Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Snow and rain lateNews
| 
Submit Comments
Back the borough’s £25m landmark bid
Carl Marsden14/12/2005
TIME is running out for Oldhamers happy to provide the public support needed to bring up to £25 million of lottery funding to the borough.
Competition for the cashpot is now hotting up across the country, with the bid team keen to emphasise that if the money doesn't go to Oldham it will be spent elsewhere in the UK.
To have a chance of success the local bid must be able to show it has widespread public support. That's why the organisers approached the Advertiser to help encourage residents to show their support .
Among those putting their shoulder to the wheel this week was former Inspiral Carpets frontman Clint Boon and students from Oldham College's national diploma in media course.
Boon said: "It's important we all get behind this lottery bid as it is a great opportunity to do something really positive within the borough.
"Over recent years Oldham has received a lot of undeserved and negative press, but winning something like this would correct the balance.
"It's important to remind people of what a strong cultural contribution Oldham makes - through music, the arts, and sport."
Ruth Percy, press officer at the college, added: "If Oldham is successful in this bid it will be fantastic for the whole borough. Our students will still be reaping the benefits in 10 and 20 years - it is surely an opportunity not to be missed."
Oldhamers can still choose from a shortlist of seven ideas for a 'Living Landmark', compiled following consultation workshops.
The schemes - showcased in last week's Advertiser - range from ideas marking out a proposed circular route of green spaces (called the Ring of Unity) with sculptures, foliage, lights, lasers and sports facilities, to a possible new amphitheatre, a panoramic digital image of Oldham and a new biodiversity and countryside visitor centre.
- To show your support for the bid and have your say on which projects you prefer, fill out the form found in this week's Advertiser and send it to: Oldham MBC Regeneration Department, FREEPOST, NWW1124, PO BOX 452, Oldham, OL1 1BR.
You can also pledge support by email to LivingLandmarks@oldham.gov.uk.
Most recent 1 of 1 user comments
Got an opinion you want to share?| Card | BT Fee |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Low Rate Balance Transfer | 1.7% |
| Capital One Low Rate Platinum | HASH(0x2abf1cdb32f0) |
| Capital One Fixed Rate Card | 0.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
5.50% |
|
PRINCIPALITY BS e-SAVER |
5.35% |
|
ANGLO IRISH BANK Easy Access Account Issue 2 |
5.25% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
2.75% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER Online Tracker |
4.75% |
|
BRADFORD & BINGLEY eSavings 6 |
4.60% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
4.00% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER eSaver - Issue 2 |
5.00% |
|
POST OFFICE Instant Saver |
3.75% |
It excludes areas like Saddleworth, Failsworth and most of the townships in the Borough and I think looks more like an exclusion zone or ring of disunity to those not in the Town of Oldham.
If the bid is successful at this stage and goes on to receive visits from funding judges - what sort of response will they get if they go on to the streets of areas like Saddleworth, Failsworth, Shaw etc. ?
I doubt if it will be positive. Oldham MBC's best bet would be to ensure Lottery judges are kept away from those parts of Oldham excluded from the 'Ring of Unity'
I did make my views known to those drawing up the bid before it was announced but it seems my comments fell on deaf ears.
Ken 01457 872859
8/01/2006 at 20:54