Event Date: Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th February

Dinosaur World Live, the interactive children’s theatre show that uses stunning puppetry to bring life-like dinosaurs to the stage, is at The Lowry, Salford from Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th February.

The show presents a host of impressive pre-historic creatures including the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex, along with a Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus and Triceratops.

Audiences will be introduced to Miranda, daughter of palaeontologists, who grew up surrounded by dinosaurs on a far-away island off the coast of South America. She has brought her pre-historic pals to your local theatre and would love you to meet them. Warning: some of these dinosaurs aren’t as docile as they seem! 

Dinosaur World Live delivers an entertaining and educational live show that promises to delight the whole family. Each performance is followed by a post-show meet and greet where audience members have the opportunity to meet some of the dinosaurs in person.  

Dinosaur World Live is written and directed by Derek Bond (Sweet Charity, Manchester Theatre Awards 2017 winner, Little Shop of Horrors Manchester Royal Exchange). The creative team includes: Puppet Designer Max Humphries (National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Cirque de Soleil); Puppet Director Laura Cubitt (Running Wild, Chichester Festival Theatre; Don Quixote, RSC; War Horse NT Berlin); Puppetry Consultant Toby Olié (for the National Theatre: Elephantom, Peter Pan, The Light Princess, Hansel & Gretel, NT: 50 Years on Stage and also the original hind puppeteer of Joey in War Horse); Set & Costume Designer James Perkins; Lighting Designer John Maddox and Sound Designer Tom Mann. Produced by Nicoll Entertainment. 

Whilst kindness and generosity are typically words synonymous with the festive period, a seasonal spike in cases of domestic abuse is also not uncommon.

Unfortunately, the issue will be seemingly compounded by the arrival of this year’s winter World Cup, which concludes the week before Christmas on Sunday 18 December.

Given that domestic abuse rates increase by around 26% when England win or draw and a staggering 38% when they lose, football during the festive period could have very serious consequences for those in abusive relationships. 

According to a study by the Centre for Economic Performance, domestic abuse increases and peaks about ten hours after the game, with incidents driven by perpetrators that have consumed alcohol during games.

With this in mind, individuals that are concerned about their own safety or the wellbeing of family members should seek professional support, taking steps to separate and file for an injunction or by detailing a safe route out of the home should incidents of abuse occur.

Dal Heran, Head of the Family Law team at Wright Hassall, commented:

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“Whilst Christmas should be a time of celebration, research shows that around 15,000 children will be exposed to domestic abuse over the two-week festive season, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.

“Whilst there is no excusing this type of behaviour, there is a tendency amongst many to over-indulge as the Christmas celebrations begin, and this will only be intensified by the arrival of the world’s largest football tournament.

“It is well known that consuming large quantities of alcohol can lead to a range of serious issues, especially in an abusive household, where drinking will impair people’s judgment and exacerbate any existing problems.

“For this reason, it is important that victims of domestic abuse take steps to protect themselves and other family members, even if this is done through the adoption of a pre-arranged escape route, allowing them to safely leave the house and stay elsewhere should they need to.

“There are also charities dedicated to supporting victims of domestic abuse, with 24-hour helplines and online live chats making it easy for individuals to find help throughout the festive period.

“However, if the situation has already reached a point where intervention is futile, then it may be time to seek legal support in order to separate permanently from an abusive partner, ensuring the protection of any children that also live there.”

 

Tucked away underneath the railway arches on Viaduct Street is the Dirty Old Town Distillery, home to Salford Rum the brainchild of Tommy Gaughan and James Harrison, college pals who came up with the idea for Salford Rum after a drunken evening in which they bemoaned the lack of a decent spiced rum and decided that they would brew their own, as you do.

That was in 2018 and now they are producing thousands of bottles of Salford Rum which is stocked throughout bars, supermarkets, pubs, makers markets and has even featured on television, the unique bottles, ceramic with wooden tops and with a map of Salford printed on them, is no doubt a factor in the sale of the rum and many people collect them for decorative purposes.

The Old Town Distillery which was formally opened last week by Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long Bailey and so we called in and had a chat with Tommy who explained the early days and growth of the company and it's future which it has to be said is looking very rosy.

I was really impressed with the interior whose walls are bedecked with photos of old Salford including Salford Docks naturally, pubs, factories, people, sports programmes, also murals from the artist Dave Draws who designed the artwork for the Salford Rum bottles, with seating for some two dozen people and a splendid view of the still, named Willow, a name chosen by fans of the company for it's strong Salford connections.

There are plans for Spiced Rum Experience tours every Friday and Saturday lasting for about 90 minutes on which you get a guided taste of all of their rums, a chat about the Willow still, three rum cocktails and a chat with the boys, plus your chance to buy some spiced rum for home with a 10 per cent discount.

They also sell beer, lager and wine at their well stocked  bar and all being well they are hoping to have music evenings with bands and DJ's playing in this intimate venue and with it's prime location on the Salford and Manchester border, it's a must visit.

Tommy and James we doff our caps to you, many thanks for the tour, the mug of rum and ginger beer and most of all we wish you the best of luck with this venture, but I feel you don't need any with such an excellent product, you have all of Salford supporting you!

https://salfordrum.com/pages/the-dirty-old-town-distillery

https://www.facebook.com/SalfordRum 

Do you have memories of The Condron Club, The Wishing Well, Blighty's ,Fagins, Talk Of The North, The Willows, Rainbow Rooms, Embassy Club, Clowes Club, Mr Smith's, Rafters etc, if so the long awaited autobiography of Roy Mozley, Reflections Of My Life is the ideal book for you.

