For information Beth Marshall has resigned from her position as Secretary of the Levenshulme Community Association. An election will be held for a new Secretary for the remainder of this year until the regular elections at the next LCA AGM in Spring 2015.
The Spirit of Manchester Community Fun Day will take place this Saturday at Levenshulme Inspire from 11.00-15.00.
Levenshulme Market is collaborating with The Spirit of Manchester Festival in the last two weeks of September to host some very special Spirit of Manchester Markets.
The markets will take place on Saturday 20th and Saturday 27th September and we have arranged to have a number of FREE stalls at each market available for community groups, organisations working in the community and charities. The stalls will allow them to showcase their work in the community to new audiences in whatever way they choose – from handing out flyers on their work and ways to get involved to demonstrations of the skills they are building amongst their users.
We are now looking for community groups to join us in celebrating what they do and raising awareness for any support they may need. If you are a group working in Manchester, or you know of a group or organisation you think should be represented please get in touch with us by emailing info@levymarket.com. Full support will be given in helping to develop your ideas and making sure that you get the word out about the work you are doing.
This is in addition to the single free stall that Levenshulme Market offers every week to community groups working in Levenshulme – so if you’re working in the area but aren’t able to make the dates above please do still get in touch with us to find out how you can promote your work to our shoppers.
The Spirit of Manchester Festival is taking place from the 19th-28th September and is being co-ordinated by Manchester Community Central (MACC) as a celebration of the fantastic on-going work of the volunteer and community sector across the city.
If you have any queries regarding the festival then please visit their website HERE.
Come along for a fun day out, or get involved with the competition! Everyone is welcome to enter their home-grown fruit and veg or home-made cakes and crafts.
Saturday 6th September 2014
Admission to the show is FREE.
Highfield Road Allotments, at the entrance to Highfield Country Park (map available HERE).
08.30-11.00 open for entrants
12.00-16.00 entertainment food and stalls
14.30 exhibits open to the public
16.00 prize giving and raffle
16.30 auction of exhibits
Show info available HERE
Website: www.levenshulmeallotments.co.uk
At the first Levenshulme Community Forum meeting organised by the LCA recently it was agreed that it would be a good idea to have a community consultation about a possible new name for the new Arcadia facilities. It was also agreed that the “Arcadia” name should be retained by the skating groups that have moved to Ardwick Sports Hall. After discussion and an offer by Lydia Meryll of the Levenshulme Youth Forum it was decided that that group would contact councillors to propose and organise this (the consultation isn’t being organised or managed by the LCA itself).
For information please find below a message posted by Beth Marshall to the Levy Massive Facebook group:
A New name for a New centre in Levenshulme
Cllr Rosa Battle has asked for suggestions for the name for the new Centre. Arcadia roller Hockey group has asked to retain that name as they are known internationally by that title and want to take it with them
Here are three proposals so far:
The Three-in-One Centre – from Levy Youth Project Forum
The Jeremiah O’Brien Centre – from Hard Rain Poets
The Sonny…… centre – as she was our woman who was first to swim the Channel
Dies anyone know how to make a doodle poll? If so, please can all proposals go to you?!
If not, Lydia is happy to receive proposals for names and to send them all out again for a “Vote” by the end of the week. – end of Friday 29th Aug
We have til 1st Serpt to come up with a short list.
Please send ideas to Lydia-Meryll@outlook.com
Levenshulme’s very own beer festival is on now. Yes, now!
Come and have, well, beer at The Klondyke (1, Burnage Range) all weekend.
£3 entry on the gate.
A community-run street market has doubled its expectations for stallholder numbers, becoming “one of the most enjoyable and profitable markets to trade at in the North West” – and winning the West Zone Enterprise Category in the Towns Alive Awards.
Levenshulme Market – a community interest company which began trading in March 2013 after the failure of a short-lived predecessor – has developed from a monthly to a weekly market, and will distribute around £15,000 in Awards for residents to start market businesses and for market traders to grow their businesses into viable enterprises to operate on Levenshulme high street.
