Levenshulme Market Cancellations

Notice from the Levenshulme Market Team:

Hello everyone.

Due to yesterday’s advice from the government we have taken the decision to cancel the rest of our markets for the month of March.

This means there will sadly be no birthday party Night Market this Friday, and no Saturday market on 28th March.

We’re awaiting further clarification on whether it will be possible to continue with our events in Levenshulme in the coming months. The situation is very much a live one at present and making any concrete decisions for our future is deeply challenging. But as a community hub our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our customers, traders and staff.

The situation we find ourselves in comes as a huge blow both to the market and to our traders. Markets exist due to small businesses born out of passion and dedication whose survival depends on opportunities to trade. Cutting off those opportunities gives us no pleasure and we would like to take a moment to add our voice to those venues and events organisers who have highlighted how unreasonable it feels that a decision of such magnitude has been left in our hands.

We’re hopeful that there will be some clarification very soon on how businesses such as ours are expected to cope with the decisions we’ve found ourselves having to make, and any future plans for our markets will be made accordingly.

Due to the recent announcement as well as the University of Manchester’s decision to cancel all in-person seminars, we have also taken the decision to cancel all of the Tuesday lunchtime food markets we run at UoM for the time being.

However, while the market may not be open for business we will still be here for you, working away on ways for you to support independent traders, amplifying those doing good work for the community here in Levenshulme and looking forward to a future when shopping, street food and socialising are safe once again.

Until then, please be kind to one another, support independent local businesses where you can and look out for those who may need help in these testing times.

The Levy Market Team

Levenshulme Living Tree

Levenshulme Community Association is delighted to have worked with partners to plant a living tree on the Village Green.

The new tree will be a permanent feature and means that we will no longer have to pay annually for a Christmas tree. The new tree has been planted in the same position as the Christmas tree is positioned. This means the Village Green remains unobstructed with good views of the Levenshulme Bee and when decorated with lights at Christmas it will be visible from a distance along Stockport Road.

The tree is a sequoiadendron giganteum (giant redwood). This is the best type of tree because it is resilient, long lasting and will establish itself quickly. It was supplied by Glendale Civic Trees, imported from the Netherlands.

We are grateful to Manchester City Council for providing funding through the Neighbourhood Investment Fund. Sponsors also providing funding are:

  • Levenshulme Traders Association
  • Great Places
  • One Manchester
  • Manchester Central Fund
  • Levenshulme Community Association

Thanks to Manchester City Council for arranging all necessary groundworks and in particular to Ikhlas Ur-Rahman, MCC Neighbourhood Officer for providing the support and coordination to enable this project to happen. This would also not have been possible without the support of Levenshulme Councillors Dzidra Noor, Basat Sheikh and Bernard Stone.

The Living Tree also meets several of the aims of the Levenshulme Community Manifesto including to:

  1. Protect and enhance our formal and informal green spaces for recreation and play.
  2. Promote changes for clean air and to reduce pollution.
  3. Improve our urban landscape, for example with more street trees.

Nutsford Vale Saved From School Development

from The Secretary of Nutsford Vale

“As you may have seen in an article on Manchester Evening New’s website yesterday Manchester City Council are now looking to build a school on Showcase Cinema, Hyde Road and not Nutsford Vale. We held our monthly meeting today and we our very pleased with this outcome. As stated on Manchester City Council’s website and the article on line, it has proved far too expensive to build safely on Nutsford Vale. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last three years. NUTSFORD VALE STAYS GREEN!!

Levy Art Trail

Levy Art Trail will be part of Manchester Art Month.

19th April, 17.00-21.00

Fred’s Ale House, The Inspire Centre and Levenshulme Old Library

Further information is available HERE

Manchester’s Finest: Levenshulme (of course)

A nice write up of Levenshulme in Manchester’s Finest by Ben Brown covering Trove, Levenshulme Antiques Village, the Blue Bell Inn, Station Hop, Levenshulme Market, Fred’s Ale House, The Klondyke, Persian Tasty Grill and The Meating Room.

“Before I move out of Levenshulme and into Urmston I thought it best to share my knowledge gained over the last year. It’s a shame The Buttery has shut down but there’s still plenty of places in which to eat and drink and generally have a good time.”

Read the full article HERE

Meet Your MP

Levenshulme ‘Meet Your MP’ coffee morning will be taking place this Saturday.

  • Date: Saturday 17th March 2018
  • Time: 10.30am – 12pm
  • Venue: Cringle Suite, Levenshulme Inspire Centre, 747 Stockport Road, M19 3AR

Who is your MP? Afzal Khan (Labour) who was elected in 2017 and took over from Sir Gerald Kaufman.

