Welcome... On behalf of Fleetwood Town Council I would like to welcome you to our 3rd Newsletter. Once again it has been a very busy year, with your town councillors involved in many projects to the benefit of residents and the area you live and work in. Since the last newsletter we have reached a milestone in the Rossall sea defences nearing completion. Our investment in part-funding the construction in partnership with the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs will ensure Fleetwood has an excellent sea defence for decades to come. On a sad note our historic Wyre Light has finally succumbed to the environment and partially collapsed this summer. Your museum has re-opened, and business has been very good since Easter. It is the only operational museum
under LCC to be open, and the hard work of the trustees, volunteers, and town council, has ensured a warm and friendly welcome five days a week. Final preparations are now complete, and your town council will be funding the museum to ensure our heritage is kept alive for all to enjoy. On behalf of the councillors and officers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the voluntary organisations in Fleetwood which make our town shine. There are too many to mention but without their continued support, the work of the council would be all the more difficult. Finally I would like to invite you all to our regular meetings. Our public participation sections are there for you to air your views, share information and help the council focus on the needs of the community when making decisions.
Onwards Cllr. Terry Rogers
Chairman of Fleetwood Town Council
Citizens Advice Fleetwood Town Council continue to host Citizens Advice at its Poulton Road Office which is open to the public Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 9am - 3.30pm for general enquiries and help. Specialist debt appointments are also available Monday & Wednesdays and include advice on bankruptcy, debt relief orders, debt management plans and much more. If you would like assistance with your benefits and regain control of your finances, then please contact 01253 770522 or call in to book your appointment with Emma Sylvester now.
Your Council and its members Fleetwood Town Council is your local third tier of Government, working to improve the quality of life for the people of Fleetwood. Its elected and co-opted members represent each ward in Fleetwood, and as a corporate body are responsible for a budget which is used to provide grants to local organisations, fund projects to improve the infrastructure of the community and support the town’s heritage. The town council funds and manages Fleetwood In Bloom, the Festive lights and provides and manages allotments.
Mount Ward
Rossall Ward
Cllr. Paul Tilling Paultilling1@hotmail.co.uk 07514890144
Cllr. Mike Barrowclough mgbarrowclough@gmail.com 07713466090
Cllr. Rita Hewitt Kizzy29@live.co.uk 01253 873278
Cllr Rachel George Rachelgeorge83@icloud.com 07860156500
Park Ward Cllr. Caroline McLaughlan Caroline.lesley@icloud.com 07454848746 Cllr. Brian Stephenson brianstephenson@hotmail.com 01253 681524
Pharos Ward
Cllr. Billy Glasgow 07434 874591
St Wulstans Ward Cllr. Mary Stirzaker stwulstansward@hotmail.com 07894541895
Warren Ward
Cllr. Terry Rogers Fusilier6447@my.com 07896273376
Cllr. Emma Anderton Emma.anderton@wyre.gov.uk 01253772784
Cllr. Evelyn Stephenson Evelyn.stephenson@wyre.gov.uk 01253 681524
Cllr. Norah Stuchfield norahstutty@hotmail.co.uk 07450703334
Cllr. Cheryl Raynor Cherylraynor.ftc@hotmail.com 07889440175 Council Officers Clerk: Debra Thornton (clerk@fleetwoodtowncouncil.org) Community Development Officer: Dawn Spooner (cdoatfleetwoodtowncouncil@gmail.com) 01253 872444
Grant Aid Fleetwood Town Council sets aside a substantial annual budget from the precept to support community projects, events and initiatives through its grant-aid process. Including the £20,000 contribution towards the sea defences (which is now in its final year), £1,650 to the festive lights and £3000 towards Fleetwood In Bloom, the council awarded over £ 41,000 in support of initiatives in Fleetwood in the 2016/2017 financial year. A summary of the awards is detailed below. To apply for grant-aid your group must be a charitable or non-profit making duly constituted organisation, whose proposal will significantly benefit Fleetwood and its residents. Application forms and the policy guidance can be obtained from the clerk to the council on clerk@fleetwoodtowncouncil.org, or call 01253 872444. Poulton and Wyre Railway Society (PWRS) The Rotary Club Fireworks extravaganza Fleetwood Scarecrow committee Bacca shop sign restoration Regenda community support fund Willow Garden Project (defibrillator) Fleetwood Royalettes PWRS Fleetwood Rugby under 15’s
£460 £3000 £2000 £1000 £5000 £1000 £500 £500 £3500
TOTAL £16,960
Bacca Shop Sign Restoration
Presenting a cheque for £3,500 to Michael Holden of the Fleetwood Under 15’s rugby club. The money helped purchase new kit and supported participation in a tournament in the Netherlands, providing a fantastic experience for the team.
Proud to contribute towards the Fleetwood Rotary Clubs Annual Firework extravaganza as it goes from strength to strength.
Supporting the outstanding work of the Willow Garden project by funding the purchase of a defibrillator.
