International Women’s Day At Cringle Park

International Women’s Day in Cringle Park: Friday 8 March, 1.30-4.30pm by Station South and Friends Of Cringle Park And Fields.

Bikes [learn to ride / fixing / riding]
Brews, cakes, butties
Drumming and songwriting
Football

All the event info here

  • Adult bike training [women only] on the 5-a-side pitch by the children’s play area 1.30 – 2.45pm
  • Bike health checks + small adjustments from @beepedalready 3- 4.30pm
  • Mini rides around the park for women and allies. Bike goodie lucky dip prezzies for all girls taking part 3.30 – 4.30pm
  • Drumming workshops for all, delivered by the amazing @drum.happy and songwriting workshop by Charlotte – DROP IN
  • Girls football session, delivered by Levenshulme’s finest Kingsway Athletic FC 3.30 – 4.30pm – DROP IN

Seeds Of Hope Palestine Fundraiser

From Bluebell Green:

Join us for a fundraiser for Palestine at Bluebell Green.

We are witnessing unspeakable horror in the genocide in Gaza. We want to add our voices of opposition, support for a ceasefire and find some hope in the coming together of our community.

We will be creating and crafting birds to add to the Birds of Gaza project.

Add your finger and hand prints to our giant kite which will be displayed at Bluebell Green to keep the story of Palestine alive. This is inspired by Refaat Alareer’s poem of protest and hope.

Help to plant seeds of hope. You can plant and take home your own pot, and/or help us to plant vegetables and flowers to grow at Bluebell Green.

Plus story time and all our usual outdoor play.

There will also be refreshments and food on sale.

As this is an event for all ages we’re conscious that parents might want to make decisions about what their children hear/ learn about appropriate for their age. So all activities will be suitable for all ages and the focus is on hope and community.

Palestine Fundraiser

There’s a fantastic fundraiser for medical aid for Palestine at the Klondyke on Saturday 2 March. Here’s the latest update from Amira Ahmed who has organised the event:

Palestine fundraising event

You don’t want to miss this!

Introducing Jeremy Hoad & Johnstone McGuckian on the decks playing us the finest 70s disco, and 80s pop from 4pm-6pm. As well as a kite making workshop from Heather Skowood! Siobhan Daniel and Paul Magrs selling their art. Juiced the Tip with fresh juice, Gail Irwin with vintage jewellery, Ruqayya Ali with a henna stall. At Klon Dyke for delicious scran and beverages! Uniquepartyhire with delicious candyfloss and Grounded MCR for beautifully brewed coffee.

And then a fabulous line up of 6 DJs and a live band for the rest of the night…

There’s really something for everyone!

Special offer for students and blue light holders (£3)
£8 if you buy online
£10 on the door

Tickets available HERE

Unheim-Lit Spoken Word

To mark International Women’s Day, Levenshulme Old Library bring you Unheim-Lit, an evening of strange and uncanny spoken word.

Come and hear the readings from award-winning writers Abi Hynes and Gaynor Jones, supported by a coven of Manchester’s finest women writers.

The Talleyrand, will be on hand with refreshments. Men are very much welcome – nay keenly encouraged – to attend and support their strange sisters.

Featuring:

Abi Hynes is an award-winning drama and fiction writer. Her recent writing credits include Anne of Green Gables, an audio drama for Audible starring Sandra Oh and Catherine O’Hara, and Monstrous Longing, collection of short stories

Gaynor Jones is the author of Among These Animals. She has won the Northern Writer’s Award, the Bath Flash Fiction Prize and the Mairtín Crawford Short Story Award, among others.

Tickets are free – although we do recommend a minimum donation of £5 for those who can afford it so we can continue to provide our neighbourhood with artistic activities and opportunities like this.

Recycling Centre Temporary Closure

Sandfold Lane Waste and Recycling centre will be temporarily closed from Monday 26th February – Wednesday 6th March.

This is so essential maintenance works can take place.