The market was established specifically to help regenerate the local high street retail environment – building skills, creating jobs and regenerating the economy. The business model is unique, say organisers: “we have a specific remit to empower the community to take ownership of their retail environment and build the skills, confidence and capacity of local people to create earning potential and increase the range of choice and opportunity.”
Judges’ comments:
“The disparity between a dying high street and an appetite for alternative shopping destinations is endemic in the UK. Levenshulme Market shows that there is a natural, profitable, community-led solution.”
See the Towns Alive website HERE
Did you know that Levenshulme Market has a free stall available every week for community groups?
Every week there is a space available at the popular Levenshulme Market for community groups to promote what they are doing in the area. You could use the space for anything – from a demonstration of the ball room dancing your group has been learning to handing out leaflets on your volunteering opportunities or ways that people can seek your support – the only thing that the stall can’t be used for is selling.
Stalls can be booked in advance by emailing the Market with your preferred dates and what you will be doing to and the organisers will come back to you to confirm all the details.
Email: info@levymarket.com
If you are free to help out come along to make litter signs at the Antiques Village cafe, 11.00-13.00 today.
It’s Family Fun Day at the Klondyke Club this Sunday from 11.00-15.00.
Manchester is one of ten super-connected cities that will benefit from faster and better broadband for small businesses, with a voucher scheme launched to contribute towards the costs of connections for those businesses.
In addition, almost all of the participating cities will deploy wireless coverage to city centres and inside public buildings with funding from Broadband Delivery UK.
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to small businesses to get superfast internet connections. This is part of the Superconnected Cities project by the government.
Details of how to apply in Manchester are available HERE
On Thursday 7th August Levenshulme a incredible Edible have a session on planting wildflowers for pollinators with Marva from Debdale Eco centre. Everyone welcome, please come along at 18.30 to the quadrants on the Fallowfield Loop (next to Crayfield Road).
On Sunday 7th and Saturday 13th September we’ll be starting work to transform our section of the quadrants site – opposite the community orchard. Plans include a wildflower meadow, perennial herbs, a fruit bush foraging area and some raised beds for vegetable growing. If you’re free please join us from 10.30am. All help very welcome.
Finally, just a reminder that it’s the Tonbridge Road Allotment Show this Saturday 2nd August 14.00-17.00, at St. Mary’s church on Elbow Street.
Incredible Edible Levenshulme
Growing a greener, cleaner, healthier Levenshulme!
If you’d like any more information please get in touch:
Facebook – IEL
Twitter – @IELevy
Email – incredibleediblelevy@gmail.com
Arcadia Roller Hockey and Derby end their time in Levenshulme this week. The teams will be packing up Mon-Wed as part of their move to their new home at Ardwick Sports Hall before the site is handed over for redevelopment as the new Levenshulme facilities (pools, gym, fitness/community room and library).
Open public skate sessions are taking place Saturday and Sunday from 14.00. This will be the last chance to skate at Arcadia in Levenshulme.
If you can help with the packing up then pop along Mon-Wed this week anytime from 10.30 to lend a hand (bring boxes if you have them).
If you are 60+over or 16+under you can swim for free at Levenshulme Baths right now.
Full details are available HERE
The Roller Hockey and Roller Derby teams based at Arcadia are relocating to Ardwick Sports Hall in preparation for the redevelopment of the site for the new Levenshulme swimming pools, library, gym and community facilities. This means they need help clearing the current Arcadia building.
If you can help out then pop along to Arcadia anytime from 10.30, Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th July next week.
There will be a litter pick on Saturday 9th August, 11:00-13.00
Meet and start at the Crayfield Road entrance to the Fallowfield Loop cycle path, ending at the tip or secret lake.
All welcome, children must be supervised.
The St Mark’s Summer Fair is on this Saturday, 19th July, 11.00-14.00.
If anyone could let them have use of a marquee because of the threatened rain let us know. They’re looking for something to cover approximately 30ft x 30ft. (Contact Debs Anderson if you can help on 07961 061 001)
The Levenshulme Community Forum public meeting will take place on Friday 25th July, 19.00 at the Klondyke Club (1 Burnage Range, Levenshulme).
The meeting is about the future of our current library after the library moves to the new Arcadia building in 2015.