It's a roller coaster ride, telling of a young boy born in an asbestos prefab in Winton, Eccles rising to a multi million pound mansion in Mere Cheshire, who has a burning ambition to be a pop star and see his name in lights.

Like many young men, he was infatuated with pop music and armed with his, Bert Weedon, Play In A Day book, taught himself how to play, often with hilarious results, this results in him joining such local bands as The Emeralds and Karls Marals, and then finding themselves playing the pubs on Cross Lane Salford.. what a tough place to learn your trade.

Following in the footsteps of The Beatles and so many other beat groups they make their way to Germany looking for the proverbial big time.....hard lessons are learned and Roy returns home determined to learn the ropes and become an entertainment agent, booking artistes for clubs throughout the North West of England.

This is where the warts and all stories tale really takes hold as we are introduced to such artistes as, Bernard Manning, Ken Dodd,  George Best,  Bob Monkhouse, Dusty Springfield, Tony Monopoly, Roy Chubby Brown, Shirley Bassey, Grumbleweeds, , Little and Large, David Essex and his somewhat ridiculous demands in his rider. did I mention Rudolf Nureyev?

It's not all glamour as we see the inner workings of nightclubs and the dirty tricks often employed by business rivals to scupper plans, fall outs over money and find that an honourable man is often hard to find, very hard and Roy's upbringing has certainly stood him in good stead in tricky situations until he realises his dream by buying the rundown Talk of the North Club, Eccles and building it up like a Phoenix from the flames.

Roy's career was not limited to nightclubs, he owned The Casserole Restaurant, Worsley, several pubs including The Water side, Monton and The Swinging Bridge, Barton even a barge called The Cheshire Lady which was fitted out for meals and cabaret and all making a big, financial success for him, and lets be honest, he has worked long and hard for it.

There is so much too talk about in this book, but I will urge you to buy it and I can guarantee that you will find it a great, entertaining read with a roll cast of hundreds of household names and venues and I for one, cannot wait for a follow up if only to learn how he managed to get, Take That to perform two sets at The Talk of The North Club in Patricroft for a peppercorn fee!

The book is dedicated to his late wife, Patricia who sadly passed away a few years ago and who urged him to get the book written, in her honour Roy will be giving 25 per cent of the profits from the sales to Christies Hospital.

The book is available by contacting Roy Mozley on his Facebook page or from jrrobertsshowbiz@gmail.com priced at £12.95

It’s the week before World Book Day and your child hasn’t got a thing to wear. But you don’t have to stay up all night finessing a costume of immense complexity. Former primary school teacher Becky Cranham of education resource experts PlanBee has a host of brilliant hacks for some of the most popular characters in children’s literature

Bruce Bogtrotter (Matilda by Roald Dahl)
Dress in a school uniform (or as close as possible) and grab a big chocolate cake from the shops. Smear chocolate all over your child’s shirt (and face). Voila!

Matilda (Matilda by Roald Dahl)
Pop a red ribbon in your child’s hair and bundle a stack of books together with string or a belt. Easy peasy.

Charlie Bucket (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl)
All you need is a great big golden ticket to hang around you’re your youngster’s neck. Grab a big piece of yellow paper and write out their very own invitation to visit Willy Wonka!

The Boy in the Dress (David Walliams)
Grab a dress and a football and your son is good to go.

Sophie (The BFG by Roald Dahl)
Put on a nightie or a pair of pyjamas and make a quick dream jar using a jam jar, glitter and some fairy lights.

Where’s Wally? (Martin Handford)
If you have a stripy top, a bobble hat and a pair of glasses, your child can spend all day standing around with no one being able to find them. What’s not to like?

The Cat in the Hat (Dr Seuss)
Dress your child in black and make a tall red and white hat from paper or card. If you’re feeling extra enthusiastic, a cat nose and whiskers painted on with eyeliner will complete the look.

Beegu (Alexis Deacon)
If you happen to be the kind of person who has yellow leggings and t-shirts lying around, then Beegu might be a good option. Just dress your youngster in yellow and make some long, floppy yellow ears from card.

Mr Bump or Little Miss Whoops (Roger Hargreaves)
This one’s for the tots: dress them in blue, wrap them in bandages and stick on some plasters. Loo roll will suffice if you don’t happen to have meters of bandages in the bathroom cupboard.

The Paper Dolls (Julia Donaldson)
Borrow a school uniform (or as close to as you can get) and make a paper chain of dolls for your child to wear around their neck.

Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling)
You don’t always need full-on wizard regalia to dress us as Harry Potter. He spent most of his childhood dressed as a muggle. Just find a pair of thick-rimmed glasses and draw a scar on your child’s head.

The Pevensie Children (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis)
Pick one of the four Pevensies, then pop a box on a piece of string, write an evacuee ID card and you have a World Book Day costume that will be the envy of all Narnia.

Flying Fergus (Chris Hoy)
This is perfect for keen cyclists: pop on a a helmet and any other cycling kit you can find, and you’re ready to go.

Saucepan Man (The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton)
Stick a colander on your child’s head and attach a bunch of pots and pans to their body. They might not be able to sit down but they’ll look terrific.

For more information check out Plan B via : PlanBee: The Hive of Primary Resources and Lesson Plan

Here at SM HQ (behind the recycle bins on Morrisons car park in Eccles) love a bit of sausage, especially when its wrapped in the food of the gods, Bacon.

To celebrate the annual reminder that everyone here is still single (Valentines Day), upmarket retailer Marks and Sparks are set to delight 'early rising porkers' up and down the land with the timely return of its cheekily named 'Love Sausage'.

You too could be having a girthy portion... for that special breakfast with your loved one.

