Salford Star Issue 1

LIFTING THE LID ON THE LOWRY / THE PERMISSIVE SOCIETY / RUTH FROW

Exclusive...

CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON MAXINE PEAKE

Issue 1 May / June 2006

with attitude and love xxx

FREE

ARE WE BEING

SOLD DOWN THE RIVER? Blueprint Studios / Real Salford Heritage / This is Sollywood / What’s sorted in Salford...

THE SALFORD

STAR

For Salford, a new magazine. But a magazine that’s different. It’s

written and produced by people in Salford for people in Salford. And it’s totally independent. It just aims to give the community a voice, to make public bodies a bit more accountable and to inform, campaign and entertain.

We’ll be showcasing what’s ace in the City, digging up Real Salford Heritage, giving new writers and artists a chance to express themselves, and getting Salford celebs to contribute…But to make the Salford Star work, most of all we need your stories…Let us know what’s going off in your neighbourhood…

If you’ve got an event coming up let us know…if you’re launching a campaign let us know…if you’re getting married let us know – we’ll print your wedding photos free, plus your new baby photos…we’ll also put your birth announcements and your memorial announcements in free…just get in touch…

We need help with writing, research, photography, graphics, selling ads, distribution and other general stuff. Please contact us and have a chat or e-mail us if you want to get involved – no experience necessary.

Meanwhile, if you’ve got a small business and like the mag please support it by advertising with us at our incredibly affordable rates. We are a not-for-profit company and any revenue is ploughed back into the mag to make it bigger and better and to print more copies. It’s also a great way to reach the community direct.

Salford Star has been put together

by Stephen Kingston and Steven Speed with the help of…

Alison Cain; Christopher Eccleston; Claire Berry; Daniel Culpan; Iveren Yongo; Graham Cooper; Harriet Gibson; Jamie Reid; Jo Kingston; Joe Parkinson; John Crumpton; Katie b; Kelly Mcfarland; Liz Roney; Mark Yarwood; Mary Mimmack; Maxine Peake; Mike Skeffington; Ruth Frow; Steve Mimmack; Steven Wolfe; Tony Strong; Vicky Speed; The Whit Lane Six; Professor James Powell; Emma Foster; Crest; CRIIS; REELmcr; Eccles College; Pendleton College; Salford College Salford Star c/o CREST 3-5 Concord Place Douglas Green Salford M6 6SJ

The Salford Star is free and, to kick off with, is being delivered door-to-door in East Salford and to as many public places as possible throughout the City. We aim to roll it out door-to-door to the rest of Central Salford within the next 12 months, followed by the whole city in following years.

Phone: Steven or Stephen on 07782 639802 or 07957 982960

This is a pilot issue so please let us know what we’ve got right or wrong, so we can make improvements for the next issue, which will be out during the summer.

Send letters, listings and anything else to: info@salfordstar.com

The Salford Star is a total first for the city – it’s never had its own independent magazine before. If you want to see it survive please support us and help us get it together

The Salford Star - written and produced

by Salfordians for Salfordians – with attitude and love…xxx

Ad dept: ads@salfordstar.com www.salfordstar.com Salford Star is produced by Mary Burns Community Group Salford Star is a registered trademark

With financial help from

East Salford Community Committee.

INTRO

Regeneration is an exercise in `social cleansing’, according to residents having their riverside council properties demolished to make way for new developments. We run a bumper special on Salfordians being `Sold Down The River’. Then we go with a group of local lads to The Lowry to see the paintings – and watch as they get chucked out within two minutes ! We investigate how much public money The Lowry gets and where it goes.

Meanwhile, Salford megastar, Christopher Eccleston speaks exclusively to the Salford Star, and Shameless star Maxine Peake writes exclusively, as we discover Real Salford Heritage at the Working Class Movement Library on The Crescent. And we LIFTING THE LID ON THE LOWRY / THE PERMISSIVE SOCIETY / RUTH FROW find the Real Madrid’s Ronaldo Exclusive... and Helena Bonham Carter in Little CHRISTOPHER Hulton at the UK’s biggest indie ECCLESTON studios, as `Sollywood’ comes of MAXINE PEAKE age…

But most of all, we feature people’s news and views from around the City…because

we are all Salford Stars…

Cover stars Tiny and Mary Brown

CONTENTS

Issue 1 May / June 2006

FREE with attitude and love xxx

For the first issue of the Salford Star, Salfordians speak out about what’s happening to our City.

Millions and millions of pounds are being invested in the place but for whose benefit ?

ARE WE BEING

Real Salford Voices 10 Page Special… p22 - 31

The community speaks out on Salford’s regeneration and asks `Are We Being SOLD DOWN THE RIVER ?’ Plus: `Social Cleansing’ in Salford and the Human Casualties of Clearance.

SOLD DOWN THE RIVER?

ecial… p5 - 11

Page Sp Real Salford Heritage 7ary

The Working Class Movement Libr ’s radical roots ke and Ruth Frow explore Salford Pea ine Max on, lest Ecc r phe isto Chr

Lifting The Lid On The Lowry

6 Page Special… p15 - 20 Local kids chucked out !

Is it just for posh people ? Where does the money go ?

This Is Sollywood…p39 - 43

What are Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and film star Helena Bonham Carter Little Hulton ?...

doing in

The Mary Burns Page… p14 Sorted stories from the City…

The Music World Comes To Salford… p36 - 38Cooper Check out Blueprint Studios, The Permissive Society and what John …

Clarke and Shaun Ryder mean to a new generation of Salford sounds

There’s Nowt On In Salford… p44 - 51

In yer dreams – 8 pages of listings plus previews on everything from Bling Knights to Cool Karaoke

HUNGRY?

The incredible CLoKwork Orange…The movie that’s changing lives…

Punters restaurant… p33 & 35

Save Our Schools… p32

5 more Salford schools up for closure – parents prepare to fight..

Noticing Salford… p12 - 13

The last Salfordians, the Eco Warriors of Duchy, Church flocks fight back, Salford’s own Colour Pallet, plus community notices.

Why can’t these lads go in?

Once we have a wor d with management I can explain why

I want a complaint form

We just got kicked out for no reas on at all... want a complaint form I We have to work to orders. Can I poin t something out - for start you don’t know a what goes on - peo ple like this come in and trash the plac e, they run around screaming their hea ds off, annoying the public

We didn’t do anything

I wasn’t

HELPING YOU TO LEARN AND ACHIEVE Salford College is the main vocational training centre for the City. We have over 10,000 learners studying at 2 main campuses and in over 30 Commmunity Centres.

