Christopher Wier, 41, has apparently gone missing again from Salford Royal Hospital.

Christopher is described as white, 6ft tall and of a medium build with short, dark blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a navy tracksuit with white on the side.

Christopher has a medical condition where he may become confused and agitated.

Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about Christopher and want to make sure he is safe and well.

Anyone with information about Christopher's whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 5443.  

Police have released an e-fit image of a man they want to speak to following an assault at a car wash in Salford.

At around 2pm on Monday 31 August 2020 police were called to reports that a man, aged in his 40's, had been assaulted at Swinton Car Wash on East Lancashire Road.

The man was approached by a group of five men who punched and kicked him before chasing him down the road with a metal pole which was used to strike his ankle.

Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital with a fractured ankle which required hospital treatment. 

The man who was wielding the pole is described as white, in his late 30's, around 5ft 7ins tall and of a stocky build with a bald head. At the time of the assault he was wearing a grey top and shorts and spoke with a local accent. An e-fit image has been released of this offender.

The other four men are described as white and aged between 30-40.

Offender two had a bald head and was wearing a grey hoody, grey shorts and a face mask.

Offender three was wearing a blue jacket, dark shorts and boots and a face mask.

Offender four is of a stocky build with a bald head and was wearing a grey t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms.

Offender five was wearing a dark hooded top with white stripes along the sleeves and a red face mask.

No arrests have been made and enquires are ongoing.Detective Constable Helen Mason, of GMP's Salford District said:

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"This was a violent assault which has resulted in a man requiring hospital treatment for three weeks.

"If anyone witnessed this assault or recognises the man in the e-fit, please get in touch with police as soon as possible. Even the smallest piece of information could help us to complete out enquiries and bring these men to justice."

 

Anyone with any information about the assault should contact police on 0161 856 65470 quoting incident number 1576 of 31/08/2020.

Information can be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Largest Council housing scheme for 50 years in Salford – 417 new Council and community-owned homes, with the potential for 3,000 more on the horizon

The largest scheme of housing developments for 50 years in Salford has been given the green light.

Salford City Mayor approved recommendations from officers at the Property and Regeneration Briefing on Monday 14 December for a ‘self-build residential development case’ for 417 new eco-friendly homes to help tackle the housing crisis in the city, with support from its arm’s length company Dérive. Of the homes, 188 will be available for social rent, 127 for affordable rent, 52 to the private rented sector and 50 will be sold. They will provide a quality and sustainable range of house types and size to meet local needs.

And the ambition doesn’t stop there, in total, thousands of extra new units could be provided by Salford City Council in the next ten years with the vast majority managed by Dérive - if access to funding is successful.

Works on 104 of the homes available for social rent will start in February 2021. Construction will start at Clifton Green in Pendlebury as well as Brassington Avenue and Ryall Avenue which are both in Ordsall. The developments are made up of 30 homes and 99 apartments including the provision of wheelchair friendly homes at all sites. Planning permission was approved for all the developments in October 2020 and all homes will be constructed based on a fabric first low carbon/low energy approach which the council hopes will encourage other housing developers to follow its environmental lead.

The council also plans to buy 25 homes at a development on Kara Street, Langworthy through its own housing company Dérive. These affordable homes will be made available for local people at social rent levels and consist of one bedroomed apartments, as well as two and three bedroomed houses.

The approval of the development case by the City Mayor also gave full approval for 66 homes at the former St Lukes Primary School in Weaste and 45 homes at the former Irwell Valley School in Irwell Riverside. The two schemes will deliver 111 homes of which 69 will be owned by community led organisations Inspiring Communities Housing and the Broughton Trust with whom the City Mayor has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. They will consist of one and two bedroomed apartments as well as two, three and four bedroomed homes let at affordable rents. Both proposals are subject to planning approval which will be submitted in Spring 2021. Seddon has been appointed as the selected contractor to deliver the community led housing schemes and the Clifton Green, Brassington and Ryall Avenue developments.

In addition, Longshaw Drive in Little Hulton will see 177 homes – made up of 132 houses and 45 apartments. These will be let at social, affordable rents, private rents and sale – to provide a range of housing options and choices.

Homes England have kindly provided grant funding for the Clifton Green, Brassington Avenue ,Ryall Avenue and Kara Street properties and it is now intended to apply for further grant funding support on the remaining units.

