Category Archives: manchester

Police Update On Firearms Incidents & Public Meetings

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Here is an update from Greater Manchester Police regarding the various firearms incidents over the holiday period.

“Police have made five arrests this week after recent shootings in Manchester. 

Detectives investigating ongoing disputes between Manchester crime groups have made five arrests this week in connection with firearms discharges. 

On Wednesday 6 January 2016, a 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 22-year-old man was shot in the chest on Salisbury Road in Moss Side. He has since been bailed. 

Two men have been arrested in connection with a firearm discharge that took place in the Milford Drive area of Levenshulme on Monday 4 January. A 27-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday 6 January 2016 on suspicion of firearms offences, violent disorder and criminal damage. A second man was arrested on Thursday 7 January 2016 also on suspicion of firearms offences, violent disorder and criminal damage. They have since been bailed. 

Today, Friday 8 January 2016, two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after two firearms discharges on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day on Lytham Road in Levenshulme. A 26-year-old man and a 30-year-old man are currently in police custody.

Superintendent David Pester from GMP’s South Manchester Division said: “This week our officers have worked incredibly hard in difficult circumstances to bring those who are using guns on our streets to justice. 

“We have arrested five men who are connected to the organised crime groups we have been investigating, but we still have a long way to go. 

“We understand that the community are still very concerned about these ongoing disputes and I’d like to reassure them that we are doing all that we can to address their concerns. 

“This week we have met with community leaders and elected members and we will continue to update everyone about the ongoing investigations. Officers, supported by officers from the Force Major Incident Team and specialist resources, are working tirelessly around the clock to bring the offenders to justice. 

“We still need the community’s help to rid these offenders from the streets of Manchester, so, if you have any information that could help our investigation, please get in touch. Every piece of information, no matter how large or small could be vital.  

“We still have a long way to go, and a lot of work still needs to be done but we want this to be a message to those out there that know they have been behaving recklessly and putting innocent lives in danger.” 

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4223 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Public Meetings

West Point Residents Association in conjunction with local Councillors have organised a special meeting next Tuesday 12th January (7pm) at Birchfields Primary School, Lytham Road. 

This will be an opportunity for local residents to hear from and put questions to GMP officers and local Councillors following the two recent incidents in Lytham Road.

Another meeting has been organised at the Klondyke, Burnage Range on Wednesday 13th January (7pm).

  

Police Investigation Into Spate Of Gunshots In Levenshulme

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People across Levenahulme are increasingly concerned after a spate of gunshot incidents across the area. Guns have been fired in the area three times in less than two weeks in what is thought to be gang related incidents. Nobody has been injured.

The latest report from the Mnchester Evening News is available HERE

If you have any information on any of these incidents you should contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 6078 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

Levenshulme Artists In Art Auction

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Levenshulme artists Paul Magrs and Daniel Pitts both have paintings in the Freedom from Torture North West Art Auction 2015.
The auction takes place on Thursday, 12 November, 2015, 18:00 to 22.00 at Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Rd, Hulme, Manchester M15 5Z

Further information is available HERE

  
“Lexy” by Paul Magrs

  
“Children & The Lamp Post” by Daniel Pitts

International Women’s Day Grants, 2016

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Grants are available from Manchester City Council to celebrate International Women’s Day 2016 for events and activities held in March 2016.

International Women’s Day recognises women’s achievements and highlights the continued struggle for equal rights and equality for women. As the birthplace of women’s suffrage in the UK, Manchester has always been at the heart of the women’s movement. We’ve been celebrating International Women’s Day for more than 25 years.

The application form and guidance is available HERE

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 17th November at 17.00.

Breakfast In Bed With The Guardian

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The Breakfast In Bed project set up by Jamie Whittaker has been profiled in an article in the Guardian.

The best summary of this Levenshulme based project is this:

“…the power of community, of the kindness that occurs when ordinary people come together.”

Levenshulme people overcome adversity, support each other, fight for their community and reach out to others in many different ways.

“Jamie Whittaker started bringing breakfast to homeless people on the streets of Manchester in January. “I had a week off work and I was walking from one train station to another. It was freezing, and there were 10 [homeless] people. They were all supposed to have been offered temporary accommodation because it is that cold, but it was all lies. They shouldn’t have been there.” So he took matters into his own hands.

As with many of the grassroots groups and projects that have sprung up under austerity, social media has played a huge role in the campaigning and organising. Whittaker, 35, who works shifts at a children’s home, started posting about the homelessness problem on the Facebook group Levy Massive, a community group for local people in Levenshume. He gained donations and volunteers as a result. Breakfast in Bed is not a charity and is not government-funded – local businesses and people have donated their time, labour, money and food to keep the project going. The project’s own Facebook group now has more than 800 members and new volunteers are joining all the time.”

  
(Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian)

The article goes on to mention the involvement and support of the local community.

