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Pair escape from car fire in Whitefield

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:44:45 -0000

The men, both in their 20s, were forced to stop outside Slattery's Pattisier and Chocolatier on Bury New Road, Whitefield, when the engine compartment of the Toyota Avensis caught alight.

The fire was contained to the engine and nobody was hurt in the incident at around 2am.

Firefighters rescue pensioner, 93, after her stove catches fire

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:24:29 -0000

Firefighters rescued an elderly woman from her house after a stove caught fire.

The 93-year-old woman was upstairs asleep when the wood burning stove, housed in an extension on the side of the house on Porchester Drive, Radcliffe, set fire to some nearby wood.

Replay: Bury council meeting

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:10:25 -0000

Bury council held a full meeting on Wednesday - replay our live coverage here.

Reporter Pete Bainbridge filed live updates from the council chamber.

I'm innocent: Bury 'bribe' probe councillor Bob Bibby denies claims over Radcliffe housing scheme

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:49:18 -0000

Bob Bibby, 69, the former leader of Bury council, says he is being accused by police of accepting a cash bribe of £10,000. But he told us he had done nothing wrong and would vigorously fight the allegations.

Coun Bibby, and senior Bury Tory councillor Jim Taylor, who also denies the claims, were both arrested on suspicion of corruption in a public office during a series of police raids.

Plan for affordable homes in Unsworth

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:20:40 -0000

St Vincent’s Housing Association has submitted a planning application to Bury council for a mixture of two and three-bed properties on the land behind Otter Drive. The land was previously used for garages.

If successful, Six Town Housing will manage the eight houses and two bungalows, which will all be let at an affordable rate.

Playgroup bosses in rally call to community

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:18:14 -0000

The privately-run Smiley Faces playgroup has been based at the Phoenix Centre in Prestwich for 11 years.

But when council funding was withdrawn from the youth centre last year and the St Mary’s Park venue looked likely to close, the pre-school saw membership numbers plummet.

Plea for health chiefs to halt maternity unit closure

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:14:45 -0000

Health bosses have been urged to halt the closure of maternity services at Fairfield General Hospital.

The unit will close at the beginning of March as part of a shake-up of children’s services across the region.

Radcliffe shop boss foils armed raid gang

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:12:40 -0000

Bharat Patel, 43, was chatting to a customer when three masked men, one wielding an axe, burst into the Vimal Convenience Store in Radcliffe.

Another man was brandishing a baton or stick when they demanded cash from the till.

Young baker rises to TV show challenge

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:08:38 -0000

A teenage baker has been named as the best in the business after triumphing in a BBC competition.

Oliver Campbell, 17, appeared on our screens this week as the winner in the BBC3 show Young Baker of the Year.

Ballet success has little dancers leaping for joy

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:05:54 -0000

Pupils at a dance school pirouetted their way to 100 per cent success.

Budding ballet stars from the Linda Janette School of Dancing, in Prestwich, all passed their Royal Academy of Dance examinations.

Developer in new Prestwich apartment bid

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:02:35 -0000

Shahid Choudhry wants to demolish two houses on Bury Old Road to build 14 apartments at the junction of Castle Hill Road.

It is the third time Mr Choudhry has applied to develop on the site. He had originally applied to build 14 apartments on the site, but the proposals were refused in December 2010.

Woman and two children escape from Unsworth car fire

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:48:40 -0000

Two children had to flee a car when it caught fire. Neither the young girl or boy, nor the woman driver, were hurt when the Ford Fiesta caught alight in the car park of Castlebrook High School in Unsworth.

The car was completely destroyed in the blaze, which was caused by an electrical fault shortly after 7pm last night.

Jailed: Whitefield care boss who stole from disabled patients at south Manchester care homes

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:07:54 -0000

Adam Khan, 53, was sentenced to one year in prison at Manchester magistrates’ court after taking £7,590 intended for the bank accounts of nine people with severe learning difficulties.

