People have requested more benches along the Kirklees Trail. There are plans to include the trail in more health walk programmes, and as part of this there are plans for five simple timber benches to be erected. Funding is currently being applied for, and Tottington Civic Society are involved in this bid. As a rule, benches should be placed along health walks every 200 yards or so. Sites are being considered but people don't want them directly outside their houses (me included!).
The 'Wishing Stone' was mentioned at the meeting. Recently the Wishing Stone was mentioned in The Bury Times. Someone enquired about its whereabouts. I had never heard of it, but apparently it was an old landmark in the Kirklees Valley. Tottington Civic Society were sent a letter about it. The letter writer said the Wishing Stone was approximately 8'x5'x3'. There were 2 9'' holes in it. It was used as a meeting place for teenagers. In May 1964 (way before I was born which is why it meant nothing to me) a group of bored teenagers wondered if anyone would miss the Wishing Stone. They dug it out, move it back, and buried it. At the time no-one seemed to care! The current landowner has been found and it is hoped that when all the summer greenery dies down it may still be visible.
Also in the week I went to the Bury and Districts Homewatch Association AGM. I was invited to join this group last year by the chair, and as a result I was invited to a conference over the summer. Groups in Greater Manchester are setting up a Greater Manchester Homewatch Association and each town can select two people to be trained and start to put together this group. I've been selected to represent the north of Bury, and my first training session is in October. A big part of the AGM was organising the annual Bury Homewatch Conference. This will be held at the Elizabethan Suite at Bury Town Hall on Thursday 24 October. It is all about encouraging people to work together with their neighbours and build a community. The conference will encourage people to form Homewatch groups, but just raising people's awareness is important. I need to give The Eagle and Child in Ramsbottom a big THANK YOU; they have donated a Sunday lunch for two as a raffle prize. Everyone is welcome at the conference so put it in your diary.
I was quite traumatised this week when I found out Animal World and the Butterfly House in Moss Bank Park were closing down. on 25 September 1999 I had my first date with my husband just there. I wasn't looking for a husband at the time, so I thought a date in the open in broad daylight would be perfect. It was actually a great idea, and he, being from Oldham, was really impressed with Moss Bank Park. I know there had been previous threats to close them due to government cuts, but they had a reprieve. However the cuts became so bad that Bolton Council were unable to find the money to continue to run them. Bolton Evening News article
It wasn't just the very small romantic part of me that was upset. I grew up going to Moss Bank Park regularly. I lived not too close but within walking distance of it. In those days a trip to the park was a good thing. We normally had one monetary treat while we were there. There was usually an ice-cream van, and the swing boats were also a favourite. Later there was a small train you could ride on, run by a relative of Fred Dibnar. It wouldn't have mattered if these things hadn't been there; the park was great. I was never allowed to play in the sand pit (the dogs/cats might have been in there) but I still enjoyed it (NB I was never allowed in the paddling pools in Queens Park either in case there was any broken glass. I couldn't have roller skates in case I fell and broke my leg, I couldn't have a space hopper in case I hit anyone over the head with it; my parents were before their time!).
There was lots of open ground and a play ground. There was what must have been a beautiful rose garden, and my favourite, the rock garden. The last time I visited there were no rock pools in the rock garden. All our family had fallen in one of the rock pools at some time during our childhood. We were always fascinated to hear the stories of our parents also falling in too! We knew, pool by pool, who had fallen into which and at what age. I don't think anyone ever hurt themselves, they just had to walk home wet.
When I was young there was an aviary and a small place for animals. It was nothing like it has been recently. There was lots to see the last time I was there - red squirrels included.
As much as it upsets me I understand why Bolton Council has had to close it. I think that last year people thought 'the cuts' had happened. They are much deeper than people imagined. However, it is now that families need their parks more than ever. Yesterday we went along to see Animal World and the Butterfly House one last time. Everyone in the park seemed very gloomy. There was one bit of good news though; the rock garden had been restored, completed with pools, and it was beautiful!
Yesterday I went to a Macmillan Coffee Morning with a difference. It was held from late afternoon, and there wasn't much coffee being consumed! It is an annual event, and one which I normally need my emergency bottle of Lucozade close by the day after. This year was no different, and over £700 was raised. It was a great party and for such a great cause.
I have quite a quiet week this week, although I need to get everything ready for H's first scout camp. I've been invited back on BBC Radio Manchester with Allan Beswick on the 9th October, so I'm really looking forward to that.
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