All Greater Manchester residents can use any waste and recycling centre in the borough (except Wigan) – you can find an alternative centre here:

Find a recycling centre – Recycle for Greater Manchester

The closest ones to Sandfold Lane are:

  • Ash Road, Droylsden, M43 6QU
  • Reliance Street, Manchester, M40 3EZ
  • Bredbury Parkway, Bredbury, SK6 2SN
  • Longley Lane, Sharston, M22 4RQ

Hate Crime Awareness

Levenshulme Inspire is holding a hate crime awareness day on Wednesday 7 February as part of hate crime awareness week. There will be an opportunity to meet and talk to various groups and organisations and hear from them and ask questions.

Drop in anytime between 12.00-14.00. Speakers will be in at 12.00. Refreshments provided.

Christmas Lights Switch On

The Levenshulme Christmas Lights Switch On is back this year. Friday 1st December on the Village Green.

Santa will be there from 5pm and the lights will be turned on by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Yasmine Dar, at 6pm.

Levenshulme Community Association is a proud sponsor and we are grateful to Levenshulme Traders Association for organising the event.

West Point Gardens Lantern Parade

The weather is dry and the night is spooky so why not pop down to the West Point Gardens Lantern Parade starting tonight at 18.00.

Village Green Tidy Up

A team from Dowhigh Ltd has been on the Village Green today clearing overgrown shrubs, scattering poppy seeds and replanting. Some plants have been recycled but many new plants have been supplied by the marvellous Bud Garden Centre. The planters have been refreshed with new soil and plants and the whole area will be cleaned and tidied up. New murals are also planned. It is a big improvement already and we look forward to seeing how it develops and the final results. Hopefully the Bee will be repaired as well as we have previously reported the cracks and damage.

Business Support Event

There’s a business support event on at Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre today, 10.00-13.00.

Apologies for the late notice, we weren’t aware of the event in advance.

Free Online NHS Training

Free NHS online training available to people working with children and young people with asthma.

Further information available HERE

Save Our Station Ticket Office

Levenshulme Station Ticket Office is under the threat of being closed.

What is being proposed and why?

Northern Rail operates Levenshulme train station and is proposing to close Levenshulme Station Ticket Office and leave us with only a ticket machine. This would be a permanent closure of the ticket office.

Full details of the proposed ticket office closure are available HERE.

You can download a PDF summary of the ticket office closure proposals here:

Northern Rail says:

“We know that stations will play an important part of our vision, which is why we will make sure that they better serve all our customers as well as the local communities that live around them.”

Northern rail, july 2023

Northern Rail’s claim it will “better serve all our customers” by closing Levenshulme Station ticket office is nonsense. That is not better service. It is bad enough that we still have no step free access at Levenshulme Station. It is unacceptable to close our ticket office as well for reasons of safety, accessibility, information, ticket sales and advice.

Ticket sales at Northern Rail operated stations are almost 50% higher than the national average. People depend on the ticket office and the staff for help, advice and information. Ticket machines cannot provide the same services.

How to respond:

The consultation is open now but it ends very soon so please respond as soon as possible with your comments. The consultation is managed by Transport Focus, the independent transport user watchdog, on behalf of Train Operating Companies.

The deadline for responding to the consultation is 23.59 on 28 July.

Remember to name Levenshulme Station in your response.

If you would like to know more about the consultation process and what happens next please go to transportfocus.org.uk

Levenshulme Community Association has already committed to write to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig, our MP Afzal Khan and our local councillors, Zahid Hussain, Dzidra Noor and Basat Sheikh to seek their commitment to oppose the proposed closure of Levenshulme Station Ticket Office. We will also be working with the Friends of Levenshulme Station to campaign against this proposal. We will also say that such a short consultation is not acceptable and must be extended.

Manchester Piccadilly Station Ticket Offices also to be closed

Please note that Manchester Piccadilly Ticket Offices are also threatened with permanent closure. They are operated by Avanti West Coast. You can out information and respond to that proposed closure HERE.

Please join us in campaigning to SAVE OUR STATION TICKET OFFICE.

Death Following Incident On Rushmere Avenue

Samuel Opokiti has appeared in court charged with a single count of murder following the death of Osagie Harrison Aimiyekagbon. This followed an incident on Rushmere Avenue on the evening on Sunday 9 July.

The incident is reported in the MEN HERE.

Levenshulme Market Last Day This Year

Sadly today is the last trading day for Levenshulme Market in 2023. The Market is taking a break after celebrating 10 years of trading and intends to return in 2024.