The victims were residents of two south Manchester homes Khan ran between 2004-08. The court heard he would use the fact he had access to their bank accounts to swipe the cash.

Never forget: Rose tribute to tragic Anne Frank on Holocaust Memorial Day

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:29:45 -0000

A rose dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank has been planted in Manchester to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which was taking place today.

The flower was planted at a ceremony in memory of those who died during the genocide.

Graffiti thugs target community centre

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:07 -0000

Vandals have daubed graffiti on the side of a new community centre. The Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) Centre in Radcliffe is the latest building to be targeted with the ‘ZOO’ graffiti tag.

Anger over carve-up of festive spending

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:06 -0000

The council has been criticised for spending more on Bury’s festive decorations compared with other towns across the borough.

Decision time over metal recycling plant

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:05 -0000

A new scrap metal recycling plant could be built in Unsworth. Plans for the facility were due to go before a meeting of the council’s planning committee as the Advertiser went to press.

Bar owner backs police bid to flush out fake IDs

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:04 -0000

A bar boss has backed a police campaign to catch teenagers using fake IDs to get into venues. Officers are working with managers and door staff across Prestwich and Whitefield to help them identify people using altered passports and fake driving licences to buy alcohol.

GP’s joy at expedition of a lifetime

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:03 -0000

A GP is celebrating after completing the expedition of a lifetime. Dr Rory O’Connor, 44, took part in the South Pole Jubilee Expedition, a gruelling 50-day journey in freezing temperatures which followed the same route as Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen did 100 years ago.

Anglers wade in to clean up neglected fishing lake

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:02 -0000

A neglected lake that used to be teeming with fish is to be restored to its former glory. Over the past five years Drinkwater Park Lake in Prestwich has become unkempt and fish stocks have dwindled from thousands to the low hundreds.

Council considering bid for tip

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:01 -0000

Bury council is still leading the way to buy the old Prestwich tip. At a meeting of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority last week, the council asked for more details about the site, although a final decision has not yet been made.

Victory for people power as store plan is rejected

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0000

Campaigners are claiming a victory for people power after plans for a new supermarket were knocked back – for the second time. An application to replace Miles Bakery in Unsworth with a 398sq metre store and car park were first refused last February due to road safety concerns.

Fire crews in hospital false alarm

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:43:23 -0000

Firefighters were called to a false alarm at Prestwich hospital after reports that hair straighteners had been left on.

A fire crew from Whitefield Fire Station was called to the Prestwich hospital care facility on Sedgley Avenue after a fire alarm was set off shortly after 7pm last night.

Health chiefs on red alert as another £13m is slashed from hospitals budget

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:09:05 -0000

Hospital bosses must slash another £13m from this year's budget, we can reveal. It means the Pennine Acute Trust (PAT), which runs services at Rochdale Infirmary, Royal Oldham, Fairfield and North Manchester General is having to make more than £55m in cuts before April.

The figure is higher than the £43m in savings announced by chief executive John Saxby at the trust's annual general meeting last September.

Revealed: How Greater Manchester's town halls spent £1.5 BILLION of your money

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:05:21 -0000

Government rules mean councils have to publish details of every payment of more than £500.

The money was spent on everything from major building works to a fruit press for a community allotment.

£3.35m payout for 25-year-old man who suffered brain damage at birth in Fairfield Hospital

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:55:43 -0000

Adam Spinks, now aged 25, will receive £3.35m after lawyers claimed blunders at Fairfield Hospital in Bury in December 1986 caused him to suffer brain damage at birth.

Jailed: Brothers caught with £130k of ‘drugs’ money in car

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:05:16 -0000

Neil and Martin Hazelwood were arrested after UK Border Agency officers staked out their home in Whitefield, near Bury.

Older brother Neil, who was already on bail pending a court prosecution for conspiracy to supply cocaine, was spotted putting two plastic bags into the boot of his Nissan Qashqai, which was then driven away by his younger brother.

Children to take a stand against racsim at Holocaust Memorial Day event

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:20:27 -0000

Schoolchildren will take a stand against racism and hatred at this year's Holocaust Memorial Day event.

