Storm Babet is currently battering parts of the country and areas within Greater Manchester are badly affected by the heavy rain.

Although Salford lies within the Met Office's Yellow Alert zone, much of the water falling on surrounding areas will eventually find it's way into streams and tributaries which feed the River Irwell along its path.

It is only logical to expect rising water levels along the river as a result and so purely as a precautionary measure at this stage, Salford Council and the Environment Agency have opted to close footpaths around both flood basins at Little Road and Kersal Wetlands which were constructed to take on water in order to protect vulnerable areas further down the path of the river.

As stated, this is a precautionary measure should the levels rise and they be needed to be quickly brought into action.

As at time of publishing, there are no active warnings, however this could quickly change.

For the latest updates, please follow the council and the environment agency on their social media.

Kenneth Starkie (DOB: 22/10/41) from Bolton Road in Pendlebury has sadly passed away and police are asking for the help of the public in identifying any possible next-of-kin.

Kenneth is said to have died at Salford Royal Hospital on 16th October 2023 and police say that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

If you can help, please call the Police Coroner’s Office in Bolton on 0161 856 4687

Salford City Council and Salford City FC team up to help raise awareness of the support available to stop smoking.

The councils Health Improvement Team stand will be at Salford City FC home game this Saturday run by Connect Team

Fans will get the chance to win a signed Salford City FC shirt when they attend and answer a few simple health questions.

Salford City Council are excited to be teaming up with Salford City FC at this weekend's home game against Swindon Town FC to raise awareness of the health benefits of stopping smoking.

Every year, around 64,000 people in England die from smoking. Smoking prevalence in Salford is about 2% higher than in Greater Manchester and 3.2% higher than the England average of 15.2%. 

Councillor John Merry, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing for Salford City Council, said:

"Smoking is still the largest cause of preventable cancer and death in the UK and increases your risk of developing heart disease and premature ageing, gum disease and tooth loss.

We know quitting smoking isn't easy and can take some people up to 30 attempts to succeed. But there's loads of local help available, and when you quit, you'll have more energy, feel healthier, breathe better and have extra money in your pocket.

Further evidence shows that once people get past the short-term withdrawal stage of quitting, they have reduced anxiety, depression and stress and increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke. Any boost to our mental health is a positive."

Salford City Council's Stop Smoking Service have achieved a 50% quit rate in the last 12 months so when you sign up, you'll be in safe hands.  

Here's what one attendee had to say about the programme:

"Knowing I had a helping hand and a friendly, sympathetic, and non-judgemental person as my mentor was a blessing." AM, Salford.

It's great to have Salford City FC on our side to raise awareness about the importance of stopping smoking and overall men's health." 

A Salford City spokesperson added:

"At Salford City we encourage our supporters to live a healthy lifestyle, particularly through our official charity Foundation 92. The Peninsula Stadium is a non-smoking venue, which includes a ban on the use of vapes and e-cigarettes.

"We are keen to support the Council's initiatives to help reduce the number of people who smoke, and ultimately play a part in helping to improve the health of the Salford population."

So, whether you join the Stoptober Challenge, Make Smoking History or join our own Stop Smoking Programme – we know we're stronger together.

If you are heading to the home gain on Saturday 21 October, please visit the Salford Health Improvement pop-up stand, answer three easy questions, for your chance of winning a signed Salford City FC shirt!

Not only that, but you'll also learn about important health topics. 

If you have a friend or family member who smokes, give them the support they need to quit. To learn more about Salford's Stop Smoking Service

Call Health Improvement Connect on 0800 952 1000, option 2.

Or refer yourself to the service by completing the online form here.

In a monumental victory for the people living in Greater Manchester, Liberal Democrat Councillor Alex Warren has successfully led a campaign to bring #LateNightTrams to the area. Thanks to a three year long relentless campaign, Salford residents can now enjoy the convenience and safety of tram services operating until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Councillor Alex Warren's journey to achieving this significant milestone began in 2020 when he first embarked on a mission to make #LateNightTrams a reality for Salford. His efforts culminated in November 2022 when he successfully passed a motion at the Salford Full Council, garnering support from Councillors across party lines. Salford Labour initially tried to block this policy at full council meetings, saying that there were already rail and road alternatives.

Cllr Alex Warren said:  

"Late-night trams are not only a convenience but also a safety measure, catering to the needs of hospitality workers, individuals on nights out, and vulnerable people walking home alone. The extended tram services, which will commence from Friday, September 29, 2023, will run until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Services will be available every 20 minutes between midnight and close to 1 am, ensuring that commuters have a reliable and safe transportation option during these late hours."

Councillor Alex Warren spoke passionately about the breakthrough, saying: 

"The whole City got behind the Liberal Democrat campaign for late-night trams. I am so glad I kept pushing for this, because it's quite clear that the people of Manchester and Salford want this. We wrote a letter from Salford Council to Andy Burnham and others to ask for their support on this and in a public combined authority meeting, after I questioned him on it, Andy Burnham agreed and said he did. This Late night trams campaign was a policy that worked for local people, that was not mired in ideology or national party gripes."

"We had a campaign, we fought for it, and you won. We all now have late night trams. Hundreds of Salford Residents signed my petition to introduce #LateNightTrams so a huge thank you to those people, we could not have done it without you."

