Together we can all make a difference

PIC L-R: Rev Howard Sutcliffe, Julie Walker (Werneth and Freehold Community Development Project), PCSO Mike Quarmby, Michelle McGahey ('Werneth Together' secretary), Trevor Forde ('Werneth Together' Chairman), Paul Maybury ('Werneth Together' vice chairman), PCSO Taqeer Ahmed, Mumtaz Khan (resident).

A COMMUNITY action group is uniting in a bid to bring more pride to their area.

Werneth Together is a resident-led group which aims to spruce-up their surroundings, provide more activities and eradicate anti-social behaviour.

In a similar format to the pioneering Neighbourhood Agreement, which was a national first, stemming in Oldham — the group will bring locals, police, Oldham Council and other groups together.

Vice-chairman of the group, Trevor Forde (48), believes the move will prevent friction in the area.

He said: “We are in our early days, but we hope we can bring everyone together.

“We are hoping to get a centre going so people are not hanging around on the streets. Plus we are aiming to make Werneth more tidy.”

The first task for the group is a community clean-up week, which takes place from next week — and they are urging residents to back their cause.

West Oldham Neighbourhood manager, Zaiem Khan revealed a number of Werneth residents are behind the project.

He said: “Werneth people always turn out, they are really great with their input and are constructive with their views.

“At the Werneth PACT meetings, they are usually well-attended with about 50 to 60 people turning out and from this local residents came forward wanting to set up the action group.”

Residents are invited to join a bulb-planting session on Monday at Derby Street, opposite Derby Court, Werneth, from 11am.