Saturday 30th July to Sunday 21st August

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood...

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, when The Gruffalo returns to The Lowry, Salford from Saturday 30th July to Sunday 21st August 2022.

Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?

Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world!

Anwar Hosseni was spared jail by Judge Dean QC after previously pleading guilty to a charge of criminal damage by making scratch marks upon the Glade of Light memorial dedicated to the victims of a bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

Hosseni was observed on CCTV footage in the early hours of February 9th 2022, making scratch marks which required extensive repairs, with the cost of the damage reported to be a staggering £10,768.80.

He was handed a two year community order by the courts and will be required to undertake a 12-month mental health treatment programme and 10-days of rehabilitation. 

Jude Dean QC said that he was confident that the actions of Anwar were not politically motivated implying that he believed it to be more so a misguided thought process in which Hossenu believed he was paying respect.

The 24-year-old was also given a two-year ban from entering the area around the memorial for the victims of the cruel arena bomb attack which took the lives of twenty two, both adults and children who were innocent victims of a callous act of terrorism.

Mr Hosseni claimed that he was etching the marks as 'light language' in what he considered to be a way to honour the victims but now recognises his actions caused distress to the victims families as well as the wider community who were quick to condemn the act of vandalism. He acknowledged the damage caused and expressed a want to pay back his debt to his community.

Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, is to launch a 'Hospitality Hour' campaign during this summer, which starts this weekend.

To thank customers for their support for the sector throughout the past two tumultuous years, Sasha will launch Hospitality Hours in each of the city-region’s ten boroughs over the summer months, where he will provide an hour’s free drinks for punters.

The scheme is set to kick off this Sunday 26th June at the newly opened Adelphi Lads Club in Salford, with the free drinks taking place between 5pm and 6pm.

Talking about the scheme, Lord said:

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“This is all about getting together and thanking the people of Greater Manchester for their support over the past two and a half years. As a city region, we suffered tougher restrictions than any other during the pandemic, and now with the difficult economic environment, our operators are once again at the precipice of closure.

“It’s about time I bought everyone a pint, and what better way than to launch a summer hospitality hour across our ten boroughs. I’m looking forward to being at each one to personally thank landlords and staff and the punters who have kept our sector going.”

 

Police have made an appeal to the public for help in tracing Demaine York from Salford.

York (08/08/1997) is said to be wanted in relation to conveyance of illegal items into prison, breach of restraining order and failing to comply with post sentence supervision.

He is known to have links to Salford and Bury.

Anyone with information about Demaine York’s whereabouts should contact GMP via gmp.police.uk or 101. Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police have made an arrest after reports of a man with a firearm on Station Road in Eccles yesterday at around 1:50pm in the afternoon (21 June).

Officers called in for support from the police helicopter and it would appear that the man was followed for awhile as officers determined the best course of action to apprehend him as safely as possible.

The incident is said to have spanned a number of locations with firearms officers and police dogs being spotted in Buile Hill Park.

Witnesses say they saw armed police talking with a man before arresting him.

Police have not yet released details of the mans age or what he is was arrested upon suspicion of.

We will update this article as soon as we know more.

A spokesperson for  Greater Manchester Police, said:

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"At around 1.50pm on Tuesday 21 June 2022, we received a report of a male with a firearm on Station Road, Eccles.

"Officers attended and a male was arrested."

A man in his 30's has died and another who is in his 60's has been left with serious injuries after a vehicle collision in Little Hulton at around 9pm Yesterday evening (19th June).

Emergency services attended the scene of a multi-vehicle collision which happened on Manchester Road East in Little Hulton, sadly a male in his 30's was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second male in his 60's was taken to hospital having suffered serious injuries in the collision.

Police have arrested three people in connection with the incident, two males, one of which remains in custody alongside a woman.

Police quickly cordoned off the road in both directions between Hilton Lane and Bridgewater Street, and a white tent was erected.

Fire crews were dispatched from both Farnworth and Leigh to provide aid.

A GMP spokesperson, said:

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"At around 8.50pm on Sunday 19 June 2022, we received a report of a collision on Manchester Road East, Little Hulton. A man in his 30s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A man in his 60s was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

"Three people – two men and one woman – have been arrested in connection with the incident. One of the men and the woman remain in police custody for questioning."

 

Seven men dressed as grannies will be travelling from Preston FC to Blackpool Town Centre on June 25th dressed as grannies to raise funds for specialised physiotherapy for eleven-year-old Freya Bailey from Irlam, Manchester.