The intention is that, apart from a small number of units that will be for sale on the Longshaw and St Lukes sites, the homes will ultimately be taken under the control of Dérive – a housing company wholly owned by Salford City Council.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“Providing truly affordable housing has always been one of my top priorities and yesterday marked a significant milestone in that journey.

“The approval of this development case is very exciting for Salford City Council and represents the largest scheme of housing developments by the Council for 50 years.

“Housing waiting lists are far too long and the market is providing nowhere near enough truly affordable solutions to tackle the homelessness and housing crises in our city.

“These developments and others to follow, will help tackle the crisis for the benefit of local people and all our communities, providing quality affordable homes and apartments in different locations that are a mix of sizes that local people need.

“This is the beginning, my intention is to deliver many more truly affordable homes for people and families in our city over the coming years. We will continue to think innovatively and use all our powers to do all we can for local people in relation to the provision of affordable housing.”

 

Councillor Tracy Kelly, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing at Salford City Council and a Director of Dérive, said:

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“This decision is fantastic news for all our communities and generations to come, everyone deserves to have a roof over their head and a place to call home! This is the largest scheme of truly affordable housing developments in the city for 50 years. I cannot wait to welcome people into their much-needed new homes.”

Duncan Williams, Divisional Director at Seddon said:

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“We’re proud to be working with Salford City Council to deliver more than 230 affordable family homes in five locations across the city, creating thriving communities for now and future generations.

“It is our belief that people make places, and we expect the impact of these new homes to be far-reaching. The project will deliver new housing where it’s needed most and provide a vital lifeline for businesses by supporting the local supply chain and workforce, including opening up training opportunities via apprenticeships.”

 

Frontline staff at a Salford housing association have helped spread some Christmas cheer by donating toys to children who need them most.

The Environmental Services Team at Salix Homes have taken part in the Little Hulton Toy Appeal – collecting a mountain of toys and gifts to donate to families experiencing hardship this Christmas.

The toy appeal, which is now in its fifth year, urges local residents to donate gifts to children in Salford who may otherwise go without at Christmas.Maria Lester, environmental services team manager at Salix Homes, said:

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“This year the team wanted to do something for charity instead of doing a Secret Santa for themselves, so they decided to collect toys for local children in need through the Little Hulton Toy Appeal.

“After the difficult year everyone has had, they wanted to spread a little bit of festive cheer. Christmas is a particularly difficult time for many families, and we don’t want any child to wake up to nothing on Christmas morning, so we hope our donation will help bring a smile to children’s faces.”

 

The Environmental Services Team work in Salix Homes’ neighbourhoods across Salford to ensure the environment around customers’ homes is clean, tidy and an attractive place to live.

Sue Sutton, deputy chief executive at Salix Homes, added:

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“This year will be especially tough for many families in our communities, due to the impact of the pandemic.

“I’m really proud of our Environmental Services Team for their generous act of kindness and for helping to spread some festive cheer to families in need this Christmas.”

 

Image: Luke Birchall and Carl Greenwood, from Salix Homes’ Environmental Services Team, with the mountain of toys and gifts they’ve collected

Police Officers are investigating after two men were seriously injured in a road traffic collision on Liverpool Street.

Shortly after 1.15pm on Tuesday 15 December 2020, a  grey Mercedes C2020 was travelling on Liverpool Street towards Langworthy Road, when it collided with a silver Toyota Yaris.

The driver of the Toyota Yaris , a man in his 20s, sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

The driver of the Mercedes, a man in his 40s, was also taken to hospital also with serious injuries.

No arrests have so far been made. 

Police investigators are appealing for any information and want to speak to anyone who saw the incident take place or saw the cars in the area before the collision.

They would particularly like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage of the incident.

Details can be passed on to police by calling 0161 856 6108 quoting incident number 1354 of 151220.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Over 3,000 care workers in Salford have been given a pre-Christmas pay rise thanks to the city’s ambition to become the first Living Wage city in England.

 Salford City Council and Salford NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) set aside £1 million in 2020/21 for care workers employed to support vulnerable people to receive an increase. Their hourly rate is now £9 to £9.30 an hour, a step towards them all receiving the full real Living Wage of £9.50 per hour.