“…Whittaker is… keen to point out that the volunteers act as go-betweens for two, often conflicting sides. He says: “We reach people they don’t reach, people they don’t know are there, and who are trying to stay off the radar. People who have burnt bridges with the council … we hope that we’re able to rebuild those connections.” With more donations, he’s hoping that the group can start helping to house people as well. They already hold monthly “pop-up” events. This month, it’s the haircuts.

At Shine, a salon in Levenshume, the atmosphere is almost festive, thanks to the cheery manner of the staff and the Shepherd’s pie steaming in the corner. Soon all the chairs are full. Joanne is given a new, chic bob, while Dave, an alcoholic who has been homeless on and off for 15 years, gets a shave and a cut. At the back of the room another staff member rolls cigarettes almost as quickly as they are smoked. A staffie darts about in excitement. The event is a testament to the power of community, of the kindness that occurs when ordinary people come together. In its matter-of-fact Mancunian way, it’s very moving. Outside, where there are extra seats, people are eating. A man cries as his hair is cut. Others are worrying about the freezing temperatures to come, that groups such as this can’t ever fully breach the widening gaps in services.”

Read the full article HERE

Timeout Loves Levenshulme

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A few reasons to love Levenshulme by Becci Johnson in Timeout:

  • You baulk at the prospect of another A6 takeaway.
  • You’ve gotten to know your neighbours through visiting Levy Market.
  • You’ve gotten to know your neighbours through visiting Levy Market.
  • You monitor the seasons by driving up Errwood Road, whilst you fight the urge to stop and buy biscuits.
  • You know how to find the secret lake.
  • You smile wryly at tourists taking selfies on a nameless street.

You could fill the whole magazine with reasons why Levenshulme is so great, though.

Read the full article HERE.

  

Another New School Planned

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Another new school is being planned near us. This time in Rusholme in addition to the new school run by the Dean Trust opening in Ardwick.
Great to see Manchester City Council planning for the future and committing itself to a good model of educational provision.
Council statement and consultation:

“We’re planning to open a brand new secondary school in Rusholme in September 2017 to meet the growing demand for places in the area. And we want to know what you think.

The school will be built on land just off Lytham Road. It will be for girls and boys, and have eight forms for each year group.

The new school will be set up as a ‘free school’. Find out more about free schools at: www.gov.uk/types-of-school/free-schools

With modern facilities and a high-quality environment, the new school will help more children meet their full potential and encourage people to live in the neighbourhood.

What do you think?

Give us your views and we’ll use them to help develop the proposal in the best way to meet local needs.

When we have drawn up more detailed plans we’ll invite interested organisations to bid to become the school’s sponsor.”

The consultation is available HERE

The consultation closes at 5pm, Friday 13 November 2015.

Manchester Devolution Discussion

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Come along to Inspire on Stockport Road to find out about and discuss DevoManc tonight at 19.00, 25th September 2015.

   
 

Council Consultation On Hot Food Takeaways

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Manchester City Council is consulting on planning guidance for hot food takeaways. This would be come part of the council’s Strategic Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The consultation is available HERE
If you wish to comment you must register with the council’s consultation portal. You can do this by following the instruction on the link above.

The council’s introduction is provided below:

The City Council intend to prepare a Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document and would welcome any comments you have on this issue.

The Manchester Core Strategy includes a number of policies relevant to Hot Food Takeaways and the intention of the SPD is to provide further detail on these policies. A copy of the Core Strategy can be found on the City Council’s website HERE

We are particularly interested in how you think planning policy relating to hot food takeaways can support the most appropriate mix of uses within our District and Local Centres and promote healthy lifestyles, especially for young people.

We would like your views about the right planning policy for Hot Food Takeaways.

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum Meeting

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A meeting of Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum will take place this evening, Thursday 16th July, 19.00-21.00 at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road.

The meeting will:

  • vote on the area covered by the Forum;
  • approve a constitution for the group; and 
  • elect a committee.

The agenda, draft constitution and proposed designated area are provided below.


AGENDA


 

PROPOSED AREA

  
DRAFT CONSTITUTION

   

    
   
   
 

Seventeen Days of Art, Philosophy and Action in Levenshulme

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Levenshulme Contemporary Art Centre (LCAC) activities start today with an exhibition at Bankley Mill (19.00) and a launch party at Fred’s Ale House (21.00). Even before that readings on the Village Green happen at 12.00 and 20.00.

Details are available HERE

There are loads of events and activities on over the next seventeen days from imaginary bike rides to a marathon reading of Das Kapital Karl Marx, discussions about regeneration, home and the urban environment, readings and discussions of work by Marxist geographer David Harvey, Communist era children’s games from Poland and a public intervention to highlight access to public services at the railway station: “To show our desire to use the station we will form a queue to fail to get up the stairs.”

