Westhoughton Community Network

• Westhoughton Community Network meets quarterly at venues around Westhoughton, bringing together local voluntary groups and organisations, raising awareness of the wide variety of activities in the town.
• Now in our tenth year, the inaugural forum meeting took place on 9th August 2011 at Brookfield Hall with groups taking part in the establishment of the community network. You can read more on the background, beginnings and activities of WCN >>> here.
• WCN activity has been hit this year and last due to 'Lockdown' and 'Social Distancing' measures, with normal meetings not possible and all community activities restricted. We remain in touch and have been able 'meet' via the Internet. Hopefully, things can get back to normal in the not too distant future. Keep up to date with community events taking place throughout the year: Fayres | Calendar.

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Updated  11/6/21

The arrival of the Covid-19, concerns about health and wellbeing of vulnerable groups, and Government advice on 'Social Distancing' means that community groups were obliged to take action to limit exposure to the virus. As a result with venues out of action, many groups and their activities have been suspended; albeit with some interactions able to take place via Zoom. This of course has had a big impact on community life, valuable social interactions and local sport.

The situation remains fluid, whilst the virus outbreak peaked in April last year, testing shows the virus is still around and putting pressure on health resources. Latest information: UK Covid-19 Summary Dashboard. NHS Covid-19 website has information on disease and actions to take. Social Distancing Guidelines.

In Bolton, the last 7 days saw 921 cases (positive tests); a rate of 320 per 100,000; making the News, this recent increase (Delta ('Indian') variant) saw increased 'surge testing' in certain areas with a push to vaccinate. To date there have been 32,859 confirmed cases (18/5/21) - a rate of 10,886 per 100,000. In comparason Westhoughton has seen 69 positive cases this week.

UK Covid-19 Summary Dashboard | Interactive Map. A 'case' is a positive test, not necessarily requiring attention or being infectious. Mass testing has increased, meaning more cases - in the UK testing is around 1 million a day (~0.68% positive). Concern has been raised about the suitabliilty of the PCR test - traces of past non-viable infections being picked up and false positives due to high-cycle rate, thus over-stating numbers.

Greater Manchester including Bolton/Westhoughton entered a Tier 4 Lockdown on 4th January. Non-essential activities shut down (the closure of pubs has continued), including schools (except for children of key-workers), libraries, etc. Local sport suspended again. All socialising discouraged. From 8/3/21 restrictions began to be lifted as per the 'roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions', with schools now open - testing and other measures in place. Pubs re-opened (indoors) 17/5/21. A decision pending on exiting Lockdown from 21st June.

The seasonal uptick in hospital admissions and recorded 'covid' deaths over winter would not be unusual, however spring and the warmer weather will see the virus abate. Detailed Covid information from Bolton JSNA including Bolton Royal data. Deaths in Bolton involving Covid-19 reached 745 (11/6/21); there had just 4 with Covid deaths compared to 222 (other causes) in Bolton over the 4 weeks to 21/5. Westhoughton has seen 47 deaths (14 over winter) [this local data has not been updated since April].

The Lockdown has had a major impact on all community activities, with meetings, events and projects cancelled or put on hold. Returns to any activity such as youth groups, sport and schools have been subject to new rules and social distancing conditions. After over a year, there are signs of light at the end of the tunnel with a relaxation of rules - small groups allowed to meet indoors from 17/5/21. It is hoped the Lockdown will end on 21/6/21.