 The Salford Offer has been offered to all contracted adult social care providers in Salford including people who arrange their own care through a direct payment and those people who are employed as Shared Lives Workers to deliver care to vulnerable adults. 

 City Mayor Paul Dennett said the decision to raise the hourly rate was taken before the pandemic but has even more significance now.

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 “Care workers do a fantastic job in helping people stay well and safe in their own homes and we have never appreciated that more than this year,

“Our aim is for them all to be paid the full real Living Wage rate of £9.50 an hour and this is another step towards that.”

 

 Dr Tom Tasker, Chair of Salford CCG, said:

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“Social care workers play a critical role in looking after Salford’s most vulnerable people and making sure they are receiving the best care within the community.

 “I’m delighted that they are to be paid a higher and fairer wage for what can be a challenging and demanding job, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. We recognise that this isn’t yet in line with the real living wage, but it is a step in the right direction as we continue to work on providing carers with a wage that is in line with real living costs.”

 

 The real Living Wage is independently calculated based on what people need to meet the true cost of living and is upgraded every year to reflect increases in living costs.

 Salford is the fastest growing economy in Greater Manchester but nearly 40% of the workforce (44,600 people) in Salford earn below the real Living Wage, compared to 30% nationally.

 An action group of representatives from the private, public and voluntary and community sectors and local trades unions has spent the last year working with local employers to raise awareness and pay rates and has already seen the number of accredited Living Wage employers increase from 38 in 2019 to 47 in 2020.

 The ambition is to increase that to more than 70 businesses by 2022 which could double the number of people paid the real Living Wage from 10,000 to 20,000.

Kind-hearted Salfordians have stepped up to the plate to make Christmas special for young people who are or have been in care.

Unable to lay on a Christmas dinner because of COVID-19, Rotary in Worsley members, volunteers with Salford CVS and Salford City Council’s Next Step team, which supports care leavers, are taking Christmas to the doorsteps.

Volunteers have already started distributing food hampers and gifts and on Christmas Day morning 16 volunteer drivers will turn Santa to deliver the last remaining ones.

Tony Clayson, President of Rotary in Worsley said the plan had been to team up with internationally famous Manchester poet Lemn Sissay MBE, himself a care leaver, and his Gold from the Stone Foundation to put on a sit-down Christmas dinner.

He said:

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“Lemn set up the Foundation in 2013 so no care leaver will feel alone. The Christmas Dinner is an annual celebration for care leavers and their children and we’ve never done it before in Salford,

“We can’t invite people to a sit-down meal this year so we decided to take Christmas to them instead. Rotary in Worsley raised all the funds and secured the volunteers needed in just four weeks which is amazing and makes me so proud of the people of Salford. Our aim is to make this an annual event with, hopefully, a sit-down meal on Christmas Day.”

 

Volunteers and staff from Salford City Council’s Next Step team will deliver 101 hampers to young people in supported accommodation and those who live alone, some of whom have children of their own. Among the gifts being distributed are hand knitted blankets and teddy bears for the children made by a local Salford knitting group and a subscription to the Salford Imagination Library, set up by country singer Dolly Parton, which mails a book each month to children from nought to five years old.

The Gold from the Stone Foundation advises groups which want to support care leavers with the Christmas Dinner. It is the first time Salford has been involved and it is only of only 18 cities in the UK which are taking part.

On Christmas Day, in addition to receiving their gifts, all care leavers will be invited to join an online Christmas greeting event prepared by The Gold from the Stone Foundation. It includes a personalised video greeting from TV celebrities and an online Christmas Day quiz delivered by Santa and one of his elves, courtesy of Rotary in Worsley.

Alison Page, Chief Executive of Salford CVS said:

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“Our volunteers have done a fantastic job supporting vulnerable people through the pandemic and they jumped at this chance to deliver a bit of Christmas cheer.”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor John Merry said he could not thank the team enough for rising to the challenge.

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“Our refuse collectors launched the Santa Appeal a few years ago and our staff and  the public overwhelmed us with toys and gifts to make sure children and young people in need didn’t miss out on Christmas.

“Rotary in Worsley and Salford CVS played a huge part in the success of the toy appeal which, unfortunately can’t run this year because of the pandemic, so I’m delighted that once again they and the people of Salford have been so generous and supportive. It will bring a bit of light at the end of a very dark year.”