Late-night trams are set to transform the transportation landscape of Salford Quays, offering residents, workers and visitors a safe and efficient way to travel during the early hours. 

600 Salford City tickets will be given out to our local community this season thanks to a donation by Salford Van Hire to Salford Foodbank.

The tickets will be distributed by the Foodbank across the remainder of 2023-24 as part of the food parcels that they give out to some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Club partners Salford Van Hire have kindly made the donation, which will give people who may otherwise struggle to afford tickets to come to matches the opportunity to keep enjoying football.

Paul Harris, Warehouse and Community Engagement Co-Ordinator at Salford Foodbank, said:

“It’s been brilliant to partner with Salford City Football Club, we’ve had support in all sorts of different ways and it’s been really encouraging.

“One of the brilliant things that has formed out of the partnership is being given tickets that we can give to the people that use the Foodbank, and it’s great that Salford Van Hire have come on board this season to sponsor that initiative.

“It’s really brilliant to be able to give food to the people that are coming to food banks, but through the football tickets offer them something that they wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. It gives them something to look forward to at the weekend, something for them to so, but also a community to be a part of and not be insulated in the way that they can be so often.”

Creative and Engagement Manager at Salford City, Andrew Gordon, added:

“Last season we did the Going to the Match campaign where we donated free tickets to Salford Foodbank so that service users could get tickets to the match.

“If you’re struggling to heat your home or put food on the table then going to the football isn’t a priority at that point, but we still want to make football accessible for all, for the most vulnerable in our community.

“Salford Van Hire have taken up the mantle and generously donated 600 tickets over the course of the season for Salford Foodbank to hand out in the food parcels that they make.

“It’s really nice to see a Salford business like Salford Van Hire coming together with the local football team to support the people in our community, it’s a really proud moment and it’s really good to see.”

Salford City staff will also be volunteering their time each week to help out at the Foodbank for at least the next few months.

For more information about Salford Foodbank and how you could help, or how to get help if you need, visit https://salford.foodbank.org.uk/.

Officers in Salford are appealing for information after an elderly woman's mobility scooter was damaged.

They have issued a photo after the scooter belonging to the 85-year-old was stolen from at Lawndale Drive in Worsley, at around 1pm on 12 October 2023.

The victim has now said she is 'stranded' and has 'lost her independence'.

PC Anthony Devall said:

"She cannot walk very far due to medical and age-related reasons and relies on her mobility scooter to make short trips to local shops or to catch a bus.

"The incident has left he feeling isolated as the scooter is her lifeline and is damaged beyond repair."

Two youths were seen moving the scooter to the bus station, where it was left damaged.

The victim said:

"This incident has left me stuck inside the house as I rely heavily on the scooter to get about - without it I am stranded as I can't walk very far due to health issues and my age.

"The incident has made me feel sad; I am not one for sitting in and I don’t watch much television, so there’s nothing much for me to do at home.

"I imagine that whoever did this did it because they have nothing better to do. It saddens me to think anyone would do this, I just do not understand it, I have lost my independence."

Anyone with information about this incident should contact police via 17318@gmp.police.uk quoting log 10-12102023. Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.

If you can't report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

There were delays on trains heading in and out of Manchester via Salford Crescent this morning.

British Transport Police responded to reports of concern for welfare of a person at the station at around 3am this morning (Thursday 19th October).

The incident resulted in all trains being temporarily suspended until the person was removed from danger and taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said:

"We were called to Salford Crescent station shortly before 3.30am on Thursday, 19 October following reports of a concern for welfare.

"Officers attended along with paramedics and a person was removed from danger and taken by ambulance to hospital."

Youth based charity, EMPOWER, has today responded to findings released by national youth charity OnSide that highlight the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on the out-of-school lives of young people, as well as the role youth centres play in giving them a way out of this 'cost of living lockdown'.

Generation Isolation surveyed 5,072 young people, of which 15% were from the North West, aged 11-18 in England, in partnership with YouGov. Many of the findings are startling, highlighting how the cost-of-living crisis is keeping young people 'locked down.'

The report's key findings are:

24% of 11-18 year olds in the North West have stopped out-of-school activities like sport, dance and seeing friends because of the cost-of-living crisis – as families divert funds.

Young people are living isolated lives with an increasing number of young people in the North West are spending most of their free time on screens*, and 51% of young people spending most of their free time in their bedrooms.

Young people are living in a challenging context with 64% concerned about the cost-of-living crisis.

EMPOWER is an umbrella charity which currently oversees operations of HideOut Youth Zone (East Manchester) and is set to oversee development of a new Youth Zone based in Salford which received planning permission in September 2023. Both Youth Zones are part of the OnSide network.

CEO of EMPOWER, Adam Farricker, said:

"Youth clubs like HideOut Youth Zone and the new Youth Zone based in Salford are an untapped solution to the issues highlighted in the Generation Isolation report - because they give young people access to  vital character-building opportunities and affordable activities that boost confidence, build  skills for adulthood and, through access to trusted youth workers, help them navigate the pressing challenges and worries they face such as the cost of living."