The heart shaped pork sausage with a hint of truffle and enveloped in smoky bacon will be on sale soon.

So far the price of this tasty treat has not yet been set but in previous years it sold for £6 for a 458g pack.

It is unknown if the 'Give a little' Love Sausage will be returning to freezers but we would like to remind M&S that not everyone can handle a large one.

This is not an ad or paid promotion.

Today I called in at the Ilirian a new Greek cafe/bistro on Church Street, Eccles located in the old NatWest  building for a chat with the owner Ervis, who kindly told me about the new venue and the delights on offer.

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"I chose this building because of it's wonderful architecture which fitted in so well with my plans for the Cafe/Bistro, also because the word, Ecclesia  in Greek means, "gathering", it seemed a natural choice.

"I want my customers to feel that they have a taste of Greece when they come here, with traditional, home cooked, food and drinks for them, simple and not overpriced, a place they can sit in comfort and enjoy good food.

"My mother is the pastry chef and makes the best food I have tasted, you be the judge! also we have a fine selection of  pies, pastries, pizza's. home made bread, pretzels, savouries, coffees's also traditional Greek mountain tea, fruit flavoured tea for the more adventurous. milk shakes and even imported Greek soft drinks.

"Incidentally I have the finest pizza chef in Greater Manchester and if you can find me a better one, I will give you the keys to the business".

 

I have to admit, first impressions are important and I was well impressed with the cafe, it's both spotless and well laid out with seating for some 24 people, additionally it features an access ramp which has been installed for customers with disability problems, and it all comes with friendly customer service.

Most importantly, the array of food was mouth watering with  traditional Greek pies and pastries which are all hand made, daily on the premises by family members on display at the counter.

Indulge yourself on Spanakopita a Greek savoury spinach pie, Bougatas with Mizithra Feta cheese, Mykonian, sausage pie, Traditional Twirled pie with chicken and four cheeses or Creek County Pie with Chicken Graviera and Red Pepper all for the bargain price of £2 a slice.

For those with a sweet tooth, Ervis recommends the Portokalopita Orange Pie with Vanilla Cream, or may I suggest, the Galaktoboureko Custard Pie?

The Ilirain which is named after after, Ervis's son is a breath of culinary fresh air, and is just what Eccles needed, a more cosmopolitan vibe and a break from the traditional café fare which prevails in the area.

Also I am told that permission has been given for outside seating for 10 people, in the summer so you can enjoy a delicious slice of Greece on a plate and watch the world go by, sounds idyllic and I for one will be a regular customer.

Call in, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed , trust me!

It is open, Monday to Friday 7am - 7pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am - 7pm

Unit 1, 49 Church Street, Eccles, M30 0AF

For further info visit their website Ilirian Greek Taste Eccles - Cafe or phone on 0161 787 992  

The club, which started in 1903 for working lads from the docks estate, to keep them off the streets and out of gangs by providing sports, arts and education, shot to international fame when its iconic sign and redbrick frontage was the backdrop for a picture (now in the National Portrait Gallery, London) by photographer Stephen Wright, and used on the inner sleeve of The Smiths' album The Queen Is Dead in 1986.

At the time of the iconic album photo, The Smiths were at the height of their musical success, owning the alternative rock music scene and since then the club has attracted fans and visitors from all around the world.

The 13,810 sq. foot listed building is a beautiful Edwardian red brick construction on the corner of St Ignatius Walk and Salford’s real Coronation Street, in Ordsall, Salford, just off the M602.The building is listed as the best surviving example of a pre WW1 lads club in England.

Described by visitors as a Tardis, once inside the venue is huge and includes sports courts a concert hall and bandroom, an original billiards room, snooker and games rooms, a boxing gym. The ground floor corridors and entrance have the classic Edwardian red glazed brick seen in many of Manchester’s hospitality venues.

The club’s Smiths room was set up in 2004 by artist Leslie Holmes, in response to the legion of fans from all over the world who made the pilgrimage to stand on the same spot as The Smiths under the famous club sign. The building “Should be a world heritage site” according to US TV presenter Roger Bennett in a recent film made by VisitBritain.

The venue is now fully registered and licensed to hold weddings, civil partnerships, civil services and vow renewals. Each wedding can be tailored to couples’ requirements with organisers working with local suppliers including caterers, bar providers and venue dressers to create the full wedding experience.

Prospective brides and grooms can select one of four function rooms that accommodate 20-150 people including The Band Room (20 guests), The Smiths Room (40 guests max) The Senior Games Room (up to 80 guests) and The Concert Hall, for up to 150 guests.

The venue is a wedding photography dream, with many interesting original interior and exterior features, and wedding party guests can recreate the famous Smiths line-up photo outside the iconic entrance.

Weddings at Salford Lads Club are being managed and run by local leisure operator, Salford Community Leisure, a community benefit organisation, which hosts weddings at other unique venues in the city including Ordsall Hall and Salford Museum and Art Gallery.  

Salford Community Leisure Weddings & Events Manager, Sue Bainbridge, said:

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“We’re delighted to bring this historic venue into our wedding fold. It’s one of the city’s most iconic buildings and unusual wedding venues, steeped in heritage, local social history and music folklore. With the current Covid-19 restrictions in place, the smaller spaces are ideal for up to 15 people.”

For more information about weddings please email salfordladsclubweddings@scll.co.uk and check out social media for updates via Instagram and Facebook.

Profits from weddings at Salford Lads Club will be split between the official Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club charity for the ongoing upkeep of the spectacular building, and the services managed by Salford Community Leisure including leisure centres, community centres, libraries and museums.

