phil trained at the Royal Academy of Music and went on perform worldwide, before becoming Director of Music at schools in Oldham and Rochdale. He joined Rock Choir in 2011 and uses his experience to teach the Rock Choir members in Saddleworth, Middleton, Hyde, Norden and Littleborough.
“We’re singing at Littleborough Arts Festival, and at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium for the Pennine Hospitals NHS Trust Annual Awards,” says Phil.
“We’re also looking forward to Rock Choir’s own huge summer concert at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. New members are always welcome and if you love to sing then Rock Choir could be just what you’re looking for. We even offer a free taster session so you can see if you like it.”
Saddleworth/Oldham Rock Choir meets on Thursday evenings, from 8pm, at Uppermill Civic Hall, Lee Street, Saddleworth, OL3 6AE.
To find our more and book a free taster session visit www.rockchoir.com or telephone 01252 714276.
Thursday 13th June - An evening with Victor Brox, 8pm at the Hanging Gate.
Friday 14th June - Mike Parker, 7pm at the Hanging Gate.
Zodiacs, 8.30pm at Diggle Band Club.
Saturday 15th June - Charlie White, 2pm at the Diggle Hotel.
Bourbon Street Preachers, 3.30pm at Kilngeen Hall.
Bluzebox, 6pm at Diggle Band Club.
Arthur Cale and Mick Spag, 8.30pm at the Hanging Gate.
Sunday 16th June - Big Joe Bone, 1,30pm at the Hanging Gate.
Mike Sweeney. Paddy O’Hare and the Collective, 4pm at Diggle Band Club.
Babajack, 6.30pm at Kilngreen Hall
The Diggle Blues Festival Festival is a free music festival renowned for its live music and family friendly venues. For more details go to: https://www.facebook.com/DiggleBluesFestival/info
Fly tipping appears to be on the increase around Saddleworth in recent weeks with a number of large furniture items dumped on moorland.
Fly tipping around Saddleworth - Photo: Stuart Littleford
A large amount of builders rubble has also been dumped at Denshaw, along with a number of oil barrels scattered around Lark Hill, Dobcross, in recent days.
This photo was taken at Brunclough Reservoir, Standedge, and has been reported to Oldham Council’s environmental section, they are taking firm action against anyone caught fly tipping.
On September 27 last year a Neighbourhood Enforcement officer discovered fly tipped trade waste – black bags and a tailor’s mannequin - on open ground on the corner of Honeywell Lane and Kings Road, Oldham.
Evidence recovered at the scene was traced to a clothing shop on Hollins Road.
The shop owner, Said Haydar, 26, was interviewed and admitted placing the bags of clothing wrappers into the van of his friend Mohammed Usman Ali before he drove away from the premises.
The 28-year-old said he had been travelling along Honeywell Lane when he spotted other fly tipped waste so he decided to dump the rubbish on the land, which is owned by the Council.
On May 2 at Oldham Magistrates’ Court Haydar, of Ashton Road, Hathershaw pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching a Duty of Care for Trade Waste and was fined £200 and ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £200.
To stop people breaking environmental laws and to help improve the Saddleworth area, the public can report fly tippers on: 0161 770 2244 or by sending an e-mail to environmentalhealth@oldham.gov.uk
Liberal Democrat councillors for Saddleworth North, Garth Harkness, Derek Heffernan and Alan Roughley, wanted everybody in their ward to be a full voting member of a community group which has no membership fee.
Cllr Derek Heffernan
Cllr Alan Roughley said: ”The Localism Act purpose is to pass down decision taking to local people as far as is possible. it will become important and any community which is not able to come together and voice their opinions will tend to lose out so we want to encourage strong community groups that represent the whole area.
“That is why we got together and offered £500 each. Community groups and elected members need to work together to improve the area and not compete.”
The three councillors have offered a payment of £500 to each community group in their ward with the condition that everyone they represent is a member and there is no membership fee. Dobcross, Delph, Denshaw and Diggle groups have all accepted this offer.
Cllr Garth Harkness said: “We are delighted by the response from the community groups and that everyone who lives in each of the villages is now a member of a community group.
“We want to encourage people who may have been put off getting involved before to now do so.
“Community groups should not be political platforms but a place to work together. We look forward to working with each of our groups.”
The three councillors had a meeting to encourage the setting up of a community group in Austerlands. The meeting was a great success and now is up and running holding some fundraising events.
Cllr Derek Heffernan, a resident in Austerlands said: “It is great news that we now have a group in Austerlands and Scouthead. The first meeting of the new group was a success and the enthusiasm was contagious. I am delighted that our whole ward now has community groups and everyone is a member.”
The Saddleworth Group of Artists has a long history of distinguished members.
The 2013 Summer Exhibition presents an opportunity to see for yourself how well the standard is being maintained.
An original painting may be be a joy for life and you will find a wide range of subjects at very reasonable prices.
