A young couple were out for an early evening bike ride on Sunday 5th August, when at around 5:50 pm they were approached by two suspects brandishing knives, demanding they hand over their bike. During the incident the male victim received a stab wound to the groin area.

It is believed that the injury is of a non-serious nature but things could have very easily turned out much worse.

Police were called to the scene at around 6:00 pm and the scene around the 'Look Out Sculpture'  was cordoned of so a forensics search could take place.

The two suspects made off with the 'GT Verb Bike' pictured above, so if anyone is offered one like it then please contact GMP on 101 log number 1813/Aug 5th.

People are being warned to remain vigilant when out and about in local parks.

The international day on August 12 celebrates the contribution young people make to their community and is a chance for young people to organise events for each other and local residents. It will be celebrated in Salford mainly from Monday, August 6 to Friday, August 10 with some events taking place later in the month and into September. 

This year’s most unusual event has been organised by the Eccles LGBT group who have invited in a local drag queen to talk about drag history and culture in Greater Manchester, demonstrate skills in make-up and clothing and give a performance. 

Other groups will showcase their voluntary work in their community, projects on hate crime, pollution and environmental concerns and organise family fun days with sports, games and barbeques. 

Councillor Lisa Stone, lead member for children’s and young people’s services, said:

Quote

“We have some fabulous young people in Salford who really give back to the city and Youth Day is a great chance to celebrate that and say thanks for all they do. 

“The whole event is led by young people who plan and deliver a range of events and then organise a celebration party to round it all off.” 
 

The public events, which anyone can drop into are: 

Thursday, August 9 
Family fun day with arts, crafts, street games and celebration of the Beacon Youth Group’s work on hate crime and environmental issues. The Beacon Centre. 6 London Street, Salford, 

Sports day fun, climbing wall and refreshments, Westwood and Alder Park Youth Group, Westwood Park Community Centre, Grasmere Crescent, Winton 12 noon to 6pm 

Friday August 10 
Inflatable football arena and tournament, music and crafts by the Audacious Church youth group, Chimney Pot Park, Langworthy Road, 12 noon to 4pm 

Family fun day with music, face painting, bouncy castle, Ranger Rob, tombola stall, ice cream van and more by Boost 4 Youth, Ordsall Park, Trafford Rd, Ordsall, 1pm to 4pm 

Street dance performance, open mike singing and rapping and football and wrestling taster sessions by Albert’s Youth Club, The Broughton Trust, Albert Park, Grecian Street, Broughton, Salford, 12 noon to 8pm 

BBQ and celebration of the work of the Cadishead Project Youth Group, Cadishead Community Hall, Liverpool Road, Cadishead, 6pm to 9pm 

All Fired Up Fun Day and community event, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), Eccles Fire Station, Gladstone Road, Eccles, 10.30am to 3.30pm 

Sports day fun and celebrations, Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Walkden Shopping Centre, Bolton Road, Walkden,  6pm to 8pm 

Summer wellbeing event with lots of activities around emotional and physical well-being, self-care and mental health and fun and games, Salford Foyer, 1 Lower Seedley Rd, Salford,  12 noon to 3pm. 

Young people from Fight For Change Council will also be presenting a slot on Unity Radio to promote children’s rights. Tune in between 10 am and 4pm. 


Saturday August 11 
Celebration of young people, their dreams, their aspirations and their future by the Mancunian Way group, Sutton Community Centre, Doveridge Gardens, Seedley, 12 noon to 3pm. 

Tuesday August 14 
History of the Deans (old and new) and fun, family activities by the Deans Youth Group, The Deans Youth Centre, Moorside School, Deans Road, Swinton, 2pm to 4pm 

Upcycling and woodwork carving workshop. Eccles Youth Centre, Gladstone Road, Eccles, 2pm to 4 pm 

Monday August 20 
Celebrating Salford Jewish Volunteer Week, youth community volunteering and showcasing the amazing work that these volunteers do by the Binoh group, The Hershel Weiss Family and Children’s Centre, 35 Northumberland Street, Salford, 12 noon to 4pm. 