Project Manager at Salford Lads Club, Leslie Holmes, said:

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The club is a remarkable surviving example of working class culture, it’s what attracted Morrisey here, with its famous footballers, boxers, The Hollies, and of course Coronation Street and A Taste of Honey. The building is almost untouched since it was built in 1903, so what could be better setting for a unique wedding as you will also be supporting the club and helping future generations of young people.'

The first couple to book a Salford Lads Club wedding are Joy Ainsley (45) and Dean Baylin (46) from Harrogate who are huge Morrissey and Smiths fans. Joy said: "We can't believe that we can now officially get married at Salford Lads Club. We're lifelong Smiths and Morrissey fans and have seen Morrissey 33 times. My fiancé Dean, popped the question outside the club last year and we have visited it numerous times, had tours, and been to the club attending other events. We've taken so many photos inside and outside the club, and we've recreated the album photo pose outside with friends, that it feels like a second home.

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“The wedding itself will be very much in a Smiths-vintage style and our bridesmaids will be wearing Doc Martens with their hair done in victory rolls and guests will receive Smiths and Salford Lads Club themed wedding favours to keep forever. We even have a Manchester band playing (The Lottery Winners) who have just been signed by Warner Records by the legendary A&R Seymour Stein, who also signed The Smiths and has dubbed them as the best thing he's heard since The Smiths!.

“The band who are huge Smits fans themselves, will play 'There Is A Light That Never Will Go Out at the ceremony, which is also featured on their current lockdown covers album Sounds of Isolation.”

 

The club volunteer team provide tours for visitors every Saturday from 11am until 2pm including a shop stocking a range of Salford Lads Club merchandise, details on www.salfordladsclub.org.uk

Wedding packages at Salford Lads Club start from £1250 (room hire only and many packages are available including food and drink. Venue hire is available from January 2021.

For more information about weddings please email salfordladsclubweddings@scll.co.uk and check out social media for updates via Instagram and Facebook.

Story: Alison Short

MediaCityUK and award winning design studio  HemingwayDesign have announced plans to bring Box on the Docks at Christmas to the creative and digital hub following a successful summer season which has seen thousands of visitors enjoying socially distanced dining within 30 art adorned sheds and greenhouses since the beginning of August.

The initiative which supports two industries hit hard by Covid-19 – hospitality and the arts. The self-contained socially distanced dining boxes have created a new and original way for people to socialise safely outside the home and have brought colour, fun and festivity to the community after a tough few months.

The project has surpassed expectations with MediaCityUK now inviting local artists and designers to submit festive inspired designs for the pods. Dependent on local and national Government guidelines ‘Box on the Docks at Christmas’ will launch at the end of November.

With support from the Salford Culture and Place Partnership, to date 15 artists have had their work showcased at ‘Box on the Docks’ and applications are now open for the next wave of creatives to put forward their design proposals. 

Kate Hadfield, from MediaCityUK based Carbon Creative, whose team produced the ‘BeatBox’ pod in which The Dockyard served hundreds of customers throughout August and September said:

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“We’ve had such an amazing response to the BeatBox on social media which has seen a visitor come from as far as Glasgow and a special request by one follower to celebrate their engagement with a romantic meal for two in the pod. It’s been a great example of working together in adverse conditions to make something positive happen.”

Simon Leroux, from Manchester Street Poem - an arts project telling the stories of the city's marginalised communities in their own words, said:

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“As an artistic community it was important that we continued to connect and create during lockdown. We achieved this online but were missing a physical outlet for our work, however, Box on the Docks gave us that opportunity to see the public interact with our art. After so long at home it was amazing for us to see our friends and create something beautiful it gives us the energy to keep going.”

Michael Jebelli, Managing Director of independent plant-based eatery, Vertigo, which launched in MediaCityUK as lockdown restrictions eased said:

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“Potentially, the last few months could have spelled disaster for our business. However, the combination of Box on the Docks and the Government’s ‘eat out to help out’ scheme has been a life saver. Our takings have been approximately 30% higher than what we expected so it’s music to our ears that Box on the Docks is returning to support, safe, socially distanced dining in the run up to Christmas while supporting the creative community.”

Josie Cahill, Place Director for MediaCityUK said: 

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 “Box on the Docks is our commitment to supporting the local cultural sector. We’re excited about making a further commitment to Box on the Docks and championing even more local artists to deliver a festive inspired collaboration later in the year. We will be looking for stand-out creative proposals and encourage those applying to really think ‘outside of the box’. I can’t wait to see it come to life and once again invite visitors to safely return to MediaCityUK.’

Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of HemingwayDesign added:

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“Box on the Docks has allowed MediaCityUK to be right at the forefront of adapting to uncertain times by delivering creative and safe places for people to continue being social. By supporting local artists and creatives and by helping the local bars, cafés and restaurants to safely get bums on seats, Box on the Docks is making wonderfully productive use of MediaCity’s generous public spaces. It is ensuring that this generosity extends to residents, the local community, local businesses, local workers and visitors in the run up to Christmas.”

For details on the full brief and how to apply please visit https://www.boxonthedocks.co.uk/

A chance purchase in a Manchester bookshop by Robert Cochrane of a book of poems called, "Gleam O' Pearls which contained some faded newspaper cuttings fascinated him so much that his research unearthed an amazing story of a man who can truly be called one of the genuine lost voices of the First World War....James Lyons.

James was born in Winton, Eccles Manchester, UK on 10th September 1896 and lived in a large house called, The Hollies, on Parrin Lane long demolished and now the site of a petrol station.