Levenshulme Community Manifesto Meeting

Come along and find out about the new Levenshulme Community Manifesto on Wednesday 28th February at The Klondyke. Developed by and for our community it is a statement of what our community wants for the future of Levenshulme.

Community Action Day

Inspire Christmas Fair

A reminder that it’s the Christmas Fair at Levenshulme Inspire this Saturday! With a performance by the Levy Uke-Up at 1pm and Santa giving out presents from 3-5pm

Loads of great gifts and festive food. So you can outdoor shop at the fab Levenshulme Market and indoor shop at Inspire you lucky people. Shop local and support independent traders.

Levenshulme Players Christmas Review

Levenshulme Players Christmas Review.

There will be sketches, songs, fun, games, magic and a man sitting mostly naked in a bath… PLUS a three course meal. All this for just £20!

Call 07970 885 684 or e-mail levplayers@gmail.com to book your place.

Community Energy In Levenshulme

Anybody interested in developing community energy projects in Levenshulme (local energy efficiency measures; micro-generation ideas; electric vehicle charging etc). Do come along to a meeting at Inspire on Thursday 28 September at 7.30pm at Inspire. We’ll be joined by Manchester Carbon Co-op and Electricity North West.

What Is Your Vision For Levenshulme?

Everyone is welcome to a meeting to discuss the future of Levenshulme at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27th September at The Klondyke (1Burnage Range).

This will be the first of a series on public meetings and consultations where we can all suggest ideas and priorities for how we want Levenshulme to develop over the next few years.

There is no set agenda as this is something driven by us all but discussion will be guided and notes kept so all views are valued. This is an initiative by our community for our community.

  • How do you want to see Levenshulme develop?
  • What are your priorities for the future?
  • What are the main issues that need addressing?
  • How can we work together effectively to make our community what we want it to be?
  • What is your vision for Levenshulme?

Levenshulme Youth Project Autumn Activities

Levenshulme Youth Peoject announces its Play and Youth Sessions for Autumn 2017:

“We are really excited about this terms new programe. Our new sessions begin in earnest at the Jain Centre on Tuesday 12th at 4:30pm (Free Play Session) The theme this term is Health and Wellbeing. So expect loads and loads of fun trips activities over the next few months (and usual weekly programme).”

An Evening With Rosie Garland

Levenshulme WI is hosting an evening with Rosie Garland on Tuesday 23rd May at Inspire.

Help Rebuild Highfield Stables

Shared from Dawn J Robertson

SOS PLEASE HELP

Family run Highfield stables in Levenshulme has burnt to the ground!!!

Thankfully the horses were got out in time but several chickens and a goose have been lost, along with a families livelihood.

For the next few days help is needed to clean and clear the land.

Do you have any decent wood or lumber you can donate? Any labour hours?! Please inbox Megan Powers if you can help or use this email for PayPal.

Missmpowers@gmail.com

or there is a just giving set up. If you can spare a few pounds we know how every penny counts….

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/highfield-stables

The initial news report is here….

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/five-fire-engines-blaze-levenshulme-12939103

Just devastating but could have been worse, please please help in any way you can.

Wendy who runs these stables is an amazing animal lover. I met her on a rainy summers night last year when a German shepherd dog was roaming in Levenshulme and I went to scan it. She was chipped to Wendy and was a stable dog. Concerned as to how she had got out and how she was living I met Wendy at the stables and was awestruck. We found the loose panel that looked like it had been kicked and secured the dog for the night. The stables were immaculate, as was every animal within them. She told me that Sheba was due to retire but it was hard to get the right dog. Months later a rescue friend of mine was struggling to find the right place for a gsd that was a neglected yard dog that wouldn’t settle indoors. Wendy took her in and took Sheba home. Later I needed a space for a semi-feral neutered mama cat I trapped in Old Trafford. Wendy took her in as a barn cat. Two fosterers had deemed Lulu too wild and unpredictable to be a pet, Wendy took her in at the stables. Shortly after she contacted us to say Lulu just needed the right quiet home as the only cat (she’s a Bengal), and she had found her one. Lulu now spends her evenings stretched out on a rug in front of a log burner. Last time I spoke to Wendy she felt the gsd had also rehabilitated and she may have found her a new, indoor, forever home too. This woman has a gift with animals and always puts their needs first, reads them so very well.

Whether unfortunate (neglectful) accident caused by neighbours or deliberate, the family do not deserve to suffer this and need our help.

