Articles by Tom Greggan
Denton residents voice fears over flooding
Residents living on a Denton street say they were left fearing for the safety of their homes when flash floods struck last week. Blocked gullies on Victoria Street in the town meant that the torrent of rainwater that fell on Tuesday last week quickly flooded the road with water slowly creeping up residents’ drives. The neighbours say leaves and flowers falling from the trees that line their street are to blame for drains becoming blocked.
Councillor’s plea to stop walking dogs in Dukinfield cemetery
News Home More from Tameside Reporter A local councillor is pleading for Tameside residents to stop walking their dogs in Dukinfield cemetery. Cllr Brian Wild says he noticed an increase of dog fouling in the cemetery, despite multiple signs warning visitors they could be fined £1000 if they’re caught. He’s hoping to have larger signs installed at a later date. “It’s about respect,” Cllr Wild said.
Dukinfield Youth JFC on the ball in lockdown challenge
A group of football-mad youngsters from Dukinfield have raised thousands of pounds by taking on a grand sporting challenge during lockdown. More than 25 members of Dukinfield Youth JFC's under-eights team are aiming to dribble a collective 1,000 miles with a ball at their feet, raising money for the grassroots club and the local NHS trust.
Citizen’s Award for Dane Bank heroes
It’s not often you see Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain Jack Sparrow and Batman roaming the streets of Denton together! But throughout lockdown, residents in Dane Bank have been treated to all that and more. Now, a group of kind-hearted Denton residents have been recognised after volunteering their time to cheer up their local community.
Droylsden salon celebrates virtual boost thanks to Big Lottery Fund
A local service which provides free wig-fitting, hair and beauty treatments for people with cancer has received a huge financial boost from the National Lottery. Better Days, based at Tropical Palms on Chappell Road, has been awarded £25,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to expand their services online during the coronavirus crisis. Launched by Laura and Wayne Coyle over a year ago (pictured), Better Days can now go from helping people in Tameside and Greater Manchester to becoming a national service.
A new calling for old Carrbrook phone box
News Home More from We Are A Community! A 1930s phone box in Carrbrook has been creating a buzz during lockdown, as it’s being used as an honesty foodbank and community larder. The old box on Buckton Vale Road has found its new lease of life after a community appeal for a charity to adopt the box. Heather, a local resident, approached Mossley Juniors Football Club for help with her idea and they generously let her use their charity number.
Family's tribute on 10th anniversary of heroic soldier's death
The family of a local hero will be raising "a glass or two of brandy" today (Friday) as they remember him 10 years after his death. Lance Corporal Andrew Breeze died after an explosion during an operation in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on June 12, 2010. He was 31 years old. Just 10 days earlier, he had saved the life of his commander after pulling him to safety during a firefight on the frontline.
Donation helps race up foodbank funds
News Home More from We Are A Community! A Droylsden councillor has raised hundreds of pounds for a local foodbank by turning a virtual family gathering into a fundraising opportunity. Cllr David Mills hosted a virtual race night for his family last month as a fun way of keeping in touch during the ongoing lockdown. He then had the idea to use it to raise money for Droylsden and District Foodbank.
Sports England grant to fund family activities in Stalybridge
News Home More from Tameside Reporter Ridgehill Big Local Enterprises has announced some exciting news. The organisation was recently awarded a grant of £6,000 from Sports England to provide fun activities for the local community to enjoy. So, from Monday, June 22, the Big Local will be running treasure hunts on Chadwick Dam.
FIFA tournament kicks off for scanner appeal
News Home More from We Are A Community! Football loving FIFA fan Adam Birchall is organising an online FIFA tournament to raise money for a fantastic local cause. Adam, 28, from Droylsden, is a keen player himself and the inspiration for the tournament came while playing the game. “I’ve been playing FIFA for years,” he said. “I recently got back into playing online after a few years out and saw some lads playing a tournament between themselves.
Jessica's going the extra mile in Gorton
A Manchester door supervisor, who has switched from working clubs to local supermarkets, has been providing an extra service by helping elderly and vulnerable shoppers. Jessica Leigh, of Gorton, is a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed door supervisor. She is presently featured in the SIA’s #SIAHeroes campaign. The campaign is highlighting the efforts security operatives are making to serve their communities across the UK during the Covid-19 crisis.
Dukinfield author sharing her northern humour for free
News Home More from We Are A Community! An author born and bred in Dukinfield is giving away one of her books and making another “cheap as chips” in order to cheer people up during lockdown. Since growing up in the town, Chris (‘Tina’) Longden has lived in as far-flung places as Namibia in southern Africa, where she wrote her first two non-fiction books and gave birth to her first child.
Sports England grant to fund family activities in Stalybridge
News Home More from We Are A Community! Ridgehill Big Local Enterprises has announced some exciting news. The organisation was recently awarded a grant of £6,000 from Sports England to provide fun activities for the local community to enjoy. So, from Monday, June 22, the Big Local will be running treasure hunts on Chadwick Dam.