He joined the Army in  November 1916 as a Private but was invalided out of service in 1917 with bad health and moved to Lytham St Anne's to be close to the sea, whilst there he wrote further poems and an opera, sadly he died in August 1918 a victim of the Spanish flu that was ravaging Europe at the time and is buried in an unmarked family grave in Peel Green cemetery.

Robert himself a poet was so moved at what he had discovered that he has written a book about James Lyons and has reprinted some of his poems in it called, "Do you Remember - the selected poems of James Lyons"

I was amazed to read in the book that James had written a poem entitled “Gallipoli – To the Fallen”, which was set to music by his friend Stanley H. Clarke and performed by the Beecham Operatic Choir on 6th November 1918 at a concert in the Free Trade Hall Manchester.

Although dated in their style many of the poems are really beautiful, I was moved by the poem, Do You Remember, a sad, wistful, tale a longing for happier times and For The Fallen a moving tribute to the soldiers slaughtered at Gallipoi, "Sleeping a dreamless sleep underneath the waving grass.......

I could tell you so much more about this book but I urge you to read it for yourself and find out both more about this sad, doomed poet and open your eyes to his poetry, long unseen but now thanks to Robert Cochrane available for us all to appreciate.

He has also produced a CD of some of the poems written by James which have been set to music entitled, The James Lyons Project featuring local poets and musicians including, Bill Fay, John Howard, Lazybones and Nia Morgan.

The book is still available from Robert at 40 Brundretts Rd, Chorlton, M21 9DB £9.99 + £2 p&p. and copies of the Cd can be had for £10 + £i.50 p&p

The New Year brings good news for the ethical & animal lovers out there as from tomorrow (Thursday 2nd Jan) KFC will be rolling out its much lauded meat-free Vegan 'Imposter' Burger which has won over meat-eaters, veggies and vegans alike.

The company trialled its 'Imposter Burger' in some stores over the summer and it was met with much approval with demand being over 500% higher than the company predicted, so as we head into Veganuary (It's a thing) the new seasons spicy offering will be available in both of Salford's KFC restaurants.

Hankinson Way, Salford Shopping City M6 5JP

Ellesmere Centre, Walkden, M28 3ZD

For the first time, the meat-free burger will include the iconic Original Recipe flavour, as created by the Colonel back in 1952.

Vegans denied of the finger-looking goodness can enjoy the famous 11 Original Recipe from 2 January.

The usual chicken breast fillet is replaced with a bespoke Quorn fillet, lovingly coated in the colonels herbs and spices.

It comes served with vegan mayonnaise and crisp iceberg lettuce, all within a soft-glazed bun.

Be warned though as they don't come cheap as the burger is priced at £3.99 and that is without any sides.

Ira Dubinsky, from KFC UK and Ireland, said:

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"The Colonel was all about welcoming everyone to his table – now vegans, flexitarians and our fried chicken fans can all enjoy the taste of our Original Recipe together.

"We’ve worked hard to perfect the flavour and make a Vegan Burger the Colonel would be proud of. It’s the flavour of KFC, just with zero chicken."

Dawn Carr, Director of Vegan Corporate Projects at PETA said:

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"We are delighted to have played a part in KFC’s journey to bring quick, affordable, vegan options to a new audience.

"There is no doubt this vegan burger will be a huge hit with the skyrocketing numbers of vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians around the UK. Clucking marvellous!"

And as most will be too fat and lazy after the festive season to leave the house, there is good news even for you, it is available exclusively for home delivery via the Just Eat App.

Worsley’s Greyhound pub has recently been acquired by new owners, Green & Salmon who are partnering with Star pubs and combining a total investment of £750,000, transforming the pub in to an exciting new offer, with a food menu inspired by British classics, with a subtle international twist, an innovative cocktail menu and it’s very own gin distillery.

The pub will operate under its new name of Coal & Cotton, a nod to the areas rich mining and cotton production history.

Catering for families and those looking for something a little different in the evening, Coal & Cotton will serve a variety of food throughout the day, from light bites at lunch, a gin based afternoon tea menu through to hearty pub classics in the evening. Weekends will bring up and coming musicians to the area.

Speaking to Jason Green, co-owner of Coal & Cotton he said,

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“I’m local myself and have lived in the area for over 15 years. Having recently left the corporate world I wanted to set up my own business that I can genuinely say I am proud of. Being so close to home is a nice advantage. I would love to create something that I would like to go to myself within the area as I feel the area is crying out for what we have to offer…”

Coal & Cotton are in the middle of their extensive refurbishment and will be opening the doors mid November, bookings are being taken at www.coalandcotton.co.uk

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures plummet, we are reminded that the onset of the colder winter months are not far ahead. 

As always at this time of year the UK prepares itself for the annual event of forgetting to set the alarm clock back an hour, then waking up in a mad rush to get to work in the morning. The good news of course is that most modern day electrical goods will carry out this function by themselves, smartphones, TV's etc... There is always that one appliance that catches you out though and for me it is the cooker which makes things worse considering I have lost the handbook.

The process is a bi-yearly one and it was first brought into practice during 1916 at the height of the first world war, the original reason was to reduce the demand for coal, reduce energy needs, save money and get people outside in the evenings, since those days the time altering measure has become a part and parcel of our daily lives and so twice a year without fail the clocks go either back or forth depending on the month. You could say it is as regular as clockwork.

There are other reasons why swapping between GMT and BST and back again is a good idea, from making it lighter when the kids are going to school, to construction work, farming and even allowing the postie to do his/her job in the daylight. Although I don't get my post until way after dinner most days.

This year they will be going back an hour at 2am on the morning of Sunday the 27th of October when British Summer Time (BST) officially ends and we head back to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) system. It won't be until the 31st of March 2020 until the clocks go forward once again to take advantage of the longer days.

