We visited The Irlam Show yesterday and what a fabulous turn out as the crowds several thousand of them partied in the park..Princess Park that is.

Naturally we popped into the VIP tent for a quick drink drink with Darren Goulden one the Events Organisers, a man who seemed to the busiest man on the planet, with his phone going continually with enquires who told us what we could expect to see and who would be performing etc

I have been to many, many festivals but this the most friendliest I have ever seen, great to see young kids running about with not a care in the world, parents and friends in their collapsible chairs, drinking, dancing and laughing the evening away, full marks to those who got into the occasion by having their faces painted and glitter was the must have accessory..

No big queues for the drinks stalls, lots of food available, Thai, Indian, and that staple festival diet burger and chips, the weather was great, what more could you ask for?

I have to doff my cap to Aladdinsane the Bowie tribute act, who wowed the crowd, ripping through Bowies hits and he had the voice and mannerisms off to the proverbial T, The Thin White Duke indeed, a great performer.

Festival favourites Revival Abba were tremendous and this is coming from a man who deemed them to be, too sugary and middle of the road, they hit the stage running, dressed in period Abba costumes and had the crowd dancing and singing along with gusto, I had forgotten that they, had, had that many hit records, Super Trouper, Waterloo, Mama Mia, Knowing Me, Knowing You... the ideal band to get the audience in the mood for a party and dance. yup the audience were, "Having the time of their Lives"  couldn't resist it

Topping the bill was, Now I'm Here Queen and they certainly were, entering the stage to dry smoke, explosions and a light show that Queen would have been proud of, the lead singer must have studied footage of Freddie Mercury for hours and hours to perfectly mimic his stance, the high pitched falsetto voice that could shatter crystal glasses and that camp stage presence, a pure showman, they rocked the Irlam Live show from the opening guitar power chords with a barnstorming set of Queens greatest hits, so many to choose from until their set and encore sadly came to an end, professionalism at it's finest.

So lets see what today brings, really looking forward to this one,

See you there. 

A dedicated Salford foster carer has been appointed to an MBE in the Honours List for her outstanding work with children.

Angela Shiel and her husband Michael Shiel have been approved foster carers for Salford City Council for 21 years. During this time they have cared for 52 children and young people, adopted two children with additional needs and continue to foster three children.

Many of the children who have been placed with Angela and her husband have had significant additional or complex needs due to their previous experiences, needing a lot of extra care, attention and support.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to light how experienced and outstanding Angela and her husband are. They have helped the vulnerable children they care for understand the pandemic, supported them in maintaining birth family relationships, helped children with their wellbeing and to have fun.

During the pandemic, she continued to offer crucial support to foster carers who needed an independent and experienced carer to offer sound and sensible advice.

Angela said:

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“When I found out I was going to receive an MBE, initially although I felt really honoured, I also felt a little embarrassed as I feel lots of carers deserve it. I really appreciate being nominated as it’s not an easy process and it is heart-warming to know they feel I deserve this. I have always wanted to foster, it’s just something I always knew I wanted to do and wanted to do it for my local authority of Salford.

“The most important thing to me are the outcomes for children and young people; supporting them through difficult times, helping them move on, always belonging, being  available and someone they can trust.”

 

Councillor Teresa Pepper, Executive Lead for Education and Learning with Salford City Council said:

Quote

 

“Congratulations to Angela! We’re delighted she has been recognised for her amazing work as a foster carer. What sets Angela apart is her dedication not only to vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, but her commitment to improving the fostering service and supporting her fellow foster carers. She has worked tirelessly not only to ensure that she has the right skills, but other professionals do too.

“She has a great history of providing excellent starts to children who have then been placed for adoption, supporting their plans for moving back to parents or moving on to family members. She is well respected for her reliability, her knowledge, skills, and compassion, but above all her flexibility and ability to problem solve.”

 

The Covid 19 pandemic brought Angela skills to the forefront, supporting the children in her care in the most fun way she could to help them enjoy their stay at home, as well as helping to understand and make sense of the world. From the start of the restrictions from Covid 19, they had two children in foster care placement plus their own children.

Angela planned every day at home, using games and fun activities to ensure the children enjoyed their time as well as supporting their learning and development. They had open discussions about what the pandemic meant to them and why they needed to remain indoors. She used her skills and understanding to ensure they understood why keeping in touch with their own families had to be different for a while. She made sure their emotional wellbeing was being supported as well as the social needs.

She has supported her peers and other carers, acting as role model for the service, speaking in public forums about her role. Her knowledge is taken from years of experience as well as training. Professionals in Salford children’s services have praised Angela for embracing and working positively with a young person’s birth mother in the best interest of the young person.