The Market has been clear that there are a variety of reasons for this unexpected pause but the main one appears to be Manchester City Council deciding to impose a new fee in addition to the site licence fee the Market already pays. A full explanation from Levenshulme Market is available HERE (June 7) with a further update HERE (July 13).

Levenshulme Community Association would like to thank everyone involved in Levenshulme Market and for making the Market such a big part of Levenshulme as well as such a success winning several awards and supporting traders, with several going on to open businesses in Levenshulme. We hope that Levenshulme Market and Manchester City Council can find a solution and that the Council fully recognises the value of the Market and the contribution it has made to Levenshulme as a Community Interest Company and social enterprise, and the value it adds to our community.

Even though the weather might be showery today go down and give Levenshulme Market a big send off at the last Market of this year. We hope to see Levenshulme Market back again as soon as possible.

Another Active Neighbourhood Consultation On New £7 million Plans

Manchester City Council has announced today that there will be another consultation on final plans for the Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood scheme. This follows the release of three sets of “final plans” over a year ago and one “final consultation”. The news release says:

“A consultation will soon take place on a proposal to include an additional crossing on the A6, expanding the provision of high-quality and safer walking and cycling routes, with the intention being that local people are better connected by safer walking, wheeling, and cycling routes with local shops and facilities.”

MCC news release, 12 july 2023

This would be helpful after well over a year of silence on the scheme from the council and councillors. The only works undertaken so far have been in Burnage Ward on Errwood Road and the installation of the permanent versions of the 14 modal filters / road blocks across Levenshulme Ward. Sadly the filters do not include any trees in the concrete blocks as was originally promised. There is still no news on the proposed modal filters / road blocks on Linden Park and Milwain Road.

The council says the latest “final plans” will cost £7 million:

“The cost, estimated at £7m in total, is likely to be split between MCC and GMCA. The proposed solution will allow the successful delivery of this project as part of the Bee Network in the local area as well as allowing specific Council-led design choices that respond to public consultation feedback.”

MCC news release, 12 july 2023

This is over 300% more than the original budget of £2.3 million. In 2022 Levenshulme councillor Basat Sheikh said the cost for the scheme had increased to £4.6 million. The vast majority of the funding was originally from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund using money provided by the government and included a contribution from Manchester City Council of £100,000. The council has not said how much of the new proposed £7 million cost will come from Manchester City Council.

The original proposals included significantly more than last year’s “final plans” proposed so it will be interesting to see what the new “final plans” include and whether any more of what the Council and the now defunct Levenshulme Bee Network had promised has been reinstated. Levenshulme Councillors have recently said that the Council will not install any more modal filters / road blocks.

Levenshulme Community Association has consistently supported the idea of an Active Neighbourhood and made positive proposals throughout the several years of this project. If the new “final plans” include improvements to pavements and crossings and cycle routes that actually connect across and outside the area as this announcement suggests then that will be a big improvement on the previous “final plans” that only included one cycle lane that ran half way along Matthews Lane and did not connect to anything at either end. Pavement and accessibility improvements were also previously limited to only a handful of roads in the area.

The LCA will continue to provide further updates as information becomes available.

Manchester Evening News also has an article on the latest announcement from Manchester City Council.

The council news item is HERE

The MEN article is HERE

Witch Kings Rum Opening In August On Slade Lane

Witch Kings Rum to take over 312 Slade Lane, formerly known as “The Gherkin”!

Drinks that tell a story with flavour

From humble beginnings in an early-Lockdown kitchen, Witch Kings Rum founders Maxi & Biz have finally secured their first bar location at 312 Slade Lane, Levenshulme!

Previously known & loved as community-hub The Gherkin, the site is now under entirely new ownership & management, with an ethereal & bohemian-themed renovation currently in development for the Witch Kings bar launch this August 2023.

Who are the Witch Kings?

The Witch Kings themselves are immortal creatures from the world between worlds, conjuring up delicious creations to suit the needs of their society. While roaming the forest one day, Maxi & Biz stumbled upon their magical portal, and traded their ukulele songs for a few fresh & fruity elixir recipes. Thus began the tale, and now the duo seek to share these potions with the world!

