Today Government announced a further £72 million investment to make rail services more reliable in Greater Manchester and the North. This includes a third platform at Salford Crescent station along with track work and improvements at Salford Central and Victoria stations.

The third platform at Salford Crescent station is anticipated to increase capacity, reduce delays and improve reliability for passengers.

The extra platform will enable longer trains to stop to meet the growing demand, whilst also providing greater resilience, and reducing platform overcrowding at this key interchange hub in Salford, which currently accommodates an annual footfall of nearly one million passengers.  It is also hoped that further services will timetabled stop at this important transport hub in the near future.

The investment will benefit local residents, commuters and students using the station and is seen as a step towards providing a ‘fit for the future’ facility as described in the Salford City Council and University of Salford £2.5 billion masterplan for the area, a key growth location referenced in the recently announced Greater Manchester Devolution Trailblazer Agreement.

This latest infrastructure investment has been welcomed by city leaders as a welcome move towards further improvements to rail infrastructure in the city-region.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“Investment in our rail and public transport infrastructure is absolutely key to our growth and achieving our integrated and sustainable travel ambitions for Salford, Greater Manchester and the wider region.

“We’re looking forward to getting into the details of what sits behind today’s announcements and engaging further with Network Rail and Government on the prospect of new train services calling at Salford Crescent.  As today's news is a pre-cursor for further investment in rail infrastructure here in Salford and Greater Manchester, we will continue to collaborate with Government, Network Rail, train and freight operators and stakeholders on how wider transport issues will be addressed and the delivery of our 2040 Transport Strategy for Greater Manchester.

“I am pleased that Government recognises the need to invest in improving rail travel for the people, families, businesses and visitors of our rapidly growing city-region and the North more generally. But it is now vital for Salford and Greater Manchester that Government and industry come together with a common purpose to tackle the historic under-investment in public transport infrastructure, transforming our ageing infrastructure, making it accessible and fit for the 21st Century.

"Today's announcement also comes at a time when contractors are on site at Salford Central undertaking works to existing platforms to improve passenger experience and accessibility. However, what we want to see, is more trains and more reliable services – so today’s news is a positive step in the right direction but it also underlines that there is still so much more to do to deliver on our rail ambitions for Salford and Greater Manchester.”

 

Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development said:

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“The announcement today is a welcome step in making specific improvements realisable, offering the potential of more reliable and comfortable journeys for passengers from Salford Crescent station.

“The long term vision for the Crescent area is the delivery of a new Transport Hub and new Metrolink connection between Salford Quays and the Crescent area. We recognise this investment announcement from Government as a step in the right direction to improve rail infrastructure.”

 

Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, Professor Helen Marshall, commented:

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“The investment in train services in our region, and particularly the improvements planned for Salford Crescent, will make a huge difference to the day-to-day lives of our students and staff here at the University, as well as supporting our longer-term growth going forward. Alongside the work that is underway as part of the wider Crescent Masterplan to transform Salford, this investment will provide huge benefits to the city, the wider region and beyond; improving vital sustainable transport links for our growing community.”

Major developments in Salford will now have to set out how they will deliver social value benefits by boosting the city’s economy, working with communities and contributing to a greener Salford. create local jobs, boost the city’s economy and deliver social value benefits.

Salford City Council is now expecting developers seeking planning permission for developments of 10 or more houses or non-residential floorspace of 1000 square metres or more to include an action plan on social value commitments. The requirement has been written into the city’s Local Plan, which was approved earlier this year, making it the first council in England to set such an obligation in stone.

The council has produced local needs analysis guidance documents to show how new developments can build on community strengths and signpost developers to organisations and community programmes they may wish to support.

 In their social value report, developers will have to show how their scheme will create  jobs, training and skills development opportunites for Salford residents both during and after construction if planning permission is granted. This could also include mentoring and careers guidance for local schools to encourage children and young people to consider careers in construction.

Firms will also be asked to show how they will prioritise using Salford or Greater Manchester suppliers and materials, where possible, to keep money in the local economy, how they will manage the environmental impact of their development and contribute to a greener Salford and how they could work with communities around the site to bring positive change to their neighbourhood.

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development, said:

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“Salford is experiencing unprecedented levels of development with an average of 70 major planning applications every year.

“The potential benefits from this new approach – as well as the homes, commercial units and improvements to public spaces that developments bring – are huge.”

 

Councillor Jack Youd, lead member for finance and support services, said:

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“Many developers already plan for social value, so embedding this in our Local Plan is the next logical step in enabling all new developments to show their positive contributions to local communities and the local economy.”

Salford City Council is already a key partner in Build Salford, a construction industry supported initiative to help find supportive apprenticeships for young people who might otherwise struggle to break into the sector.  It has also made social value considerations a key part of tendering most contracts for goods and services in a bid to maximise benefits for the city. 

Plans to create a waterfront community of 52 homes on the banks of the River Irwell in Salford opposite the site where a Lancaster bomber crashed in World War Two have been submitted.

The application for the land at Regatta Street and Langley Road is located where there was once Victorian terraced housing but in the mid-20th century it became an industrial site. 