We offer courses in...

Access to Higher Education

Computing

Accounting

Hairdressing

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Art and Design

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Childcare • Superb facilities • Work experience • Fully qualified friendly staff • Department dedicated to you • Brand new workshops • Brand new Media Suite • Brand new Learning Resource Centre • Direct links with employers

So whether you are 16 or 65, want to study Midwifery or Plumbing, Salsa Dancing or Football Coaching... we can help Contact our Admissions Team on 0161 211 5001/2/3 or visit our website www.salford-col.ac.uk You can succeed at Salford College

Salford’s Hidden Gem… Working Class Movement Library, 51 The Crescent Everyone in Salford has probably passed this place – the big black and white building at the end of The Crescent – not knowing what it was. The Working Class Movement Library doesn’t shout about itself or receive millions of pounds in grants, and constantly struggles to exist. But this building houses a world famous collection of books, banners, badges, photos, pamphlets and postcards that document the history of the struggles and fights and victories of Britain’s working class people.

The Library is absolutely unique and has been based in Salford since the mid 80s, after the collection outgrew the semi-detached house of founders Ruth and Eddie Frow who spent 40 years travelling all over and amassing the archive. Now the history of the Library has been documented in a DVD called Past, Present Future, made by Granada’s John Crumpton and narrated by Christopher Eccleston.

Over the next few pages Christopher Eccleston exclusively talks about his own working class roots in Salford and why the Library is so important, Maxine Peake, a Friend of the Library and star of Shameless, writes exclusively about her time as an activist in Salford. And the absolutely legendary Ruth Frow, co-founder of the Library, writes exclusively about the 80th Anniversary of the General Strike in Salford…

A TOUCH OF CLASS...

She may be well known as Veronica in Shameless but MAXINE PEAKE is no poncy actress putting on an accent. Here she writes about how the Working Class Movement Library touches all our lives…

The Working Class Movement Library is a fantastic place

with a world famous archive but I worry that even people in Salford don’t know about it. I’ve mentioned it in conversation and a common reply is `What, a Working Class Movement Library…Where’s that ?’ It’s that beautiful black and white imposing building on The Crescent.

The Library contains the history of the struggle of our people and we must never forget that. It’s the history of what made Manchester and Salford the cities they are, built by the toil of the workers. I think people should really be made aware that the Library is there and that they can go and chart their past.

My grandfather was in the Communist Party and he’s still very political – he tells me stories about the struggles and the demonstrations when he was working at Leyland Motors. Maybe I’ve got a slight romanticism about it but people had such a passion then – for their rights, for self education.

We should keep alive the notion that we do have power if we use our strength as a unit…But it does seem all too clear we’ve come to the end of an era. People have got very apathetic about politics - which doesn’t surprise me with those who, unfortunately, we’ve got in power.

“I’m convinced `regeneration’ is a conspiracy to keep the community apart…”

I look at people like my grandfather who’s fought all his life and now in his later years is living in a society that is probably in a worse state than he ever imagined possible – we may have better technology and easier ways to purchase the so called desired material goods but I believe that the conditions some people are living in have reverted back to Victorian times. There’s been a week of debates recently at the ICA in London about the British working class and its

existence. Today, people seem loathe to being given the label, although we’ve developed an underclass that is being viciously ignored.

People just don’t think they’ve got a voice any more.

Thatcher would be absolutely delighted with the way we’ve all turned out…this `me culture’. Blair’s taken that on and it’s blossomed. I thought we wouldn’t be stupid enough as a country to let this happen but we have.

The anti war demos gave a glimmer of hope that we might become more politicized, with huge attendances and children skipping school to take part. Hopefully these young people will be the politicians of the future. I remember being their age thinking I would have witnessed some kind of revolution by the time I was 18!

“We should keep alive the notion that we do have power…”

I think the popularity of Paul Abbott’s Shameless is that it has a warmth and a deep rooted humanity against all odds.

It’s a portrayal of the working class of today. There’s a sense of hope. No one in Shameless is without hope. The sense of community is very strong and that’s what seems to strike a chord. We’re bombarded with bleak views of the working class and Shameless kicks against that, as it’s based on truth and Paul’s own experiences There’s fear from the government in this country about that group mentality. In Salford, first the terraced housing went, then the flats went up and now they’re saying `Let’s regenerate again’…I’m convinced it’s a conspiracy to keep the community apart – throughout the years regeneration has been about trying to destroy the heart of the community.

It’s exactly what they’ve done in London – you look at many areas of London that have become flooded with fashionable

6 Salford Star

loft apartments and fiercely overpriced property – the locals are having to move further and further back – they take it all…developers destroy the heart of places…it’s just about money isn’t it ? They don’t care.

I worry about the Working Class Movement Library – that because it is such a beautiful building the developers are going to try to get their hands on it. We must fight for its survival. It should always be there. It’s ridiculous that at some point they were considering closing it down, to turn it, I imagine, into some soulless luxury dwellings.

Between the ages of 19 and 21 I was in the Communist Party and although I’m from Bolton, Salford was the nearest branch and we used to have meetings at the Working Class Movement Library. Then recently Oxfam’s Control Arms campaign got in touch and asked if I would join their petition which is using photographs instead of signatures and anyone can be involved. Oxfam wanted me to choose somewhere locally that meant something to me and it was actually my friend Pawlo who suggested the Library because of my time there. And it brought me back to this incredible place.

Even though the unions and the movements that working people were a part of aren’t what they used to be, we mustn’t forget that struggle. All the literature, pamphlets and banners that the Library contains have to be preserved – it’s part of our history and our future. The more people who are made aware of it, the better…

The Working Class Movement Library, Jubilee House, 51 The Crescent is open Tues, Thurs and Fri 10am-5pm, Wed 10am – 7pm and the third Saturday of each month 10am-5pm.

