There will be a School Street Event followed by lots of family activities in the park, supported by MCC Parks, Friends of Chapel Street, Bluebell Gardens, Bee Sanctuary Movement and Grounded MCR CIC.
Join the Friends of Highfield Country Park for their monthly walk around the park on Saturday 28th May!
They will be exploring different areas of the park and discovering the range of nature and wildlife that can be found. This will also be a chance to find out more about the Friends group and their future plans.
Everyone is welcome to join and the walk will be suitable for all ages and abilities. Meet by the Bowler Street entrance (postcode: M19 2UA) at 11am with the walk lasting until around 12.30pm.
Levenshulme Community Association was pleased to host the Burnage Ward hustings at St Peter’s Church this evening.
We are grateful to Greg Sammons who represented the Liberal Democrats (standing in for Bryn Coombes) and Sham Raja who represented the Conservative Party (standing in for Md Shahed Hossain). They are pictured here with Jeremy Hoad (LCA Secretary) who hosted the evening.
Unfortunately Dick Venes (Green Party) had to pull out due to illness. Murtaza Ranjha Iqbal (Labour Party) sent his apologies.
Thanks to Rev. George Reeves for providing St Peter’s Church as such a splendid venue.
We look forward to returning to St Peter’s for the Levenshulme Ward hustings at 15.00 on Saturday 23 April.
Photo: (L to R) Sham Raja, Jeremy Hoad, Greg Sammons
It’s election time again and we’re back with hustings for both Burnage Ward and Levenshulme Ward after being prevented from holding them because of the pandemic restrictions.
This is your opportunity to ask questions of local election candidates in person and see how they respond. All questions will be addressed to all candidates. These are the people standing to be your local councillor and representative on Manchester City Council.
Thank you to Rev. George Reeves, Rector of St Peter and St Mark’s Parish, for kindly hosting the hustings at St Peter’s Church.
Community Day at Levenshulme Old Library on 11th December 12pm-4pm
Levenshulme Old Library has linked up with Creative City to create a community sign that will go outside the library and would love people to join them in creating this, so save the date and come along. There will be cakes for sale and some food as well as some family yoga and massage tutorials
If you would like to come and support the creation of the sign run a craft activity or anything else please get in touch: LevOldLib@gmail.com
The Levenshulme Christmas Lights Switch On Event will be on Friday 26th November on the Village Green.
This is always a highlight of the year and a true community event open to everyone, organised by and for our community. Businesses and groups across Levenshulme come together to make this happen with funding. Thanks to Levenshulme Traders Association for organising everything.
The event starts at 16.00 with Father Christmas arriving at 16.30 and the lights switch on at 17.30. There will be entertainment and guests throughout and free presents to the first 300 children.
It is great to be able to have the Christmas Lights Switch On again this year but please bear in mind that Covid is still a factor in our lives so please be respectful of others and the ongoing advice to ensure a safe and happy event.
The Levenshulme Community Remembrance Sunday event will be at the War Memorial Lych Gate outside St Peter’s church on Stockport Road on Sunday 14th November starting at 10.45am. All are very welcome.
There will be refreshments served inside of church afterwards and a Remembrance craft activity for young and old to be involved in.
You would also be welcome to join the church service beforehand at St Peter’s at 10am.
In order to keep everyone safe we will be asking all to wear masks and maintain social distancing where possible.
George Reeves, Rector of St Peter and St Mark’s parish Levenshulme
To celebrate National Bookshop Day this year Paul Magrs was signing copies of his new book, The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy, at Bopcap Books in the Levenshulme Antiques Village on Stockport Road.
Paul is pictured with Ian from Bopcap Books, Jeremy (LCA Secretary) and, of course, Panda.
You can buy one of these special signed copies of The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy or browse and buy other wonderful books available at Bopcap Books.
A dog walk around Highfield Country Park is happening today to show support for a local resident and her dogs and all victims of dog violence. This follows a recent attack by an out of control dog that resulted in the death of another dog and injury and trauma to other dogs and people.
Thanks to Laurie for organising this in a show of love, support and solidarity.