In her role as a member of the local Foster Carer Association, she can be on call 24 hours a day, answering queries which includes general guidance, representation for carers and requests for direct support.

Emergency services were called to reports of a mans body floating in the water at Salford Quays this morning.

He was recovered from the water and taken to hospital for treatment where he remains.

Police say there were no suspicious circumstances and investigations as to how he ended up in the water are ongoing.

A police statement, read:

Quote

 

Officers were called to a report of a body in the water at Salford Quays just before 11am today (2 June 2022).

Emergency services attended and a male was taken out of the water and to hospital where he remains.

There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances at this stage and enquiries are on-going.

 

A 24-year-old Motorcyclist is fighting for his life after a horrific rush-hour crash which happened on the clockwise m60 slipway at the Eccles junction 11 yesterday evening.

At around 4:30pm yesterday (Tuesday 31st May), emergency services were called to the scene of a collision between a Honda motorcycle and a back Audi A1 in which the motorcyclist had sustained serious head injuries. The slipway and was closed and traffic was diverted around the area.

The biker was quickly transferred to hospital where it is said he remains in a life threatening condition.

The driver of the Audi remained at the scene and is helping police with their investigation into the cause of the accident. There have been no arrests made thus far.

Police are asking for members of the public who may have witnessed the collision or have dash cam footage which could help in their investigations, to come forward.

Police can be contacted on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 2035 of 31/05/2022. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In partnership with the BBC, The Lowry, the University of Salford, the Royal Horticultural Society, Eat Well MCR, Science and Industry Museum, The Open University Business School, HOST, Salford Community Leisure, Salford CVS, Sounds from the Other City and hundreds of community organisations from all regions of the city.

We Invented the Weekend is a bold and imaginative free festival for the North, from Salford, taking place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 2022. The brand-new two-day event will throw open MediaCity and Salford Quays’ spaces and places, to celebrate the joy of free time, taking in sports, music, comedy, theatre, dance, workshops, talks, food, charity, wellness, crafts and more.

From water sports on the canal, community feasts and dance performances, to getting your hands dirty with planting workshops and finding gems at vintage markets, festival-goers will meet new people, try new things and make memories together.

The weekend was invented in Greater Manchester 1843, when Salford Lyceum director and workers’ rights activist Robert Lowes (also Sir Ian McKellen’s Great Grandfather) campaigned to win workers the right to leisure time on Saturday afternoons. In this triumph, Greater Manchester gave an enormous gift to the world and We Invented the Weekend will honour this, in true style, celebrating leisure time, free time, quality time and me-time.

Organisations large and small from across the region are coming together to deliver the inaugural festival at MediaCity and Salford Quays, which will be free and open to all. With large parts of the programme co-created with Salford’s and Greater Manchester’s communities, alongside content delivered by its internationally renowned culture producers, it will be a festival by the people, for the people, celebrating the region’s rich diversity and making sure to acknowledge the millions of people across the UK who work on Saturdays and Sundays too.

Key people and organisations involved in developing the festival are Wayne Hemingway MBE who is Creative Director, Salford’s City Mayor, Paul Dennett, Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Salford City Council, Julia Fawcett OBE, Chief Executive of The Lowry, Gwen Oakden, Development Director at The Lowry, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live Heidi Dawson, Marketing Manchester’s International Marketing Director, Victoria Braddock and MediaCity Place Director, Josie Cahill. 

A process is also underway for a young person and member of the Salford community to join the soon to be announced board, plus a community steering group made up of diverse representatives from across the city will advise the board. We Invented the Weekend Festival Director is Kate Doyle who was previously Head of Festivals and Events for the Science and Industry Museum and has an impressive track record of festival delivery including MIF’s Festival Square 2021, Unity Arena and Festival No.6.

The full programme announcement will take place in early Summer and partners and activity for the festival will include:

The BBC, including BBC Children’s bringing live activity including CBeebies Live Bedtime Stories, the BBC Philharmonic and more to be announced

The Lowry, leading on dance and performance

The University of Salford, who will collaborate with The Open University Business School on a
Big Thinking strand

The Science and Industry Museum who will programme a range of fun STEM activities

RHS Bridgewater, leading on gardening activity

HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, who will deliver a programme of fun and accessible
technology activities

An exciting music partnership with Sounds from the Other City which will see the Salford
institution expand from their Chapel Street base into the Quays for the first time.

And much more to be announced

There will be plenty of opportunities for people across Salford and Greater Manchester to participate at We Invented the Weekend. The Salford Weekend Orchestra with the BBC Philharmonic will invite people across the city to join a mass community performance, with all instruments and abilities welcome. The piece will be composed by Michael Betteridge (Artistic Director of The Sunday Boys – Manchester’s LBTQ+ low voice choir), and performed in the MediaCity Piazza during the festival.