For further details call 0161 736 3601 Or check out the web site: www.wcml.org.uk Maxine Peake stars as Myra Hindley in See No Evil on ITV1 May 14th and 15th For further details of Oxfam’s Control Arms petition which runs until June check www.controlarms.org/

Salford Star 7

AT HOME WITH CHRISTOPHER… Ex Langworthy lad, Christopher Eccleston, celebrates Salford’s roots, style and struggles…

…We’re talking Salford and its radical roots and Christo-

pher Eccleston’s in full flow about how the spirit of his home city permeates virtually everything he does… “…even down to making the Doctor, who was traditionally an aristocratic authority figure, sound like someone from Salford…” he explains “I’ve not just gone off and done `entertainment’ – I’ve done Hillsborough…I’ve done Our Friends In The North…I’ve done Second Coming…I’ve done Flesh and Blood…stuff that to a certain extent has a political content and that comes directly from Salford…”

He reflects for a moment… “…and from a sense that I’ve been fortunate enough to run away with the circus, which is basically what I’ve done, so I’d better put something back…”

Christopher Eccleston might have run away with the circus but he’s taken Salford attitude with him. What he’s putting back is the notion that you can be from here and get to the top without compromising, without having to lose everything that you’re about. In the celeb obsessed world where the only message coming from yer Waynes and Coleens is `SHOP!’, with Christopher Eccleston you get a bit of integrity, a bit of realism. Although seen on tv and film with the likes of Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman and an assortment of Daleks, he’s on the same wavelength as the rest of us. And it’s a very, very Salfordian wavelength.

He talks about having the city’s key values instilled into him by his family – a “sense of community”… ”covering each other’s

backs”…”not taking yourself too seriously”…”good manners”…”hard work” and “a healthy disrespect for authority”… “…I think all those things I picked up from my parents and they manifest themselves in the community too, which is where expressions like `You can always tell a Salford lad, but you can’t tell him ‘owt’ come from…Dating right back to the Industrial Revolution, Salford’s always been a tough place to live and I think it’s encouraged a sense of com-

“Sir Ben Kingsley is doing a very unSalfordian thing at the moment by insisting people call him `Sir’…

I’ll have to check his Salford credentials…” munity because everybody economically was in the same bracket, and a strong sense of humour sprung up in order to deal with those quite difficult physical conditions.”

Like Liverpool ?

“Yeah but far better” he sneers, adding that there’s no chip on Salfordian shoulders “…The middle classes call it a chip, yet if we refer to them as having a poker up their arse they get upset. It’s not a chip, it’s just a sense of place and a sense of belonging. I never thought of myself as coming from Manchester, that was somewhere else. Salford was here before Manchester and is a city in its own right that has a distinct flavour to it.”

And, of course, virtually everything that’s credited with coming out of Manchester actually comes from Salford…

“Yeah” he agrees “The relationship between Manchester and Salford is fine as long as they understand that they’re not as important as us. About ten years ago there was an attempt to wipe Salford off the map and absorb it into Manchester.

Quite rightly that was opposed and didn’t come about.

“If I say to an American I’m from Salford they’re like `Sa-aa-lf-u-rd, where’s that ?’ and you have to unfortunately say

Salford Star

Self Portrait by Christopher Eccleston

it’s near Manchester. But when you start reeling the names off…Lowry, Riley, Finney, Leigh…they’re like `Ok’ and then they have this idea that it’s some sort of northern Hampstead…or some bohemian paradise…”

It was Salford’s stars of the big screen who inspired Christopher Eccleston to get into acting and helped to smooth the path to a career that was previously the preserve of the posh…

“When I started telling my family that I was going to be an actor the jokes would come out…`Oh bloody hell, another Albert Finney’…but in the 80s when I was applying for a grant to do acting it was made easier because of all the people who had gone before like Finney and Mike Leigh” he recalls “Finney is very quick to say he’s from Salford and not Manchester. So that desire to establish an identity and have something to say about the world has always been there in Salford… “…Sir Ben Kingsley is doing a very unSalfordian thing at the moment by insisting people call him `Sir’…Albert Finney famously turned down a knighthood and said `I would never

call anyone `Sir’ myself and I certainly never expect anyone to call me `Sir’…and then you’ve got Ben Kingsley doing that…very odd…I’ll have to check his Salford credentials…”

“There couldn’t be a better home for the Library than Salford… because Salford embodies the struggle of the working classes” For Christopher Eccleston there was never any danger of losing his Salford credentials, even though the family moved in the 60s from Langworthy to Little Hulton, technically in Salford but nearer to Bolton.

“I was thinking about this last night” he says “I grew up thinking `We’re not from here’ because of all the talk in the house – my brothers were eight when they left Salford and my mum and dad were in their thirties and there was always a sense that although we were happy there we didn’t quite belong.

“There was a tension between what we Salford people called the `Little Hulton Gobbins’ and what they called the `Salford

Salford Star 9

Overspill’. They were a little bit snobbish about it – so I grew up in this house that was basically Salford in Little Hulton and when we had to do anything family wise we’d go back to Salford – my mum even took me to the dentist in Salford because she was happier with the dentists there…”

The original Eccleston family home on Blodwell Street off Langworthy Road, where Christopher was born in 1964, is now boarded up and about to be knocked down as part of the Chimney Pot Park makeover…

“To a certain extent it’s inevitable” he says “Salford’s been torn down once before when the `streets in the sky’ (towerblocks) were put up and we’ve seen they didn’t work. I did a drama Our Friends In The North which dealt with all that quite strongly. But it depends on what they replace it with and how mindful they are of the communities living there and what kind of living conditions it’s going to present…”

Words by Stephen Kingston

Err, yuppy houses ?

“Yeah, that’s kind of the idea I’m getting really. That seems to be the way everywhere’s going. I’m not going to get on my soapbox because I don’t know enough about it really but you can’t destroy Salford’s sense of itself. Obviously it’s a tragedy if the communities are pushed out for yuppies and it’s wrong.”

Unlike upwardly mobile creative Mancs, most of whom fled to Brighton once they made it, Christopher Eccleston still lives in Salford - “in Eccles, the posh bit” - and hasn’t forgotten his roots after running away with the circus all the

way to Hollywood at one point. He’s put something positive back into the city by narrating Past, Present and Future, a promo DVD about Salford’s internationally acclaimed Working Class Movement Library.

“I’d passed the building many, many times as a youngster without going in but when I found out about the content of the place and the story of the people who built it up it was a revelation to me, I was amazed” he enthuses ”They showed me the film first which I think is a cracking piece of work, and anything that goes to further the interest of the working classes who basically built this country is important to me, so I was happy to help.

“I don’t think enough people know of the Library’s existence and that was one of the ideas behind the film and one of the reasons why I wanted to do the narration” he adds “There couldn’t be a better home for the Library than Salford because Salford embodies the struggle of the working classes, doesn’t it ? It’s witnessed every stage of it, from the filth of the Industrial Revolution down to the destruction in the Eighties by Thatcher and…”

Now the yuppyfication ?