Freya was born with two holes in her heart and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Her physiotherapy, which is not available on the NHS, costs around £1,000 per month.

Dad Darren Bailey, 50, a water engineer, came up with the Scooter Grannies idea in 2016 to help raise funds for an operation which helped ease Freya's pain. He now has to continue to raise money for ongoing physio which helps to keep her mobile and means she can continue to ride her adapted bike and go swimming.

Darren said:

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'Originally I was thinking of some kind of event with us dressed as superheroes but my friend Olive, who is 80, said: 'Everyone does that, why not dress as grannies? So I took myself to the charity shop, bought some outfits and Scooter Grannies was born.'

This will be the Scooter Grannies fifth event. In previous years, Darren and his colleagues have scooted from Irlam to Blackpool, Irlam to Chester, Huddersfield to Irlam and Anfield to Old Trafford. They are sponsored by 20 local businesses who sponsor the race to continue to pay for Freya's physiotherapy – the money raised by this event will cover physio for around the next five to six months.

Darren said:

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'As ever I'm grateful to all my loyal mates who take part in Scooter Grannies every year, as well as the local businesses and individuals who donate money to help Freya. The funds raised continue to provide physiotherapy and essential equipment for Freya to make life as comfortable and pain free as possible.'

'As well as her ongoing physiotherapy, which costs £240 each week, I am constantly having to buy or upgrade equipment as she grows and her needs change – recently I've spent £3,000 on a off-road buggy so we can do things like go for walks in the woods. She's nearly 12 now and will be wanting more independence, so I'm keen to get her an electric wheelchair but that can be anything from £12,000 to £20,000.' 

'Thank you to everyone involved, family, friends, Scootergrannies, support team, local business sponsors and the local community for still keeping Freya in your thoughts. '  'There is no cure for cerebral palsy, no magic wand just a family's resilience against the odds to raise the funds trying to give Freya the best they can. This has been made easier and more pleasurable with the friends and family I have around me.' 

 

Gill Gibb, CEO of Tree of Hope said:

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'We're delighted to be helping with Freya's fundraising and Scooter Grannies is certainly an innovative event! We wish Darren all the best with it.'

To donate to Freya's fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/freyaslittlelegs/

Three men who were arrested by police on suspicion of murder after a man was found dead at a Pendleton tower block, have been released under investigation.

Police were called to the 25 storey Briar Hill Court tower block in Pendleton at around 10:25pm on the 17th of June.

A man was found unconscious upon arrival and was later pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to hospital.

Three men were subsequently arrested and taken into custody but have now been released under investigation whilst police wait for the results of a toxicology report as part of a post mortem.

The death remains being treated as unexplained.

Salford has joined the nation in paying tribute to past and present members of the armed forces and their families today (Monday 20 June) to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.

Dozens of people attended a ceremony at Swinton Civic Centre where the armed forces flag was raised to the sound of a lone piper.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said respect for the armed forces community was deeply embedded in both Salford and the nation and that he was proud Salford City Council's support for reservists and the armed forces community has been recognised with a gold employers award from the Ministry of Defence.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said:

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"We pay tribute to those serving, veterans and their families for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make and to our cadets and the adult volunteers who support them and to the reservist,"

Ceremonial Mayor of Salford Councillor Ann-Marie Humphreys said:

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"This is a very special week to salute our armed forces who carry out acts of bravery daily to protect our country. Salford joins with the nation in celebrating them."

Sir Warren Smith, KCVO, who will retire as Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester next month said:

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"I think about the men and women prepared to serve and die to protect my freedom. Thank you."

Salford City Council and Salford Veterans Association are working together to create a new armed forces memorial garden.

The garden next to Swinton Cenotaph will celebrate the lives of those in the armed forces who have passed away and provide a space where people can relax and reflect.

It will feature four commemoration benches for Salford people who have received the Victoria Cross. They are Lance Serjeant Joseph Woodall, Sergeant Joseph Lister, Private William Norman and Private Henry George Crandon.

Four flagpoles will proudly display the armed services flags.

Councillors Margaret Morris and Barry Warner are armed forces champions at Salford City Council.

Councillor Morris said:

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"We are proud to work with the Salford Veterans Association to provide this memorial garden and community space. It will be an important space for our armed forces community and we'd like to thank them for all they do for us."

Councillor Warner added:

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"When the memorial garden is opened we will have a fitting ceremony. Our fallen heroes will never be forgotten."

Mixed Photos Courtesy Of: Councillor Maria Brabiner

There have been recent discussions about the future of Astley and Monica Courts, which provide extra care housing to tenants in Salford.