Kerin Morris, Deputy Head of Youth Work at HideOut, the OnSide Youth Zone in Gorton, East Manchester said:

"Young people have had a rough time. We told them to stay indoors and to socialise online during Covid, then came the cost-of-living crisis, and lots of them are finding they're either struggling to afford the basics like food and clothing, or their families can no longer afford the same opportunities they used to. For some young people staying in their bedroom feels safer, easier and cheaper.

"We can spot the young people who have spent a lot of time indoors on their phones, as while they might have great tech skills, they can sometimes be more reclusive and less likely to join in or start a conversation. Instead of scrolling or playing games on their phone, we encourage them to engage in our programmes at the Youth Zone, like join in a game of basketball or try a drama session – all for 50p a visit. And it's through activities like these that youth workers build positive and trusting relationships and get to find out who our young people are.

"We support their needs, and we help them to find their passions and gain opportunities and experiences to learn about the real world."

This is backed up by the Generation Isolation research which shows the positive effect attending a youth centre has on young people. Young people who attend a youth centre in the North West say it has helped them overcome difficulties and 89% say it allows them to learn new skills. Generation Isolation also shows that youth club attendees have richer social lives because they spend more time face-to-face with friends (21% spend most of their free time with their friends vs 13% of those in the North West).

In addition, the research highlights that young people who attend youth centres are better prepared for adulthood than those who don't - just 11% of young people who attend youth  clubs said they do not have the opportunity to learn the skills to help them become independent like cooking, managing money, accessing employment, compared to 22% of all young people.

However, there is a lack of widespread opportunity to gain these benefits, with just 7% of young people in the North West currently attending a youth centre and 49% saying they do not have a youth club near them.

One of the young people supported by HideOut Youth Zone is Max Scanlon, 17, said: 

"My passion is writing and performing music. To spend an evening in a studio would cost £100 an hour at least, which is totally out of my reach. For 50p entry I can spend the evening making music at HideOut.

"Everything costs a lot of money now, friends are struggling to pay for things like basketball courts or gyms. In the Youth Zone you can do all of that and have food as well. There are loads of things to do, it's hard to get bored.

"I don't think I could meet anyone more professional or knowledgeable than the youth workers even if I was spending £100 for a professional studio. I'm studying songwriting in college now and I know that when I apply to university the extra time I've put in at HideOut will really help my application. If you have a dream, the youth workers help you achieve it. They put a mic in your hand and everyone cheers you on, people here want to see you succeed in whatever you want to do."

HideOut Youth Zone has supported over 7,300 young people across Manchester since opening in September 2020, providing 7 days a week access to activities, opportunities and support from youth workers for just 50p a session and £5 a year membership.

The new Youth Zone in Salford, which is to begin development in spring 2024 and set to open the following year, is predicted to support thousands of young people across the city by providing them with somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to talk to.

This is vitally important as Generation Isolation also highlights the mental health challenges faced by the region's young people. 49% of young people in the North West report high or very high levels of anxiety**. When asked why, the top reasons were: what people thought about them (47%), worries about the future (45%), and exam pressure (36%).

To read the full Generation Isolation report visit: https://onsideyouthzones.org/generationisolation  from 00.01 on 19 October 2023.

To find out more about HideOut Youth Zone and the new Salford Youth Zone visit https://empoweryouthzones.org

A leading provider of critical power solutions, WB Power Services (WBPS) continues to demonstrate its remarkable growth and place within the power marketplace with the announcement of its brand-new depot opening in Walkden, Manchester.

Following remarkable developments in all sectors of the business over the last few years, WBPS and its newest depot will continue to add to an already impressive operational location list, offering a portfolio of first-class services and products. 

With over 40 years working in the critical power industry, the family-run business now operates 6 business divisions, spread across 18 locations up and down the country. With the newest depot opening in Manchester, the site will become home to a large quantity of rental fleet, which will include high spec generators and ancillary equipment for hire. 

Dealing with contracts within the northwest and in the north of the UK, the Walkden site offers a variety of equipment for hire, from transport, fuel tanks, load banks, cable distribution, traffic management and UPS, with the critical power provider offering temporary power solutions for a variety of projects.

As well as a more accessible site for its northern contracts, the new facility will also create full-time employment for 10 office staff and 30 engineers, who will be operating daily at the site.

Speaking of the company’s newest site opening, CEO of the Wilmott Group and Managing Director of WB and Wiltech, Andrew Wilmott says:

“Our new depot in Manchester is a fantastic development for our contracts in the northwest and the north of the UK. With specialist full time staff and engineers planned for the new site, we are thrilled to extend our expertise and offer increased accessibility for those based further north, as well as creating full time employment opportunities too.

“With our comprehensive experience providing hire solutions for a variety of contracts up and down the country, we look forward to continuing our commitment to our clients and providing a first-class service.” 
 

A man has been jailed for 11 years for the kidnap and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in Salford

Jacob Lee (DOB: 20/01/1992) of Pilgrims Way in Salford was sentenced to 11 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to the kidnap and strangulation of a 15-year-old girl as she was walking in Salford.

The court heard how on the evening of Tuesday 29 November 2022, the 15-year-old was walking along Princes Avenue in Salford when she was approached from behind by Lees who then dragged her off before sexually assaulting and attempting to strangle her.

The girl managed to fight off her attacker and escape before bravely reporting the incident to police.

