Salford residents can now enjoy a new community orchard following the official opening on Wednesday 10th August by North West housing association, Onward Homes.

Hidden among the residential roads of Salford, the Orchard was an overgrown piece of derelict land located close to one of the housing association’s sheltered schemes.

Onward spotted an opportunity to transform the land into a space for the enjoyment of residents and consulted local people on what they would like to see on the land, with clear support for the creation of a new community orchard.

The aim was to repurpose this area into a diverse and interesting community woodland space that could be used by the local people and organisations for recreation, education, and wellbeing purposes. The creation of the Orchard supports with Salford City Council’s ambitions to improve access to green spaces across the city.

The project has been delivered by Onward’s Social Investment programme supported by the housing associations Environmental Services Team, and various partner organisations in the area including Sow in the City, Greenfingers, the Naz and Salford City Council.

The Orchard has twelve fruit trees, a wildlife preserve, bird boxes and a walk-through path, creating a green space for residents to enjoy in the heart of their community.

The Orchard was officially opened by the Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett and local councillor Maria Brabiner on 10th August at an open day attended by residents and community groups. 

Matt Saye, Executive Director of Operations at Onward, said:

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“We recognise the value of open spaces in our communities in improving health and wellbeing and providing places for residents to interact.

Working with our local partners, our aim was to change this derelict piece of land back into a thriving community space that can be enjoyed by residents of all ages. It has been great to see so many people come together for the opening of the Salford Community Orchard, and we look forward to seeing the community use it for years to come.”

 

Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford, said:

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“I am delighted to have joined the community at the opening of the Salford Orchard, which has seen the transformation of this previously unused land into a wonderful new community amenity.

I hope that the improved access, new seating, and wildlife areas will encourage more of our residents to enjoy the Orchard and open green space here in Salford.”

 

Up to 140 Salford residents with learning disabilities and autism will benefit from a new £721,000 programme to support them into long-term employment.

Salford City Council has received £490,000 for the new programme through the government’s Local Supported Employment initiative and topped it up with an extra £231,000 in matched funding.

Through the programme, each participant will receive up to a year’s direct support from a newly appointed team of job coaches to help them find work. They will also receive a further 12 months of support once they have secured employment which will be tailored to their individual needs and help them develop their careers. The programme will be fully operational from January 2023 with funding available up to March 2025.  

The service will build on existing networks and partnerships in the city with dedicated work taking place with Salford and Greater Manchester employers to source appropriate employment opportunities and match these to the interests and skills of the participants.

Councillor John Merry CBE, Deputy City Mayor and lead member for adult services, health and wellbeing said:

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“This investment of £721,000 will allow us to better support Salford’s young adults with learning disabilities and autism into taking their first steps into the job market and to build a career of their own.

“We will work with the excellent providers across the city to deliver this programme that will make sure that they have access to the same employment opportunities as everyone else.”

 

Councillor Philip Cusack, executive support member for skills, work and business said:

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“This funding is vital in helping us achieve our aims to make Salford a fair and inclusive city where everyone has equal access to opportunities.

“Not only will this programme help break down the barriers that adults with learning disabilities and autism face in securing and maintaining a job but it is also a fine example of how we are putting our ‘Salford Way’ approach into practice.”

 

Salford City Council is one of 24 councils in England and Wales to share in a pot of £7.6 million from the initiative to be spent over the next three years.

The Salford Way is the council’s trailblazing initiative to deliver economic transformation and tackle inequalities through three leading interlocking strategies; the Tackling Poverty strategy, the Inclusive and Green Economy strategy and the Equality and Inclusion Strategy. A progress report on the initiative found that the approach was making sure that over 60,000 residents received targeted support from the council.

Read the progress report here: https://www.salford.gov.uk/media/398072/the-salford-way-yr1-progress-report.pdf

Long term Eccles resident, Rita Archer celebrated her 100th Birthday party with a surprise party in Eccles precinct laid on by Yvonne and Colin who run The Eccles Coffee Bar, surrounded by family, friends and well wishers.

Rita who originally hails from Glasgow visits the Coffee bar twice a day and is a regular fixture there, she told me that she worked in munitions in Glasgow during World War Two, she has three sons and moved to Eccles in the 1980s.

Her son John and his wife Maggie had travelled from Aberfeldy in Perthshire to help her celebrate the milestone event along with many friends from Eccles there was also a visit from the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Councillor, Ann Marie Humphrey's who presented her with a bunch of flowers, a card and a box of chocolate courtesy of Salford Council.

There was a constant flow of cards and gifts coming to her table from well wishers which was great to see as the community came together to celebrate as Yvonne led along a mass sing a long of Happy Birthday to Rita.