Tuesday September 4 
Celebration of the Brookhouse BAYSE Project, with food, drinks and music, Salford City Academy, Northfleet Road, Eccles, 6pm to 8pm. 

Private events – invitation only 
Private events include the drag queen workshop, young carers staging activities for residents of Holly Court Care Home, Broughton, Salford, Salford Young Men’s Group barbecue and Bridgewater Youth Club’s healthy eating, sports and fitness event in Little Hulton. 

Kenneth Jackson (13/09/1935) of Riverside Avenue, Irlam was sentenced to 21 years in prison and a further one year to be served on licence at Manchester Crown Court today, Friday August 3, after being found guilty of rape and indecent assault. 

Jackson began abusing the victim when she was just four-years-old in the 1970s. 

Aged 11, the girl was told by Jackson she was being taken to Warrington to buy a coat. 

Instead, he drove her to an address in Irlam, where he raped her. 

The abuse continued even up until the girl was aged 16 and in 2017 she contacted police, at which point she was given specialist support and Jackson was arrested. 

Detective Sergeant Chris Smith of GMP’s Public Protection Investigation Unit said:

Quote

“Jackson began abusing this woman when she was little more than a toddler. 

“He carried on committing these depraved acts for years but the bravery she has shown is matched by her courage in coming for forward to report what happened to her as a child. 

“Today’s sentence shows that we are committed to pursuing justice for victims, no matter the age of the offence.” 

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims. 

 - If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available. 

 - You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively, people can refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want to make a police report. 

 - St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police or as a self-referral. 

 - Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. 

 - Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 0161 236 2182. 

A woman has suffered serious injuries after falling from Sycamore Court in Pendleton, the block is 17 stories high but at the moment it is unclear just how high she fell from or the circumstances which led to the incident.

Emergency services were called at around 11:30am (Aug 2nd) and paramedics treated her at the scene before transporting her to hospital. Her injuries are said to be extremely serious.

The area was taped off and police and paramedics remained at the scene to conduct an investigation.

We will update this as and when we get more information.

The vision is to bring together five different development zones to create a new city district with a world-class centre of learning, collaboration and industry at its heart surrounded by open green space and heritage.

The masterplan, by 5plus Architects, outlines a new innovation district with incubation space for business start-ups and SMEs; a new health village with GP services and expanded nursery provision; a range of new housing from family homes with gardens to a 30-storey tower and a new Civic and Cultural gateway celebrating the area’s culture and heritage assets.

A key theme of the proposals is the radical improvement of the public realm establishing strong physical links with the surrounding communities with new walking and cycling routes connecting through the campus to the green assets of The Meadow and Peel Park and a new linear park running behind The Crescent along the route of the Manchester / Bolton / Bury canal.

There would also be new student accommodation; improved and extended sports facilities; a conference centre and hotel; new food and drink around the Old Fire Station and an emphasis on culture and the arts to create a world-class destination.

Public consultations on the masterplan will be held on:

Wednesday 8 August

Time:                     12pm-8pm

Location:              New Adelphi Building, University Road, Salford

Saturday 11 August

Time:                     10am-1pm

Location:              The Old Fire Station, The Crescent, Salford.

Comments can also be made online until September 3rd via The Crescent website: www.salfordcrescent.com

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

Quote

 

“This is an ambitious master plan that combines the resources of both University and City to create a truly integrated new city district that will open up new education and training opportunities and provide a host of spin-off benefits to the adjoining neighbourhoods and city region.

“Improved sports facilities open to the community, a new concert and events venue and a cluster of independents offering food and drink around the Old Fire Station will all expand this learning quarter of the city.

“We look forward to sharing this vision and want to hear and understand people’s views.”

 

Jason Challender, Director of Estates at the University of Salford said:

Quote

“This masterplan will transform the A6 corridor and the surrounding area for the decades to come. It is a real partnership with the council and the local community so we are keen to hear what people think.”

