The latest glossy colour edition of Werneth News is now being delivered to households in Hyde Werneth.
To view the leaflet please click on the images above, or click the following link: werneth news.0610.
BOLLARDS & NEW GUARDRAILS TO STOP INCONSIDERATE PARKING OUTSIDE TESCO EXPRESS
ABOVE: JOHN BELL & THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS OUTSIDE TESCO EXPRESS
Traffic mayhem may be coming to an end in Gee Cross, if new proposals are given the go-ahead.
Motorists using the junction of Mottram Old Road and Stockport Road have faced difficulties in recent years, thanks to inconsiderate customers at the Tesco Express store double-parking right outside the store, which is located just yards from the junction.
However, following intense lobbying by local Conservative councillors John Bell, Derek Baines and Ruth Welsh, Tameside Council is now finalising proposals to stop the traffic chaos outside the store, with the introduction of bollards and additional pedestrian guardrails.
Cllr. John Bell said, “As local councillors we have been inundated with requests from residents to resolve the indiscriminate parking outside Tesco Express, which predates Tesco’s occupancy of the shop. These proposals have taken years of lobbying to see the light of day, but nonetheless, I am delighted that action is finally being proposed. For too long the safety of motorists and pedestrians has been put at risk by the parking situation at Tesco, and it simply could not continue for fear of a serious accident occurring.”
It is anticipated that the proposals will be approved within the next few weeks.
ABOVE: CLLRS JOHN BELL & DEREK BAINES SURVEY THE ‘SHODDY’ RESTORATION WORK TO POLE BANK & THE RUINED MEADOW.
Hyde Werneth’s three Conservative ward councillors have condemned ‘shoddy’ restoration work to Pole Bank Park, which has seen repairs to the lake and footpaths left abandoned and an adjacent meadow ruined.
In recent years Pole Bank has become known as the ‘forgotten park’ due to the lack of investment it has received. The urgent restoration work to the park was instigated following intense lobbying by Cllrs. John Bell, Derek Baines, and Ruth Welsh.
However, the work has been left incomplete and has lain abandoned for months.
As a result:
The restoration work has cost local taxpayers £46,000.
The councillors are now seeking urgent assurances that the mess will be rectified as soon as possible.
Cllr. John Bell said, “We have fought for a long time to get the necessary restoration work undertaken, and we were extremely pleased when the Council announced that they would be giving it priority. Pole Bank had become the forgotten park of Tameside, but it is a little gem with a small, beautiful lake that is a haven for wildlife.
“Unfortunately, the Council’s restoration work so far has been shoddy and is now left abandoned, with pathways closed off to the public, and a meadow ruined from the mud that has been dumped on it.
“We have therefore been in contact with Council officers to ascertain when the mess is going to be cleared up and when the work is going to be completed. Pole Bank has been ruined by the work that has been undertaken so far, and we are determined to see it rectified as soon as possible.”
TAKE THAT TRIBUTE BAND & SUNSHINE ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF CHARITY EVENT
ABOVE: CLLRS. RUTH WELSH, JOHN BELL & DEREK BAINES ENJOY TOTALLY TAKE THAT
Support from Hyde Werneth’s three Conservative councillors helped this year’s Gee Cross Festival Weekend shine.
The two-day event, held on Sam Redfern Green, saw the crowd’s flock in. Tribute band Totally Take That made Saturday the greatest day for the crowds, with an energetic performance that the audience will never forget.
And sunshine and hot weather made sure the crowds came back for good for the fête the following day.
The annual festival weekend raises thousands of pounds for the Rotary Club of Hyde and Willow Wood Hospice each year, and is continually supported by local Conservative councillors John Bell, Derek Baines and Ruth Welsh, who this year provided the event with a £1,000 donation from their council ward monies.
Cllr. Bell said, “We are wholehearted supporters of this event. Not only is the festival weekend a fabulous way of raising money for the Rotary Club and Willow Wood, but it is also a great community event for Gee Cross, Hyde and the rest of Tameside. The work of both charities is amazing, and our thanks go out to everybody involved in making the festival weekend a huge success, and for the work they do for the community throughout the rest of the year.”
