A sensory room with state-of-the-art equipment for patients receiving neurorehabilitation has been created at Salford Royal Hospital, thanks to charitable funding.

The room was funded by NorthCare, the official charity of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust with support from NHS Charities Together, will support patients who have experienced brain injuries and require physical or mental rehabilitation during their stay in hospital, including those suffering from symptoms of ‘long Covid’.

Kim Cochrane, Occupational Therapy Lead for Neurorehab at the hospital, said:

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“lots of patients only receive rehab further along in their recovery journey because they still have clinical needs and need to be cared for in hospital, rather than a rehab facility.

“Having high-quality resources to support rehabilitation here at Salford Royal means that patients can start that part of their recovery journey earlier and longer-term. It will be life changing.”

 

The team submitted the project for funding in 2020, requesting to transform a large storage room into an area for patient assessments and interventions, with space for a range of sensory equipment such as light activities, a projector and different seating options to allow patients with limited movement to relax and feel comfortable.

Thanks to a grant from NHS Charities Together, NorthCare Charity was able to allocate the funding required to bring the project to life, purchasing the sensory equipment which will allow staff to try a wider range of therapeutic techniques with their patients.

Karen Casper, Fundraising Officer at NorthCare Charity, cut the ribbon to officially open the new room, and said:

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“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to support this project, which will have a huge impact on patients and staff alike.

“The team have been innovative and creative in putting this project forward, utilising every inch of the space and choosing equipment with clinically proven results for patients who are starting their recovery journey after experiencing major trauma.

“This project is just one example of NorthCare Charity’s commitment to supporting major trauma services to go above and beyond – our current appeal aims to raise £1.4 million to fund the life-saving RAPTOR Theatre in the Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital.”

 

For more information on NorthCare Charity and their RAPTOR Appeal, visit www.northcarecharity.org/raptor.

A new learning centre officially launched in Salford yesterday (Wednesday 8 February) is set to empower thousands of young people to achieve their academic and career ambitions.

The facility, located in The Beacon Centre, is a collaboration between the University of Salford, The University of Manchester, and national education charity IntoUniversity to provide long-term educational support to young people facing disadvantage and who are typically underrepresented in higher education.

The launch event brought together young people who will benefit from the centre, their parents and guardians, donors, organisers and local supporters. Guests were also surprised by a special video message from award-winning comedian and Salford alumnus Peter Kay, who himself had a life-changing experience by going to university to study Media and Performance.

Working closely with local schools, businesses and universities, the centre offers long-term support to young people aged 7-18, helping them to discover their focus, build their capabilities and ultimately have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Support offered at the centre includes after-school academic support, mentoring with local university students and professionals, in-school aspiration-raising workshops and enrichment and work experience opportunities. Once established, the centre will support over 1,000 students per year.

Salford was found to be the 18th most deprived local authority in England, out of 317, according to the Government’s 2019 Index of Multiple Level of Deprivation. Figures suggest around 22% of children in Salford are living in poverty (Greater Manchester Poverty Action, 2022). Pupils facing disadvantage in Salford are now 22.9 months of learning behind their peers by the time they finish their GCSEs (EPI, 2020), making it a high-priority area for this additional educational support.

IntoUniversity centres have a strong track record of improving outcomes for young people in England. 66% of school leavers who attended IntoUniversity centres in 2021 went on to progress to university, compared with 26.6% of students from similar backgrounds nationally.

In attendance at the launch were around 25 students aged 7-18, all set to benefit from the centre for the next academic year and beyond, with some of them delivering speeches.

Primary school students took part in a variety of activities during the event replicating the type of activities they will be engaging with in the year ahead during after-school academic support sessions. Secondary school students came up with questions about future study and careers to survey attending guests.

Peter Kay offered some sound advice for students at the centre, telling them:

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“There’s a lot on offer at IntoUniversity to help young people achieve their potential and realise ambitions they may have never even considered. For all the children benefitting from the centre, my advice would be to take every opportunity you’re offered. You’re never going to know what will come up in life and you might fall in love with something you’ve never thought of. You’ve got time to explore many new subjects – keep your options open because you never stop learning.”

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

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“As a university, we have a strong track record in the area of widening participation and are motivated to helping students realise their full potential. We are proud to make a major contribution to providing access to higher education across Salford, the North West and nationally.

“I am delighted to support the launch of a new IntoUniversity right here on our doorstep in Salford. The new centre will engage traditionally under-represented groups and aid our mission to give all students the best possible opportunity in life to succeed.”

 

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester said:

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“University education is a transformative experience for individuals, and for the prosperity of our local communities, so we are really enthusiastic about this new partnership with IntoUniversity in Salford. It adds to the existing IntoUniversity centre we support in North Manchester, which has already supported more than 2,500 students with their academic work since autumn 2018. I’m very grateful to the staff, students and donors who have helped make the Salford centre happen and who will ensure its ongoing success.”

Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, said:

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“We are delighted to have officially launched this centre in Salford Central, building on our existing work in the Greater Manchester area. The young people of Salford have so much to offer, but circumstances can mean they don’t get the same opportunities as other young people to reach their potential. We’re delighted that through this unique collaboration between local universities, we can provide many young people in the area with the support they need to succeed. We’re looking forward to continuing to build partnerships with schools and families in the local community and supporting students to achieve their ambitions.”