“Now the yuppyfication, yeah…”

Free loan copies of Past Present Future: The Working Class Movement Library DVD, written and directed by John Crumpton and narrated by Christopher Eccleston, are currently available from the Working Class Movement Library – contact 0161 736 3601 or e-mail enquiries@wcml.org.ukm

REELmcr want to wish Salford Star all the luck in the world and a long, long life…

REELmcr The Vestry, St Wilfreds Enterprise Centre, off Royce Road, Hulme, Manchester. M15 5BJ 0161 226 4487 mob 0793 1234 890 www.reelmcr.co.uk

10

Salford Star

THE DAY THE GOVERNMENT DECLARED WAR ON SALFORD...

May 2006 sees the 80th anniversary of the General Strike, and Salford was right at its epicentre. Ruth Frow, co-founder of the Working Class Movement Library and a Salford resident, traces the Strike’s history…

In June, 1925, coal owners

proposed drastic reductions in miners’ pay and the miners appealed to the Trade Union Congress for assistance in resisting the cuts. Manchester and Salford Trades and Labour Council started to plan for a major strike.

The premises of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) on Trafford Road (now the United Reform Church) in Salford was chosen as the strike headquarters and J.A. Webb, Secretary of the TGWU and a Salford man, was appointed to act as Secretary of the North West Strike Committee. It made sense. Manchester was not a centre of the mining industry whereas Salford had 3,000 miners living in Swinton and Pendlebury at that time. There were also 1,600 tramwaymen in the City and over 3,000 men working on the docks.

The Government moved the destroyer Wessex up the Canal…

The General Strike, which broke out on 3rd May 1926, began to have a serious affect after the first week when a bread shortage threatened. The dockers firmly refused to allow any movement of goods on the docks and the Government moved the destroyer Wessex up the Canal. They sent naval ratings to escort 500 volunteers who assembled at Salford Police Station with the intention of moving flour and grain to the bakeries. But they were prevented from doing so by the mill workers and dockers.

On 11th May, the second line strikers, those in the engineering and shipyards, were called out at midnight. But before their action could take effect, the incredulous news was received that the T.U.C. had called the strike off. Many workers refused to believe it and continued their action.

They thought it was a false message sent out on the radio which had been used by the Government for the first time in history as a means of communication.

The Communist Party issued a leaflet headed THE GREAT BETRAYAL the text of which was sent from London for local duplication and distribution, and Salford Communist Party Secretary, Jack Forshaw, started producing copies.

Meanwhile the police began arresting people caught with copies of the leaflet on them. George Dodd, Boston Dunn, Harold Hicks, David John, Hugh Graham and Hymie Lee were among those taken in. The police found copies of the GREAT BETRAYAL on Jack’s duplicator and he was also arrested.

What followed was one of the most disgraceful episodes of the strike. Forshaw was kept in prison over the weekend.

He was a diabetic who needed special food, medication and warmth, all of which he was denied. He contracted pneumonia whilst in prison and died within a few days.

Salford workers put up a magnificent struggle acting in a dignified and responsible way in spite of attempts to provoke or intimidate them. Most workers returned to work on the same terms but the miners were left to fight on alone for seven long and hungry months before they too were forced back by starvation.

The Working Class Movement Library has a large collection of material on the General Strike, including some illustrations. It also holds the archive on Jack Forshaw’s experiences.

Salford Star

11

THE ECO WARRIORS OF DUCHY There’s cars whizzing by all over the place but here in a small forest a new age is trying to take shape.

There’s a giant’s chair fashioned out of an old stump. There’s a story-telling stick. There’s rumours of fairies dancing around the trees. It’s magical. It’s mystical. And it’s detonating an alternative way of life for Duchy’s new generation.

Usually, mainstream education closes the curtains of kids’ creativity in the drive to control and conform.

Here at Summerville Primary they’re powering up imaginations, urging kids to be at one with nature and sprinkling democracy like confetti.

“We share ideas to see what we could improve in our school” explains Eco Committee member Demi Boyd from Year 6 “We want to make it greener.”

The nine Eco Committee members are elected by class mates and their suggestions are usually acted upon. These range from `more bird watching opportunities’ to `painting the outside of the school’. For Fiona Stanley, Parent Governor and EcoCoordinator, it’s all about empowerment.

“The school is special because the children are special and we’re trying so hard to make them good citizens” she says “We want them to be eco warriors and really care about their world.”

All over Summerville there is evidence of this, from the produce bays where fresh fruit, veg and herbs are grown, to the pond project in the `wild garden’ and signs for litter picking `action days’. It’s the only school in Salford to have won Green Flag status for eco excellence. But it’s the firing of a belief that anything is possible that gives the aptly named Summerville a very unique aura...

“Some of the big’uns and little’uns made wishes out of stars” says Nathan Hilton of Year 4 “It was to stop things from happening and to make other things start happening and then we hung them on trees so everyone could see”.

LET US PREY… A continuing campaign by three local residents against the

closure of St. John’s Church in Higher Broughton is finally yielding results.

Despite resistance from the Manchester Diocese and the Parochial Church Council (PCC), and being written off by the church’s own vicar, the residents, Phil Clark, Jean Foster-Clegg and Colin Foster-Clegg, have rallied support in the community against the closure of the grade II listed building.

In just two months the trio have a petition of over 1000 names and have tirelessly written to the Manchester Diocese, including the Bishop of Manchester, and the London Diocese.

The decision to close St. John’s was made because the church’s congregation dwindled and it was due to shut on 2nd March this year. But the petition changed that and now a service is held every third Sunday at 9am. One service a month is a start but the campaign continues to bring this central part of the community back to life with the aim of running services every week, having bi-monthly fundraising fairs and an open door for chats and drop-ins.