HYDE CONSERVATIVES SUPPORT PRE-WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT
ABOVE: Cllr. John Bell presents the trophy to the winning team watched by PC Jed Nelson
With just days to go until the World Cup in South Africa, three Hyde schools recently battled it out in their own mini football competition.
Teams from Dowson Primary, Holy Trinity, and St. George’s Primary Schools competed in a tournament organised by the local police partnership, and sponsored by Hyde Werneth’s Conservative councillors who donated the medals and winning trophy from their council ward monies.
Morrisons supplied refreshments for the battling young footballers.
The youngsters showed Fabio Capello that he was right to extend his commitment to the national squad, with a high standard of football which augers well for the future of the beautiful game.
A team from Dowson Primary eventually prevailed, and it was left to Cllr. John Bell to award the prizes at the end.
Afterwards he said, “It was a fantastic tournament and great for our local youngsters. It also illustrated the successful work our local police team is undertaking to improve the neighbourhood, and provide more activities for our young people. Cllrs. Derek Baines, Ruth Welsh and I were very happy to support them.”
ABOVE: DAVID CAMERON WITH WIFE SAMANTHA OUTSIDE NUMBER TEN
Tameside Conservatives have welcomed the formation of a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition Government, led by the new Prime Minister, David Cameron.
Rob Adlard, the Stalybridge & Hyde Conservative Parliamentary candidate at the General Election, said, “These are exceptional times and a strong and stable government is needed. We have to put the national interest first.
“The Conservative leadership was determined to get a deal done and I think it’s an indication of the character of David Cameron that he has put the national interest above party politics.
He added, “In Tameside, the Labour MPs will have to work with a Government on many issues they campaigned against.”
Further comment was added by Tameside Conservative Leader, Cllr. John Bell, who said, “I really am looking forward to this with some confidence. The main prerogative for the Government now is to take the nation forward with us.
“We have got some difficult decisions ahead of us, and we must rally around to get us out of the mess that Labour have left us in.
“My best wishes go to David Cameron, and I hope British people will come along with us when those tough decisions have to be made.”
Speaking on the steps of Number Ten, David Cameron said, “Our country has a hung Parliament where no party has an overall majority and we have some deep and pressing problems, a huge deficit, deep social problems and a political system in need of reform. For those reasons, I aim to form a proper and full coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. I believe that is the right way to provide this country with the strong, the stable, the good and decent Government that I think we need so badly.
“I came in to politics because I love this country. I think its best days still lie ahead and I believe deeply in public service. And I think the service our country needs right now is to face up to our really big challenges to confront our problems, to take difficult decisions, to lead people through those difficult decisions so that together we can reach better times ahead.
“This is going to be hard and difficult work. A coalition will throw up all sorts of challenges, but I believe together we can provide that strong and stable Government that our country needs based on those values, rebuilding family, rebuilding community, above all rebuilding responsibility in our country.
“Those are the things I care about; those are the things that this Government will now start work on doing.”
To read the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats please click here.
Tameside Conservatives would like to thank residents who voted Conservative on the 6th May.
GENERAL ELECTION
The Conservatives recorded huge swings from Labour in all three Tameside constituencies.
In Ashton-under-Lyne, Seeema Kennedy recorded a fabulous 7.3 per cent swing from Labour, taking 9,510 votes in the process.
In Denton & Reddish, Julie Searle’s hard work saw the Labour majority reduced with a 6.2 per cent swing to the Conservatives.
However, it was in Stalybridge & Hyde where the most dramatic result was recorded. Rob Adlard reduced Labour’s 8,000+ majority from the 2005 General Election to just 2,744 – a swing of 8.5 per cent that now makes the constituency one of the country’s most marginal seats.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Over 29,000 residents cast their vote for Conservative candidates in the local elections – over 10,000 more than did so at the last elections in 2008 -giving us a 30 per cent share of the vote.
Across Tameside the Conservatives provided a stiff opposition to Labour, maintaining seats in both Hyde Werneth and Stalybridge South, and coming close to defeating Roy Oldham, the Labour leader, in Longdendale.