Music fan, Stephen Whitehead today boosted our foodbank appeal to a whopping £500 when he handed over £50 to us following a Fred and Flynny Show in which they were talking about music, Tamla Motown in particular.

I had brought along a few vinyl albums from my collection to talk about as we chatted about Manchester nightclubs, fashions, music and people from the 1960s and 1970s.

Amongst the albums was a five album, boxed set of Tamla Motown music through the years and I said, half jokingly that if anybody wished to buy it and donate to our foodbank appeal they were more than welcome to bid.

At the same time thanks to the generosity of Premier Genealogist Glenn Kennedy a full family tree search was offered as a prize with Glenn choosing to donate the money from the highest bid to our appeal, a bidding war ensued and Joan Fielder won with a bid of £420 which Glenn topped up to £450 out of his own pocket.

Steve Whitehead was one of the unsuccessful bidders, but he was determined to help out the appeal he contacted us and bid £50 for the albums, thus ramping up the money to £500.

Stephen told us:

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"I am a Salford lad through and through and watch all of the Fred and Flynny Shows and remember you mentioning the album and foodbanks, I did bid for the family tree research but was pipped at the post and so decided to donate £50 for the album to round it up.

I love my music and this takes me back to my youth when I used to go to The Twisted Wheel and The Oasis Club in Manchester with my pals, great days and I can remember Fred when he used to DJ around town under the name of Chunky Baby.

The money will go to deserving causes and it upsets me to know and see that people depend on foodbanks in this day and age, a sad state of affairs which shouldn't be happening, and I am more than glad to help in any way I can"

 

We are still busy working out which foodbanks and local charities will receive  this money, we have earmarked £50 for John Brierley who is taking part in the 100K in February fundraiser for St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton, Emmanuel Church Foodbank, Salford, Cornerstone Food Store and several breakfast clubs in the area will also benefit, just wish we had more to give.

Many thanks to Stephen, Glenn Kennedy, Joan Fielder and all the other wonderful people who have kindly helped us with our foodbank appeals.

Cheers!

Ritual and redemption inspired by The Rite of Spring danced to original new music played and sung live on stage

The Lowry, Salford - 21 & 22 March at 7.30pm

The award-winning South African choreographer Dada Masilo’s re-imagining of Giselle was a huge hit when it came to Salford in 2019. On 21st and 22nd March 2023, Masilo and her company of eleven incredible dancers return to The Lowry with her latest work The Sacrifice, inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s monumental score and Pina Bausch’s seminal The Rite of Spring.

Soweto-born Masilo has attracted much attention for fusing different dance forms and her retelling of classic stories. She mines her cultural background to create a choreographic style unlike any other. For The Sacrifice, she combines the European heritage of The Rite of Spring with the uniquely rhythmic and expressive movements of Tswana, the traditional dance of Botswana, often used in storytelling and in healing ceremonies. At the piece’s heart is the epic struggle of the sacrificial victim, danced by Masilo herself.

Masilo’s The Sacrifice questions the evil that humans do to each other and explores the power of community to bring about change. Masilo says: “I wanted to explore ritual, what sacrifice meant to the Tswana people then and what it means now. Narrative is very important to me. I wanted to create a story that is deeper than a chosen maiden dancing herself to death.”

The all-South African cast deliver an exhilarating performance. Eleven spectacular dancers hold the stage with their earthy rooted mix of traditional Tswana moves and contemporary dance.  They perform to an original score composed by violinist Leroy Mapholo, pianist Nathi Shongwe and opera and gospel choir singer Ann Masina who plays a powerful goddess figure. Joined by percussionist Mpho Mothiba, the musicians play live on stage, interacting with the dancers to powerful, sometimes humorous, effect.

The dancers are Dada Masilo, Leorate Dibatana, Lwando Dutyulwa, Lehlohonolo Madise, Songezo Mcilizeli, Steven Mokone, Refiloe Mogoge, Thandiwe Mqokeli, Thuso Lobeko, Eutychia Rakaki and Tshepo Zasekhaya. Costumes are by David Hutt with lighting and projections by Suzette le Sueur.

Dance Consortium is a group of 18 large-scale theatres with a mission to bring the best international dance to stages across the UK and Ireland.

Dada Masilo: The Sacrifice will be at The Lowry, Salford on 21st and 22nd March. For more information and tickets visit https://thelowry.com or call 0161 876 2000.

Photo ©: Tristram Kenton

Temporary traffic lights are to be installed near Salford's busiest roundabout from Tuesday 21 February to try and improve traffic flow.

Worsley Courthouse roundabout and the nearby Worsley Interchange take traffic from three busy roads and two motorway slip roads for the M60. Worsley Courthouse roundabout alone sees nearly 14,000 vehicles pass through in peak times.

Now Salford City Council is to test whether traffic lights can help by giving drivers on each arm of the junction a fair chance of getting onto the roundabout and away to their destination. The trial could run for up to six months and will be closely monitored throughout, with lights being adjusted as required to get the best flow of traffic.