When and where?
START 14.00 (gather from 13.30) at the Bowler Street entrance to Highfield Country Park
FINISH at the Fallowfield Loop entrance.
The route passes through the open green bit where the playground is for some running about, along the freshly resurfaced path next to the golf club, then back down past the Bluebell pond, the little animal graveyard, and picnic area, before following the path next to the stream to the Loop exit and more running around space.
It should be a nice easy stroll, and everyone is free to do as much or as little of it as they want/feel able, with or without a dog! (You can even sneakily cut across to short cut it and wait for us to meet you at the end.)
Join us for a celebratory book launch of Paul’s new book ‘The Panda, The Cat and the Dreadul Teddy’.
Tired of relentless inspirational wisdom? Craving something a little more truthful? So was author and illustrator Paul Magrs. His new book, a parody of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse, is full of foul-mouthed belly laughs for even the darkest times.
Swear, complain loudly and always protect yourself from self-righteous teddies!
Paul Magrs is the author of several Dr Who novels and audiobooks, and young-adult novels including The Ninnies. He’s also the creator of Iris Wildthyme and the much-loved Brenda and Effie Mysteries.
The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy will be stocked at Bopcap Books in Levenshulme Antiques Village and will be available through booksellers from 30 September as well as being available to pre-order online now.
The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy at Chorlton Book Festival
Bankley Studios is holding its annual Open Studios event and exhibition of artists selected from its Open Call.
Bankley Open 2021 presents works from 20 artists selected from our annual open call.
“…the judges were drawn to works that stirred a sense of intrigue, often dream-like narratives, that spoke of human, personal stories…”
On the opening weekend, all three floors of our artist studios will be open to the public, a chance for you to see what goes on behind closed doors and enter the weird and wonderful worlds of our artists.
Bankley Open 2021 artists: Reece Adair Jason Carr Rups Cregeen Craig Coulthard Shona Davies, David Monaghan & John Klein Aisling Davis Hannah Louise Foster Catherine Hill Daniel John Minjoo Kim Chloë Louise Lawrence Daniel Leyland Jen Orpin Warren Reilly Sam Sherborne Lee Shott Errol Theunissen Sylvia Waltering Vic Wright Garry Young
Opening Night + Award Ceremony + Bankley Open Studios 6-9pm Friday 25th September
Bankley Open Studios 6-9pm Friday 24th September 12-4pm Saturday 25th September
Artists Selected by judges Tamar Hemmes: Assistant Curator at Tate Liverpool, Simon Buckley: Artist, and Audrey Albert: Artist and Creative Facilitator
To arrange a viewing at another time, please get in contact via email gallery@bankley.org.uk or on social media
Exhibition Continues 12-4pm Saturdays + Sundays until 10th October
Access information Bankley Gallery is situated on the first floor of an old mill building, which unfortunately is currently only accessible by stairs. The studios are located on the first, second and third floors and are also only accessible by stairs.The building is located just off the main road, with regular bus services from Manchester and Stockport, and is around 450m from Levenshulme train station. The station has no lift and both platforms are only accessible by stairs.
The Peter Quinn Friendship Group for dementia support is holding a fundraising evening on October 2nd.
This will be a fantastic night of entertainment with the amazing Anita Ryan and incredible Richard Sanderson. Why not let your hair down and enjoy a great night at the same time as support this marvellous community group.
Station South may still not be open yet but they’ve teamed up with Pow Wow Pedal Power, Cycling UK and The Big Bike Revival for a Family Bike Ride on the Fallowfield Loop.
Start 19 September at 13.00 at The Quadrants entrance to the Floop on Crayfield Road.
The Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood Project Team are planning an event. The Project Team has stated today (9 September 2021):
“We are hoping to hold a community engagement event around Late September/ Early October, in which people can give their thoughts and feedback on the Active Neighbourhood plans in person.”
The intention of the meeting is to provide:
“…an opportunity to give thoughts and feedback on the existing filters and any future measures that may be put in place.“
No date or time has been set for the meeting / event yet.