The Lancaster bomber of 106 Squadron based in Lincolnshire crashed into the opposite bank of the river on July 30 1944. The pilot was attempting to crash land in the playing fields beyond after conducting a raid in Normandy to support the Allied invasion of northern France.

J2 Corporation, an investment, development and venture capital company which created the acclaimed Napier Gateway development in Luton has tabled the application.

Included in the plans is a proposal to demolish existing buildings to accommodate 38 three-bedroomed and 14 four-bedroomed properties over three storeys in four blocks.

A mixture of communal gardens, private amenity space and on and off-street parking are also part of the application.

The proposed site is described as an area of brownfield land previously occupied by housing and cotton-finishing mills. 

It is also surrounded by existing housing as well as older industrial units. J2 says it has bought up the separate plots of land which make up the site.

J2’s design and access statement, says:

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“The River Irwell which lies adjacent to the north-east as well as the street frontage on Langley Road to the west are key defining points of the site boundary,”

The company says the site is currently used by residents for additional parking but that ‘large parts of the site towards the river are overgrown with vegetation making it difficult to pass through’.

It went on: “The site has also been improperly used for fly-tipping making navigation through the site difficult and hazardous.”

 

J2 says the site is well-positioned to access the city centres of both Salford and Manchester via a range of transport networks.

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“The site also has good bus accessibility to the economic centres of Salford Quays, Manchester city centre and the universities of Salford and Manchester,” it said.

“The aspirations of the project are not only to address the housing need within Salford and Greater Manchester, but to integrate a scheme of high architectural quality with the potential to establish a connection to the natural features of the site, such as the River Irwell.

“Salford’s waterside is a hidden asset and needs to be unlocked. The scheme will not only help to celebrate and make the river accessible but will integrate the natural features of the river with the proposed outdoor life. The River Irwell’s corridor focal point will be an improved riverside walkway.”

 

The Friends of Peel Park are excited to announce the addition of a Chatty Bench at Peel Park, Salford.

David Marsden, Secretary of the Friends of Peel Park group explains:

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We wanted to provide an area in the park where people can connect with one another.   The park is such a beautiful outdoor space and a huge diverse cross section of people use this space regularly.

A Chatty Bench gives people an opportunity to chat and communicate when they may just be feeling lonely and isolated, or simply just like to chat

Anyone who sits on the bench is encouraged to chat to other users of the bench.  We have teamed up with local mental health based charity START, who have their base local to the park.   They already had introduced Chatty benches in other Salford locations including Walkden and Salford Quays so they were more than happy to endorse our bench.

Mental Health Awareness week is in May (15th to 21st) so we thought this was a great time to introduce our bench which we hope will prove another asset to this wonderful park and become a permanent feature

 

The bench can be found on the main path in the park just in front of the play area and we encourage people to utilize it.  

If you are passing this bench and see someone sat on please take 5 minutes out of your day to take a seat and chat away.  

You may make all the difference to someone else day

The Friends of Peel Park are a voluntary organization who’s main aim is the keep Peel Park a great place to visit

Police are raising awareness of an increase of residential burglaries across the area and wish to reach out to the public for their attention.

Officers say they are committed to keeping you safe and look to respond to the increase of crime in your area. You will notice that officers will be conducting hi-visibility patrols in your area to counter this increase.

They ask that you continue to report any suspicious activity around your homes be it day or night, and that you regularly check your homes in the morning and evening for any signs of disturbance.

If anything is found, please call them so they can take a look and investigate. They ask that your properties remain locked and secure when your not in and ensure access to the rear is not possible through use of a padlock on gates.

Although the weather is getting warmer ensure that your windows are closed in accessible areas.

Patrols will be out and about for you to speak with and voice your concerns in person.

Crime prevention leaflets will also be sent out and delivered in affected areas for more information on how you can keep you and your family out of the reach of burglars.

Should you have any information on anyone who is involved in this crime they also urge you to get in touch, You can do this via the usual channels being 101 or 999 but also anonymously on Crime Stoppers. See online for details.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences by GMP Operation Venture team in Salford on Monday 22 May 2023.

Officers were on patrol on Langworthy Road in Salford when they spotted a male behaving suspiciously. Following a short foot pursuit the male was detained and searched.

Police recovered a large quantity of crack cocaine as well as a quantity of cannabis, £300 in cash and a mobile phone.

The 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs and was taken into custody for questioning.

In the course of daily patrols later that day officers also seized a further five wraps of crack cocaine and an e-bike that was being driven in an anti-social manner. The owner of the bike was reported for driving offences.

Operation Venture is GMP's dedicated team tackling serious violence and knife crime. Not all of their work is visible but there is a lot going on behind the scenes and they will act on any information provided.

If you have information about crime in your area, please make a report to enable officers to investigate. You can do so by calling 101 or via the LiveChat function on GMP's website: www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively you can make a report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A headteacher and a senior councillor have repeated their appeals to parents not to park on newly-painted double yellow lines and zig-zags near a Salford primary school.