 

Tony Clayson and Lemn Sissay - pre pandemic photo

Salford housing association Salix Homes has scooped a national award in recognition of its digital customer portal.

Salix Homes, which own and manages around 8,000 homes across Salford, was been named Digital Landlord of the Year at the UK Housing Awards 2020.  

The housing association picked up the prestigious accolade thanks to its innovative online services platform - MySalix.  

The new and improved MySalix digital portal was launched in October 2019, and enables customers to easily manage their tenancy at the click of a button or tap of a phone. 

It includes an innovative chat-bot and webchat which means that tenants can save time booking repairs.  

The launch of MySalix followed a transformation of the organisation’s IT infrastructure to allow the housing provider to meet the demands of the modern world. 

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said:

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“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into developing MySalix and the fundamental rethink of our IT environment to enable it and I’m incredibly proud of this achievement.  

“In our latest corporate plan, Our Future, we’ve set out our commitment to delivering a truly digital service for our customers, so that that they can have more control over their tenancy.

“The technology we have used is a first for the housing sector and is something we are continually developing to improve our digital services. 

“The foundations and organisational culture that helped us develop this kind of platform for our customers, are the very same that has helped us adapt quickly as a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, embracing and deploying new tech and systems pretty much overnight.” 

 

The UK Housing Awards are the most prestigious awards in the sector and celebrate the very best teams and individuals in the UK housing sector.  

The first ever virtual UK Housing Awards were held on Thursday, 3 December and were hosted by comedian Rory Bremner.  

MediaCityUK will be launching its festive season this evening at 6.30pm (3rd Dec) with a virtual light switch on event hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Katie Thistleton and CBBC sensation Hacker The Dog, which will be broadcast from the MediaCityUK

MediaCityUK | Facebook

This year’s array of magical Christmas lights will transform the MediaCityUK gardens and piazza into a twinkling wonderland and includes the UK’s first digital Christmas tree, the insta worthy shimmer wall and the newly created elf and fairy garden.

The virtual switch-on marks the beginning of a series of safe festive activities including the Winter edition of Box on the Docks, delivered in partnership with Hemingway Design, which brings a striking open-air art gallery and immersive art trail to MediaCityUK opening on Saturday, 5 December.

The uplifting and colourful display of 30 art adorned sheds and greenhouses features Manchester School of Art graduate, Daniel Waggett’s LS Lowry inspired artwork ‘A Crowded Place’, while, graphic artist and illustrator Nick Chaffe has used his signature style combining colourful icon illustrations to construct the ‘Love Chapel’. Salford University student, Helena Worthington, who also features in Channel 4’s Gogglebox, has created a striking mural symbolising what her home city of Salford means to her.

Those unable to visit in person will be able to enjoy a visual online gallery of the Box on the Docks artworks from the comfort of their home: www.boxonthedocks.co.uk

This year, more than ever it’s important to give back and MediaCityUK based Carbon Creative has created a striking Salford Food Bank collection box to support local families in need and visitors are urged to drop in an appropriate food item as they pass-by, such as instant coffee, jarred sauces, jam as well as boil in a bag rice and pasta.

For families looking for festive activity, Blue Peter and CBeebies have both created bespoke boxes and children will love exploring the nearby Elf and Fairy garden, discovering the twinkling lights of their mystical fairy friends. Finally, head to the sparkling shimmer wall to capture a selfie and enter MediaCityUK’s ‘Shimmer til you’re a winner!’ competition for a chance to win a number of prizes.

As well as the public art display and trail, the ambition is to reopen in January as a location for local hospitality to run socially-distanced dining within the comfort and safety of the self-contained sheds and greenhouses. Until then, restaurants and cafes including; Penelope’s Deli, Prezzo, Pret a Manger, Wagamama, Vertigo, Grindsmith and Costa are offering takeaway services.

Over the water at the Quayside shopping mall, visitors can park for free and visit the popular Makers’ Markets which will take place on The Lowry Plaza every weekend from 5 – 20th December.

Josie Cahill, Director of Place for MediaCityUK said:

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“Everyone, from the artists to the light installers as well as our special guests Katie Thistleton and Hacker the Dog have pulled together to bring the magic back to MediaCityUK this Christmas.

“Families have the space to safely enjoy everything we have on offer and will also get the opportunity to support our local artists and traders as well as the local community through the Salford Foodbank gift box.”