It is intended to hold the event “for Levenshulme” at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road. This suggests the Project Team might hold a separate event for Burnage. If this is the case Levenshulme Community Association will promote both events.
After Manchester City Council took direct control of the project and removed Sustrans and Levenshulme Bee Network in 2020 the project was split into two – Phase 1 for Levenshulme and Phase 2 for Burnage. No clear explanation has ever been provided as to why the project was fragmented in this way and changed along political ward boundaries.
Councillors have previously stated that a final plan for the project would be released in September and then put out to consultation. The Project Team has stated any final plan would not be released until it had been signed off and agreed by local councillors and Transport for Greater Manchester. Whether this community engagement event in September or October is to consider a final plan or is an opportunity for general discussion is unclear.
A stroll starting from the quadrant on Crayfield Road through Highfield Country Park along Fallowfield Brook (Houldsworth Golf Course) and back along the Loop
4.0km (estimated time 1hr – but we do love to pause and chat along the way!)
There will be a litter pick at Cringle Park and Field on Sunday. These happen on the first Sunday of every month 10-11.00. Meet at the stone circle. Bags are provided. Please bring your own litter picker and gloves if you have them.
Manchester City Council is looking for volunteers to help with the Alma Park School Street Trial scheduled for 1 July. Details are below. The deadline to get involved is Monday 28 June, 12.00 midday.
Volunteer Invitation
You may be aware of aware of our planned School street is a way to encourage parents/carers / residents to use active travel methods when dropping/picking up children from school. This is a great way to promote clean and safe environments, as we hope this event will help us achieve our aims to create a healthier environment around the school and local community.
The process of ‘School Streets’ events require temporary road closures around a school. To ensure the smooth running of the event, we are asking for some volunteer support to act as marshals between the hours of 1pm-4.30pm.
We need around 20 marshals to make the trial possible; all marshals will receive training material to review beforehand and have a briefing on the day. If you are interested, please email centralnt@manchester.gov.ukno later than Mon 28th June 12pm.
Please note, the briefing session will take place online via Microsoft Teams on Tues 29th June from 5pm-6pm. If you do not have access to Microsoft Teams, please let us know.
We hope you can be available and look forward to working with you.
A pop-up exhibition and mini craft market is coming to Levenshulme Old Library over the Bank Holiday weekend showcasing work made by @CreativeCityGM’s wonderful community of Manchester artists and crafters. wellbeing-boosting women’s projects, with gorgeous craft products for sale too.
Sat 29 & Sun 30 May, 12-4pm at Levy Old Library
Creative City’s projects use arts and crafts to boost confidence, wellbeing and resilience, and to amplify local voices. Empowering women and young people in Manchester.
Over the past year Levenshulme Community Association has developed the Levenshulme Community Directory. This LCA project, developed and led by LCA Secretary Jeremy Hoad, is a resource for our community and promotes Levenshulme to the wider world.
The Community Directory shares information, supports community cohesion and links people together as well as supporting several key aims identified in the Levenshulme Community Manifesto.
The Directory provides listings organised into five themed sections as well as a complete A-Z page:
The Community Directory is a “live” resource and always open to additions and improvements. If you have anything you think should or could be added then please get in touch.
Monday 8th March is International Women’s Day. Levenshulme Ramblers encourages residents to travel to Highfield country park to learn about the various women that shaped our city.
Across highfield there will be over 20 information sheets dotted around the place. Who can you find? And what will you learn?
This is socially distanced activity for International Women’s Day in conjunction with and funded by Manchester City Council.
Thanks to Levenshulme Ramblers for organising this.
Unfortunately it appears this report was a little premature. The information is contained in a report to the council’s planning committee and was not the actual decision of the planning committee. Apologies for this mistake. It turns out what was reported was a planning officer’s report with a recommendation to approve the planning application. The decision was due yesterday (18/02/21) but has now been deferred to a future date to allow additional information to be submitted. We hope whatever clarifications required are secured. The current arrangements remain in place until August 2021.
————-
(Post edited to reflect the current situation pending a final decision by the council planning committee.)