The lights will be placed on Worsley Brow, just south of where the M60 crosses the junction overhead and will be monitored through cameras and sensors in the roadways.

After the morning rush, the lights will be activated if queues begin to build on Worsley Road (A572) and Barton Road (B5211) and will operate into the evening peak period before being switched off again.

The lights will briefly pause traffic from Boothstown, Walkden and the M60 slip road to allow vehicles on Worsley Road and Barton Road to safely join the roundabout.

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

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"These roads and roundabouts were built when there was far less traffic overall and were never designed to cope with the volume of traffic they handle today.  

"Remodelling work to manage a two percent increase in traffic due to the new RHS garden has helped but hasn't solved the problem for drivers trying to get onto the roundabout from Worsley and Eccles. The new traffic lights should allow them to join the roundabout more easily and safely.

"The lights will be closely monitored and adjusted as needed but it may take a little time to match the sequencing to the best traffic flow. I'd ask motorists to bear with it while this trial beds in. Data will be collected throughout the trial to see what impact the lights have on traffic flow."

 

If the trial is successful and data shows an improvement, the temporary lights could be replaced with permanent lights, subject to funding being available.

On International Women's Day 8th March shoppers at Salford Tesco can learn the latest news for women born in the 1950s about possible compensation for inadequate notice of  changes to their state pension age.  

An information stand will be run by the Salford and Eccles Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) Campaign in the Salford Tesco Extra foyer (Pendleton Way, M6 5JG). 

With a ruling about compensation for 1950s women imminent, Judith Robertson and members of Salford and Eccles Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) Campaign will be handing out tea bags and information leaflets to 1950s women shoppers in Salford Tesco on International Women's Day 8th March. 

A statement released from the group said:

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"The Ombudsman ruled that it was maladministration when 1950s-born women were not given proper notice that we would have to wait several years longer to get our State Pension," explained Campaign Co-ordinator Judith Robertson. "The Ombudsman's final report is due to be published by the end of March and will explain whether over 5,000 1950s women in our area may be due some compensation. 

 "We will be celebrating International Women's Day by making sure as many women as possible are in touch with the WASPI campaign so they can find out if they are affected by the Ombudsman's ruling. 

"We will be giving out a tea bag with our leaflet so when women get home they can have a well-deserved cup of tea, read our leaflet and visit the WASPI Campaign website to find out out all they need to know." 

 

Anyone interested can meet the WASPI women at their stand in Salford Tesco on Wednesday 8th March  between 11.00 and 14.00.                                               

Staff at a north west construction company have chosen the North West Air Ambulance Charity as their charity of the year in honour of a colleague’s sister who was treated by a crew following a hit-and-run incident.

Ruby Cropper, aged 11, from Radcliffe, near Bury, was critically injured in August 2020, when she was struck by a speeding motorist while crossing a road with a friend to go to a nearby park.

The youngster suffered severe head injuries and was treated at the scene by the North West Air Ambulance Charity’s crew before being taken to hospital, where she passed away two days later.

The motorist drove off but later handed himself in, and in February last year he was jailed for five years after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Following the tragedy, Ruby’s family donated her organs in accordance with her own wishes, and three lives have been saved so far. This led to Ruby being posthumously honoured with the Order of St John UK Award for Organ Donation. Her family accepted the honour on her behalf.

Ruby’s brother Ryan Veitch, aged 26, is a business services assistant at Salford-based MC Construction and nominated the NWAA Charity as the company’s charity of the year for 2023.

Ryan said:

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“The crew who attended the incident were amazing. They were on the scene within 15 minutes and dealt with the situation very well to give Ruby the best chance of survival. They also helped to keep my mum calm at what was an incredibly traumatic time, and reassure her that Ruby was in the best hands.

“I will always have a lot of respect for the charity. It’s a wonderful cause and an organisation which has a special place in my heart. It functions with no government funding, and I want them to be able to continue their work and support them wherever possible.

“I think it’s fantastic that the staff at MC Construction have voted NWAA Charity as our charity of the year. Everyone at the company has been really supportive. We’re like one big family here and hopefully we will be able to raise a lot of money.”

 

  Ryan paid tribute to Ruby, saying:

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“She was a sweet little angel. She had a very caring nature, she was funny, witty and always laughing. She was clever and a star student at her school.

“She is greatly missed by everyone who knew her. I wear a necklace containing her ashes so she is always with me.”

 

Ryan is planning a series of fundraising events and activities involving MC Construction during the course of the year.

The North West Air Ambulance Charity’s helicopters and rapid response vehicles operate 365 days a year, with highly-skilled specialist doctors and paramedics on board providing enhanced pre-hospital care and hospital transfers to patients across the entire north west – an area covering 5,500 square miles with a population of over eight million people.

Since it launched in 1999, the charity has been called to over 22,000 missions across the region, with the service called out an average of seven times a day.

It is completely reliant on public and corporate donations to keep it operational and helping to save lives, needing to raise over £9.5m a year to support its lifesaving service.    

MC Construction director Chris Purcell said:

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“We’re extremely pleased to be supporting North West Air Ambulance Charity as our charity of the year.

“Everyone at the company has been touched by the tragic loss of Ruby, and this is a way of showing our support for Ryan and his family too.