Salford Community and Voluntary Services, in partnership with Salford Community Leisure, have reached out to hundreds of community organisations across the city, with exciting contributions in the works from a whole range of groups – cheerleaders to readers, gamers to bakers, litter pickers to disco dancers and everything in between.

Wayne Hemingway MBE, Creative Director, We Invented the Weekend:

Quote

 

“The weekend is an intrinsic part of the rhythm of life. It’s hard to imagine life without the weekend, yet less than 180 years ago it didn’t exist. Happily, Sir Ian McKellen’s great grandad put an end to life without it.

“Greater Manchester can rightly claim to have invented the weekend and is a place that knows how to celebrate it. Whatever your bag, be it boxing or box sets, crafts or cricket, dancing or digging, reading or raving, swimming or samba, kicking back or letting loose, whatever free time means to you, MediaCity and Salford Quays is the place to be on September 10th and 11th for what has all the ingredients to become THE national celebration of free time.”

 

Julia Fawcett OBE, CEO, The Lowry:

Quote

 

“At The Lowry, we believe in the powerful influence of arts and culture on wellbeing and happiness. Through our annual programme and the breadth of outreach work we deliver, we’re dedicated to cultural enrichment for all of Salford’s communities all year round.

“The Lowry is so proud to be one of the lead partners for We Invented the Weekend, delivering the performance strand of the festival with off-site programming and free creative participation opportunities. As we emerge from the pandemic, this new festival is a wonderful way to come together with our key cultural partners in the city to enhance our annual calendar of cultural events.”

 

Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor:

Quote

 

“The City of Salford’s motto and the name of our strategy for culture,
creativity and the arts is ‘Suprema Lex’, which means ‘The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law’.

The welfare of the people of Salford is paramount, and as the cost of living rises, We Invented the Weekend is set to deliver a programme of essential free cultural and creative activity that is open to every community across our city.

We Invented the Weekend will be a great spectacle, reflecting our proud social history, whilst also
animating the fantastic public realm at Salford Quays in true Spirit of Salford style.”

 

Salford Landlord, ForHousing, is seeing the positive impact of their progressive Salford-wide homelessness scheme as the first tenants move into new homes which have been built in a bid to help bring an end homelessness.

Landlord ForHousing has completed refurbishment work to create six one-bedroom homes for people at risk of becoming homeless. The initiative is part of the government’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP).

The flats, in the Little Hulton area of Salford, are furnished and offered at a low-cost social rent to people who may otherwise end up sleeping rough.

Tenancies for the homes provided through the RSAP will be for a maximum of two years to help ensure accommodation continues to be available for rough sleepers for many years to come.

Tasha* was the first tenant to move into the RSAP-funded properties last year. After becoming homeless following her relationship breaking down, she had ended up sleeping rough in parks and on the streets.

Tasha felt very low and frightened, and with no family or friends to support her, her mental health deteriorated.

She approached support services who were able to provide her with temporary accommodation, and from there was referred to ForHousing. Tasha is now settling into her new home delivered through the RSAP.

Tasha has received support to furnish her flat and make it feel like home, as well as intensive support with setting up benefits and learning budgeting skills.

She said:

Quote

“I couldn’t be happier with the property. It’s given me a safe environment to build my self-confidence again and now I have access to support too, my mental health is going from strength to strength.”

Elsewhere in Salford, eight one-bedroom flats are currently being developed in Irlam, with a 12 month build period, which are expected to complete in March 2023.

Two more schemes in Eccles and Swinton are also in the pipeline and will help even more people to keep a roof over their heads and receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

In Knowsley, where ForHousing also owns and manages more than 1,600 homes, a further seven one-bedroom flats are due to complete refurbishment works in March 2023. In total, ForHousing are expecting to invest £643,000 into these new homes.

The new schemes follow a £1.37 million redevelopment of five semi-detached properties into 10 one-bedroom flats in 2021. Spread across Irlam, Eccles, Little Hulton and central Salford, the progressive landlord received a total of £690,000 of RSAP funding for the redevelopment.

ForHousing has been working closely with Salford City Council throughout the process to identify people most in need and offer them places in the homes.

Nigel Sedman, Executive Director of Homes at ForHousing, said:

Quote

 

“At ForHousing, we believe everyone should have a place to call home, and some people need extra support to get there – especially given the current cost of living crisis. It’s great to see the phases of the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme progressing, it means we can help more people find stability in their life.