Comments received through the consultation will help inform a future Development Framework for the 99ha masterplan site.

The Adelphi and The Crescent areas will be developed with private sector partners and a detailed prospectus will be issued in early autumn with a view to the appointment of a partner, or consortium of partners, in Spring 2019.

Iain Jenkinson, senior director with CBRE said: 

Quote

 

"This is a unique opportunity. The site includes 15 hectares that have been identified for a major new residential and cultural destination and there are no other development sites of similar scope and scale that are ready to go anywhere in the UK.

“There has been a huge amount of interest since The Crescent masterplan was launched at MIPM 2018 and we continue to talk to interested parties and will be doing so in more detail when the prospectus is launched in the Autumn following this consultation process.”

 

 

The five Development Zones offer unique character and opportunity:

Adelphi: Low to medium density housing including new family housing with gardens, a new apartment building and the potential conversion of Adelphi House to residential. This area could also be the location for a new, two form entry primary school to serve the growing city population.

The Crescent: A new residential district supported by local neighbourhood stores and independent cafes and restaurants.

It provides the opportunity to create new streets, squares and avenues with new apartments, including a signature tower, and family homes in addition to the 1,200 already on site or with planning permission.

It would offer a new Civic and Cultural gateway around the listed assets of The Old Fire Station, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Hall, Joule House and the Working-Class Movement Library with a new conferencing and events centre at Maxwell Hall.

Peel Park: A University campus for the future, with world class facilities that will benefit the whole of the Salford city region. New development would be concentrated on the Frederick Road and Peel Park campus with three new high-quality buildings for The School of the Built Environment; The Salford Business School and a new Digital Learning Commons. There is the potential for further expansion on a landmark plot behind the Peel Building and proposals for 700 new student bed-spaces.

Health Village:  The opportunity for a high-quality Health Village set within landscaped realm providing health, science and technology related teaching and research clustered around the existing University provision in Health, Midwifery and Nursing. GP practices and existing services would be further developed for greater community use and access to the University’s the pre-school nursery would be improved.

There is also the potential for a new transport interchange at Salford Crescent Station with a new concourse and bridge to the Peel Park Campus.

Innovation District: The main employment area within the Masterplan offering high quality incubation and enterprise space to start-ups and SME’s to support the University and Industry. Current low-quality business units would be demolished to make way for high quality flexible buildings that could respond to the needs of technology and industry and help drive innovation and collaboration between the University and business.

Landscape and Public Realm: The masterplan opens up better links Peel Park - the first public part in the UK – helping to create the idea of a park within the campus, supported by the planting of 1,000 additional trees. A new linear park would run from Salford Crescent Station behind The Crescent creating a green walking route from the station to Middlewood Locks and Manchester city centre.

www.salfordcrescent.com

United Utilities who are the providers of water to Salford and surrounding areas, has called off it's planned hosepipe ban. The reason being that all of the recent heavy rainfall has eased demand for water.

The ban was set to start this Saturday (5th August) but with just three days before it was to be enforced UU have decided that reservoir levels are sufficient and there is no longer a need to impose restrictions on its customers.

They also state that efforts by customers to save water have helped maintain water levels in reservoirs but some would argue that the amount saved is a drop in the ocean when compared to the estimated 430 Million Litres of water lost due to leaks which equates to around 175 Olympic-sized swimming pools’ worth of water per day lost from the system each and every day.

The firm has faced criticism over a £180 million dividend given to shareholders and also for the state of its infrastructure and apparent inability to deal with leaks in a satisfactory manner.

On average 1.96in of rain has fallen across the UK from start to end of July, whereas 42 years ago the July figure was just 1.70in.

In a statement UU water services director, Dr Martin Padley said:

Quote

 

“We would like to thank all of our customers who have helped in recent weeks by conserving water wherever they can around the home and in the garden.

“Our leakage teams are working 24 hours a day to find and repair as many leaks as possible and we have been moving water around our network.