Far from failing LCAC are showing what can be achieved with £2,210 funding from Levenshulme Market Fund to produce a packed programme of events by Levenshulme artists, philosophers and residents to revitalise our High Street and attract people to our community.

This is genuine local direct action and imagination at work and what fringe events should be all about during the Manchester International Festival. An explosion of creativity emerging organically from a vibrant, diverse, challenging and exciting community like Levenshulme.

  

Help Retain Levenshulme Library As A Community Centre – Public Campaign Meeting

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There will be a meeting for the campaign to have Levenshulme Library converted into a community centre (once the library service moves out next year. )

Wednesday 8th July at 6pm at Levenshulme Library

Following the public meeting on the 16th June at Inspire, it was agreed to form a constituted community organisation, that in time could develop into a management organmisation for the library building.

Initially it will be a simple ‘un-incorporated association’ that can open a bank account to hold funds, form a wide membership of local people and elect people to help the community govern the association. Based on a charitable constitution, that can be developed further as plans evolve.

If you wish to support this exciting development and back the campaign please come along to the meeting above. We will be adopting our first constitution.

At the last meeting a number of other proposals were made:

  • To visit other buildings to find out what works, what doesn’t, what’s involved … whatever we can learn from them.
  • Undertake a survey of skills in our community that can contribute to the campaign.
  • Research the history of the Carnegie endowment, that provided the community with the building in the first place.
  • Network and connect with as many individuals, community groups, facilities, and interests in the community as we possibly can.
  • Invite Manchester City Council to meet with us, and offer whatever support they can to the campaign.
  • Find a good name and brand for the new facility… any designers, publicists, marketeers or PR people out there… your community needs you!!

Please come along. Everyone is welcome. “Meet nice people who care about our community, have your say and show your support.”

Keep up to date on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LLBSG/ 

(Message posted on behalf of Levenshulme Library Stakeholders Group)

Levenshulme Neighbourbood Planning Forum Meeting

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The next meeting of Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum will take place on Thursday 16th July 2015, 19.00 at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road.

The meeting will consider and agree the area defined for the Forum, constituting the Forum as a group and electing the first committee members to help take the idea further and make the Forum a reality.

Exciting steps to move forward and formally establish a Forum so that the people of Levenshulme can have a direct influence over what happens in our area.

Everyone is welcome.

   
 

Levenshulme Wants A McVities Drive-Thru

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Levenshulme often smells of warm biscuits thanks to the McVities factory on Stockport Road. That satisfies most people’s biscuity cravings. But it wasn’t enough for Josie Stripe who wrote to McVities proposing a drive-thru.

After presenting a strong case Ms Stripe concludes by saying:

“A McVities drive-thru would fill both the market and my stomach, and I would dearly love to see it succeed.”

The whole of Levenshulme, if not Manchester, is behind you, Josie.

  

Council Kills CASH Grants – Say Hello To NIFs

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Manchester City Council has killed off its CASH Grant scheme for council wards and replaced it with a new Neighbourhood Investment Fund (NIF) worth £10,000 less per ward.

CASH Grants of £30,000 per year were previously available to each Ward with local councillors deciding on where and how the money was spent. These have now been abolished and replaced withthe NIF that provides up to £20,000 per ward each year.

The new scheme comes into effect immediately from today (Monday 22nd June 2015). Information from Manchester City Council states:

“Local people and community groups can have a huge impact in their community and Manchester City Council remains committed to supporting activity that improves neighbourhoods and enhances peoples lives.”

Application Criteria

The fund is open to established groups, voluntary groups and other community groups, as well as groups of residents working together for the first time. School Parent Teacher Associations can also apply if they have the support of local residents and parents and the project benefits the wider community as well as the school.

Your group must have a bank account in order to receive any approved funding, or have permission from another group to receive the funding for you as a referee. Payment can not be made to personal bank accounts.

NIF funding is available for projects that fall in to the following categories:

Work & Skills
Projects that help people in a community to get back in to work by offering additional learning and opportunities to improve skills. It could also help fund any activities relating to coaching, mentoring or volunteering.

Community Groups
New groups can bid for initial seed funding to get an idea off the ground, become more recognised in the local neighbourhood and actively engage the community with activities. Established groups could also receive one off funding to help support smaller groups and deliver local projects.

Improving the Environment and Increase Recycling
Groups looking to organise community clean ups or planting projects can bid – with special encouragement for ideas focussed on increased recycling and waste reduction in a community.

Other Activities and Events
Applications will be considered for events that benefit the community and support the ward priorities of the local area. Any ideas should be discussed with your local Regeneration Ward Officer before applying.