Thank you.

Find Out TONIGHT Why These People Want To Be Your MP

Your election.
Your  MP.
Eight people ready for your questions TONIGHT.
19.00 at the Jain Centre, 667-9 Stockport Road, M12 4QE.

  1. ABIDOGUN, Kemi (Christian Peoples Alliance)
  2. CLIFFORD, Peter (Communist League)
  3. DISCO, The Irrelevant Johnny (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
  4. GALLOWAY, George (Independent)
  5. HOPKINS, David Michael
  6. KHAN, Mohammed Afzal (Labour Party)
  7. MAYO, Jess (Green Party)
  8. PEARCEY, Jackie (Liberal Democrats)

Elevate: A New Project At Inspire

Guest blog from Ed Cox, Chair, Levenshulme Inspire Partnership

Elevate – a new project at Inspire

Last summer two events in a matter of days reminded us that neighbourhoods like Levenshulme and Gorton can easily become divided on the grounds of class, race and religion. The terrible murder of Jo Cox MP, followed shortly afterwards by the EU referendum, was enough to prompt a diverse group of local residents from Levenshulme to join together for a Hope Not Hate vigil on the ‘village green’. At the vigil we pledged to get to know somebody who might hold different views from us.

Since then we have seen the publication of Dame Louise Casey’s review of ‘Integration and Opportunity’ which found that social mixing and interactions between people from a wider range of backgrounds can have positive impacts; not just in reducing anxiety and prejudice, but also in enabling people to get on better in employment and social mobility. The review identified a wide range of ideas that encourage integration and social inclusion and reduce division and hatred including: English language learning, promoting activities that encourage social mixing, and empowering marginalised women.

While we may not agree with every aspect of the Casey Review, the simple idea that in diverse neighbourhoods like Levenshulme it is important for people from different backgrounds to meet and understand better those things that make us different – and those things we hold in common too.

This idea lies at the heart of what we try to do at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road. Our busy community hub has welcomed people from very diverse backgrounds since it first opened in 2010; its board, staff and volunteers come from all walks of life and from different faith and ethnic groups. Many of its current activities celebrate the diversity found in our neighbourhood from capoeira classes to Arabic writing groups; from ESOL sessions to armchair aerobics. But until now we have never taken an intentional approach to promoting integration and empowerment.

Our new project – ELEVATE – is designed to focus hearts and minds on this vital task. From now on we are going to be particularly keen to support any activity that promotes integration and empowerment. In practical terms this means that we will have a ‘suspended room hire’ fund so that we can subsidise our normal room hire costs for those activities that bring people together or empower people who are often isolated or excluded.

We are going to develop a special Levenshulme Inclusion Charter which anybody can sign up to if they are committed to some basic principles of welcome, tolerance and support. And we are going to do some research about our local divisions and how we best overcome them. This will inform our project as it develops and as we try to become a special ‘centre’ for integration and cohesion in Greater Manchester.

In the next few months we are very much in ‘listening mode’ and we’re keen to hear people’s views and ideas about our project. We’re also in ‘fundraising mode’ as we try to generate a modest fund to support this work. To this end, I’m running the London Marathon on April 23rd and if anybody would like to sponsor me then they can e-mail me with their pledge or sponsor me directly online by clicking HERE.

Ed Cox

Chair, Levenshulme Inspire Partnership

ed.cox@lev-inspire.org.uk

 

Manchester Gorton Parliamentary Election Candidates

The list of candidates for the Manchester Gorton parliamentary by-election has been confirmed.

  1. ABIDOGUN, Kemi (Christian Peoples Alliance)
  2. CLIFFORD, Peter (Communist League)
  3. DISCO, The Irrelevant Johnny (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
  4. ECKERSLEY, Phil (UK Independence Party (UKIP))
  5. GALLOWAY, George (Independent)
  6. HOPKINS, David Michael
  7. JARADAT, Shaden (Conservative Party)
  8. KHAN, Mohammed Afzal (Labour Party)
  9. KHANDOKER, Sufi Miah (Independent)
  10. MAYO, Jess (Green Party)
  11. PEARCEY, Jackie (Liberal Democrats)

The hustings for candidates organised by Levenshulme Community Association takes place on Saturday 22nd April at the Jain Community Centre, 667/669 Stockport Road, Manchester, M12 4QE, starting at 19.00.