“The charity provides a service which is vital for the region, and we hope that the money we raise will make a significant difference.”

 

Amy Hulston, NWAA’s head of high value giving and corporate, said:

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“We are hugely grateful to MC Construction for choosing to support North West Air Ambulance Charity.

“With support from companies such as MC Construction, we are able to bring the hospital to the patient across the region. We are looking forward to supporting all of the company’s fundraising efforts throughout 2023.”

 

The results of the latest Manchester Crane survey, highlight it's been another hugely successful year as regeneration across both Manchester and Salford continues at pace.

The report, created by Deloitte, the international professional services company measures the amount of development projects taking place across both Manchester and Salford and their impact. The report covers Manchester and Salford city centres, which Deloitte classifies as the area which closely borders Manchester city centre, along with Media City and The Quays.

In the last 12 months, 25 new projects across various sectors began in Manchester and Salford city centres. This includes 17 new residential developments under construction - the highest since 2018, whilst 2,734 homes were delivered to the market.

The results presented in the report are consistent with city's position as an attractive proposition for investors, developers, businesses and residents alike. Salford is now recognised across the sector as a driving force in the region with a commitment to sustainable growth and regeneration at the heart of its approach.

Outside London, the region continues to lead the way in construction activity, helping to make positive impacts and economic growth across the two cities. The range of development taking place is significant and made all the more impressive in light of the current economic challenges and reflects a real resilience in the regional economy.

On the residential front, Salford city centre, has seen the largest share of development, with 13,578 homes now having been completed since 2014. Looking to the future, the number of new residential projects starting in this area of the market show no signs of slowing down.

Residential developments currently onsite include Greenhaus, 96 Passivehaus-acrredited affordable apartments as part of The English Cities Fund £1bn Salford Central masterplan.

This growth in new homes in Salford is in tandem with a population increase of 15.4%. Population growth in both Salford and Manchester is higher than the proportional increase for England (6.6%) again highlighting the region is an attractive proposition for people to settle and make a home. Whether this is following from studying in the area or relocating to take up a position in one of the many new businesses now making a base in the region.

In the office sector, 702,000 sq. ft of new floorspace was delivered to market in 2022, this is despite the trend seeing more people continuing to work from home. Construction levels are growing and take up of this new space is encouraging. High-quality spaces provided by the likes of 100 Embankment and New Bailey in Salford are in demand and attracting new tenants to the city.

Only last month 100 Embankment was named 'Manchester and Salford's best performing office' for 2022 with recent lettings taking the building to c.75% full with over 120,000 sq ft let.

Across the two cities, five new office projects will create 1.1m sq. ft of space, with a total of 1.7m sq. ft. currently under construction including Eden, 115,000 sq ft office accommodation, one of the most environmentally friendly offices in the UK. TLT law firm has signed a 15-year lease to take the top two floors. The building will run on 100% renewable electricity and has been designed using the UK Green Building Council's 2035 – 2050 standards.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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"The results of this survey reveal our strategy for growth and regeneration in action. We are committed to developing sustainable growth in the city and this will continue in the future as we react to the growing needs of residents and businesses.

Next, we look to MIPIM as we to further share the Salford story and enact our bold approach and new shared visions for two of our key town centres; Eccles and Swinton. This will see redevelopment extend beyond the recognised areas of the city centre and Media City and deliver economic growth shared out across the city."

 

Salford City Council Chief Executive Tom Stannard said:

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"These results are pleasing to see, but to those in the city and everyone focused on delivering growth for the city, they will not be a surprise. We have a plan for the city and are putting it into place. The positivity highlighted in this report have come over time and a commitment to a joint approach we have developed across Salford. We continue to work closely with city partners and developers to hopefully bring more growth and success in this area."

It's time to get those steps in with Peel L&P and team Christie for The Bridgewater Canal’s biggest ever charity event to take place in its 260-year history.

Peel L&P and The Christie charity are encouraging people across Greater Manchester to get up and out in the fresh air for a canal side stroll to raise money to support the services provided by Manchester’s world-class cancer centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie will start at the spectacular Trafford Palazzo on Sunday 4 June. Walkers of the 5-kilometre route will get to enjoy some of Greater Manchester’s most famous sites during the route which line the historic Bridgewater Canal whilst fundraising for The Christie charity.

With plenty of space and accessible walkways along The Bridgewater Canal, Peel L&P (who own and operate The Bridgewater Canal), and The Christie charity are hoping for more than 500 walkers to step out and stroll to raise tens of thousands of pounds in aid of The Christie charity. All abilities and paces will be welcome to walk.

The money raised through The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie, will support The Christie’s pioneering bloods closer to home service. The service, which is funded by The Christie charity and run by Christie staff, operates from 11 convenient locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

As the largest single site cancer centre in Europe, The Christie treats more than 60,000 patients across the North West each year. The bloods closer to home service, allows patients to book their own appointments online at a time that suits them, in a location that is convenient for them. Taking a blood sample is vital for patients to check how their organs are functioning and protein levels, which can also act as markers to see how the patient is responding to treatment. The blood sampling process takes less than a couple of minutes, however some patients have had to do a 2-hour roundtrip to get to The Christie’s Withington site. The bloods closer to home service drastically cuts down travel times which can be draining for patients needing frequent testing on top of undergoing treatment.