ForHousing announced the closures of both facilities earlier in the month.

After a constructive dialogue, Salford City Council and ForHousing say that they are pleased to now announce both schemes will continue to operate as extra care housing in the future, taking new tenants and ending any uncertainty for those living in the schemes.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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"We commend ForHousing for reviewing their proposals and working with us to provide a resolution which provides a future for these two invaluable extra care housing schemes in the city. We will continue to work closely with ForHousing to make wider housing plans that provide the right quality housing to serve our local areas. Our registered housing providers play an absolutely critical role in providing affordable homes for local people." 

Colette McKune,  ForHousing CEO  said: 

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"We have listened to the views of tenants and the community and understand their feelings  about living at Astley and Monica Courts.  We will be sharing this positive news with tenants and their families today. 

"We will continue to work in partnership with Salford City Council on the quality of extra care housing going forward."

 

Residents living around Islington Park, which lies of Chapel Street, may have noticed that work is now commencing on planned renovation work announced last month which aims to turn the park into an inner-city green oasis.

SALFORD’S OWN SECRET GARDEN GETS TRANSFORMED WITH WORKS TO START AT THE END OF MAY - Salford - salford.media

Unfortunately some residents have raised concerns over an image posted to social media showing a commemoration stone that has been unearthed and laid upside down within the park.

Similar claims mistakenly state that the park is the location of a grave site which once belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel and still contains burials and human remains, which is wholly untrue as all burials in the area were removed and reinterred at Agecroft after the closure of the chapel in the 1960's. The park has not been a grave site for some time.

Similar claims in 2019 revolved around what was thought to be the desecration of headstones and burials on the adjoining site which is home to an apartment block.

As we reported back then, when we attended to look into the story we actually pleasantly surprised to discover that the headstones were actually in the process of being conserved rather than destroyed, as previously they had been buried in with rubble and backfill, and were being dug out and placed flat to be later covered over with soil so as to preserve them for prosperity, which is standard archaeological practice.

After contacting The University of Salford Archaeology Department, we learned that they had been on site during the dig and over seeing the development whilst documenting the stones and history of the site, even looking for further possible burials which may have been missed in one section of the site which had remained completely untouched over the years, none of which were found.

The truth of the matter is the park has not been an active burial ground for many years, there are currently no burials that the council is aware of under the park and we are sure that if in the event such a burial was to be found, it would be excavated properly and the remains would be reinterred along with all the others from the site. However, there is no evidence to suggest any remain in situ as the park has had extensive work carried out in the past.

Speaking at the time, a spokesperson for Salford City Council, said:

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“Archaeologists from the University of Salford carried out initial investigations before work began to check for the presence of graves. The trial trenches did not identify any graves but the archaeologists remain involved in the construction process.

“They believe that gravestones which have been found on the site, were removed from their original locations and re-laid elsewhere, probably 40 years ago. Investigations, which were undertaken with all the proper permits have now concluded and found that there were no human remains at the site. Those gravestones have now been moved in the correct manner and treated with due respect.

"If human remains had been found they would have been carefully removed with all due dignity, under the 2017 regulations set out by English Heritage and the Church of England, and under a licence from the coroner at the Ministry of Justice. Any remains would have been re-buried on site, with due reverence, in an area set aside that would not be affected by the construction works."

 

We contacted the council late last night to ask what was to happen to the stone and this morning we are happy to hear that it will be replaced in the park once work has ended. Both the stone and plaque are to be taken and stored to prevent damage.

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

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"The stone and plaque are a key part of Salford's history and will be replaced in the park once the work is completed. In the mean time we will make sure the contractors store them safely and securely. "

We know that when it comes to our local heritage, quite rightly people will always have concerns but in this case those concerns are clearly being listened too and Islington Park is set to see positive changes in the not too distant future thanks to a £683,249 award from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which is enabling the improvement work to take place.

The site is to become part of the Greater Manchester Bee Network for walkers and cyclists to enjoy.

Since its last revamp some 30-years-ago, then hands of time and the effects of weathering have not been kind, especially to the mosaic which is now beyond repair. However, the good news is that parts of it will live on by being preserved within the feature walls of the park for future generations to enjoy.

The council is also working with local schools to create more hard wearing designs printed onto aluminium.

The work at the park is expected to finish in September and until then footpaths will remain open but the park itself will be closed to the public.

When the park is reopened we will be there with our cameras.

