Atherton Online columnist Matt Howarth's weekly take on Atherton happenings...
This week saw my everyday life being put on hold as I was trying to work and plan out some form of "Life structure plan"in order to work out exactly what I want to achieve over the next 10 years or so. After completing I came to the honest conclusion that it is all very sweet and idyllic to have a plan of your life and it all being laid out in front of you but simply realistically, life I'm afraid as we all know doesn't follow a simple bullet point structure. Closed doors, bad news and last minute changes surround our daily lives as part of the norm and with all those inevitable irritations in life, trying to plan it is something which shall simply just set you up for failure and disappointment in the long run. After gazing at my "plan" for a matter of minutes I soon realised that it could go and join the likes of the junk mail and be torn into pieces. It seems to me from observing and past experiences, life brings you the best opportunities and times exactly when you aren't expecting them and I for one would like my life to just be purely in the moment and not wondering at every spare second whether or not my actions and decisions are following an idyllic "plan." At least I have learnt something this week considering my seemingly controversial decision in declining a university offer!
This week has seen Tottenham experience something of which I'm sure people based in the town never wanted to witness, especially since it reminding them of the original riots which took place in 1985. I'm afraid 26 years later things haven't changed in this world and in-fact I would go as far to say worse. That's me saying that who was born in 1993 and even I can see this country has gone down the proverbial plug-hole since my birth. Watching events unfold has been quite honestly shocking as it completely shows us all that the police just have no control over pretty much anything what so ever. Looking at the utter idiots who are doing the rioting it just seems that a small number of people are quite intent on not necessarily just attacking the police but pretty much anything. This is purely an excuse for the idiots to riot,loot and cause devastation and this certainly has nothing to do with the death of Mark Duggan who was shot dead by police last Thursday over "disputed circumstances." Areas of London such as Tottenham did have huge animosity towards the police to begin with so clearly recent events certainly won't have changed that and in most cases probably worsened. It's clear to me that something just isn't right with the Police force of today somewhat looking "scared" to approach these little hooligans. Things certainly cannot carry on like this otherwise we are going to end up with far much more utter devastation and disarray far more often and probably more widely spread. I can only but hope the childish individuals from last week's fiasco are all locked away with the key thrown away as far as physically possible.
Atherton Library Latest
It isn't that long before we shall all be informed of what the decision is in regards to the future of Atherton Library. The date 18th August is one for everybody's diary as that is the date it is set to lobby Wigan Council's Cabinet. Free transport shall be in place from 1pm from Atherton Parish Church for all the supporters who wish to join the campaign as it reaches its final stages.
Atherton Library is one of the only things remaining in Atherton which has a history behind it and actually means something to most members of the community. Times may very well have changed and of course so have the libraries themselves due to them now not just being a place were you can take out books but of course now give you free access to a computer and the Internet. Let's not allow those suit wearers in Wigan to takeaway yet another valued facility in seemingly our ever decreasing quality of a town. Let's all pull together with that good old community spirit and power which has been proven in the past and here's hoping that it shall remain in our town for at least the considerable future.
Please keep checking Atherton Online from August 18th onwards for any future news in regards to the library.
Cowboy Builders
There is a house not too far from my home which has clearly just finished having some building work done. The work has been on-going for at least the last 8 months and I have to say it is looking a whole lot worse to what it did before the work began. A new roof has been laid along with new tiles, windows, doors and a side extension. Costing probably in the thousands I am hoping the owners of the property aren't left feeling too distraught with their wonky tiles, unfitting windows and effort of an extension. I am imagining the cost has been far over £30'000 and looking at it from the outside they would have been far better paying me to do the work.I quite frankly would not know were to begin, but I do think I could at least place tiles in their rightful place and make sure they are at least the correct size.
I think the owners of the property need to call in Dominic Littlewood & Melinda Messenger from Channel 5's Cowboy Builders because if anybody else has work done to that lack of standard I certainly wish them the very best of luck, living there and getting a refund!
Market or Car Park?
I went past the remains of what was once Atherton Market just the other day and the area to which the market used to fill in yesteryear is now filled with vehicles and has simply turned into just another car park with a monstrosity of brown shutters in it. I can't help but think if maybe just once a week the market was re launched in the town, it would do much better than just purely another tarmac dumping ground. It would be lovely to just have a market selling fresh produce, an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables and just a few house essentials. Anything can be better than the cheap tat store which opened their just a couple of years ago. I'm a strong believer in Town Centres and the reason we are probably seeing a lack of enthusiasm of people not wanting to bother with the heart of Atherton is probably purely on the lack of choice and nothing original... though it has improved over the last year! I say bring back Atherton's Market and all that was good about it, it has to be better than what we have now... which is nothing!
If you have any comments, thoughts or opinions on any of my covered topics then please email me directly: matt.howarth@athertononline.co.uk and I shall publish your thoughts in next week's column. If you also would like to share any stories or experiences you have had from the last week that you would like to share with the rest of Atherton... then again email me!
Over on my website this week I have been discussing the world of Televsion drama and all that is good about it. British TV is seemingly improving, but we always seem to be five steps behind those Americans! In other news why I have been living life in the "Fast Lane" my thoughts on an alleged affair Shane Richie had with a fan, Ex Spicegirl Melanie C is back and better than ever & also just why I am now a converted John Barrowman fan! [HERE]
Comments