Latest news

Fettling something for the future... 📹

If you've been to Wigan town centre lately you'll know things are really coming on at Fettlers.

It's fair to say we're excited about the future... and talking of the future, we've been involved in a little project that aims to capture a moment in time for future generations!

It's been our pleasure to have joined the Fettlers crew in teaming up with Year 4 pupils from Sacred Heart Primary School to create a time capsule for the site, which is set to be buried later this summer.

The experience was captured on camera, with the recording also set to be placed among the unique and wonderful items within the capsule itself. A big thank you to the class for helping us make history! 

Watch our YouTube video now for a sneak peek and keep your eyes peeled for the finished film to find out exactly what items the group brought along...

Another big event in Leigh this weekend! 🏊

Over two incredible days last weekend, Leigh came alive with amazing performances, a great atmosphere, and crowds of music lovers coming together to celebrate local talent and live entertainment.

With soul superstar Billy Ocean taking to the stage on Friday evening, followed by a huge homecoming gig for The Lottery Winners - complete with support from Wigan band The Lilacs - there was something for everyone to enjoy at the Progress with Unity Stadium.

Leigh will be the centre of attention again this weekend as the ultimate endurance race IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton hits Pennington Flash. Ahead of their 1.9km swim on Sunday morning, triathletes will also be on site on Saturday to complete their official practice.

The event will mean some road closures around Pennington Flash on the Sunday 7 June. You can find out more on the IRONMAN website.

New funding for community projects 💰

Do you have an idea that could help your local community? If so, a new programme offering grants of up to £750 could help you make that idea a reality.

Funded by Wigan Council and designed to help create stronger neighbourhood connections, the Progress With Unity: Community Belonging Grants are being managed through the Wigan Borough Community First partnership.

Grants could go towards everything from community meals and local celebrations to creative workshops, social groups, wellbeing activities, street parties, or projects that encourage neighbours to connect with one another.

Applications are open until 5pm on Sunday 14 June. Full guidance, eligibility information and application details can be found on the Wigan Borough Community First website.

In other news...

🗳️ The parliamentary by-election in Makerfield is now less than two weeks away. The deadline to apply for a postal vote ended on Wednesday, 3 June, while applications for proxy votes and voter ID will close on Wednesday 10 June. Polling day will take place on Thursday 18 June. Find out more on the council website.

💰Deadline approaching for Call For Projects in Leigh. Last year, the Leigh Neighbourhood Board put forward outline plans for the £20m Pride in Place programme and the group are now eager to hear from those with an interest in Leigh on how the money should be invested.The ten-year project is designed to create vibrant, safer, healthier neighbourhoods where communities can thrive. Find out how to submit an application for two funding streams.

What's on

Poetry and positivi-tea ☕

If you're looking for moments of calm and creativity, local poet and friend of BoroughLife Tom Stocks (aka The Chubby Northerner), has an event you don't want to miss...

Afternoon POSITIVI-TEA invites visitors to slow down, share a brew, and explore the power of positive words. In this relaxed session you’ll be guided through simple poetry prompts designed to help you reflect, write, and celebrate the small moments of joy in everyday life.

Tom will help you create 'Positive Poetry Scrolls' (hand-rolled scrolls filled with encouraging words) as well as POSITIVI-TEA Bags, each containing a short quote or line of poetry to brighten someone’s day.

No writing experience is needed, just bring yourself, bags of imagination, and a willingness to share a little positivity along with a good chat and a cuppa! This free event takes place at Wigan Museum on Saturday 13 June (12pm to 1pm).

Enjoy Bike Week with Be Well! 🚴

Bike Week (8-14 June) is the UK’s biggest celebration of cycling – one that’s been run by Cycling UK for more than 100 years! And this year there’s plenty to get involved with in Wigan Borough...

The week starts with a Monday evening Family Ride at Pennington Flash (5pm-6pm), and there’s more bike-based fun at the Leigh nature reserve’s latest Pedal Party on Thursday (4pm-7pm). For those who need to borrow a bike, Wigan Bike Library will be open from 4pm-7pm on Wednesday. 

There are also fun, social group rides for more experienced riders including a ‘Bike Week Brunch’ ride from Leigh Spinners Mill to Barton Aerodrome & Salford Greenway on Wednesday (10.30am) and weekend rides led by the Robin Park Riff-Raff Cycling Group. Find out more on the British cycling Let’s Ride website.

More what's on...

💙 Want a day out with a difference that makes a difference? Wigan Borough’s annual Memory Walk returns to Pennington Flash on Sunday 5 July (11am), with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society. As usual, there’ll be an incredible feel-good atmosphere and lots to keep the whole family entertained, including a special adventure trail for little ones. Get your free ticket now via the Be Well app or online booking site or visit the Memory Walk event page to find out more.

🫶 Next week is Carers Week and Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre has lots of activities and events throughout the week for local unpaid carers including sip and shop, meditation, pilates, young carers drumming, a wellbeing walk and more. Visit their website to see full details and to book. Meanwhile, MyTime Wigan is also running a wellbeing walk at Pennington Flash, Thursday 11 June (10.15am), meeting at the car park of the Robin Hood Pub.