Several cars were seen flouting the new regulations introduced to boost road safety outside Irlam Primary School on Elsinore Avenue by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Last week, two pupils, Flo and Tallulah won a competition run within the school to design a sign which will deliver the  message “Think before you park: you could endanger a child’s life” to parents picking up their children from school.

The posters have been placed on the pavement outside the school.

But despite this, at least four cars were seen by the LDRs parking on double yellows when we visited this week.

One mother, who did not wish to be named, said:

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“They are so selfish. Those of us who walk to pick up our children feel this will be a problem which will never go away. They are so selfish.”

Another said:

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“It beggars belief. Why can’t they park further away and walk, like everyone else.”

Headteacher Elaine Darwin said:

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“We have been concerned about the poor parking around school for some time. 

“We appreciate enforcement officers can’t be on site every day, so we have tried various strategies to deter parents from parking illegally or dangerously and yet some continue to do so. 

“We got permission from local supermarkets for parents to use their car parks at drop off and pick up times and we have even altered the timings of school in the past and opened earlier to ease the congestion. We are hoping that a direct appeal from the children themselves succeeds.”

 

Coun Barbara Bentham, Salford’s lead member for environment and community safety, said of the LDRS images of the parking breach said:

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“These photos show how much a campaign like this is needed, with a mixture of appeals and enforcement. 

Residents are living in fear of a ‘plague of rats’ near a recently-built apartment block in Salford.

The infestation has prompted a newly-elected Salford city councillor to raise a petition calling for the waiving of the £45 fee the authority charges households for pest control officers to deal with the issue.

Father-of-two Zubair Bassa, 34, shot video of rats running around freely in front of his Goodiers Drive, Ordsall, home.

And, when the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited him this week, rats could be spotted around among shrubbery opposite his house and in front of a newly-build complex of 77 apartments.

Zubair, who moved in with his wife Maryani, 33, five years ago, and who now have children aged two and four, says his family are terrified to go outside in front of the house because of the rats.

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“We can hear squeaking sometimes,” he said. “When the children play out in the back garden we have to make sure our patio doors are closed to prevent the risk of them coming in the house.”

Zubair says he has already had pest control officers out to deal with mice in the four-bed house.

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“It’s so bad for my family, we are considering moving out,” he said. “It’s a plague of rats.”

His close neighbours are Feyishola Omoniyi and his wife Kehinde, both 30, and their children aged one and three.

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“It’s very frightening,” he said. “What doesn’t help is the amount of shrubbery  opposite our houses. We see rats running about all the time. It’s crazy. My wife and children are very frightened.”

The flats opposite have been managed by Hunters Residential Block Management on behalf of a freehold owner.

A spokesperson for Hunters told the LDRS that apartments are 50 per cent owner-occupied with the other half rented.

He said Hunters had only been managing the complex since February and was ‘addressing the problem’.

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“But a lot [of the apartments] have been rented out as holiday lets, which is against the terms of the leases,” he said. “The leaseholders and their solicitors don’t seem to understand that you can’t just decide to rent out your flat without permission from your mortgage provider or the freeholder.

 “The visitors are tending to leave rubbish strewn all over the bin area, which is attracting the rats. There is also a problem with rough sleepers getting into the bin area and rummaging through rubbish.

“We have a programme in place to deal with the rats using a private contractor. There is an old gatehouse on the site and we believe there may be a nest under there. The development may have disturbed the rats. But we have bait traps down. It’s early days, but we are hoping within a couple of months we will have dealt with the problem.”

 

The spokesperson said appeals for hedges and shrubbery to be cut could be counterproductive.

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“We have been advised that if we cut back hedges and shrubbery, the rats will run everywhere, which is not what we want,” they said.

Meanwhile, Coun Grogan said that he had been receiving complaints over rat infestations in parts of Salford where there has been new development.

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“These areas are hotspots for fly-tipping and littering too which we’re aiming to tackle as part of the long-term strategy implemented alongside the waiving of the fee,” he said.

His petition, read out at the first Salford city council meeting following the local elections on May 4, reads:

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“Ordsall Labour has been working with councillors from other wards about the increase in rodents that residents have been telling us about, which may have been caused by an increase in new developments around the ward and neighbouring wards. 

“Currently, there is a £45 fee for the council to investigate and deal with the issue. Our petition is calling for the £45 council fee to be waived for all residents in Ordsall for a fixed period and for the council to develop a proactive strategy to deal with the issue in the problem-areas long term.”

 

Coun Grogan added:

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“We have done a paper petition across the Stowell Estate so we’re just collecting the final sheets which will be submitted to the council shortly. We focused on that estate as it is the worst affected area with reports from residents about rats in their gardens, communal spaces, and even inside some houses.”

Coun Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods, sports and leisure, said the petition will be considered through the usual council process. 

She said:

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“We understand residents of nearby homes are concerned about this situation which emphasises the responsibility of private sector developers and property owners to deal with rodents.

“If the management company needs any support they are welcome to contact the council. We work year-round with partner agencies to control pests proactively and support our residents and communities. 

“We encourage people to report all sightings of rodents in public places to help us find where they are nesting and feeding so we can eliminate them. Reports can be made free of charge via www.salford.gov.uk/pests-nuisances-pollution-and-foo

 

d-hygiene/pests-and-infestations/rats/ where there is also prevention advice.”

