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| Photo: Michelle Adamson - Wigan Post |
On Tuesday, we were honoured to recognise Barry Prior, who has been a stalwart of our local community for many years. Barry spends most of his spare time volunteering across our town, including at Sandalwood Assisted Living Scheme in Beech Hill, Fur Clemt, as well as The Brick.
The Mayor of Wigan, Cllr Kevin Anderson, presented his award at Marsh Green Art Group, which Barry found himself running at some point along the way! The group been going for some years and has only grown in that time, with around 20-25 members in attendance each week, including residents from Douglas ward.
Many of the members here had no prior experience with art, but by attending the group, and slowly nurturing their skills, we now have many talented artists across our town. More importantly, the art group offers a place for people to socialise, combatting loneliness and improving the mental health of members. Barry’s part in this – making sure the group continues to run – has been crucial.
Around six years, ago with the help of members – and Barry’s organising – the group started to distribute food and drink hampers at Christmastime. These are for vulnerable and elderly residents all around the local area, including Marsh Green, Kitt Green, Pemberton, Norley Hall and Worsley Hall.
With Brighter Borough Funding from Douglas and Pemberton ward members, and the support of Julie Clarke, Wigan Council’s Community Capacity Officer for this area, around 200 of these hampers are now hand-delivered every year, helping to ensure that everyone has the best Christmas possible, regardless of their circumstances.
All of this is just a small snapshot of the voluntary work that Barry has taken part in and helped to organise. Legend is a word which is used very often to describe people nowadays, but in Barry's case it is absolutely true. He is a gentleman, a family man, a grafter and a real legend.
At the event, we also took the opportunity to recognise one of our constituents, Rita Culshaw, who was in attendance. Rita recently turned 90 and is one of Wigan Borough’s last surviving pit brow lasses! Over the years, she has been instrumental in raising awareness of our borough’s mining history.
So, to Barry and Rita, congratulations! To Barry, we say a huge thank you for the many years of voluntary service you have given to our local community. We applaud you for your dedication and look forward to what comes in the future!- Cllr Draper & Cllr Dawber
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| Photo: Michelle Adamson - Wigan Post |
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| Photo: Michelle Adamson - Wigan Post |