Yvonne told me that Rita calls every day to her stall and thought they would surprise her with a birthday party, they laid on food and refreshments for 100 people, a birthday cake and presents, a magnificent gesture I thought and so typical of them, as they really are a community asset, organising bingo sessions twice a week and day trips to the seaside several times a year for their regular customers.

Ann Marie Humphrey's said that it was a pleasure to be invited along by Yvonne and Colin and was delighted to see the community spirit shown on this special day and wished all the best.

Rita tells me that for her the secret of long life is plenty of fresh air and keeping active, and admits to a liking of watching sports on the television... and why not!

From us at Salford Media, have a wonderful birthday and plenty more!

A Salford born artist has spent his life creating incredibly detailed pieces of art - honing his talent from his high-rise apartment in Salford.

Phillip Horrock’s work depicts everything from majestic African animals, lifelike renaissance portraits and incredible scenes of Manchester.

The 64-year-old artist has lived and worked in Salford all his life and in that time has created some incredible paintings

From his second storey flat in Blackfriar Court, in the Trinity area of Salford, Philip spends his time creating intricate works, his small home studio is bursting with art materials, canvasses and more of his incredible paintings.

With Manchester city centre just a stone’s throw from his home, the city has often been Philip’s muse; his work intricately picking slices of life from the bustling vibrant streets.

Inspiration also comes from further afield as his canon of work shows his ability to capture beautiful images of African animals such as the head of a majestic lion, each hair of his mighty golden mane painstakingly committed to canvas.

Philip has lived in Blackfriar Court for nearly 30 years. He’s a tenant of housing association Salix Homes and the artist in residence loves his artisan abode.

He said:

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“Oh, I love it here, Salix Homes have been great, they look after the place and I feel safe here. I love Salford, it’s a friendly, witty and warm place to live, it’s great being so close to such a good arts scene.”

Philip has painted since he was three years of age, drawing bunnies in nursery are some of his early memories. He went on to complete a degree in fine art and since then has spent his life painting, drawing and etching a wondrous array of images.

Nicola Mcatamney, a property safety officer at Salix Homes, stumbled across Philip’s work on a routine visit to Blackfriar Court and was amazed by his work.

She said:

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“I couldn't believe what I was seeing - everywhere you look are these amazing pieces of art - it’s like a gallery in his own home.

"It’s hard to believe that a small apartment in a Salford tower block is home to some of the most extraordinary artistic masterpieces I've ever seen. Philip has an incredible talent, and his work deserves to be seen by the wider public.”

 

Philip continues to paint and has several pieces he is working on, ultimately, he would love to have an exhibition so the public can enjoy his skill capturing images in lifelike detail.

He added:

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“It would be great for others to see my paintings,

“I think a lot of people enjoy art in whatever form, I would just like to push my work as far as I can and let the good folk of Salford and Manchester see them.”

 

Philip’s passion for Salford and art are evident, his infectious enthusiasm is clear, when asked if he would consider appearing on any of the TV shows featuring portrait artists, with a smile in his eyes, he replies ‘Never say never’.

A 28-year-old teacher from Salford appeared in Manchester Crown Court today having been charged with two counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old child.

Rebecca Joynes, spoke only to confirm her name as she entered not guilty pleas to both charges relating to a young boy back in 2021 during which the court heard she had intentionally touched him in a sexual manor. 

She no longer works for the authority following an earlier suspension.

Rebecca Joynes has been granted bail by the court on the conditions that she makes not attempt to contact prosecution witnesses and has no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18.

Two further hearings were set for October.

The trial is expected to last four days and was set for May 2023. 

Walk the Plank and Stage Directions to showcase the work of young people from Salford in outdoor performances

The Discovery Avenue Celebration will take place on Sunday 21 August and will stage two outdoor performances at 12:30 and 14:30 at the University of Salford campus and will celebrate the work of young creatives  from Salford.

Salford residents are being invited to a fun-filled, outdoor family show around the University of Salford’s New Adelphi Campus.

'Discovery Avenue' combines storytelling, movement, puppetry, music and invites audiences to help a broken Wayfinding Machine find its heart and soul with the help of the creatures that are exploring with it.

Tickets are free and performances will last around an hour. All locations are close together and accessible. This is an outdoor performance and audiences will walk between locations.  

The event is a culmination of a two-week creative camp for young people, as part of the Stage Directions Programme with lots of the content being created and powered by the participants.  

Stage Directions is a programme of theatre-making for children and young people (8-18) in Salford, with a focus on co-creation at its heart. The programme operates across a range of partners and as part of the city’s Cultural Education Partnership. The programme is managed by The Lowry.