The historic Victoria Theatre in Salford has been boosted by a £5,000 to help spearhead its restoration.

Privately-owned theatre and derelict, the theatre is on the national ‘Theatres at Risk’ register.

The cash  will enable owners to undertake a ‘governance review’, as part of the Theatres Trust’s Reslient Theatres: Resiliednt Communities programme.

The theatre on Great Clowes Street in Lower Broughton, built in 1900, was designed by renowned architect Bertie Crewe and is one of seven theatres to receive funding through the first round of the Theatres Trust’s latest round of funding. The organisation is the national advisory body for theatres.

Its aim is to provide expert support to theatres and groups who currently, or seek to, run them by matching them with industry leaders and advisors in order to equip them with the skills, knowledge and means to execute their plans. 

The plan for The Victoria is to open it up in phases, incorporating a multi-purpose community space. 

Theatres Trust director Jon Morgan said:

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“We believe every theatre on our Theatres at Risk list has the potential to be returned for use by their communities, providing performance venues of types currently lacking in their local areas and bringing much-needed footfall to town centres.

Theatres Trust is delighted to support The Victoria with this project that will help it move a step closer to its ultimate goal.”

 

Chair of the Salford Victoria Theatre Trust , Samantha Kelly, said:

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“We’re delighted to have received this funding in the latest round. 

“The Theatres Trust has been a tremendous help throughout our campaign with each of the successive owners of the building and we are excited to announce that we are actively engaged in negotiations with the current owner, exploring options for a lease that will enable us to open the building up to the community who has missed it for so long, many of them fondly sharing memories and stories of their own experiences of the theatre’s life as an entertainment venue and bingo hall, as well as those of their relatives. This funding has come at a very good time for the development of the group and we’re currently looking to attract members of the community to volunteer with us in a variety of ways.”

 

The purpose of the scheme is to highlight and support theatres across the country that are at risk of closure or demolition, and which have historical, architectural and community merit.

A Victorian railway bridge is to be given 21sst century support to avoid months of disruption to motorists.

Railway Bridge No. 7 carries the A580 East Lancashire Road over the disused Eccles, Tyldesley and Wigan railway line, now known as the Tyldesley loopline, at the junction of the A575 Walkden Road. The line is also part of National Cycle Route 55 and the path beneath the bridge has been upgraded.

The reinforced concrete structure is ageing and, if left untouched, will reduce the load carrying capacity of the road bridge with a huge impact on traffic using the junction. Concrete could also fall from the bridge posing a risk to walkers and cyclists using the loopline below.  

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable neighbourhoods, said:

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“We’ve looked at potential solutions and the best option is to put a new corrugated steel arch structure underneath the bridge and fill in the gap between the top of the arch and the underneath of the bridge.

“That will safeguard the bridge for the next 120 years and is a low maintenance option which means less disruption in the long run once the work is complete.

“The alternative would be to repair and waterproof the bridge which would mean months of disruption to motorists with contraflows on the A580 and either partial or complete closure of the A575 to allow contractors to work safely.”

 

A contract to repair the bridge has been agreed with a Greater Manchester firm, an accredited Living Wage employer, which will create social value benefits for Salford worth more than £157,000 including jobs for local people, use of local suppliers, particularly small and micro businesses, and £2000 worth of in-kind donations to local community-based improvement projects.

Walkers and cyclists will be diverted over the bridge, rejoining the route on the other side of the A580. The work is due to start in July and will take six months to complete.

Here at Salford Media we were saddened to hear of the final edition of Local Mag being delivered across Irlam, Cadishead, Hollins Green, Rixton and Glazebook.

It was such a fantastic and informative read a real community magazine which covered every aspect of life in the areas mentioned and amazingly it was a free publication, the running costs being met by advertisers, but in the present economical times these were getting harder to find.

Bill McLaughlin the photo/journalist who is steeped in a local journalism background encompassing some 40 years, starting at the Irlam and Cadishead Advertiser, Salford Reporter, Salford Advertiser, Manchester Evening News, and more recently with M44 Irlam and Cadishead Times and lastly with Local Mag was the driving force behind all of these and deserves a massive thank you for all his contributions to the local area.

Here are just a few of the things that Bill has done for his community recently, being the co-ordinator and organiser of a 40 foot trailer laden with much needed aid to Ukraine, behind a project that gave every school child in the area bags of flower bulbs to plant, he helped raise thousands of pounds each year for the Royal British Legion, a school governor, Vocational Chair of Irlam Rotary Club, on the committee of supporting the Irlam and Cadishead Festival, has instigated a permanent tribute to those local men killed in the Coronation cricket match of 1953... the list is endless, but above all this Bill is one of the most kindest, caring, generous men you could ever meet.

He has supported Salford Media many, many times, photographing us with guests on the Fred and Flynny Show, introducing us to local schools for community related stories, and most recently a full page article about the late Cadishead artist, Ray Lowry when we all drove to Blackpool to film his son, Sam about Ray's career and legacy.

