2012 Chorlton U Decide

The next  CHORLTON U DECIDE event  will take place on the evening of 17th October 2012. 

At this stage the Council are looking for project proposals to be submitted  by 21st September 2012 and residents who live in the Manchester City Council Chorltonward boundary will be eligible to vote. 

Projects must also be for the benefit of the Chorlton ward - you don't have to be a formal group to submit an application- just a group of local people who want to make a difference. 

The maximum you can bid for is £750. 

To ensure this event is as successful as last year we need as many projects put forward as possible. 

If you have any questions or want an application please contact Kirsteen Armitage on 0161 882 1324 or k.armitage@manchester.gov.uk

Blossom Florists

An advert, via You Tube, that I stumbled upon, but for local Florist Blossom, on Manchester Rd.  They have a nifty website too 

Children's Event in Beech Rd Park

Farmers Market This Saturday

Beech Rd History Walk

As a taster for his talk at the Civic society meeting in September, local historian Andrew Simpson at a recent history walk, which he does from time to time

To Find out more about the Civic Society

For further information about the Civic Society contact please feel free to contact Jenny Slee (Chair), 13 Malton Avenue, Manchester, M21 8AT
07570 879 091, or
Roland Baskeyfield (Newsletter), roland.baskeyfield@virgin.net

Matt Gallagher - Committee Member

Matt was born in Paisley, East of Glasgow on Hallowe’en 1957.  His Irish parents had moved to Scotland after the war, in the 1950s, living in a tenement, his mother worked as a bus conductress and his father was a builder. As a small child, Matt became very ill – so ill that he was given the last rites and the family gathered expecting his funeral. Fortunately he recovered and the family now with his sisters and brothers moved to a lodge house where his father took over gardening for a nunnery.
In the 1960s, the family moved to rural Ireland where they had a shop, and later Matt helped his father with the farming – mainly growing potatoes and riding to and fro on the cross bar of his father’s bicycle. Sadly for Matt school lessons were in Irish Gaelic which meant he had dropped behind. Worse was to come in the Troubles in Derry in Northern Ireland. During riots their home was destroyed by fire whilst they were at a wedding in 1971. Matt’s mother’s parents lived in Chorlton and they were able to take in the family and it was the first time Matt had been to England.

Matt stayed here and went to school at St. Mary’s Stretford and then to St. John’s College. In 1978 he joined Greater Manchester Police – his grandfather had been in the Garda – but hopes of continuing in Ireland were not to be because in Ireland Gaelic was needed again. Matt worked in Wythenshawe, gaining promotions and working in Collyhurst and then Stretford. He then serviced for six years as an Inspector in Tactical Aid – help other divisions in specialised work and major crimes, with searches and house to house investigations.
Matt was the first Senior Officer on the scene after the Manchester bomb in 1996. He searched for survivors in M&S and Boots in the devastation – in flooded areas where main pipes had burst. Matt recalled a man who lived in an apartment who somehow didn’t realised what had happened and lived for a day or two on tins of tuna.
Matt was also involved in challenging attitudes of racism and saw many changes for the better. He was involved in investigating thirty murders with one – the taking of a schoolboy by a paedophile bus driver being the most intensive of police time and effort to bring a conviction.
Happier occasions were when he guarded the Queen for the Commonwealth Games of 2002 and on his eve of retirement in 2008 when he was presented at Old Trafford with a shirt signed by the teams of Glasgow Celtic and Manchester Unity.
Matt is now the Chair of the Friends of Southern Cemetery (where over thirty family members are buried) and the Friends have worked really hard to gain the prestigious Green Flag status. They are hoping to keep up the standard to maintain it, with care for the whole area and its wildlife and peaceful tree-filled grounds.
Standing for election as Councillor in the last local elections, Matt trudged the street(and uneven pavements!) of Chorlton getting to know the inhabitants and local problems. He has hopes for economic improvement locally and for the city as a whole and we are glad to have him on the Committee. And thank you, Matt, for taking time out to talk to me on Father’s Day and just after the safe arrival of a new granddaughter!

Local blogger Richard Frost

http://richardfrosty.com/

This is a brief plug for Richard Frost, leading light of the Green Festival (last time I checked!) and Chorlton resident.

similar plugs to come as I revamp the links section...

Future of Chorlton Library & Leisure Centre

Andrew Carnegie (of Carnegie Hall fame) left his home in Scotland to go to America to make his fortune. Mindful of his indebtedness to his local library, he was concerned that libraries should be available to all localities and residents. He bought plots of land and had libraries built on them to one design – with a distinctive dome, in the ‘30s. Chorlton library is one such Carnegie library, and there is another in Farnworth.