Guest Blog from Inspire – GM Citizen’s Assembly

Join the GM Citizen’s Assembly 

  • Bank Holiday Monday – 1st May
  • 2-4pm at the Lowry Centre
  • Coach leaving the Inspire Centre at 12.45pm
  • Coach tickets available from Inspire (£5 waged, £2.50 unwaged)

On the 4th of May, all eyes will be on Levenshulme as we elect a new MP to replace the much-loved Gerald Kaufman. But there will be another important election that day that could possibly have more day-to-day impact on our neighbourhood – the election of a Greater Manchester ‘metro mayor’.

The new mayor will cover all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester and have powers over transport, policing and some aspects of planning too. He or she will play an important role in relation to devolution and will become something of a figurehead for our city – much like Boris Johnson or Sadiq Khan have done for London.

But one of the crucial reasons for us having a new metro mayor is to make us feel closer to democratic decision-making. It is easy to be cynical – so how do we do this?

For some time now, around 20 groups and organisations from all over Greater Manchester have been meeting to plan a special GM Citizen’s Assembly. The plans is that over 1500 people will pack out the Lowry Theatre on Bank Holiday Monday 1st May and together we will tell all of the possible mayoral candidates about some of the big issues we are concerned about and demand that if they are elected they will do something about them.

It’s a strategy that has worked very well in London and has led to the introduction of the London Living Wage which has benefited thousands and thousands of low-waged people living in the capital city.

In Greater Manchester we are going to lobby the mayoral candidates on 4 big issues: cuts to social care; homelessness; hate crime; and the Living Wage.

The Assembly won’t be boring! We understand it will be a bank holiday but we want people to make the most of the day. There will be music, drama, comedy, plays, powerful testimonies and of course hearing from the candidates themselves. We will be joined by the mayoral candidates, other surprise guests and Sir Peter Fahy. We want people to bring families and children. This is for ordinary families and people across our community.

If you’d like to come along you need to sign up. You can do so online by clicking here. Or alternatively you can join the coach that is leaving from Inspire at 12.45pm. The event is free but you need to buy a coach ticket in advance – £5 for waged people; £2.50 for unwaged.

If you want to find out more then don’t hesitate to contact me.

Anne Priest

Levenshulme Inspire GM Citizens Co-ordinator

anne.priest@itfacilitas.co.uk

 

 

Free Swimming For Under 17s

If you’re under 17 years old and live in Manchester you can get free swimming during the school holidays.

Election Hustings Announced For Manchester Gorton By-election

Levenshulme Community Association is pleased to confirm hustings for the Manchester Gorton parliamentary constituency by-election.

DATE
Saturday 22nd April

TIME
19.00 start

VENUE
Jain Centre, Stockport Road, Levenshulme

Candidates confirmed for hustings:

Abidogun, Kemi (Christian People’s Alliance)

Clifford, Peter (Communist League)

Galloway, George (Independent)

Hopkins, David

Khan, Afzal (Labour)

Mayo, Jess (Green)

Pearcey, Jackie (Libdem)

Apologies:

Eckersley, Phil (UKIP)

To be confirmed:

Disco, The Irrelevant Johnny (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

Jaradat, Shaden (Conservative)

Khandoker, Sufi Miah (Independent)

Monthly Levenshulme Night Markets Start Today

The very popular night markets have been special occasions before. From today they go monthly replacing the Saturday market once a month moving to every third Friday of the month. Food and fun from 17.00-21.00.

Friends Of Levenshulme Station Meeting 15 March

The next meeting of Frinds of Levenshulme Station is Wednesday (15 March) at the Inspire cafe from 6.30pm till 7.30pm. All welcome!

Please note this is a change from our usual Community Room in Arcadia Leisure Centre. It’s a one-off meeting at Inspire due to a double booking of the Arcadia community room.

Agenda

  1. Apologies
  2. Minutes and matters arising
  3. Street with No Names Plans – 22nd April
  4. Pocket Garden and Artwork Progress
  5. AoB

One Manchester Presentation On Chapel Street Development 

Judy Noah, Head of Development at One Manchester will be at the Levenshulme Community Assoiciation AGM this afternoon to provide information and answer questions on the Chapel Street housing development.

The meeting starts at 14.30, Saturday 11th March, in the Community Studio in the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

Everyone is welcome.

Urban Groove Hits Levenshulme

Levenshulme Youth Project is  running music making and DJ-ing workshops at Inspire on Monday 13th, 20th and 27th March, 18.00-20.00.

Clean Up Levenshulme Event

Pauline Johnson who runs the LoveLevenshulme website has teamed up with Levenshulme Market for a one day litter picking event.