Backing one of Fleetwood newest festivals – the wonderful scarecrows. Much loved by residents and visitors!
Fleetwood Museum
As it was…and now…
“Fleetwood Museum is there for future generations, it tells the story of the town” Sue Porter, Treasurer & Trustee of Fleetwood Museum
In August 2016, Fleetwood Museum Trust (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) was announced as the preferred bidder, with financial backing from Fleetwood Town Council, to take over running the museum and save it from certain closure. Dedicated Trust members have since worked tirelessly to progress the official handover, attending meetings and formally agreeing with County Council Museum officers the physical condition of thousands of artefacts which will be held on loan. One artefact, the light from the Wyre Light which shone on the lighthouse from 1948-1980’s, is on display in the Harriet Shed at the museum. A new exhibition was launched in 2017 “Fleetwood’s Early Years”. Previously unseen artefacts include iconic W.G. Herdman prints and a painting of Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood, recently bought by the Trust. Nostalgic prints of old Fleetwood pictures can be bought through the Museum. Fleetwood
Museum Trust couldn’t operate without its army of 65 volunteers and more are needed especially to help run the cafe. Catering experience is an advantage but not essential. If you are interested, please call in at the museum. Fleetwood Museum cafe serves a range of light snacks and drinks and is open daily Tuesday – Saturday. Afternoon tea is available and comes highly rated at just £6.50 per person or £12 for two. Becoming a Friend of Fleetwood Museum allows free admission into the museum, quarterly newsletters and invitations to special events. Application forms are available from the Museum or the website: www.fleetwoodmuseum. co.uk/support-us Fleetwood Town Councillors would like to thank the volunteers who have worked so hard to keep our museum open. Their dedication to the town’s heritage is much appreciated. Emma Anderton.
Fleetwood In Bloom 2017 This year Fleetwood has again entered the In-Bloom competition in the large town category. Having secured a silver award in this highly competitive class, we have built on this success with an extended team of volunteers and new assets including lamppost baskets along Lord St. and 50 planters along the esplanade which have helped create a more pleasing display, all in this year’s colour theme of yellow and blue. These are a welcome addition to the existing displays, and have improved the environment along the town’s high street and sea front. To assist with watering, the Town Council has invested in a water tank. This has eliminated an age-old problem of watering the displays to keep them looking their best. Yes, the Fleetwood rain isn’t enough! The 1000 litre tank is operated by the Community Payback team, who have also assisted with the heavy manual work required to get the displays ready for planting. Our entry wouldn’t be possible without local businesses and individuals who sponsored our fantastic competition entry with over £2,500 in donations. This year’s large team of volunteers, including three local schools and the Willow Garden Team, together planted over 3,400 plants across the town. Mike Barrowclough.
Fleetwood Festive Lights Events Fund raising for this year’s Festive lights and lantern parade is already well underway with your hardworking Festive Lights committee starting the golden balls rolling on their Tram Sunday stall and a Quiz night at the North Euston hotel on the 20th September. Further events are as follows:
Saturday 18th November Festive lights lantern parade and switch on at the Marine Hall Gardens Sunday 19th November Reindeer Run with Brian House Children’s Hospice (The Mount) Friday 24th November Christmas Ball at the Parkside suite FTFC 2nd December Bucket collection at Asda superstore
Please check out the Fleetwood Festive Lights Facebook page for more information and times. For Christmas ball tickets please call the community development officer on 01253 872444.
Custodianship of Fishing Memorials Fleetwood Town Council have taken responsibility for two memorials in the port which recall the trawlermen who lost their lives in the hunt for fish. Relatives and members of the public met for a handover ceremony at the Lost Trawlermen Memorial beside the Asda store on Dock Street which involves the funnel of the trawler Goth – trawled up and returned to Fleetwood nearly 50 years after the ship was lost. The council has also adopted the Fishing Community Memorial on the Promenade near the Lower Lighthouse. Councillors agreed to take on the two iconic memorials after a request by volunteers who created and cared for them. Volunteer David Pearce thanked the councillors and thanked Fleetwood people who have raised money for maintenance – particularly the Fishermen’s Reunion Committee. Councillor Terry Rogers, Chairman of Fleetwood Town Council, said: “ Fleetwood has a proud heritage and we should honour that and do our best to tell the story of that history to future generations.” He thanked the volunteers for their work in
How to get in touch with your Council Office address: 122 Poulton Road, Fleetwood, FY7 7AR clerk@fleetwoodtowncouncil.org
Tel: 01253 872444 Fleetwood Town Council
@FY7TownCouncil
Meetings are held every last Tuesday of the month (except August and December) at 7pm at the North Euston hotel. The Annual Parish Council meeting takes place at the May meeting and an annual Town meeting (open forum) is called every March. Members of the public and the press are welcome to attend and take part in the public participation sessions. Front cover photo: Ian Melvin, with kind permission