I know that Bill is "gutted" to have to cease publication of Local Mag and it's a terrible wrench for him but and he won't like me saying this but at times he has had to put his hand in his own pocket to cover production costs and that can't go on, he has his own regular bills to pay!

In an ideal world some young, rich entrepreneur would take up the rains and ensure that this fine magazine can continue and lets face it, it does a marvellous service to the local community bit once it's gone... Bill has kindly offered to help show how it's run and the contacts needed etc

Finally Bill it's been a pleasure knowing you and working with you over the years and I can't sing your praises highly enough and so should the residents of Irlam and Cadishead, Bill we salute you.

HideOut Youth Zone invited to Buckingham Palace in acknowledgement of work to support young people through Duke of Edinburgh programmes.

Buckingham Palace held a week of celebration events (15th-19th May) to acknowledge the impact of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme and saw over 9,000 young people awarded with DofE Gold.

Attendees heard from the Duke of Edinburgh, DofE alumni and inspirational figures offering insights from their own lives and careers.

HideOut Youth Zone was invited to join celebrations based on work undertaken to help young people accessing and completing the DofE Bronze Award.

In 2022/2023, HideOut Youth Zone supported over 90 young people who signed up to gain a DofE achievement (88 Bronze, 1 Silver and 1 Gold). 45 completed a certificate of achievement, with 35 completing their Bronze Award following a two-day expedition.

Members were accompanied by HideOut staff who had completed the Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Skills (DES) course across the summer months, which gave them the theoretical and practical skills needed to support expeditions with young people. 

In October 2022, HideOut was announced as the winner of The Manchester Duke of Edinburgh Challenge which was awarded to the school or organisation that has harnessed the development potential of DofE to motivate and inspire young people.  

The win followed a funding event, held at the Youth Zone (Gorton), which saw DofE Donors hearing from HideOut staff about the structure of its DofE model and future implementation into other organisations; promoting impact, engagement and outcomes. This resulted in the commitment of more funding to engage more young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and those with additional needs into the DofE programme.

With 90% of HideOut’s membership (of over 6,000 young people) being those living within the top 10% of the most deprived areas of the UK, and with 20% being those who identify as having an additional need or disability, HideOut worked significantly to reduce barriers to participation and to place emphasis on community access for all members.

Child poverty rates in Manchester have increased to over 40% compared to 31% nationally and in some of the neighbourhoods surrounding the Youth Zone based in Gorton, it’s as high as 60%.

The charity was able to successfully secure £2,234 additional funding which was used to enrol young people onto the cohort by paying participation fees and to provide young people with equipment for their expedition (backpacks, walking boots, compasses and food).

38% of those who completed the Bronze Award through HideOut were those who identified themselves as having an additional needs or disability.

Deputy Head of Youth Work, Kerin, said:

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“We’ve loved seeing our members get involved with the DofE programme this year, and to be invited to the celebrations gave us the opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved. We’ve helped so many young people step out of their comfort zones and achieve incredible things. Everyone deserves the opportunity to take part in these programmes, and I’m proud that at HideOut we’re reducing those barriers for young people in the local area. They’ve loved it!”

Housebuilder Persimmon donates £1,000 to fund lifesaving emergency medical care in the North West of England.

Since 1999, the North West Air Ambulance Charity has hugely impacted the lives of many across the North West.

The charity’s helicopters and critical care cars operate 365 days a year, covering an area of 5,500 square miles. Specialist doctors and helicopter emergency medical service paramedics are on board, bringing the hospital to the scene of the incident for those in a medical emergency.

Just as the many critically ill and injured patients would not have survived without the service the charity provides. The North West Air Ambulance Charity would not be here without the support of its community of fundraisers and partners. The charity is not part of the NHS and doesn’t receive any government funding. They rely entirely on public and corporate donations to carry on saving lives. The North West Air Ambulance Charity must raise over £12 million every year to continue its lifesaving service.

To contribute to funding these life-saving services, North West Air Ambulance Charity has received a donation of £1,000 through housing developer Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme.

The programme operated by Persimmon is open to charities, community groups and local organisations and has made donations of over £1.5 million in the last two years. Donations of up to £6,000 are available to local community and charitable groups every quarter, with applications received via the Community Champions website.  

John Roocroft, Regional Chairman Persimmon Scotland and North West England Region met the team from North West Air Ambulance Charity at their airbase in Barton, Greater Manchester, to hand over a £1,000 cheque to help the charity continue saving lives.

Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, also attended the airbase to understand more about the work undertaken by North West Air Ambulance.

Barbara Keeley MP, Member of Parliament for Worsley and Eccles South, said:

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“I am pleased to have been invited to witness the presentation of a donation of £1,000 from Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions scheme to the North West Air Ambulance.

“The North West Air Ambulance is a vital service which relies on donations to enable it to continue to carry out its life-saving work.”

 

Amy Hulston from North West Air Ambulance Charity said:

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“We are hugely grateful to Persimmon for choosing to support North West Air Ambulance Charity. With support from companies such as Persimmon, we are able to bring the hospital to the patient across the region.”