An investigation was immediately launched by officers and Detectives in Salford and following quick forensic work of evidential items recovered at the scene, Lees was identified, arrested and charged.

The evidence officers compiled during their investigation compelled Lees to plead guilty to the kidnap and strangulation of the 15-year-old and secured a jail sentence of 11 years.

During sentencing the judge was heard to describe Lee as a dangerous offender who represents a great risk to women.

Detective Constable Stuart Bentley of GMP Salford Division said:

"I firstly want to commend the young victim and her family for their strength and bravery in reporting this incident to Greater Manchester Police.

"As a team, we are pleased that our hard work and dedication has secured a conviction and put a dangerous offender behind bars, ensuring justice for the victim and protecting other women and girls.

"I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims to come forward. I can assure you that we take all reports of sexual assault seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations.

"If you have any information regarding any such crimes, we encourage you to get in touch."

A girl has been hospitalised following an accident which took place on Liverpool Road, close to the junction with Worsley Road, earlier this morning.

At around 8:30am Paramedics were called to the scene after being alerted by members of the public to a collision between a bus and a pedestrian.

The road was temporarily closed as emergency services dealt with the scene but has since been reopened.

At present it is unknown as to the young girls condition but we are awaiting an update from both NWAS and GMP.

If you have dash cam footage of the incident, please contact Greater Manchester Police via 101.

Photo: Carole Dunne

The name Andy Shorrocks may be new to you, but trust me this man is a bona fide music legend, one of the organisers of The Deeply Vale Festival which ran from 1976 -1979 and saw such bands as, The Fall, The Ruts, Fast Cars, Misty In Roots and a host more.

He then formed the punk band,  Accident On The East Lancs,  with two singles, We Want It Legalised/Tell Me What Ya Mean, and Back End Of Nowhere/Rat Race, on his own label, Roach Records, and an album Shotguns and Hotshots on Cargo Records, all recorded at the famous Cargo Studios in Rochdale.

The single, We Want it Legalised has gone on to achieve cult status in the record collectors world and changes hands for plenty of money... check your collections!

In 2004 he released his first solo album, "Walking In familiar Footsteps" featuring Mick Taylor, ex Rolling Stones guitarist, and Paul Jones of The Manfred's and Blues Band on harp and also featured Bobby Vee's sons Jeff and Tommy on drums and bass, that is some serious musicians to not only rope in but name drop! as if that was not enough street cred he than did many supports for Mick Taylor, in and around London, and also for the likes of Curved Air, Steve Gibbons, The Yardbirds, The Strawbs and many others... impressed? I certainly am!

Fast forward to the present day,Andy has just released a triple vinyl album...my favourite format... Country Rock n Roll n Durty Blues, real, raw, authentic Americana style music and hr will be playing tracks from this and more this Friday, 20th October. 8pm at Your Club, 11 Worsley Rd, Swinton.

If you like dirty, swampy, blues, Cajun, rock and roll with a smidgen of soul (and if you don't you should check your pulse) then is the must see gig for you, a real treat for music fans, miss it at your peril

AdmissIon is Free.

A larger-than-life character, a zany look at climate change and a heart-stopping romance, arrive in Salford this autumn as Opera North brings its Green Season to The Lowry.

The Green Season has seen Opera North investigating how to stage opera as sustainably as possible by interrogating supply chains, lighting rigs, touring logistics and costume designs, and using the sets and props from previous productions kept at the Company's Scenic Stores in Leeds.

Falstaff, Verdi's take on Shakespeare's lovable rogue, is up first on Wednesday 15 November. In this new production, the action is transported to the 1980s where the impecunious Falstaff has his eye on a couple of rich wives as his passport to a brighter future. Unfortunately for him, the ladies are no fools and have already decided to teach him a lesson he will never forget.

After playing Parson in The Cunning Little Vixen, Henry Waddington returns to Opera North to take on the title role and says: 

"Fat, old, lazy, selfish, lecherous, broke and pretty cunning, Sir John Falstaff is one of the greatest comic characters in theatre so to get a chance to perform this role is both a joy and an honour." An audio-described and signed matinee performance offers another chance to see the show at 2pm on Saturday 18 November.

On Thursday 16 November is a brand-new work titled Masque of Might which 'repurposes' the music of baroque composer Purcell, bringing together the well-known and rarely-performed to create a tale of environmental depredation at the hands of an evil dictator. Using the format of a masque, the seventeenth century's version of a variety show.

Sir David Pountney has created a witty parable which both questions and celebrates our relationship with the natural world: 

"I very much hope to offer the audience a serious evening delivered with a twinkle, and of course a sumptuous banquet of less familiar Purcell music."

Friday 17 November is the date for romance as Puccini's La rondine takes to the stage. As the composer of La bohème and Madama Butterfly, Puccini is no stranger to passion in all its guises. In La rondine (The Swallow), Magda, the mistress of a wealthy banker, takes flight with the young Ruggero risking everything for her heart's desire – but will there be a fairytale ending to her pursuit of true love? James Hurley directs this new production which whisks audiences from the stylish salons of 1930s Paris to the carefree world of the French Riviera. Soprano Galina Averina sings Magda alongside tenor Sébastien Guèze as Ruggero.

