International Women’s Day At Cringle Park

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

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

All the event info here

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

Witch Kings Rum Opening In August On Slade Lane

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

Drinks that tell a story with flavour

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

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

Who are the Witch Kings?

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

What can we expect?

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

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

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

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

Grounded MCR Cringle Park Cafe Crowdfunder

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

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

The fundraising closes at 13.00 on 26 June 2023.

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

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

Grounded MCR

Who are Grounded MCR?

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

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

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

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

Nat, grounded MCR

Levenshulme Market To Close Until 2024

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

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

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

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

Continue reading

Levenshulme and Burnage Open Gardens 2023

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

All proceeds will be donated to Growing Together Levenshulme.

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

Station South Birthday

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

To celebrate they are holding a big party.

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

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

Unity Iftaar at Madina Masjid

Everyone is welcome to the Unity Iftar at Madina Masjid on Saturday 16 April at 19.30.

You can book a place by scanning the QR code below or via the link HERE

Station South Opening

Station South will be open soon.

The self-described “destination cycle café, bar and urban garden” has undergone a comprehensive renovation over the past several years.

We understand Station South will open to the public on 1 April with a soft launch leading up to the full opening.

Illustration from Station South website

Free Food Parcels

Free food parcels for those in need will be distributed today 14.00-15.30 at Madina Masjid & Community Centre on Barlow Road.

Community Day At Levenshulme Old Library

Community Day at Levenshulme Old Library on 11th December 12pm-4pm

Levenshulme Old Library has linked up with Creative City to create a community sign that will go outside the library and would love people to join them in creating this, so save the date and come along. There will be cakes for sale and some food as well as some family yoga and massage tutorials

If you would like to come and support the creation of the sign run a craft activity or anything else please get in touch: LevOldLib@gmail.com

Cibus Restaurant Opening in October

Levenshulme’s Cibus restaurant, run as a pop-up at Fred’s Ale House, is moving into new premises in what is currently the M19 Bar. People will also know Cibus from their stall on Levenshulme Market. Cibus Ristorante is scheduled to open on 14 October.

Cibus founder Giorgio Fontana has been working with Head Chef Marco Bracchitta to expand their menu and bring a complete Italian dining experience to their new restaurant. M19 is undergoing a full refit and will include refreshed, relaxed outside space at the rear with a “Balearic seaside shack” vibe.

Click HERE to read a report from Manchester Confidential including discussion of the history and development of Cibus and their approach to ingredients, wine and drink and their progress to their new restaurant in Levenshulme.

Free Meals from Foodcycle at Inspire

Foodcycle is currently running a Cook and Collect takeaway service at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road. So if you would like a free, nutritious cooked meal, you can come and collect every Thursday between 7:30pm – 8:30pm.

VOLUNTEER

FoodCycle Levenshulme is only made possible with the great volunteers giving their time, enthusiasm and energy. We have opportunities available for people to come along and cook, host guests and be involved in collecting the surplus food donations from local suppliers.

You don’t need to have any previous cooking experience, although if you do that is just as welcome! We want as many local volunteers as possible and everyone is welcome to be a part of FoodCycle Levenshulme.

Sign up online to volunteer at FoodCycle Levenshulme:  https://volunteer.foodcycle.org.uk/

For more information check out: https://www.foodcycle.org.uk/who-we-are/locations/

Levenshulme Community Directory

Over the past year Levenshulme Community Association has developed the Levenshulme Community Directory. This LCA project, developed and led by LCA Secretary Jeremy Hoad, is a resource for our community and promotes Levenshulme to the wider world.

The Community Directory shares information, supports community cohesion and links people together as well as supporting several key aims identified in the Levenshulme Community Manifesto.

The Directory provides listings organised into five themed sections as well as a complete A-Z page:

The Community Directory is a “live” resource and always open to additions and improvements. If you have anything you think should or could be added then please get in touch.

Expanded Levenshulme Market Secures Another Four Years

CORRECTION:

Unfortunately it appears this report was a little premature. The information is contained in a report to the council’s planning committee and was not the actual decision of the planning committee. Apologies for this mistake. It turns out what was reported was a planning officer’s report with a recommendation to approve the planning application. The decision was due yesterday (18/02/21) but has now been deferred to a future date to allow additional information to be submitted. We hope whatever clarifications required are secured. The current arrangements remain in place until August 2021.

————-

(Post edited to reflect the current situation pending a final decision by the council planning committee.)