Other issues can be raised as well. The focus is on ideas for the library as a community facility but this is an open public meeting for all residents of Levenshulme so bring your ideas and issues along.
Levenshulme Labour Councillors have today released the following statement on the changes to Ward Coordination Meetings:
“Ward Co-ordination Meetings in Levenshulme
The current ward co-ordination meetings, which are held quarterly during working hours and are attended by the Levenshulme councillors and council officers, will now be closed to resident groups.
In order for there to be more accessibility and interaction between all groups and associations within the Levenshulme ward, it is proposed to hold a Levenshulme Neighbourhood Networking Forum in January, May and September of each year. Each association or group, or residents within Levenshulme, will be welcome to attend this.
This forum will be chaired by a Levenshulme councillor. Council officers and an Executive Member of the Council will also be invited to attend each forum.
This Forum will be held on Saturday mornings, and the first one will be held in September 2014.
If you have any questions regarding this change, please feel free to contact Nasrin, Dzidra or Aftab to discuss.”
No contact details were provided with the post but you can find these on the LCA website HERE
For the past few years there has been a quarterly meeting called ‘The Ward Coordination meeting’ where Council officers, ward Councillors, residents’ representatives and other Levenshulme organisations such as the Traders’ Association have come together to discuss matters of common concern.
These meetings have been the only regular opportunity for the LCA to put Levenshulme residents’ point of view before relevant Council officers.
At the end of the most recent meeting in June, the Councillors announced that future meetings would be ‘closed’ – meaning that it would just be officers and Councillors. Residents and all other organisations will now be excluded.
This announcement came out of the blue – there was no prior consultation and no sensible explanation as to why they have made this decision! It was just a very autocratic “We’ve decided. That’s it!”
Given that none of our current Councillors actually live in Levenshulme, the LCA is most concerned that residents have lost a very valuable voice and that there is no satisfactory alternative being proposed.
As an alternative, Councillors say they will be organising forums twice a year at which residents will be able to raise issues concerning Levenshulme which they will then take to the Ward Coordination meetings.
We’d very much like to hear what people living in Levenshulme think of this development.
Peter Naughton
LCA Chair
The LCA is holding a Community Forum meeting on Friday 25th July. This is a public meeting to discuss the future of our current library building after the library moves to the new Arcadia facilities next year.
A new community space for Levenshulme?
A real Community Centre and a home for community groups in Levenshulme?
An inclusive space for young and old, of all backgrounds and interests?
Could this happen?
How do we make this happen?
Do we want to make this happen?
Everyone welcome.
19.00, Friday 25th July @ the Klondyke Club, 1 Burnage Range, Levenshulme.
Levenshulme Community Association are organising a public meeting to discuss the future of the current Levenshulme Library building.
Councillors have given commitments to retain the building in public ownership with access and use for residents. But how could this be done?
Could this become the Community Centre / space for community use that Levenshulme so desperately needs and that we are promised when the last Community Centre was demolished?
This LCA Community Forum meeting will also provide the opportunity to discuss other issues and raise concerns.
Meeting now confirmed for Friday 25th July, 19.00 at the Klondyke Club, 1 Burnage Range, Levenshulme.
The planning application for the new Arcadia building (swimming pools, library, gym and fitness/community space) has been submitted by Manchester City Council.
Details (reference 106143/VO/2014/N2) can be viewed HERE
Letters are being sent to nearby residents and community groups. These will advise residents and groups of the proposed development and give them the opportunity to comment, if they wish to do so.
You can see the plans and announcement from the council HERE
Photographs of the plans and site are available HERE
The shipping container provide by the council for Levenshulme Market to store equipment has now been painted with a mural.
This is part of ongoing investment to tidy up the main Levenshulme car park, around the railway station and part of the A6 funded by a £25,000 Clean and Green award to Incredible Edible Levenshulme.
It is great to see investment by Manchester City Council in Levenshulme supporting local groups with businesses such as Levenshulme Market and community groups working together to improve Levenshulme.
A lot more work is planned including a green roof on the container, new planters, bike racks and landscaping around the car park. Further information is available HERE
(Thanks to Jamie Whittaker for the photo)
There was noticeable police activity on Buckhurst Road recently and the police have released the following statement:
“On Friday 13th June, Police executed a search warrant on Buckhurst Road, Levenshulme. A large amount of cash was seized and two men were arrested on suspicion of money laundering”.