 

For further information about Box on the Docks or to explore the virtual gallery of all artworks, please visit https://www.boxonthedocks.co.uk/

Photos: MediaCityUK and Box On The Docks

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce Jennifer Saunders will reprise her role as ‘Mother Superior’ in the UK tour of ‘SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL’ at Manchester Palace Theatre from 27 September – 9 October 2021. The previously announced Brenda Edwards and Clive Rowe will play ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ and ‘Eddie Souther’.

The tour follows the run in London at The Eventim Apollo which stars Jennifer Saunders and Whoopi Goldberg which will open on 20 July 2021 and run until 29 August 2021.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own

Jennifer Saunders is a multi-award winning actress, comedian and writer. She is one half of the successful comedy duo French and Saunders and also wrote and starred in five series, three specials and a feature film of her hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous. Her many other TV credits include writing and starring in Jam and Jerusalem and guest starring in Friends and Roseanne. Film credits include the voice of the evil Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2. On stage she has appeared in Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre and Blithe Spirit at Bath Theatre Royal and Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End. Sister Act the musical will mark Jennifer’s musical theatre debut.

Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many West End and touring credits include ‘Killer Queen’ in “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre and original UK Tour, ‘Mama Morton’ in “Chicago” at The Adelphi Theatre, ‘Nettie Fowler’ in “Carousel” at London Coliseum, ‘Pearl Pastor’ in “Carmen Jones” at Royal Festival Hall, ‘Esta’ in “Moby Dick” at Union Theatre and  ‘Motormouth Maybelle’ in “Hairspray” on UK Tour . Brenda most recently starred in “White Christmas” in London’s West End at The Dominion Theatre and is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

 Clive Rowe won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “Guys and Dolls” at The National Theatre and was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in “Carousel”, also at The National Theatre. At 2009’s Oliviers, he was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for “Mother Goose” at Hackney Empire. His many West End and touring credits include “Ladykillers” at the Gielgud Theatre, “Chicago” at the Adelphi Theatre, “Sweet Charity” at the Donmar Warehouse, the UK tour of “The Wind in The Willows” and “Me and My Girl” at Chichester Festival Theatre. 

SISTER ACT has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set and costume Design by Morgan Large,  Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt. 

SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg. Tom Leonardis, Head of Whoopi’s production company, will also be on the producing team.

SISTER ACT

Monday 27 September – Saturday 9 October 2021

Manchester Palace Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/Manchester

Website: sisteractthemusical.co.uk

Instagram: @sisteractsocial

Facebook: @sisteractsocial

Twitter: @sisteractsocial  

A man has been jailed for over six years after he carried out rape on a Salford woman in July 2019, whilst she was sleeping alone in her room.

Daniel James (27/10/1998), of Nelson Drive, Cadishead, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday 2 December 2020) at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, after previously admitting one count of rape.

The court heard that James raped the woman – aged in her 50s – in the early hours of Saturday 6 July 2019 at his home after leaving his room, where he had been with friends, and going into the room she was sleeping in.

James raped her while she was asleep, before running off when the victim began to wake up and fight him off.

Understandably shaken, the victim left the address and went home and made a report to police later that day.

When officers later went to the address, James was in the garden with his friends and made off on foot as soon as he saw police.

James handed himself in the following day and was subsequently arrested and charged with rape. After pleading guilty to rape in October 2020, he has now been ordered to serve six years and three months in custody and made to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Constable Leanne Jackson, of GMP’s Swinton CID, said:

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“Both the victim and I are pleased with today’s verdict passed by the judge, as it means Daniel James will spend a lengthy time behind bars for this depraved and predatory attack, for which he has shown no remorse.

“James preyed on a vulnerable woman while she was asleep and defenceless to stop him, as he carried out his abhorrent actions; now I hope the sentence he’s been given goes some way to ensuring he faces the consequences of that horrific night.

“I want to thank the victim for her stoic bravery during what has been an immensely difficult time between the attack and finally securing justice today. I hope that she is able to take some comfort from the closure of this case knowing James is locked up, and can safely lead the rest of her life.”

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

-Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.  Call us on  0161 273 4500 or email us at help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

-St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a wanted man from Stockport with links to Salford.