“Seeing people settle in our Salford schemes close to their families and support networks like Tasha makes us particularly proud.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with Salford City Council to improve people’s lives.”

 

The Government’s £433 million RSAP was launched in 2020 with an aim to deliver up to 6,000 homes for rough sleepers and bring forward accommodation to help tackle rough sleeping in the long-term.

Contributing to address the homelessness crisis is a key priority for ForHousing, and in the last year, the landlord has let 44 per cent of its homes to people and families who were previously homeless, at risk of homelessness or sleeping rough.

Independently of RSAP, ForHousing has also built a £3.9m scheme in Salford of 39 homes specifically for people facing homelessness.

The landlord is working with partners on a range of initiatives to tackle homelessness. This includes a pioneering project funded by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) that aims to end the worrying trend of people being discharged into unsuitable housing or ending up sleeping rough after treatment in hospital.

ForHousing has provided eight accessible homes which people who fit the criteria can be fast-tracked into with a referral from Salford City Council.

In addition to a roof over their heads, it provides a safe environment for health visits and home treatments.

Following two years of cancelled shows, zoom quizzes and nose-swabs, award-winning writer and comedian Andy Hamilton is delighted to be getting out of the house.

In an evening of comic reflection, reminiscence and revelation, one of the most noted comedy writers and directors of the last few decades looks back over his forty years in comedy and sixty(ish) years on the planet and tries to answer some questions. Expect a hilarious and illuminating night out with a master of comedy.

Audiences will have the opportunity to ask Andy questions on any topic as he takes a look back at his very extensive professional career in comedy.

Beginning in 1976 as a contributor to Radio 4’s Weekending, Andy went on to pick up a raft of awards for co-writing and co-directing such household TV classics as Drop The Dead Donkey and Outnumbered. His TV satires turned up the heat on Westminster with Ballot Monkeys and Power Monkeys, and he and his co-writer Guy Jenkin also penned and directed the hit British comedy feature film What We Did On Our Holiday. A second series of their latest sitcom Kate & Koji, starring Brenda Blethyn, is currently being filmed for ITV.

In addition, Andy’s numerous TV and radio credits include Have I Got News For You, QI, Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers, The News Quiz, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and Old Harry’s Game.

Andy’s debut novel, The Star Witness, and his handwritten (yes, handwritten!) epic novel Longhand are both available via Unbound.

https://www.tincatentertainment.co.uk/news/andy-hamilton-tour

https://unbound.com/books/star-witness /

https://unbound.com/books/longhand/

2022 TOUR DATES

Weds 8th June NOTTINGHAM, Playhouse 0115 941 9419 / www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Sun 19th June LEEDS, City Varieties 0113 243 0808 / www.leedsheritagetheatres.com/city-varieties-music-hall/

Sat 25th June SALFORD, The Lowry 0343 208 6000 / https://thelowry.com/

Mon 27th June MAIDSTONE, Hazlitt Theatre 01622 758611 / https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre

Weds 6th July PORTSMOUTH, New Theatre Royal 023 9264 9000 / https://www.newtheatreroyal.com/

Weds 13th July COLCHESTER, Mercury Theatre 01206 573948 https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/

Sun 17th July BURY ST EDMUNDS, The Apex 01284 758000 https://www.theapex.co.uk/

Two males have been arrested in connection with a stabbing at Albert Park in Broughton which happened around 4pm this afternoon (Tuesday 31st May).

Police and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) attended the scene whereupon they found the victim, a 15-year-old boy, who appeared to be suffering from a stab wound. The teen was quickly taken to hospital by paramedics where he remains, his condition is so far unknown.

Forensics officers were reported to be scouring an area of the park for evidence, a cordon was erected but has since been removed.

The two arrested males are currently being held in custody as police continue their investigations.

A GMP Spokesperson said:

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"Officers were called to Albert Park Road in Salford to a report of a stabbing at 4pm today (31 May 2022). Emergency services attended and a 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he remains.

"Detectives are carrying out an investigation. Two males have been arrested and remain in custody at this time."

 

Inspectors to HMP Forest Bank, the only reception and resettlement prison in the Greater Manchester area, found a prison unable to fulfil its role successfully.

The prison held 1,354 prisoners, nearly 300 above its baseline capacity, and as a consequence, prisoners were often diverted to other establishments on arrival, undermining the core focus of the jail.

Ofsted rated education provision as ‘inadequate’ the lowest possible grading.

Leaders were not identifying key weaknesses in teaching and training, and there was an overall lack of planning which left prisoners unable to learn useful skills while in custody. Those who had additional needs were not sufficiently supported. It was unsurprising, then, that inspectors found provision of purposeful activity to be severely lacking, judging it ‘poor’.

