September 2012 ISSUE 47 PIONEER NEWS Autumn 2012 People making the news in the St. Peter’s area of Ashton-u-Lyne Ashton Pioneer Homes play their part in Formby tribute A commemorative plaque acknowledging the personal achievement of Ashton born music hall star George Formby senior along with his contribution to our cultural heritage was unveiled on Saturday 2nd June. Born into poverty in 1875 at 26 Hodgson Street he was forced as a child to sing in Ashton’s streets to earn money to buy food. What had started as a means of survival turned out to be the beginning of a glittering and illustrious career. One which eventually saw him become one of the country’s highest paid entertainers and household names. He was also a firm favourite with King George V and Queen Mary for whom he had the honour of entertaining on more than one occasion. Tenant Donna Flanagan of 65 Welbeck Street South at the corner of Hodgson Street kindly allowed the publicly funded plaque to be erected at her home. Peter Marland, Director of Housing Services at Ashton Pioneer Homes said, “We are delighted to have played a part in honouring an Ashton legend”. The plaque was erected following a campaign by Mossley resident Trevor Rowley and local writers Philip & David Williams. Richmond Park resident Philip said, “Of all the greatest stars of British music hall none was greater, more distinguished and certainly none as courageous as George Formby senior and it’s wonderful to finally see the plaque in place”. A large crowd which included Mrs Joyce Bowerman Councillor for St. Peter’s Ward along with members of the George Formby (junior) Society gathered to witness Formby’s Granddaughter Geraldine Smith unveil the plaque in his honour. The event was also featured on Granada Reports and a link to this and full YouTube video coverage of the ceremony can be found at hoydpublishing.co.uk Geraldine Smith (centre) unveiling the plaque in honour of her grandfather, George Formby Senior. THE FLAME ARRIVES IN ASHTON Before the Olympic Games started in London, the flame was carried There it was greeted with a carnival atmosphere with music, dance demonstrations and various to Ashton from Salford Quays passing through Beswick, Droylsden art acts. The flame then continued down towards Oldham where it received a similar welcome. People in Ashton were lining the streets just to get a glimpse or photograph of this historic and finally into Ashton. occasion. They were treated to a cavalcade of vehicles of the organisers, sponsors music float and countless numbers of police out riders we all thought the President of the USA had arrived. Guarded by out runners the flame passed by with no problem and everyone had a great time. Children can tell their children, we saw the flame in Ashton-under-Lyne, when our country was privileged to host the Olympics. By Philip and David Hoyd, Resident Reporters. Please Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ ashtonpioneer and Follow us on Twitter @AshtonPioneer Inside... Tameside Council A Guide to Basic Reach for Concord Mobility APH Benefits Online Bank Accounts the skies Strike Olympic Gold Jubilee Style 2 Pioneer News Autumn 2012 HOUSING MANAGEMENT ASHTON PIONEER HOMES JOINED THE HOMESWAPPER SERVICE IN APRIL 2012. This service allows our tenants to register their interest in completing a Mutual Exchange with tenants of other registered social landlords across the country and with other Ashton Pioneer Homes tenants. Ashton Pioneer Homes are a registered details. If you don’t have access to the partner of HomeSwapper so the service internet you can use the public library or is free for all our tenants. If your current come into our office to use the computer home is too big or too small for you this to register for HomeSwapper and to may be an easier way for you to move to check your HomeSwapper account. the home that’s perfect for your family’s needs; especially with the future changes to Housing Benefit. HomeSwapper will find matching properties for you and either email or send you a text with the www.homeswapper.co.uk Pigeon Nuisance We are continuing to experience problems with pigeons on our DOG FOULING estates causing a nuisance, mainly due to the fact that tenants are feeding them! Tenants are responsible for their dogs and their visitors dogs! This has led to an increase in numbers • Yellow Mealworm Beetle • Offending is a breach of your pet policy on our estates where they have • Blowflies adapted well to the artificial cliffs • Biscuit Beetle • A breach of the pet policy is a breach of the tenancy agreement of buildings and have become a • Cheese Mite pest fouling buildings, pavements, • It is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up after their dog • Spider Beetles communal areas and