“Love Levenshulme have teamed up with the Levenshulme Market crew at the relaunch of their 2017 season (YES!). On Saturday 4th of March at 10am we’re doing a big community litter pick, a proactive approach and hoping to tackle attitudes towards flytipping in the area with a community stall/info point and posters dotted about the district centre in advance. We need to rally the cleaning troops!”

Full details are available HERE

Arcadia 1st Birthday Celebrations

Arcadia’s 1st Birthday Celebration Event

We’re having a Fun Day on Saturday 18th February from 12 noon with exciting and unusual activities and sessions to try out….

  • 12-00-13.00 Circus Skills
  • 12.00-16.00 The Library have some craft activities, badge making, and green screen activities available
  • 12.00-16.00 Cross Fit Challenge
  • 13.00-14.00 Bhangra Fit
  • 13.00-15.00 Splash Mat session
  • 14.00-16.00 Levenshulme Youth project will be here putting on activities for the younger members and customers

There will also be refreshments available, a cake stall, a charity tombola, face painting, plus a fruit bar for the more health conscious.

The event will be opened at 12 noon by Councillor Rahman, cutting a cake and joining in the activities.

Come along and join in the fun!



Police Update On Reported Chapel Street Rape

Chapel Street rape case closed.

As agreed at the Levenshulme Community Forum Meeting Greater Manchester Police have shared this update on the reported rape of a 12 year old girl on Chapel Street. The case has been closed with no further action being taken after the girl disclosed that the report was not genuine.

The LCA continues to work with GMP to ensure improve communication with the community. We are planning a drop in session at Inspire on Stockport Road to provide information and advice on safety. The LCA is also working with Inspire who are organising a series of personal safety training sessions with the support of local councillors. Details on both these activities are currently being confirmed and will be advertised separately.

GMP Press Release

“The investigation into the rape of a 12-year-old girl has concluded.

On Friday 30 December 2016, the girl disclosed to police that she had been raped while walking on Chapel Street, close to the Horseshoe Pub on 22 November 2016.

Officers launched an investigation and a 16-year-old boy was arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

At the end of January 2017, the girl disclosed to officers that the original report was not genuine.

The 16-year-old boy has since been released without charge and no further action will be taken.

Chief Inspector John-Paul Ruffle of GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said: “We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and the welfare of the victim is our priority.

“As soon as a report is made, the victim is supported by specially trained officers and we trust that each report is genuine.

“We have carried out extensive enquiries and there were increased patrols in the area to reassure members of the community and encourage people who were understandably concerned to approach us.

“As part of the investigation, we have concluded that it is not appropriate for us to pursue a prosecution in this instance due to a number of vulnerabilities that have been identified.

“The girl is now being fully supported by specially trained officers and partner agencies.

“Help and support is always there for people who report sexual offences. If you want to make a report of a sexual offence, you will be taken seriously.”

To report a sexual offence you can contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

– If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

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

– St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.

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

– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.

Read the GMP report HERE

Levenshulme Market Seeks Two Directors

Levenshulme Market is looking for two Directors with specific knowledge and expertise in:

  • Community and trader liaison
  • Finance and HR

“Levenshulme Market is looking for two new amazing people to step up and become part of our board of directors. You won’t get rich (the role is unpaid, with a few notable exceptions) and you will have to commit around 10 hours a month but in return you will have an amazing experience, contributing to the work of a fun, sociable social enterprise that is at the heart of a vibrant and exciting community. You’ll get to learn more than you ever knew about the goings on behind the scenes at the Market (and in Levenshulme – we know ALL the gossip), be able to use it to build your professional skills and network AND it will look great on your CV.”

Full information is available HERE


(Photograph courtesy Levensulme Market website)

Why Not Visit A Mosque This Sunday?

No walls. No Visas. All welcome to Visit My Mosque day this Sunday, 5 February.

Find your nearest mosque HERE

Directors Sought For Beehive

A message from the Beehive in Cringle Park.

We are looking to recruit Directors to form a Community Interest Company.

Here is The Beehive’s mission statement:

We plan to create a community hub environment for the people of Levenshulme where many of the community needs can be met, supported and developed. The intention is to provide a centre for information, education, support, activity and creativity. We hope to bridge the gap between the old and the young, across all cultures by providing a vibrant and welcoming community hub.

Community Carol Service At Inspire

This Sunday at Inspire! Community Carol Service & DIY Nativity! Come along 4pm (Kids come dressed as any nativity character)… Festive finger food will be available!