Mentors Needed…have you got half an hour every fortnight

to spare encouraging a Year 11 high school kid to get through exams and stuff ? If so, you don’t have to have any quals, just an honours degree from the university of life. Volunteers get a half day training session explaining what to do, and there’s also a chance to go on an accredited training course. If you fancy putting something back into Salford contact Julie Vickers at SBEP on 0161 787 8500 or julievickers@salfordbep.co.uk

St. John’s received funding from English Heritage and a grant from the National Lottery to carry out repair work on the church. A generous donation of £3000 was also given for fixing the toilets and waste drainage. To date none of the work has been carried out. But the residents are determined to rescue St John’s and bring it back up to scratch. Their campaign continues…

Iveren Yongo

`Time Out’ Arts on Prescription Service Launched…

if you’ve got `mild to moderate depression’ and live in Central Salford you can now get access to absolutely top class arts facilities, workshops and training in everything from painting to music production at START Healthy Living Centre in Brunswick House. The idea is to give yourself some time out, and the stuff that START do and the building they are based in has to be seen. To get access you have to have a `prescription’ so see whoever it is that can do that and get down there.

THE SALFORD COLOUR PALLET This might sound off its head but it’s

absolutely brilliant…Artists Paul Heywood and Maxine Kennedy from University of Salford’s Visual Art Department have come up with a unique Salford colour pallet made from terrace house bricks, toilet walls and graffiti’d shop doors.

Basically, they took samples of paint and materials from all kinds of stuff they came across during a walk from Blandford Road in Charlestown to The Crescent at the corner of Peel Park and the River Irwell, and then used their findings to create a new range of colours, each

one named after its original location.

So, you’ve got `Park Toilets’…`Wallness Pub’…`British Vita Factory Wall’…

With so many different coloured bricks, the pallet contains all kinds of shades of reds which would make great make-up, and now the artists are working with pupils at Albion High to think up other practical uses for Salford’s own rainbow…

The pallet is already being used to inform décor for the new Salford Innovation Park and we’re using them for the Salford Star too...

STILL HOPE FOR HOPE Written by Kelly McFarland who was born in the Special Baby Care Unit at Hope Hospital, with photos by Harriet Gibson, also born at Hope.

Hope Hospital has been For manytoyears go for expectant mothers

the place in Salford to have their babies. But this might all be about to change if the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (GMSHA) gets its way.

It’s proposing to close the maternity services at Hope Hospital, forcing local mums-to-be to travel further afield to get their babies delivered or to obtain treatment for their newborns.

The GMSHA proposes to have three super-hospitals across the district - St. Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, the Royal Bolton Hospital and the Royal Oldham Hospital, offering full maternity services.

The GMSHA also wants to open five smaller centres in North Manchester, Stepping Hill, Tameside, Wythenshawe and RAE Wigan which would offer inpatient pediatric and obstetric services.

If this is allowed to go ahead all babies in the Salford area will suffer as their families will have further to go for services,

more so, premature babies within the area. From personal experience, if this proposal gets the goahead and I was born today, instead of in 1989, I would not have survived to be writing this article.

I was born at just 25 weeks, weighing less than a bag of sugar, and my parents told me that I got the last cot in Special

“I would have given birth in the car...”

Care Baby Unit at Hope Hospital. St Mary’s was full and if it had not been for Hope having a space then I would have had to travel to Leeds for the special cot and I would not have survived. This is the journey that all Salford babies in the future may have to face if Hope Hospital Maternity is closed and St Mary’s is full.

Unsurprisingly current patients at Hope Hospital’s Maternity Unit are not impressed with the proposal.

Wanted: people to sit on health trust…Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust is changing into a NHS Foundation Trust this summer, and is looking for people from the community to becom e members. Apparently it doesn’t take up much time and you get to have a say in how the service is run. For more info call 0870 702 0176. If anyone takes this up please get in touch with the Salford Star too as we’d like you to report on your experiences for us…(a ddress at the front of the mag).

“It is appalling that they are thinking of closing the unit and expecting people to travel out of their home town to have their baby” said Dianne Crow, who has recently just given birth to a baby boy in the unit at Hope Hospital.

Vicky Kinsan added: “I was in labour for forty minutes, and if I had had to travel further to St Mary’s I would have given birth in the car!”

If Hope Hospital’s Maternity Unit closes it would mean there would be no more babies born in Salford.

The consultation on Hope Hospital continues until 12th May. If you would like to register your disgust with the proposals please go to Salford City Council’s Campaign web page and follow its instructions… http://www.salford.gov.uk/consultation/currentconsult/handsoffhope.htm

Salford Community Radio – is back on the air 12th-19th June 24hrs on 106.4fm, broadcasting from Salford Foyer.

Five actresses from Reel Salford are looking for sponsors

to back them running 5km in this year’s Cancer Research Race For Life at Heaton Park on June 3rd. If you’d like to support Rachel, Cat, Natalie, Siobhan or Helen give Rachel a ring on 0161 736 6206 and then go cheer them on the day from 11am.

The

Mary Burns

Page

FLOOD ME, BABY…

What a great IDEA…Not. It must have seemed a top thought at the time – stick a great big massive pink advert for Salford City Council saying `Great Ideas Grow IN Salford’ on the great big ex Brown Brothers building that was destined to become the IDEA Centre. The site, on East Ordsall Lane, is passed by every car going into Manchester via The Crescent.

Great publicity as the IDEA (`Innovation in Digital and Electronic Arts’) Centre was due to be one of the flagships of the Chapel Street renaissance and the start of Salford’s so-called `Arc of Opportunity’… …Except that the building is derelict, IDEA Ltd has been the subject of an inquiry by the Charity Commission and the company is currently in the hands of the Receivers. Meanwhile the building is being flogged off for £1.5 million. And the `IN Salford’ ad is still up. All of which might make Salford City Council look slightly silly, you might have thought.

But no. Council Leader John Merry assures me “I still think it’s a damn good site to have an advert”. Don’t think he gets it…

The powers that be want to regenerate the City by building all these posh new properties by the River Irwell. Then the Environment Agency nearly ruined it all by objecting to the projects as they were right in the middle of potential flood paths. Insurance companies weren’t too keen to provide cover either. So, Salford City Council has come up with a strategy to combat the flood risk. Apart from digging big holes and building trenches, new properties must conform to specific designs which include

WE LOVE SALFORD… WHERE’S THAT ?