So until then we are stuck with shorter, colder days and longer, darker nights. Not all is lost though as we do get an extra hour in bed to dream about winning the lotto. The bad news is we will all get to grumble again at the end of March when we loose an hour again.

There have been proposals however to scrap it altogether and choose if we remain an hour in front or an hour behind. The EU will be debating such a proposal after scrapping the twice-yearly clock changes. The UK should be out of the EU by the 31st of October if the governments plans go forward so the changes would not affect the UK who would have the option to make the decision by itself.

They are every arachnophobes nightmare, eight-legged terrors who stalk the corners of our rooms strike fear in the hearts of many. At this time of year they are seemingly invading our homes like an army of tiny soldiers intent on taking over.

Of course the reality is most are actually quite harmless and in the Autumn months they only have one thing on their tiny minds and it is SEX and make babies.

Over the past few months the populations have grown to huge levels and some scientists say that there could be as many as 10 Billion of them looking to cop a squat in our homes over the coming months.

One of the most common spiders often found in UK homes is the Wolf Spider, it can bite if provoked and they can also inject a venom which can produce localised swelling, mild pain and itching in some people. You have to really make it angry to get such a reaction from them though.

Most species of Spiders in the UK won't bite you though, you are not on their menu.

At this time of year, male house spiders of all species leave their webs and start wandering in search of females.

As the days grow shorter and colder, they head indoors to get 'Jiggy' with each other and any warm dry corner will do, they are not picky so long as they can get it on with each other in relative comfort.

For people who are arachnophobic (fear spiders) this can become a huge problem, however, there are some really easy ways to prevent the home invaders from taking up residence in your sanctuary, your home, your castle...

Firstly these little blighters can pretty much get through any gap, windows, air vents, and any other openings are an open invite to them.

Furthermore, spiders get inside buildings in spots where cables, pipes, and plumbing lines are connected if there are any small gaps around the area.

You can reduce the number of places where spiders get inside your home by checking for potential openings and sealing up as many as you can.

If you have vents then consider buying some fine mesh to place over them as they are an easy access route for our furry legged friends.

Regular vacuuming of your home really helps, be sure to get the Hoover/Dyson behind the settee and avoid having clutter around the home as it offers them places to hide out.

If a room is left vacant, close the door, if possible fit draught excluders to the bottom of them as they not only prevent spiders from moving from room to room but they also have the added benefit of keeping your heating bills down too.

There are a number of pest control items on the market but if you are not one to opt for chemical warfare then you could also go for a nice stroll in your local park and look for horse chestnuts (Conkers). It would seem there is an old wives take that those fearless wall climbers have a huge dislike of them. Although it has never been scientifically proven. Spiders don’t eat conkers or lay eggs in them, so there is no reason why horse chestnut trees would bother to produce spider-repelling chemicals.

One proven thing which Spiders really dislike is the smell of mint and other essential oils like tea-tree, they avoid them like the biblical plague, so dilute some into an old spray bottle and go around your skirting boards and furniture.

You should remember though that rather than spiders being our mortal enemies intent on doing battle for your toilet with you, they are extremely useful to the planet, so if possible try and avoid squishing them.

They eat pests and keep our homes from becoming overrun by earwigs, flies, moths etc...

By eating those pests they help prevent disease from spreading.

YOU are not a food source for THEM. For as much as you imagine them as wanting to eat you alive, they really have no interest, although if you happen to have Jeff Goldblum over for a brew then give him the heads up.

Overall they are good for our environment, they help protect crops (Our Food) by taking out the bugs that feast on them, truth is, without them we would have to rely far more on chemicals to do the same job and that is never a good thing.

So next time you are about to flush Incy Wincy down the drain or evict him from the front room, try and place him/her somewhere that is warm and dry like a shed. 

Today, Thursday 29 August, Salford.Media had the pleasure of meeting George Shepherd at St Andrews Church, Eccles on the eve of his new photographic exhibition for the Eccles Festival.

You may remember that George had an exhibition at the Eccles Community Art Gallery in June this year, which attracted a staggering 1,800 visitors smashing all records for visitors there.

On the strength of that exhibition he has been contacted by the Glasgow Gallery of Photography  to exhibit two photographs, chosen from over 1,000 submissions and in  December 2020, the Salford Museum and Art Gallery on the Crescent will hold a major exhibition of his work which will run until April 2011.

I am delighted to say I have had a sneak preview of the new images to be exhibited, some 50 in total, mainly unseen photographs which were taken in Eccles, Salford, Manchester City Centre and Liverpool.

They are of an amazing standard and deserve the highest accolades, he has a natural talent for capturing the moment and I have said it before, they are a social document of life in the 1960s.

The theme for this years Festival is Transport and George has once again delivered the goods, so to speak, with photographs of cars, bikes, fairground rides, trains, planes boats etc, however they are a lot more than your usual snapshot, much more.

Without giving too much away take time to look at the photographs especially the one of his friend, Harvey Pellow in a backyard in Winton with his bicycle, that sounds mundane doesn't it?

The renown Salford artist, Geoffrey Key described the image as being the essence of Cubism, and he was so enamoured with it, that he purchased a print, which is a sign of it's quality.

With 50 photographs to look at I can guarantee that you will find that one image that will bring back so many memories for you, and with prints on sale why not purchase a piece of art?

The exhibition opens on Friday 30 August running from 10am - 2.30pm and Saturday 31 August 10am - 3.00pm.

