Droylsden East Labour

Scout Hut Arson Tragedy

Saturday, 18 July 2009

Sadly on Wednesday night the scout hut behind the Moravian settlement was subject to an arson attack.

The fire was contained to 1 out of 3 of the huts, but unfortunately the fire was in the storage hut where all the scouts’ equipment was kept. To make matters worse the Group had just recently purchased lots of new equipment in readiness for a busy summer.

With the summer holidays right on top of the group and plans well advanced for activity including a summer camp for the young children they were unsure about what to do next and they turned to your Droylsden East Labour Councillors for help.

As Cllr Sue Quinn said, "When I heard about this I knew we had to help. The scouts are an excellent organisation who work with children from all background and show them values through activity that more children should learn."

"Your 3 Droylsden East Labour Councillors will make sure we rally behind this group and already we have committed £1000 so they can quickly buy cookers, tents, etc needed to make sure the camp goes ahead."

Adding to this Cllr Kieran Quinn said "Whoever did this should be ashamed. Young Droylsden residents will have fewer things to do this summer because of this despicable act. The attack has highlighted additional security needs here and another job will be to work out how best we can secure the 3 buildings so this is less likely to happen again."

Sad though this arson attack is it also allows us the opportunity to show Droylsden at its best. There have already been many offers of help from local people and plans are already being formed to put together an event to raise funds for future activity.

Councillors help residents with litter pick.

Saturday, 4 July 2009

There is an area of copse to the rear of Foxley Close, Juniper Crescent and Linden Way that borders Copperas fields that not only some anti social activity but is also used as a litter bin for dog walkers poop bags and underage drinkers.

It is our intention to do a wider and more in depth clear up later in the year, when the shrubbery is not as dense, but local residents wanted to make a start and so a litter pick was organised.

The Councillors provided the safety gear, gloves, bags, etc through the district assembly and the pick began.

The scale of the clear up soon became clear and the effort put in was commendable. In a space of two and a half hours 24 heavy duty black bags were collected and disposed of.

The next litter pick is being considered for early autumn. If you want to lend a hand mke sure you forward on your details.

The Pictures show. Cllr Kieran Quinn and Cllr Susan Quinn helping out. Also the band of litter pickers.

Britain Keeps the Post Public

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

The Communication Workers Union welcomes Lord Mandelson’s statement in Parliament confirming that the Postal Services Bill will not be heard by Parliament.

Droylsden East Councillors Kieran and Susan Quinn, seen above with members of the Manchester CWU, have both been out on the streets with the CWU - The Posties Union - campaigning to keep the post public.

As Cllr Kieran Quinn said this once again shows the power of the British public. They let Mandelson know they opposed his plans.

As Cllr Susan Quinn said "As someone who has delivered the mail to households in East Manchester I know the value the public get from a wholly publicly owned Royal Mail."

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: “The government has not only looked at market forces but has listened to the British public. “Privatisation was a deeply unpopular suggestion from day one.

“We now look forward to resolving issues which remain around pensions, regulation and modernisation. “The CWU is as committed as anyone to improving relations in Royal Mail. Now that this uncertainty has been lifted there is a great opportunity to step up a gear in modernising Royal Mail in the public sector.”

For Guardian coverage log on to http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jul/01/royal-mail-mandelson-part-privatisation

Armed Services Day Celebrations

Sunday, 28 June 2009

Councillor Kieran Quinn has had the privilege to know and work alongside many service personnel, not just in Droylsden but elsewhere also.

Indeed along with Councillor Susan Quinn the current Deputy Mayor of Tameside they represented to Borough at the recent Preston military show.

As Cllr Quinn said "Many Droylsden residents put their lives on the line for this Country. They never questioned the service or indeed the sacrifice required. Service, to this Country alone was enough.

Armed Services day is designed so veterans can show the pride they have in having served their country with distinction.

Whether it was service in years gone by or indeed current service in places like Afghanistan or Iraq your Droylsden East Labour team have pride in knowing that in Tameside we will always stand shoulder to shoulder with veterans."

Littlemoss Memorial Gardens

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Thanks must go to Sandra Street and her committee for driving this project.

The Littlemoss War Memorial Garden Committee, supported by your 3 Labour Councillors, Susan Quinn, Kieran Quinn and Jim Middleton, successfully bid for money from the Fairshare group to return this area to it’s former glory.

A place of tranquillity, to honour those from our community who fought for peace and never returned. The war memorials in Droylsden honour the brave men and women from our town who died fighting the tyranny and hate that fascism breeds.

The main work on the perimiter has now finished and the next steps are planting and the placing of a special stone plinth to place the names of the fallen, it will then be "officially" opened.

Recently the garden committee members let residents see where they were up to and also discuss with residents the next steps.
Here we see Jack with Cllr Jim Middleton.

The day was marked when Cllr Jack Davis (at the time the Mayor of Tameside) and a former Littlemoss resident formally planted a symbolic new shrub to mark the garden’s next phase.

Just as Jack arrived the heavens opened. However a great time was had by all and maybe who knows - an annual event may have been born.

Keep the Post Public

Saturday, 13 June 2009

Councillors Kieran Quinn and Susan Quinn are both members of the Communication Workers Union. The Posties Union.

Over the years they have led many campaigns throughout Tameside against Post Office closures.

Kieran served for many years on the counter at Droylsden Post Office before it was franchised.

Recently alongside Cllr Jim Middleton they led the successful campaign to keep Edge Lane Post Office open against a concerted attempt by to close it.

As Cllr Kieran Quinn said "The Post Office is a national public service. It is cherished because it serves everyone in our community. Rich or poor, old or young. It delivers mail to every address in the UK.Everyone accepts the need to modernise the industry but this can be done without selling bits to the highest bidder. Indeed the plan to sell off part of Royal Mail to a foreign company is particularly appalling."

Thankfully 90% of the British public support our campaign and they have put immense pressure on all MPs to vote these daft ideas out. Indeed the latest news is that Lord Mandelson has already accepted his plan has failed and he is looking for a way out.

Above you see Cllrs Kieran Quinn and Susan Quinn with CWU members campaigning to Keep the Post Public.

Tameside Euro election results 2009

Friday, 12 June 2009

Thanks for sticking with Labour.

The 2009 Euro results in Tameside showed how voters appreciate the excellent work your Labour Council does every day. Voters know it is not by chance that Tameside’s Labour Council is one of the best performing councils in the country.

Over the last decade - with Labour at the helm - Tameside has been transformed.

Given a clear choice at this election, voters - once again - placed Labour first.

They stuck with Labour in difficult circumstances because they know that even in these unprecedented economic times Tameside Council is helping local businesses and workers find jobs and opportunities through its “works first” programme.

The Tories had privately talked up their chances of unseating Labour however they fell a long way short, coming second.

UKIP came third well ahead of the BNP. (The BNP vote in Tameside actually fell short from its 2004 euro level). As usual the Lib Dems were a long way behind at this election.

The last month has been a testing time for politics of every colour. The outrageous claims of a few MPs have rightly caused anger and dismay among voters. Many took the opportunity to send the Government a clear message. Reform how parliament operates or pay the price at the next general election. That is a message we endorse.

Voters in Tameside stuck with Labour - for that we are indebted - our pledge to local people is to make sure your faith in Labour continues to be returned in the years to come.