The popular and successful Levenshulme Market operating as a Community Interest Company is here to stay [has submitted an application to continue] for another four years.
Manchester City Council approved [considered] the planning application today (18 February 2021) for an operating licence for Levenshulme Market for another four years. Not just as it is, though, as the market has big ambitions and will be operating throughout the year. These operating times were approved:
Fridays (up to 12 weeks a year) 16.00-22.00
Saturdays (52 weeks a year) 10.00-16.00
Sundays (up to 12 weeks a year) 10.00-17.00
The previous operating times for the market were:
Saturdays (March to December), 10.00-16.00
Fridays (ups to 10 days per year), 17.00-21.00
The market will [has applied to] continue to operate over the same area it currently uses across the southern half of the Levenshulme Station car park taking up approximately 50% of available parking spaces and providing 50 market stalls. The provision for 10 market stalls previously permitted on Levenshulme Village Green has been [would be] removed [under the new arrangements].
There are also plans to install a mains electricity supply for use by the market that will enable the current use of a generator to be phased out.
The decision [recommendation] includes this assessment:
“The operation market would give the district a distinctive retail offer that would contribute to the continued regeneration of the district centre, which would be particularly important to local economic recovery in the post-COVID period. The market is operated as a local social enterprise and many of its traders are from the surrounding area thereby demonstrating its links with the local area. It would also provide an important outlet for the sustained operation of local businesses. The development would present continued opportunities for social interaction and engagement across a diverse community.”
A new site management plan is to be agreed formalising the existing arrangements that also includes provision of stewards to direct vehicles and pedestrians, new signs and arranging remote parking for traders who do not require access to their vehicles so that the remaining parking spaces are fully accessible to the public when the market is operating.
The new Levenshulme Pub has a fantastic new look. Colin Campbell and Chris Thompson who run the pub have been working hard during lockdown to refurbish it. On 6 February the makeover came to the front in style with a huge rainbow flag across the full width of the building closely followed by a live streaming of entertainment by Jordan William Smart.
“The new Levenshulme is an LGBT+ friendly venue where everyone is welcome. This is the place where you’re safe. This is the place where you’re entertained. We have worked hard during lockdowns to create a new business concept. We hope you all like it.”
Colin Campbell, The Levenshulme
This new look for the new Levenshulme coincides with Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week (1-7 February 2021) which aims to raise awareness of hate crimes and increase reporting of incidents. This is particularly relevant following a hate incident against a gay man in Levenshulme last week. This does not reflect the wonderful, diverse and supportive community in Levenshulme but shows we must all be vigilant and stand together against hate of all kinds.
Levenshulme is also home to the largest independent local Pride in Manchester outside the city centre which was itself started after a homophobic hate incident. Levenshulme Pride will be held this year 13-15 August 2021, covid restrictions permitting.
The New Levenshulme is on Stockport Road beside the Antiques Village.
The council is holding an online event for businesses to discuss the Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood scheme Phase 1 (Levenshulme). The Project Team says:
“We felt that people attending [previous] events did not fully represent all of the business community in Levenshulme, and for this reason, we are reaching out to offer an additional event to ensure local businesses are aware of the scheme and have the chance to have their say.”
The event will take place at 18.00-19.00 on Thursday 14 January, 2021
The meeting will be attended by Levenshulme Councillors, colleagues from the Highways Service and Central Neighbourhood Team.
Please also share this information with any other businesses in the area who you think would be interested in taking part. The Active Neighbourhood project and the current trial of road blocks / “modal filters” are likely to have a significant impact on businesses. You can find a list of the locations at www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations.
[EDIT: The project email address is now working again]
Thee project email address has not been working properly recently so please feel free to email the LCA and we will pass your request on to the Project Team. If you cannot get through on the project email use this email address <secretary@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk> and add “LBAN Business Meeting” in the subject line.
Please see below a message from Cath Keane, Neighbourhood Liaison Manager at the MCC Highways Service and part of the Active Neighbourhood team, regarding an event for local businesses. This is welcome and follows up on a previous commitment for further engagement.
