LCA General Meeting 10/12/16

The next LCA General Meeting will be on Saturday 10th December, 14.15 in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road.

Levenshulme Writer Paul Magrs Shortlisted for BBC Audio Drama Award

Levenshulme writer Paul Magrs has just been shortlisted in the BBC 2017 Audio Drama Awards.

Best Online/non Broadcast

Baker’s End: The King of Cats, Bafflegab Productions

This was the first instalment of Baker’s End. The third instalment has recently been recorded and is in production now. The series stars Tom Baker with a supporting cast including Sue Jameson, Katy Manning and David Benson.

More success for the lovely, talented people of Levenshulme. We are our own creative hub.

You can order/download the first two episodes of Baker’s End on the Bafflebab website HERE

Find out more about the BBC Audio Drama Awards HERE

Levenshulme Christmas Lights Switch On

Come and get in the festive mood on Friday 2nd December at the Levenshulme Christmas Tree Lights Switch On and Party on the Village Green.

One of the highlights of the year with entertainment, celebrity guests and free presents for the first 300 children.

Star entertainers include the award-winning, Levenshulme based – ‘The Thomas Cliff School of Dancing’.

The event starts at 16.30 with the lights switch on at 17.30.

The event is organised by Levenshulme Traders’ Association in collaboration with Levenshulme Community Association and supported by local businesses, groups and Manchester City Council.

We’re also looking for stewards and other helpers who will need to be there for 4.15pm at the Village Green.

Bud Garden Centre Winter Warmer

Always a lovely day:

“An annual event at our litlle garden centre, where we raise money for charity from the sale of locally made mince pies and Fairtrade mulled wine. Money raised this year will be donated to Perennial, a charity which helps gardeners and horticulturalists who fall on hard times: www.perennial.org.uk

Levy Uke Up and Levy Chorus will provide entertinment, in addition to a brass ensemble from Stockport. Lovely to listen to whilst warming your hands at our giant fire bowl.

The garden centre will be open as usual (from 10am) selling Xmas trees, wreaths, ethical gardening gifts (Fairtrade/made in the UK) and plants, which make great presents!”


Levenshulme WI Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Levenshulme WI will take place at St Marys Church Hall Lounge, 7:30 pm on Tuesday 22nd November.

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum Meeting

There will be a meeting of Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum on Wednesday 23rd November 2016, 19.30 at the Klondyke (1 Burnage Range, off Albert Road).

The meeting will be to agree a position on Manchester City Council’s proposals to our area. The council proposes a much reduced area for our Forum that would not cover Levenshulme.

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum has been trying to reach a decision with the council since its application was submitted in October 2015. The delays have been frustrating but the group remains determined to find a solution that meets the needs and wishes of the residents and businesses of Levenshulme.

If you are interested in what happens in Levenshulme and how to have a voice to improve Levenshulme with a focus on planning issues then please come along.


Sparkle Transgender Day of Remembrance

Levenshulme and surrounding areas were well represented at a sensitive and moving event today as Sparkle marked the Transgender Day of Remembrance in Sackville Park.

Sparkle organises the Transgender Day of Remembrance event which takes place at the National Trans Memorial in Sackville Gardens each November. TDoR is the day when we remember all the Trans people who have been killed for being who they are over the preceding twelve months.

Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Carl Austin Behan (Burnage) took part with his Consort and husband Simon. Councillor Peter Cookson (Gorton South) also attended in his capacity as one of the LGBT leads on Manchester City Council.

As a strong and diverse community in Levenshulme we stand in solidarity with minority groups and those groups that are marginalised or discriminated against in society. The remembrance  event ended with participants reading out the names of the hundreds of transgender people who have been murdered in the past year around the world.

More information is available on the Sparkle website HERE

(Photos, Jeremy Hoad)

Cringle Park Walk Without Fear

The communities of Levenshulme and Burnage were out in strength in Cringle Park today to show solidarity against fear and violence following a reported rape.