The fundraising walk will take place along the picturesque and historic Bridgewater Canal. Considered to be the first true canal in England, the 39-mile (65km) canal stretches from Runcorn to Leigh and was constructed over 250 years ago by the Duke of Bridgewater to transport coal from his mine at Worsley in Greater Manchester efficiently and cheaply to the rapidly expanding towns and cities nearby. Nowadays, The Bridgewater Canal is one of the best spots in Greater Manchester for wellbeing and is a leisure waterway popular with many cruising boaters.

Notable sites along the walk will include Old Trafford football stadium, Lancashire County Cricket Club’s ground, The Trafford Centre and the Embassy Village site which will be the UK’s largest purpose-built village for rough sleepers, being delivered by Peel L&P and partners. Prior to the walk there will be a variety of entertainment hosted at Trafford Palazzo and the party atmosphere will continue for walkers who complete the walk in Castlefield with more music, street food and drinks.

Strollers who sign up will receive fundraising tips, a sponsorship pack, and a free T-shirt to celebrate participating in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie, as well as a medal once walkers have completed the event. To help with The Christie charity’s goal to support its bloods closer to home service, the organisers would like to ask everyone who takes part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie to aim to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50.

Peter Parkinson, Director Bridgewater Canal at Peel L&P said:

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“We are really looking forward to delivering this event in aid of The Christie charity. The Bridgewater Canal is a fantastic location with a fascinating history and is regularly enjoyed by many individuals and communities.

“This will be the biggest charity event to ever take place in The Bridgewater Canal’s history and we are excited to welcome so many new visitors to enjoy our accessible space which encourages wellness, connecting with nature and for walkers to see the iconic Manchester skyline from the canal side.”

 

Anna McIntosh, Major Relationships Development Manager at The Christie charity, said: 

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“We are extremely excited that Peel L&P is creating this event to support The Christie and its Bloods Closer to Home service, This type of support means a huge amount to The Christie and funds raised from this event will directly improve services and helps us to support patients by making treatments more accessible in the surrounding area for many years to come.”

Kate Holland, Head of Charity and Community Initiatives for The Peel Group said: 

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“We are proud supporters of The Christie charity and the pioneering research and support it provides to those affected by cancer. We wanted to create an event utilising one of Peel L&P’s most historic assets, whilst promoting the health benefits of walking and exercising as well as raising much needed funds for such an important charity to our region.

"We hope that lots of families, friends, teams and individuals feel encouraged to take part in this inclusive event, going at their own pace and enjoying the surroundings of the scenic Bridgewater Canal whilst raising much-needed funds for The Christie to support its services.”

 

How to sign up

You can sign up now to take part in The Bridgewater Way Walk in aid of The Christie on Sunday 4 June by visiting the website here.

Sign up prices are £15 per adult, £8 per child under 16, £38 for a family (2 adults, 2 children) and £65 for a team of 5 adults.

If you would like to become an official corporate sponsor of the event, please email the-christie.appeal.companies@nhs.net

A 16th-century portrait of an important Tudor lady-in-waiting is back on display at Ordsall Hall, Salford's Tudor house and museum, following restoration.

The much-loved portrait 'Lady in a Court Dress' has been rehung in the Great Chamber of Ordsall Hall after four years away. Since then, funds have been raised for conservation work that has made some fascinating revelations.

Previously very little was known about the portrait, which had been on show in Salford for over 40 years and become a favourite feature for visitors.

It is thanks to a generous donation from Salford developer ForLiving, the ethical landlord behind the riverside community Dock 5 just down the road from Ordsall Hall.

Peter Ogilvie, Collections Manager, Salford Museum & Art Gallery, said: 

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"The painting has been away from the hall for over four years and has been greatly missed by the public and staff alike. The Court Lady has always been regarded as part of the fabric of the Hall, so it is fabulous to have her back and looking so good as well.

"Without this opportunity, we would not have been in the position to learn more about the content and development of the painting. For instance, we now know from X-rays that she once had a necklace of pearls which accounts for the unusual position of her right hand."

 

As well as the meticulous 12-step restoration process carried out by freelance painting conservator Rebecca Kench ACR, the curators have also taken the opportunity to find out more about the mysterious sitter.

Studying the design of the lady-in-waiting's dress has revealed that the portrait very likely dates from 1590-1600. It is a similar design to other portraits by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, who was a popular painter by the end of Elizabeth I's reign and who is believed to have inspired the portrait.

With this date, it also makes the oil portrait one of the first to feature a sitter wearing the unusual black silk cord and 'ring' on her left wrist. This piece of jewellery appears in other portraits by Gheeraerts and his contemporaries from around ten years later, including of Anne of Denmark and Elizabeth Southwell, a maid of honour to Elizabeth I.

Combined with the discovery of the pearl necklace, the curators are even more sure their 'Lady in a Court Dress', attributed to a British School artist, was someone important.

Peter Ogilvie added: 

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"Thanks to the generosity of ForLiving and their investment in the community of Ordsall, we have managed to get our painting repaired."