What can we expect?

The brand has spent the last 3 years honing its fresh rum-based cocktail offerings in a range of pop-up events across Manchester, hosting over 100 local musicians and collaborating with other artisan brands to create beautiful and eclectic events.

The debut full-time Witch Kings space will continue to feed the fun-loving vibes, with cocktails, mocktails, smoothies and soft drinks all designed and produced in-house by their liquid flavour mages.

Maxi’s restaurant & menu design background will introduce an inclusive & balanced selection of light bites & social snacks, while Biz is expanding the musical offering to include DJs, making the most of the site’s soundproofing.

The existing 6 craft beer taps will be kept in operation, and extensive no-and-low ABV options (including in-house brewed live Tepache, home-made cola, and their famous hibiscus lemonades) will ensure there is something for everyone at Witch Kings!

Levenshulme Community Association AGM 2023

The LCA Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 15th July 2023 in the Community Studio, Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre starting at 14.00. Everyone is welcome.

Levenshulme Youth Project Cultural Celebration Day

Levenshulme Youth Project are holding a Cultural Celebration Day at Levenshulme Inspire on Saturday 24 June 2023, 12.00-14.00.

Workshops:

  • Music
  • Henna
  • Face painting
  • T-shirt design
  • Jewellery making

Plus food from around the world.

Grounded MCR Cringle Park Cafe Crowdfunder

Grounded MCR are fundraising to create a new cafe and much more in Cringle Park.

You can find out more and donate on the Aviva Community Fund page HERE.

The fundraising closes at 13.00 on 26 June 2023.

We plan to renovate a 40-foot shipping container café, turning it into a community café and event space, with a barista training area for vulnerable adults. We want to continue to provide free, activity-focused and educational events in our local park – to benefit the diverse community. 

We’ve got big plans. The new space will give us room to train additional vulnerable adults such as ex-offenders, create a mini allotment and gardening club, have space for sports/activities clubs to meet, support/peer-to-peer groups to hang out, an area for local makers to display their wares plus a small zero waste shop in the future. The café menu will consist of dishes created from rescued food, destined for landfill, which will help keep prices down and ensure inclusivity for those on low income.

Grounded MCR

Who are Grounded MCR?

Grounded MCR CIC is a social enterprise serving specialty coffee, hot and cold drinks and locally sourced treats from a bespoke trike. We employ vulnerable adults with poor mental health, training them in barista/hospitality skills. We support local bakers; buy our coffee from a local roastery who pay farmers properly, and offer local makers/crafters opportunities to grow their own businesses via our platforms.

“We have gathered a huge amount of anecdotal feedback about our multi-faith, multi-faceted community and how to understand their wants and needs.

My wife Kerry and I (founders), are experienced in hospitality, PR/marketing/advertising, charity work and have both suffered with very poor mental health, which puts us in a unique position to make our business model work. Redundancy, adopting a child and Covid gave us an opportunity to start Grounded MCR, in the hope that it would allow us to use our skills to help improve ours and our employees’ mental health. The last 18 months has proved the combo of (specialty) coffee, conversation and community can help solve anything!

We try to be as inclusive as possible when hosting events and have worked with:
-Children with additional needs/SEN
-Parents and babies/toddlers
-Marginalised groups – LGBTQ+
-Non-English speakers
-Low income families
-Vulnerable adults (specifically those with long standing mental health issues

Nat, grounded MCR

Lev Square Fest 2023

Levenshulme Square Residents Association has their Lev Square Fest coming up again on 25 June.

  • Book and plant swap
  • Live music
  • Craft stalls
  • Street games
  • Food table

Sunday 25 June 2023 13.00-16.00 on Cuthbert Avenue.

Tribute to Paul Colton

We are sad to hear that Paul Colton has died. Paul did so much for so many people at Manchester Roller Hockey Club over many years. Our condolences to all Paul’s family and friends.

It seems only yesterday that we worked with Paul and so many others from our community when the old Arcadia building and site was redeveloped into the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre. As part of that fight we insisted that a new home was found for the Roller Hockey Club and remember Paul’s absolute dedication to the Club and everyone who got so much from it. That was some years ago now but links have been maintained and both Paul and Manchester Roller Hockey Club will always have a place in the hearts of the people of Levenshulme.

