28-MAR-07
Residents in Bolton have received national commendation for their
commitment and courage to stand up against nuisance neighbours and help
Bolton at Home tackle anti-social behaviour.
The 2006/2007 Respect Taking a Stand Awards, held on 26 March in London,
honoured several residents from Bolton who have helped to make their
communities better places to live by not tolerating the unacceptable
behaviour of others.
Four residents from Little Lever overcame intimidation and their own
vulnerabilities, including health problems and old age, to help Bolton at
Home secure the eviction of a neighbour responsible for repeated noise
nuisance and verbal abuse.
Supporting each other to maintain diary sheets, Herbert Grace, Irene Grace,
Claire Jackson and Christine Gough, were able to supply Bolton at Home and
the police with detailed information, which recorded incidents of
anti-social behaviour. The residents also showed bravery by giving evidence
in court. Mr and Mrs Grace even spent their 53-year wedding anniversary in
court, as witnesses, to do what they could to make a positive difference.
Other award winners from Bolton included Alan Roberts from Westhoughton. Mr
Roberts led his local community in standing up to a nuisance family who
inflicted misery on their neighbours over a five-year period.
Mr Roberts recorded incidents of noise nuisance, verbal abuse and neighbour
intimidation on diary sheets, kept the local neighbourhood office informed,
and appeared in court to give evidence of the family’s conduct.
A judge at Bolton County Court awarded Bolton at Home possession of the
property last August and commended local residents, including Mr Roberts,
for taking a stand against the “neighbours from hell.”
Lillian Wignall and Sandra Wyatt, from Halliwell, completed Bolton’s success
at the London awards.
Recognised for providing evidence which contributed towards the eviction of
an abusive and noisy neighbour, the residents were also acknowledged for
promoting community cohesion. They have formed a new residents association
as part of their commitment to resolving local issues.
Noel Spencer MBE, Chair of Bolton at Home, said: “I have more admiration
than I can speak of for the courage and bravery shown by people who stand up
to offenders of anti-social behaviour. Everyone can have a role to play and
I hope such recognition will encourage others to take action.”
Two more Bolton residents will receive Taking a Stand Awards for their
courage at a second winners-ceremony in April, to be held in Birmingham.
Catherine Thompson, from Deane, will be recognised for standing up to
serious threats and harassment whilst living in Tonge Moor. Miss Thompson
gathered evidence before appearing in court as a witness in a case that
secured an eviction order and an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against another
perpetrator.
William Duckworth from Farnworth will also be commended for collecting
evidence and standing up in court against an intimidating neighbour. The
local community no longer lives in fear thanks to Mr Duckworth’s bravery
which helped to secure an eviction.
