Police investigated a quite staggering 300 cases of child abuse in Bury last year and a further 180 complaints from residents worried about child welfare etc.

Vic D’Albert commented, “These are frankly frightening statistics and in many ways a sad reflection on modern society. I just hope and pray that these statistics represent most if not all of the “iceberg” rather than the tip. There is no place for abuse in our society whether child or elder abuse and I would implore anyone who is worried about an individuals welfare and the possibility of abuse to contact the authorities immediately. I also applaud the Police and Council officers for their efforts and diligence in what must often be very trying and disturbing circumstances.”

Bury Police also confirmed that between 90 and 110 incidents of domestic violence are reported in Bury each week. The unit also investigates 120 reports of serious sexual offences each year, including 40 rapes, and 300 video interviews per year are conducted with vulnerable witnesses and victims. Around 100 complaints are received in Bury each year about the abuse of elderly and vulnerable people.

To report a crime contact the unit by calling (0161) 872 5050.

Yesterday was Prestwich Carnival - and the climax to the Ist Love Prestwich Festival
Despite gloomy skies and an early shower the weather played ball. And the crowds came out in their thousands.
Congratulations to the organisers and the stall holders and parade participants that all played their part in ensuring it was a great day for all concerned. Well done to everyone involved.

More pictures here.

To all fellow hard working, long suffering, dedicated rivers of paternal love and affection out there!

Well no harm in making the most of the occassion is there.

Off to Prestwich Carnival shortly to rattle a bucket, while daughter sleeps off the excesses of her latest visit to Manchester’s nightlife. No doubt big card and pressy on their way, uhmm.

And to avoid confusion this isn’t the mythical heavenly paradise of tranquility and beauty, rather the once a month entertainment-fest at Prestwich’s Carlton Club. I know, I know, it’s easy to make the mistake.

Sadly I couldn’t stay all night due to my “other halfs” ear drums insisting they had suffered enough. For the record, I enjoyed the entertainment  (I am a sucker for any live music) - the comic, Verne Griffiths and Antistar a 5 piece rock band that made an excellent debut perfomance. I also particularly enjoyed the update about the shangri-la cat “Barry”. Believe me you had to be there.

Well done to the organisers, I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is to put together a monthly variety enetertainment such as shangri-la, but its an excellent event and long may it have continued success and go from strength to strength.

Of course a few people recognised me as a local politician - one jester questioned whether I would be putting this on my expenses. Ho Ho Ho, how I laughed.

It’s started with a storm at Prestwich Clough and should end in glorious sunshine at Prestwich Carnival. After 35 days, 55 events, 1,000’s of visitors to events, money raised for charity Prestwich Festival puts its feet up and says goodbye for 2009 with a final weekend of fun.

The final push starts tonight with a Friday Night Social - Shangri La at 8pm at, Carlton Club, Bury Old Road featuring live music and a stand up comedian. And of course this will be followed by the customary bumper weekend of family entertainment at the Prestwich Carnival.

On Saturday 20 June a Football Tournament organized by FC United of Manchester will take place from 9am until 4pm at St. Mary’s Park.

In addition the Friends of Butterstile School will be holding their traditional fund day from 12.00 noon at Butterstile Primary School. As part of the fun all the children from the school will have the chance to enter a series of competitions to celebrate Prestwich, the four categories are photographs, poems, paintings or portraits. I understand Cllr Donal O’Hanlon is in the stocks for the wet sponge throwing. Now that’s an attraction not to be missed!

And finally on Sunday 21 June Prestwich Carnival Grand Parade kicks off at 1pm. The Parade arrives in the park at 2.30pm with six arenas showcasing local talent.

Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry.

Information from the Highways Agency (North West). 
The Highways Agency is advising drivers using the M60 between junctions 19 at Middleton and 23 at Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester to allow extra time to complete their journeys over the next six weekends.

Starting Friday (June 19), work is being carried out along this 6-mile section each weekend until August, weather permitting. A full carriageway closure will be in place with a contraflow on the opposite side of the motorway while the work is being carried out. Various entry and exit slip roads will also need to be closed.