The popular and successful Levenshulme Market operating as a Community Interest Company is here to stay [has submitted an application to continue] for another four years.

Manchester City Council approved [considered] the planning application today (18 February 2021) for an operating licence for Levenshulme Market for another four years. Not just as it is, though, as the market has big ambitions and will be operating throughout the year. These operating times were approved:

  • Fridays (up to 12 weeks a year) 16.00-22.00
  • Saturdays (52 weeks a year) 10.00-16.00
  • Sundays (up to 12 weeks a year) 10.00-17.00

The previous operating times for the market were:

  • Saturdays (March to December), 10.00-16.00
  • Fridays (ups to 10 days per year), 17.00-21.00

The market will [has applied to] continue to operate over the same area it currently uses across the southern half of the Levenshulme Station car park taking up approximately 50% of available parking spaces and providing 50 market stalls. The provision for 10 market stalls previously permitted on Levenshulme Village Green has been [would be] removed [under the new arrangements].

There are also plans to install a mains electricity supply for use by the market that will enable the current use of a generator to be phased out.

The decision [recommendation] includes this assessment:

“The operation market would give the district a distinctive retail offer that would contribute to the continued regeneration of the district centre, which would be particularly important to local economic recovery in the post-COVID period. The market is operated as a local social enterprise and many of its traders are from the surrounding area thereby demonstrating its links with the local area. It would also provide an important outlet for the sustained operation of local businesses. The development would present continued opportunities for social interaction and engagement across a diverse community.”

A new site management plan is to be agreed formalising the existing arrangements that also includes provision of stewards to direct vehicles and pedestrians, new signs and arranging remote parking for traders who do not require access to their vehicles so that the remaining parking spaces are fully accessible to the public when the market is operating.

Levenshulme Market Plan 2021

A New Look For The New Levenshulme

The new Levenshulme Pub has a fantastic new look. Colin Campbell and Chris Thompson who run the pub have been working hard during lockdown to refurbish it. On 6 February the makeover came to the front in style with a huge rainbow flag across the full width of the building closely followed by a live streaming of entertainment by Jordan William Smart.

“The new Levenshulme is an LGBT+ friendly venue where everyone is welcome. This is the place where you’re safe. This is the place where you’re entertained. We have worked hard during lockdowns to create a new business concept. We hope you all like it.”

Colin Campbell, The Levenshulme

This new look for the new Levenshulme coincides with Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week (1-7 February 2021) which aims to raise awareness of hate crimes and increase reporting of incidents. This is particularly relevant following a hate incident against a gay man in Levenshulme last week. This does not reflect the wonderful, diverse and supportive community in Levenshulme but shows we must all be vigilant and stand together against hate of all kinds.

Levenshulme is also home to the largest independent local Pride in Manchester outside the city centre which was itself started after a homophobic hate incident. Levenshulme Pride will be held this year 13-15 August 2021, covid restrictions permitting.

The New Levenshulme is on Stockport Road beside the Antiques Village.

959 Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3NP Tel. 0161 2242629

Photographs courtesy of Jeremy Hoad

Food Cycle Free Meals At Inspire

New Free Meal Service

Food Cycle has launched a free cook and collect service at Levenshulme Inspire on Stockport Road.

The Cook and Collect takeaway service launched on Thursday 14th January. If you would like a free, nutritious cooked meal, you can go and collect one every Thursday between 7:30pm – 8:30pm.

How to Volunteer

You can also volunteer to help. There are opportunities for people to cook, host guests and be involved in collecting the surplus food donations from local suppliers.

“You don’t need to have any previous cooking experience, although if you do that is just as welcome! We want as many local volunteers as possible and everyone is welcome to be a part of FoodCycle Manchester.”

Sign up online to volunteer at FoodCycle Manchester HERE

Getting Free School Meals During the Covid19 Crisis

Free School Meals

Coronavirus: information about help with food costs while schools are closed.

If your child qualifies and their school is in Manchester, you can Apply for free school meals

You’ll need to contact the school yourself if it isn’t listed.

If your child’s school is outside Manchester, their free school meals will be dealt with by the local authority the school is in. Go to the GOV.UK website and enter the postcode of the school your child attends to find out how to get them.

Which children qualify for them?