Students from Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe will join community groups and faith leaders for an evening of poetry, dance, drama and music.

Pensioner, 78, rescued in Radcliffe after falling when grill pan caught fire

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:43:50 -0000

A pensioner was rescued after suffering a fall when a grill pan caught fire in her kitchen.

The 78-year-old woman was led safely from her house in St Andrew’s Road, Radcliffe, after slipping and being unable to escape on her own.

Brothers are jailed after £130,000 of 'drugs' cash uncovered by border cops

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:13:14 -0000

Two brothers have been jailed after being caught with more than £130,000 of cash believed to be profits from drug deals.

Historic Whitefield church clock damaged by golf ball thugs

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:07:40 -0000

Golf balls deliberately pelted at a church have damaged a historic clock.

Uproar over proposal to bulldoze Prestwich's Longfield Suite

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:04:24 -0000

An MP has called for a summit meeting between developers and council bosses over proposals to demolish the Longfield Suite.

Shopkeeper Jack checks out of job on 103rd birthday

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:59:44 -0000

During his working life he’s witnessed a world war, survived four recessions and seen 16 different prime ministers at Number 10.

Bury council tax freeze will leave £2m black hole in budget

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:52:41 -0000

Town hall bosses in Bury have announced a council tax freeze for the next 12 months.

Battle on to combat soaring number of metal thefts

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:50:06 -0000

Cutting-edge technology is being used to fight back against soaring metal thefts.

Finance chief's warning over Bury council tax freeze

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:55:21 -0000

Town hall bosses in Bury have announced a council tax freeze for the next 12 months.

But finance chiefs warned that if the move is agreed at a special budget meeting next month, they would have to save a further £2m on top of cuts already unveiled.

Pensioner, 77 rescued after oven fire at Elms Farm

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:57:20 -0000

A pensioner suffered from smoke inhalation after food was left unattended in an oven. But the 77-year-old man refused treatment when firefighters were called to Elms Farm sheltered accommodation for elderly people in Whitefield.

Bury town hall staff told to ‘be human’ on Twitter and Facebook

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:55:56 -0000

Council workers have been given tips on how to be less boring when communicating with the public online. Bosses at Bury town hall have issued guidance to staff who blog in a work capacity to stop their internet posts reading like jargon-packed town hall reports.

Hundreds turn out for Bury councillor John Byrne's funeral

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:12:58 -0000

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay tribute at a senior town hall councillor's funeral.

Coun John Byrne, a widely-respected stalwart of politics in Bury and the town's deputy mayor, died suddenly at the age of 73.

Councillors vow to stop demolition of Prestwich's Longfield Suite

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:32:03 -0000

Speaking after a private meeting of Prestwich councillors last night, a council boss said there was unanimous agreement that the demolition of the community venue was ‘not going to happen'.

The Advertiser revealed exclusively this week that developer Terrace Hill Group and property investors Hollins Murray Group had put forward plans to scrap the civic suite, reduce Prestwich Library to half its size and introduce a new supermarket as part of a major regeneration project.

Barrister David Friesner faces jail after he admits stealing £81,500 from his Manchester chambers

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:24:32 -0000

Barrister David Friesner, 46, was told he faces a lengthy jail sentence after he admitted stealing £81,500 from his own cambers in St John Street, Manchester.

Town hall chiefs hit the road to hear cuts views

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:01:03 -0000

Residents will have their last chance to say where the axe should fall as the council seeks to make £32million worth of savings.

Leader of Bury council Mike Connolly, accompanied by chief finance officers, will be stopping off in Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe to discuss proposed savings with residents at a series of events.

Battle to halt plan to build road through Unsworth garden

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:01:02 -0000

Ian Reay is appealing against a planning application to build a new filter lane and footway at the junction of Manchester Road and Hollins Brow, in Unsworth.