Please draw this to the attention of any businesses in the area so they can take part.
Manchester City Council held formal consultation around a scheme to make walking and cycling easier and safer in Levenshulme. We also held a number of face to face on line events which allowed people to have their say on the suggested measures. These events were well attended and gave around 170 people the chance to have their say, while more than 3,500 others have responded through our website.
However, we felt that people attending these on line events did not fully represent all of the business community in Levenshulme, and for this reason, we are reaching out to offer an additional event to ensure local businesses are aware of the scheme and have the chance to have their say.
Although the formal consultation end date has passed, we are still keen to receive feedback for the next six months as this will inform any final, permanent measures which could be implemented.
If you or representatives from your organisations would be interested in attending an on line event about the trial in Levenshulme, please email levyburnageproject@manchester.gov.uk.
If you would find it useful to have an interpreter at the on line event, please let us know and we can arrange it.
The event date will be confirmed in the near future and we will send details to everyone who has emailed us to request an invite. To join the meeting, you will need a laptop or smart phone . A link will be sent which you can click and join.
Please use the levyburnageproject@manchester.gov.uk email address if you have any other queries concerning this scheme. Further information about Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhoods scheme is also availabe on our website at www.manchester.gov.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood Business Engagement Event
The Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood website is available HERE
From 19.00 you can join the online World AIDS Day Vigil as we remember people lost to HIV, show our solidarity with people living with HIV around the world and commit ourselves to challenging HIV stigma and discrimination.
The Vigil is organised by the Passionate about Sexual Health (PaSH) Partnership, a collaboration between BHA for Equality, George House Trust and LGBT Foundation.
This year a lot of people have been hit hard financially, and many will struggle to afford to keep their homes warm over winter. To help, a team at the University of Manchester have put together a webpage with free advice on reducing energy costs and keeping homes warm: www.step-in-project.eu/online-energy-cafe- manchester/
CHAT WITH QUALIFIED ENERGY ADVISORS
If you visit the webpage anytime between 10am-12 noon on 7th December, or between 2pm-4pm on 10th December, you can use an instant messaging service to speak anonymously with qualified Energy Advisors from Groundwork, an independent, not-for-profit organisation in Greater Manchester. They can answer your questions and provide free advice about keeping warm, reducing energy costs, and accessing financial support.
More information and advice including videos is available on the website.
Levenshulme remembers in an event for Remembrance Sunday at the Levenshulme War Memorial outside St Peter’s Church. The event was pre-recorded before the current pandemic lockdown restrictions were imposed by the government. Lead by Reverend George Reeves, Rector of St Peter and St Mark’s parish Levenshulme.
You can also view the video for the Manchester City Council Remembrance Commemoration 2020 lead by Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester HERE.
Car Free Day encourages motorists to give up their cars for a day. Organised events are sometimes held but the general aim is to encourage walking and cycling and use of public transport instead of cars.
The European Union has since 2001 extended this idea to European Mobility Week culminating in the World Car Free Day. The UK has two cities participating (London and Nottingham) compared to 540 locations in Turkey, 534 in Austria and 530 in Spain.
Manchester City Council is currently developing plans for an Active Neighbourhood in Levenshulme and Burnage to encourage and make walking and cycling easier. The project was paused in the summer but revised plans and letters with information to residents and businesses are expected soon.
The first proposal of the Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood is to trial a “Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN)” in the form of multiple road blocks to vehicles (referred to as “modal filters”). These would restrict routes for vehicles whilst allowing pedestrians and cyclists free access. 32 filters were initially proposed in May 2020 but the revised plans are likely to change from that. Keep an eye out for the letters and information.
The government has announced harsher lockdown rules that will apply to all of England from Monday 14th September 2020.
An announcement from PM Johnson is expected tomorrow (Wednesday 9th September) but the new rules will ban gatherings of more than six people with only limited exceptions.
At-a-glance: What are the new rules?