“We have also been making operational interventions such as the installation of new pumping stations, pumping between reservoirs, bringing groundwater sources into use and prioritising maintenance to help ensure supplies have not been interrupted during the prolonged hot spell.

“Given the improved position, helped by recent rainfall, we do not want to inconvenience customers unnecessarily at this time.

“However, the long-range forecast from the Met Office is one of relatively dry weather into the autumn, so future restrictions are still a possibility if more rain doesn’t arrive.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to step up our own response and over the coming weeks, you will see our teams out and about, bringing additional water supplies online and fixing even more leaks.

“We are working closely with the Environment Agency in monitoring the water resources situation and we still urge customers to please help us by using water wisely where they can.”

 

However, with further possibilities of the return of the heatwave, UU have not completely dismissed the need to impose a ban in the future.

Six life-size images of Mrs Pankhurst are being placed at spots around the city for people to take a selfie with Emmeline and tweet that they have signed up to vote to encourage others to do the same using the hashtag #signupSalford 

It’s part of Salford City Council’s annual drive to update the electoral register. It has just sent out 120,000 letters to every home in the city. Only people who are listed on the register can vote so people are being asked to check and confirm their details. 

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Paula Boshell, the UK's first female deputy city mayor, said the idea was fun but also carried a very serious message. 

Quote

 

“It’s 90 years this year since women and men got equal voting rights after a long and very difficult campaign by both Lancashire mill workers and Mrs Pankhurst and her Women’s Political and Social Union,” she said.

“We don’t want anyone to miss their chance to have their say when it comes to elections and to pick the candidates they think will do the best for them and their city and we thought Emmeline would fully support that if she were still with us. 

“All people have to do is check the details that are on the register. If it’s correct then they need to let us know. If not, then they need to make any changes including adding in young people aged 16 or 17 and let us know. We can then update the register. 

“It’s not often you get a chance to take a selfie with one of the most famous women in history so we’re hoping people will return the form and enjoy the opportunity.” 

 

You can catch up with Mrs Pankhurst at:

Civic Centre reception, Chorley Road, Swinton 
Broughton Hub, 50 Rigby Street off Bury New Road 
Eccles Gateway 28 Barton Lane, Eccles 
Pendleton Gateway, 1 Broadwalk, Pendleton 
Ordsall Hall, 322 Ordsall Lane, Ordsall 

Salford City Council, the University of Salford, Salford City College and Pure Innovations are to launch a new, specially designed supported internship for young people aged 16-24.

Starting in September it will provide them with a range of work placements to help develop their skills, confidence and experience within a workplace setting. A team based at Salford City Council will help identify, develop and host work placements and support learners and staff involved in them.

Councillor Lisa Stone, lead member for children’s and young people’s services, said it was a huge step forward in helping young people fulfil their ambitions.

Quote

 

“At the moment only 15 young people in Salford are in supported internships and only 2.3% of adults with learning difficulties are in paid employment in our city compared to 7.7% nationally. That’s a huge waste of people’s potential and ambition,” she said.

“We know that most young people with SEND can succeed in paid employment with the right preparation and support and we’re determined to give them that chance.”

 

Professor Sam Grogan, Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience at the University of Salford said:

Quote

 

“It is a real privilege to be involved in such an exciting and forward-thinking scheme. Our driving force at the University of Salford is to produce career-ready graduates with the life skills to recognise the potential of our diverse population.

“Encouraging young people with learning disabilities to take the step into employment by working alongside our students inspires reciprocal learning and supports an ambitious future for students and interns alike.”

 

The new programme will run for a full academic year, with interns spending four days a week on placements which will rotate every two to three months. They will spend an hour and a half in the classroom learning new skills at the start or end of each day and three to four hours per day with their employer.

It’s based on the successful supported internship that has been operating at Salford Royal Foundation Trust for the past six years. Fifty young people have taken up internships there and half have gone into paid employment as a direct result of the programme.