Attending the presentation, John Roocroft, Regional Chairman Persimmon Scotland and North West England Region, said:

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“At Persimmon, we’re committed to making a positive contribution to the communities we operate within. Services such as North West Air Ambulance Charity don’t receive government funding and rely solely on charitable donations to remain operational.

“We’re delighted to support the North West Air Ambulance Charity through our Community Champions scheme. The critical work they undertake to save lives is essential, and we hope this donation goes some way to helping the charity continue saving lives.”

 

If you wish to contribute to the North West Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving work, donations can be made at www.donate.nwairambulance.org.uk.

Hong Kong nationals making a new life in Salford are to be offered English language tuition to help them find jobs more easily.

Councillor Jack Youd, lead member for finance said the support will be paid for from an extension to the government’s Welcome Programme set up in 2021 when it offered Hong Kong British Overseas nationals the right to live and work in the UK after China passed new national security laws.

The government said the offer reflected the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those who chose to retain ties to the UK by taking up British National (Overseas) status when Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.

“Learning or improving language skills is crucial to finding jobs and managing everyday life. Since 2021 the council and its partners have provided this support to 559 people from Hong Kong, putting us amongst the top three councils in England for support to HK nationals. I’m pleased the government has now recognised that demand nationally is growing and has offered further funding through the Welcome Programme,” said Councillor Youd.

“As part of Salford’s social value benefits, our English language contractors have and will continue to offer professional development opportunities and training for front line staff, placements for trainee tutors and support for volunteers from local businesses to run conversation clubs and one to one tuition. We will also offer workshops on recycling and working in the growing environment sector for learners.”

Earlier this year Salford was recognised as a City of Sanctuary, run by a national charity to create a country-wide network of support for those seeking sanctuary in the UK.

The move was proposed by Councillor Wilson Nkurunziza who fled civil war in his native Burundi in 2002 after members of his family were killed or disappeared in the conflict. He arrived in the UK unable to speak English but has since completed degrees in business studies and social work and organised community events as well as serving as a local councillor.

“I know from my own experience how important it is not only to get help with learning English but also to be met with care, support and respect when you have left your homeland, often under appalling circumstances. That’s why I proposed Salford officially becoming a City of Sanctuary to recognise that we embrace everyone and recognise the contribution of people of all backgrounds to making Salford such an amazing place," he said.

Salford is home to the Northwest Refugees Centre Healthcare Professional Education (REACHE) which has helped over 200 people, mainly doctors, to gain employment in the NHS and two secondary and seven primary ‘sanctuary’ schools The University of Salford provides scholarships to asylum seekers who cannot access student finance and are therefore excluded from higher education.

Work has started on 48 new homes for social rent on the site of a former amateur rugby league clubhouse in Eccles.

ForHousing is building the properties where Salford City Roosters RLFC had its base.

The housing group says the development will be made up of 30 apartments and 18 two and three-bedroom homes for social rent, including four bungalows that are accessible for wheelchair users, on Hallsworth Road, and will be ‘truly affordable and eco-responsible’. 

The Salford City Roosters are retaining a smaller site with enhanced facilities at their new clubhouse which is closer to their rugby pitches.  

Homes England has granted £3.6million of funding to the £9m development being delivered by ForHousing, which owns and manages more than 24,000 homes across the North West. 

Designed by JDA Architects, the scheme is earmarked for completion in early 2024. 

Every home will be Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band A and B and zero-carbon, include electric car chargers and have electric heating rather than gas.  

ForHousing chief executive Mike Parkin recently visited the new site alongside Coun Tracy Kelly, Coun Mike McCusker, representatives from Salford City Council and the Salford City Roosters.  

Mr Parkin said:

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“We’re really proud to be underway with work at Hallsworth Road.   

“This development will provide greatly needed social rent homes that are fit for the future. Starting on site here is a fitting way to celebrate a decade of providing safe, well-maintained, sustainable and affordable homes in Salford.  

“As we now look ahead to the next ten years, we’re renewing our commitment to building social rent homes in Salford and across the North West, to help meet soaring demand for truly affordable homes."

 

Coun Kelly, who is deputy city mayor and lead member for housing, property and regeneration at Salford city council, said:

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“These 28 houses, including bungalows and 20 apartments will all be available to rent as social housing and will make such a difference to the lives of people who move into them.”

Before work began on the Hallsworth Road site, the University of Salford undertook an archaeological dig which confirmed the site is not of archaeological significance.  

Over the past decade, ForHousing has delivered more than 1,500 affordable homes across the North West, including more than 1,000 homes in Salford, and has a further 1,330 homes in the pipeline.

Salford Loading, the collaboration between visual arts charity The Art House and Quayside MediaCity, has welcomed Salford-based charity I4YPC through its doors to deliver its diversionary arts and education programme for young people.

Founded by Micky Dacks, l4YPC’s sole focus is tackling the increasing number of high school exclusions and the paths many young people can go down once this happens – something Micky experienced first-hand.

After being permanently excluded from school at 13 and left to roam the streets, Micky soon found himself gravitating towards gang life, eventually ending up with a custodial sentence. But rather than becoming institutionalised and another statistic as many others do, Micky was steadfast in his desire to tackle what he saw as a gap in the education system and prevent others from going down the same route as he did.