Adam Miller (25/12/90) is wanted in connection with a serious assault in the Reddish area on Sunday 22 November 2020.  

Miller is known to also have links to the Tameside areas of Greater Manchester as well as High Peak.

Anyone with information regarding Adam Miller's whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 8692 or 0161 856 9821 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Wanted: someone who can 'eat' Playdough, turn into a pirate on demand and has a warm, smiling face.

That’s the request of youngsters at five Salford nurseries who have helped write job descriptions for new staff.

Salford City Council is recruiting for permanent and temporary posts at its five top class nurseries and staff decided to ask children what they would like to see in a new recruit.

Deputy City Mayor Councillor John Merry, said:

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“Top of the list was someone who can eat Playdough – well, convincingly enough that a two year-old will believe you like their ‘cooking’,

“That was quickly followed by be a pirate, laugh at my jokes, read a story and do all the voices, have lots of fun and laugh a lot.

“The job description also includes being able to make every child feel special and encourage their development, being a good team player who can cope with no two hours in the day being the same and being prepared to feel loved, special and important to many young children and their families.”

In return for such adaptability new recruits can expect a starting salary of £20,493 for a 36 hour week with both full and part time roles available as well as training and access to professional development.

Anyone interested in applying will need a relevant early years qualification at a minimum Level 2, will need to be available to work shifts between 8am and 6pm and work across all five nurseries in Eccles, Winton, Pendleton, Higher Broughton and Little Hulton.

The nurseries care for and educate children from nought to five years old and are open 51 weeks a year. They have indoor and outdoor play areas and Barton Moss has its own Forest School where children learn through enjoying nature.

To find out more and apply please see www.greater.jobs/search-and-apply/job-details/SF-42626

New mums and dads and those expecting can tap into a range of online help.

Salford City Council is offering two free courses for before and after the birth as well as regular weekly sessions to meet other parents.

The antenatal course called ‘understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby' has been developed by midwives and gives practical information as well as how to start building a relationship with the baby before it is even born.

The postnatal course called ‘getting to know your baby’ looks at babies’ physical and emotional development and how important play is as well as how to understand and respond to crying and developing healthy sleep patterns.

The free online weekly sessions for parents or carers with babies aged from birth to 12 months are a baby social session on Mondays, introducing solid foods on Tuesdays, and baby play on Thursdays.

Deputy City Mayor Councillor John Merry said the courses were designed to support new families who may be feeling isolated:

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“Social groups are a major source of support when you become a new parent and we wanted to make sure families are not missing out on those useful tips, places to ask questions and great advice.”

You can find out more and register at www.salford.gov.uk/learnaboutbaby

 or call the early help admin team on 0161 686 7235.

Salford City Council is hoping to give local shops a much needed boost with free parking in the run up to Christmas.

Shoppers can use eight pay and display car parks in Eccles, Monton, Pendleton and Swinton for free on three Saturdays in December. They are Saturday December 5, Saturday December 12and Saturday December 19.

Saturday December 5 is also national Small Business Saturday encouraging people to ‘search local, shop local’. Shoppers can find local retailers by searching by postcode and small businesses can register on the Small Business Saturday website www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“It has been such a difficult year for small traders. I hope this encourages people to shop locally but safely to support Salford businesses.”

The list of car parks included are:

Partington Street, Monton

John William Street, Eccles

Eccles Precinct

St Mary’s Road, Eccles

Irwell Place, Eccles

Barton Lane, Eccles

Hankinson Way, Salford

Church Street, Swinton

Notices will be posted on site at these car parks. All other conditions for using the car park, such as parking within properly marked bays and displaying a Blue Badge if you have one, still apply.

A man who hurled homophobic abuse at his neighbours has been hit with an Injunction Order.

Housing association Salix Homes sought legal action against tenant Ryan Parker, of Whitefriar Court in Salford, on the grounds of his homophobic and threatening behaviour towards his neighbours and people visiting the tower block on Blackfriars Road.

During a court hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, the court heard how during one particular incident in August this year, Parker, aged 46, shouted homophobic slurs at one victim and threatened to ‘smash his face in’, which had left the victim feeling frightened and anxious.

It’s not the first time Salix Homes has taken legal action against Parker, having previously secured an Injunction Order against him in 2017 after he assaulted another neighbour.

At the court hearing in October, the judge granted a two-year Civil Injunction Order, which will remain in place until August 2022.