Speaking about working on the oil-on-board painting, the conservator Rebecca Kench ACR said: "It's been lovely having the panel in the studio. Retouching the join to match the 1950's varnish was a challenge, but she looks beautiful now she's finished."

 

Mark Edwards, Strategic Lead at ForLiving, added: 

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"We really hope news of the restored portrait will capture the imagination of local people.

"People are at the centre of everything we do at ForLiving, so it's great to know how much this means to the Salford community. I can also say how much the residents at Dock 5 have enjoyed getting to know Ordsall Hall through the events we have held there."

 

Now run and managed by Salford Community Leisure, Ordsall Hall is one of the UK's best examples of Tudor architecture in the UK. The portrait is on view now and the Tudor mansion is open from Sunday to Thursday and is free to visit.

Photos:

1.     'Lady in a Court Dress' with (L to R) Robert Smith, PRS Manager at ForLiving, Jennifer Holland, Commercial Manager at Salford Museums & Galleries, Gemma Francis, PRS Portfolio Manager at ForLiving, and Peter Ogilvie, Collections Manager at Salford Museum & Art Gallery.

2.     'Lady in a Court Dress' in the Great Chamber of Ordsall Hall.

3.     'Lady in a Court Dress' undergoing restoration.

Painting: 'Lady in a Court Dress', c. 1590-1600, attributed to a British School artist in the style of Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger (c.1561–c.1636), Ordsall Hall.

The body of a male was recovered from the railway tracks in Eccles after emergency teams were called to Eccles station at around 10:51pm last night (Thursday 2nd Feb).

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file in relation to the death will be passed to the coroner.

Paramedics sadly declared the man dead at the scene.

Due to the nature of the incident we will not be covering this further and our thoughts and prayers are with the mans family and friends.

On Monday 30 January 2023 at around 4:30pm, GMP were called to reports of a road traffic collision between a white Ford EcoSport and a cyclist on Gore Avenue in Salford – heading in the direction of Weaste Lane.

An 18-year-old man received medical treatment for serious injuries.

The vehicle involved was abandoned on Cranbrook Road, Winton on the evening of Tuesday 31 January 2023.

The registration plate, which was cloned on the vehicle was FX17 VOM. The true keeper of these number plates have no connection to this investigation.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses who may have been in the areas at the time or may have seen the white Ford EcoSport elsewhere to please come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam and doorbell footage that may have picked up the white Ford EcoSport on the road just before, during, or just after the incident.

Detective Inspector Chris Horsfield of Salford CID said:

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"This was a senseless act of violence against a young man. We are currently following all lines of enquiry, and no matter how small you think the information may be, it could prove vital to the investigation.

"Anyone with information should contact us on either 101 or  0161 856 5049 quoting incident 2586 of 30/01/23."

 

Alternatively, details can be passed via our LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Following a strictly limited run at the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End (6 April – 20 May 2023), Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial will play The Lowry, Salford from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th June 2023.

The verbatim production opened on 15 November 2022 at the Wyndham's Theatre where it played to packed houses and standing ovations. The trial that gripped the nation has been adapted from seven days of High Court transcripts by Liv Hennessy (finalist in the Paines Plough's Women's Prize for Playwriting) and directed by Lisa Spirling (Artistic Director of Theatre503).

Reprising their roles will be Lucy May Barker (Mamma Mia!, West End; Pine Hampstead Theatre) as Rebekah Vardy and Laura Dos Santos (Yes So I Said Yes, Finborough Theatre; My White Best Friend, Liverpool Everyman) as Coleen Rooney, Jonathan Broadbent (The Comedy of Errors, RSC; My Night with Reg, Donmar and West End) as Hugh Tomlinson QC, Tom Turner as David Sherborne and Nathan McMullen (Misfits, E4; Hushabye Mountain, Hope Mill) playing multiple roles including Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy. Further casting is to be announced.

From sting operations to sensational headlines, this verbatim production reveals what went on behind closed doors in the case that turned social media sleuthing into high drama. Audiences can see first-hand, and in the words of Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney, how the extraordinary week in court played out.

Vardy v Rooney is a story stranger than fiction, with lurid one-liners and revelations blurring the boundaries of tabloid and court case, social media and soap opera. This unique moment in British media history captivated the country but while public debate raged, only a handful of people witnessed what happened in the trial. Now audiences can watch the intrigue and intricacies of the case live on stage in the West End and beyond.

Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial is adapted by Liv Hennessy, directed by Lisa Spirling and designed by Polly Sullivan, the composer and sound designer is Richard Hammarton and Lizzie Manwaring is assistant director.

In previous articles we have sung the praises of Salford's premier genealogist, Glenn Kennedy and his work both on television shows as a researcher but also his meticulously researched work on family tree history. he did mine and traced family as far back in the 1720s in Ireland.

Glenn kindly suggested to us that he would do a full family tree search for the person who made the highest bid for his services, his normal fee is around £380 and he would donate the money to good causes in Salford, preferably foodbanks in the local area.

The eventual winner was Joan Fielder with a bid of £420, and then Glenn has chipped in a further £30 to round it up to a staggering £450!

Not content with this magnificent gesture he revealed his future plans to us.