The English Cities Fund (ECF) has submitted a planning application to Salford City Council, to bring forward a further phase of new homes at New Bailey, which forms part of its place-changing, £1bn, 50-acre Salford Central regeneration.

The 22-storey building, designed by Hawkins Brown, will bring forward an additional 196 homes with spectacular city and waterside views, built to the highest specification. Residents will benefit from a full management and concierge service, extensive amenity spaces will be offered at both the ground floor and on the 22nd level which will include a private gym and fitness studio, shared workspace areas and communal lounging areas with stunning views of the River Irwell.

Adjoining the building is Novella, a development of 211 new homes by ECF, where the first excited buyers will be moving in, in August this year. Approximately 50% of the homes at the scheme have been sold before the building has completed. The last few Help to Buy homes are available for first-time buyers, visit www.novella-salford.com for details.

Max Bentham, senior development manager at ECF, said:

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“We’re delighted with how the sales at Novella have progressed and we are excited to submit a planning for the next phase of homes in Salford Central.

“We’ve worked hard to transform this area of city across nearly two decades, providing a choice of homes, fantastic workspace, public spaces and amenities, bringing investment, new jobs and communities, to deliver real benefits for the people of the city.”

 

Should the scheme receive planning consent, the scheme is anticipated to start on site in Q1 2023.

The Salford Central area of Salford is being delivered ECF, a joint venture between leading national regeneration firm, Muse, Legal & General and Homes England. The joint venture partnership is currently delivering some of the most complex and most successful urban regeneration projects across the UK and is also bringing forward the £2.5bn, 240-acre Salford Crescent transformation.

Emergency services responded to a road traffic incident on Manchester Road in Little Hulton, at around 9pm yesterday evening.

Police quickly cordoned off the road in both directions between Hilton Lane and Bridgewater Street, and a white tent was erected.

Fire crews were dispatched from both Farnworth and Leigh to provide aid.

The nature of the incident remains unclear and we have contacted GMP for further information.

A GMFRS spokesperson, said:

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“Just before 9pm this evening (Sunday 19th June) we were called to attend a road traffic collision on Manchester Road, Little Hulton, involving two cars.

“Two fire engines from Farnworth and the Technical Response Unit from Leigh were quickly at the scene. Firefighters are working alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service and remain in attendance at this time.”

 

A prisoner has died at the Category B HMP Forrest Bank prison in Agecroft, triggering an independent investigation into the circumstances behind his death.

The prisoners family have been informed of his death which is said to have happened yesterday (Friday 17th June).

No further details have been released and the investigation is ongoing.

A spokesperson for Forest Bank said:

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"We can confirm that a HMP Forest Bank prisoner died on Friday 17 June 2022.

"The next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with the family. As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and therefore we are unable to comment further at this stage."

 

This latest death comes less than a month after a damning report was released by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, which questioned the prisons ability to fulfil its role with success.

Police have arrested three men on suspicion of murder after they were called to the 25 storey Briar Hill Court tower block in Pendleton at around 10:25pm last night.

A man was found unconscious upon arrival and was later pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to hospital.

The name and age of the deceased has not yet been revealed by police and we ask that any information regarding this is not posted to social media.

In a statement GMP, said:

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"Officers were called to Briar Hill Court, Salford, at about 10:25pm on 17 June 2022 to reports a man was unconscious. NWAS also attended and took the man to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead about an hour later."

"His death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody while the full circumstances are established."

 

Police have charged a man in connection to damage caused to Pendleton police station after two windows and a door were damaged at the police station at around 3pm on Friday (17th June).

Kurt Andrew Poole (28/07/1990), of no fixed abode has been charged with criminal damage and was remanded into custody to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court today (18 June 2022).

A  man who scaled a crane on Chapel Street and mounted a protest for five days over an alleged cover up of a racist attack by police has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage as well as a racially aggravated public order offence and aggravated trespass.

The man remains in police custody for questioning.

The protest revolves around alleged claims made via Facebook that he was prosecuted for defending his home against a number of men with knives, bats and screwdrivers after stopping drug dealers who were operating on a street corner across from his home.

The man claims that as a result HE was arrested for violent disorder and prevented from returning home to his wife despite what he says were 18 witness statements from neighbours being used in evidence to support him.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said:

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"A 51-year-old man has today (17 June 2022) been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, a racially aggravated public order offence and aggravated trespass. GMP were made aware of aware of a man carrying out a protest on a crane near Ford Street, Salford, that started at about 5am on 13 June 2022 and ended peacefully at about midday today."