Under the terms of the Order, which includes a Power of Arrest, Parker is banned from threatening violence, or engaging in abusive, insulting or homophobic behaviour towards his neighbours or anyone visiting Whitefriar Court.

He must also not contact one of his victims, which includes on social media.

Sue Sutton, deputy chief executive at Salix Homes, said:

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“Salix Homes welcomes the judge’s decision to grant a Civil Injunction Order against Ryan Parker who has caused fear and upset to residents at Whitefriar Court with his homophobic and threatening behaviour.

“We take all reports of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, as we strive to make sure all our neighbourhoods are safe and pleasant places to live. We will not tolerate this type of abusive conduct towards anyone, and I hope this case sends out a very clear message that we will always take swift action where possible to protect residents living in our communities.”

 

Salford's Mayor (Paul Dennett) and wildlife champion (Councillor Lewis Nelson) have taken part in urgent meeting with bosses from the RHS Bridgewater this morning after the society caused outrage after revealing it had culled nine roe deer at its site on Leigh Road, which they say had become trapped between fences.

The Mayor has now confirmed that there are no active plans in progress to cull any further roe deer at the site, but critics have said there should be no plans at all, active or inactive.

Additionally the RHS has pledged to enter into a new community engagement process with the local community committee and local councillors on decisions pertaining to the remaining herd.

All future decisions will now have to be green lit by the community committee before being allowed to commence. 

The RHS had culled what is now known to have been nine roe deer after they became trapped between fences, in order to stop them damaging shrubs, plants and trees at the 156 acre site which so far has cost in the region of £44m with an investment by the local council of £19m. 

To say this has caused a huge backlash is an understatement as Salford has not seen such a display of anger since the days when iGas had planned to bring hydraulic gas fracturing (Fracking) to Barton Moss.

Countless numbers of people have been taking to social media to condemn the actions with many pledging to boycott the gardens before they even open in May 2021.

The RHS has now said that tranquilising was considered not to be an option as it can have adverse effects on the deer but some on social media have been quick to point out that being shot dead through the head was a far worse effect for them and one for which they had no chance of recovery from.

Netting was also said to have not been possible due to the coronavirus regulations and the amount of people that would be required to carry out such an operation, although commenters on social media were quick to point out that even during the height of the pandemic, construction and planting was still taking place on the site.

We have spoken privately with one wildlife campaign group this morning which has told us that the response by the RHS is not good enough and does not go far enough to ensure the future safety of the herd, they are currently in talks with other groups and pledging to take action when the gardens open to the public in May 2021, with protests outside the site planned.

A joint statement from both Mayor Dennett and Wildlife Champion Councillor Nelson reads as follows:

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“Following discussions with the RHS following the decision to cull nine deer which was announced on Friday, I can confirm that the RHS recognises mistakes have been made in the decision-making and communications around that decision.

“A primary concern of the Council in our discussions were plans pertaining to any remaining deer in the vicinity.

“I can confirm that there are no active plans from the RHS to cull any more of the Roe deer population in Salford, and the RHS have agreed to begin in a new community engagement process regarding any future decisions implicating the resident Roe deer population.

“In future, should there be questions as to future of the herd, those discussions will be discussed transparently at the local Community Committee in advance of any actions being taken – working with with residents and councillors.

“Whilst the Council recognises that herd management may sometimes be necessary, we do not believe the decisions taken recently reflect an adequate or transparent process and in future safeguards will be in place to prevent decisions being taken in this manner again.

“RHS Bridgewater representatives have expressed contrition and regret in relation to recent events, and have emphasised that an explicit aim of the garden and surrounding area is to increase and expand the biodiversity of our city for many animals – including deer – to thrive.

“ I do believe that this is a sincere position from the garden, and I hope that over coming months RHS will be able to regain the trust of local residents, living up to its role as protector of our local wildlife.”

"RHS will be here for a long time and we do want to build bridges."

 

Meanwhile a petition set up by local resident Sam Sykes continues to grow, with now almost 7,000 people signing, the anger does not seem to have been stemmed by this latest announcement.

