We’re all in this together

Councillor Derek Heffernan: “Someone, somewhere in Lees — come forward and secure the future of your community association”

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THE closure of Lees Community Association has been greeted with surprise and sadness. KEN BENNETT examines the vital role played by volunteer organisations.

AT 75, Derek Heffernan has a deep understanding of the problems recruiting volunteers for vital village initiatives.

Most of his life has been spent fund-raising. As he says: “The Lees team has done a fantastic job for the community — they have done the hard part, got everything established, and now someone younger needs to take over... but it seems there is nobody. The community association will not come back if they let it die.

“Younger people need to show their love of Lees. Someone, somewhere, come forward and secure the future of your community association.”

Only two miles away, a determined team has launched the Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group.

Ownership It boasts a regular 25-member attendance at monthly meetings, boosted by additional fund-raising coffee mornings. Said chair Joan Sykes: “What we need is more people to take ownership of their community.”

Dr Andrew Taylor is chairman of the influential Greenfield and Grasscroft Community Association, (GGRA) with a respectable 400-household membership.

He said: “Several Saddleworth and Lees community associations have had varied fortunes over the years. The ups have been occasioned by local causes — Diggle is currently very active in response to the new Saddleworth School — and the downs are caused by complacency. These associations bridge the gap between everyday concerns of locals and actions taken by councils and councillors. We can only ask residents to consider this and offer a small part of their time to assist us.”

Jennifer Greenwood, chair of Love Lydgate, says she was “inspired” by the Lees association.

“They had so much energy and innovative ideas involving all age groups,” she said. “Having them as a force for good in Lees might just be the very thing to motivate others.

“Young people do want to support our organisations but it is hard with work and family commitments.

“What is important in feeling sad about ending the association is people don’t lose sight of what they achieved. They may be feeling low — but are going out on a high.”

In Denshaw, all 1,000 villagers are automatically members of the community association with no membership fees and they jointly own the village hall.

Association chairman and parish councillor Alan Roughley said: “In any community, we need to actually meet people to fully know them — and this takes some effort on our part.

“Community associations, run by volunteers, can help with their DIY approach but there is difficulty recruiting volunteers.

“If you are bored, fed up of too much TV, internet surfing or incessant tweeting, why not advertise in a local shop or a church notice board inviting your neighbours round for a talk and just see what happens?

“Anybody can volunteer, we can all make the tea or wash up and you soon find yourself doing things you have never done before —and you do make new friends.

“Most people want to be happy in their lives but it isn’t easy if we are lonely. It really is good to talk.”



Could you help resurrect the Lees community committee team? Call Jenny Daubner on 0161-620 9098.