Cycling enthusiast Neil Williamson will never forget those who shaped his life when he embarks on a gruelling European adventure.

His late mum Jo and St Ann’s Hospice counsellor Hazel Wilcock, who helped him cope with his grief and who also died, will be uppermost in his thoughts. So too close friend Jamie Horrocks, from Irlam, whose family set up a trust after he took his own life in 2013.  

Their memories will be honoured when Neil attempts a 2,000-mile journey from Lisbon back to his home in Salford, including a major detour south to Gibraltar! 

Using his trusty black bike, Neil hopes to complete his poignant ride in two weeks and raise funds for St Ann’s and the trust which bears Jamie’s name.  

Days after mum Jo died of cancer in 2017 in the care of the St Ann’s Hospice @Home team, Neil received bereavement support from Hazel, the charity’s senior counsellor. 

Neil, said:

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Hazel was inspirational and changed my life, helping me through the darkest times I've faced in terms of grief, mental health and depression.

I'm half way through a podiatry degree at Salford University and wouldn't be doing that without Hazel.

This challenge is a tribute to my mum, Hazel and Jamie. Mum had wanted to stay at home and St Ann's were very forthcoming, offering support to cater for her needs and wishes.

The Jamie Horrocks trust highlights the importance of getting support, talking and normalising conversations around mental health.

 Hazel died in an explosion at her home in Bury early last year.  

 To sponsor Neil visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/neil-williamson18

Police say that they have arrested a 19-year-old male on suspicion of wounding with Intent to cause GBH and Possession of a Bladed Article in a public place, after a stabbing in Eccles on Tuesday (14th June).

The victim, a 29-year-old man, was taken to hospital with a none life threatening wound to his leg after being stabbed in the grounds of Eccles Parish Church.

A police spokesman, said:

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On Tuesday 14th June at 7.15pm a 29yr old male was stabbed in the leg following a disagreement with the offender. The circumstances are not clear yet, as to why this occurred.

The victim was taken to hospital where he is recovering from his injuries. Fortunately they were not life threatening.

At around 9am this morning a 19yr old male was arrested, near to the scene, for Wounding with Intent to cause GBH and Possession of a Bladed Article in a public place. The investigation is ongoing.

Myself and my team will be in the town centre over the next few days to reassure the public and answer any concerns you may have.

 

An investigation is ongoing.

A pioneering project in Salford is helping private sector landlords overcome problems by using expertise from a local housing association.

Salford City Council and Irwell Valley Homes have teamed up to launch the first training course in the country for private landlords whose tenants may be experiencing or causing problems.

The aim is to sustain tenancies by helping landlords to draw up a clear action plan around domestic abuse, hate crime, hoarding and anti-social behaviour to avoid evictions. However, the course also sets out the correct legal procedures which landlords need to follow if it does become necessary to end the tenancy.

The scheme is also offering free mediation between private landlords and their tenants and one to one help if required. Private rented sector tenancies now make up a third of Salford's housing market.

Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said:

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"Anti-social behaviour is a blight on communities, and this is part of a package of measures we are using to deal with it.

"Social housing providers have established processes to tackle anti-social behaviour, hate crime and domestic abuse firmly but fairly. It makes sense to use their experience, knowledge and best practice in training to help private landlords who may never have experienced such issues before.

"Our aim is to help landlords to deal with the issues either through their own actions or mediation so the problems stop and tenants don't lose their homes.  That way everyone benefits.

"Fifty private landlords have already 'road-tested' the training and said they found it helpful. Very few of them had experienced problems but say they now feel more confident about recognising and dealing with issues if things should go wrong. We're now encouraging landlords across Salford and Greater Manchester to come forward and take up the training. It is web based so landlords can take it whenever it suits them."

 

Linda Levin, Executive Director of Customers and Communities at Irwell Valley Homes said:

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"As a not-for-profit housing provider, we know the real impact that anti social behaviour has on communities. That's why we have dedicated ASB teams and robust and regulated processes in place to deal with this.

"However, we understand that private landlords do not have these resources and that's why all too often, when ASB occurs in private rented homes, the tenant loses their home.

"We believe that by working together with private landlords, our ASB specialist can help them to successfully resolve issues and leave eviction as the last resort. This training, that our ASB specialist has developed, will provide private landlords across Salford with the tools and support to work with their tenants and other involved parties, such as social housing landlords, the police and local authority, to resolve any ASB, sustain more tenancies and improve the communities they are part of."

 

Salford City Council received funding from the nationwide Future Housing Fund to launch the scheme.