Set designer Leslie Travers is an Opera North regular - designing the sets for all three productions has involved revisiting much of his previous work: "I love this history of the shows we've done together, and I've loved giving them another life for the Green Season. Falstaff, for example, features windows from Figaro which we've resized and adapted, the sky from Orpheus at the back, and there are shelves full of objects that frame and comment on the action and reappear as elements in the sets of the other two operas."

Opera North's Green Season will be at The Lowry from Wednesday 15 November to Saturday 18 November.

LISTINGS:

THE LOWRY, SALFORD

Wed 15 Nov       7.00pm                Falstaff

Thu 16 Nov         7.00pm                Masque of Might

Fri 17 Nov           7.00pm                La rondine

Sat 18 Nov          2.00pm                Falstaff  (Audio described / Signed)

https://thelowry.com/opera-north/

A multi-disciplinary team has been chosen to draw up a Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) that will guide the transformation of the neighbourhood over the next decade.

Avison Young will lead a specialist team to deliver the framework on behalf of Manchester and Salford City Councils, which will include economic analysis, masterplanning, urban and landscape design, heritage, and strategic property advice.  

The team will bring expertise across a range of different disciplines, building on previous projects delivered in Manchester.  

The team includes:  

Avison Young – lead consultant  

Maccreanor Lavington – Masterplanning and Urban Design Lead  

Feilden Clegg Bradley – Architecture and Heritage  

Schulze-Grassov – Landscape Design and Public Realm  

Civic Engineers – Movement and Highways   

Useful Projects – Zero Carbon Strategy  

Placed – Community Engagement  

The group will work with both councils to develop the SRF through the autumn prior to public consultation next year, with the document being reported to Manchester and Salford’s respective executive committees next summer.   

The production of the Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework will be part-funded with grant from Homes England and by the city-region’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which is being managed and distributed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).    

Leader of the Council, Cllr Bev Craig said:   

“Strangeways is a gateway into our city centre and therefore it is a priority area for investment in the coming years. We know there is huge potential here, and this regeneration framework is a statement of intent that we are committed to realising the untapped value of this neighbourhood.   

“Following months of intensive operations between the Council, GMP and other agencies we have worked to remove the criminal enterprises that have undermined the reputation of the area and limited the chance for existing legitimate businesses to prosper.  

“We now want to see a plan that supports the area’s existing employment base, whilst also setting out an ambitious low-carbon development programme that will deliver new homes, quality public realm and new commercial spaces that can support businesses to grow and invest in the area.”   

 Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett added:   

“This is an important step in the right direction to strategically plan for the future of regeneration and development in a previously often over-looked part of Salford and Manchester on the banks of the river Irwell and at a key gateway point for both our cities. I’m eager to see the next phase of this project progressed, especially the planned public and stakeholder consultation and for the outcomes from this work, led by Avison Young, to ultimately culminate in a Strategic Regeneration framework for this part of our two cities.  This work will also complement work to date that has already happened in the City of Salford with regards to the regeneration and development of Greengate, Blackfriars & Trinity and Lower Broughton, it’s an obvious ‘missing piece of the jigsaw’ when we think about the on-going development of our city and our aspirations to create connected and sustainable communities.   

“Ultimately, the goal here is to establish a framework that meets the needs and aspirations of both Salford and Manchester, while also creating an attractive and sustainable proposition for businesses and local residents. We need to ensure that the framework provides as clear vision for how the development will breathe new life into this area, supporting residents and communities in the delivery of sustainable communities, embedding low-carbon principles into any forthcoming development and regeneration, creating quality public realm, while also supporting existing and new business to thrive.”    

 Nicola Rigby, Principal Avison Young added: 

“We are delighted to be appointed by the Councils on this incredibly important piece of work. The Strangeways and Cambridge area is one of the last pieces of the city fringe to be considered on a comprehensive basis, and a great example of the two cities combining to deliver meaningful change. It has the potential to be of national and international significance in terms of its scale and potential impact – with our excitement for the opportunity reflected in the calibre of team that will input to the SRF process. Our approach will combine this level of ambition with close working with existing resident and business community to ensure meaningful and long-term positive investment is brought forward.” 

In the 1960s it became a venue where bands like Hermans Hermits and others performed on the first floor, which also became the Wishing Well disco in 1970s and 1980s.

More recently, it was the venue where a film about the Northern Soul phenomena was filmed for the BBC.

Abigail, 46, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“There is ample room elsewhere in the building for the residential conversion.

“Our dance events and classes are continuing and will not be affected by the residential conversion which is taking place on the upper floors of the building.

“The people who come here to dance love it. We’ve got one couple who are in their 90s and they come dancing here for three hours on a Saturday.

“Our eldest dancer reached the age of 103 and was still dancing at that age, although sadly she’s no longer with us. Most of our dancers look about 20 years younger than they are.”

Abigail continued:

“There’s lots of nostalgia around the building, particularly from the 70s and 80s. It’s where many people met their future life partners.

“Steve has been determined to renovate it and keep it going.”

The weekly roster of events at the Palais – renowned as the ‘grandest ballroom in Greater Manchester’ – kick on Thursdays with afternoon tea from 12noon to 3pm followed by line dancing from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

On Fridays, ballroom champion Alex Plant appears and does private lessons, and on Saturdays from 9am to 12noon there are children’s lessons in ballet, tap, ballroom and Latin dancing as well as musical theatre and singing. On Saturday evenings from 8pm to 11pm there is a big dance in main ballroom. 

