Newsletter for Westhoughton community groups and members of WCN
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Westhoughton Community Network

Westhoughton Community Network

Newsletter - May 2013


Next WCN Meeting...

The next full meeting of the Westhoughton Community Network is to take place on Wednesday, 22nd May 2013 at Westhoughton United Reformed Church (The Bethel). There will be discussion of the upcoming Community Fayre, partnering with the W.A.C.O. It's-A-Knockout event; as well as updates on the Westhoughton Foodbanks Project and Washacre FM. There will be the opportunity for groups to share information about activities and any upcoming events.

This will be our 9th WCN meeting and our second visit to The Bethel. We hope to continue a valuable support and communications conduit for local groups in Westhoughton. Please feel free to suggest topics for discussion at meetings and to send in information for sharing.

The last meeting at Westhoughton Methodist Church Hall back in February was well attended, and had a interesting visitor presentation by Dave Bagley from Urban Outreach talking about Foodbanks. It was decided to look at this from a Westhoughton community point of view and a sub-committee was formed to work with Urban Outreach to set up a local network of 'grub tubs' for distribution to the needy. Plans were set in motion for a further WCN Community Fayre to take place during National Volunteer Week*.

Our thanks to Bill Greenhalgh and the Church for providing the venue and refreshments. Their latest play, a comedy-horror - The House of Dracula - is being performed on the 17th & 18th May.


WCN Community Fayre - Sunday, 2nd June

WCN Community Fayre 24th November 2012 - stalls The last WCN fayre took place in Westhoughton Market back in November, with 17 groups taking part, there was a reasonable turnout on a cold day with groups benefitting from the chance to mix with other groups and meet the public. We are now planning a third WCN Community Fayre event to be held at Westhoughton College on Central Drive as part of W.A.C.O.'s big It's-A-Knockout event on Sunday, 2nd June between 12 Noon to 4:00pm. Last year the W.A.C.O. event saw some 5000 visitors enjoying the hustle, bustle and spectacle of competition, funfair, stalls and entertainment, so this is a good opportunity for WCN groups to tap into that footfall and interact with a wide range of local residents. We will be inside the college building using the rooms around the open café area; there will be plenty going on which should ensure a good flow of people. Some groups have already booked a stall; those that haven't but who wish to take part should get in touch. Updates will be posted on the webpage, with a sub-committee meeting to discuss planning and promotion.

It is an opportunity for community groups to come together, promote themselves, find volunteers and to do a little fundraising. The fayre will highlight the good work that the voluntary sector does within Westhoughton.

*National Volunteers' Week is an annual campaign by Volunteer England which takes place on 1-7 June celebrating the important contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. This year’s Volunteers’ Week focuses on saying 'Thank You' to those volunteers for their contribution to society and their communities.


Online Calendar

A reminder that there is now a calendar available at the website. Local groups can now use a simple online form to add events; a picture can emerge of what is going on in Westhoughton and will enhance the information share that is part of the regular meetings.

WCN Calendar

You can also send an e-mail with details of 'Events' for adding to the calendar in the following format:

Event Name:

Day / Date / Time(s)
(State if a repeating event and the frequency.)

Where it is taking place

Short Description

Contact Name / Number / Website / Email
(if applicable and if you want this made public)


Washacre FM 2013

Now in its 7th year Washacre FM (87.7) takes to the airwaves between Sunday 16th and Saturday 22nd June for an extended 7-day run. This award-winning community radio station, organised by HACFRA and broadcasting from the John Holt Youth & Community Centre in Washacre, goes from strength to strength, with presenters and those behind the scenes coming from the local community to put on an entertaining and diverse range of programmes and features including schools specials - the Washacre FM play makes a return… this time a spooky ghost story!

The event concludes on the Saturday with the 'Showcase Day' featuring stalls, mini-funfair, group demonstrations and competitions as the radio station winds down for another year.

Lunchtimes will be given over to a 'Community Show' presented by Chris Buckley, who will be talking to people from the local community about who they are, what they do and what happening; it's a good opportunity to raise awareness for a group or cause. If you want to be involved get in touch; similarly any information about news and events will be welcome and can be broadcast to listeners during the week.