One of those diversionary tactics is the charity’s own musical production ‘Innit’ – a real-life tale of working-class life in Salford, dysfunctional families, teenage antagonists, and the decisions faced at forks in the road.

Through Salford Loading, Micky and the I4YPC team are currently hosting auditions at Quayside for the 16 roles in the musical, which for the first time ever will enjoy a two-week run at The Lowry in MediaCity this September 2023. What’s more, to reach as many young people as possible with the play’s message, tickets and public transport to the theatre will be free of charge for 1,200 of Salford’s young people between the age of 12 and 16.

The former retail turned creative space is also running acting, drama, choir, and art workshops for everyone from young people to parents and toddlers to drop in, have fun, and build their confidence in new creative forms. The charity is also providing a platform for young people to display their artistic creations and even sell them.

Micky and the team have already welcomed more than 400 young people through its doors in the two weeks it’s been open. He says: “The response to our new space and being more visible through Salford Loading has been immense – it’s an incredible partnership that The Art House and Quayside MediaCity have embarked on.

“The teenage years are such a turbulent time for many young people and a lot do veer off on the wrong path, not always through their own fault or because they’re inherently bad – just look at me; I made mistakes but I’ve always felt that the trajectory I was on could have changed if I’d have had the right arm over my shoulder at the right time.

“That’s what this charity, this musical, and these workshops are all about – connecting with young people when they need guidance. We’ve already received so much great feedback that a lot of our visitors have calmed down and found new direction since coming to our workshops. This is something I’m so passionate about and all of us at the charity appreciate the support of other organisations to be given a platform to help others.”

Salford Loading’s aim is to provide opportunities for artists, collectives, and social enterprises within the local community to grow their fledgling business or community initiative within a retail environment.

The initiative builds on the success of a number of other projects, one of which saw pop-up gift shop Flock and Gaggle open at Quayside in February, which continues to showcase products by local makers and artists and operate a series of creative workshops for the local community.

In a recent survey by leading animal healthcare brand Johnson’s Veterinary Products into the purchasing habits of pet owners, a surprising 61% of pet owners in the North West said they would be willing to pay for a dog licence if they were reintroduced by the Government.

These regional statistics reveal overwhelming support with a further 37% feeling the reintroduction of licences would deter unsuitable dog owners, and 25% believing it would encourage better standards and training, which would hopefully protect the public from irresponsible owners and unpredictable pets.

The survey, which sought to identify the factors that influence buying decisions when owners seek healthcare products for their pets, comes at an interesting time following calls for greater safeguarding surrounding dog ownership in the aftermath of recent serious dog-related injuries to owners and members of the public.

The decision to reintroduce dog licences would not be without its critics at a time of economic uncertainty, but it will undoubtedly pique the interest of those in both central and local government.

Paul Gwynn, Managing Director of Johnsons Veterinary Products, commented:

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“This willingness to pay for a dog licence was a surprising response, but perhaps signals that recent high-profile dog attacks have changed the thinking of the majority of responsible dog owners.

“Whilst serious incidents involving dog attacks remain rare, each one is a tragedy and it feels like more could be done to reduce the risks. Dog owners understand the need to train and socialize their dogs, but a willingness to buy a licence in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, whilst a surprise, readily demonstrates the importance they place on regulation of dog ownership. 

“The findings of the survey make interesting reading for those with the best interests of ‘man’s best friend’ to heart, with those polled believing the reintroduction of licences would deliver significant safety and regulatory benefits, albeit at a cost of more than £38 per dog, per year.

“Although not an issue discussed at the highest levels, it is likely the Government will see this as an opportunity to raise significant funds that can be redistributed to address high-profile issues, not all of which will necessarily be dog related.

“With there being an estimated 13 million pet dogs in the UK as of 2021, given that nationally, 71% of those questioned would be willing to pay an average of £38 per animal, the reintroduction of dog licences could raise more than £475M.”

 

A not-for-profit social enterprise which teaches cooking skills, helping people eat healthier at a low cost, has set up its pop-up kitchens at youth centres in Manchester – thanks to funding from The Guinness Partnership. 

The team at Cracking Good Food teach people to cook from scratch using seasonal ingredients. They are running free classes at Manchester Youth Zone and Darnhill Community Centre, with more due to start at Newbold Community Centre this month (May). Recipes include dishes such as bean burgers, Tofu katsu curry, spring minestrone soup, and sweet and sour stir fry. 

Director of Cracking Good Food, Tracey Torley, said:

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“The Guinness Partnership has invested an immense amount of time and finance to boost the health, wellbeing and low fuel cook from scratch skills of their residents and the wider community, which have been greatly received by the Rochdale and Harpurhey communities. 

“It’s been really uplifting to see the impact it’s already having; teaching people the pleasure of cooking and how simple changes can lead to a healthier diet – like learning to make a cheese sauce from scratch rather than using a packet mix which has more salt and sugar content.    

“It’s about empowering people. It gives people more control over their food choices, inspires them to try new foods, encourages them to be more mindful, and better informed about food waste, and it also helps people learn healthier, low-fuel cooking techniques.” 