The Conservatives remain the only political opposition to Labour in the borough, and will continue to campaign to get the best services and possible for residents.
Rob Adlard, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Stalybridge & Hyde along with Seema Kennedy, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Ashton-under-Lyne set out their vision for Tameside.
To learn more about Rob’s campaign please click here.
To learn more about Seema’s campaign please click here.
ABOVE : ROB ADLARD, STALYBRIDGE & HYDE’S PROSPECTIVE CONSERVATIVE MP, IS FACING LABOUR’S CONTROVERSIAL JONNY ‘COME LATELY’ REYNOLDS AT THE GENERAL ELECTION
Influential left-wing magazine, Tribune, this week lifted the lid on the civil war that is tearing apart the Labour Party in Stalybridge & Hyde, following the selection of Jonny ‘Come Lately’ Reynolds as the Labour General Election candidate for the constituency.
The magazine reports that up to 20 per cent of Labour supporters will now not vote for Reynolds at the General Election, and that local Labour members believed that the selection process that saw Reynolds selected “stank so much that many would-be voters wanted no part in the proceedings.”
The article also states that several S&H Labour members plan to resign following the General Election.
Reynolds originally failed to make the shortlist for the Labour candidature, following the shock resignation of want-a-way, London-born MP, James Purnell.
However, following alleged interventions by Purnell and Lord Mandelson, and a selection process that included rigorous questioning about pop music and Dancing on Ice, Reynolds was selected as the Labour candidate.
Just last week, former S&H Labour MP, Lord Tom Pendry revealed that he had protested about the selection that saw Reynolds selected, stating it was “regrettable”.
Tribune reports that his selection has been branded an “absolute disgrace” by one Labour activist.
Reynolds will now contest the General Election against Conservative Prospective MP, Rob Adlard.
Whilst Labour enjoy an 8,000 majority from the 2005 General Election, the Conservatives polled over 800 votes more than Labour in the eight wards that make up the Stalybridge & Hyde constituency at the 2008 local elections.
And with Rob receiving a fantastic welcome by local residents, every vote will count on the 6th May.
TO READ TRIBUNE’S FULL ARTICLE PLEASE CLICK HERE.
CONSERVATIVES RECEIVE CURT TGH RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES ABOUT MANAGEMENT PAY & STANDARDS OF CARE
ABOVE: SEEMA KENNEDY WITH ASHTON ST. MICHAEL’S CANDIDATE DR. PAUL BUCKLEY, OUTSIDE TGH
Conservative demands to know why the Chief Executive of Tameside General Hospital (TGH) received 17 per cent pay rise has been met with a brusque response from hospital chiefs, who claim that patients have not “been let down by anyone”.
Rob Adlard, the Conservative Prospective MP for Stalybridge & Hyde, lodged questions for January’s TGH public meeting about patient care.
Rob asked, “When the Chief Officer has received a pay rise of 17%, and yet the mortality rate is the third worst in the country, what systems have failed, or are there none in place to link performance with pay? What steps can now be taken to improve management who have let down NHS staff and Tameside residents?”
However, owing to Rob’s enforced absence from the meeting the questions went unanswered despite demands from fellow Tameside Prospective Conservative MPs, Seema Kennedy and Julie Searle.
Following the meeting, Ashton-under-Lyne’s Seema Kennedy resubmitted the questions on behalf of the three Prospective Conservative MPs.
Over two months later, and phone calls to TGH, she was informed by a senior hospital manager that TGH’s “performance is strong in respect of: (i) Clinical Service Improvements, (ii) Infection Control (including CDiff and MRSA), (iii) Patient waiting times (iv) Clinical risk management, and (v) The new £100m hospital redevelopment.”
The manager concluded, “I do not believe Tameside residents or anyone else have been let down by anyone at Tameside hospital. HSMR involves a hospital-wide effort, and I am satisfied that doctors, nurses, managers and support staff are all working together to do their best for patients and the public.”
Commenting on the letter, Seema said, “I could not believe what I was reading. If they didn’t think that anyone had been let down by Tameside Hospital, then they weren’t in the same meeting as me.”