Salford City Council have got into bed with Countryside Properties, as loving partners, to redevelop Lower Broughton. This massive multi-million pound project will surely see Salford really put on the map as a major city in its own right…won’t it? Yeah, course it will – just check out Countryside Prop-

erties website and find the fantastic Lower Broughton regeneration scheme in… err…Manchester. http://www.countrysideproperties.com/homes/newhomes/main-details/greatermanchester/manchester/ lowerbroughton.aspx

• avoiding fitted carpets • no MDF or chipboard • fitting shelves made from `marine plywood’ • having telephone and plug sockets half way up the walls Never mind about garrotting the kids while hoovering…

Or that the advice might as well be`get yourself a scuba kit’…the Environment Agency and the insurers now seem to have rolled over and withdrawn all objections. It’s that easy…

HAZEL’S IN THE DOGHOUSE… The Right Hon Hazel `I’m from Salford me and Tony Blair is right’ Blears MP might come on like the Prime Minister’s poodle but, according to my research, she has actually voted against the Government once since

she became a Minister. Hazel rebelled just a couple of months ago in a vote on the docking of puppy dogs’ tails…Oooh Hazel, you’re right on the cutting edge of politics…

If you’ve got anything Mary Burns should know about email maryburns@salfordstar.com

14

Lifting the Lid on the Lowry

Words by Stephen Kingston Photos in The Lowry

by Steven Speed Additional research by Steven Wolfe.

Practical demonstration by the Whit Lane Lads Attitude from everyone we spoke to in Salford‌

Salford Star

15

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE LOWRY...

We really, really didn’t set out to trash The Lowry. We were just chatting to a group of lads about Salford and stuff, and we asked if they’d ever been there. `Nah’ they said `They won’t let us in’…

people off similar estates from a bygone era…

We wanted to know how the lads would react to the paintings and to the place itself. Instead we discovered how The Lowry reacted to the lads...

`Don’t be soft’ we said `They’ve got to let you in – it’s a public building, paid for by your parents…of course they’ll let you in…They’re talking all the time about how they want to reach out to `young people in the community’…’

We stuck a hidden microphone on one of them and went in separately with a camera just in case they did get kicked out.

The lads walked into the building quietly, looked for signs to the Lowry paintings, got the escalator up to the first floor and started to walk past an information desk into the gallery.

They were stopped…They’d been in the building for less than two minutes.

`We won’t last two minutes’ they laughed… …And so, on a wet Sunday afternoon, six lads from the Whit Lane Estate in Charlestown, with their hoods up - like you do when it’s pouring down - trooped off to The Lowry to see the old man’s pictures…world famous paintings of working class

Here’s what the tape picked up, unedited…

Member of the public with his kids:

You can’t go in

You can’t go in.

Is this the Lowry show here – can we go in ?

Why... why can’t we just see the pictures?

Why? I want to see the pictures

Why… what have we done ?

Yes you can go in – just turn in there.

Because I’m not letting you in, that’s why I can get security if you want

We’ve not done nothing

How come we can’t go and see the pictures – what’s so wrong about us ?

Because you can’t – I don’t have to have an argument with you…you just can’t

Security man arrives…

Why ?

Why can’t we see the pictures ?

Give us a reason

I don’t need a reason

Leave the building

Why ?

Just leave the building will you You’ve been asked nicely

Why ?

Everyone else is going in… why can’t we ?

Man on desk calls security: I’ve got a group up here 16

Salford Star

Why have we got to eave ?

We haven’t done nowt – we’ve come to watch…

There’s nothing going on – it’s all organised activities, not for the public…

What are you pushing me for ?

Watch what ?

I was telling you not to run – just get out the building

Whatever’s going on…

I did not grip him I just said do not run

Did he grab you ?

You just grabbed him

Security man ushers them down the escalator

Outside, in the entrance to The Lowry two security guards make sure the lads don’t try to get back in. We start asking questions with another hidden microphone…

Why can’t these lads go in?

Once we have a word with management I can explain why

I want a complaint form

We just got kicked out for no reason at all...

I want a complaint form We have to work to orders. Can I point something out - for a start you don’t know what goes on - people like this come in and trash the place, they run around screaming their heads off, annoying the public

A bloke who had seen what went on had been to see the manager to complain that the lads had been kicked out for doing nothing…He comes out of the building…

Bloke: I was taking my sons to see the paintings and as we walked in I was

behind this group of lads. As they approached reception they were stopped from going in and there was a little bit of an argument and I heard the management say they couldn’t come in. He said I could go in and then security came along and ejected them which I thought was totally inappropriate.

I went and asked the manager what was going on – he said there was a group of guys with hoods on – I said I was there when they said they’d take their hoods off and he said it doesn’t matter they’re still not coming in… I told him it was a council funded organisation and he explained to me that it was a charity and not a council funded project. He didn’t have any answers…

Basically they were local lads coming in to look at the pictures on Sunday afternoon because they were bored stiff and they were denied access to a facility in Salford which we’ve been told is open to everyone. It’s an absolute disgrace…

We didn’t do anything

I wasn’t talking to you.

We act on orders, that’s all I can tell you. That’s all I’m doing.

Afterwards we chat to the six lads again about their experience at The Lowry…

Josh: I knew they were going to kick us out straight away, because we are a local group.

Carl: Yes – they shouldn’t have to pay towards it if we’re not allowed in.

Would you ever go back ?

Carl: No, because it’s rubbish

Do you feel like you’re discriminated against ?

Anthony: Yes – just because we wear black…

What did you think about The Lowry’s attitude towards you ?

Kane: It was really bad, just because we had our hoods on.

Rees: They said it wasn’t open to the public and it was.

The six lads head off to find somewhere else to go. The sad thing is that they expected this reaction from The Lowry. And The Lowry - despite all its big Do you get treated like that all statements and statistics about the time? reaching the community - lived Rees: It happens everywhere down to those expectations.

Its image problem amongst orDo your parents pay council dinary Salfordians continues…

tax that funds The Lowry ?

Brochure found at The Lowry gift shop.

% SPENDING ON

ARTS AND CULTURE BY SALFORD CITY COUNCIL*…

THE LOWRY 54% PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT

0.8%

*year end 31st March 2005 (excludes libraries)

A few days later...

We ask The Lowry to comment about kicking innocent local kids out of the building, plus things like how the company perceives its image in Salford and some details of how it tries to make itself sexy to the local community…

The Lowry didn’t seem to be impressed with what they called our `stunt’…

“We have talked to the member of the galleries reception staff concerned who told us

that he saw an unusually large group of 8 or 9 young people [err, it was actually six] approaching the galleries all wearing clothing which obscured their faces [yep, they’re called hoods – it was pouring down]…He made a judgement call, which was possibly an error, that this situation could be disruptive to other people’s enjoyment of the exhibitions, so asked them to leave the galleries.