 

With the cost of living rising, initiatives like Cracking Good Food have never been needed more. Figures published by the House of Commons Library at the end of last month (April) showed inflation reaching a 41-year high. 

And the 2022 Poverty Monitor by Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) showed: 

144,770 children (around one in four young people) in the city-region were living in poverty.

181,588 households, representing some 15 per cent of the Greater Manchester total number, were experiencing fuel poverty

195,000 workers were earning less than the Real Living Wage of £9.90 an hour.

Brian Hamlin, Senior Community Partnership Manager at The Guinness Partnership, said:

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“It’s often thought that eating healthily is more expensive than eating unhealthily but Cracking Good Food is showing the opposite can be true, and that cooking can be simple and easy. It’s an essential life skill. 

“It’s why we’re funding their amazing work so they can continue to support more people in Manchester.” 

Participants in the cookery school have said they have been surprised by how much they have learned and just how tasty the dishes were. 

One woman taking part, said “It was amazing. The food was delicious and the interaction with the young people was very positive.” 

 

While one of the young people in a session, simply said about one of the dishes: “I'll have that again, it was bangin’.” 

If your musical tastes embrace The MC5, Dr Feelgood, The Legendary Shack Shakers and similar driving, wailing, blues/punk then get your self down to The Deaf Institute, Manchester this Tuesday, 23rd May for an evening of romping, stomping musical energy that is Daddy Long Legs Band.

I saw them last year at The Blues Kitchen as they ripped up the joint with their dirty backwater blues, primal drumbeats and a driving slide neck guitar, I have seen the Light!

The band are touring promoting their new album, Street Sermons which was released earlier this year it sees the boys widen their sonic horizons with field hollers, gospel Cajun, and Mississipi Hill Music coupled with their renowned super charged, harp driven bangers.

As fan of the band, Percy Shelley so famously didn't say...

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"Rise like lions after slumber, shake your chains to earth like dew and get your sorry arses down to the Deaf Institute for some proper ass kicking revolutionary rock"

If your jaded appetite has got you interested give them a listen..

Get your tickets here... https://www.seetickets.com/event/daddy-long-legs/the-deaf-institute/2567729

This month is getting worse for me, firstly Ted Edwards the Eccles explorer, author and all round good guy passed away and last night I heard the news that Paul Sherratt had died in March this year aged 73.

You may not remember Paul, he was an incredibly talented, funny, kind and colourful man, who I enjoyed having a pint or two with, despite him nodding off mid sentence... not boredom he had a form of narcolepsy, by which he could suddenly nod off for five minutes or so, and then wake up as if nothing had happened.. quite remarkable really, a bit like him!

He wrote a book of poetry in the late 1970s called, The Lancashire Vampire, which I purchased and it had me in stitches, one line I can recall was...

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"In a one eyed town called Nelson..." at that time I had co written The History of Eccles Pubs with Neil Richardson and Paul would always say to me, whilst laughing..

"Us authors got to stick together, Flynny"

I know that several of his poems were broadcast on the BBC and he had plans to write another book of poetry, but I think life got in the way as Paul more than enjoyed the social life in the pubs of Eccles, poetry readings at The Duke of York folk nights and to see him stand up on a Karaoke night and belt out, "Like a Bat Out Of Hell" or "Louie Louie" was a delight.

Another of his traits besides his loud ties and slightly eccentric dress taste was the  prodigious amount of snuff he would take, he would take out several tins of snuff and take a pinch out of one or two of them and snort up his nose, much to the astonishment of onlookers. I would imagine the sale of snuff at Gordon's Newsagents has plummeted.

His good friend, Bob Marshall told me this about Paul:

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"I went to a good few gigs with him but given the amount we used to drink they all blur, he was famous for falling asleep during other peoples performances and then getting on stage himself and being brilliant, he had a sequence of music hall tunes to which he wrote stuff about getting pissed " I'm emptying my eighth I am......" followed by "I'm forever drinking Ruddles ..." then "Twenty pints of Holts twenty pints of Holts you've just been sick on the floor you shouldn't eat curry I've told you before..."

The great thing was it was supposed to be a sing-along sequence called the Camra Crawl to initial tune of the Lambeth Walk "any evening and all day north west east or south you may find us all doing the Camra Crawl..." but Paul would take a drink or seven and scramble the order the songs came in and and repeat the verses, miss out the chorus, and sing the wrong tune, great fun but not likely to get repeat gigs. if he could have kept on top of the ale he'd been better known but like a good few performers I've known, working in pubs is the wrong place"

 

Salford Councillor Paul Cusack another friend of Paul's, told me:

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"He was a one off: intellectual, poet, raconteur, self confessed functioning alcoholic and a snuff taker of some considerable note.

His humour and interest in friends, acquaintances and people in general never abated. He never did things by halves but consumed everything interesting in his world in large portions.

To his friends he was a great friend and he always delighted in seeing and speaking to them. His wit and conversation are irreplaceable"

 

Paul, I shall raise a glass to you tonight but decline the snuff, you will be sorely missed, my old friend.