So enjoy a local celebration of the arts of painting and drawing presented by the Saddleworth Group of Artists in the Saddleworth Gallery and Museum, Uppermill, starting Saturday June 1st and remaining on view until Sunday June 30th.
There have been continuing complaints about the service provided by First Bus in the Saddleworth area: abrupt cancellations, lateness, missing out sections of the route, performance in wintry weather, high fares etc.
For the first time First Bus managers will be answering questions from their customers at meetings of the Traffic & Transport Committee of Saddleworth Parish Council and District Partnership, which are held in public.
The committee has been collecting complaints and seeking answers from the company over the last five months and are intending that customers will in future be able to put questions directly to the company and receive answers at each of their public meetings of which there are five each year.
The first such meeting at which First Bus will be present will be at 6.30pm, Wednesday 8th May at the Civic Hall, Uppermill.
The meeting will be chaired by parish Cllr Royce Franklin who explains, “First Bus managers will give a presentation to reveal how they intend to improve local services and will answer any questions put to them by the audience. I really welcome their willingness to take part and hope that this will be a start of a new level of cooperation which will quickly lead to higher standards of service.”
Saddleworth residents are being encouraging to fight back against fraudsters.
Oldham Council along with Trading Standards are encouraging people to collect any scam mailings they receive and drop them into the designated yellow ‘Scams’ bin in Oldham Library and Learning Centre, Greaves Street.
The campaign is part of National Scams Awareness Month (May 2013)
There are hundreds of scams: fake lotteries and prize draws, bogus health cures, dodgy investment schemes, pyramid selling, phishing – to name just a few.
Every year more than three million people in the UK fall victim to scams losing hundreds and even thousands of pounds.
Trading Standards Officers are warning people to look out for key signs that something is a scam like being contacted out of the blue, requests for money in advance or telling you to keep it a secret or that you have to respond quickly. If it seems too good to be true – it probably is.
If somebody thinks that they have been scammed, they should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to help stop it happening to others. If you’ve paid for goods or services by credit card you have more protection and if you used a debit card you may be able to ask your bank for a chargeback.
Get advice and report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or online at www.oldham.gov.uk/tradingstandards
In order to protect yourself from being scammed, never give out contact details such as your name, phone number and address or financial information to strangers or to people who should have this information already. Always shred anything containing your personal or bank details.
If in doubt, don’t reply. Bin it, delete it or hang up.
The jet fighter close to the Chopper. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
A jet fighter has been photographed over Saddleworth Moor, Denshaw, this afternoon, in what appears to have been a near miss with a helicopter.
Very close indeed. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
The helicopter was dropping material on the moor at around 5.15pm from a hopper slung underneath.
The fighter approached at high speed – it did not appear to notice or move away from the chopper. A group of ramblers said the aircraft had come “very close indeed” and had been very lucky not to have collided.
A Diggle woman has launched a new website to provide information to help patients suffering and recovering from breast cancer.
The site will help people to make the right decisions and choices about their treatment at the crucial time in their breast cancer diagnosis.
Jo Taylor, is a 6 year breast cancer survivor, and through her experiences has created the website www.abcdiagnosis.co.uk which was launched on the 6 year anniversary of her diagnosis with Breast Cancer.
The website will provide information on breast reconstructions by means of a BRA -Breast Reconstruction Advisor, which will contain photos of patients reconstructions for other people to be able to view (with a secure login) to help them make reconstruction decisions. The site will also help people to find surgeons, consultants, Hospitals and Cancer Networks.
As well as providing diet, exercise tips, and health information, there will also be daily news from the UK and around the world on breast cancer to keep you up to date with new developments in treatments etc.
The name and idea of Jo’s website evolved and grew over the last year creating something truly ‘unique’ to give valuable information under one roof, and taking the stress out of having to keep searching the internet for information.
Jo’s idea to help others bring an awareness came as a complete ‘eureka’ moment when she was involved in a photo shoot and article for Red Magazine back in September 2009 with 3 other friends whom she met through the Breast Cancer Care Younger Women’s Breast Cancer Forum.
Jo is very passionate about the breast cancer message and helping people to make good sound decisions. She is a true ‘advocate’ for breast cancer and lives and breathes better lifestyle choices for her own health sake.
She regularly runs and cycles, and loves to take photos when out and about in the fantastic Saddleworth scenery where she has lived for 7 years with Jeff her husband and their two children, a son aged 8 and a daughter aged 6.
Last year in May and September, Jo, with the help of 2 close friends, raised over £1000 for Cancer Research UK and MacMillan charities by running a 10K Race for Life and cycling a 50 mile memorial charity bike ride. She is a keen exercise fanatic and shows that you can achieve fitness even after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Jo now needs your help. She is building a catalogue of online photographs of reconstruction surgery with details of where and when the surgery took place, and who the consultant was. This information will be held on the website with a secure login so that this can be available to patients only.
If you have had reconstruction surgery or you know someone that has, Jo would request your help and to contact her via email or twitter to find out more, and how you can be part of this new initiative to help yourself and others.
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