Prisoners were locked in their cells for most of the day with limited or no access to the gym or library.

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said:

Quote

“Leaders showed limited ambition to improve this situation,” adding: “It was clear to us that the prison needed to re-think both what constituted a useful and meaningful regime and how they approached supporting resettlement for a largely transient population.”

Some improvements had been made to safety, but inspectors identified some concerns. Despite a 25% reduction, Forest Bank remained the fourth most violent prison in the country.

Violent incidents were investigated appropriately and the challenge, support, and intervention plan (CSIP) was embedded effectively to deal with perpetrators, but the adjudications process was overwhelmed by the number of cases, leaving some violent offenders unpunished.

Mr Taylor described Forest Bank as a “prison in transition”:

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“The prison was still dealing with some significant weaknesses; however, our findings were more encouraging.”

The full report can be found here: Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Forest Bank by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 14 and 21-25 February 2022 (justiceinspectorates.gov.uk)

Thursday 10 – Saturday 18 June 2022

A powerful new play about love, loss and legacy and featuring music by folk trio The Staves is premiering at The Lowry next month ahead of an August run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Blood Harmony shares the story of a fractured trio of sisters, pulled back together with news that turns their worlds upside down. 

Tensions from the past and worries about the future leave them feeling paralysed. When it feels like your world has come to a stop, how do you find a way to keep moving forward?

Indie folk trio, The Staves, are famous for their soulful harmonies. The band of three sisters wrote their most recent album, Good Woman, following the loss of their mother. Music by The Staves will be woven through the show with exclusive new arrangements by Kate Marlais sung live by the talented cast. The band have also created an original song exclusively for this unique production.

The full cast for Blood Harmony are Eve de Leon Allen (The House With Chicken Legs – HOME Manchester/Les Enfants Terribles, Indecent Proposal – Southwark Playhouse) as Chloe, Keshini Misha (The House With Chicken Legs – Les Enfants Terribles, The Country Girls – Chichester Theatre) as Maia, and Philippa Hogg (Peter Pan – National Theatre/Bristol Old Vic, Offie Award-winning The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Southwark Playhouse) as Anna.

This is a powerful new play by award-winning theatre company, ThickSkin building on their successful partnership with the Lawrence Batley Theatre and is written by Matthew Bulgo, co-directed by Jonnie Riordan and Jess Williams, composed by The Staves, with musical direction and arrangements by Kate Marlais, design by Hayley Grindle, sound design by Lee Affen, and lighting design by Charly Dunford. The team deliver ThickSkin’s trademark physicality and cinematic style in this stunning new production.

Blood Harmony is a new co-production with Watford Palace Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre, supported by The Lowry.

It will run at The Lowry from Thursday 10 to Friday 18 June before touring to The Dukes, Lancaster and the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, before playing The Traverse in Edinburgh from 2 – 28 August. The show will then go on tour in 2023.

For more information please visit https://thelowry.com/whats-on/blood-harmony-2/

Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay will open their first restaurant in Salford on Salford Quays in August. The brand new 180-seat restaurant will create 60 new jobs.

It will be the third Turtle Bay to open in Greater Manchester, already having two restaurants in central Manchester.

Turtle Bay brings their soulful Caribbean-inspired menu, unrivalled tropical cocktails and reggae beats to Salford, where jerk fans can enjoy the brand’s signature beach hut style restaurant or on the beautiful waterfront terrace overlooking The Art Centre. World class Lowry.

Turtle Bay’s daily menu offers a wide selection of Caribbean soul food and grazing options, from their island-inspired breakfast dishes to the jerk pit barbecue, buddha bowls, and small plates. With vegan and vegetarian options and vegan cocktails, there’s something for everyone and every occasion, from drinks with the team to date nights and family dinners.

Salford Quays customers can also enjoy Turtle Bay’s delicious rum-based cocktails 2-4-1 every day. Happy Hour runs daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Late Happy Hour from 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Their famous Bottomless Brunch will also be available on the new site; a two-hour Caribbean cocktail and brunch experience, including unlimited tropical cocktails, mocktails, Red Stripe, and prosecco.

Turtle Bay Salford is also looking for people to join Turtle Bay with a range of features available both in front of and behind the house. Visit the website for more information.

Salford City Council has given the green light to transform Quayside MediaCity’s southern canal side walkway into a new, urban waterfront destination which will champion local, up-and-coming, food and drink independents.

The first traders to be based in the unique, waterfront setting next to the Lowry Theatre, will be ready to serve customers by Christmas with the line-up featuring start-up brands and operators across six units.