Ambitions receive Queen's Award in 10th anniversary year
A local social group for adults with disabilities has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for its remarkable work in Ashton and Oldham. Ambitions is a community group, run by a 25-strong team of volunteers, that provides social activities for young, and not so young, adults with learning and physical disabilities. Activities include a social club, themed discos, karaoke and trips out to places like Blackpool and Alton Towers.
Friends of Sunnybank Vale's success recognised with Queen's Award
A group of volunteers based in Droylsden are celebrating after they were honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The Friends of Sunny Bank Vale have received the award because “the work of the group provides a green lung ‘splash of countryside’ in a concentrated urban landscape.
Five local groups honoured with Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
Five organisations with roots in Tameside are celebrating today after receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a voluntary group. Ambitions Oldham & Ashton, Denton West End Community Library, Friends of Sunnybank Vale, Guide Bridge Theatre Ltd and The Bread and Butter Thing have all received the prestigious award, which is commonly known as the MBE for voluntary groups.
Carving out a new business message
A Stalybridge entrepreneur has launched a Kickstarter project to raise funds for his latest business idea. Pete Lever set up his ‘Off the Cuff’ business in 2010, making cufflinks using items such as old watches, meteorite cuttings, fossils and fordite. He’s run a number of successful Kickstarter projects over that time, enabling him to establish the small workshop he currently operates from.
Ashton siblings run their own 10K for Blind Veterans charity
A veteran from Ashton has ran a 10K alongside his sister, to raise money for the charity that has “given him his freedom back.” Steven Dixon and Sarah Dixon had signed up to do the Manchester 10K scheduled for this weekend, before it was postponed due to the coronavirus. They’re raising money for Blind Veterans UK, a charity close to the family’s heart after Steven became a member last year. “I served with the 1st Battalion King’s Regiment from 1996-2002, in the infantry,” he explained.
Good causes invited to apply for hand sanitiser
News Home More from We Are A Community! A business with a depot in Hyde is inviting local applications for a huge donation of hand sanitiser. Invopak is donating 600 litres of the product to care homes, food banks and other social care and charitable organisations near its distribution centres. The company is inviting places in need who are local to its depot in Hyde to apply to have one of the 120 five-litre jerry cans of the product.
Sandra pedals to grand target for Willow Wood
News Home More from We Are A Community! A church secretary from Dukinfield has raised £1000 for Willow Wood Hospice by completing a cycling challenge at her home. Sandra Austin, 76, has been secretary at St. Mark’s for the past five years, having been a member of the congregation all her life. She was due to undergo a knee replacement earlier this year but that was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lily's delivers more than 5000 food parcels across the North West
A popular Indian restaurant in Ashton reached a magnificent milestone this week after it delivered its 5000th food parcel. Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine started making up food parcels on March 21 and delivering them locally on a weekly basis. Now, it’s become a full-time operations, with staff spend 6-7 hours every day cooking and delivering delicious portions of curry and rice, or selection boxes of samosas, bhajis, spring rolls and other Lily’s favourites.
On the run to help Stalybridge teenager
News Home More from Tameside Reporter A girl from Ashton has raised hundreds of pounds to help train an assistance dog for a Stalybridge teenager. Aidan Eastwood, 14, and his mother Natasha recently adopted assistance dog Frankie. Aidan (pictured with Frankie) has a life-threatening heart condition, autism and severe OCD. Aidan and Natasha need to raise £12,000 to have Frankie trained.
Ashton mum's support group for 'lockdown babies'
A new online support group is helping Tameside parents who have had babies during the coronavirus pandemic. The ‘lockdown babies’ Facebook group was set up by Ashton mum Natasha Hall, after she and her husband Simon welcomed baby Charlie on March 18. It was just before lockdown officially started, but restrictions were already in place at Tameside Hospital.
Tameside among UK's worst areas for excluded pupil outcomes
A report from the Centre for Social Justice has revealed that Tameside is among the worst areas in the UK for excluded pupils hoping to salvage their prospects. Researchers at the social policy think tank have drawn up a ‘league table’ of the best and worst performing local authorities. Points were awarded based on Ofsted rankings, exam results, absence rates, levels of qualified teachers and outcomes such as holding down a job, apprenticeship or college place.
Droylsden's nursery holds out of this world fundraiser
News Home More from We Are A Community! A Droylsden nursery raised hundreds of pounds for the NHS last month. Space Station Day Nursery ran an online fundraiser throughout April, with everyone who made a donation entered into a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher. In total, £604 was raised thanks to parents, carers and staff, with the fundraiser well received across all the Kids Zone Nurseries Group.