The following tribute is reproduced by kind permission of Manchester Roller Hockey Club.

Continue reading

Job Opportunity At Levenshulme Old Library

Levenshulme Old Library is currently recruiting for a Finance and HR Manager.

This is a part time role within a small team, all of whom are local Levy residents who are working to restore our historic library building, transforming it into a welcoming and affordable space for the community where they can also have some high quality artistic experiences.

Levenshulme Old Library needs a special someone to help them grow, reaching more people and bringing them more activities and opportunities. They’re looking for someone who has some experience of managing finances and HR and is keen to support what Levenshulme Old Library does. For further information and to apply click HERE.

Deadline: 11:59pm on Wednesday 21st June

Bopcap Books In Timeout List Of 14 Best Independents In Manchester

Timeout has included Bopcap Books in its list of the Best 14 Independent Shops in Manchester.

Timeout says:

Bopcap Books in Levenshulme sits inside the famous Levenshulme Antiques Village and sells a carefully curated collection of books and ephemera (posters, magazines etc) across art, photography, design, pop culture, children’s books and illustration, cinema, fashion, the occult and cult fiction, beat lit, crime noir, graphic novels and pulp fiction. Find books by local authors or order online.

Timeout listing of bopcap books

Absolutely well deserved praise for Bopcap Books. Congratulations to Suzy Prince and Ian Lowey.

Bopcap Books is open:

  • Thursdays (11am – 5pm)
  • Fridays (11am – 5pm)
  • Saturdays (10am – 5pm)
  • Sundays (11am – 4pm)

New LCA Events Listings And Calendar

We have added new events listings and calendar to the LCA website. We will do our best to include events across our community.

Do email us HERE to have something added. Please include:

  • name of event
  • date(s)
  • start time
  • end time (if applicable)
  • venue name
  • location (include postcode for map reference)
  • description
  • poster or flyer (jpeg format)
  • website (if you want your website included)

Jeremy Hoad, LCA Secretary

Levenshulme Pride 2023

Levenshulme Pride is happening again this year 11-13 August. Since starting in 2017 it has grown to be the largest FREE local Pride in Greater Manchester with activities and events across dozens of locations.

Everything at Levenshulme Pride is FREE to attend. This is more important than ever as the cost of living crisis affects us all.

Get in touch. Get involved.

If you have an idea for something to happen at Levenshulme Pride get in touch. Everyone is welcome as Levenshulme Pride celebrates the people, groups and businesses of our community. The event operates on a devolved model so everyone has ownership and control of their own activities.

Levenshulme Pride is also looking for volunteers to support the event. You can get involved in any aspect of Levenshulme Pride. Volunteers are particularly needed to distribute publicity material, brochures and programmes, be marshalls for the Levenshulme Pride March and help stallholders setup.

Sponsorship and Advertising

Levenshulme Pride is supported by sponsorship and advertising with low rates to ensure every group or business can contribute to make the event happen. Without this support the event simply wouldn’t be possible. Thank you to all previous sponsors for their support and to everyone who took out advertisements in our brochure.

Further information is available on the Levenshulme Pride website HERE

Acacias Summer Fair

Acacias Primary School is holding its Summer Fair on Saturday 1st July, 14.00-16.00.

The school is accepting donations towards its tombola, toy and soft toy/teddy stalls. Please drop off any donations at Acacias school office, Alexandra Drive, Burnage, M19 2WW.

St Andrews Primary School Summer Fair

St Andrews Primary School Summer Fair is on today from 13.00-15.00.

Cringle Park Dog Show

Grounded MCR are holding CRINGLE BARK (raising money for @dogs4rescue ) on SAT 8th JULY 10-4pm

DOG SHOW 10-12pm
– no need to book on but it is first come, first served. 15 dogs max per category and all entry fees to @dogs4rescue. (Categories on poster.)

Doggie paddling pool  
Prizes – rosettes and Dogimisu from @paradisoauthentic

FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES: 
– bouncy castle
– glitter tattoos from @soul_sisters_universal
– entertainment 12.30-2 from Singalong Sally – we defy you not to love her! 

