August 19th, 2008 by bethatkins
Comment?
New courses that can lead to career changes or access to higher education will be available at New Mills Adult Education Centre in September. “This is excellent news,” reports Beth, “I was a mature student myself and later, after training to teach, was involved in the development and delivering of Women’s Access courses at
High
Peak
College appositive experience for all concerned.
“I hope families and friends will encourage and support people to go along to find out about the courses. It’s a big step, quite scary, but once you have taken it it will be worth while. You will find yourself making friends and working with people like you who want to explore new ideas and stretch themselves.
There are courses leading to teaching, working with children, social work, ICT as well as a range of skill of Skills for Life courses, there are non vocational courses running too.
“I have seen students build up gradually from having literacy and numeracy problems
to tackling career based courses at higher levels, even going on to do degrees. The opportunities are there; you just have to have the bottle to have a go!”
August 19th, 2008 by bethatkins
Comment?
Beth reports,” I attended an interesting and very relevant conference recently which highlighted the problems of debt in the
UK today and in Derbyshire. The facts and figures about how we are accumulating debt make scary reading. The ways in which people can try to resolve their problems were discussed, the best place to go is to the Citizen’s Advice Bureaux and ask to talk to a trained debt counsellor. We were told that Insolvency Voluntary Arrangements (IVA’s) can be a bad deal as they take their fee upfront and after thinking that they were paying back a loan for 12- 18 months the client discovers the creditors have not received a penny. Doorstep loan sharks have very high interest rates and should be avoided.Credit Unions are the best place for local people to save in and to borrow small amounts from and the CAB can advise on these.
August 19th, 2008 by bethatkins
Comment?
BT Phone boxes are under threat following the Post Office cuts. If there is a phone box near you, then use it occasionally – you never know when it may be needed in an emergency.
One of the boxes that is in the latest consultation is in Rowarth, others are on
Lowleighton Road
and
Mellor Road
boxes. “It is important that we retain some boxes. Mobile phones cannot get a signal everywhere (especially in parts of Hayfield) I fear that increasingly with the cost of living rises vulnerable people on low incomes will be unable to afford BT phones and may not have credit on a mobile when an emergency arises.”
Mobile phone signals are erratic in places across High Peak, we need this back up.
August 19th, 2008 by bethatkins
Comment?
You get a Fair Service from Hayfield Newsagents!Following complaints from New Mills residents about being charged to pay their Water Bills, I checked to see what was happening in Hayfield. I was delighted to discover that Hayfield residents are not being charged. Further research revealed that not all retailers are charging customers to pay bills - So shop around!“I have now spoken to the Trading Standards Officers about this practice which is unfair and disadvantages some consumers and they are deciding whether to take action.”
August 19th, 2008 by bethatkins
Comment?
Trading Standards have been checking on underage alcohol sales in the area and shops in New Mills and Chapel have been caught out. This is a problem that police are taking seriously. The police can confiscate alcohol being consumed in public places by minors, or by anyone in a designated alcohol free zone. Adults buying drink and passing it on to youngsters is a problem.