The project, which Bury council argue is vital to improve the flow of rush-hour traffic, would involve taking 66.9 square metres, almost a third, of Phil and Anita Reay’s garden from their home on the corner of Manchester Road.

Bury Council may buy former Prestwich tip site

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:01:01 -0000

Bury council could be in line to buy the former Prestwich tip, the Advertiser can reveal.

The Clifton Road site has been put up for sale by Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA), after it was forced to close the waste recycling centre in September to save £174,000.

Budding folk stars strum up Wainwright support slot

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:01:00 -0000

Caitlin Lyons, 18, and Raven Wakefield, 19, both from Prestwich, only started performing together last summer. But their band, Raven and the Lyon, has secured a gig supporting Lucy Wainwright Roche, the half-sister of singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

They will play at the Ruby Lounge, in Manchester, on June 12. Before that they will be supporting Mr Tom at Dry Bar on February 24.

Here we grow: Centre to create gardens that help needy people

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:59 -0000

Two community gardens are set to be transformed to provide therapeutic surroundings for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems.

Land at the Creative Living Centre in Prestwich and Wheatfields Day Centre, in Whitefield, will be rejuvenated by a new gardener and a team of volunteers.

Mum’s shock as roof crushes car in gale

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:53 -0000

A family has been left counting the cost of last week’s storms after a roof blew off an industrial unit and crushed their car.

Strong winds lifted the huge metal sheet roof and flung it towards the family home on Davenport Avenue, in Radcliffe, flattening Brooke Williams' Renault Megane which was parked nearby in Hardman Street.

Funeral of former Mayor John Byrne to be held on Friday

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:47:07 -0000

Coun Byrne represented Labour on the council from 1984, and served as both mayor and deputy mayor of Bury. He died suddenly on Wednesday, December 28, aged 73.

His funeral mass at St Marie’s RC Church on Manchester Road, Bury, at 12.15pm, is open to all. It will be followed by interment at Bury Cemetery, to be attended by family and close friends only.

Emergency services flock to 'river plunge' 999 call false alarm

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:36:17 -0000

Up to seven emergency vehicles were scrambled to a bridge over the River Irwell following reports a Prestwich teenager was threatening to throw himself in.

Three fire crews, an ambulance and police vehicles turned out to the incident at about 4.30am today, only to find it was a false alarm.

Roof blown off industrial unit and crashes on to vehicle

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:59:56 -0000

A roof blew off industrial units in Radcliffe and hit a car and neighbouring garden early today.

The corrugated metal roof, which was up to 20m long, landed on top of a vehicle parked on Hardman Street after coming loose from a single-storey lock-up building at Constellation Mill.

Piles of festive waste dumped at closed tip

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:46:28 -0000

Flytippers dumped piles of rubbish outside the closed Prestwich tip over the festive period.

The path leading to the Clifton Road waste recycling centre, which shut in September, has been littered with Christmas wrapping paper, empty boxes and more than 15 black bin bags.

Chance for residents to have their say

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:38:51 -0000

Whitefield and Unsworth residents will get the chance to steer the area’s future at the next township forum meeting.

Town hall aiming to build on work project

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:35:08 -0000

A campaign to boost the career prospects of young people will be extended.

More roses needed for carnival

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:31:38 -0000

A mother and daughter are appealing for volunteers to uphold a long-standing tradition.

Fare hike misery for Metrolink tram passengers

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:28:26 -0000

Metrolink passengers have been hit with a new year inflation-busting fare rise.

Royal rewards for champions of community

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:24:05 -0000

Two community champions from Prestwich have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

Pennine Acute health trust could bring in traffic wardens to patrol hospital car parks

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:26:03 -0000

Bosses at the trust, which runs Royal Oldham, Fairfield General in Bury, Rochdale Infirmary and North Manchester General, want to bring in a private management company to run its car parks.

The firm would hand out penalty notices to people who park illegally or do not use a pay-and-display ticket. We understand the fines would be in the region of £60, reduced to £20 if paid within 20 days.