Amanda Noon, Employment Development and Operations Manager at Pure added:

Quote

“Supported internships are the perfect bridge from education to employment and demonstrate how all our young people can successfully work when given the right opportunity.  The existing supported internship with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Eccles College has been a huge success and we are delighted to be given the opportunity to extend this and work with Salford University and Salford Council, both enthusiastic and committed partners.”

Jack McKeever of Sienna Close, Irlam was jailed for two and a half years today after sexually attacked a woman whilst she was sharing a bed with both himself and his girlfriend after a party early last year.

The partygoers were staying at a friends house and by around 6am most had gone upstairs to bed, McKeever, his girlfriend and the victim had stayed downstairs and made up a makeshift bed out of settees.

The 24-year-old McKeever then positioned himself between the two women, once they had both fallen asleep he made his move. The 20-year-old victim said she was awoken after feeling someone touching her inappropriately.

Once she realised what was happening she pushed McKeever away but he continued with his assault and proceeded to touch her thigh, at which point the victim jumped out of the bed and went to tell friends what had happened.

The victim was so distraught it took her 10 days to be able to come to terms with what had happened and contact the police.

McKeever maintained that he had mistaken the victim for his girlfriend as he was half asleep but a jury disagreed and he was found guilty and subsequently sentenced to two and a half years in prison by Judge David Hernandez, who told him:

Quote

“Your first mistake that night was to take cocaine and alcohol. It clearly affected your behaviour.

“Your second mistake was to lie down between the two women when they both fell asleep.

“She said she was trying to fight you off, you were resisting. In her mind, she thought it lasted about five minutes.

“She told you to stop and you resisted. In the end, she was able to push you off.”

 

The victim told the court how she had attempted to take her life by overdosing after the incident which has left her feeling that her life has been completely ruined and that she has lost everything.

McKeever's defence, Michael Brady, told the court how his client had made a serious error of judgement.

Hacienda legend DJ Paulette will swap the turntables for an art installation titled ‘Homebird’ at The Lowry Sat 22 September – Sun 14 October.
 
‘Homebird’ by DJ Paulette is the third in The Lowry’s Edit series of gallery projects and collaborations. Legendary Manchester DJ Paulette will be taking over a gallery at the Salford arts venue and turning it into an immersive mood board of her life and the influences that have shaped her as a person and a performer. 
 
DJ Paulette has worked alongside big names of the Dance music world from Gilles Peterson and David Guetta, to Moodymanc and Mr Scruff. She has DJ'd at some of the world's most famous clubs including Hacienda, Space Ibiza, Privilege, and had a residency at IBIZA ROCKS (PIKES HOTEL) in 2015. In 2001 she was in DJ MAGAZINE's 150 TOP DJS and had her own coveted Radio 1 Essential Mix in 1998
 
Addressing race, sexuality, gender, art and music, DJ Paulette’s installation is a joyous but provocative glimpse into different aspects of her life and career – from the “Sheroes” who have inspired her, to the obstacles she has had to overcome. 
 
Visitors to the installation will journey through a specially constructed maze of ideas, experiences, memories and influences, providing a lens through which they can orientate their own lives.  The heart of the maze will be filled with music.
 
Paulette says of Homebird:

Quote

“I’m a first generation Black British citizen, born in North Manchester to working-class parents, one of 8 siblings, who has been clubbing since I was 15 and dj’ing since I was 24. I’ve lived in London, Paris and Ibiza because of it, but returned to Manchester like a homing pigeon. 'Homebird' shows that in life I’m a magpie, a cherry picker, a prodigal and a curator all rolled into one…”
 
‘Homebird’ is the third in The Lowry’s Edit series with previous projects including Edit.01: Paddy Hartley, and Edit.02 >thread {}.

In July 2014, The Lowry galleries were renamed The Andrew and Zoe Law Galleries in recognition of the couple’s £1m donation to the arts centre, which is a registered charity.
 
Listings Information

Edit.03 : Homebird by DJ Paulette

Sat 22 September – Sun 14 October

Opening times: Sun-Fri, 11am-5pm. Sat, 10am-5pm.