What you can’t get funding for

Some projects, activities, events or schemes do not fall within the criteria for a neighbourhood investment funds, therefore applications will not be considered for the following:

  • Projects that do not directly benefit Manchester residents;
  • Traffic-calming schemes or CCTV;
  • Projects that simply replace existing facilities with no significant improvement;
  • Projects that improve or benefit privately owned land to which the public have no access and un-adopted roads and footpaths;
  • Projects that have already been completed or will have been by the time the grant is issued;
  • Ongoing revenue funding of staff wages, salaries or expenses or overheads such as rent, leases or utility costs;
  • Projects that only benefit individuals (e.g. qualifications, counselling sessions, professional legal advice etc.);
  • Groups cannot directly benefit financially from their own application (they cannot be a fiscal beneficiary);
  • Purchase of alcohol and gambling activities;
  • Activities of a religious or political nature; or
  • Activities that are contrary to Manchester City Council’s equal opportunities policy.

Assessment

Applications are reviewed by a panel to decide where funds should be allocated. Your Regeneration Ward Officer will keep you updated through the process – each application should not exceed £10,000.

More information on NIF and access to the on-line application is available HERE 

The Northern Powerhouse – From The Horse’s Mouth

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Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society Lecture 2015

A lecture from Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council on the development of the “Northern Powerhouse”. 

Free event hosted by the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

WHEN
Wednesday 1st July 2015, 19.00

WHERE
Manchester Conference Centre (Sackville Street)
BOOKING
Register a place HERE
SUMMARY

“We are delighted to welcome the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein to address the Society on the hot topic of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

The term ‘Northern Powerhouse’ may have come into common currency recently, but the underlying concept is one which our great northern cities – with Manchester very much in the vanguard – have been advocating for many years.

Put simply, it’s about recognising the need to rebalance the nation’s economy with major northern cities, both collectively and individually, being backed to unlock their potential. This means complementing, not competing with London and the South East. But it also means recognising and investing in the distinctive strengths of cities such as Manchester – whether it’s in culture or cutting edge research.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Manchester is fundamental to this vision – and that unless Manchester can realise its full potential no such rebalancing of the national economy will be possible.

This means investing in excellence, whether it’s improving transport infrastructure – for example the £15bn One North proposals to radically improve east-west transport connections between northern cities and complement HS2, supporting cultural facilities such as the £78m new Factory Manchester Arts Centre or supporting pioneering research into advanced materials such as graphene.

But also integral to the Northern Powerhouse concept is the recognition that city regions such as Greater Manchester – places with their acts together and clear strategic visions – need to be freed from stifling over-centralisation. Greater Manchester is in the forefront of the devolution agenda which recognises that instead of having ‘one size fits all’ national policies imposed centrally, we are better placed to create the conditions for growth and improving people’s lives by investing in local needs and priorities. This will enable us to use the available funding in a much smarter way.”


New Levenshulme Based Charity To Help Homeless People And Their Pets

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People with Pets in Poverty is a new charity to help homeless people and their pets.

Colin Alcock will launch People With Pets In Poverty later this month and aims to roll out a variety of schemes over the next five years. Colyn’s main aim is to help rough sleepers and the ‘hidden homeless’ which includes sofa surfers and people in overcrowded accommodation, hostels and night shelters.

Under the Home and Dry programme, PPP will provide safe accommodation for homeless people and their pets by paying the first month’s rent and deposit while providing a guarantee to landlords against damage caused by pets. In exchange service users must follow a recovery programme which could include counselling and a detox scheme.

Colyn has many ambitious plans for the charity, including pet food banks, an online homeless forum and even a charity single. By 2020 he hopes to have set up a community home for marginalised people with pets. He said: 

“To a homeless person a pet is a guardian protector, a best friend and someone who will never judge them and always be pleased to be with them.

“I know what it’s like to sit on a street corner and beg. It’s soul destroying and isolating.”

“The next wave of homelessness is coming and it’s going to get worse. We’re looking at an all encompassing remedy.”

The first PPP meeting will be at Fred’s Ale House, Levenshulme, on Wednesday June 24, from 7.30pm. All are welcome.

For details or to volunteer call Colyn on: 07985 442 505
or email: peoplewithpetsinpoverty@outlook.com

Read the full MEN article HERE

  
Photo courtesy of Manchester Evening News

Levenshulme Library News & Public Meeting

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An article from the Manchester Evening News on the future of Levenshulme Library and the work of the Stakeholders Group set up to explore options is available HERE

It is a little unfortunate the article advertises the fundraiser on Friday 29th in an article published on Saturday 30th but any coverage is very welcome.

Note also that there are a couple of factual errors in the article:

1 The new baths and library facility is scheduled to open in Spring 2016, not Autumn 2015.

2 Levenshulme High School never took over the building. The school simply rented the space to use for part of the week. Local campaigning was essential to ensure the library stayed open as a library until the new facilities open.