Efforts to force senior management to improve failing standards of care continue.
Find out more at Seema’s website: http://www.seemakennedy.co.uk/blog/.
Labour finally selected their Stalybridge & Hyde candidate for the forthcoming General Election earlier today, following the last minute resignation of want-away MP, James Purnell.
Johnny ‘Come-Lately’ Reynolds is Purnell’s former researcher, and was foisted upon Labour following an alleged union-led fix orchestrated by Purnell and Lord Mandelson.
Reynolds selection immediately brough a swift rebuke from Rob Adlard, the Prospective Conservative MP for Stalybridge & Hyde.
Rob said, “Labour’s Johnny-Come-Lately candidate represents a few things.
“Firstly, Labour take people for granted, and imagine they can insert anyone into Stalybridge and Hyde at the last-minute and still expect them to be selected. They take your vote for granted.
“Johnny ‘Come-Lately’ Reynolds represents James Purnell’s choice for the constituency. All the newspapers reported him as James Purnell’s choice, and in fact when he was originally left off the shortlist, James Purnell and Lord Mandelson petitioned for him to be put back on. Your Labour candidate also worked in James Purnell’s office for James Purnell at the taxpayer’s expense.
“The Labour candidate is also in the pocket of the Unions. Unite/Amicus think they can buy the seat of Stalybridge & Hyde for their candidate, who is a local branch secretary. The Conservatives’ campaign, in contrast, is entirely funded by local people in the constituency.”
The local media was scathing about the selection process, which included questions on ITV1 show Dancing on Ice and the music charts. The selection panel that sat in Westminster included Leicester East MP Keith Vaz.
HYDE WERNETH CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR WINS ‘LEADING LADY OF THE YEAR AWARD’
ABOVE: CLLR. RUTH WELSH (right) WITH BON MARCHE’S JULIE KING & THE NOMINATION FORM THAT SEALED RUTH’S ACCOLADE
Cllr. Ruth Welsh has been crowned Hyde’s Leading Lady of the Year for 2010.
The accolade – awarded by retailer Bon Marché – came after Cllr. Welsh lobbied to alter a bus route so that residents living on Lord Derby Road could access it twice a week.
Following the success of Cllr. Welsh’s work a number of residents nominated her for the award.
The prize has come as a complete shock to the Hyde Werneth Conservative councillor.
Cllr. Welsh said, “I am delighted and amazed to have won the award. As a councillor I spend most of my time assisting residents with their problems, and trying to get them resolved, but it never occurred to me that there was any award involved.
“I am really grateful to the residents who nominated me for the award, and would like to say a big thank you to them. I always try to do my best for residents. Sometimes we don’t get the outcome we were hoping for, and on other occasions, such as the bus route alteration, we succeed in making a real difference.
“That’s why I am really gratified that residents, in this instance, appreciate my efforts. I will keep trying my best for the residents of Hyde.”
CONSERVATIVE CAMPAIGN FOR PARK RESTORATION IS SUCCESSFUL
ABOVE: CLLR. BASIL BEELEY & THE PRELIMINARY WORK UNDERTAKEN AT THE CAT PARK
Work has begun on the restoration of a small park in Stalybridge, following a successful Conservative campaign to get it cleared up.
The Cat Park, a small triangular park between Stocks Lane, Taylor Street and Groby Street, has been neglected for years and had become overgrown and unsightly.
However, last summer Stalybridge’s Conservative councillors successfully secured District Assembly funding for the park’s restoration and surveyed local residents for their views on the matter.
As a result, work began on transforming the park a few weeks ago, and now Conservatives are looking forward to the park being transformed in time for the summer.
Cllr. Basil Beeley said, “We secured funding for the Cat Park’s restoration last year, and preparation for the work has taken many months.
“I am therefore delighted that work has now begun on the park. For years it was a mess, and it ended up attracting alcohol-drinking youths and dog fouling.
“However, the transformation should make it a focal point for local residents once again, and the timing of the work means it will be ready in time for the summer months.”