Jade's marathon effort for Stalybridge teen's assistance dog appeal
A young girl from Ashton has raised hundreds of pounds to help train a much-needed assistance dog for a Stalybridge teenager. 14-year-old Aidan Eastwood and his mother Natasha have recently adopted assistance dog Frankie. Two years ago, Aidan was diagnosed with the life-threatening heart condition CPVT, while his family faces additional challenges due to his autism and severe OCD.
Denton couple create fitting family tribute for VE Day
A couple from Denton went that extra mile on VE Day by decorating their house in honour of their families’ military history. Colin and Joyce Pollard both come from military backgrounds; both their fathers fought in the First World War, while Colin is one of six brothers, three of whom fought in World War Two. With the theme ‘Our Family at War’, it was Colin’s brother Harold to whom they devoted most attention, 75 years after his death.
Wendy bakes up first class cakes for local keyworkers
A cake maker from Dukinfield has been using her baking talents to cheer up local keyworkers with her delicious creations. Wendy Brookes, of Wendy Brookes Cake Design, recently delivered cakes to the North West Ambulance Service in Dukinfield and Royal Mail in Hyde, both of which were gratefully received. Wendy has been baking cakes professionally for five years after doing it for her children when they were growing up, and now has her own five star hygiene-rated kitchen.
Chris flys the flag for Tameside's armed forces community
News Home More from VE Day A Tameside veteran is flying the flag on behalf of the armed forces community across borough to mark VE Day. Chris Moulton runs the Tameside Veteran’s Breakfast Club, who meet every month at the Globe Café in Dukinfield. They were due to meet today and hold a barbeque to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, but lockdown restrictions put a stop to that.
Dancing in the park: VE Day in Mossley 75 years ago
News Home More from VE Day Betty White was a 15-year-old girl when the war in Europe ended in 1945. Now, aged 90, having lived in Mossley since she was born, Betty recalls life during WW2 and the first VE Day celebrations. We did things during the war, we were always doing things to make money. We used to put pennies along the pavement at either end of the street, then as people went past they would fill it up, so we’d end up with a yard of pennies or something like that.
Oliver in double marathon effort for Alzheimer's Society
News Home More from We Are A Community! A youngster from Dukinfield is dashing for cash in aid of charity Alzheimer’s Society - by running a total of two marathons in just over two weeks! Oliver Walker, 11, is no stranger to running, as a member of East Cheshire Harriers and having completed the Junior Manchester Run over the past couple of years for a number of different charities.
The great lockdown workout on a Droylsden street
News Home More from We Are A Community! Neighbours on one Droylsden street have been looking after each other by keeping fit together every evening. Residents on Sutton Way take part in a community keep fit class every day, run by resident Kath McCann. “As a street we wanted to do something together,” Kath explained. “I go to the gym quite regularly and someone suggested doing a keep fit class. So every day, we do exercise outside our front doors.
Lauren's on song for Dukinfield neighbours
News Home More from We Are A Community! Dukinfield teenager Lauren Eve should be preparing to sit her GCSE exams at Rayner Stephens. Instead, she is getting ready to go to music college by performing for her neighbours on Yew Tree Lane, lifting their spirits every week. The 16-year-old has been singing for her street from her front garden every Thursday before the Clap for Our Carers at 8pm.
Tributes paid to Droylsden scout leader Gill Cummins
Tributes have been paid to scouting leader Gill Cummins who has sadly passed away aged 52, following a short illness due to coronavirus. Gill was a cub leader and Group Scout Leader at 339th (Droylsden) Manchester, based at St Martin’s in Droylsden and had been involved locally in scouting since 1999. She was also an active member of the congregation at St Martin’s Church. Remembering Gill, her family said: “Gill leaves behind a husband, three strong children and three beautiful grandchildren.
Celebrate VE Day in Hyde with a stay at home street party
News Home More from Tameside Reporter Residents in the Hyde area are being encouraged to celebrate VE Day by putting up bunting and raising a toast in their garden. Some residents have been taking part in a ‘Brew@2’ initiative, where they have a brew in their garden at 2pm every Tuesday and talk to their neighbours. That has been adapted to ‘VE@3’ on Friday, as the nation celebrates the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Coronavirus marks sad end of an era for Droylsden family
When George Francis Wilkinson passed away in a hospice in Colchester on April 13, it marked the end of an era for one large Droylsden family. For George was the last survivor of sixteen Wilkinson siblings, all born and raised in the town. George Francis Wilkinson was born on September 13, 1932, to Hannah and Harry Wilkinson (pictured below).
Tameside firm answers business and NHS call
A Tameside telecommunications company is doing its bit to help businesses through the coronavirus crisis. Exeltel, based at Hyde Park House in Newton, are a unified communications provider for businesses who also specialise in charity and education services with protected pricing. Managing Director David Whitworth-McGregor set up Exeltel in July 2019 after he and his partner found inspiration very close to home.