The Discovery Avenue Summer Celebration is produced by outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank. With headquarters in Salford, they are one of the UK’s leading outdoor arts organisations with an award-winning body of work that spans 30 years.

Ben Turner, Producer, Walk the Plank says:

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‘It’s our third year as producers on Stage Directions. Our work is embedded in Salford, and it has been great to involve local young people in creative theatre making over the summer, as they deal with the effects of the pandemic.”

Steph Green, Stage Directions Programme Manager says: 'Stage Directions looks to offer young people and professionals in the city quality experiences and activities to ensure that cultural education is seen as a priority and value in Salford. We are working to build a resilient landscape of culture, creative learning and artistic excellence in our city. Our Summer project is one aspect of our vast delivery and this summer’s celebration will be an incredible culmination of the programme’s last 3 years and a testament to the talent and creativity of the young people and artists of the city!”

 

Tickets for the summer celebration are free and can be booked here: https://bit.ly/3SJNjsS

More than 25,000 free meals have been enjoyed by young people this summer in Salford.

It has all been provided as part of the summer Holiday Activities Food (HAF) Programme.

This sees children aged from four to 16-year-olds in Salford and eligible for free school meals are taking party in a summer of fun.

Councillor Sharmina August, Lead Member for Inclusive Economy, Anti-Poverty and Equalities at Salford City Council recently visited Salford Red Devils Foundation camp at Eccles college and said:

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“It’s amazing to see people come in free of charge, have a healthy meal, as well as do a really healthy activity.

“It’s so important, we know so many children who have free school meals across the city, it’s their only nutritious they have across the day. We want to make sure across the holidays nobody loses out on that.

“Over the summer holidays we’re providing over 25,000 nutritious meals to children, to make sure they don’t lose out. It is fantastic to see first-hand and I’m so proud of all the people and agencies involved. They are a credit to this city.

“In addition to the many fun activities taking place as part of the programme HAF programme  our Citywide Services and Operational Teams will prepare and deliver over 25,000 meals to over 60 sites across the city to ensure children and young people have a healthy meal.

“It’s also a great opportunity to make friends and try something new.”

 

The HAF programme runs throughout the year at Easter, summer and winter holidays and you can see what’s happening throughout the year at the HAF page.

The finalists for Salford’s annual Springboard Heroes Awards have been announced.

For the past year, housing association Salix Homes has been awarding grants to groups and projects across Salford that are making a difference in communities.

The landlord has donated around £33,000 to dozens of local groups and initiatives as part of its Springboard community grant programme.

From boxing clubs to beekeepers, Springboard has provided much-needed cash injections to projects that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation and improve the environment.

Now, Salix Homes has picked four fantastic organisations from across its neighbourhoods as the Springboard Heroes finalists and it’s over to the public to vote for their favourite, with the winning project receiving a £1,000 cash boost.

The finalists for the Springboard Heroes Awards 2022 are:

Beekeepers Tony Roscoe, Amber McCormack and Anna Hill at Bee Corner.

Bee Corner: Bee Corner is creating a buzz in Salford after a neglected concrete space was transformed into a green haven for humans and honeybees in the heart of the city. The project aims to create more opportunities for people to access nature and help tackle the isolation that can come from urban living. Bee Corner is located at Islington Mill on Chapel Street and is now home to a thriving bee apiary and community garden, which is supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing and feel part of the natural world around them.

Salford Boxing Club head trainer Nick Burke.

Salford Boxing Club: Members of Salford Boxing Club, based in Broughton, have come out fighting to help improve the mental and physical health of Salford residents. The club aims to make regular exercise accessible to everyone, no matter their circumstances and supports a wide range of people through exercise, including people with disabilities and those struggling with their mental health. The club is using Springboard funding to give away free gym membership to people on low incomes to help remove the financial barriers that might be preventing people from exercising.

Organisers at the Family Food Fayre - Anina Fernandes, Barry Matley and Linda Pope.

Manchester City Mission – Family Food Fayre: Manchester City Mission are providing a lifeline for people living in poverty with their popular Food Fayre, which provides access to low-cost food and essentials. As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, the organisation is supporting more and more people who are struggling to put food on the table. If they win the Springboard Heroes funding, they plan to use the prize money to help reach even more people in need.

Seedley and Langworthy in Bloom volunteers Christopher Bates, Emily McKittrick, Charlotte Bates and Kimberley Bates.

Seedley and Langworthy in Bloom: This volunteer-led group is on a mission to brighten up Salford with their floral displays. Every year, the green-fingered volunteers plant thousands of bulbs and flowers along the streets, walkways and roadsides in a one square mile area across Seedley and Langworthy. They plan to use the Springboard Heroes prize money to continue their efforts to ensure Salford remains in full bloom.