Following a wide-ranging review of Manchester’s buildings to find out if they are suitable for the future service needs of the City’s neighbourhoods, the Council has an opportunity to replace ageing swimming pools and libraries with modern facilities in Chorlton, Levenshulme and Miles Platting. These proposed new buildings will provide up-to-date service, encouraging more people to become active while at the same time reducing running costs and saving money (Manchester City Council 2012).


A consultation questionnaire dated 13 June 2012 was available online regarding the facilities used and what library/ leisure centre facilities/ activities are most enjoyed/ expected by individuals or families with opportunity to choose priority for such a new facility.

A drop-in meeting was held regarding this and paper copies were available at the library and leisure centre, with a closing date for this consultation being Sunday 24 June. We only came across the consultation online by chance as somehow we had missed the information about the meeting. We asked if the date for the consultation period could be extended, but this was apparently not possible.

Very few people were aware of this consultation, but I had the chance to meet with David Boothroyd, Business Development Manager at Manchester City Council, and Sue Moores, Libraries, who told me that further consultation would be held following the results of this one, a report of which goes to the Executive Committee in July. New facilities, if acceptable, could become ready early 2015. The intended development, proposed to be located within Chorlton District Centre, would include a leisure centre with swimming pool, health and fitness (gym) and a library, but not a sports hall as at present.

Jenny Slee

Events Around Chorlton

Chorlton is set to host a fantastic variety of events and here’s a taste of what’s ahead:

Proms on the Green
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 July

Beach Party
Saturday 25 August

Oktoberfest Weekend
Friday 28 to Sunday 30 September

Autumn Beer & Cider Festival
Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 October

Kids v. Dogs Halloween Pageant
Sunday 28 October

Guy Fawke's Night
Monday 5 November

Christmas Market
Thursday 13 December

Winter Solstice
Friday 21 December

Not only to mention, but Chorlton also has the Farmers Market on the last Saturday of each month and vintage markets every Saturday at The Beech Inn.

Message From the Chair

What a mixture of weather we have been having! Every time I’ve thought to go out to mow my lawn or plant some plants or seeds it has been too hot, too windy or too wet. Because of the snowdrops, croci, garlic, fritillaria, bluebells and buttercups I’ve had in my ‘lawn’, I was waiting for the leaves to die back before I cut it – and now it’s like a hay meadow. It might have looked a picture in the Spring under the blossom trees but there’s no chance it would have been an ideal entrant for the Open Gardens event that took place here on 24 June!
~

SUMMER SOLSTICE

The Horse & Jockey will be teaming up once again with Manchester circus performers Illuminaughty/Foolish Rogues and their merry band of stilt-walkers, street theatre, crystal ball manipulators and fire eaters to present A Midsummer Night’s Dream, culminating in a specially choreographed fire show when the sun sets at 9.42pm. 

Inside the pub, Psychic Horizons will be doing palm and tarot readings. 

Add to this some live music, new age stalls, food and tribal face painting for the kids and we’ve got the makings of a great night once again.

Summer Solstice

Weds 20 June

6pm onwards 

(some entertainment will not take place until it starts to get dark!)

Chorlton Irish Club

A few members of the Civic society have met new manager of the Irish Club, Chris O'Connor.  He has some bright ideas and we will be posting a few of his events soon.  He wanted me to remind you the bar was open every night though and all are welcome.
Read more here 

Chorlton Arts Festival - The Handsome Family

DIAMOND JUBILEE STREET PARTY

 

Whether you're a royalist or not, you've got HM to thank for an extra bank holiday this year, so the Horse & Jockey is throwing a bit of a bash.

For the kids, they've got mini rides, games, face painting and sideshows.

For the adults, they've got music from the Manchester School of Samba and Extra Love.

There will also be having a barbecue, so you can leave the cooking to us again!

Diamond Jubilee Street Party
Tues 5 June
12 til 6pm

Short Documentary about Chorlton Players

Events in Chorlton This Year

Events around Chorlton 2012


Chorlton is set to host a fantastic variety of events and here’s a taste of what’s ahead:

Chorlton Arts Festival
http://chorltonartsfestival.com/
Saturday 17 to Saturday 27 May

Family Fun Day
Sunday 3 June

500th anniversary weekend, history based theme
Friday 18 to Sun 20 May

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Street Party
Tuesday 5 June

Summer Solstice
Wednesday 20 June

Picnic in the Park
Sunday 17 June

Alternative Olympics
Sunday 8 July

Proms on the Green
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 July

Beach Party
Saturday 25 August

Oktoberfest Weekend
Friday 28 to Sunday 30 September

Autumn Beer & Cider
Thursday 4 to Sunday
5

Kids v. Dogs Halloween Pageant
Sunday 28 October

Guy Fawke's Night
Monday 5 November

Christmas Market
Thursday 13 December

Winter Solstice
Friday 21 December

More details to follow

Friends of Beech Rd Park AGM

The Friends of Beech Rd Park are to hold their AGM on Monday 21st May, in the Lounge of Chorlton Irish Club. It starts at 7.30pm.