A public meeting is also scheduled for Tuesday 16th June, 19.00-21.00 at Levenshulme Inspire on Stockport Road. Further information and discussion is also available on a Facebook group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LLBSG/

  
  
Photo courtesy of Manchester Evening News

Elections 2015: Levenshulme in the Press

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Mancunian Matters seems to have been impressed with Levenshulme’s councillors with mentions of both Basat Sheikh and Peter Cookson. It reported:

‘Basking in success over his first time win, Basat Mahmood Sheikh for Levenshulme said to one of his colleagues while the counts were being verified: “I have certainly proved myself”.’
and

‘The other side of Gorton also had a triumphant success, victor Peter Cookson said it was a ‘record breaking result’ after finding out he had 4564 votes.

UKIP failed to provide competition for Mr Cookson, with an uninspiring 966 votes for second place.

At the end of his winner’s speech, he added: “It’s an unbelievable result in the history of this seat”.’

Read the full article HERE.

Stockport Road Resurfacing and Redesign

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£2 million funding has been secured to resurface Stockport Road from the Appollo to McVities.

The stretch of Stockport Road running through Levenshulme in particular is in a dire state of repair and has been in desperate need of attention for some time so this is great news.

We understand the project will include new cycle provision and redesign of the road to improve access and usability. Residents’ groups and businesses will be included in consultation about the exact design.

The project is scheduled to start this summer (2015). Further details will be reported when available.

People’s Health Trust Community Funding Available Now

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Levenshulme qualifies for funding under the People’s Health Trust scheme as outlined by the organisation below:

“Local groups and organisations with great ideas to make their communities even better places to live are now invited to apply for funding to turn their ideas into reality.

Active Communities is a funding programme for community groups and not-for-profit organisations, with an income of less than £350,000 a year or an average of £350,000 over two years.

It’s for projects seeking investment of between £5,000 and £50,000 for projects lasting up to two years. We’re looking for small and local projects, genuinely designed and run by local people. By small, we mean just a small group of people on an estate, in a few streets or villages. 

We’re also looking for great ideas from communities of interest. By this we mean a group of people who have things in common and wish to come together to address something that is important to them. These ideas could be based in one neighbourhood, or cover a wider area. 

We run a two stage application process over a six week period that begins with a short online form. There’s step by step guidance to help you along the way but if you need any support, please call us on 020 7697 4021 or email us.”

Further information including an online application form is available HERE

£22m Boost For Cycling In Manchester

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Manchester is one of eight cities to benefit from investment in cycling infrastructure from the government. The Department for a transport has confirmed Manchester has been awarded £22m from the total funding of £115m. This follows an investment of £20m in 2013.

Further details are available from Transport for Greater Manchester HERE

An article from the Manchester Evening News is available HERE

Information on the Greater Manchester Cycling Strategy is available HERE

Levenshulme Benefits From City Clean Up Funding

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Levenshulme has been one of the first areas to benefit from a new fund created by Manchester City Council to deep clean the city and tidy up tatty looking areas. The new project will also include funding for community groups. The information released by the council is provided below.

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A fund of £5.5million is to be spent on a city-wide clean up programme.
The wide range of projects will improve district centres, parks and roads over the next few months, ensuring that benefits are seen as quickly as possible.

Parks and community spaces will receive £1.5million of the money, to fund works that have already been requested by friends groups and other organisations, such as cleaning war memorials, resurfacing children’s play areas, planting new flowers and low-maintenance shrubs, making improvements to existing allotments and creating new ones.

Another £1million will be spent on district centres, funding repairs to pedestrian crossings and railings, new lighting to improve visibility and deter crime as well as improvements to the appearance of run-down buildings. Parking issues will also be addressed, with updated signage, and there will also be improvements to grass verges and other open spaces.

As well as these practical projects, this funding will also help residents and businesses to organise their own community clean up campaigns, and will enable the setting up of business forums to support local traders who want to get involved too.

Over £1million will help to improve local infrastructure, renewing unsightly or rusted railings, benches and other street furniture, and replacing old litter bins with new, larger models like those recently introduced in the city centre.

Almost £500,000 will be spent on getting rid of overgrown, vacant plots and clearing waste grounds of debris across the city. There will be intensive work to clear grot-spots, roads, alleyways, and pieces of waste land across the city, which residents have complained about and, finally, in response to other concerns raised by schools, we’ll also use this funding to repaint road markings outside schools where dangerous parking is a problem.

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See the Council page HERE

New Community Funding From Laing O’Rourke

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A message from Laing O’Rourke

We’re delighted to invite you the launch of the Laing O’Rourke Cash4Graft funding programme which is to take place from 18.00-20.00 on Tuesday 24th February 2015 at Laing O’Rourke offices at:
3 Archway, Birley Fields, Manchester, M15 5QJ

This exciting new fund focuses on supporting residents in the south Manchester area to come together to identify projects that will benefit their community and get together to deliver those projects. The programme will support grassroots community projects in and around the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre development scheduled to be opened next year for sums from £50 to £250 which can kickstart great initiatives that make our neighbourhoods happier, healthier and safer places to live.