LCA General Meeting 10/12/16

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

Levenshulme Old Library Group Meeting 11th October

Open meeting of the Levenshulme Old Library Group

Tuesday October 11th, 2016, 7.00-8.30pm

Klondyke Club, 1 Burnage Range, Manchester M19 2HQ

The Levenshulme Old Library Group is holding an open meeting on the 11th October, at 7pm, at the Klondyke (in the function room), to update the community, to celebrate what has been achieved and ask for your help to make this exciting but complex project happen.

We need your skills, your time and your support to help us move to the next level.

We look forward to seeing you on October 11th.

Levenshulme Old Library Group

Keep up to date on facebook:

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

Website is
http://levenshulmeoldlibrary.org.uk/

An initial vision for the future of the library building can be downloaded here:

http://tinyurl.com/mpr8h6d 

Arcadia User Group Meeting

The next Arcadia User Group meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 11th October at 7.30pm in the Community Studio.

Crowcroft Park Solidarity Walk Photos

A few photographs from the Crowcroft Park Solidarity Walk held tonight (Thursday 8th September 2016). People from Levenshulme and Longsight came together to calmly and peacefully express their horror at the reported rape of a 12 year old girl in the park.

Photos copyright Jeremy Hoad.

LCA General Meeting 10/09/16

The next LCA General Meeting will be on Saturday 10th September, 14.15 in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road.
As agreed at the last meeting this meeting will consider minor constitutional amendments as requested by an external funding body. As such this would technically make the meeting an Extraordinary General Meeting. The constitutional amendments are primarily to specify the quorum for meetings more explicitly.

Pleas and any reports or requests for agenda items (with supporting papers where possible) to Jeremy Hoad, LCA Secretary at secretary@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk

Levenshulme Beer, Gin and Food Festival

The Levenshulme beer, gin and food festival is a three day event over the August bank holiday.
Held at the Klondyke Club (1 Burnage Range) the festival will be combined with the famous Levenshulme Market on the Saturday (held in the station car park) and promises fun for all the family.

  • Over 20 ales, 20 gins, 3 lagers, & 2 ciders to try.
  • Various street food stalls.
  • Live music & dj sets.
  • Bouncy castle, face painting and field games for the children and families.

FREE ENTRY.

More Levenshulme loveliness in the summer. A not to be missed event!

  • Saturday 27th August, 12.00-late (market 12.00-18.00)
  • Sunday 28th August 12.00-late
  • Monday 29th August 12.00-late 

Stockport Road Resurfacing

The resurfacing of Stockport Road will start on Saturday 13th August. This will take place in three stages as outlined in the letter from Manchester City Council below.

This will be a major improvement to Levenshulme. Thanks to all councillors and council officers involved in securing the funding to enable this work to be completed.

———–

FROM: Manchester City Council

Date: 20.07.16

Road Resurfacing on Stockport Road, A6

 Dear Sir / Madam,  

I am writing to inform you of resurfacing works to Stockport Road.

Due to securing additional funding for Local Highway Maintenance Manchester City Council will be undertaking significant road resurfacing works on key routes into the City.

Large sections of Stockport Road are to be resurfaced with initial works being carried out between Broom Lane and Matthews Lane.

As a resident or business in the area you will no doubt be aware of how busy Stockport Road is throughout the day. To avoid causing severe delays our works are planned to be done during off peak periods including weekends and nights.

The works have been planned in three sections to minimise disruption.

Section 1 is from Broom Lane to Elbow Street, including the junction of Alma Road. This work is due to commence on Saturday 13th August 2016 and it is intended to progress as follows;

Saturday 13th August 08:30 to 19:30 removal of existing surface. This will be done using traffic signals maintaining a single lane of traffic past the works.    

Sunday 14th August 09:30 to 19:30 replacing first layer of surfacing. Stockport Road will be completely closed between Broom Lane to Elbow St. Local diversions will be signed.

Monday to Friday 15th to 19th August 21:00 to 05:00 (nights) Replacing the final surface and new road markings. Stockport Road will be completely closed between Broom Lane to Elbow Street.

Section 2 is from Elbow Street to Barlow Road. This work is due to commence on Saturday 20th August 2016 and it is intended to progress as follows;

Saturday 20th August 08:30 to 19:30 removal of existing surface. This will done using traffic signals maintaining a single lane of traffic past the works

Sunday 21st August 09:30 to 19:30 replacing first layer of surfacing. Stockport Road will be completely closed between Elbow Street and Barlow Road. Local diversions will be signed.

Monday to Friday 22nd to 26th August 21:00 to 05:00 (nights) Replacing the final surface and new road markings. Stockport Road will be completely closed between Elbow Street and Barlow Road. 