Admission: Free. Donations Welcome.

The Lowry, Pier Eight, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
 

Developers paid out £3.2 million in Section 106 (S106) contributions last financial year which are designed to mitigate the impact of their development and just over £1 million of that money came from clawback agreements. 

Councillor Derek Antrobus, lead member for planning and sustainable development, said:

Quote

“Salford has one of the best track records in Greater Manchester for attracting S106 money and this demonstrates the success of our clawback policy. 

“National planning law allows developers to submit viability assessments if they believe their scheme would not be viable if they had to pay the whole S106 contributions. Salford City Council negotiates contributions to be paid when the scheme is built and if viability improves – and this is what we are seeing here. 

“That money has or will help to provide construction training for local residents, expand local schools, carry out a range of improvements from children’s play equipment to Walkden railway station and towpaths on the Bridgewater canal and create new cycling and walking routes. It has also helped provide another 16 new, affordable homes on the Burgess Farm and Birch Road developments in Walkden. That brings the total of S106 funded affordable homes delivered or planned to 126 across the city. 

“In addition to this, we signed 21 agreements to bring in a further £3.3 million when developments are complete and viable. Most of that money is earmarked to improve and maintain children’s play areas and parks across the city, with the rest going towards improvements to public areas, transport and highways, the environment and affordable housing.”

However, some would disagree: http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=4641

Main Photo: SV Stock

Never a man in need to make up an excuse to find himself in a pub, award-winning local historian and overall man of the people Mr Tony Flynn, embarked on what has quickly become his much anticipated and beloved fun and fact-filled history tour of Eccles Pubs.

Despite a spot of inclement weather this Sunday past (29 Jul), the intrepid troupe walked the sodden streets of Eccles in search of the long-lost history of the area, with many long forgotten intriguing tales of the past revealed.

Stories were told, pubs were frequented, beer was swigged and more importantly, money was raised for a local charity. In this case the very appreciative local foodbank 'Mustard Tree' who are helping to feed those who have fallen on hard times around Salford.

A whopping £250 was raised which was converted into tins and other items for the food bank at the local Jack Fulton's.

Flynn's Fandango around Eccles has gained legendary status just like his many sought-after books which are sadly out of print but regularly are sold online by collectors for as much as £500 a pop.

Many thanks to another local legend, Albert Spiby for the use of the photos. You can check out many more of them over at our spiritual home on the Salford Online facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/salfordonline/

A huge well done to all those who braved the elements and heartfelt thanks to Tony for being an all-around man of the people and putting it all together.

I would raise a glass to him but he has probably still has a hangover 

The £288 cash injection has enabled the club to purchase new t-shirts for its 40-strong team of members, emblazoned with the Salix Homes logo.

The club, whose members range from in their 60s to 92-years-old, meet every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Albert’s Park in Broughton, providing senior citizens with an opportunity to stay active and make friends.

Club organiser Frank Aldred, aged 75, said:

Quote

 

“We’re really grateful to Salix Homes for enabling us to purchase a set of fantastic t-shirts. Uniformity is a great way to build up team spirit and to remind us of how much we all love this sport.

“I started bowling soon after I retired, and have never looked back. The bowling green is looking a little worse for wear after the hot weather we’ve been having, but as a hardy bunch we’re always up for a challenge.”

 

As well as testing their prowess on the bowling green, members also take part in a range of activities including darts, snooker, pool and card games.

Ben Cruickshanks, neighbourhood manager for Salix Homes, said:

Quote

 

“Albert Park Bowling and Social Club is an excellent place for older folks in Broughton to spend a few hours and meet other people.

“We’re very proud to support such a great organisation which is helping to tackle isolation amongst the older generation in Broughton, and we think they look really smart in their new team t-shirts.”

 

Since launching Springboard last year, Salix Homes has donated more than £50,000 to local projects and groups that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation or improve the environment.