• Bolton Council closed Libraries and Parks (23/3/20). Black bin collections prioritised over recycling (may not be emptied). Public rubbish bins initially sealed for a few weeks. There is a big problem with discarded face masks littering streets and parks.
• John Holt Community Centre was closed from 16/4/20 with all groups meeting there suspended. Centre open to small groups from 17/5/21.
• W.A.S.P (Westhoughton Age Support Project) - OAP group meeting twice-weekly and putting on occasional trips out. 2020 programme cancelled. Nothing as yet planned for 2021. Hopes for a JHC re-start in June.
• Senior Solutions (Visiting Service/Social Support for OAPs) - two luncheon clubs and social group suspended. Visiting Service stopped (Social Distancing). Focus on telephone befriending service to check up on OAP clients/carers and maintain contact, and deal with urgent situations. Staff and volunteers adjusting to new situation (telephone and drop-offs).
• Bolton Lads & Girls Club is continuing to adapt so that it can continue to support as many children and young people as possible in the face of social distancing and isolation measures.
• W.O.W. (Women of Westhoughton) - Hope Centre-based weekly meetings/activities and outings for women 50+ suspended.
• Westhoughton Art Group and Art by Elise classes at John Holt Centre and Hope Centre suspended. Some classes via Zoom.
• Westhoughton Methodist Church (The Bethel) - services were suspended. 'Bethel Buddies' scheme in place. CoE Church services limited and events suspended - no midweek Café Church. Regular newsletter is emailed out with latest information. Those in high risk categories are advised to follow medical advice. Daisy Hill Concert Series events cancelled since March 2020. St. John's Wingates had suspended services and cancelled events.
• Westhoughton Local History Group - bi-monthly meetings and occasional trips suspended. Committee meetings taking place using Zoom. Virtual speaker meetings started in 2021 (monthly).
• Both amateur dramatic groups - The Bethel Crowd and Westhoughton Methodist ADS - have suspended rehearsals and their planned shows are postponed to a later date. Bethel Crowd has been using Zoom for rehearsals and practice. WMADS now using Zoom for rehearsals.
• Sport - local football leagues (Daisy Hill FC) and rugby leagues (Westhoughton Lions) and school sports fixtures were suspended. FA ended (voided) the 2019-20 football season at lower levels. New season for local non-league clubs began 3rd October but has since been suspended again. Cup competition has restarted the season (April) with new league season coming soon.
• Wingates Brass Band - upcoming concerts postponed and group practice sessions suspended. Band using Zoom to allow for some rehearsal scheduling. Have made a number of videos. First concert will be 'Best of Brass', Halifax 3/7/21.
• Friends of Westhougton Station have now resumed activities (11/4/21) with conditions.
• Library - venue for several groups - was shut. All group activities/meetings suspended. Library had been open for book lending and essential computer use.
• Westhoughton High School had partially shut-down indefinitely for formal teaching 21/3/20, with teaching continuing though homework assignments/online learning. In School Educational Provision for children of Key Workers. Children returned to school in September for the 2020-21 year with 'Covid' measures in place. Schools now on lockdown again as per Lockdown 1 arrangements. Schools re-opened from 8th March.
• Friends of Eatock Lodge September Family Funday cancelation announced 2/8/20. Whilst there has been an uptick in use of the nature reserve, there have been no organised group activities since Lockdown. A litter-pick took place in late February. Across Bolton a number of litter-picking groups have now started to use local clean-ups as a means of getting some fresh air and exercise.
• All pubs, clubs, gyms, theatres ordered to close after Friday 21st March. Pubs and sports clubs allowed to re-open in July with capacity and social distancing measures in place; no live entertainment. Bolton pubs subject to a further lockdown from 8/9/20 and closed again since 23/10/20. Pubs with beer gardens (outdoor consumption) allowed to open from 12/4/21 and all areas from 17/5/21.
• Autumn and Winter, key community events such Royal British Legion Poppy Collections and Remembrance Sunday, Civic events such as Schools Carols Service and Christmas Lights Switch-on and Pretoria Pit Disaster Remembrance… all subject to revision or cancellation. The Rotary Club Santa Float has been cancelled - a big blow for the community as this raised considerable funds for local community groups - a Just Giving page was set up for donations. The Rotary Club has been holding Zoom speaker events on the third Thursday of the month.
• Westhoughton Town Council has resumed its meetings (in the Carnegie Hall); it had had monthly meetings via Zoom.

There has been a lot less going on, particularly for the old the loss of regular social interaction will have had a big impact. Our groups have deep roots in the community and are well-placed to keep an eye people. It is a time for trusted friends and neighbours to look after each other - safeguarding paramount for the vulnerable and elderly.

The strength of WCN is that we are seeing more and more co-operation between groups to help, support and work together on events and activities. Groups coming together for events whether WCN-led or piggy-backing on group-led events, giving a sense of community, friendship and belonging. The tradition of the Westhoughton Carnival living on in new forms.

It is pleasing to see the influence of WCN spreading beyond Westhoughton with the rise of local community group networks around Bolton raising awareness of what is going on locally. In late 2014, near neighbour Horwich had a very successful first event, bringing together some 40 groups and organisations Horwich Community Working Together flyer; and more recently a move to establish a community network in the town. Around Bolton there are fledgling networks emerging as the local council seeks to encourage community engagement including the Green Umbrella Network (2018). In our 10th year, we are happy to talk about our experience with other groups and networks.