Every six weeks there is a Masquerade Ball, with the next one taking place on October 28.

A hearing date has been set for Thursday 1st February and Friday 2nd February 2024 commencing at 10:00am for both days, but as yet the location of the hearing is still to be decided.

There will also be a virtual link to this hearing, for people unable to attend in person.  This will be managed by the Environment Agency and will be sent to you upon request by contacting:  appeals_nps@environment-agency.gov.uk

Manchester Recycling Ltd have appealed a prior decision to reject a permit for a waste recycling plant, accessible via Lansdowne Road in Monton.

Residents living in the area were shocked to find notices pertaining to proposals for a 'household and industrial waste transfer and treatment plant', posted to lampposts.

The notices mysteriously appeared, notifying residents of an online Microsoft Teams meeting.

Meanwhile you can find all the relevant files about the case below.

FIRE PREVENTION PLAN 2023 - MANCHESTER RECYCLING_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT - 1959753 Incident Report (002)_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT - Appeal Form_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT - Appendix 4 - SR2015_No6_75kte_household_commercial_and_industrial_waste_transfer_station_with_treatment (1).pdf APPELLANT - APPENDIX 5 Plan 1 - Site Location and Proposed Buildings DD1.pdf APPELLANT - APPENDIX 5 Plan 2 - Excavation Digger Used During Work 1.pdf APPELLANT - APPENDIX 5 Plan 3 - Ariel View of Expanded Parking Area 3 vehicles Wide.pdf APPELLANT - APPENDIX 5 Plan 4 - Aerial View of Expanded Parking are Now 7 vehicles Wide.pdf APPELLANT - APPENDIX 5 Plan 5 - Birds Eye View of the Plants Access Route Onto Site.pdf APPELLANT - APPENDIX 5 Plan 6 - Combined Plan of access and areas where waste was from.pdf APPELLANT - Doc J Appendix 1 - Deposition of Material on to Lansdowne Road Waste Transfer Station, Redacted.pdf APPELLANT -Appendix 10 - Environment Agency Fire Prevention Plan Guidance.pdf APPELLANT Application to EA - Redacted.pdf APPELLANT Doc J Appendix 2 - Chronology of Events_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT Doc J Appendix 3 Peak Associates Letter to EA 210624_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT Doc J Appendix 4 - 211102 Peak Associates Letter_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT Document F Reasons For Appeal Document -Redacted.pdf APPELLANT Document J final_Redacted.pdf APPELLANT EPRWE2418AB - Refusal Bundle_Redacted.pdf EA - Appendix 1 - EPRWE2418AB - Refusal notice covering letter - REDACTED.pdf EA - Appendix 2 - EPRWE2418AB - Refusal of an application notice - REDACTED.pdf EA - Appendix 4 - SR2015_No6_75kte_household_commercial_and_industrial_waste_transfer_station_with_treatment (1).pdf EA - Appendix 5 - Application SRP Schedule 5 FPP questions EPRWE2418ABA001 140122 - REDACTED.pdf EA - Appendix 6 - Pre-application Basic Request Form 11695342 - REDACTED.pdf EA - Appendix 7 - PreApplication Basic Advice Letter 11713092 - REDACTED.pdf EA - Appendix 8 - Site Photos.docx EA - Appendix 9 - Waste_classification_technical_guidance_WM3.pdf EA - Appendix 10 - Environment Agency Fire Prevention Plan Guidence.pdf EA - Appendix 11 - Environment_Agency_EPR_and_Abstraction_Licensing_Charging_Scheme_2022.pdf EA - Appendix 12 - Aerial View 24-04-2005 - The Site Lansdowne Road, Monton.pdf EA - Appendix 13 - Latest Aerial View 22-04-2019 - The Site Lansdowne Road.pdf EA - Appendix 14 - Application-for-an-environmental-permit-Part-B-standard-facilities-permit.pdf EA - Manchester Recycling EA Statement of Case.pdf

The Lowry, Salford - Tuesday 5th December 2023 to Sunday 7th January 2024

The incredible cast has been announced for the UK tour of award-winning musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, which comes to The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 5th December 2023 to Sunday 7th January 2024.

This empowering pop musical, from one of the producers of the worldwide sensation SIX, is based on the popular book by Suffragette relative Kate Pankhurst. 

Remarkable – and often forgotten – women from history are lifted from the pages of Kate Pankhurst’s beloved book and brought gloriously to life on stage, including Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Mary Seacole, Frida Kahlo, Jane Austen and Pankhurst’s own relative Emmeline. 

When inquisitive heroine Jade breaks away from her school trip to the local museum to peek at the Gallery of Greatness, she meets iconic women from the past, whose actions and lives changed the world as we know it, including explorers, scientists, artists and secret agents. 

This enthralling, heart-warming musical is full of incredible characters, inspirational moments and a soundtrack that packs a popstar punch. 