“Lancashire Folk Tales” is a new book published by the History Press in June 2014.
These lively and entertaining folk tales from one of Britain’s most diverse counties are vividly retold by writer, storyteller and poet Jennie Bailey and storyteller, writer, psychotherapist and shamanic guide David England. Take a fantasy journey around Lancashire, the Phantom Voice at Southport, the Leprechauns of Liverpool and the famous hanging of Pendle Witches at Lancaster, to the infamous Miss Whiplash at Clitheroe. Enjoy a rich feast of local tales, a vibrant and unique mythology, where pesky boggarts, devouring dragons, villainous knights, venomous beasts and even the Devil himself stalk the land.
Included in the book is the tale of the Levenshulme Boggart. A long, long time ago there was a helpful supernatural being – a boggart – who assisted Old Farmer Dannel in his Levenshulme field. Unfortunately, boggarts are testy creatures, and after Old Dannel thanked the beast for its help it turned upon him!
The book is beautifully illustrated by Levenshulme-based graphic designer Jo Lowes and Manchester-based Transylvanian artist Adelina Pintea who bring to life the landscape of the county’s narrow valleys, medieval forests and treacherous sands.
For more information, and for some cheeky tales that didn’t manage to sneak into the book, check out the website: www.lancsfolktales.org.uk
Thanks to Levenshulmelife.com for this text.
The new Levenshulme Library and Baths development on Stockport Road is now ready for public exhibition.
Plans for the proposed centre design will be on display in the cafe at Levenshulme Inspire from Saturday 14th June to Thursday 26th June, where there will be a chance for you to comment on the proposals. Members of the project team will also be there for you to discuss the plans, on:
There is a dedicated page on Manchester City Council’s website HERE.
Plans for the new development will be available HERE from 14th June.
This is an exciting stage in the development and close attention has been paid to ensuring that the new facilities meet all of the requirements and specifications worked out through lengthy and detailed consultation with Levenshulme residents over the past year or more. The new facilities will include:
Manchester City Council will be investing over £8,000,000 in these new facilities that will dramatically improve services in Levenshulme and serve a wide area of south Manchester.
Relocation of users of the Arcadia roller skate rink will happen in tandem with development of the new facilities. A £250,000 investment is being made separately by the Council to enhance, extend and improve facilities for Arcadia users at Ardwick.
This commitment to public services in Levenshulme by Manchester City Council at a time of austerity and struggle for many people is hugely welcome. This is also a result of the massive local campaign to save Levenshulme’s existing Baths and Library from closure which was a huge success for the people of Levenshulme. The creativity, dynamism, imagination, persistence and dedication of Levenshulme residents and careful collaboration with local councillors and the council is really showing dividends now.
Levenshulme Community Association will continue to consult with residents and work with the council to ensure the best possible outcome for the people of Levenshulme.
A press release from Manchester City Council is expected tomorrow (Friday 7th June 2014) and will be added here when available.
Daniel Pitts, from Levenshulme, has reproduced images of some of the show’s most beloved characters including Hilda and Stan Ogden, Albert Tatlock and Betty Turpin, Dennis and Elsie Tanner.
Daniel also regularly captures typical street scenes in Manchester and Levenshulme as well as well-known pubs and shops. He said: “The more mundane the better. I like to capture people going about their everyday lives.”
Some of Daniel’s prints and original paintings are available to purchase online HERE
Read the full Manchester Evening News article HERE
A riotous evening of poetry and song with Longfella and Quiet Loner.
The Klondyke, Thursday 10th July
Tickets £5 advance / £7 on the door
Online HERE
Levenshulme Local – A free brochure to promote the shopping experience in Levenshulme, Manchester.
Featuring the world’s oldest cobblers, local resident Carl Nunnerley talks food and Masterchef, Danny Pitts – our local High Street artist, five reasons to shop local plus a guide to our traders and much more.
The magazine is available online HERE
Produced by the Levenshulme Trader’s Association Team.