Petition · Salford City Council, RHS, RSPCA, : Stop the RHS Bridgewater from further culling of roe deer at their site · Change.org

A petition that was set up within hours of news breaking via the Salford Star that a small number of Deer (Reportedly 10) were culled, after finding themselves outside of an enclosure at the 156 acre site off Leigh Road now occupied by the Royal Horticultural Society close to Boothstown and the village of Roe Green which takes its name from the much loved breed of Deer that has freely roamed the land for over a century or more.

THE COST WAS DEER - ANGER AS RHS CULLS ROE DEER SENDING SHOTS THROUGH THE HEARTS OF THE CITY (salford.media)

This petition has now reached over a staggering 5,800 signatures within just over 48 hours and those numbers are still rising, giving a clear indication to the size of the opposition to the actions which were undertaken apparently without knowledge by local councillors or the council as a whole.

Sam Sykes who took to the change.org site to set up the petition states that it is to protect the herd from future culling and to raise awareness of their plight.

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"I started a petition to ensure RHS Garden Bridgewater's actions (culling of roe deer who had returned to their site, as generations before them had roamed the land for over a century) would not be allowed to go unnoticed and in 4 hours it received over 1000 signatures from like minded people who do NOT want to see any future deer, who may get access to the land, meet the same fate.

"The RHS stated that because of covid, they could not safely move the deer on to another location (as they claimed to have done with those who were on the land last Summer) and therefore the only solution was to cull them.

"They had previously denied that the increasing number of deer being found in the Bridgewater canal was in no way related to their building work (they destroyed over half of their habitat, the woodlands at the back of the site), but thanks to pressure from Salford Greenspace, Salford Wildlife and a few of our local councillors, they did admit to the culling, which had been rumoured to be happening."

 

Same goes on to say on the petition site that:

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"Just to make this clear - we aren't dealing with culling to control a large herd, this was a small amount of deer who roamed back to the site, and the RHS had previously made promises that they would move any deer on. They did not.

"We must be the voice for our wildlife. We can NOT let the RHS think they are above being questioned for their actions."

 

It is understood that the council and local councillors have demanded a meeting with RHS manager Richard Green as early as this evening along with the veterinary surgeons who it is said are to have carried out the culling on behalf of the society.

The RHS stated on Saturday via a social media post that the culling was required due to Covid preventing the numbers of people that were needed to capture and relocated them being on site.

Although locals have argued that the site has had large numbers of people working there over the last year, including the months at the peek of the pandemic.

Earlier this morning the petitions organiser Sam met with 5 other locals who had ventured down to the gates at the front of the RHS, and were assured that someone would soon be out to speak with them and answer their questions and address their concerns. However shortly afterwards police officers turned up and implied that the gathering was illegal due to the current regulations concerning covid-19. They were then told that the road they were on was private and asked to remove themselves.

The outpouring of anger has resonated across Salford with countless people threatening to Boycott the gardens when it opens in 2021. This level of public discontent has not been seen since the days of iGas which planned to pursue hydraulic gas fracturing at a site on Barton Moss.

The next move is in the court of RHS Bridgewater who will undoubtedly have to achieve a Christmas miracle if they wish to once again regain the trust of the locals and the City in the future. 

Salford has a long memory.

The Lowry are looking for young people aged 13-17 living in Greater Manchester to be part of a new creative youth leadership programme.

You will work with artists, activists and other professionals to address the issues that matter to you. You will work together, develop leadership skills and find ways to be heard, take action and make change by developing your own social action projects.

Sessions are free and will be online or in person on Mondays 6pm – 8pm every fortnight from 11th January 2021.

Interested? Send them a short introduction about yourself, in writing or by video or audio, by 21st December 2020 to getcreative@thelowry.com

What to include?

A bit about you and your interests

What you want to get from this project

Something you might want to change (big, small or even worldwide)

Got a Question? Not sure if it’s for you? Get in touch for a chat with Jenny on Jennifer.riding@thelowry.com or 07852 552319

They welcome ALL young people and we want this group to represent people from different backgrounds – including young people who experience racism, identify as working class, have disabilities, are from the LGBTQ+ community, are care experienced or are discriminated in other ways.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace family of a man from Salford who sadly passed away in Friday.

Stanley Pritchard (23/04/1947) died at his home address on Openshaw Court, Salford on 27 November 2020.

Police say that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and are asking that anyone with information about Stanley's next of kin to please contact the Police Coroner’s Office in Bolton on 0161 856 4687.