The fantastically great cast includes Elena Breschi (Kindertransport, Nottingham Playhouse, SIX, Norwegian Cruise Line; Locked Up Abroad, National Geographic); Jennifer Caldwell (SIX, UK tour; American Idiot, UK tour; Mamma Mia!, West End); Georgia Grant-Anderson (Secret Life of Boys, CBBC; Demon Dentist, UK tour; Beauty and the Beast, Lighthouse Poole); Chlöe Hart (Wicked and Kinky Boots, West End; SIX, UK tour; Girlfriends, ITV); and Leah Vassell (West Side Story, Krizanke Theatre; SIX, West End).  Millie Kiss (White Christmas, Liverpool Empire; The Cursed, LD Entertainment; The Date, Candid Broad Productions); Summer Priest (Get Up Stand Up!, West End; Heathers, UK tour) and Rachel Seirian (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, West End and Los Angeles; Strictly: It Takes Two, BBC; A Christmas Carol, RSC) round out the cast.

The creative team behind this uplifting stage show consists of renowned dramatist Chris Bush (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre; Faustus: That Damned Woman, Headlong); with music by UK No.1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper, whose songs include Sound of the Underground, Round Round and The Promise, and Jennifer Decilveo, and live arrangements by Jen Green (Beverley Knight; Pixie Lott). 

The director is Amy Hodge (Mr Gum and The Dancing Bear – The Musical!, National Theatre), designer Joanna Scotcher (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), choreographer Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe (Dick Whittington, National Theatre), lighting designer Zoe Spurr (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), sound designer Carolyn Downing (Summer & Smoke, Almeida/Duke of York’s Theatre) and co-sound designer Rob Bettle (Frozen: The Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Billy Elliot, UK tour; One Man, Two Guvnors, Theatre Royal Haymarket).

Event Listing:

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

The Lowry (Quays Theatre)

Tuesday 5th December to Sunday 7th January 2023

Age Recommendation: 7+

Accessible Performances:

BSL Interpreted | Saturday 6 January 2024, 4pm

Audio Described by Caroline Burn | Wednesday 3 January 2024, 7.30pm. Touch Tour at 6.30pm

Relaxed Performance | Thursday 4 January 2024, 7.30pm

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/fantastically-great-women-who-changed-the-world/

Autistic people offer employers both a new pool of talent, and a greater diversity of thought within a workforce and teams. That is the message of two new guides launched in Greater Manchester.

Local social enterprise, Unlimited Potential, has published Fulfilling Your Potential – a guide for autistic people – and Untapped Potential – a guide for local employers.

“Autistic people have a very low level of employment – estimated to be only around 21.7%”, said Chris Dabbs, Chief Executive of Unlimited Potential. “Yet they have a wealth of specific strengths and skills on which many employers are missing out.”

Employing autistic people well in the right roles brings employers improved productivity, reduced staff turnover and reduced sickness absence across their workforce. Good employment offers many benefits for autistic people, such as more confidence, purpose and friendship.

“Neurodiversity within a workforce offers new insights and creativity, leading to new solutions”, said Mr. Dabbs. “It is why employers such as GCHQ, EY and Autotrader actively recruit and retain neurodiverse people.”

Both guides are available free from the project page on the Unlimited Potential website.

The project was funded by NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group and Salford City Council, with support from Salford CVS, alongside a reinvestment of profits by Unlimited Potential itself.
 

We are being told that Salford's hardest working couple have taken a very much deserved retirement.

Canon Wyatt, Rector of St Paul with Christ Church, Salford and Priest in charge of the Ascension, Lower Broughton, along with his good lady wife Mrs Helen Wyatt, are set to retire after decades of hard work within the local community

Canon Wyatt has been in charge of the Church of St Paul the Apostle in Salford since taking on the roll as a new priest In 1968, having received a grant from the diocese to demolish and replace the semi-derelict building, instead he persuaded the bishop to let him restore it and as a result the beautiful building still remains a beloved landmark on the Pendleton skyline to this day.

In early 2022 it was announced that both he and his wife Helen were to receive MBE's for their work within the community, having helped countless Salford people in need.

On a personal note, then Reverend Wyatt performed my christening back in 1973 and have lovingly performed Christenings, Weddings and Funeral Duties for my family for as long as I can remember.

My family have always held the Wyatt's in high regard as have countless others, it will be hard to imagine a St Paul's without them.

They have both done so much for our City, surely they should be both given the honour of the freedom of Salford for their hard work and commitment, both within Salford and beyond?

Tony Flynn and I visited the Canon upon hearing the news that he and Helen were to receive their MBE's and made the video above.

We wish to send our love and show our appreciate to Salford's hardest working couple.

On behalf of Tony and myself, we wish you an amazing retirement and on behalf of a City we say thank you for all you have done.

You are both saints in our eyes.

Anger has been voiced against plans to demolish part of a retail park and replace it with a new inner-city neighbourhood, with one nearby resident saying the planned multiple blocks of new homes are ‘slums of the future’.

Henley Investment Management bought Regent Retail Park for £16million in 2020 and has conducted a public consultation exercise at nearby Salford Lads Club. A prior consultation took place in March.

A planning application is expected to be submitted before the end of the year after the proposal has been ‘tweaked’ to take account of local opinion.

If Henley’s plan is eventually approved, outlets like Costa Coffee, TK Maxx and Home Bargains, would disappear from the park, although Henley says they would be able to return to the park when the development is complete. The nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket and its petrol station will be unaffected. 

