OUR LATEST PRIZE COMPETITION
 Our latest ROSE newsletter, to be delivered very soon, has a further £25 M & S voucher to be won. Here is a preview of the photo in the competition - the question is :- WHERE IN RAINHILL IS THIS CLOCK TOWER ?
Answers can be returned FREEPOST back to us no later than 14th February 2009. The last prize winner was selected by our MP Shaun Woodward and was won by E Strettle of Rainhill Village.
CALLS FOR MORE GRIT BINS
Many local residents have had real problems with the treacherous side roads during the recent cold spell. We have requested costings for more bins and will pay for them from the Ward Committee budget. A full survey of the village is needed to highlight the best sites for new bins - YOU CAN HELP..!! We will need to consider public footpath access problems for pedestrians. We will also need the consent of residents if we want to place a grit bin outside a property. Please add comments if you have ideas.
O2 APPEAL AGAINST COUNCIL DECISION
 A recent application was made by O2 to install equiptment inside the chimney by Kendricks Fold. To do this the chimney would have to have been extended in height by four metres. Planning Committee rejected the application due to it's overbearing nature.O2 have lodged their appeal which will now be decided by Her Majesty's Inspectorate.
LETS HOPE THE APPEAL FAILS...!!!
RAINHILL TRIALS WEBSITE NOW LIVE
 Check it out at: www.rainhilltrials.com
HSBC Udate
Today I have been in contact with the St Helens Reporter and gave them a detailed explaination why this bank must not close, and what the residents of Rainhill and their councillors are prepared to do to get a positive outcome. An article should be included in this weeks edition.
SHOCK ANOUNCEMENT BY HSBC
Last week the HSBC sent letters to account holders of the Rainhill branch indicating the imminent closure of the Warrington Road site. Your local councillors have been inundated with emails and telephone calls from concerned residents. WE ARE TOTALLY AGAINST THIS PLAN...!!!We don't believe that the branch is losing money and that an appropriate reason for closure is because it has been targetted in the past by criminals...!!! We have immediately contacted and got involved our MP Shaun Woodward and with our campaign team have set up an action plan to fight this. On the 17th January, during the Saturday morning, our campaign team canvassed the local shoppers. We were given 99.6% support for our fight to keep the branch open. We collected over 600 signatures to our petition and were approached by many concerned business and shop owners. Look out for our petitions in local shops and Community Areas - please sign up to the fight. On Saturday we witnessed a never ending queue to obtain cash from the ATM at the bank, money being spent in the village over the weekend. Obviously this will close with the bank if it does in April 2009. There are no other facilities in the village. We will be left without a bank where once there were 4...!!! The only cash machines in the village will be ones where residents will be charged. Inevitably, shops will suffer as shoppers go elsewhere where there are cash withdrawing facilities. Please write or telephone your objections to: Mr Clive TaylorRetail Branch Manager33 Ormskirk StreetSt Helens WA10 2SZTel 08455 839728 (local charges apply)
BRIARS HEY MAIN BUILDING
BRIARS HEY PLANNING APPLICATION AT COMMITTEE
Yesterday the two Briars Hey applications P/2008/6017 and P/2008/6019 submitted by Raphael Healthcare were brought before the Planning Committee. A large delegation of local residents were present to submit their viewpoints. In light of the potential strength of feeling towards these applications, the Planning Committee decided that a site visit, prior to any decision, was the correct way to proceed.
A DAY OF MANY MIXED EMOTIONS
 Much has been said in the local press about Mike and the full life he enjoyed right up to the final days of his life. Joe and myself were so saddened by the loss but also felt so privileged to have worked and played alongside him. He touched many, in all walks of life. Monday started well enough but the rains came and we all got wet - no matter. Hundreds of kids from Rainhill High lined the roadway and the entrance to the church, a very personal "Thank You" to their Chair of Governors. The church was jam packed, standing room only, and the service over-run by half an hour..!! Father Phil gave a potted history of Mike, even telling the tale of when Mike had his leg amputated with only local anesthetic and a CD of Joe Longthorne to listen to. At the end of the CD Mike asked the surgeon to change the CD as it had finished, "Why?" said the surgeon, "I've finished as well". Mike would want us to carry on regardless and that is what we shall do. He will continue to inspire us. His wife Julia has been very positive throughout, she has a massive number of wonderful memories to recall.
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