Astley Bridge neighbourhood Library collection to open

Residents of Astley Bridge in Bolton will continue to have access to library books despite the closure of Astley Bridge Library with the launch of a new Library collection point in the Oldhams Children’s Centre on Forfar Road early next month, five days after the closure of the main library building on April 5^th 2012.

The new service, which will be open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday will offer internet access to local residents, as well as the ability to borrow books from a self-service machine. The normal Library ordering service will also remain available for books that aren’t on display or immediately available.

Books that have been ordered can be delivered to your local collection or any other Library in the borough – and books can be returned to any Library as well.

“The decision to review the library network and replace five libraries with neighbourhood collections has not been an easy one to make,” said Bolton Council’s Leader, Councillor Cliff Morris. “However, we have worked hard to minimise the effect on the community and the neighbourhood collection is part of that, along with Library Link.

“The neighbourhood collection points are situated in established focal points for the local community and offer computer use as well as book borrowing.

“There is a range of titles on offer and if a particular book isn’t available on the shelves then it can be ordered and delivered to any library or neighbourhood collection point in the borough. The self-service machines are straightforward to operate and members of staff are on hand to assist if needed.”

Salford sees significant rise in tourism

Salford has enjoyed a significant increase in tourism revenue over recent years thanks to the successful events programme, the hugely popular development of Salford Quays into a centre for retail and entertainment, and the addition of MediaCityUK.

A recent report, released earlier this week, showed that tourism in the area is worth almost £450m to the local economy, helping Salford enjoy huge economic benefits.

The report, which covers tourism figures from 2010, shows an increase of 11% over the previous year with the biggest improvement coming from overnight stays – which increased by an incredible 15% in 12 months.

This has, of course, seen a significant boost in employment within the sector with nearly 6,000 people working in the tourism industry in the city.

“This is great news for Salford and a really exciting time for the city in terms of tourism said john Merry, leader of Salford City Council. “Salford has a world class selection of arts and culture, including The Lowry, which is officially Greater Manchester’s most popular tourist attraction with over 870,000 visitors a year.

“Made up of 60 per cent of green space, Salford has an abundance of countryside and walkways, together with fascinating history and heritage and sporting events for all the family. Looking to the future, MediaCityUK and Salford Quays as a whole will continue to increase the city’s profile and attract fresh new visitors.”

Take the leap and quit in 2012

It’s National No Smoking Day on Wednesday 14^th March 2012, so with that in mind (and your New Year’s Resolutions clearly all still in full swing, right!?) here’s a look at some tips to help you give up.

1. Set a Quit Date

If you’re going to do it, you don’t have to do it today, right at this moment (although you can just go ‘cold turkey’ if you like). Pick a date. National non-smoking day on March 14^th would do, but pick one that you’re happy with. And try and cut down before then. This is where willpower kicks in, but if you can wait longer before sparking up, each time, you’ll be smoking less each day.

2. Find something to occupy your hands

The electronic nicotine replacement cigarettes do work as does nicotine gum and offer a route to wean yourself off the habit of the act of smoking. Fiddle with a pen or learn to roll a coin over your knuckles, anything to keep the hands busy so they don’t go into autopilot and reach for the lighter.

3. Find your triggers

Do you smoke after a coffee? Only in the pub? When you are stressed or driving? We’d recommend that you use the time until your quit date to find those triggers and try and cut back over the coming weeks. Perhaps go to the pub a little less, or try and relax in other ways. Get yourself ready for the quit date.

4. Reward

Simply work out how much you spend on fags every week and put that money aside after you have stopped. Use that money for a treat in a week, a month or whenever you feel you want one!

5. Deterrent

A bit more light-hearted, but apparently it can work! Once you’ve worked out how much you spend on cigarettes every month, write a cheque to a person or organisation you don’t like, or make donation to the political party you don’t vote for, or your football team’s closest rivals. Perhaps even the fan club of a band or singer you can’t stand!

Give this to a friend or relative with instructions to post it off if you are seen smoking. If you lapse, then not only have you given all that money to THEM, but you won’t be able to afford the fags next month anyway.

But above all, just use willpower and remember why you are looking to quit. Tobacco leads to an estimated 104,000 people dying of related illnesses including cancers every year – this includes 86% of all lung cancers and is responsible for more than a quarter of all cancer deaths in the UK.

It is damaging to your health and the health of those around you – and nowadays you can’t smoke indoors, in pubs or even in football stadiums, so what’s the point in carrying on?

Council unveils policy to cut binge drinking and attract families to Bolton town centre

Bolton Council has unveiled a new three-year plan aimed at transforming Bolton’s binge drinking culture, reducing anti-social behaviour and making the town centre a more attractive place for families to visit at night.

Already being coined as ‘jobs versus yobs’, the policy was put together after December’s Bolton Vision conference and it is apt that it has been launched now, with news of an attack on a teenager in the early hours of Saturday morning that has left the victim fighting for his life.

The community strategy ‘Bolton: Our Vision 2012 to 2015, also pledges to address the issue of reducing crime, improving education, increasing life-expectancy, community cohesion and complex families.