GMP invites you to attend surgeries at Tesco Metro on Stockport Road on Wednesday 4th June, 14.00-16.00.
At the surgeries you can meet your local officers and raise concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.
You can also tell officers how you feel your community is being policed and receive crime prevention advice on a range of issues.
If you are unable to attend and wish to speak to an officer you can contact the Levenshulme Neighbourhood Policing Team:
T: 0161 856 4423
E: E2.inpt@gmp.police.uk
Fun day at Madina Masjad Barlow Road levensulme
saturday 30th may 11-4
many stalls mehndi, clothes, scarves, jewellery, food, cakes, bouncy castle, face painting and many more items for sale
fun day for kids to enjoy
all money raised will go to Masjad funds
this is for everyone .x
(Forwarded from Katrina Maan)
Congratulations to Dzidra Noor (Labour, Levenshulme) and Julie Reid (Labour, Gorton South) for being elected as councillors.
Levenshulme is split between two Wards – Levenshulme and Gorton South. Election results for Levenshulme local elections 2014 are as follows.
Levenshulme Ward
Turnout: 38.4%
| Surname | Other Names | Description (if any) | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HENNIGAN | James | Liberal Democrats | 1551 |
| JARADAT | Shaden | The Conservative Party Candidate | 147 |
| NOOR | Dzidra | Labour Party Candidate | 1885 |
| VENES | Dick | Greeen Party | 718 |
Gorton South Ward
Turnout: 31.74%
| Surname | Other Names | Description (if any) | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BURKE | Martin | Green Party | 369 |
| CATTERALL | Bob | UK Independence Party | 787 |
| GLOVER | Charles Leslie | Liberal Democrat Focus Team | 375 |
| OPESAN | Tmo | Conservative and Unionist Party | 137 |
| REID | Julie | Labour Party Candidate | 2548 |
Full results for Manchester City Council are available HERE
Manchester City Council are offering grants of up to £200 to local residents’ groups to help make a difference in their area.
The grants can be used to clean up your area or take steps to make your area greener.
Further information is available HERE
LCA communications and media are listed below. Everyone is welcome. Bookmark us. Post stuff. Send us things to advertise.
The LCA has no political affiliation and aims to represent and involve all residents and groups across Levenshulme to help make our area a better place.
Website:
http://levenshulmecommunity.org.uk/
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/levenshulmecommunityassociation
Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/levenshulme/
Twitter feed:
@levenshulmeuk
Email (LCA Core Group members):
Peter Naughton (Chair)
chair@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
peternaughton@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
Beth Marshall (Secretary)
secretary@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
bethmarshall@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
Malcolm Cowen (Treasurer)
treasurer@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
malcolmcowen@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
Stuart Fear
stuartfear@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
Lawrence Hennigan
lawrencehennigan@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
Jeremy Hoad
jeremyhoad@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
Aiden Lawler
aidenlawler@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk
The LCA Core Group is new this year as part of our new constitution developed last year. We wanted to create more opportunities for people to get involved (only the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary were elected before) and give the LCA more capacity to do more. I hope all these new and improved means of communication help us reach out to people and reflect Levenshulme’s diversity and vibrancy.
LCDC (Levenshulme Craft and Design Collective) workshop facilities are now available on Albert Road. Details in the attached flyer.
We are half way through the council’s ten year Action Plan for Levenshulme. How do you think it’s going so far?
Download the Action Plan HERE
The wonderful Scruffs Dog Show is today at Green Bank Fields.
Registration from 12.00, judging from 13.00.
Get along for some doggy fun in the sun.
Places are still available at the Zumbathon for women being held at The Energy Box on Crossley Road (beside Levenshulme High School for Girls).
14.00-17.00, Saturday 26th April, only £10
How to make evaluation work for you
Tuesday 27th May 2014
13.00-16.30
The Inspire Centre, 747 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3AR
(Free for not for profit organisations)
For social enterprises thinking of doing evaluation, and all ‘not for profits’ that want to know how to go about evaluating their work.
Covering techniques used by successful social enterprises in an understandable and relevant way. Practical and high quality training, to help understand the culture and practice of programme evaluation.