Your child may qualify if you have any of these incomes:

  •  Income Support
  •  income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  •  income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  •  the guaranteed part of Pension Credit
  •  Child Tax Credit (as long as your annual gross income is £16,190 or less and  you don’t get Working Tax Credit)
  •  Working Tax Credit run-off after you come off Working Tax Credit
  •  Universal Credit that you applied for on, or after, 1 April 2018. As long as your household income is less than £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits

Children who receive these benefits themselves instead of through a parent or guardian, can also qualify for free school meals.

Your child may qualify if you are an asylum seeker.

Children who are younger than the compulsory age for starting school but in full-time education, can also get free school meals.

How long can they get free school meals for?

Children who are eligible for free school meals now will be eligible for them until either:

  • they finish school; or
  • if on 31 March 2022 they are still in school, until they finish the phase of schooling they are in (primary or secondary) –

whichever is sooner.

Infant free school meals in England

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 can get free school meals whatever your income. But if you have one of the qualifying incomes (above) it will help the school if you tell them this, so they can get extra funding.

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.

Rescue Kitties Mcr Fundraising Evening Tonight

Rescue Kitties Mcr are having a fundraising quiz night at Fred’s Ale House tonight with a cake stall and raffle. Starts at 20.00.

Oktoberfest At The Klondyke

Stuck for something to do this weekend?

15 ales 5 beers , 15 Gins & some lovely gin cocktails, live music, kids soft play area , kids dome, face painting, 3 street food stalls.

£3 adults free entry for kids.

Reggae band tonight & reggae dj

Highfield Road Allotments Show, 3rd September

Levenshulme allotments on Highfield Road are having an Allotment show on Saturday 3rd September.

Starting at 11am they’ll be bric a brac, a tombola, allotment grown veg stall, crafts, tea and cake stall, bicycle powered music and a bar. 

At 2.30pm the fantastic display of veg and fruit will have been judged and you can have a look. 

If that’s not enough fun, at 4.30 the prize winning veg will be auctioned off. C’mon guys, what’s there not to love?

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 

Music and Cakes at Bud Garden Centre

In case it’s not already in your diaries…. Garden Cafe at Bud Garden Centre, Grangethorpe Drive, Bank Holiday Monday.

Fairtrade teas and coffee, botanically themed cakes, produce, houseplants, live music. All in aid of local refugee support charities Freedom from Torture and Boaz Trust.

See you there!

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.”

Levstock 2016

Welcome to Levstock, the magical summer nights picnic on June 24th.

Levstock are going for a mellow and laid back atmosphere this year, and using it as a fundraiser for a new Arts and Culture Centre for Levenshulme at the Levenshulme old library.

No fireworks this year, and less amplified music. But still lots of surprising things to see and do, and stalls, and good beer. Bring your own picnic*, and be prepared to share it with friends and neighbours. Its a community thing!

Entry to Levstock includes free entry to the LeveNights disco (normally £3) from 10pm. 

Levstock will take place at the Klondyke, 1 Burnage Range, Levenshulme (off Albert Road).


Tickets

You can reserve Levstock tickets online.

You will pay for your reservation when you arrive. This will ensure you have a ticket on the door until 7.30pm. After 7.30pm they may be released depending on demand.

Book tickets HERE

Tickets will also be available on the night at the gate.

Levenshulme Market Community Shindig

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

What’s Your Vision For Levenshulme?

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum would love to hear your ideas for how you want Levenshulme to develop. What’s your vision for our community?

14.00 today in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

This isn’t just bout dull planning matters, this is bout what we want our community to be and to look like.

Everybody welcome.

  

Levenshulme Dominates Manchester Supper Clubs

With five out of nine slots for great supper clubs going to Levenshulme the foodie reputation of Levenshulme is riding high right now.

The Manchester Evening News says:

“So you think you’ve tasted some of the best cooking in Manchester?

“Oh yeah – I’ve been to *insert fancy restaurant name here* and ate pine smoked summat off a slate, and this other place you probs won’t have heard of *insert lesser known but featured recently in the Observer name here.*” …I hear your shout.


All right, show-off. How about places that aren’t on the high street?


For the truly intrepid foodie, it’s time to look past the restaurants and try some of Manchester’s stellar supper clubs.


The supper club isn’t just amateur hour in the kitchen, accomplished cooks are serving up some of the best food in Manchester from homes and pop-up locations across the city.”

Find out where the MEN love in Levenshulme HERE

Fred’s Ale House Is CAMRA Pub Of The Month 

Congratulations to Fred’s Ale House on Stockport Road, CAMRA Pub of the Month for April 2016.

