Friday 27 June 2014

Rowena Darlington

Trafford Heritage Society is greatly saddened to announce the death in Italy, of Rowena Darlington.  An energetic and enthusiastic member of THS, Rowena was a leading activist in the campaign to save the Sale Hotel, and a number of other initiatives by the Society, to protect our built heritage. Rowena was formerly a Trafford schoolteacher before her retirement, and continued to work in education as a volunteer, assisting young people with reading difficulties.
In her professional life she believed strongly in the value of the performing arts, not only as a general foundation, but also as a catalyst in the personal development of young people.  The children she taught at Reception level (5 years) were all given speaking parts in school productions.  She directed school choirs and traditional English Country Dancing groups, taking them to music and dance festivals.  Her expertise in this field informed her work as caller with Jack-at-a-Pinch band and latterly, Long Millgate Band.
She was an English literature enthusiast and a keen theatre-goer.  She belonging to a number of discussion groups and book clubs, and was a regular at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Bolton Octagon, and the Library Theatre, Manchester.
Rowena was a keen gardener, an absorbing interest which she also introduced into her teaching.  She encouraged young school children to grow food long before it became fashionable.  She established a kitchen garden at Acre Hall School, where the children were able to manage the growing of fruit and vegetables, which they cooked and ate in the classroom.
Rowena was a member of Amnesty International and supported a number of charities, including the Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, and St Ann’s Hospice.
Rowena died in Padova University Hospital in the early hours of 7th June.  Devoted wife and mother, much loved by Wilfred and the wider family. 
Rowena’s funeral will be held at St John the Divine, Brooklands, at 1.00pm on Friday, 04.07.14. 

Saturday 11 January 2014

Trafford Heritage Society wish to pay tribute to Paul Goggins M.P. who died on the 8th January 2014.

Within days of being asked to support our "Save the Sale Hotel" Campaign, Paul had organised a local Campaign meeting.  On our behalf, he went on to meet with the developer/owners whose only intention was to demolish this fine building.  In between his other Parliamentary workload, Paul supported us with the petition to save this building and genuinely believed that it should be saved. He also used his considerable political experience and presence to support the Campaign with the Department of Culture, Media & Sport


Without Paul's active support, this building would no longer be here


Friday 30 August 2013

Fourth oldest building in Sale!

I thank God for Trafford Heritage Society, Sale Civic Society, the Victorian Society and all those societies
committed to our built heritage.  I do not have a good word for Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.  The council is proposing to demolish St Paul’s Vicarage because according to a Trafford MBC spokesperson, quoted in the SAM (Front page 29.08.13), “the proposed demolition of the vicarage was weighed against the public benefit of providing outdoor play space for Springfield Primary School.”   But this building is the fourth oldest in Sale.  How, one may reasonably ask, do the local authorities of Paris, Rome, Prague, Munich, Salzburg, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Barcelona, &c., manage to educate their primary school children without demolishing their old buildings.  Perhaps it is because these cities are not cursed with the kind of councillor who says:
 “There is a lack of green space at this school.  If we can provide some green space by removing that ugly building, it should happen as soon as possible.”
(Councillor Phil Gratrix, quoted in SAM 18.07.13).  
I urge Trafford voters to withdraw support from any prospective councillor who supports the demolition of St.Paul’s Vicarage.  It is a listed building, not without good reason, and therefore there is not a good reason for knocking it down.  For the record, I am so grateful that we have a newspaper like the SAM which never fails to keep us informed about the lamentable record of Trafford MBC in the stewardship of our built heritage.

Robin Glennie

Sunday 21 July 2013

Sale vicarage to be demolished?

Messenger Newspaper

"...Planning committee member, Cllr Phil Gratrix, said: “There is a lack of green space at this school.f we can provide some green space by removing that ugly building, it should happen as soon as possible..."
Is this what Cllr Phil Gratrix calls ugly?


Or is this just another way to remove a part of our Heritage?




Saturday 8 June 2013

Probation service

Probation service

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Under the Justice Secretary's proposals 70% of Probation Service work will be delivered by private and voluntary providers. This will include child protection cases, violence against the person and domestic violence cases, offenders with vulnerabilities and mental health problems, sex offenders and offenders at high risk of reoffending, such as prolific burglars, chaotic drug users and gang members. This will mean only an approximate 50,000 offenders, of the 240,000 currently managed by Probation, will continue to be managed and rehabilitated by Probation. This will pose huge risks to the public and victims of crime, end the effective local community partnerships Probation has built up, and put approximately 18,000 Probation staff at risk of redundancy.

If the Probation Service is dismantled and privatised, many offenders will no longer be supported to make the necessary changes in their lives, as the 'results' may not be quick and lucrative enough to private firms. Privatisation of a service such as this is very risky, especially if it is money orientated, as true and accurate 'results' may not be reflected in reality. Businesses want to make profits, not losses. Low to medium risk offenders can turn into high risk offenders overnight. People working with offenders should be well trained and skilled professionals.

Public sector Probation should continue to deliver this function in its entirety – the Justice Minister must be urged to consider public safety and abandon his plans.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44403