St Andrews Church is on Chadwick Road, Eccles M30 ONZ and the church cafe will be open on both days for refreshments

Airing this winter on BBC One, a special 2D animated adaptation of Sir Michael Morpurgo’s children’s book Mimi And The Mountain Dragon is to have its television premiere this festive period as part of a wider literature focus on the BBC in 2019-20.

The story on BBC One will have an introduction from the award winning writer himself, Sir Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), and will be narrated through classical music in an original score written by Oscar award-winning composer, Rachel Portman (The Little Prince). It will be performed by the BBC Philharmonic featuring singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs and will be recorded at Media City UK, Salford.

Based on original illustrations by Emily Gravett and adapted for the screen by novelist, poet, and playwright, Owen Sheers, Mimi and the Mountain Dragon is a story about a village that quakes in fear of the mighty Mountain Dragon. One winter, a shy little girl called Mimi finds a tiny baby dragon asleep in her family woodshed. Mimi takes the perilous journey through blizzard and darkness to return the baby dragon to her mother who all the villagers fear.

The newly animated film from Leopard Pictures and Factory started life when Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning for BBC Music TV, approached Sir Michel Morpurgo and asked him if he would write a children’s story that could be set to classical music for BBC television. Inspired by a trip to a village in Switzerland some years before, Michael Morpurgo wrote Mimi And The Mountain Dragon which was also released as a children’s book.

The programme is commissioned by Head of BBC Music TV Commissioning, Jan Younghusband, for Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. The project is also supported by Alice Webb, Director, BBC Children’s & Education, and is executive produced by Leopard Chief Creative Officer, Kristian Smith and Phil Chalk for Bafta-winning studio Factory.

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, says:

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“We’re delighted to be bringing this enchanting mix of music and storytelling to BBC One this Christmas. Sir Michael Morpurgo’s wonderful book will be perfectly complemented by the music of Rachel Portman, The BBC Philharmonic and singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs - a real festive treat for all the family.”

Sir Michael Morpurgo says:

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“Many years ago, in the Engadine Valley in Switzerland, I saw village children in red hats, cracking whips, ringing cowbells, banging drums, creating a great cacophony of noise, as they paraded up through the village. I asked why this was happening. They are driving away wicked spirits, I was told. So began my story of Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.

"And now, extraordinarily, wonderfully, this little story is being made into an animated film, by Leopard Pictures and Factory Create. And what a team BBC Music have put together. There is music by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman, a script by Owen Sheers, the great Welsh poet (so he knows a thing or two about dragons!) and with magical drawings from the supremely talented Emily Gravett. I can’t wait to see it!”

 

Jan Younghusband, Head of BBC Music Commissioning for Television, says:

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“At the BBC we have a proud heritage of finding new ways to introduce children to classical music, stretching right back to Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra, The BBC’s Ten Pieces project and now Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.

"It is an honour to work with Sir Michael Morpurgo, Rachel Portman, Owen Sheers, Emily Gravett, Leopard, Factory, The BBC Philharmonic and Hallé’s family of choirs to bring classical music to audiences everywhere with this film.”

 

Kristian Smith Chief Creative Officer Leopard Pictures, says:

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“Mimi And The Mountain Dragon is truly born of love. With countless awards and prizes each, author Sir Michael Morpurgo, composer Rachel Portman, writer Owen Sheers and illustrator Emily Gravett have united their exceptional and exquisite talents to create a timeless, magical story. How lucky am I to get to hang on their coat tails?
We had the great privilege of partnering with a company I deeply admire in Factory, who are bringing the animation to life. This is a beautiful film, all set to Rachel’s phenomenal original music.”

Phil Chalk, Managing Director of Factory, says:

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“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Leopard Pictures and the BBC in making this magical 2D animated special of Mimi And The Mountain Dragon. It’s such a wonderful story by Sir Michael Morpurgo, which we can’t wait to bring to life!”

Salford Universities Archaeology Department will be undertaking an archaeological survey and test pitting excavations, as part of the Worsley Canal Port Survey during 22nd to the 2th of July and 29th to the 1st of August. This fieldwork is part of broader research work on the archaeology of industrialisation within the region.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the dig then get in touch via the contact details at the bottom of the page. Places will be limited.

The project aims to better understand the development of the Worsley Yard canal workshops, established on the site of Worsley Green in the 1760s by the Duke of Bridgewater and his estate manager, John Gilbert.

These industrial buildings serviced the Worsley coal mines, and the boats using the Bridgewater Canal and underground canals at Worsley. They were closed around 1904 when the workshops were moved to Monton.

Permission to demolish the old buildings at Worsley Yard was given by the then Earl of Ellesmere to Captain Henry Hart Davis, Chief Agent of the Bridgewater estate, in 1904. The demolition of the yard buildings and the creation of a grassed green were part of a wider programme of gentrification to turn the area into a garden village.

By 1910 there was a new road, The Green, lined with 30 newly built estate houses to the west, south, and east of Worsley Green, and a new bridge across the canal to the south.

Contact Penny Dargan-Makin via P.R.D.Dargan-Makin@salford.ac.uk or call 0161 2950145 to reserve your FREE place.

A schoolgirl from Eccles has unveiled a portrait of her dad and step-dad in The Lowry art gallery in Salford alongside the multi-million pound originals that inspired her work.
 
Nine-year old Maegan Hallwood’s pencil drawing, which she has named The Double Person, beat-off stiff competition from hundreds of 4-11-year-olds across the country to be named 2019 winner of The Copley Prize.

Sponsored by Noel and Alison Copley, the competition is for work inspired by LS Lowry and the winning artwork each year hangs in the arts centre’s permanent exhibition, LS Lowry: The Art & The Artist.
 
