Tony Porter Ponders: army woes, a tour of the Market Hall, Haigh success and a big square

The media circus will soon be leaving our patch, but what will unfold, sadly, I cannot speculate on yet, but will watch with interest.

So stuff I can write about includes the bizarre resignations of the Defence Minister and the Armed Forces Minister, both citing the lack of funds going into the military forces.

This has been an issue for decades as various governments have reduced the numbers in the army, navy and RAF after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

In recent times, though, it has become apparent that there are leaders of certain countries who have become a threat to some western nations and still nothing has been done to increase defence spending.

Here we are now, with a non-Navy, hardly and working vessels, depleted army and diminished RAF.

Though there are claims of more money than ever going into these departments, it feels like in the NHS.

It is not getting to where it is needed most: the front lines and our brave men and women who need more equipment.

It has been reported that there are to many chiefs and maybe that is where savings can be made.

All that said the greatest peacemaker of our time has solved the problem in the Strait of Hormuz. Yes that is sarcasm.

In Wigan the invitation for me to join various media outlets on a tour of the New Market Hall must have got lost in the post (again sarcasm) but the images I saw on the Wigan Today website showed some great progress.

Again I have issues with the name and I am not convinced that it is going to be a proper market but more of a food court, but at least the work is cracking on and the surviving market traders will get a great deal and move into their new home before Christmas, which is the promise so far from the developers and council.

The hotel too, is now almost complete in height, with the top floor and roof well on the way up.

Though it will take time to fill the shell it is rumoured it well be open next spring/summer.

Not much chatter about any other part of the site but, for me, the market is the main one and it is pleasing to see it nearing completion.

Also nearing completion are the amazing Plantation Gates.

Everything is looking good, excluding the asphalt. The smaller side gates are now back and look fabulous in black and gold and the outbuildings also look splendid.

I was pleased to see the curved walls either side of the gate being reinstated and will give the council a pat on the back for this.

This is great to see and I hope that the success here will now transfer to Haigh Hall, which has remained untouched now for a considerable number of months.

Things are looking up, again. Let us hope that the momentum continues with something happening at Wigan Pier and the rest of the town centre development.

If there is no cinema, as rumoured, then let’s have a nice open square for the town with concrete seating, ideal for Christmas Light turn on, Pride and celebrations of sporting success, start and finish of fun runs and many other things rather than the cramped Market Place and Street.