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"I am so pleased that my work has raised this money for these urgent causes that I have decided that I shall do a further two family ancestry searches in time for Christmas and, fingers crossed we may reach the £1,000 figure with the money again being used to help the less fortunate in Salford.

A Christmas Party for the elderly would be a good thing, this is only an idea of mine but I shall leave the distribution of any money raised with Tony and Carl at Salford Media"

 

With the £450 we have from Glenn, we propose to give £100 to The Emmanuel Church Foodbank, Langworthy Road, £100 to the Eccles Unemployed Resource Center, Breakfast Club and £50 to St Ann's Hospice via John Brierley's 10,000Km Charity Walk.

This leaves us with £200 to be distributed to local foodbanks or good causes, and this is where you come in, do you have any suggestions who would benefit from a share of this money, a small local foodbank or breakfast club? we do know that Cornerstone, Salford have a Food Club which helps out local people, do you know of others?

If so could you please contact us at newsdesk@salford.media

Finally a massive thank you to Glenn Kennedy for his continued support and generosity a proper nice bloke and if you want your family tree researched and presented in a full keepsake book/file, with full research done on your Ancestors including all census including the forthcoming 1921, plus event reports and original documents, then this is the ideal present.

Contact Glenn on familyancestry044@gmail.com or via his Facebook page.

John Brierley is one of the many people who are stepping out to raise much needed funds for St Ann's Hospice as part of their, 100KM in February fundraiser.

John who will be the first to tell you that he is more at home sat in the pub with a pint or in his Mancave than pounding the pavements for charity, so what inspired him?

John, said:

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"My wife works at St Ann's and they do a fantastic job there, it's a job I couldn't do but I am in full support of them and I am taking part in the 100Km in February to do my bit and I know they have been struggling since the Covid outbreak.

I haven't done any training what so ever if I am being honest, I am at present working away from home but each night and morning I am out to hit the 100KM mark, I have all February to do this, but I am determined to do it.

A lot of my friends have agreed to chuck in the odd few quid and my initial target was £100 but I want to smash that amount, so dig deep!"

 

John is a great bloke as many people will testify, who has helped out many people in the past including Salford Media, we have donated some money but we are asking you to get behind John and donate a few bob, basically what you can afford and it's for a great cause helping people. who are affected by life-limiting illnesses and provide support for their loved ones and carers too. Every penny really does make a difference to someone's life, so thank you so much.

https://www.facebook.com/donate/749072743629126

On the eve of National Missing Person’s Day, Michelle Baglin sits down to talk about her husband, Peter, who left home on the evening of Wednesday 28 December 2022 to go for a walk – and never returned.

In little over a month, there have yet to be any positive sightings of Peter - or “Pete” as Michelle refers to him – but she continues to search for him and keep him in the public’s mind’s eye, in the hope that it will prompt someone to come forward with information as to where Pete could be.

Paying tribute to the help she has received from the police, her family, friends, work colleagues and community in Boothstown in Salford, Michelle describes Pete’s favourite walk along the Bridgewater Canal.

It was on the towpath of Bridgewater Canal where his phone, hat and headphones were found on the morning of Thursday 29 December 2022. He had been captured on CCTV the night before, at the Texaco Garage on East Lancs Road at Mosley Common.

Reporting Pete missing to GMP after quarter-hourly phone calls to him remained unanswered, officers descended on the canal towpath to carry out a detailed grid search in the area. A number of resources were deployed to search for Pete, including underwater search and rescue, mountain rescue and drones.

Michelle also organised searches of the entire stretch of the canal, with over 200 people attending to help. But to date, there haven’t been any results from these searches.Desperate for ‘Pete’ to come home.

Michelle, said:

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“It’s a very surreal feeling. It’s like it’s happening, but it’s not happening to me. I never thought I would ever be in this position and I just want Pete home.

“I am convinced that there is someone out there who knows where he is. He is instantly recognisable by the tattoo of ‘Michelle’ on the left-side of his neck and I’m urging anyone who may have seen with him, or been with him, to get in touch. I just want to know he’s okay.

“Pete is the type of person who always buys homeless people a sandwich and a drink, and I really hope that someone is doing that for him, wherever he may be.

“If you have seen Pete, my family and I would be extremely grateful if you could contact GMP on 101 or through the LiveChat Function on the website, https://gmp.police.uk. If you’re unsure about coming forwards, you can also pass information on anonymously through the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”

 

Video ©: Greater Manchester Police

Earlier this month we told of how premier Genealogist, Glenn Kennedy had promised to donate 100% of all money raised from the person who bid the highest amount for their family tree research which he would undertake and donate to local foodbanks

Glenn Kennedy with over 35 years experience, and who has worked on several television shows as a researcher amongst other things, he usually charges around £360 -£400 for his work, which is less than half the price that many, other Genealogists would charge, some charge over £1,000! 

A biding war took place until it fell to the three final bidders who had each bid sums ranging from £380, £390 and then £400, then at the last minute, the fragrant Joan Fielder bid a whopping £420 and took the prize.

The finished article comes housed in a full keepsake book/file, with full research done on your Ancestors including all censuses, including the forthcoming 1921, plus event reports and original documents.