Along the waterside and overlooking the iconic view of Manchester United, The Millennium Bridge and the Imperial War Museum, there will be new terraces for outdoor dining balanced with attractive landscaping.

As well as the new outdoor space there will be an independent food hall and community space which will provide a platform for start-ups as well as nurture and support new, homegrown talent.

The waterfront transformation is part of Peel L&P’s five-year redevelopment plan for Quayside MediaCity with works due to commence within weeks. Currently, as part of the plans, the food court is being upgraded and given a fresh new overhaul and will be complete by early summer.

Stephen Wild, Peel L&P’s Director for Strategic Investment and Growth said:

Quote

 

“We’re excited to be given the go ahead on what will give residents, workers and visitors to the Quays and MediaCity a stunning, new space overlooking the waterfront to dine, have a drink or buy local produce. 

“Our local residents wanted to see a more independent offering and we’re looking forward to providing a platform for exciting, new brands from the locality and wider region.”

 

Peel L&P’s revised planning submission for the waterfront dining destination followed the launch of the ‘Salford Quays: A New Vision 2030’ earlier this year, which aims to better enable Quayside MediaCity to play a role as the town centre for Salford Quays and as a valued community facility.

Stephen added:

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“The approval of these plans is the first step in what is a long-term commitment by Peel L&P to create a town centre provision for the Quays. For the future, our aspiration is to bring a range of health and wellbeing community services to Quayside MediaCity which is a crucial element within every community.”

Our good friends over at the Buile Hill Mansion Association have been instrumental in two things, firstly the phenomenally successful campaign which will now see the beloved Mansion house within the park restored to its former beauty and soon to be put back into public use, as well as alongside the sensory garden restoration team, building a thriving community of new visitors to the park.

Suggestions Via Facebook: Buile Hill Mansion Association | Facebook

Last year the team managed to secure lottery funding for a new sculpture trail within the park, which is now set to see an extension courtesy of funding from Oaklands Hospital who are sponsoring an additional structure to commemorate the plague pit victims interred at the brow of Hart Hill (Top of the Golf Course).

The team even saved a tree at the front of the mansion holding historical importance which had sadly died, it was repurposed into a stunning community bench by sculptures.

The plague of 1590

In the year 1590, plague rampaged across both Salford and Manchester which lead to countless victims being buried within a communal grave pit in which was then Hart Hill Meadow, now lying within the boundary of the current day park.

The exact location of the grave site was lost in memory for sometime but it is now thought to be around the area towards the top of the Golf Course which would match with descriptions of it being located at the brow of Hart Hill as was common practice at the time so that the dead interred as close to god as possible.

The site was cleared awhile ago and has been transformed into a relaxing area with seating and some of the best views across Salford, Eccles and Trafford Park.

This latest project is being carried out to respectfully remember and commemorate the lives of those poor souls who sadly lost their lives during which was to be one of the final instances of plague in England.

Each of the existing seven sculptures carries a QR code which can be scanned by visitors phones, which will take them to a page which gives more information about them.

The BHMA are asking for the public to suggest ideas for the new eighth sculpture, which will be chosen by Oaklands Hospital before being created and installed in situ for generations to come to enjoy.

The association is also planning to plant new flower beds around the area and the local council have helped by reinstating the pathway which leads through it, allowing for better accessibility.

Additionally, just a few months back, 95 new trees were planted close by to mark the coming Queens Platinum Jubilee as part of the Queens Canopy Project.

The BHMA plans to hold a community 'family' tea party within the park on Thursday 2 June, 2pm to 4pm. With games and family activities including a parade of crowns.  

Meanwhile work to restore the sensory garden continues with volunteers meeting regularly on Sunday mornings to maintain the garden which itself recently celebrated 60-years since the first turf turning by former Salford Mayor Ellen Mallinson, founder of the garden for the blind.

The sensory garden restoration project has been a huge influence in bringing people both local and from further afield to engage within the park once more, also helping to draw support for other projects within the park.

The park has been transformed over the past few years and now sees regular use with even an 80's themes pop concert planned in the coming months, thanks to the power of people it has become a much nicer and in turn safer place to visit.

We will be following up this article with another, covering the transformation of the mansion and following the story of the people who were instrumental in making what was for decades a dream, into a reality.

Photos: BHMA and Sensory Garden

This Saturday 28th May will see the opening of a new art exhibition at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Crescent, showing artwork which has been acquired by Salford Council over the years and kept in storage, unseen for many years.

I popped in for a quick sneak preview and was delighted at both the varieties and styles of art on display.

As to be expected there is a strong Salford connection with work from L.S. Lowry and Harold Riley figuring prominently.