FOOD & DRINK
– pizza, chips and more from @social_scranevents
– luxury ice cream from @exclusive_scoop
– brews and cakes from us
-hopefully a bar too 

Plus traders @pumpkinandpeascrafts ; @jelly_mode and crackpots (ceramic dog and cat bowls)

Levenshulme Market To Close Until 2024

Levenshulme Market organisers have announced the Market will close in July for the rest of the year as they face a series of challenges. The last Market this year will now be on 15 July then the Market will close until 2024.

This is dreadful news for Levenshulme as the Market, run as a social enterprise, has been developed through the hard work and commitment of people in Levenshulme over the last 10 years. In 2020 the Market won Best Small Outdoor Market at the Great British Market Awards 2020 organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities and was a finalist in the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2019.

The Market says increased costs, staffing challenges, and the cost of living crisis have all played their part as well as the impact of the pandemic. Special mention is made of Manchester City Council, though, as it seeks to increase the fees charged to the Market to operate. This comes after a “painful planning permission process” to renew the permission with the Council. The Market also states “We reached out on a number of occasions to our local Levenshulme Councillors for assistance to no avail”.

Levenshulme Community Association has contacted Levenshulme Market to show our support and ask how we can help Levenshulme Market.

Continue reading

Levenshulme Players Present Blue Stockings

The Levenshulme Players present Blue Stockings at Levenshulme Baptist Church. A play about love and learning and the love of learning. It is about the fight for women to graduate from Cambridge.

  • 22 & 23 June @ 19.30
  • 24 June @ 14.30

To buy tickets click HERE

Lev Square Fest

Lev Square Fest is on Sunday 25 June this year, 13.00-16.00.

Big Bug Bonanza At Bluebell Green

This Saturday (3 June) at Bluebell Green we’ve got the Big Bug Bonanza. Lots of activities for kids and it’s lovely picnic weather.

Bluebell Green is in Chapel Street Park.

Levy Choir Free Taster Session

Levy Choir are welcoming new members!

Come along for a free taster session on 11 June to see if this is for you! 18.00-19.30 at Levenshulme Old Library.

• No audition

• No previous singing experience needed.

• Highly inclusive

• Upbeat/uplifting repertior

• One of the friendliest bunch of people you’ll ever meet!

Levenshulme and Burnage Open Gardens 2023

Levenshulme and Burnage Open Gardens are back again on Sunday 4 June, 11.00-17.00. Programmes are on sale from Trove on Stockport Rd and Bud Garden Centre on Omer Drive.

All proceeds will be donated to Growing Together Levenshulme.

Thanks to Brenda Smith at Bud Garden Centre for organising the Open Gardens.

Painting Workshop at Station South

Levenshulme artist Chloe White is hosting a painting workshop at Station South on 17 May. The evening costs £25.

Levenshulme Allotments Big Plant Sale

*Levenshulme Allotments Big Plant Sale on Coronation Weekend: 11am-4pm Sunday 7 May *

Come on down to the Levenshulme Allotments Community Greenhouse, Highfield Road, M19 3JX, from 11am-4pm on Sunday 7 May.

We have a range of bedding and vegetable plants at low prices, alongside tasty cakes, chips, hotdogs – both meat and veggie!

Please note that we only accept cash payment. All welcome.

Available bedding plants:

  • Marigold
  • Begonia
  • Trailing purple lobelia
  • Impatiens (Busy Lizzy)
  • Petunia – Pirouette mixed
  • Geranium mixed

Available vegetable plants:

  • Sweet corn
  • Cucumber
  • Courgette
  • Tomatoes – Alicante, Gardeners Delight & Moneymaker

Cringle Park Spring Rummage And Activities

Cringle Park, Friday 7 April, 11-4

300 free Easter eggs up for grabs, lots of local peeps selling their stuff, art, music, table tennis and hopefully SUN.

Madina Masjid Iftar

Madina Masjid on Barlow Road will be holding a Unity Iftar for the whole community on Sunday 2 April at 19.00. The invitation is below. You can reserve places via Eventbrite HERE

Madina Masjid Manchester has a tradition of welcoming people from all backgrounds to the Mosque. In the spirit of friendship and conversation, we hope to give members of the wider community an engaging insight into the life of a fasting Muslim.