  

Levenshulme Good Neighbours Lunch and Karaoke at St. Mary’s

Levenshulme Good Neighbours & St Mary’s Active Retirement Groupinvites you to… An Afternoon of Lunch and Karaoke

Thursday 11th February 2016 from 12noon until 2pm

at St Mary Social Club, St. Mary’s Parish Centre,

Elbow Street, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3PY

This event is for people aged over 50.

Transport can be provided with prior arrangement,

please call Levenshulme Good Neighbours on 0161 850 1066.

  

Fred’s Ale House First Birthday Celebration 

Why not join us for our 1st Birthday at Fred’s on Friday 29th January 2016 Real Ale Bar here in Levenshulme and help raise funds for a very deserving charity.

Cornerstone is a day centre providing services to adults facing a wide range of social issues including homelessness, poverty, social isolation, poor mental health, drug and alcohol addiction. They operate an open door policy, welcoming people from all backgrounds with the aim of being able to offer support to clients, improve their prospects and enhance their quality of life. It would be nice if everyone could share this with everyone to raise lots of funds.
Many Thanks, Lawrence Hennigan

  

New Management At Pod

Pod on Albert Road will be opening with a new look and new management on Tuesday 12th January. Neil Buttery and Brian Shields are leading the new venture.

A preview is available on the Love Levenshulme website run by Pauline Johnston HERE

Lovely Levy Colouring Book Launch

The Lovely Levy Colouring Book by Paul Magrs will be launched at Fred’s Ale House on Stockport Road this Saturday, 7th November, 12.00-16.00.

Paul will be in Fred’s on Saturday afternoon with copies of the Lovely Levy Colouring Book available for £9 each or two for £15.

  

Timeout Loves Levenshulme

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.

  

Council Consultation On Hot Food Takeaways

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.

Levy Soup – Crowdfunding for Levenshulme

Levy Soup is …
A way of promoting community based activity through a creative “crowdfunding” event.

Come along and you’ll get to share a home-made Soup dinner with new and old friends. (Plus the chance to network and have a dance too). There is a paying bar at the venue.

Levy Soup has been set up to celebrate and support creative projects in Levenshulme that benefit the local community.

For a suggested donation of £5 attendees receive a bowl of veggie soup, some bread and a vote. During the evening you will hear pitches from people who want to do something in Levenshulme.

For the first “Soup” we have chosen the theme of food so if you have a food based idea or project that you would like to have funded then this is for you.

Each presenter has four minutes to pitch their idea and answer four questions from the audience. 

At the event, people eat, talk, share ideas and then vote on the project they think benefits Levenshulme the most. At the end of the night the winner goes home with all of the money raised in the evening to carry out their project. 

The first Levy Soup event will take place on October 8th, 19.00 at the Klondyke (1 Burnage Range).

Everyone is welcome to attend– no matter where you live you can share in this experience.

Information for Bidders:

You might be a group of friends, neighbours, an existing voluntary, community or resident group or an individual. (Aged 11 and over)

The application from can be downloaded HERE

What can I bid for?

It’s up to you!! Maybe a tea and tech group for older people; a Xmas party for young people leaving care, a community growing project, a raised bed for vegetable growing, a popcorn and film night for kids – these are only examples- the options are endless and we hope bidders will be really creative! The only rule is that the people who benefit should be in Levenshulme.  

All you need at this stage is an idea – We’ve made the process as simple as possible and we’ll also be able to help you think about how to present your pitch. No PowerPoint presentations allowed!

Deadline for applications
The deadline for submissions for bidders for Soup 1 is Thursday 1st October 2015. Fill in the form and send it to us now!

Good luck and if you have any questions at all please contact us!

For more information

Email: careybamber@live.com
Call: Carey 07968 031085
Find us on Facebook HERE
Twitter @LevySoup

  

Shell Garage Licence Application

It has been drawn to our attention that the Shell Garage at 1081 Stockport Road (close to the junction with Crossley road and McVities) has applied for a 24 hour license to sell alcohol and that some people may wish tocomment.

Details of the application are available HERE

You can comment by sending an email to Manchester City Council at:

premises.licensing@manchester.gov.uk

The deadline for comments is 3rd September.

Seventeen Days of Art, Philosophy and Action in Levenshulme

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.

  

Levenshulme Wants A McVities Drive-Thru

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.

  

Levenshulme Global Picnic

Levenshulme Global Picnic takes place today at Cringle Park from 12.00-16.00.