Family's agony over Prestwich woman's 'avoidable' gallstones death

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:21:50 -0000

Carole Foster, 52, who had mild learning disabilities and a history of bipolar disorder, was diagnosed with gallstones by doctors at Fairfield General in Bury. She was discharged and expected to undergo surgery at a later date.

But when the pain worsened she was admitted to a psychiatric ward – with medics wrongly believing the discomfort was being caused by her bipolar disorder.

Bury Council holds meeting of licensing and safety panel

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:27:07 -0000

A meeting of the licensing and safety panel will be held on Wednesday, January 11.

Subjects to be covered include clarification over private hire taxis using bus lanes and parking enforcement.

Stove caused fire at Radcliffe garage

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:58:21 -0000

Three fire crews from Bury and Whitefield were called to David Goldin mechanics on Siddall Street at midnight on Wednesday, December 28.

They used two hose reels, four breathing apparatus and two jets to extinguish the fire at the single-storey garage.

History in the making – a new look at Heaton Park's past life

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:24:39 -0000

A host of pictures, artefacts and memorabilia is on show at Prestwich Heritage Museum, including accounts of the park’s use during both world wars and mementos from the Pope’s landmark visit in 1982.

The park, widely known as one of the largest municipal parks in Europe and the green ‘lungs’ of Greater Manchester, was owned by just two families until it was sold to Manchester city council by the Egerton family for £230,000 in 1902.

Tributes to former Bury mayor John Byrne after he dies at the age of 73

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:20:27 -0000

Labour councillor John Byrne, a stalwart of politics in Bury and a former mayor of the town, has died suddenly at the age of 73.

Price of Metrolink tram tickets to rise by up to nine per cent in New Year

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:16:16 -0000

Analysis by the M.E.N of the new tram fares shows that commuters travelling from the city centre to MediaCity and Eccles face the biggest percentage increase on peak-return, four-weekly and annual tickets.

An adult peak return fare from Piccadilly to MediaCity will go up 30p from £3.20 to £3.50 – a rise of 9.37 per cent. The UK inflation rate is 4.8pc.

Cerebral palsy boy stepping towards funding target for life-changing operation

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:07:11 -0000

Next year could bring fresh hope to little Leon Harrison. The three-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer is now more than half way towards his dream of walking on his own after his family launched an appeal to raise £40,000 for a life-changing operation.

Leon, from Prestwich, has been accepted to have specialist surgery on his nervous system at a children’s hospital in America.

New cycle hub for Bury Metrolink station gets go-ahead

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:24:27 -0000

Commuters heading to Bury will soon benefit from a new cycle hub at the Metrolink Interchange.

Bury council has approved plans for approximately 50 enclosed secure cycle parking stands and lockers to be built at the bus and metro station in the town centre by spring 2012.

Knife raid terror at Whitefield bookies is caught on camera

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:40:07 -0000

This is the terrifying moment a woman grappled with an armed robber at a bookmakers.

CCTV images, released exclusively to the Advertiser, show a member of staff confronting a knife-wielding robber at the Taylormade Betting shop in Whitefield.

Life term for the would-be Manchester gangster who became a killer at the age of just 15

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:01:51 -0000

Moses Mathias, who was 15 when he was involved in the shooting of Giuseppe Gregory outside a pub in Stretford in 2009, has been jailed for a minimum of 18 years after telling a court he and his associates were about to commit a robbery and did not intend to kill their 16-year-old victim.

Arsonists set fire to empty church

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:15:14 -0000

The blaze caused considerable damage to the first floor of Whitefield and Prestwich Spiritualist Church on Victoria Lane last night.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the fire, which they believe started when arsonists broke into the building and set fire to rubbish and papers left inside before escaping.

Barman injured in pub parasol blaze drama

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:01:48 -0000

A barman was severely burnt when an outdoor heater set a parasol alight in a ‘freak accident’.

Stephen Adshead, 36, suffered bad burns to his hand when the parasol caught fire outside the White Horse pub, on Bury Old Road, Prestwich.