It focuses on how the town can achieve these objectives despite ongoing cuts to Council funding and takes into account the fact that a balance must be maintained between making the town centre a less frightening proposition for families and retaining the many jobs generated by the clubs and bars along Bradshawgate. The plan is to ensure that the night-time economy in Bolton is not solely concentrated on alcohol-related activities; instead, as Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris explains, “disperse the bars a little bit and get something in the town centre for families so that people aren’t scared to bring families into the town centre.”

The report states: “We need a full and proper debate about the role of alcohol in a modern Bolton, which seeks to balance the positive contribution it can make against the negative impacts on the town.

“This will include exploring how the current town centre night-time economy can be maintained but better balanced with a different offer that is not so closely related to alcohol.”

It is hoped that in time, bars, restaurants and other leisure facilities will be spread across Bolton’s town centre, rather than concentrated just in Bradshawgate. Family-friendly, welcoming venues such as a bowling alley and cinema would be welcomed by many of the town’s businesses.

Are you ready to stop smoking?

National No Smoking Day takes place on 14th March, and if you are in Bury Town Centre on the day you might be given a bit of a surprise as a ‘Health Fayre’ takes place to get people thinking about giving their health a boost.

Of course the main message for No Smoking Day is to get smokers to take that big leap towards their healthier lives, but there will be activities ranging from a free Zumba fitness session, to puppy walking with Guide Dogs for the Blind and tai chi to make getting healthy more enjoyable.

Taking place between 10am until 2pm at Kay Gardens, the new Rock development and around the Robert Peel monument in Bury town centre, the Fayre will show how healthy living and giving up smoking go hand in hand. Bury locals have a range of wellbeing and health services available to them, and this will also give them the chance to find out about what is on offer.

Smoking has links with blindness and danger to pets, and the Bury Fire Service will also be on hand to demonstrate the more immediate dangers of lit cigarettes.

Dr. Peter Elton, Director of Public Health for Bury explained: "National No Smoking Day is a day that gives people that little bit extra motivation to quit smoking."

"Many people know about the more well-known health problems that smoking can cause, but what many people don't know is that smoking can lead to blindness. To highlight this link, we have Guide Dogs for the Blind involved on the day to get people engaged in a fun way, whilst delivering a really important message."

"Stopping smoking is the single most effective way you can improve your health. About a million people across the country are expected to make a quit attempt on 14th March, and I hope local people will be getting on Board."

If you aren’t able to get to Bury town centre on the 14th but still want to quit, you can call the Stop Smoking Service in Bury on 0845 223 9001 for free and confidential advice and support.

Council tax frozen for Salford – but Council announces £24m cuts

Residents in Salford can look forward to another freeze in council tax for the next year with the government giving Salford Council a 2.5% one-off grant to ensure the freeze – but it will come at a cost as the council has also been forced to announce £24 million of cuts.

This is in addition to the £40m of savings made in the last two yearly budgets, unfortunately meaning the loss of 360 jobs at the Council.

These will be in the most part down to a restructure of the council management system, to protect front-line services and make savings of £1m.

Councillor Bill Hinds, Lead member for Finance at Salford City Council, said: “Once again we are in the difficult position of needing to make huge budget savings if we are to deliver a balanced budget for the next financial year.”

However, the Council is dedicated to protecting the support it provides to 6,000 residents with critical, and moderate needs – which is something most councils can only offer for those with critical need. It is also planning to retain the 300 free childcare places for the most vulnerable two-year-olds.

Salford Council is also planning to not only preserve – but increase by 50% - its Future Jobs Scheme, which has helped 140 people back into work in the past year.

“This is not a budget I am proud to lead” added Councillor Hinds. “But this is the budget we have had to deliver in the face of unprecedented cuts. What we will now do is make the most of the budget we have left for the people of Salford.”

Your moment to shine!

The Olympic Torch Relay is an important part of the build-up to London 2012, bringing people together from across the UK to celebrate the spirit of the games.

It could be a once in a lifetime opportunity as the Olympic Torch will pass through Crawshawbooth, Reedsholme and Rawtenstall on Saturday 23rd June this year as part of its journey to bring together people from across the UK in the spirit of the games.

And there are plenty of ways for you to get involved.

Come and see for yourself!

The route that the torch will be taking will be revealed a couple of weeks before the actual date, so as soon as we know, why not help us spread the word and invite all your friends down to help us really line the streets.

With a ‘gold’ theme, why not take the chance to dress up and really shine for the occasion or to keep it sporty, why not wear the kit of a team you play for or support.

Help the local community look the part

Individuals, community groups, clubs and schools can get involved in decorating the route. Create a banner in the Olympic colours or make some flags to wave on the way.

Have a get-together

Hold a fête or a fun day at your school or community centre – and if you decide to do something, you can get some help from Rossendale council who are offering grants of up to £100 for a street party or £500 for larger events.

Contact the Rosendale Community Team for more information on 01706 252541, email communitiesteam@rossendalebc.gov.uk or visit www.london2012.com/localleaders