CLLRS. BASIL BEELEY & DOREEN DICKINSON HAND OVER THE £400 DONATION TO COPLEY RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION’S DONNA GREGORY & CHRISTINE GREGORY (far right)
Stalybridge Conservatives are supporting the creation of a community garden on Copley Estate.
Copley Residents’ Association is creating the garden, which will be located adjacent to Stocks Brook off Demesne Close.
Stalybridge South Conservative councillors, Basil Beeley and Doreen Dickinson, visited the site of the garden this week to discuss the proposals with members of the residents’ association.
They then handed over a £400 donation from the ward monies they share with fellow Conservative ward councillor, David Buckley – who was on holiday at the time, and unable to visit the garden.
The councillors’ donation will help fund the purchase of plants and equipment.
Cllr. Basil Beeley said, “Over the years we have supported the efforts of Copley residents to improve their neighbourhood, and we are very happy to keep assisting them in any way we can.
“The residents’ association is doing a remarkable job, and the establishment of a community garden will be a lovely asset for the area. I am now looking forward to seeing the garden develop and grow, so that residents can enjoy it for years to come.”
STALYBRIDGE CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS AWARD £400 FOR CHILDREN’S TENNIS COACHING
ABOVE: CLLR. BASIL BEELEY (third left) HANDS THE DONATION TO ROY SAXTON OF THE PRIORY TENNIS CLUB, WATCHED BY CLLRS DAVID BUCKLEY (second right) & DOREEN DICKINSON (far right), GORDON WHITBREAD & JOHN CLIFTON.
Stalybridge South’s Conservative councillors this week reiterated their support for young peoples’ sport with a £400 donation to the Priory Tennis Club.
The donation, from their council ward monies, will be used to fund professional coaching sessions for young people at the Mottram Road club.
The coaching sessions are open to local children of all ages, and have proved very popular.
Cllrs. Basil Beeley, David Buckley and Doreen Dickinson visited the club to speak to members and pass on their donation.
Cllr. Beeley said, “The coaching sessions provided by the Priory Tennis Club are excellent, and provide opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist for local youngsters to try their hand at tennis.
“We are delighted to be supporting the continuation of the sessions, and we will continue to do our utmost to support sporting opportunities for young people in Stalybridge South.”
Labour’s growing chaos in the wake of James Purnell’s resignation became increasingly more chaotic this week, as the national media reported on union attempts to impose a candidate on Stalybridge & Hyde for the forthcoming General Election.
An article in the Guardian newspaper described how Unite, led by it’s policy chief – and Gordon Brown’s former spin doctor – Charlie Wheelan, had pumped £11million into the Labour Party and now wanted a say on the selection of candidates.
Wheelan is tipped to play a major role in Brown’s General Election campaign.
In the meantime, senior Unite official, Peter Wheeler, is on the Stalybridge & Hyde shortlist to succeed Purnell.
The shadow children’s secretary, Michael Gove, claimed that Unite had succeeded in ensuring that 59 of its members have been selected as Labour candidates for the General Election.
Gove said, “Charlie Whelan’s distinctive fingerprints can be detected all over Labour’s recent lurch to the left in key policy areas,”
As proof he cited the government’s decision to abandon the part-privatisation of Royal Mail, a climbdown on opening up the supply of NHS care, and the dropping of school reforms.
Gove said that Unite’s involvement in the BA dispute showed how unions were now calling the shots.
“How can Charlie Whelan simultaneously be the political director of a union which is paralysing British Airways at the same time as he’s directing the political activities of Britain’s prime minister? How can we trust what Gordon Brown says about this strike, when we know he is in hock to Unite and in thrall to Charlie Whelan?”
Prospective Stalybridge & Hyde Conservative MP, Rob Adlard, said, “People in Stalybridge and Hyde have just managed to get rid of one outsider as MP. On the doorstep people have confirmed that they felt James Purnell didn’t have the best interests of Stalybridge and Hyde at heart, and they’ll be wary before they vote for another career politician and outsider such as Peter Wheeler of the Unite union, a union which is wrecking the Labour Party as a party of government.”
