Prestwich Local Area Partnership, which brings together your local Liberal Democrat Councillors together with local partners and community reps, have agreed a number of grants for local projects and groups:

Agreed so far are:
£2,000 - Anti-Graffiti Kits to tackle the current spate of graffiti.
£2,143 - A Clean up and hanging basket project for the “Bent Hill” estate area
£2,000 - to fund the Prestwich Anti-Litter Campaign for one year
£3, 642 - to fund the “Health Kick” programme of health awareness programme for men in the Rainsough Area
£2,400 - to fund the summer scheme of activities for Young People in the Carr Clough area

We’ve also provisionally agreed to fund:
£1,000 towards the family health, skateboard and BMX summer festival in St Mary’s Park organised by Prestwich and Whitefield Methodists

The next meeting of Prestwich Local Area Partnership takes place this Thursday, 10 July 2008 at St Monica’s RC High School.

All members of the public are very welcome to attend and have your say about what happens in our local area. There is a “business meeting” from 6.30pm - 7.30pm, then at 7.30pm we have time for the public “open forum” where you can ask or raise any issue you need to.

The main business item for the Partnership meeting this month is the draft Prestwich Community Plan for 2008-2011.

Young people are being encouraged to sign up to a two week action packed calendar of sports, dance, arts, street wise or wild card events as part of the Bury and Rochdale Active Generation Scheme (BRAG).

The program, which is now in it’s eighth year, is aimed at young people aged between 11 and 15 years old, takes place between 28 July and 8 August at several venues across Bury. The two week programme costs just £9 and five sign up sessions are taking place across the borough to encourage young people to take part. Participants will receive a BRAG pass, details of the activities taking place and a free bus pass. Youngsters will receive a sticker after completing each different activity and this will allow them to compete for a Golden Ticket for the bonus week events taking place between 11 and 15 August.

The program is designed to encourage young people to be organised and plan their own schedule to ensure they get to the different activities on time. For further information about BRAG you can contact Adam Greenhalgh on 0161 253 6660 or information is available on the Bury Council Website.

The sign up session for our local area will take place at the following times and venues:
22 July, 4pm - 6pm; Shuttle Centre, Albert Road, Whitefield, M45 6NH
23 July, 12pm - 2pm; Pheonix Centre, St Mary’s Park, St Mary’s Road, Prestwich, M25 1GG

Today polling stations are open in the referendum to decide whether Bury should have an elected Mayor.
People should vote at their normal polling stations (that we used for the elections in May). The polling stations are open from 7.00am - 10.00pm. You do not need your polling card to vote.
If you have a postal vote which hasn’t yet been returned, you can fill this in in the normal way and take it round to your local polling station.

The local Liberal Democrats are urging everyone to vote NO in the election because we believe this to be an undemocratic waste of public money. Lots of people have questions about this important issue, the local Lib Dems have produced this factsheet
to answer some of your questions.

There is a special offer at our local Parenthorn Sports Centre (at Parenthorn School).

All throughout July and August you can book an Astro-Turf Football Pitch for just £15 per hour. (The usual price is £25) Monday - Thursday 6-10 and Friday 6-9pm.
FOR MORE INFOMATION PLEASE RING 0161 253 5434 (AFTER 5:30PM)
EMAIL: parrenthorn.sports@bury.gov.uk