transmitting • Flour Mite • Failure to do so could result in a £1000 council fine diseases. They rely mainly on food • Pigeon Tick scraps, bread, cakes and birdseed • Common Bird Mite What are the solutions? given to them by you! Other problems include:- • Encourage your dog to ‘go’ in your garden if you have one, The birds normally feed in flocks and • Blocked gutters and downpipes are highly efficient in finding roosting the mess can then be buried or alternatively bagged up which can cause water damage by places near to a food source where and binned seepage coming into the property. they will wait until they can feed • Always carry a means to clean up after your dog when undisturbed unless they know the • Chimneys being blocked causing walking it - a plastic bag or a poop scoop would do person who feeds them at a regular smoke problems or gasses such as time of day. carbon monoxide being forced back into the property. • If you are using communal areas, please remember to Why are feral pigeons bad news? poop -a-scoop and dispose of mess correctly • Droppings and nesting on The fouling of buildings and balconies. monuments frequently occurs at places where they roost and nest. The These problems lead to increased acidic droppings react with chemicals costs of maintenance and risk of in the stonework causing erosion nuisance to neighbouring properties. of the surfaces. Accumulations of Large numbers of roosting pigeons droppings can become infested with also give rise to odour and noise mites and insects, which are pests of complaints, not to mention the risk to stored products and houses. health and safety in terms of slipping hazards on pavements. They carry many dangerous diseases! How can you help us to control the pigeons? The following organisms and insects can be associated with birds, their The only effective way to control nests and droppings: pigeons and other pest species of birds is to remove food sources, • Varied Carpet Beetle roosting sites and breeding sites. • Case-bearing Clothes Moth • Fur Beetle So please help us by NOT feeding • Brown House Moth the pigeons, and dispose of all • Larder Beetle rubbish in the correct way! • Lesser House fly Pioneer News Autumn 2012 3 HOUSING MANAGEMENT Tameside Councils Benefits Online Self-service - Now accessible at APH for all tenants! You can now view all your benefits, council tax and business rates information online, with TMBC’s new self-service system. However, as not everyone has internet access in their homes APH are providing access in the Margaret House Office. This can be used during office hours and is available to all tenants who wish to check their Housing Benefits or maybe wish to make a new claim. Just come into the office and enquire at reception, where a member of staff will assist you. Remember – Any change of circumstance information for your Housing Benefits can be verified at our office and forwarded to the Housing Benefits Department for you! TOWER IMPORTANT BLOCK CAR INFORMATION PARKS FROM GMP We have received several complaints regarding Children playing out There have been a series of burglaries where offenders have entered in the car park gated areas of the TOWER BLOCKS. through unlocked doors and windows, these incidents have happened during the day and night and are preventable. Please could you pass We wish to remind and strongly advise parents not to allow your on the following advice to residents: children to play in the car park area as it is extremely dangerous with vehicles regularly coming and going. There have been a number of insecurity For further security advice visit burglaries. That means that the offender www.gmp.police.uk. If you have any got into the house/flat by going through information on a suspect or offender, Ashton Pioneer Homes holds no responsibility for accidents an unlocked door or open window. you should tell your local Police by happening in the car park. To avoid any injury we strongly request Please do everything you can to protect phoning 101. If you would prefer you that you educate family and visitors not to allow their children out yourselves from burglary: can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, on to the car park to play. • Keep your doors and windows closed without giving your name. and locked. • Fit a light timer device in your main May we remind you that if children damage a vehicle the children’s rooms to make your home appear parents could be liable for the costs via the vehicle owner’s insurers occupied. or be prosecuted for Criminal Damage. • Keep your keys out of view but in an easily accessible place, avoid leaving anything of value on view such as I also advise that all vehicle owners park in the car park at their mobile phones, handbags, car keys etc own risk.