This half day introduction to the topic will help you to:
• Assess the impact of your work
• Develop new projects
• Prepare applications for funding, tenders or commissioning.
As money gets tighter the limits of what is accepted as ‘evaluation’ also becomes tighter. In some cases it’s become so restricted it’s easy to miss the point of the exercise! The session will cover ‘what is evaluation’, ‘how it can be done’ and ‘why it’s important to plan evaluation into the delivery of a project.’
Delivered by Dr. Cheryl Simmill-Binning of ASSURE, and Jez Hall of Shared Future CIC. Cheryl brings her experience of assessing projects for government programmes and the voluntary sector, and Jez has supported social enterprises and not for profits for over 10 years.
Due to funding we are able to deliver this course at no cost.
A £25 non-attendance fee will be charged in the event of a booking being missed.
For bookings and more information contact
Email: jez.hall@sharedfuturecic.org.uk
Tel: 07963 706106.
Website: www.sharedfuturecic.org.uk
For information about the venue contact Inspire on 0161 850 5717 or the Inspire website HERE
We would like to thank FASS at Lancaster University and the ASSURE programme for making this session possible.
Levenshulme Community Association is pleased to announce an election hustings meeting on Thursday 8th May at 19.30 at St Peter’s Church, Stockport Road, Levenshulme.
This is an open public meeting and everyone is welcome.
It’s 1962 and it’s a lovely wedding of the famous writer and his bride. Pity about the dead body on the floor.
Levenshulme Players and Inspire present Writer’s Block, a Murder Mystery evening. Enjoy a three course meal while you help solve the murder. Question the suspects and be ready for shocking revelations as you decide who is guilty.
And there are prizes for the best answers, giving name, motivation and method for the crime. If you can come dressed in 60s gear then there’s a prize for the best costume as well.
The ticket price includes the 3 course meal. £20 for those in work and £15 for unwaged and pensioners. Please contact Beryl on 225 4674 for tickets or go to Inspire cafe.
Please note, for the catering, Inspire need final numbers and money by May 5th.
14 years old or over?
Female?
Pop along to Levenshulme Youth Project, Wednesday evenings, 19.00-20.30 at All FM on Albert Road.
Levenshulme Community Association will be holding an election hustings in the next few weeks before the local and European elections. Your chance to quiz candidates and see what you think of them. The specific date will be announced soon.
The next Levy Tea will be held at Levenshulme Library on Monday, 14th April, 15.30-16.45.
With libraries under threat across the country new models are being tried to protect them for the future. But at what cost?
We fought hard to save Levenshulme library and secure a future for our public services without being forced down the insecure road of relying on volunteers running a radically reduced service. But could the proposals for a library integrated into a new building with sports facilities and swimming pools actually undermine the long term security of our library? Will we see the library space converted into a cafe in a few years as further budget cuts take hold?
Read about the “John Lewis” solution being adopted elsewhere HERE
With Levenshulme Market about to start up again for 2014 here is a short film from Alex Hill to remind you what it’s all about.
View the film HERE
The deadline for the Better Together community funding is this Friday (21st March).
A shortlist will be agreed by a judging panel then there will be a public vote to allocate the funds. Nice to see direct involvement in decision making.
Manchester Evening News article HERE
Better Together website HERE
The Levenshulme Community Association now has a new constitution and completely new structure fit for our work and our community.
The LCA is now an organisation with groups as members and a clear focus for the future. I’m pleased Peter Naughton, Malcolm Cowen and myself managed to achieve this change with the support of the AGM on Saturday.
In the past year we have reached out with a new website and social media and radically reformed the Association.
The success of our plan to bring more people into being actively involved in the LCA and refocus the Association as a network to share ideas, experience and knowledge across all groups in Levenshulme as well as continuing to represent all Levenshulme residents is very pleasing.
This places the LCA in a much stronger, more outward looking and effective position than it has been in for many years.
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Peter and Malcolm alongside Beth Marshall, Stuart Fear, Lawrence Hennigan and Aiden Lawler on the new Core Group (managing committee) this year.
The election results were as follows:
Core Group
Download the new LCA Constitution as a PDF document here: LCA constitution 2014
Jeremy Hoad
LCA Secretary 2013-14