“Although it is our policy to welcome everyone into the building, he believed he was acting in the best interests of other visitors to The Lowry gallery. This is an unusual situation as we welcome thousands of visitors every week to our theatres, galleries and to our wide-ranging programme of participatory activities without incident [...there wouldn’t have been an `incident’ if they’d let them in…the `incident’ was created by The Lowry’s staff, we think].”

We were also sent a whole barrage of statistics showing the great work The Lowry does with schools and the community…`70% of participants in The Lowry’s community projects are from Salford’…`4 of the top 10 postcodes of people taking part in community projects are from Salford’…We’re sure this is all fab and true but independent researchers tell a slightly different story…

The General Public Agency (GPA) is a top nob creative consultancy whose clients include the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Just over a year ago they were asked to comment on a major government report called Culture at the Heart of Regeneration - and used The Lowry as an example of how it shouldn’t be done…

The GPA’s response to the government stated `…Statistics (internal Lowry Community

and Education Team figures) show that the participants in the Lowry’s subsidised children’s creative workshops are mostly driven in from beyond Salford (from Manchester and the Cheshire market towns)…There are no direct public transport links between the Lowry and Salford centre. This is a powerful indication of the absence of a true commitment to engaging with the local community.’

The local watchdogs in all this, you might expect, would be Salford Council which last year gave the Lowry just over £2.5 million (£677,000 for `outreach services to schools and residents’; £250,000 `annual contribution’ and a one-off grant of £1,576,000 which nobody understands apart from the Council’s accountants who say it didn’t really happen…).

The Council, which gives The Lowry vast amounts of our money, is supposed to check how that money’s being spent though the Lowry Committee. But the public will never know how this is being done because we’re excluded from attending under `section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972…as specified in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.’ Yeah, whatever…

All we get to know about the incredibly in-depth grilling, lasting a whole 40 minutes (one committee meeting lasted just five minutes), is that the Financial Update and report on community activities are `noted’. And that’s it. That’s your public accountability. So we’ve had to do it ourselves.

Now, we’re not accountants, and forgive us if we’re thick and get everything wrong but we waded through nearly 60 pages of The Lowry’s accounts and found some stuff which we

18 Salford Star

Total Amount of

Public Money

The Lowry Received 2004/5…

£6,477,000 Highest Paid Director

at The Lowry Centre Ltd gets

£127,596* *year end March 31st 2005

Grant from Salford City Council To The Lowry Specifically For Working With Schools and Community…

Staff Costs (including executive directors) for The Lowry Centre Development Company:

£183,703

£677,000* Actual `Cost of Operation of Theatres and Arts Centre for Community and Education’ according to Lowry Centre Trust Accounts…

Average number of persons (including executive directors) employed during the year*:

£269,000*

2

*year end 31st March 2005

* year end 31st March 2005

DIRECTORS FEES (AND `EMOLUMENTS’) FOR THE LOWRY’S COMPANIES:

TOTAL RETAINED LOSSES FOR THE LOWRY’S COMPANIES:

£380,810*

Cost of Salford City Council’s sponsorship of The Bolshoi Ballet at The Lowry…

£50,000

£7,677,594* * year end 31st March 2005

Benefit to Salford

Residents…cheaper seats for one Saturday afternoon matinee

think people might like to know...

services. Are we missing something here ?

First of all, The Lowry has three companies – The Lowry Centre Trust, which is a charity; and two subsidiary companies, The Lowry Centre Limited, which runs its commercial activities, and The Lowry Centre Development Company which sorts out The Lowry’s building.

Not one single person who is a director of any of these companies (apart from a couple of councillors who sit on the board of the Trust but more about them later…) actually lives in Salford – they all live in places like Hampshire, London, Bowdon and Plymouth. The Chief Executive and Director of two Lowry companies, Julia Fawcett, lives in Gatley, Cheshire.

…Meanwhile, the finances flowing between the three different Lowry companies start to get really complicated (skip this bit if you’re bored), and even the Trust’s trustees seem to be questioning what is going on. It appears that the Trust has given an interest free loan of nearly £77 million to its commercial Development Company and the trustees “are considering the extent to which this loan relates to non-charitable expenditure” (Notes to the Accounts Year ended 31 March 2005). The objects of the charity include promoting the advancement of education and fostering appreciation and knowledge of the arts. And the subsidiaries are expected to fulfil these objectives…

In the year ended 31st March 2005, the directors took £380,810 in fees and what are called `emoluments’ (benefits, expenses, pension etc) and the highest paid director at the Lowry Centre Ltd got £127,596. The Lowry companies’ last total recorded retained losses stood at £7,677,594.

…But The Lowry Development Company has been involved in property speculation, taking a 50% investment in the loss making (as at 31st March 2005) Digital World Centre across the plaza from The Lowry itself. The Development Company has given the Digital World Centre a huge unsecured loan (the balance of which stood at £1,800,000 on March 31st 2005) `which is waived if it is not recovered within two years of full occupancy of the Salford Council gives its money (£2.5 million last year) to the Lowry Centre Trust but doesn’t formally tell the Lowry how to spend it. It hands the grant over as an `unrestricted World Digital Centre’.

Unsecured loans ? Interest free loans ? Possibly` waived’ loans ? The Lowry relies on fund’, whereas, say, the North West Development Agency gives its grant as a `restricted millions and millions of pounds of public money to keep it afloat. We believe it’s right to fund’ which states exactly what the money’s to be spent on. The Council states that question The Lowry’s activities. In fact we’d expect the council as our elected representa£677,000 is specifically for community and education work but the Lowry Trust’s accounts tives to be doing this for us - it’s called democracy, accountability, value for money and only show £269,000 being spent on the operation of its `community and education’

Salford Star 19

stuff like that.

So we asked leader of Salford City Council, John Merry, to explain …

“We nominate three trustees who sit on the board of the Lowry Centre Trust” he beams “But they do have a duty to act in the best interests of The Lowry as a trustee rather than as a normal member of the council.”

In other words, the Council has watchdogs on The Lowry’s board but they act in the best interests of The Lowry rather than Salford people.

The reason the public are excluded from the Lowry Committee meetings, Merry says, is that the information is commercially sensitive and has to be kept from rival theatres but acknowledges that “it is a difficulty”. Instead we have to rely on what he calls “informal briefings… which don’t appear in the minutes”… ”We don’t tell them what to do with the money but they have to account to us how they’ve spent it in terms of community activity so they can’t spend it on, say, cups of tea for themselves…and I’m happy with that” he adds “There is no direct control.”