To find out more about how to apply for a Springboard grant, go to: www.salixhomes.org/springboard  

Brian Adams, 79, sadly died at his home address at Nine Acre Court, Ordsall on Friday 27 July 2018. 

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. 

The Police Coroner’s Officer is now appealing for help to locate his family. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 4687.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of votes for women and taking inspiration from the artists Chantal Joffe and LS Lowry, Lowry Non-Stop features everything from games and storytelling to drawing and drama.

Running every day from 11am until 4pm, events include:

History Makers – Be Inspired by women who made history and get making in The Lookout, The Lowry’s dedicated Lookout space for families.

Artist-Led Painting Workshop – Join artist Michelle Leigh for painting workshops (Wednesdays only) inspired by Chantal Joffe’s exhibition Personal Feeling is The Main Thing.

Friends and Family – Artists like LS Lowry and Chantal Joffe often paint their friends and family. Take a closer look at your family and friends by drawing their portraits.

Saturday Playhouse Superheroes - Who is your superhero? Make comics, masks and get creative with your favourite heroes.

Storytelling and drama – After listening to some exciting stories with strong female characters, why not create your own story.

Also taking place at The Lowry this August are the popular shows What the Ladybird Heard and Peppa Pig’s Adventure as well as Now or Never, a contemporary circus production on The Lowry Plaza.

In July 2014, The Lowry galleries were renamed The Andrew and Zoe Law Galleries in recognition of the couple’s £1m donation to the arts centre, which is a registered charity.

The Lowry announces the return of its Open Day following the huge success of the event in 2017.  Once again the venue will open its doors from 10am until 6pm on Saturday 11 August for a day of free activities that enable visitors of all ages to explore the venue in a completely new way.

In 2017 The Lowry saw more than 7,000 people attend their Open Day. Throughout the day visitors were able to attend a range of workshops, drop-in activities, back-stage tours and performances. With feedback from the event extremely positive. One customer said, "The Open Day is very well organised, varied, interesting, enthusiastic, friendly and even though we loved The Lowry before, we love it even more now!

The behind the scenes tour was fantastic!" 

Due to overwhelming demand last year, visitors will be pleased to see the return of backstage tours and workshops in lighting and sound. 

This year there will also be the opportunity to get involved in a variety of performance-related workshops hosted by renowned companies Matthew Bourne's New Adventures and Rambert, with further companies with further companies to be announced. Other workshops available on the day will include drop-in drawing sessions, cupcake decoration, creating your own comic book and acting improvisation classes. Pier Eight restaurant & bar will also host a DJ playing music through the decades.

The range of activities will also spill out of the building and onto the plaza as visitors will be able to watch live open-air performances from elite street circus performers D & F Bros. Grand Indian Circus, play large outdoor games, join in dance activities and enjoy a colourful street piano. 

All activities and events are free. Visitors can book places online for some of the workshops in advance. There will also be a limited number of places available for each ticketed event on the day, these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. 

A timetable of events will be released and online booking opens on Monday 6 August on The Lowry’s website.

Update: George has been found safe and well, thanks for sharing.

George Shortman was reported missing from Thornton Road yesterday (Monday 30 July 2018) about 7.50pm.

The 70-year-old, who suffers from Parkinson’s and learning difficulties, hasn’t been seen since and his family are understandably extremely concerned.

He is white, around 5ft 8ins, of large build, with dark hair and a goatee beard.

George was last known to be wearing a white shirt, light blue jeans, black trainers and potentially a blue parker coat.

He hasn’t taken a phone with him, any money or any medication and despite officers best efforts, they have been unable to find him so far.

We are desperate to make sure George is safe and return him home.

Anyone who sees him, or has any information about whereabouts, should call police on 0161 856 7225.

 The discount supermarket chain has recently joined the council’s Salford Assist scheme, where residents in need of emergency food are given vouchers to spend in certain local stores. The move takes pressure off city food banks, freeing up their stock for other families in need. 