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to locals living near the retail park who are against the plan. We also spoke to visitors, workers and two Salford councillors – none said they were in favour of the plan. 

Elaine MacDonald, 66, said:

“There were high-rise homes there before they built the retail park. They became slums and had to be knocked down.

“The new homes will be the slums of the future. This is eroding the community.”

Married couple, Paul and Marie Fidler, 67 and 66 agreed. “I don’t think it’s right,” said Marie.

“They want people to walk everywhere, but they are not thinking it through. There will be more money spent on taxis taking people to shops because the buses that serve Ordsall come once an hour, if they come at all.

“We’re looking more and more like America every day with all these high-rise blocks going up.”

Paul added:

“People on the Ordsall estate are struggling to put food in people’s mouths. The only good thing is that Sainsbury’s will still be there.

“But Costa Coffee will go – the only place where people can sit and have a chat and a drink after the cafe at Sainsbury’s was closed.

“People talk about online shopping, but you have to spend a certain amount before they will deliver to you, so for many people here it’s too expensive.”

George Tapp, 74, who served as a Salford city councillor in the 1980s, also said the predicted extra 7,000 people living in the area would make Regent Road, one of the main arterial routes through Salford towards Manchester city centre ‘gridlocked’.

“It’s already gridlocked now, so it’ll be even worse,” he said.

Nic Leonard, 47, said:

“Too many apartments are being thrown up, eating into our estate.

“We are caught in a pincer movement between Manchester and Salford Quays and we are being priced out of the area. 

“The people who come to live here will be from elsewhere, places like London. Generations of people are living together now, unable to get properties and people from Ordsall will not be able to afford them. They talk about affordable homes but they be asking more than £200,000 for them and rents of more than £1,000 a month.”

Walter Greenhalgh, who is in his 80s, described the plans as ‘a travesty’. “To me, they’ve not thought about it,” he said.

“They’ve bought valuable land and they want to build six tower blocks without parking. But there’s no infrastructure.” However, Henley dispute this, saying there will be 600 car parking spaces.

Father-of-two Julian Morillo, 34, agreed: “I’m absolutely against them pulling those shops down. 

“I thought we had a Labour council, which is supposed to be for the working man. If they get rid of those shops there will be more than 1,000 people put out of work.”

Both men also said the bus service in Orsdal was ‘very poor’.

Adel Dondova, 33, was visiting Ordsall after moving away recently.

She said:

“The plan is really annoying. I don’t think they should do this. There are going to be a lot of people moving into the area and I don’t think there is enough here to sustain a much larger community.”

Two other women enjoying a coffee at Costa who did not wish to be named also spoke against the plan.

One said:

“On many levels, it’s not OK. It’s like people are being told to shop online. But that means less human-to-human interaction.

“I read somewhere that a man was trying to get his 80-year-old dad to shop online, but the father told him that traditional shopping was the only contact with anyone he had.

“I also imagine the prices of these apartments will be extortionate, and people round here won’t be able to afford them. It’s gentrification of an area, which I don’t agree with.”

Her friend said:

“I agree completely. There are very few alternatives for people living here to shop. I think this is a very bad idea.”

Coun Ben Grogan and Coun Tanya Burch, both Labour, represent the Ordsall ward. 

Coun Burch told the LDRS:

“We are aware that the residents are very concerned about this plan to remove the shops. The problem is that many of these residents don’t own a car and have nowhere else to shop.”

Coun Grogan said:

“My two main concerns about the development are about the loss of jobs and about the loss of retail which a lot of the community relies on including the chemist, the vets, and affordable shops.

“The retail park is listed as a Local Centre in Salford’s Local Plan because of this, and people think that it’s very unlikely that the retail provision that the developers are proposing will cater for the needs of Ordsall’s existing community. “

Independent Coun Chris Twells said: 

“I take the view that investment in the city is generally a good thing – look at the amazing transformation of Salford Quays in the last few decades.

“I don’t want to see this development go ahead but it is important to remember that these plans only propose the demolition of eleven retail units at the northern portion of the site. Sainsbury’s and other facilities would be retained.” 

As reported by the LDRS, Henley’s long-term plan is to deliver half the project by 2026 and half in 2028.

Responding, the company’s development manager Hattie Chairlier-Poole  said: 

“The project team were pleased to see the level of attendance at the event on Friday October 6 by members of the Ordsall community and welcomed the varied feedback from residents. It is important that we hear these comments now, so that we can take them on board to help inform our plans for the future neighbourhood.

“We recognise there are concerns about the loss of retail, but as the site is a designated Neighbourhood Centre, we can assure all members of the community that shops, services, and amenities will be re-provided.

“The current plans show the re-provision of 8,500 sq meters of retail space, over 15 units of differing sizes, and we are working closely with existing tenants, Salford city council officers, and a specialist consultant Distrkt, to develop a strategy for the retail provision that means it is curated to meet the needs of the existing community of Ordsall as well as any future residents.

“The plans for Regent Park also would see an approximate £25million investment into the delivery of a 3.5-acre park at the heart of the site, as well as significant public realm improvements with new walkways, planting, seating areas, play space for kids and cycle routes.

“We appreciate the comments that have been provided and will take into consideration the needs for shops and services, working with the Council, to create a new community that Salford can be proud of.”