Social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed in law from Monday 14 September
The new rule applies to private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as bars and cafes
The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, or weddings, funerals and organised team sports
A full list of exemptions is due to be published before the law changes
People who ignore police could be fined £100 – doubling with each offence to a maximum of £3,200
Further information is available from the BBC HERE
We will provide another update when more information is released by the government.
Keep Britain Tidy are delivering a virtual training course for Manchester City Residents who would like to host litter picking events. Places are limited.
The course covers things like engagement, the law, street cleaning, logistics, and impact evaluation. There will also be a Q&A. It will be delivered virtually on the morning of 7th September (9.30 to 1.00 with comfort breaks) just in time for the GB September Clean.
If you’re interested and would like to book a place please email:
Dave Lythgoe who was Levenshulme’s Cobbler for many years has died.
If you wish to pay your respects Dave’s funeral cortège will pause for one minute outside his old shop under the veranda on Stockport Road at 1.50pm tomorrow (Wednesday 24th June 2020). Please gather in plenty of time and respect social distancing. The cortège will then turn left down Albert Road and on towards Southern Cemetery.
People will also be gathering from 1.30pm outside Fiddler’s Green Pub on Stockport Road.
Please see below for a tribute to Dave by Lawrence Hennigan, Chair of Levenshulme Trader’s Association and member of Levenshulme Community Association Core Group.
Read the Manchester Evening News article with more tributes and memories of Dave HERE
Levenshulme Bee Network is holding a series of “webinars” on the “Filtered Neighbourhood Trials” starting in July 2020. These involve blocking off roads to motorised vehicles in 29 locations across the area. Pedestrians and cyclists can still access these roads through the “filters”.
Please see the LCA post HERE for full details including maps.
You can now register directly using the links below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you would like to send in any questions for the Q and A – we are using the links below to collect questions so people can ask and then upvote the most popular ones to be answered in the sessions.
Levenshulme residents organised a protest in Cringle Park to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in the USA. Levenshulme Councillors Basat Sheikh and Dzidra Noor joined the protest.
See below for a gallery of photographs. Photographs courtesy of and copyright to Tony Gribben.
Jeremy Hoad, Levenshulme Pride Organiser and Chair of Friends of Manchester’s Gay Village is a panellist on one of the Pink News Pride for All videochats at 13.00 today.
01:00 pm BST Safe Spaces after COVID-19
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about safe spaces? Joining PinkNews on this panel to discuss this are Asifa Lahore, Switchboard’s Natasha Walker, and Levenshulme Pride organiser Jeremy Hoad.
Follow this link to see what else is happening and view the videochat:
May 9th is Europe Day. This is the day when people across Europe come together to celebrate peace and unity in Europe following the horrors of the two World Wars. The day was chosen in recognition of the Schuman Declaration in 1950 which was the precursor to the formation of many European collaborative institutions and organisations. It was itself preceded by the formation of the Council of Europe in 1949.
The May Bank Holiday is on Friday 8th May this year to coincide with the VE Day celebrations. VE stands for Victory in Europe and this year it is the 75th anniversary of the day victory was declared in Europe during the Second World War.
Obviously the planned events and activities have been cancelled during the Covid19 crisis. However, here are some suggestions for how people can mark the event while maintaining lockdown and social distancing rules.
Levenshulme is full of wonderful people. Creative people. People who care.
At this difficult time some of the people at LOL (Levenshulme Old Library) are wondering… what do we do now?… how does the Levenshulme creative community respond? We know that the Inspire Centre are doing great stuff supporting the covid-19 response, such as being a rallying point for the Levy Corona Helper mutual aid group.
I’m sure we are all feeling a bit lost still. So… if you are in any way connected to Levenshulme Old Library… or live in Levenshulme and want to think how we can be creative online and safely… Join us for this 1 hour initial webinar and chat.
Hosted by Jez Hall, treasurer at LOL, we will be using Zoom, kindly donated by Shared Future CIC (who have a paid account they have let us use)
If you sign up we can capture your email and that will help us stay together.
If you can’t make it on the day… don’t fret… there will be other online chats.
No agenda. Nothing expected of you… just come together. We’ll email a zoom link to you if you sign up