Now Aldi has donated a lorry full of sanitary pads, tampons and nappies worth around £2,500 to help women on low incomes struggling to cope with the cost of periods and caring for children. National research shows women spend an average of £500 per year on menstrual hygiene products while researchers estimate it costs around £800 to keep a child in nappies for the first two years of their life. 

A survey of local women using food banks and crisis support services was carried out by Salford City Council and Salford Citizen’s Advice (SCA). 

It found that just under half of the women who responded (48%) said they had struggled at some point to afford sanitary protection while a third (28%) said they had avoided paying bills to use the money on sanitary ware. 

Almost all (98%) said they regularly had to go without proper protection and use inadequate substitutes such as socks, tissues or rags while a fifth (17.5%) said they had been excluded from doing something important because of inadequate sanitary protection. 

Deputy City Mayor Paula Boshell said raising awareness of the problems faced by low-income families and securing the donation was part of the city’s work with businesses to get maximum social value for every pound spent in Salford. 

She said:

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“Sanitary products are not luxury items – they are essential for women’s health and dignity and should be either freely available to women on low incomes or made truly affordable for them. 

“New York has already started to provide free hygiene products in public schools, prisons and homeless shelters and Scotland is testing a pilot scheme in Aberdeen. I would like to see England follow suit and do more to help low-income women. 

“Nappies are also essential items and this generous donation will ease the pressure on local families.” 

City Mayor Paul Dennett added:

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“This initiative is part of Salford’s 10% Better campaign which is about us achieving at least that level of improvement in 11 key areas to see real change in the city. 

“One of those key areas is reducing poverty and we are very grateful to Aldi for signing up to support the campaign and for their generous donation. It will be very much appreciated by local families.” 

Mayor Dennett said the council will also work with Greater Manchester charities to expand their operations into Salford, encourage local food bank donation points to accept sanitary products and join national campaigns to put pressure on the government to make sanitary products freely available in schools and to women receiving certain targeted benefits. 

Councillor Kate Lewis, one of the councillors who first raised the issue, added:

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“Having heard so many heart rending stories about what women and girls have experienced, I felt we must help them avoid the embarrassment of coping without decent sanitary products.” 

Ruth Doyle, Regional Managing Director at Aldi, said:

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“It’s really important to us to create social value in the communities we work in, and to improve the lives of local people. This is why we’ve partnered with Salford City Council on the 10% Better campaign, which is an excellent force of good that’s working to alleviate poverty in the region.”

Gemma Griffin, help through crisis advisor from CAB said:

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“We are overwhelmed with Aldi’s generosity. This will make a huge difference to many, many women across Salford.” 

Dillon Gillott (15/04/1999) was jailed in June 2017 for two years and eight months after being convicted of burglary. He was granted an early release in June 2018 but has since breached the terms of his licence and is now wanted on recall to prison.

Gillott is believed to have links to the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anybody with information about Dillon Gillott whereabouts should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

At around 4.20pm on Sunday (29 July 2018) police received a report of a man wearing a balaclava and in possession of a machete in a car on Parsonage Road. 
  
Enquiries by our Specialist Operations team, Salford officers and council CCTV operators were immediately carried out and a number of armed and unarmed officers were deployed to the area. 
  
A BMW was stopped on Sharp Street in Walkden by an armed response vehicle. 

Four men – aged 20, 22, 21 and 22 - were arrested at the scene on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. 
  
Balaclavas, two machetes, a meat cleaver, a claw hammer and a locking knife were all recovered from the car. 
  
Detective Constable Derek Nellany, from GMP’s Salford borough, said:

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“Thanks to the quick-thinking actions of officers and CCTV operators we were able to trace the vehicle, stop the car and arrest four men who now remain in custody for questioning. 
  
“This was an excellent co-ordinated response to a potentially dangerous report. 
  
“The arrest and successful seizure came off the back off just one report from a member of the public. 
  
“I hope these arrests send a clear message to the public that we do take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will act on them diligently. 
  
“An investigation has been launched and a team of detectives will continue with enquiries.”