ROB ADLARD & CLLR. CLIVE PATRICK VISIT RIDGE HILL CHILDREN’S CENTRE
Prospective Stalybridge & Hyde Conservative MP, Rob Adlard, and Stalybridge North Conservative councillor, Clive Patrick, recently visited Ridge Hill Children’s Centre to hear about the great work that is being done for the community.
The centre’s manager gave them a tour, and they heard from passionate staff about the classes, advice, services and support that is available at the centre.
Rob said, “It was such a positive experience seeing how much energy the staff had for the work that they do for the local community.”
“It made me extremely glad that our party leader David Cameron is backing Sure Start and wants to expand Sure Start.”
The visit came as the Labour Party in Stalybridge & Hyde delivered leaflets implying that the Conservatives would close the centre.
Their misleading, and misguided, stunt is part of Labour’s overall national tactics to scare people about their future, and con people into voting Labour at the forthcoming elections.
ABOVE: THUMBS DOWN! CLLR. JOHN BELL REJECTS LABOUR’S ID CARD SCHEME
Tameside Conservatives have hit back, after Labour politicians promoted their £20 billion ID scheme in Tameside.
Tameside Conservative Leader, Cllr. John Bell stated that the scheme was a “complete of money” and that it would not stop terrorism or benefit fraud.
He said, “Labour’s ID card scheme will cost Britain £20 billion, and every penny of it is a complete waste money.
“It will not stop terrorist attacks. Spain’s ID card scheme did not stop 191 commuters being killed and another 1,800 being wounded in the Madrid train bombings of 2004.
“It will not stop benefit fraud either, as just 2.5 per cent of fraudulent claims each year result from identity fraud.
“It is such a useless waste of time that at the recent launch of the trial scheme in Manchester, a Labour junior minister was reduced to promoting ID cards for binge drinking, claiming that they would help young people get served quicker in bars and clubs.
“The trial has been such a success that a bank in Hyde recently refused to accept an ID card as a form of identity.
“However, it will give Labour the excuse to snoop on the British public like never before, with legislation demanding personal data information from every single British citizen – with no guarantee that it would be looked after properly.
“Anybody who willingly parts with their cash, and signs up to the scheme, must either be completely ignorant of what they are doing, or absolutely stark raving mad.
“That is why a Conservative Government will scrap this pointless and expensive idea.”
Further condemnation of the scheme came from Denton West Conservative, Floyd Paterson, who said, “With such guff coming from Labour, the British public would be better served by Labour politicians carrying IQ cards.
Rob Adlard, Stalybridge & Hyde’s prospective Conservative MP, has been out and about in Hyde Werneth ward with his campaign team, talking to residents and delivering his latest leaflet.
To view Rob’s leaflet please click on the images above.
CONSERVATIVE RESPONSE TO LABOUR MP’s SHOCK RESIGNATION
Responding to news that James Purnell is to resign as the Labour MP for Stalybridge & Hyde, Cllr. John Bell, the Tameside Conservative Leader and Hyde Werneth ward councillor, said:
“James Purnell was never a Stalybridge & Hyde man because he never fully concentrated on his duties as a constituency MP. From day one, he had an eye on the bigger Westminster stage and he never made any secret of his desire to rise through the ministerial ranks as soon as possible.
“As a result he was sloppy in his approach and his judgement was questionable. Mishap followed him around wherever he went – most famously when he insisted on being photoshopped into a photograph with the management of Tameside Hospital.
“At the 2008 local elections more people voted Conservative than Labour in the eight wards that make up Stalybridge & Hyde, and we were hoping to defeat him at the next General Election. Now, that he has resigned I can say that he won’t be missed.
“Irrespective of their politics, an MP’s first concern should be their constituents. Purnell always put them second to his own political ambitions. It was therefore right that he should go.”
Further comment was added by Rob Adlard, the Conservative Prospective MP for Stalybridge & Hyde, who said he was “disappointed” that Purnell would not now be held to account by the electorate in the forthcoming General Election.
Rob was speaking in an interview for Tameside Radio, which can be heard here.
TAMESIDE CONSERVATIVES 