❤️ Are you interested in working with people and making a difference in a role that can work around you? A career in adult social care could be just the job! Come along to our next meet and greet event with the council's in-house team and local care providers on Wednesday 10 June (10am - 12noon) at Fur Clemt, 84 Montrose Ave, Wigan, WN5 9XN. Book your place now on eventbrite.

💎 Here's one for history buffs... Back in the 18th century, the Jacobite movement aimed to restore the exiled House of Stuart to the British throne. Wigan played a crucial part in this movement, and you can come and learn about the amazing collections, jewellery, stories and legacy of the Jacobites at Wigan Musuem on Wednesday 10 June (11am-1pm). Tickets are free and available to book via eventbrite.

Our communities

Three cheers for our volunteers 👏

Volunteers do some pretty amazing things in our communities, and since it’s officially #VolunteersWeek (1-7 June) we’re celebrating some of the many contributions made by volunteers across Wigan Borough...

The Bridgers are a small group of volunteers doing big things in Howe Bridge. From horticulture projects to social events and dementia cafés, their dedication to their local area has even earned a King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE for groups.

We caught up with chairman Terry Daly at a recent health and wellbeing at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre, to chat about their work and their need for more volunteers to lend a helping hand.

Platt Bridge Community Centre is a true hub for the local community, and an amazing example of the power of volunteers. Entirely volunteer run, it hosts a wide variety of activities and events every week - from baby classes to chair yoga and line dancing.

Not only that, the centre has created a supportive, safe environment where residents can grow in confidence and contribute in their own way. Their amazing work hasn't gone unnoticed, and last year they even won the BBCs 'Make a Difference' Community Group award!

Pennington Flash is part of Greater Manchester’s first and only National Nature Reserve (NNR), but the place simply wouldn’t be what it is without Leigh Ornithological Society, whose members aren’t just keen bird-spotters but also play a big role helping the site team to keep the Flash looking its best.

Their Pennington Flash Volunteer Group gets together every Wednesday to work hard and laugh harder! We spoke to founder member David about all things volunteering, from the wonderful banter to the mental wellbeing benefits of being out in nature.

Be Well has more than 100 volunteers who help keep local people active, delivering sessions across the borough. Among them are Nordic Walk leaders Sue and Roger, who took the leap two years ago to start their own local walking group and now have more than 50 regulars at their sessions at Lilford Park.

Through their volunteering, they've built a welcoming, supportive community. Their group has even gone the extra mile by raising more than £450 for Wigan & Leigh Hospice, Derian House and the Alzheimer’s Society through tea and coffee donations.

There are many more volunteers and groups doing incredible things all over Wigan Borough, supporting our communities and making our towns and villages better places to life. Thank you to each and every one of you for everything you do! Find out how to volunteer in the community🙏

Celebrating our unsung heroes 🏆

Speaking of volunteers, our Believe Sports Awards are all about shining a spotlight on the people who make grassroots sport in Wigan Borough so special. 

Nominations are now open, so if you know someone who goes above and beyond in your community and plays a big part in grassroots sport, make sure they get the recognition they deserve!

More from our communities...

👋 Shared Lives offers personalised support rooted in real relationships. Come for a brew, cake and a chat with the team on Monday 15 June (12.30pm - 3.30pm) at the Gary Kay Centre, Gas Street, Leigh, WN7 4PG, and find out more about what Shared Lives could mean for you. You can also find more information on Shared Lives on the council website.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Thinking about adoption? Log on for an informal online information session this Monday (8 June), 6pm-7.30pm and find out more about Together for Adoption, your local adoption agency. Whether you’re just beginning to explore adoption or simply want to learn more, you can get a clear overview of the process, and time to ask your questions in supportive, friendly space. Register for free via eventbrite or call the team on 01942 487 272.

☕ Are you over 60? If you have been impacted by domestic abuse or know someone that has then you're invited to come along to a safe, friendly drop-in session. Join professional advisors for a coffee and a chat on Monday 15 June (10am-12noon) at Leisure United, William Fosters, The Grove, Ince, Wigan, WN2 2BU.

📢 CLOSING SOON: Aged 11-30? Have your say in the Youth Voice Census! Young people across the UK are invited to take part in the Youth Voice Census from Youth Employment UK. The anonymous survey is an opportunity to share your views on life, education, work and opportunities. Your feedback will help shape real change so visit the census website and have your say by 8 June.

🍷 CLOSING SOON: What’s your relationship with alcohol? The Healthier Wigan Partnership would like to know YOUR experiences so they can improve support, shape future services, and strengthen efforts to promote health and wellbeing across Wigan Borough. Make your voice heard by completing this short, completely confidential survey by 12 June.

🪥 Have you got your FREE Bag of Smiles? Visit your local Family Hub this #NationalSmileMonth to pick up some goodies to help you protect your family’s teeth. Head to the council website to find out more about your local Family Hub, or speak to your health visitor.

Here For You

Rising energy bills? We're Here For You... 💛

ICYMI: The energy regulator Ofgem recently announced the energy price cap would rise 13 per cent from 1 July - that's around £18 a month for the average household using both gas and electricity.

If you're worried about the impact this could have, please don’t suffer alone. There is help, support and advice out there.

Our Here for You campaign has already seen £17 million unlocked for local residents, with events across the borough and dedicated support at our Life Centres and libraries to help people understand what they’re entitled to.