Section 3 is from Barlow Road to Matthews Lane. This work is due to commence on Saturday 27thth August 2016 and it is intended to progress as follows;

Saturday 27th August 08:30 to 19:30 removal of existing surface. This will done using traffic signals maintaining a single lane of traffic past the works

Sunday 28th August 09:30 to 19:30 replacing first layer of surfacing. Stockport Road will be completely closed between Barlow Road and Matthews Lane. Local diversions will be signed.

Monday to Friday 29th to 31st August 21:00 to 05:00 (nights) Replacing the final surface and new road markings. Stockport Road will be completely closed between Barlow Road and Matthews Lane.

Works may be suspended on the Bank Holiday 29th August depending on progress made.

 Diversions will be locally managed with signage.

The dates given are approximate, weather and other factors can delay us but if we make good progress we may well finish early.

The noisiest operation is the removal of the existing road surface and removal of manholes and service boxes. We have planned our operations so that this work will be undertaken on Saturdays from 08:30 to 19:30. Noisy works at night have been minimised as far as possible but there may still be some disturbance. The removal of the existing surface and the laying of the new materials progress at a steady walking pace and although several passes of the machinery is required it is unlikely you will be disturbed for prolonged periods.

Pedestrian access will be maintained to all properties during working hours. However there will be no access for vehicles in the working areas during working hours. Vehicular access to areas adjoining streets and the sections of Stockport Rd outside of the working area will be maintained by Traffic Marshalls.

Please ensure all vehicles are removed from the working areas during the times and dates listed above. Any vehicles obstructing the works will be removed from site by Manchester City Council.

J. Hopkins (Surfacing) Ltd will be carrying out the works on behalf of Manchester City Council.

If you are experiencing any undue problems, please contact the Site Supervisor Tel No. 0771 0712 708 during the working shift.

I apologise for any inconvenience that you may encounter and seek your cooperation.

Should you require any further information, please email the planned maintenance team at Manchester City Council plannedmaintenance@manchester.gov.uk or call on 0161 234 1970

Yours faithfully,

Paul Swann.

———–

Levenshulme Youth Project AGM

Levenshulme Youth Project will hold its AGM on Thursday 21st July 2016 at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road starting at 18.00.

Agenda for the AGM 

1. Apologies for absence​​​​​Chair

2. Minutes of previous AGM ​​​​Chair

3. Annual report ​​​​​​Secretary

4. Financial report ​​​​​​Treasurer

5. Presentation ​​​​​​Youth Forum

6. Election of committee ​​​​​All

7. Any other business​​​​​All

 

The LYP Facebook page is HERE

 

 

Free French At Our Fabulous Levenshulme Library

As part of the French literature week, Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre will be running a one off special story time and performance session for 0-5 year olds in French, that’s right in French.

The session will take place on Monday 11th July at 10:30-11:15

This is a free event and due to space limitation we advise you book in advance.

To reserve your place, please contact 0161 227 3707.

Learning a new language can be fun whatever your age!

Levenshulme Hope Not Hate Vigil

Everyone is welcome to the Levenshulme Hope not Hate Vigil on Sunday 26th June at 11.00am on the Village Green.

This is to mark the horrific events of the Orlando massacre and the brutal murder of Jo Cox MP but it is also to show we stand together as a community against violence on our streets whether that be personal abuse, muggings, stabbings and shootings. We have had enough and stand together in a show of defiance against the violence and hatred.
Levenshulme stands against hatred, intolerance and violence.

There will be short talks at 11.30

This is an event for everyone in Levenshulme. This is an event for everyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, faith, political view or any other characteristic. It is a celebration of the tolerance, inclusivity, diversity and love shown by the people of Levenshulme.

Levenshulme Community Association has come together with Levenshulme Inspire Church to organise this public show of solidarity against hatred but it is an event for all the community groups, organisations, people and religions of our great community.

Come along, celebrate Levenshulme and show your support for love and hope, not hate.

Council Consultation On Takeaways

Manchester City Council are consulting on new powers to control Hot Food Takeaways. 

The consultation is available HERE

All comments must be received by the Council by 5pm on 20th September 2016

The announcement from the council follows:

“Manchester City Council Draft Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document 

The Council would like to inform you that it is beginning a consultation on the draft Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document and would welcome any comments you may have on this issue.   

The draft Hot Food Takeaway SPD builds on existing policies in the Core Strategy relating to health and the night time economy, including policies SP1, C1, C2, C10 and DM1. The intention of the SPD is to provide further detail on these policies in relation to hot food takeaways. A copy of the Core Strategy can be found on the City Council’s website http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/4964/core_strategy_development_plan.   