The Lord Mayor, Carl Austin-Behan, who is also a Burnange councillor spoke of the need for solidarity and for people to not just use the park but speak to each other and make it a safe place for everyone. (pictured with his consort, Simon Austin-Behan).

There was also a police presence to reassure people and give advice.

We will not stand by and allow violence to happen unchallenged in our community. We will stand together. We will stand strong. We will stand against fear, violence and hatred.

The police report is available HERE

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 824 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

UPDATE:

Read and view the ITV News report HERE

Read the Manchester Evening News report HERE

(photos, Jeremy Hoad)



HS2 Tunnel Under Levenshulme

The government has released an update to its preferred route for the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail route. Properties in Levenshulme should not be directly affected as the route from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly will be in a tunnel.

MEN article HERE

HS2 information HERE

Christmas Activities At St Peter’s And St Mark’s Parish Churches

Christmas activities at St Peter’s and St Mark’s.

Rape Reported In Cringle Park

A community walk in Cringle Park will happen at 11.00 on 20th November 2016 to show solidarity and sympathy with the victim.

This is the report from Greater Manchester Police:

“Officers investigating the rape of a woman in Levenshulme are appealing to three possible witnesses.

Shortly before 12pm on Monday, 14 November 2016, a 31-year-old woman was raped in Cringle Park, on Clare Road, whilst out walking.

An investigation was launched and a dedicated team of detectives have been carrying out further enquiries.

It is now believed there were three people in the park who may have witnessed something prior to the incident and officers are keen to speak to them.

These include a white man, in his 30s, who was wearing jeans and a khaki coat and was throwing a football for his dog.

A white woman, who is believed to be in her early 40s, with brown hair was also walking a dog which was white.

The third person is an older, white woman, who was pushing a black pram with a dog on a lead. She was wearing a black coat with the hood up and had brown hair. This woman briefly spoke to the victim before the attack.

The offender is described as wearing dark clothes with his hood up.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Mossop, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “We have been carrying out extensive enquiries and want to speak to these people who were in the park around the time of the offence.

“I would like to stress you are not in any trouble but you could have key information which could help us with this case. Even if you think you didn’t see anything, please still get in touch with us as any information could be vital.

“We aware this incident has caused concerns in the community and I want to make it clear we are doing everything in our power to find the person responsible.

“No one should be scared to go about their daily business and we want to reassure local residents that we have increased patrols in the area. A police van is also currently parked near to the incident and we are also speaking with the local council.

“We are also aware of a community walk taking place in the park this Sunday (20 November 2016) and are currently liaising with the organisers to our offer our support.

“If you have any concerns please approach one of our officers and although we cannot go into the details of an on-going investigation we will try and help in any way we can.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 824 of or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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.

– You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.

– 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.

– Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246267.”

Screening Of Award Winning Film “Namaste”

An award winning film by Levenshulme based director Gareth Taylor will be screened on 1st December at the University of Manchester.

Namaste: A Himalayan Journey

In the film, Dr Kate Yarrow, founder of Doctors for Nepal, goes on a life-changing, two-year adventure following some of the incredible journeys patients endure to reach healthcare in remote areas of Nepal. After the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal on 25th April 2015, Kate uncovers the challenges facing doctors and patients in rural areas, and reveals the extraordinary personal journeys of the people she meets along the way.

Here is what broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow has to say about the film:

“It’s a lovely piece and a very neat, acute and moving insight into the way things are post earthquake in remote Nepal . . . it’s a terrific film to put on for awareness raising . . . The journey alone is a terrific achievement, but the way you have made the film is too. Congratulations.” 

 Watch a trailer HERE

Clothing Swap Shop At The Klondyke

There’s a clothes Swap Shop on at the Klondyke (off Albert Road) right now!

Levenshulme Players: The Importance Of Being Earnest

Get yourselves down to Levenshulme Baptist Church this afternoon for the final performance of The Importance Of Being Earnest by Levenshulme Players.