Westhoughton Market 40s Event

In keeping with a number of recent, themed events such as December's Victorian Market, organised and put on by the traders, Westhoughton Market together with a number of Market Street shops are having a 1940s Day on Saturday, 6th July between 10am and 4pm. Joining forces with the market are florists Bloomin Flowers, Greenhalghs Bakery, The Wheatsheaf pub, fashion shop Liberty Bluff - others are expected to come on board as plans develop.

Traders will be dressed in the fashion of the day. There will be a singer in the morning performing 40s and 50s music; a raffle and tombola, as well as market stalls and a produce market. Other entertainment is being planned.

Local businesses can sponsor a (Howfen) cow which will be displayed in shop windows. The cows will be dressed in varying attire, with local schools are getting involved in making and dressing the cows. There will be a Cow Hunt, and a prize for the best dressed cow.

Former traders on the market and now running the shop Vibrant Vintage are also looking for people to tell them there memories of the war years and its effects on Westhoughton. If you are looking for 40s fashion for the event, it's a good starting point.

Upcoming Events

W.A.C.O. - It's-A-Knockout

WACO's It's-a-Knockout 2012 The efforts of W.A.C.O. have seen the development a hub of groups and activities based at The Communiversity on Central Drive, with a busy programme crowned by their annual family-oriented It's-a-Knockout event. Last year's glorious weather saw people turn out in their thousands; the 2013 event taking place in and around the site is as ambitious as ever.

Taking place on Sunday, 2nd June from noon, teams from across Westhoughton will gather to see who triumphs in the madcap and hilarious race around inflatables of all shapes and sizes. Bolton FM will be providing the running commentary. The funfair returns with rides for all the family. There will be stalls, dancing, Westhoughton Community Royalty in their finery, entertainment and more… Inside, the College will be doing demonstrations and tasters of their courses; with groups from the Westhoughton Community Network also present.

WACO's It's-a-Knockout 2012 - family funfairThe W.A.C.O. team work hard to put on this fundraising event, which in turn helps to make further community-related activities possible.

More info on all WACO events on the WACO Facebook page or call xxxx xxxxxx.


National Association of Women's Clubs

A new group is starting in Westhoughton, The National Association of Women's Clubs will have their first meeting taking place on Thursday, 9th May from 7:30pm at The Communiversity. The group is a social organisation for all women, creating opportunities to build new skills by taking part in a wide variety of activities in an atmosphere of friendship and fun and campaigning on issues that matter to members and their communities.


News

Wingates BandWingates Band

Now spanning 14 decades, in 2013 the world-renowned band plans to celebrate its 140th anniversary in style and in a diversity of ways. On Saturday 26th October, the band will stage a celebratory concert at Bolton's Victoria Hall; a new piece by the band's composer-in-residence, Lucy Pankhurst, has been commissioned to be premiered at the concert. There will be a Special Dinner reuniting many former Wingates Band players and officials. There will be a commemorative CD album and a long awaited anthology of the Wingates story, from its establishment in the middle of Queen Victoria's reign, through until the present day.


Friends of Westhoughton Station

Inspired by the excellent work at Hindley Station, a new project to spruce up and improve the environs of Westhoughton Station has been underway for a few months with volunteers giving up their time to make a difference by clearing borders, planting greenery, adding notice boards, etc. Work takes place on the first Sunday and third Sunday of each month; with shifts at 10:00am and 1:00pm. A real community involving project, Friends of Westhoughton Station have been successful in involving rail authorities to facilitate and support their work.


Westhoughton Village Fayre

Taking place on Saturday, 29th June between 11:00am and 2:00pm at Washacre Primary School on Clough Avenue (BL5 2NJ), the annual community event hosted by the school and supported by Bolton at Home is a fun-packed few hours promoting the school: stalls, entertainment, with games and activities for children.

The school would welcome more people getting involved with it, in particular mentors to help support children in their learning, e.g., reading. More info 01942 634756.


Westhoughton Community Network is a network of voluntary organisations and community groups based or offering a service in the Westhoughton area. The purpose of the network is to provide an effective means of communication between groups and to give all groups a stronger voice - achieved through: Information Sharing; Collaboration and Co-operation; Mutual Support and Advice, and Building relationships.

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