Laing commitment to engaging with local communities where it delivers projects is essential to their ethos and their corporate social responsibility strategy and the launch of this programme means that they can deliver real impact at a local level. – making a difference where you live!

This strength-based approach looks at what’s strong and not what’s wrong in communities – residents coming together to develop great ideas – and support existing groups that already deliver real impact in south Manchester neighbourhoods.

Please feel free to invite fellow community groups to what promises to be
an informal event where we can talk to you about the programme, how
you can get involved and how you can apply for funding from the programme. Forever Manchester is working in partnership with Laing O’Rourke to deliver this programme.

We’d be delighted to see you there and it would be great if you could e-mail me back to let me know that you can make it.

We look forward to meeting you.

Jean Mills
Head of Business Development

Email: jean@forevermanchester.com
Web: forevermanchester.com
Twitter: @JeanieFM

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(Google Maps link HERE)

Council Budget Cuts Last Chance To Comment

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Today is the deadline for comments on the council’s proposed budget. This includes significant and severe cuts to services.

Comment via the council’s website HERE

Manchester City Council Residents’ Survey

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Manchester City Council is conducting its summer/autumn 2014 residents’ survey to understand your views about the Council and your local area.

You may have taken part in the survey a number of times last year and earlier this year, but please take part in this survey again to tell us what is important to you so we can track attitudes over time.

The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete.

This survey is being carried out independently on behalf on Manchester City Council by Enventure Research, a market research agency bound by the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct. Your personal details and other information will only be used for the purposes of the survey and will not be disclosed to any third parties.

The information we collect will be used to inform the way the Council and its partners deliver its services and improve your local area.

If you have any questions about completing the questionnaire please call the survey helpline on 0844 522 0100 (local rate).

You can take part in the survey by clicking HERE

Feel the Spirit of Manchester at Levenshulme Market

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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.

Greater Manchester’s Better Energy Deals

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What is this deal about?

Backed by all 10 Greater Manchester Councils, it’s about the people of Greater Manchester getting together as a large group to get a great cheap energy deal from the suppliers.

What happens?

1  It’s quick, simple and you won’t need a bill

2  We negotiate a great energy deal with the power of the group

3  From the 10th March we’ll notify you of how much you can save

4  If you choose to switch, we will organise everything for free

Register your interest online HERE.

 

Levenshulme to benefit from partnership with one of the country’s top schools

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Whalley Range High School for Girls has been recognised as one the the top 100 schools in the country for sustained improvements in exam results.

In September 2014 Whalley Range High School for Girls will enter into partnership with Levenshulme High School for Girls as a new Academy Trust.

Parrs Wood High School and Chorlton High School were similarly recognised for their achievements in improving the examination success of their pupils.

See the full report from Manchester City Council HERE.

Levenshulme Litter Action

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Following a vibrant discussion online about the level of litter in Levenshulme a meeting has been arranged to discuss how people can work together to try and improve our environment and make Levenshulme look more lovely.

The meeting will be held at Inspire at 19.00 on Friday 31st January 2014.

Everyone is welcome.

You can report litter, dog fouling and graffiti to the council HERE

Hate Crime Awareness Week

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It is National Hate Crime Awareness Week. If you have been affected by a hate crime you can get advice and support through events across Manchester this week. More information is available HERE.

A great website and resource – True Vision – is also available HERE. This site provides straightforward advice and support, explaining:

“Have you or someone you know been a victim of a hate crime or hate incident?

Hate crimes and incidents come in many different forms. It can be because of hatred on the grounds of your race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.

Hate crime in any form is wrong. That is why it is important that if hate crime happens to you or someone you know, that you report it.

True Vision is here to give you information about hate crime or incidents and how to report it.”

Stop hate crimes. Report hate crimes. Fight hatred and intolerance.

Small Grants available for projects for older people

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Valuing Older People (VOP) Small Grants Fund

Age-friendly Manchester Small Grants Fund

A partnership between Valuing Older People and Trinity House Community Resource Centre, the Age-friendly Small Grants fund provides small grants of up to £300 for projects that benefit older people living in the City of Manchester. Priority is given to grant applications looking to provide sustainable support to community groups and projects in Manchester, and in particular, projects tackling social isolation and loneliness. We accept applications from voluntary organisations, community groups and charities.

Two rounds of grants applications will be held in 2014, deadlines for applications being:

  • Friday 31 January
  • Thursday 31 July

For more information, please download an application pack or contactRebecca Bromley, phone 0161 234 4049, emailr.bromley@manchester.gov.uk

Feeling relaxed last night? This might be why.