Joan, said:

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"I have always had an interest in local history and this chance to both find out about my ancestors and help local foodbanks, a cause very close to my heart and is a win/win for me and I just hoped my bid would be the winning one!"

Later on this week we shall be receiving the money that Joan has given Glenn and we shall then distribute the money wisely, to local foodbanks.

Many, many thanks to everybody who entered and remember Glenn is still accepting requests for family tree research, contact him on familyancestry044@gmail.com or via his Facebook page.

Rambert presents the UK tour of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, a dance theatre show written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight and choreographed and directed by Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, inspired by the TV series produced and owned by Caryn Mandabach Productions.

The production is at The Lowry, Salford, from Tuesday 14^th to Saturday 18^th March.

Exhilarating and athletic dance from the full Rambert dance company combine with an electrifying and eclectic Peaky soundtrack from live on-stage musicians, to present the story of the Peaky Blinders at the end of World War One following Tommy Shelby and Grace Burgess through their passionate love affair.

Guillaume Quéau and Prince Lyons will alternate the role of Thomas Shelby, with Aishwarya Raut, Naya Lovell and Seren Williams alternating the role of Grace, in a performance that sees the permanent Rambert dance company take to the stage.

Birmingham-born writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who played street preacher Jeremiah Jesu in the TV series, will provide pre-recorded narration for the production. This coincides with a band of live musicians led by Musical Director Yaron Engler and a score written by Roman GianArthur, as well as a new track by Laura Mvula.

Having written and adapted the production for the stage, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said: “Peaky Blinders has always had music and movement at its heart and now the beating heart of the show will be transferred to the stage, an interpretation of Tommy’s story performed by Rambert, one of the leading dance companies in the world. 

“This is dance for people who don’t usually watch dance and what I’ve written has been transformed into something startling by consummate dancers and choreographers. If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket.”

Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, who choreographed and directed the production said: “Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is something on a scale we’ve never done before, and I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge – it’s such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance.

“It is also a great collaborative opportunity to have been working closely with Steven Knight on this original production. What you’re going to get as a result will be an inspiring and uplifting dance show, but so much more than a dance show.”

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby opened at Birmingham Hippodrome on 27  September-2 October 2022, where it followed with a London Premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park  Theatre from 12 October - 6 November 2022.  

Author Simon Sinek and Robin Saunders  work as Executive Producers on Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of  Thomas Shelby, alongside a creative team which includes Moi Tran (set design), Richard Gellar (costume design) and Natasha Chivers (lighting design), with dramaturgy by  Kaite O’Reilly. Also working with the cast is acting director Kim Pearce, illusions director Filipe J.  Carvalho, fight director Adrian Palmer, props supervisor Lily Mollgaard, and intimacy director Yarit  Dor, with sound design by Moshik Kop.

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, is a Rambert production in association with  Birmingham Hippodrome, co-produced with The Lowry, Executive Producers Rambert, Robin  Saunders and Simon Sinek, inspired by the television series Peaky Blinders created by Steven Knight in association with official brand owners and series producer Caryn Mandabach Productions. Peaky  Blinders TM © Caryn Mandabach Productions 2022. Licensed by Caryn Mandabach Productions. Rambert is supported by Arts Council England. 

Tom Lowery is all set for his parachute jump which he is doing in memory of his partner to raise money for the hospice that supported her.

Joan Lyons, Tom's partner of 24 years, was a patient at St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton and was cared for there until she died in March last year.

Joan had been ill for three months with a brain tumour. Tom says "Joan received excellent care from St Ann's Hospice despite being in the throws of the latter months of the pandemic."

Tom, a retired HGV driver and Royal Signals veteran, who himself is going through health issues following his own cancer diagnosis, is 76 years old but is more than prepared for his parachute jump this month in aid of St Ann's Hospice. 

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"It's quite simple really, I'm just going to get in the plane and jump out!"

Tom has chosen to embark on the skydive as he says this has been on his bucket list for a long time. "I want to raise money and awareness for St Ann's Hospice because of the brilliant support they give to their patients. 

Tom, who had to get the all clear from his doctor for the jump following his diagnosis, said:

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"I have prostate cancer so the drugs that I'm on have made me too weak to take on a 24 hour walk or a marathon. This is the next best thing I can do; I've never done a parachute jump before so I'm very excited." 

Tom will be doing the parachute jump later this month in Lancashire, with Joan's daughters and grandchildren watching and supporting him. He has already surpassed his target of raising £500 but is asking for more donations in memory of Joan.

Tom, continued:

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"All the family are very excited and can't believe I'm doing a skydive. We all want to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause that supported Joan. Her last days were spent peacefully at the hospice and their incredible staff provided our family with kindness, support and a much-needed sense of peace at the end of her life.

"So far I've raised over £800, and we'd love for this number to keep rising so the hospice can continue helping their patients and provide them with the care they need."

Anne-Marie Wynne, Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign, says: "We are delighted that Tom is doing this amazing challenge to raise money for St Ann's Hospice – he's braver than all of us!

"Every single donation makes a difference and helps us to continue providing the vital care and support to all those who visit our hospice." 

 

To donate to Tom for his parachute jump, his JustGiving page can be found here.