Sian Grant, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said:

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“Our Springboard grant programme provides a lifeline for many fantastic groups and projects which are really making a difference to people and communities across Salford.

“As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, it’s more important than ever that community initiatives, like our Springboard recipients, are supported to be able to sustain the work they are doing to improve lives and increase opportunities for people living in Salford.

“It’s been tough to pick just four finalists as our Springboard Heroes from all the wonderful projects we’ve supported this year, but we’re pleased to now unveil our final four. We’d urge you to cast your vote for your favourite and help them win the £1,000 prize, which we hope will go some way to enabling them to continue the wonderful work they do.”

 

Voting is now open and closes on Friday, September 16 after which the winner will be announced on the Salix Homes Facebook page.

You can watch a video of each of the finalists and cast your votes at www.salixhomes.co.uk/springboardheroes2022  
 

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Have I got your attention? good then I shall begin.

We have all had a few miserable years of late and so it has been decided that to cheer us all up, the Great Eccles Cake Bake Off will take place on Sunday 18th September this year, a competition open to all ages and standards and held in the centre of Eccles at The Eccles Cross... no, not the Wetherspoons pub! the ancient monument.

The history of Eccles Cakes has been long documented with a mention of them as far back in 1769 by that domestic goddess, Elizabeth Raffald, but more famously, when made by James Birch at his bakery on Church Street in Eccles more than 200 years ago,  making the Eccles Cake one of the town’s most famous exports.

There will be three different rounds of competition, with prizes for each, with the best Eccles Cakes being chosen by our expert panel of judges and general cake lovers, hopefully me. 

There will also be stalls for the competitors, set up for people to come along and try some of the Eccles Cakes on offer.

Click below to enter now!

https://www.ecclescakebakeoff.com/enter

Professionals - First Prize: Officially the best Eccles Cakes in Eccles!

We’re inviting local bakers, restaurants, and cafes to make and submit their own Eccles Cake for judging, in search of the prize of being the official Best Eccles Cake in Eccles. If you’re the best in Eccles, you’re the best on Earth and win a magnificent trophy  kindly donated by Ervis Zenelcanaj, owner of The Ilirian Greek Taste Cafe/Bistro in Eccles.

Amateurs - First Prize: £100 cash!

Whether you’ve baked a thousand Eccles Cakes or not, it’s time to put your apron on, crack some eggs and have go at making your best Eccles Cake! Open to anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes and think of that lovely cash prize!

Juniors - First Prize: £50 book voucher

One for all those budding Jamies, Nigellas and Nadiyas, a category for all those 16 and under, to get our next generations making the Eccles Cakes of the future! Get your school to enter so you can take part.

So get practising you have a couple of weeks to ensure you have made the most, mouth watering Eccles Cake, see you there!

As part of their long-standing partnership with Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford, AFB The Soldiers Charity are delighted to award a £118,736 grant towards the charity’s care for elderly Armed Forces veterans.

Ensuring that elderly veterans have the care they need is a top priority for our charity. Founded in 1916, Broughton House is the only retirement and nursing home for elderly veterans in North West England. Our grant will enable the charity to provide high quality personal care and support to 36 Army veterans over the next 12 months and contribute to the care home costs for eight veterans.

Broughton House’s care services focus on improving veterans’ quality of life and encompass specialist dementia support, social activities to reduce loneliness and in-house physiotherapy services. Broughton House was recently transformed into a modern complex featuring a 64-bed care home and six retirement apartments.

In a recent survey, residents’ families shared their deep appreciation for how the care staff looked after their loved ones: “We feel a sense of relief – we know he is in a safe place, being looked after and cared for.” Another family relative said: “Their mental state has improved. They are looking happier and are happier. They are far from lonely and clearly feel that they are in a safe place.”

Karen Miller, Chief Executive of Broughton House Veteran Care Village, said:

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“We are extremely grateful to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for its continued support of our veterans. The magnificent award of nearly £120,000 towards the care of our Armed Forces veterans will make a huge difference, especially as the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has made life difficult for all charities.

"Our new Veteran Care Village was recently completed and provides a fantastic environment for our residents. With ongoing support from local and Armed Forces communities, as well as organisations such as ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the future for Broughton House is very bright.”

 

Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added:

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“We are always proud to support Broughton House’s high quality and compassionate care services. We are committed to helping all elderly veterans enjoy peace, comfort and dignity in their final years.”

We paid a visit to Central Library, Manchester today to see an amazing collection of photographs from the 1950s and 1960s showing all aspects of life during that post war period in Salford, Broughton and Cheetham Hill.