Ramadan is an auspicious time for Muslims; wherein one reflects and contemplates much on the relationship we have with God Almighty. United Kingdom Islamic Mission (UKIM) is holding Unity Iftar nationally, We as part of UKIM, feel privileged, as a pillar of the Manchester community, to be able to provide facilities where we can help break the fasts of the local Muslim community. We would therefore like to, cordially invite you and our neighbours from all faiths or none, to share in this festive experience and join us for the annual Iftar Meal. 

We would be honoured to have your presence to break the fast with us in the spirit of UKIM’s national initiative of ‘Unity Iftar’ on Sunday 2nd. April 2023. 

Please arrive on-site at 7:00 pm for a meet and greet and to ensure you are seated and served on time for the breaking of the fast at 7:48 pm. 

If you have any specific dietary requirements please do let us know in advance and we will endeavour to cater for your needs. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact us. 

PS: Please share this invitation with your family & friends and also amongst other members of your group.

Station South Birthday

Station South will be celebrating its first birthday on Friday 31 March.

To celebrate they are holding a big party.

School’s out for Easter – join the family party from 3-6pm
-bouncy castle (£1)
-cupcake decorating (£1)
-free party games, music and dancing
-hot dogs available

From 6pm
-Its open decks with DJ @djryanhughes Bring your best 3
vinyl party records and take your spot on the decks.
-Fab prizes on the tombola
-2 for £10 Birthday cocktails
-Massive cake!

Volunteering Website Launch

A new website is being launched that will provide information on volunteering opportunities in Levenshulme. This has been organised by Levenshulme Old Library, Levenshulme Inspire and AllFM.

The launch event takes place on Saturday 11 March at Levenshulme Old Library, 13.00-15.00. Refreshments available from Grounded MCR and art workshop by Laurie Pink.

AllFM Takeover For International Women’s Day

Here’s the schedule for the International Women’s Day takeover at AllFM on Wednesday 8 March. All women. All day.

You can listen to AllFM online via their website HERE or on 96.9 FM.

Gardening Sessions At Bluebell Green

Gardening Sessions at Bluebell Green in Chapel Street Park start again today. You don’t need any experience and tools are provided.

  • 18.00-19.30 Mondays
  • 10.00-14.00 Saturdays

Great British Spring Clean

Levenshulme continues to be blighted by litter and dumping.

The Great British Spring Clean is 17 March – 23 April 2023. Back for its eighth year, the Great British Spring Clean is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign. You can pledge to pick up a bag of litter – or more – from today.  

Find out more HERE

Family Health Event At Madina Mosque

There’s a Family Health Event at Madina Mosque on 11 March 2023, 13.30-15.30 organised with Manchester Local Care Organisation.

You can talk and find out more about:

  • Healthy eating
  • Diabetes
  • Stopping smoking
  • Child immunisations
  • Flu vaccine
  • Dementia support
  • Cancer screening

Free blood pressure checks will also be available.

All welcome to this FREE event.

Manchester Adult Education Courses

Manchester Adult Education Courses are available now with spaces still available for courses starting in April.

Find out more about the full range of courses available HERE

View or download the current prospectus HERE

The learning locations closest to Levenshulme at at the Gorton Hub and Longsight Library and Learning Centre.

Free Compost For Community Groups

A bulk one tonne bag of compost is available for free to community groups from Recycle for Greater Manchester.

The following organisations qualify:

  • Registered Charity (charity number must be provided)
  • Not-for-profit organisation (defined as a registered legal entity that does not make a private profit for directors, members, or shareholders)
  • Community, Neighbourhood or Voluntary Group (eg. Friends of…, allotment society)
  • Faith group
  • School, College or University

If you are interested further information is available HERE

Borrow A Bike At Arcadia

Arcadia Leisure Centre and Library has a new scheme available that means you can borrow a bike. Basically, take a bike on load the same way you would a library book.

Just pop along at the times listed below with ID and proof of address.

You can find out more HERE

5% Council Tax Increase

Manchester City Council has changed its plans and now proposes to increase council tax by the maximum possible next year, 4.99%.