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Were you feeling particularly relaxed on Friday evening? It might be because a suspected cannabis farm in a house on Grange Avenue went up in flames. Nobody was hurt but there seemed to be a distinct lack of crisps, chocolate and other snacks in the shops on Saturday.

Manchester Evening News article available HERE

Warning – Spate of Violent Burglaries

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I have been asked by the police to let people know that there are a lot of burglaries taking place in the area at the moment.

Asian families in particular are being targeted for women’s jewellery with gangs of up to five men breaking down doors and ripping necklaces off. This is obviously very frightening and intimidating. It is not only Asian families that are suffering but that is a particular target at the moment.

(Jeremy Hoad, Levenshulme Community Association Secretary)

PLEASE:

* Keep your doors and windows locked even when you are at home.

* Use your alarm if you have one.

* Don’t leave valuables on show

* Make valuable items traceable and take photographs.

* Register property at www.immobilise.com for free.

* Dial 101 to report any suspicious activity to the police (non emergency).

* Dial 999 in an emergency or if you see or suspect a crime in progress.

More crime prevention advice is available at www.gmp.police.uk

Manchester City Council “Be Proud” Awards 2013

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Do you know any inspiring individuals?

Manchester City Council’s Be Proud Awards are a great way to recognise anyone who has worked hard to change things in your area, helped improve the lives of others or shown outstanding spirit. If you know someone who goes the extra mile to make a difference, why not nominate them now?

Go to: www.manchester.gov.uk/beproud

(closing date for nominations is 30 September 2013)

be proud awards 2013

The rise of the social enterprise! It’s Levy Market!

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Helen Power is interviewed about Levenshulme Market which has been going from strength to strength since being taken over by local Levy people from the council…

“The words ‘Levy Market’ have been floating around my peripheral social media vision for the past few months now. Good friends, those who I know to have particularly high standards where markets are involved (well-seasoned and with particularly good taste of course), have been reporting their Levy Market finds when they’ve visited. These range from vintage goodies to seriously good cake and are always accompanied with serious enthusiasm for the place. So with the next market happening this saturday I thought it was time to hooked up with one of Levy Market’s organisers Helen Power to find out more.”

Read the rest of the article HERE

Photo from Manchester’s Finest website (unattributed on website)

levy-market-macaroons

Love Levenshulme, Hate Cuts Public Meeting

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‘Why we are marching against the Tories’

A public meeting organised by the Love Levenshulme, Hate Cuts group. This meeting is linked to the march and rally planned for 29th September during the Conservative Party Conference.

Speakers:

Anti-Bedroom Tax Campaigner
NHS Nurse
Teacher
Fire Officer

DATE& TIME:

Thursday September 19th, 19.00

PLACE:

Klondyke Club, 1 Burnage Range, Off Albert Rd, M19 2HQ

LLHC meeting 190913

Levenshulme High School and Library Developments

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Newspaper reports today confirm the suspension of Amanda Thain (Head, Levenshulme High Schools for Girls) by the Governing Body of the school. This follows an Ofsted inspection earlier this year which resulted in the appointment of Patsy Kane (Head, Whalley Range High School) as Executive Head at the school.

There is concern at what impact this will have on plans for Levenshulme Library and LHS taking on the building, running the library and developing a school facility for pupils until the new library opens in 2015. To date no work has been undertaken regarding the conversion of the library for use by the school.

Assurances had been provided by Cllr Rosa Battle (Executive Member for Culture and Leisure) that the plans for Levenshulme Library were unaffected following the appointment of Patsy Kane as Executive Head at LHS after an Ofsted inspection and report in July.

Jeremy Hoad (Levenshulme Community Association Secretary and Chair of the Friends’ of Levenshulme Library) said: “It is not wise to jump to conclusions based on newspaper reports but it is wise to determine progress on the Library plans and ongoing commitment to these plans in light of the different circumstances at the school now. I am attempting to clarify the situation with Neil MacInness (Head of Libraries), Rosa Battle and Levenshulme and Gorton South Councillors.”

Further updates will be provided as the situation becomes clearer.

Read the Manchester Evening News article HERE

Read the Daily Mail article HERE

Manchester is ‘officially’ a great place to live

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Manchester is a better place to live than London, Rome or New York, according to a new global survey. The city was hailed as having a ‘vibrant individual culture’ by the editor of the international league table.

We never had any doubts.

The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Manchester 42nd on its list of global cities.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure (and a Levenshulme resident), said: “This is superb news and it validates our deliberate focus to use culture and sport as a vehicle for economic and social renaissance. It spells out the facts that we’re a world-class city, up there with the best.”

Read the article HERE

 

 

 

Trove shortlisted in Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2013

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We are delighted to see that Trove has been shortlisted in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2013 in the “Cheap Eats” category.