My favourite local artist, Geoffrey Key who chose his own artwork from the archives has a selection of oils, and sketches on show, and in a glass case there is correspondence from him to the late, Bolton artist, Brian Bradshaw, written on paper made from elephant dung, when he was in South Africa.. I kid you not.

I was more than pleased to see an oil painting by the late, Ray Lowry who lived in Cadishead, showing a street scene, Ray was famous for designing the album cover for, London Calling by The Clash and his weekly cartoons in the now defunct New Musical Express.

Another artist who is long forgotten and in my opinion is one of the finest artists from The Northern School is, Edgar Rowley Smart who has a still life oil painting of flowers in a bowl, take time to study it, so pleased Salford Council had the foresight to purchase this for their collection.

Please excuse my ignorance in naming only a few of the artist in the show, there are quite a few more, but not all of the paintings hadn't been name tagged whilst I was there but this will be remedied by Saturday and I couldn't quite recognise their style etc,  shame on me I know!

The exhibition will run for 12 months from this Saturday, so please call in and see the treasures that we have in Salford, all in all, a marvellous display that makes you even prouder to come from Salford.

https://geoffreykey.com/

Operation Wellington took place across the district yesterday (24 May 2022) when a total of nine people were arrested as officers carried out a series of arrest warrants.

Lee Alan Bird (5/3/1989), of Lemon Tree Grove, Urmston, has been charged with a breach of a court order

Haley Coleman (11/12/1981), of Hatton’s Court, Stretford, has been charged with theft

Callum Hinds (20/8/1996), of Helsby Road, Sale, has been charged with possession with intent to supply drugs and aggravated vehicle taking

Bernard Gordon (27/12/1976), of Mulberry Court, Salford, has been charged with theft from a motor vehicle

Tony Porter (4/2/93), of Ashton Lane, Sale, has been charged with failing to appear at court

They are all due to appear at court in the coming weeks.

GMP's Trafford district plans to run similar days of action at regular intervals throughout the year.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged with the teens murder.

They have been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday 25 May 2022. 

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged with Alan’s murder in March.

Alan was found at Clowes Park, not breathing and in an unresponsive state, on the morning of the 30th of Jan 2022, less than a month after his 17th birthday.

An inquest in February established that the provisional cause of death was due to having sustained multiple stab wounds.

22% of children in Salford live in poverty, while Ordsall ward contains the highest child poverty rates in the borough with 32% of all children there living in poverty.

Data published today from Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) reveals that the cost of living crisis is already compounding high levels of poverty across Salford. 

The average child poverty rate across Greater Manchester is 25%

22% of children in Salford are living below the poverty line

The ward with the highest child poverty rate is Ordsall ward where 32% of all children are living in poverty

15% of Salford residents are experiencing fuel poverty

9% of people in the borough are struggling with food insecurity As the UK’s cost of living crisis deepens, more and more people – including children – are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

GMPA’s Poverty Monitor has discovered that the average child poverty rate across Greater Manchester is 25%, while Salford is lower at 22%, the statistic that 32% of children in Ordsall ward are living in poverty is shocking.

As energy costs soar, families across Greater Manchester are having to choose between heating their homes and eating.

GMPA’s Poverty Monitor shows that 15% of Salford residents are in fuel poverty and 9% are struggling with food insecurity – figures that are expected to increase in October when energy prices rise again.

The increasing costs of living, benefits not keeping up with inflation and the removal of the £20 universal credit uplift has forced more people in Salford into poverty and into ‘in-work poverty’ – whereby many families are turning to foodbanks despite being in paid, full-time work.

Graham Whitham, CEO of Greater Manchester Poverty Action, said:

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“GMPA’s Poverty Monitor highlights a high number of children in Salford that are living in poverty. At GMPA we work to prevent and reduce poverty by campaigning for a real living wage, advising local authorities and the combined authority on anti-poverty strategies and offering practical help to people through our money advice referral tool.

Our vision is of a Greater Manchester free from poverty, and while we do all we can locally we are seeing more and more people, and children struggling.”

our data shows we have a growing Greater Manchester and nationwide poverty emergency.

We urgently need a national anti-poverty strategy to help people in poverty.”

 

Paul Dennett, Leader of Salford Council said:

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"It's a damning indictment of the government's levelling up agenda, that those areas such as Ordsall which were at the heart of the industrial revolution - and one of the biggest losers from deindustrialisation under Thatcher - 40 years on are still amongst the poorest areas of the country.

This country's economic model does not work. We need a serious government led economic plan to bring industry and prosperity back to regions of our country who have been forgotten for so long." 