All our welcome

Bop Local host special Event at the Irish Club

Manchester Confidential report on the upcoming BopLocal event featuring a three course meal and live acts (if I have understood the blurp).

Civic Society Meeting This Tuesday

Our latest Civic Society meeting is this Tuesday, from 7.30pm at our usual venue of Chorlton Library.

All our welcome

Do you want to join the Civic Society?

The district is your oyster... we have regular meetings in Chorlton Library and all are welcome (list of dates published on 7/1/2012).  We also welcome ideas for events and ways to engage.
Subscriptions can be paid in cash at meetings, or cheque by post made out to Chorlton Civic Society and sent to:
Jenny Slee, 13 Malton Avenue, Chorlton, M21 8AT. Tel 07570 879 091

Christmas Window Display Competition – the results

As you may recall,  Chorlton Civic Society runs a competition for the best Christmas Shop window display.  The results are in:


1st Place 


Modern Army Stores - 488 Wilbraham Road

Andrew German outside Modern Army Stores

Joint 2nd Place


Chorlton Book Shop - Wilbraham Road
Blossom Flowers - Manchester Road

3rd Place
Hurricane - Beech Road

Highly Commended


Romano Ltd - Wilbraham Road
Creative Recycling - Beech Road
Monkey Puzzle Toys - Manchester Road

Help Needed to spend a penny

Since the closure of the Public Toilets, only the Library was willing to join the Community Conveniences scheme Most cafes & restaurants, also betting shops have facilities which could be used, but, understandably they are mainly for customers use.
One public friendly business explained that toilets were the haven of shoplifters where stolen goods were concealed. Also other disabled problems – a lot of premises are difficult to get into because of steps, lack of handrails and very heavy doors.
If anyone knows of premises willing to join in the Community Conveniences scheme with notices outside, please let Jenny Slee know. Tel 07570 879 091.

U Decide Event Results

There was a good turn-out at Chorlton Leisure Centre for this event, choosing projects to obtain grants to enhance our Chorlton Ward community. This was held on 17th November with our new Ward Regeneration Officer, Kirsteen Armitage. All the applicants were given the opportunity to display their suggestions on a stall and each gave a two minute presentation on why their project should be chosen.
The two minutes went by very quickly, but Cracking Good Food had prepared a four part demonstration and discussion by their aproned cooks which went down very well and made them favourites as they got most support.
In no particular order, the chosen 11 were –
 Cracking Good Food
 Chorlton Big Green Festival
 C4 Café Club
 Digital Arts & Music
 Garden Share
 Friends of Beech Road Park Cherry Trees
 Jump – Waters Edge Arts Project
 Nam-Bee-Pam-Bee
 Pop Up Farm
 Tagpassiton
 Unity Toy Box
The Beech Pub Band entertained us with Folk Music and local children sang for us enthusiastically as a buffet was served and votes counted. The Friends of Beech Road Park are looking forward to choosing and planting the two replacement cherry trees with the help of local school children as soon as we get the grant, get the trees delivered and the ground made ready for planting.

Dates of our 2012 Meetings

All meetings commence at 7.30pm in The Library

Open meetings

Tuesday 10th January
Tuesday 6th March
Tuesday 8th May
Tuesday 10th July
Tuesday 11th September
Tuesday 13th November

Committee Meetings

Tuesday 31st January
Tuesday 28th February
Tuesday 27th March
Tuesday 24th April
Tuesday 29th May
Tuesday 26th June
Tuesday 31st July
Tuesday 28th August
Tuesday 25th September
Tuesday 30th October
Tuesday 27th November

Riverbank Host Fun Day This Saturday

Riverbank are to hold a fun day at the Market Garden (the garden is at the back of the Co-op on Barlow Moor Road / Hardy lane) on the 7th of January between 10am and 1pm. 

There will be a free cookery class run by Cracking Good Food, advice on home composting and people can sign up for free training on growing food, cooking and composting over the next few months. Visitors will be able to help plant fruit trees, bushes and vegetables on the site and sample a variety of free foods and drinks. 

Local residents will also be able to put their names down for free fruit trees, bushes and vegetables that the project will help them to plant at home. 
  

For more information please Email: riverbank.amanda@gmail.com