  • Free food
  • Family fun
  • Craft stalls
  • First Aid demonstrations
  • Music
  • To bola
  • Karate
  • Zumba
  • Sew Levy! Massive tablecloth
  • Army inflatable and assault course
  • Vintage vehicles
  • Face painting and children’s games

Come and get a taste of the world in Levenshulme.

The Global Picnic is part of Levenshulme Food and Drink Festival.

   
 

Preparations are well underway…

   
 

Photos courtesy Stuart Fear.

Levy-Tea – Chat, Games, Tea and Cake

Levy-Tea: Saturday afternoon, 14.30-16.30 at Levenshulme Library on Cromwell Grove.

 

New Levenshulme Based Charity To Help Homeless People And Their Pets

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 Food and Drink Festival Hits the News

Manchester Evening News reported on the Levenshulme Food and Drink Festival.

There will be more than 75 events across the village between Friday, June 12 and Sunday, June 21.

Fred’s Ale House owner and Levenshulme Pub Company director, Lawrence Hennigan, said: “It looks like another fantastic line up of events, the festivals organisers need to be commended on the huge variety of events they have managed to include in the celebration of the area’s diverse cultures.

Read the full article HERE
Visit the Fadfest website HERE

Levenshulme Inspire Fun Day

Levenshulme Inspire Fun Day happens on Saturday 6th June from 11.00-15.00.

  • BBQ
  • Bouncy Castle
  • Fancy Dress Competition
  • Ice cream factory
  • Face painting
  • Busking
  • Stalls
  • Teas

…and much, much more.

This event is FREE.

  

Get Ready For Lev-Stock 2015

Now in its second year Lev-Stock is a community run, family friendly festival based around the simple idea of sharing food, having a good time and celebrating the summer solstice. It all happens at the Klondyke (1 Burnage Range) on Saturday 20th June 2015.

Activities and entertainments include:

  • live music
  • fireworks (22.00)
  • henna tattoos
  • stalls
  • arts and crafts
  • beer
  • juggling
  • games

Come along anytime from 19.30. Bring a picnic. Activities start around 20.00.

Lev-Stock is a chilled out way to enjoy mid-summer brought to you by the LevStock Co-Production Team with fireworks provided by Polygon 69 Events.

A proportion of profits after costs are met will be donated to local charities.

Remember that as this is an outdoor event come prepared for the weather although last year that meant suntan lotion rather than wellies!  

Tickets are available at the Klondyke or at www.tinyurl.com/levstock

  • £10 family ticket
  • £4 adults
  • £2 for those aged 8-16
  • FREE for children under 8 years old

Lev-Stock is part of the Levenshulme Food and Drink Festival

 

Levenshulme Library Fundraiser

The fundraising party for Levenshulme Library is on right now at the Klondyke (1 Burnage Range of Albert Road).

Come join the fun!

  

Easter and Spring at Levenshulme Market

Easter and Spring activities at Levenshulme Market on 4th and 11th April. Prizes, special offers and free fun for kids.

  

Poetry Night at Al Waalis – Mushaira Tour 2015

Al Waalis Restaurant (at the end of  the station car park) is hosting comic poets Anwar Masood and Khalid Masood in a charity dinner on Saturday 11th April from 18.00.

The event is part of the Mushaira Tour 2015 organised by the UK Islamic Mission charity to raise money to promote education in rural Pakistan.

Tickets (£10, children under 5 free) can be booked HERE

  

Levenshulme Market Finalist in BBC Food & Farming Awards 2015

Levenshulme Market is one of only three finalists in the prestigious BBC Food and Farming Awards 2015 market category.

The weekly market has been recognised for pioneering work as a social enterprise which helps to empower its community to take ownership of the high street in Levenshulme through its Market Fund, launched this year, as well as being providing a “diverse range of high quality traders, with a changing roster of 50 artisan traders, [including] a variety of fresh produce and street food” and developing the market into a quality destination for food and drink retailers that has changed the face of markets in Manchester.

Read the full story on the Levenshulme Market website HERE

The BBC press release announcing the 2015 finalists is available HERE



Photograph courtesy of Levenshulme Market

An Evening With Acclaimed Levenshulme Artist Daniel Pitts

Fred’s Ale House on Stockport Road will be hosting an evening with Daniel Pitts, acclaimed local artist, on Friday 20th March from 18.00-21.00.