The photos show, schools, shops, cinemas, factories, Whit Walks, furniture, dance halls, family pets, street scenes, cars, vans, sports, fashions, fairgrounds,  hospitals, military and a host more.

One wall is extremely poignant, showing  images of migrant communities many in traditional costume, Jewish, Italian, Indian, African, Afro-Caribbean, Ukrainian, Asian who settled in the area, over the years.

We have to thank Lawrence Cassidy the Project Coordinator at Retracing Salford who has gone through some 12,000 glass negatives in the collection and has chosen just a few examples to show the diversity, unity and community spirit which flourished in this area.

If you remember, Finnigan's or Chilterns Dance Hall, Woolworths, Bata Shoes, The Premiere and The Odeon cinemas, Bookbinders Bakery, Britstone's shop, Paulden's, Louis upholsters, Davidsons, Mr Whippy ice cream vans, even the Mothers Pride loaf dispensing machine then this exhibition is not to be missed.

Even if you are not from the Manchester or Salford area I would urge you to go and see this truly, incredible collection of photographs which show a way of life we have lost for ever.

A video interview with Lawrence Cassidy to follow this article later today.

On at Central Library, Manchester until the 30th of September.

Police are appealing for information and dashcam footage after a motorcyclist was injured in a collision with a car on Bury New Road.

At around 03:24am last night (11th August), officers were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a 27-year-old man on a motorbike at Bury New Road, near to Moorend Avenue in Salford.

Emergency services attended the scene, and the 27-year-old was taken to hospital. His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening.

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 386 of 11/08/22.

Alternatively, details can be passed via our LiveChat function at https://crowd.in/9dv8qR or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Wayne Parker of Tyne Court in Worsley has been sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years, after threats to find and torture a police officers family via the dark web as well as assaulting and racially abusing an officer.

The 33-year-old had sustained a cut to his eye during a drink and drug session at his home in the early hours of the 11th of January 2021. Paramedics were called and subsequently threatened and verbally abused whilst trying to treat him for his injury.

Police were called and he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly after police learned that he had was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine. During his arrest, he kicked one officers and made threats toward both he and his family.

Parker who has a string of convictions for 26 offences, plead guilt to the assault and racially aggravated harassment on the grounds he had post concussive trauma at the time and suffers with ADHD.

He was handed a three month sentence which was suspended for a period of two years, additionally, under the terms of his suspended sentence, Parker will be required to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and  partake in 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to pay PC Yusuf £300 in compensation.

4,500+ visitors were welcomed through The Lowry’s doors for its annual free Open Day.

An integral part of The Lowry’s calendar, the 2022 Open Day featured everything from backstage sneak peeks to children’s storytelling sessions, Bollywood dance classes to an exciting outdoor hip-hop theatre performance, VR experiences and cupcake decorating.

Almost 1,300 members of the public went behind the scenes of The Lowry’s iconic Lyric Theatre and experienced stepping on the largest stage in England outside of London. Staff and volunteers greeted people to the stage, backstage, technical areas, and dressing rooms – only a matter of hours before the 1,710-capacity auditorium enjoyed two sell-out evening performances of SIX the musical.

The galleries welcomed over 1,100 visitors to the Picture This exhibition and the LS Lowry collection. Throughout the day families enjoyed storytelling sessions from authors and gallery tours led by Galleries Interpreter Tina Savage and Galleries Team Leader Holly Rostron who dressed in costume to bring to life characters from two of Lowry’s most recognised paintings Ann and Man Lying on a Wall.

The entire venue was a hive of activity with families taking part in Bollywood Dance workshops in the stunning Compass Room, more than 80 children and their adults joining dance & drawing workshops with the award-winning dance company Anatomical, packed-out dance lessons with Natalie Pilkington, the Dance Captain from the multi award-winning musical SIX, and over 300 people taking part in crafty families activities in The Carole Nash Lookout; The Lowry’s dedicated creative space for children and families to get inspired, and be creative. Visitors could even walk the red carpet in true celebrity-fashion.

Outside, over 500 people enjoyed outdoor games and got their bodies moving and grooving in the fun hula – hooping workshops, and SCRUM, an electrifying 35-minute new hip-hop dance theatre performance by Avant Garde Dance drew in in the crowds, whilst indoors 82 people aged 13 to 70+ experienced the launch of our latest LIVE NOW commission – SCRUM VR! A rich and immersive VR film that draws viewers into the very centre of the performance.

Jenny Riding – Director of Learning & Engagement said:

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“The Lowry Open Day is always a really special event and 2022 was no exception. With over 4,500 visitors attending, we were thrilled to welcome back many of our regulars, as well as a huge number of people coming to The Lowry for the very first time. It
was fantastic to see so many happy smiling people of all ages enjoying the wide-range of activities on offer. It was particularly special to have met and chatted to so many people from our local communities, as well as visitors from far and wide. Thanks to
everyone who came along, and to all the staff and volunteers who helped make the day such a success.”