The SPD is accompanied by a Consultation Statement and a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening. The Consultation Statement provides details related to the previous consultation in the Summer 2015 and how this stage informed the preparation of the draft document. The SEA Screening confirms that there is no need to complete a full SEA. 

The draft hot food takeaway SPD is the next stage following the Issues and Evidence gathering stage, which was completed last Summer. This stage seeks comments on the draft document and there are a number of ways to do this: 

 Through our consultation portal –

http://consult.manchester.gov.uk/portal/planning/supplementary_planning_documents/reports/hot_food_takeaway_spd/draft_hot_food_takeaway_supplementary_planning_document

By email to planningstrategy@manchester.gov.uk 

By Post to Planning Strategy Team 

                City Policy 

                Manchester City Council 

                Level 5, Town Hall Extension 

                PO Box 532 

                Manchester 

                M60 2LA 

All comments must be received by the Council by 5pm on 20th September 2016. 

Following the consultation the Council will consider all the comments and possibly make modifications before adopting the final version of the SPD, at which point it will inform the Council’s decision making process.   

If you require any further information on this consultation please do not hesitate to contact Rebecca Friday on 0161 234 4561.”

LCA General Meeting

The next LCA General Meeting will be on Saturday 11th June, 14.15 in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

As agreed at the last meeting this meeting will consider minor constitutional amendments as requested by an external funding body. As such this would technically make the meeting an Extraordinary General Meeting. The constitutional amendments are primarily to specify the quorum for meetings more explicitly.

Friends Of Levenshulme Station Access Petition

Friends of Levenshulme Station (FoLS) have organised a petition for better access at Levenshulme station.

The summary is below and you can go to the petition HERE

Levenshulme Train Station Needs Accessibility For All

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against users in respect of disabled access to transport, such as buses and trains.

Currently Levenshulme train station does not meet these requirements at all. Access onto the station and station platforms is not possible for anyone who is disabled or has limited mobility, parents with young children in prams and passengers with bikes.

Friends of Levenshulme Station have made numerous attempts to communicate with Network Rail and Northern Rail to understand the timescale for accessibility improvements to Levenshulme station. We have been assured that it is indeed a priority station, but are no clearer as to what that means for access improvements.

The only offered solution at present is calling Northern Rail customer service 24 hour in advance for a taxi to be booked and paid for, but even this is only offered to passengers with a registered mobility disability.

This is not reasonable and is not in line with 21st century public transport travelling aspirations. The growing population of Levenshulme deserve more!

Let’s persuade Network and Northern Rail to make our train station ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. Let’s encourage them into the 21st century!

Thanks for helping the Friends of Levenshulme Station. Spread the word!

Arcadia Library And Leisure Centre Consultation

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre wants your views on how the Centre can develop to best meet the needs of our community and make best use of the fantastic facilities available in Levenshulme. So there’s a consultation. Do get involved.

This is what they say:
“As you will be aware, the centre opened in February and as a result of consultation carried out during the two years prior, the leisure programme from Levenshulme was transferred under the ‘lift and shift’ principle In the weeks since opening, we’ve received a small number of challenges regarding the existing leisure programmes.

In addition, leisure usage at Better, Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre is considerably higher than at Levenshulme, so over capacity of some sessions is being experienced.

We’d appreciate it if you would take a few moments to answer some questions about the centre, and your usage of it, in order for us to see whether there any changes required that could help improve the service and facilities that we currently deliver.”

If you use Arcadia please click HERE

If you haven’t used Arcadia yet please click HERE

You can also collect a survey form from the Arcadia reception.

The closing date for surveys to be returned to Arcadia or completed online is Sunday 3rd July 2016.

Green Bins Now Collected Weekly

Food and garden waste will be collected from Manchester households weekly for the whole summer and into autumn.

The green bin collection service, fortnightly during the winter months, has stepped up and will be carried out on a weekly basis until November.
Find out more HERE

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Group Meeting

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Group
The next User Group meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 17th May at 6pm.
All welcome!

Singalong At Inspire

Levenshulme Good Neighbours and Happy Monday’s
Over 50 Group invite you to pantomime sing along“One Fine Day” by the North East Producers. 

If you are over 50 and live in Levenshulme – please, come along and join us!

Monday 9th May 2 – 3pm at The Inspire Centre, 747 Stockport Road, M19 3AR

Levenshulme Market Community Shindig

Come along to Levenshulme Market on Friday 29th April for stalls, fun, food, music and information on local community groups.