Syria Relief helping coronavirus efforts at home and abroad
A Syrian aid charity based in Denton has been helping in the fight against coronavirus both at home and abroad. Syria Relief provides aid to almost two million Syrians in need, including food packs, medical supplies and education. And since the coronavirus crisis began, the charity has also been co-ordinating and organising local efforts to support those most in need in the community.
Police investigating robberies at Droylsden post office
Police are investigating two robberies at a post office in Droylsden earlier this month and have released CCTV of a man they would like to speak to. The first happened at around 9.50pm on Tuesday, March 31, with the culprit smashing a glass front door to gain entry before returning four times over the next hour to steal a large quantity of alcohol and cigarettes. He then fled on foot in the direction of Moorcroft Street.
Dukinfield Gold Club ask people to respect course while using it for exercise
News Home More from Sport Dukinfield Golf Club has asked people to respect their course while using it for their daily exercise. Despite the majority of the course being private land, residents have been taking advantage of the empty fairways and beautiful scenery during their daily walks. And the club want those people, especially dog walkers and cyclists, to be careful where they go and respect the course.
Dukinfield Golf Club ask people to respect course while using it for exercise
News Home More from Sport Dukinfield Golf Club has asked people to respect their course while using it for their daily exercise. Despite the majority of the course being private land, residents have been taking advantage of the empty fairways and beautiful scenery during their daily walks. And the club want those people, especially dog walkers and cyclists, to be careful where they go and respect the course.
Councillor thanks "inspiring" NHS staff after coronavirus ordeal
A local councillor has thanked the “inspiring” medical staff who saved his life after he was diagnosed with coronavirus. Dukinfield/Stalybridge councillor Dave Sweeton spent eight days in Tameside Hospital, where he was told he’d arrived in the nick of time. His partner Chris also developed symptoms but wasn’t admitted; she self-isolated at home. Dave has also thanked their friends and family for the many messages of support.
WATCH: All Saints' fitting farewell to headteacher
News Home More from Tameside Reporter All Saints Catholic College have given their much-loved headteacher a unique send-off by serenading her in an online video! Linda Emmett has left All Saints after completely turning around the school’s fortunes. It was placed in special measures shortly after her arrival but under Mrs Emmett’s leadership, All Saints is now rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with GCSE results improving year-on-year.
Greenside Primary goes quackers with their own 'duck challenge'
News Home More from We Are A Community! Droylsden’s Greenside Primary School is the latest to join in the online school video craze - and put their own ‘twist’ on the storyline. The video sees staff taking on the ‘duck challenge’ as a way of cheering up head teacher Judith Reynolds, who is currently in isolation. Assistant head teacher Kerry Mitchell said: “We have seen lots of schools taking on the loo roll challenge.
Somewhere over the rainbow...
Dukinfield’s Boyds Walk residents have been going the extra mile to say thank you to the NHS with rainbows in almost every window. And here are just a few...
Huge thanks as Denton residents rally round
Councillors in Denton South have been coming up with innovative ways to help their local foodbank during the coronavirus crisis, with a fantastic response from residents. Like its counterparts across the country, St Mary’s foodbank has seen an unprecedented surge in demand since lockdown measures were introduced, seriously depleting stock levels at a time when food supply is limited.
Crews battling moorland fire near Glossop
News Home More from Glossop Chronicle Fire crews are battling a moorland fire at Rakes Moss this afternoon. The fire, near the Woodhead Road to Crowden, is causing a large amount of smoke to drift west over parts of the High Peak and Tameside. Residents in Stanley Bridge, Mossley and Stalybridge are advised to keep their windows and doors closed. People should also avoid the area.
Fairfield High School wishes former Head of Maths a Happy 100th Birthday
A former head of mathematics at Fairfield High School for Girls, Kathleen Auty, has celebrated her 100th birthday. Between 1938 and 1941, Kathleen studied mathematics at Girton College, Cambridge. There she met Christopher Robin Milne, the son of Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne. Christopher was studying mathematics at Trinity College and both were members of the Archimedeans, the Cambridge University Mathematical Society.
Stay creative with Tameside Arts
News Home More from We Are A Community! Tameside Arts have been keeping the borough busy and entertained during the lockdown with a full weekly timetable of online activities. The charity usually delivers a whole host of dance, music, arts and drama events at its base, the Create Centre in Denton. But when the centre closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, they wanted to ensure their service users still had access to all the fun activities they would normally do.
Appeal for comfort packs for Royal Oldham Hospital patients
News Home More from We Are A Community! A nurse at the Royal Oldham Hospital has put out an appeal for items to make up comfort packages for patients A nurse at the Royal Oldham Hospital has put out an appeal for items to make up comfort packages for patients. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, visitors aren’t allowed at the hospital, meaning friends and relatives can’t take essential items in for patients.
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