The new sweetheart of Billinge’s Ash Grove estate is local farmer Charles Valentine, who spent some time back in January clearing the snow and ice from the estate’s roads with his tractor so that residents could access their homes. Charles, whose family have farmed at neighbouring Ash Grove Farm since 1945, sprung into action totally unprompted when the snow came down, clearing the Ash Grove Estate and also clearing Beacon Road in Billinge.

 

When Paul Roberts, Chair of the Billinge Residents Association (West), saw the farmer in action, he sprung into action himself and organised a whip round from the people on the estate. Their generous donations totalled £215 and, on the request of the big hearted farmer, this was presented to the Niemann-Pick Disease Group, a charity formed to fund an award to encourage further research into the disease.

 

Charles’ grandson Matthew suffers from Type C of the disease, which is a rare, metabolic condition that is neurologically degenerative, leading to loss of motor skills, difficulty with walking and epileptic seizures, amongst other symptoms. Matthew visits the Royal Manchester Children’s’ Hospital every six months to monitor his progress and, to the delight of his family, is doing exceptionally well.

 

Pictured on the cover is George Fee, who lives in Ash Grove Crescent and is a member of the Billinge Residents Association, pictured presenting the cheque to Charles Valentine and Roderick Valentine, who is Matthew’s father.