The work is taking place over weekends when traffic volumes are lighter and disruption to drivers can be kept to a minimum – however some delays can be expected. Work will start each Friday at 9pm and the motorway will be fully reopened by 5am each Monday.

To ensure the ongoing safety of road-users, a 40mph speed limit will be in place throughout the roadworks – which are planned to be completed by 5am, July 27.

Overhead message signs will be used to advise drivers of the closures so they can choose an alternative route.  
The exploratory works are taking place to assess the condition of the carriageway on this section of the M60.
The Highways Agency’s North West Traffic Officer Service will deploy extra crews for the duration of the work with a dedicated patrol to cover the roadworks area and react quickly to any breakdowns or accidents to help keep drivers on the move.

The Highways Agency Regional Control Centre will be monitoring incidents and traffic conditions from motorway cameras as well as using electronic signs to provide drivers with up-to-the-minute information.

Only Cllr Bibby, the Conservative Leader of Bury Council, could manage to insult so many local people in one meeting.

The local paper is reporting that Cllr Bibby commented that being disabled was a “reality of life” after admitting that disabled children being sent to a school without disabled access would be a “bit of a problem”.

As someone who is disabled I am happy to enlighten Cllr Bibby that disability is more than a “bit of a problem” and, whilst it may be a reality of life, such throw-away remarks and obvious complete lack of understanding of disabled people, their concerns and needs in coping with the daily realities of life are  almost beyond contempt. In fact when I read the comments I had to read them twice, because I couldn’t believe that someone elected to represent local people,  including the disabled, could say such a thing.

Equally alarming is that Cllr Bibby is leader of the Council and no doubt responsible for disability stratagies and helping the disabled enjoy equal access to services and facilities. Oh dear.

Incredibly this furore came about because of the proposed closure of Riverside in a couple of years time with Radcliffe children being encouraged to attend the “non-disabled” access The Derby High School while a new Radcliffe school is being built.

Cllr Bibby hit top score in the insult stakes when not only he offended the disabled, but arguably the most vulnerable of disabled groups - the young disabled. It’s bad enough going through the inevitable growing pains and other emotional upheavals you ordinarily face at that stage in your life. You just want to fit in and join in - Something Cllr Bibby clearly doesn’t understand. I hope he has at least the courage to apologise or failing that perhaps the rest of the Conservative group will publicly distance themselves from his remarks.

If you give your people a vote to decide their Government, they expect it to count, If you tell the world you are holding democratic elections, then you have to accept the results. 

The lesson over the past week (and sadly repeated time and time again) is that democracy and fair votes is a serious business. It is to be protected, nurtured, developed. Not undermined, tampered with and discarded at will. It is not a showcase PR event for 24 hour news.

If you ask the question you have to be prepared for an answer you don’t like!

So whether it’s the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty, Irans elections or for that matter Gordon Browns reform of our democracy and voting reforms, politicians should remember democracy has the words “Fragile, handle with care” stamped all over it.

I applaud the Council’s Planning Committee for last night sticking to their guns and refusing the planning application from Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School to build a new school on green belt land near Old Hall Lane in Whitefield.

I know there were other factors, notably the under capacity at the school , but to my mind the overriding factor is that green belt land should not be built on. There is rarely an argument strong enough in my opinion to warrant removing for all time yet another green corner of our land. We must continue to take all necessary actions to protect and preserve our green belt.

So far as the school is concerned I understand their dissapointment and frustration. I would urge them to continue looking for a better location - perhaps a brownfield site in the area - but would ask them to see the big picture here, and try and understand the need to protect our diminishing green belt.

The BBC has just uploaded the sensational news that Barack Obama with a single stroke killed a fly at the White House while in the middle of a TV interview.

So not only is the leader of the free world single handedly taking on the middle east, famine, and Climate change, he is clearly targeting pests to. Does this man know no bounds!

The bad news however is that lawyers acting for the fly’s family have commenced legal proceedings.