A man has been jailed for more than eight months for obstructing the railway, causing 13 trains to be delayed, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Stephen Harrell, aged 36, of Springfield Street, Wigan, pleaded guilty to obstructing the railway and was sentenced to 270 days in jail at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' court on Tuesday, August 2.

He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.

The court heard how, on Sunday, July 31, British Transport Police were made aware of an incident of trespass at Salford Crescent station.

An officer attended and saw an intoxicated Harrell jump down from the platform onto the tracks and begin walking in the direction of Swinton.

A stop on all trains was put in place and the NPAS police helicopter was dispatched to locate Harrell after officers lost sight of him on the tracks due to darkness.

He was eventually spotted by the helicopter and located rummaging through a bin outside a pub on Agecroft Road.

Harrell was on the tracks and lineside for approximately 60 minutes causing delays of 287 minutes and 13 trains stopped. Network Rail have confirmed that the total cost of delays amounted to £9, 223.90. 

Investigating officer PC Peter Hogg said:

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"Harrell's irresponsible and frankly reckless actions could have cost him his life.

"In order to protect his safety, numerous trains were stopped, causing completely unnecessary delays and inconvenience to passengers and a huge cost to Network Rail, not to mention the cost of deploying the police helicopter.

"The behaviour of one individual had a huge impact on others. Being intoxicated is no excuse."

 

There were delays on the A57 Liverpool Road in Barton at around 7am this morning (10th August) as fire services dealt with a blaze in an industrial skip on the back of a lorry.

Congestion affected much of Liverpool Rd back to Barton Airport and Cadishead Way back to Fairhills Rd as firefighters fought to bring the fire under control.

A number of bus services had routes diverted.

A photo posted by Ben Walmsley on Twitter showed the extent of the blaze.

A spokesperson for GMFRS, said:

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"Just before 7am this morning (Wednesday 10th August), two fire engines from Eccles and Sale fire station were called to reports of a vehicle fire involving a large wagon on Liverpool road, Eccles.

"The crews arrived quickly at scene and worked to make the area safe. Firefighters are using a breathing apparatus, hose reel and short extension ladder to extinguish the fire.

"Firefighters have been in attendance for around an hour and are still at the scene."

 

A LITTLE boy who passed away just after his second birthday is leaving behind a legacy that will continue to improve the lives of strangers for many years to come.

Lincoln Stoddard, also known as “Linky Loo”, took his last breaths with his mummy and daddy by his side, passing away peacefully after battling a long list of health complications.

During life he touched the hearts of many people and will continue to do so long into the future, thanks to the family and friends who loved him so much.

Lincoln’s parents, Shaunie and Jordan, have already donated more than £3,900 to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity and say it’s the first of many years to come of fundraising to thank those who cared for Lincoln before he passed.

Paying tribute to her son, Shaunie, 23, said:

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“Lincoln was in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital so much, that was our home and our actual home was just where we came on vacation.

“The staff there felt like family and they really spoilt Lincoln. If we popped out for dinner or to the toilet, when we returned Lincoln would be having a cuddle with one of the nurses. They were all his aunties!

“Lincoln loved Iggle Piggle, so the Play staff got some of the children on his ward to make pictures and cards of Iggle Piggle for him. They were pinned up all around his bed.

“Lincoln was always smiling and such a happy baby. He never cried, even when he had needles and operations he just took it in his stride. He wasn’t afraid of hospital, he loved it.”

 

In the days before he died, Lincoln still kept his smile. On Friday, 22nd July it was his second birthday and friends and family celebrated with him at Francis House Children’s Hospice.

The following day, he had a family party with balloons, cake and special guests Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy came along too.

Shaunie, said:

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“We had lots of colourful balloons and we held Lincoln’s hand as he let one go.

“It was really special to watch his face light up as he watched it float off.”

 

Dad Jordan, aged 25, added:

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“We never got the chance to take Lincoln on holiday to the beach, so on the Sunday we bought him a sandpit so he could know what it was like to have sand between his toes. He loved the feel of it.

“We also got him a ball pool to play in, as he’d never done that either because the public ball pits were too much of an infection risk.

“On the Monday we had a nanna and grandads day and he got to spend time with our mums and dads. Only my mum had had him for one night, so none of them had ever had him for a sleepover, so it was nice they got some quality time too.

“On Tuesday we withdraw his care and took away his BPAP [a type of ventilation machine used to facilitate breathing] and he was still smiling and looking around the whole time. We sang some songs and told stories about our favourite times with Lincoln.