A consultation on the proposals is open until 7 February 2023. The council’s explanation is below. You can go directly to the consultation HERE

Council tax 2023/24 – final chance to have your say on the revised proposal

We still want to hear your views on revised council tax proposals for 2023/24.

Your views will help shape the decisions we need to take around council tax increases.

Our other budget proposals remain the same, so if you gave views on these in the earlier consultation, they still stand.

Make sure you have your say before Tuesday 7 February.


Circumstances have changed since we previously asked you about our budget for 2023/24.

The Government’s Autumn Statement has moved the goalposts considerably. They have decided that council tax can now increase by up to 2.99% in the general charge plus an extra charge (called a precept) of up to 2% to help fund adult social care. This means there can now be a 4.99% increase without the need for a costly local referendum – 2% more than the original limit which is what we had originally proposed and consulted with you about.

The Government has put off making the most difficult decisions about funding cuts to address the black hole in public sector finances until 2025. It has also provided some additional funding to help us support the most vulnerable.

But while the immediate position is not as severe as we anticipated, we still need to plan now for tough times looming on the horizon to ensure our funding is sustainable and we can continue to provide support to those who need it most as well as the services everyone needs.

Our funding allocation from Government effectively assumes that we will increase council tax by the full amount now allowed. If we don’t do this it may impact on future funding settlements, with the Government assuming the Council has more money than we actually do.

From speaking to other comparable councils we know they have reached the same conclusion which we reluctantly have – that there is little choice but to look at raising council tax in line with the new limit.


Our proposals

We are therefore now proposing to increase general council tax by 2.99% plus a 2% adult social care precept – a 4.99% increase in total.

Putting up council tax is not something we do lightly when we are acutely aware that there is a cost of living crisis facing many of us.

But the extra money for adult social care will enable us to support the social care sector more, helping to relieve some of the well-documented pressures on the NHS. We will also be able to provide more targeted help for the most vulnerable people in our city.

Funding from the extra 1% on council tax will also be targeted at supporting our most vulnerable residents and the voluntary sector who do such valuable work in our city.

Even a 4.99% increase will still be well below inflation and less than the increase to other household bills. Our strengthened Council Tax Support scheme will also mean that Manchester residents on the lowest incomes will get more help with their bills.

The Council’s financial position remains challenging against a backdrop of high inflation (even higher now than when we first consulted), rising interest rates and a volatile economic climate.

This comes on top of more than a decade of central government funding cuts to our budget, even as our city and the need for our services grew. Manchester was one of the hardest hit places in the country by these cuts. Since 2010 we have had to make £428 million of savings to cope with cuts to our government funding and unfunded budget pressures such as inflation and a growing population.

We still need to make savings to balance the budget over the next three years and have consulted on proposals as part of the previous consultation. If you have given views on these, they still stand.

We remain firmly focused on delivering your priorities – from overseeing the building of 10,000 affordable homes over 10 years to leading the charge to become zero carbon by 2038; from promoting a healthier and happier city to creating vibrant neighbourhoods and investing in your parks and roads.

Your views in this consultation will help inform decisions about council tax levels.


Increasing the council tax on empty homes

Government rules currently allow us to charge a 100% council tax premium on any unfurnished homes that have been empty for over two years, doubling the charge absentee owners must pay. This is to encourage owners of long-term empty properties to bring them back into use. Planned changes to those national rules would reduce the period after which we are allowed to charge double to just one year. We are considering charging owners and landlords the extra 100% premium after one year.

In addition, national changes in the offing would allow councils to charge a 100% premium on empty, furnished homes (second homes and rental properties between tenants) as well. This will mean second home owners and landlords with furnished properties will pay double council tax for any period that their property is empty. We are also considering charging this higher rate of council tax for empty, furnished properties if we are allowed.


To have your say and read full details of the proposals, visit manchester.gov.uk/budget

The consultation runs until 7 February 2023.

Have Your Say

Murder Investigation Launched

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of Ibraheem Ali who was critically injured in an attack on Stockport Road on 22 January.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Over the weekend we have now launched a murder investigation after the victim has sadly passed away as a result of his injuries.”

News reports can be found here:

Christmas Toy Exchange

The Christmas Toy Exchange is on at St Mark’s Church, Barlow Road, today until 12.30.