 

A consultation on plans to create an inclusive and sustainable residential community in Worsley, Salford, with a new primary school site, all set within a connected network of green spaces, has been launched today.

Peel L&P and its homebuilder Northstone is bringing forward plans at Hazelhurst Farm, next to the East Lancashire Road in Worsley, Salford.  

The proposals would create up to 450 energy efficient homes to meet local needs, including first time buyers, families and downsizers.

Many of the new homes will be affordable housing, to help meet the chronic shortage of affordable properties in the local area. The scheme would also include land and funding for a new two-form entry primary school, which will help meet a wider shortage of school places and contribute to the family-friendly credentials of the proposals.  

The site immediately adjoins the East Lancashire Road and there will be a new footpath to the adjacent Wardley Park and Ride facility for the Vantage Guided Busway, providing new residents with excellent commuter connectivity to central Salford and Manchester.

To promote sustainability, plans will improve existing wildlife and local natural assets within and adjacent to the site, including enhancing the ecological potential of Worsley Woods. This will provide a network of green spaces with walking and cycling connections to the surrounding area and help to improve the condition of the environment.

Hazelhurst Farm has been allocated for residential development by Salford City Council in Greater Manchester’s Places for Everyone Plan, which is currently being considered by the Secretary of State for Housing, Levelling Up and Communities.   Peel L&P’s Hazelhurst Farm consultation shows how the site could be developed for housing in line with the Places for Everyone proposals.

Annabel Partridge, Peel L&P’s Associate Director of Development Planning said:

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“In developing our plans, we have carefully considered both the natural characteristics of the area and the existing community. Our proposals for Hazelhurst Farm would represent an investment of over £54million to deliver a sustainable and inclusive new community and deliver some of the new family and affordable homes that the area desperately needs, as well as providing a much-needed new site for a new primary school.

“Peel L&P is a long-term investor in Salford and we’ve successfully delivered some transformational schemes in partnership over many years, like MediaCity, the AJ Bell Stadium, the RHS and improvements to the Bridgewater Canal.

“As many people will know, the delivery of new family and affordable homes is a longstanding challenge across the City, along with the need for new primary school sites, so we’re really pleased to now be bringing forward this new community that is fully aligned with Salford and Greater Manchester’s new plan.

“We are also really excited to show local people the innovative and sustainable housing designs of Northstone, who are based right here in Salford, and how we can create an attractive, modern neighbourhoods through careful design.”

 

Find out more about the proposals and have your say at https://www.hazelhurstfarmconsultation.co.uk

You can also call the dedicated community information line (Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm) on 0333 358 0502.    

The public consultation will run until 14 June 2022.

Salford schoolchildren have been using their artistic talents to help raise awareness about the dangers posed by construction sites.

Children at Willow Tree Primary School have designed a series of health and safety posters that have been put up around the new Neighbourhood development in Seedley South, which is currently under construction.

The eye-catching designs highlight the hazards associated with playing on building sites.

Neighbourhood is a new development from housing association Salix Homes and developer Step Places who are building 157 homes on land off Kara Street and Liverpool Street, close to the primary school on Greenland Street.

Construction workers from the site recently gave an assembly to the schoolchildren about site safety to highlight the potential dangers in and around construction sites, which prompted the children to create their own safety posters.

Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director at Step Places, said:

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“Meeting up with the children at Willow Tree Primary School was really enlightening. The children showed a great interest in the scheme from a health and safety point of view, to future careers and the energy saving features we’re adopting. The engagement with the school and the staff is excellent and we are proud to be involved in a community-led scheme with our partners Salix Homes.”

Neighbourhood is an eco-friendly development, comprising social housing, homes for affordable rent and properties for shared ownership and outright sale.

Terry McBride, development manager at Salix Homes, added:

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“Neighbourhood is a real community-focused development, which will bring much-needed new and affordable housing for local people, so we’re committed to continuing those community connections and working closely with the children and staff at Willow Tree Primary School.

“The children’s posters are just fantastic, and they have really taken the message about site safety onboard. The Neighbourhood development is situated in the heart of a well-established community, so we hope the children’s posters on site will really help highlight the importance of safety on construction sites.”

 

Deputy headteacher Karen Lyons, said:

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“The children of Willow Tree really enjoyed displaying their creative talents in order to share the message and highlight the importance of safety on construction sites. What a wonderful opportunity for them to have their posters publicly showcased within their own community.”

Neighbourhood is a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and one and two-bedroom apartments and is due to be completed in summer 2023.

Photo: Children from Willow Tree Primary School with their safety posters which have been put up at the Neighbourhood development. Pictured with Cllr Alexis Shama, Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director at Step Places and Terry McBride, development manager at Salix Homes.