“He went to sleep on Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning at 7.55am, he took his last breath.

“No one wants to lose a loved one, especially a child, but that was the best possible way for him to go. I’d wish for any families in that situation to have that experience, because it was just so peaceful.”

 

Shaunie and Jordan, who live in Eccles, already had daughters Meadow, now six, and Harleigh, now three, when they found out they were once again expecting. It was the day after their wedding – 23rd February 2020 – and so class Lincoln as a happy accident.

Shaunie said:

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“When I had Harleigh I had a placenta abruption [when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before birth] and although it could happen again, it wasn’t a particularly high chance. But it happened with Lincoln and he was born at 24 weeks at Saint Mary’s Hospital. I’d gone into labour and then they did an emergency section.

“He was only 560g, he was the size of the palm of my hand.”

 

Lincoln then spent 184 days in Saint Mary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during which time he had several surgeries for a bowel perforation, laser eye surgery [for retinopathy of prematurity – where blood vessels in the eye have grown abnormally] and he had a Hickman line fitted so medical teams could more easily administer his medication.

After his stay in NICU, Lincoln was allowed home for the first time and was able to enjoy Christmas Day with his parents and big sisters, enjoying the twinkly lights of the Christmas tree.

Jordan said:

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“He was fine on Christmas Day but on Boxing Day he went into cardiac arrest and I had to do CPR on him. It was completely out of the blue and just…horrible.”

Lincoln spent three weeks in Bolton Royal before returning home, but then needed more hospital treatment at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Jordan said:

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“He spent most of summer 2021 in the children’s hospital on Ward 84. He had surgeries because he had severe reflux so they wanted to look in his stomach and they also needed to do a procedure on his undescended testes.

“During 2021 he was in went back to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital a lot, but the longest stay was that summer.”

 

Unfortunately, Lincoln was back in hospital again for Christmas 2021 and then in the January he was at home when he tested positive for Covid.

Shaunie said:

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“The Covid really knocked him for six. And looking back now, we think that was the beginning of the end for him. It was just too much.” Jordan added: “He was really bad after that. He was having seizures and was also diagnosed with epilepsy.

“With all his medical conditions he spent time on pretty much every ward in the children’s hospital at some point. He also stayed at Salford Royal and Bolton too and there was a period where it would be a few days at home, then a few days on a hospital ward.

“But eventually it became clear hospital was no longer suitable for him, and so he was sent over to the children’s hospice. He died on Wednesday, 27th July.”

 

The family say Lincoln will forever be remembered for his happiness and keeping his memory alive will always be incredibly important to them.

Jordan said:

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“He was always smiling. He was such a happy baby. With everything he went through you’d think he’d get upset or be scared of the hospital but he never was. Even when he woke up from surgeries he’d look around and be smiling again.”

Shaunie added:

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“He was really into In The Night Garden and loved bright colours and lights. I’m so glad we got to create such nice memories with him.”

Lincoln’s funeral will be at 1.40pm on Friday, 12th August at Peel Green Crematorium. Everyone who attends is asked to not wear black, instead opting for something bright and colourful. People can also leave comments and special memories of Lincoln on his Facebook Page – Lincoln’s Journey.

Donna O’Reilly, Relationship Manager at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, said:

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“Continuing Lincoln’s legacy and doing things to help other poorly children is such a beautiful way to remember him.

“The money for our Charity will be used by Ward 84 for Play Services, including purchasing some sensory toys, which I hear were some of Lincoln’s favourites.

“I know Jordan and Shaunie also have big plans to raise funds for other charities involved in Lincoln’s care and will be doing more for our cause in a few years. I can’t thank them enough for thinking of others at what must be such a difficult time. I want to offer my condolences to everyone who loved and shared precious memories with Lincoln.”

 

If you’d like to find out more about support Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity click here.

INSTEAD of throwing a party, Lewis Kenny will mark his birthday by marching almost 40 miles for Derian House, the hospice that cared for the older brother he never met.

Lewis, who turns 21 on Wednesday (10 August), will walk from his home in Worsley, Salford, to Blackpool Tower on Saturday (13 August) in memory of his brother Daniel Strickland who passed away aged 12 after a brave battle against a brain tumour.

He will be joined by a group of close friends and followed by his dad Liam, who will drive a mini bus filled with refreshments that will be ready to drive the group home at the end of the walk.

So far, Lewis has raised just over £2,000 for Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley, where his brother spent the last 18 months of his short life.

Lewis, a Resident Welfare Officer at Mears Group, said:

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“I grew up aware of Dan, I’ve been told a lot of stories about him and I’ve always asked a lot of questions but I never had the chance to meet him.