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards provide a benchmark for excellence in the hospitality industries throughout Greater Manchester. This year sees a bumper list of new dining stars, and exciting talent across the board, following a year of significant development for Manchester’s national foodie reputation.

Support Trove and vote now. Good luck to Marcus and Katy.

Vote HERE (Voting closes Monday 1st October at 12pm)

The awards are part of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival running from 26th September to 7th October 2013.

 

Send us your news!

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Do you have news about something going on in Levenshulme?

Are you organising an event?

Do you run or support a community organisation?

Please send us your news, information, event or details of your organisation and we’d love to add you to the Levenshulme Community Association website or publicise what you are doing.

Get in touch and share what you know about Levenshulme!

Contact the LCA HERE

Thanks.

Jeremy Hoad (LCA Secretary)

20mph Pilot Scheme to include parts of Levenshulme

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The Council is introducing a 20 mph speed limit in more areas of the city including the Gorton South Ward which includes parts of Levenshulme. The intention is to reduce accidents and encourage more cycling and walking in residential areas and stop cars using our streets for short cuts.

Gorton South/Levenshulme has selected to pilot the scheme due to the high level of accidents recorded, high density and social deprivation. The areas are:

  • Area 1 – Gorton north and Gorton south;
  • Area 2 – Miles Platting, Newton Heath, Ancoats and Clayton;
  • Area 3 – Hulme (east side or A5103 Princess Road), Moss Side and Fallowfield.

Further information can be found HERE

Incredible Edible Levenshulme

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A new Incredible Edible Levenshulme group has been set up and will be meeting at 14.30 on Wednesday 14th August in Trove on Stockport Road (opposite the Antiques Village).

The group is inspired by the Incredible Edible network. Pam Warhurst from the Incredible Edible Network will be giving a talk as part of the Dig the City Festival:

Talk: Pam Warhurst (Incredible Edible): Believe in the power of small actions

16.00, Sunday 4th August, Festival Hub, Exchange Square, Manchester

Pam Warhurst’s TED Talk is available as a video HERE

Incredible Edible Levenshulme

Levenshulme High School to ‘Educate & Celebrate’ LGBT staff and pupils

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From September 2013, Levenhulme High School will be working towards becoming the first school in Manchester to be ‘officially’ LGBT friendly!

The school will be working with Elly Barnes’ Educate and Celebrate programme. Elly has devoted her career to helping schools become environments in which LGBT students and teachers can thrive without fear of discrimination.

“We want as many schools as possible to tackle LGBT equality, we want every student to be proud of who they are. Educate and Celebrate is not just about fighting prejudice it’s about celebration” Yvette Cooper MP, Shadow Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities.

Free food on June 15th in Piccadilly Gardens!

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If you are in town on Saturday and feeling peckish then why not pop along to this?

Piccadilly Gardens, June 15th, 12.00-16.00

LINK:        Feed the 5000

Greater Manchester strategic plan 2013-20 consultation

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Greater Manchester local authorities are consulting on the Greater Manchester strategic plan 2013-20.

The consultation ends on 17th June 2013.

Consultation details available HERE

Revealed, site where town hall will splash out on new leisure centre in Levenshulme

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Town hall bosses have revealed their preferred location for the new Levenshulme leisure centre. The facility – set to replace the existing baths and library in 2015 – is planned for the current Arcadia sports centre site off Stockport Road. A report to be considered next month shows it would include a ground floor pool with a gym upstairs, as well as the new library.

(Manchester Evening News, 31st March 2013)

Read the full article HERE

Levenshulme Baths are saved!

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Councillor Julie Reid (Gorton South) has just confirmed that it was announced at a Labour Group meeting tonight that Levenshulme Baths have been saved.

We came together as a community and we won!

This follows immense community effort – marching, dancing, demonstrating, fundraising, lying in the street, campaigning, putting posters up, writing letters and emails, making banners, lobbying, filling in petitions, consulting and developing proposals to show how the Baths could be saved.

We showed how it could be done and the Council just couldn’t say no.

We have more work to do over the next two years and we still need to save Levenshulme Library but now is the time to celebrate our victory in keeping Levenshulme Baths open for everyone to enjoy.

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Reclaim the Night 21st Feb 2012

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This will be a huge parade through the centre of Manchester to celebrate the right of all women – and men – to walk about on the street without feeling afraid.

The march starts at Owens’ Park, Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield at 7pm and a neon parade will head down Wilmslow Road towards Manchester Students’ Union. The evening continues with the Reclaim the Night After Party, a festival of the finest women talent, with live comedy and music, arts & crafts, fun activities, community stalls & awesome DJs till late – at Manchester Students’ Union from 9pm.

Contact Tabz O’Brien-Butcher, Manchester University Students’ Union Womens Officer using the form below. She is looking for groups who want to help and do some creative work with university students. Is  banner-making up your street?