Mari’s mission to help young people

OUTGOING Shaw and Crompton Parish Council chairman Hazel Gloster, left, presents the chains to new chairman Councillor Mari Wiswell

Shaw and Crompton Parish Council annual meeting


AN inspirational teacher has become the new chairman of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council.

Councillor Mari Wiswell taught at Crompton House for three decades before directing her energies into community issues after a car accident left her in a wheelchair.

She has chosen the spinal injuries unit at Southport Hospital, where she was treated, and Oldham Owls, which helps disabled and able-bodied people in sport, as her chosen charities for the year.

Councillor Wiswell said: “I’m really honoured and feel very privileged to have this. My focus this year will be on the youth of the area. I would like to reinstate the youth committee and visit all the schools.”

Councillor Diane Williamson said: “It’s great to see another female in the role as chairman and I known you will be a great ambassador.”

Councillor Simon Farrell was elected vice chairman and Councillor Williamson said it was great to see someone under 30 in the role and he will inspire a lot of young people.

She praised out-going chairman Councillor Hazel Gloster as one of only a handful of female chairman who had shown that if you have the ability you can juggle all sorts of things, such as being a wife, mum, a job and civic duties.

The amount Councillor Gloster raised through her year in office came to £3,000, split equally between Diabetes UK and Kickstart.

She said “I am proud to have been given the opportunity to serve the parish council.”


THE Parish Council finished the financial year with a healthy bank balance of £63,367. A total income of £147,281, including the previous balance of £46,194, was set against expenditure of £83,914.