“Derian did a lot for our family. I idolise Dan and I idolise the staff at Derian for what they did for him.

“My dad did a lot of fundraising after we lost Dan and I want to continue the trend. This walk is our way of thanking everyone at Derian for what they did and the memories they helped my family make with Dan.

“I also want to keep Dan’s name alive. I suppose it’s my way of having a relationship with him – the relationship I never had.

“I’ll be with a group of people I love and some who knew Dan, some who didn’t. I’ve been training and I’m confident I’ll get it done – I’m buzzing for it. But I’m not looking forward to the blisters!

“I have devoted everything to this - Derian is only here thanks to the people who keep the charity alive. And I don’t think this is the end – hopefully I’ll continue the fundraising that my dad started. Who knows, maybe I’ll be doing something even bigger next year!”

 

Lewis’s dad and Daniel’s step-dad, Liam Kenny, spent time at Derian House during Daniel’s illness. Since then he has taken part in a number of marathons, including in London and New York, to raise money for the charities that cared for Daniel.

 Liam, a Rail Safety Engineer at Volker Rail, said:

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“Dan first became ill aged 10 and he had an operation that removed 98% of a brain tumour. We thought he would be okay after that but I remember I took him to a football match and he slept all the way through it – not like him at all – and I knew something still wasn’t right.

“I was against the idea of a hospice at first if I’m honest, I imagined a hospital ward. I think I was also a bit in denial about what was going to happen.

“We stayed in a family flat at Derian House and it was not at all what I expected – I never thought I’d see so many happy people having fun. Dan didn’t understand what was happening at the time but he was happy enough, sometimes grumpy. He was in the hydrotherapy pool every night! The nurses at Derian cared for him unbelievably. They even let his Cocker Spaniel, Badger the dog, stay with him at the hospice.“

 

The memories that me and Daniel’s mum, Angela, made with him – we wouldn’t have them without Derian.

Derian House provides respite and end-of-life care to more than 450 children and young people across the North West. Care is free to families, but the charity must raise £5.7million each year to continue running. 

Kerry Pritchard, Community Fundraiser at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said:

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“We’re so happy Derian was able to be there for Daniel’s family when they needed it.

“We’re grateful that Lewis has decided to mark his birthday by doing something to help other families in need – we wish him lots of luck on his walk!

“It’s only thanks to the generous donations of our supporters, like Lewis, that we are able to do what we do.”

 

Donate to Lewis’s walk: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lewis-Kenny 

Find out more about Derian House: http://www.derianhouse.co.ik/

Two officers from the Salford North East Neighbourhood Team were out and about proactively patrolling Swinton this afternoon when they had cause to stop search two juveniles.

Both Males were found with a number of items consistent with the supply and distribution of drugs upon them, mainly cannabis, weighing scales, cash and unbelievably a can of CS spray (Tear Gas), because everyone carries a can around with them right?

CS Spray has a 'prohibited firearm' classification in the UK and being found in possession of it can lead to a prison sentence between six months and ten years and a fine.

The pair are now in custody with some serious questions to answer.

The regeneration of Pendleton has taken another step forward.

On Monday 8 August recommendations on the next phases of development were discussed and agreed at Salford City Council's Property and Regeneration meeting.

The agreement means that the council and Pendleton Together can work up final proposals and costs that will be put into a final report which will to go back to a future meeting for full approval.

Initial proposals include 575 new family homes, 173 new affordable homes and a developing plan for an extra care scheme. Extra care schemes encourage independent living with specialist 24 hour care and support for those people who require it and additional provision is much needed to meet demand.

The regeneration of Pendleton started in 2013 when the council entered into a long-term partnership to deliver £250million of development, including new homes, parks and public space.

The council has cleared approximately 700 outdated council properties to provide sites for future development.

A spokesperson at Salford City Council said: 

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"It is fantastic news that the regeneration of Pendleton is continuing and we are delighted to formally approve the recommendations today.

"New family homes and affordable homes are desperately needed in this city as we have approximately 6,000 households on our housing waiting lists.

"Each phase of previous development in the area has exceeded the target of 30% of affordable homes and we are incredibly proud of that.

"As the regeneration continues it creates jobs and opportunities that local people can benefit from. So what is derelict land will soon be a new neighbourhood with high quality homes for local people to live in and enjoy."

 

At the same meeting a decision was also taken to note the progress on proposals for a new leisure centre in Pendleton.

The approvals includes the reporting strategy, in principle ring fencing of budget and allocation of funds from Pendleton phase three and the acceptance of a Sport England grant.

A spokesperson continued: 

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"We have been working on plans or a new leisure centre in Pendleton since 2016. This is a very exciting time for the area and local people."