Claire Stewart, curator of the Lowry Collection and judge of The Copley Prize, said: “Lowry produced a great number of portraits during his lifetime. And just like Maegan, he chose his parents as the focus of some of his work too. It’s great to see, 43 years after his death, Lowry’s portraits are inspiring another generation of artists to capture their own parents in art for our visitors to enjoy.”
 
Maegan submitted her entry following an art workshop at her school, Christ Church Primary.
 
The Lowry has now launched a School Appeal to raise money to deliver more, free arts workshops for local primary schoolchildren. The programme targets schools in deprived areas of Salford that have had limited or no previous engagement with the arts. A target of £5,000 has been set, with Noel and Alison Copley pledging to double the figure raised.

For more information about the School Appeal or to donate, visit: www.thelowry.com/schoolappeal

More photos from the event can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmEpko9k

Salford's favourite artist/debt collector is best known for his industrial scenes of Salford and Manchester which feature his iconic match stalk men and match stalk cats and dogs figures. Lowry's 'A Cricket Match' was one of just a handful of times he turned his hand to capturing sport.

Lowry was and still is world renowned for capturing the gritty realism of the industrial landscapes and backdrops of our dirty old town, a painting style which is unique only to him.

Beloved British actor Timothy Spall is set to take on the role of LS Lowry in an upcoming film set in his beloved home City of  Salford where the Artist spent many a day with his easel. The film will also star talented actress Venessa Redgrave as his titular mother.

Mrs Lowry & Son depicts the relationship between one of Britain’s most iconic artists, and his mother Elizabeth, with whom he lived until her death.

The biopic follows Lowry in the beginnings of his career, as he yearns for appreciation of his work from his peers in London.

The last time this piece sold at auction was in 1996 when it fetched what was for then a phenomenal sum of £280,000 upon its debut. The sporting depiction of a packed children's cricket match was painted in 1938.

The painting was unveiled to the public during a five day review at Salford's Lowry which carries his name, it attracted huge crowds as his work always does.

A note by sotheby's describing the painting says.

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'Cricket is a surprisingly rare subject in Lowry's art, especially given the presence of a major international cricket ground, Old Trafford, just down the road from Lowry's beloved Salford. 

'In the 1930s and 40s, matches at Old Trafford would have drawn the kind of crowds that one would have imagined would appeal to Lowry: after all, his interest in sporting occasions is always less for the game itself and more for the spectacle, whether in professional form, as with Going to the Match set at Bolton's Burnden Park, or the various scenes he painted of amateur football games taking place on Saturday afternoons between the factories.

'Lowry painted a formal cricket picture only once – a tough as nails Lancashire League game in full swing on an urban pitch – but there are a few examples of him depicting pick-up games of cricket taking place on the streets and on waste-ground.'

Angie Shepherd was aware that her father George was a keen amateur photographer and when she heard that he was about to chuck out his collection of negatives from 1963 - 1980 into the bin after being stored in a box in his bedroom, thankfully she sprang into action.

When she sorted through them, apart from the beloved family photos, she was amazed to discover a treasure trove of photographs taken of long forgotten streets, fairgrounds, Whit Walks, local pageants, pub scenes, demolition sites and a series of images he took at his place of work, including Protector Lamp, Monton and Metal Box Company, Salford.

When I first saw some of the photographs that Angie sent me, I was transfixed by them, he has captured Eccles and Salford to perfection, each image required several viewings, I swear if Morrissey had seen the fairground photographs taken by George they would be gracing the Smiths album covers.

George has captured everything and I mean everything, who are the Asian people stood outside the Medina Restaurant on Patricroft Bridge watching the Whit Walks? the young children in fancy dress parading through Eccles? the men proudly marching past the Cenotaph? the shopkeepers outside their corner shop in Sunnyside Street, Ordsall?, the elderly ladies peering from an upstairs widow at a procession passing below? 

For me the photographs of the work places are fascinating, we see a long serving employee being presented with a transistor radio as a retirement present, the entire workforce sat outside for a group photo, a young girl dressed up in the traditional garb of a soon to be bride, men at work on lathes, a chap sat on a metal staircase with a really pensive look on his face.

Both of these factories are long closed down but George has captured the spirit of the workplace and I for one can look at these photographs time and time again and see something new every time, truly great photography.

I visited George at his home in Peel Green with Karl H Davison who kindly filmed the event to find out more about the photographs and how they came about.

George told me that he grew up in Aldred Steet, Patricroft, and after being demobbed from the Army he took up his hobby more seriously, he did have a Box Brownie camera but switched to a Voigtlander 35mm camera, this was followed by a Praktica camera, for all you camera buffs.

He took his trusty camera with him everywhere, cafe's, walks, social events, the pub, carnivals, parks, taking photographs as he saw and storing away the negatives, and I think we should all be grateful he did.

I asked him if he had ever thought of exhibiting his photographs and having an exhibition, his reply was priceless,  

"No, It was a memory lane for myself, I could take these photos and look at them and be taken back and be reminded of happy times"

What a lovely sentiment.

It is no exaggeration to say that George's photographs are an important social document that has skillfully captured the way we used to live and play and a great visual record for all times.

The exhibition entitled, "A Walk Down Memory Lane" will be shown at Eccles Community Art Gallery, Boothway, Eccles Precinct from Saturday 11 May until Saturday 2 June 10am - 4pm.

The gallery is also open on a Tuesday and Friday between 11am - 2-pm.

I urge anybody who has either lived in the Eccles/Salford area or who has a love of photography to call in and view the photographs, who knows who you may recognise?

I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

All photographs used in this article are the copyright of George Shepherd, any unauthorised use or distribution is prohibited.