What about 54% of the total arts budget going to The Lowry while public entertainment gets a mere 0.8% ?

FAMELESS AT THE LOWRY

“Yes it is a hell of a lot” he decides “But we do make a substantial contribution to other events – the Triathalon, for example, and November 5th…”

He struggles to think of any more… “…We actually feel that we get good value for money from The Lowry” he insists “It’s a different sort of money we’re putting in, in the sense that we’re trying to create a prestige venue that is going to reflect back on Salford – and that’s a judgement we’ve had to make in terms of priorities…”

And does he think that Salfordians would agree with those priorities ?

“I think we can possibly talk about how we can improve our community profile, I accept that” he says.

What about restricting community entrance – like chucking out local kids who have come to see LS Lowry’s paintings ?

“I would say `What’s your evidence ? If you pass on to me your evidence I will take it up with the Chief Executive of The Lowry. That should not happen…But what people should realise is the tremendous positive value of The Lowry for Salford. Are you trying to say that our money is not well spent ?”

What about the ticket prices ? The Lowry does give discounts for Salford residents for its fringe stuff – but not for the popular shows and concerts, the prices of which are beyond many average household incomes in the City…

“If you subsidise those ticket prices still further then The Lowry would make an even bigger loss…the whole place would go bust” he argues “I think The Lowry would

The Lowry’s Quays Theatre was chosen as the venue for the world premiere of a major comedy film, Fameless, funded by Charlestown and Kersal NDC and made right in the centre of Salford’s regeneration area, starring many members of the local community. The cast arrived for their big night in a series of limos, dressed in formal evening wear, only to be ushered in via a side door. They were denied access to the main entrance.

“When I arrived at the venue I was really disappointed at the fact that we couldn’t use the front door” recalls Chris Lysaght, star of the film and a pupil at Albion High School “In the limos we all felt like stars, but then when we arrived at The Lowry we were shuffled to the side, which made me feel as though we weren’t as important as we felt.”

THE CASE OF THE GRUFFALO

point to a whole host of things they do in terms of community involvement…and one of the other things we’ve done is to actually subsidise things like the Bolshoi Ballet for people from Salford to attend…I understand there were tickets for the Saturday afternoon…that’s been an additional sponsorship, I think £50,000…but the point we’re making is that it promotes the name of Salford as well…what we’re trying to do is promote the idea of culture in the city and it’s not for posh people.”

“The Lowry is not for posh people’ Cllr John Merry Leader, Salford City Council

Jo, a local mum and her friend, Margaret, wanted to take their sons and a few friends to see The Gruffalo over Easter. They booked two adult tickets and five kids’ tickets.

“The online booking system wasn’t working at all so I had to pay £1.50 per ticket to book over the phone, and even had to pay the fee four times for one family of four ticket, adding £13.50 booking fee to the total bill which was expensive enough to start with” she recalls “It is such a rip off. I asked if I could have a discount as a Salford resident and they said it was only for ‘certain shows’. When I asked what shows, it seemed to boil down to ‘educational activities’ which probably means 10p off a £1 colouring session…

“They even tried to flog me theatre parking at a mere £3.50 per car when everyone knows you can park for free if you buy something from the Shopping Mall. The show only lasted about an hour and cost a fortune. I hate going there…”

20 Salford Star

10 WEEK COURSES WITH SEPTEMBER, JANUARY AND MAY START DATES

grow enjoy heal reflect chill balance write sing create parler francais arrange learn click process design browse laugh digitize sway email listen maintain say ‘Hola’ upgrade present nurture step compose

Salford Sta

21

Salfordians Speak Out… Lesley and Louisa Parr live in a beautiful council flat overlooking the River Irwell in Lower Kersal. They’ve both been in the area virtually all their lives, and now in retirement spend time working on their immaculate garden. The flowers are just coming into bloom. You can hear the birds singing.

“We do like living here” says Louisa …”You get all the Canada Geese and there’s the walks over the old golf links” adds Lesley “It’s got something about it…”

“You’d pay thousands and thousands of pounds for a place like this”

I’m really cut up about having to go…”

Louisa sighs “That’s why

On the Whit Lane Estate in Charlestown a group of neighbours have gathered together on a Sunday afternoon in another smart house, a stones throw away from the Irwell.

“The demolition of the estate is a stupid idea, there’s nothing wrong with these houses at all” argues Christine Chadwick “We don’t want to move.

We like it here. Why don’t they just put some money into the area, do it up and leave us alone ?”

“What they’re trying to do is turn this place into another Salford Quays”

they don’t need scroats like us around because we’ll spoil it.”

adds Caroline Brophy “

…

Further down the Irwell, off Lower Broughton Road, the Riverside Island Tenants Association are having their weekly meeting. “…They’ve cleaned up the River Irwell and strengthened it against flood. And all of a sudden it’s a prime piece of land” the group agrees “They could make a lot of money from putting luxury apartments on here…It’s near to town, the University and Salford Quays…People will pay good money for it…But

expense.

And we’re

Salfordians.

at our

None of these people

Why are we not allowed a river view ? will be Salfordians.

Why can’t they do it for us ?…”

6 Salford Star

SOLD DOWN THE RIVER? The `social cleansing’ of

Salford has begun as some of the city’s most vulnerable people are being turfed out of their houses to make way for luxury flats and high class estates…

Property developers and speculators have realised there’s wads to be made out of the River Irwell – so, if you live near water – watch out !

They’re coming for your home…

Salford Star

23

WE’LL GET The Lower Broughton Experience

By Riverside Island Tenants Association

“They’ve spent millions of pounds from Europe

on this estate (Spike Island, off Lower Broughton Road), doing it up in 7 phases giving us car parks and fences. It’s still not finished. Now they’re talking about knocking the houses down when they get round to it, for riverside development. We think it’s all done and dusted.

We understand that the population has dropped but these new people that have the money to afford a £250,000 house are not going to use our schools, they’re not going to use our Kwik Saves or Salford Shopping Precinct. They won’t do it.

We’ve heard it all before about how all this regeneration will benefit us…The Quays was supposed to be the jewel in the crown...the Council said there would be a domino effect…that the money that comes from the Quays will trickle down to us…but it hasn’t enhanced our lives one bit…none of the locals got jobs from it…The Quays is no good to us, we haven’t even got a bus service that takes us there.

When we first moved here the river had foam floating down it, it was like a pint of Guiness because the factories used to empty everything into it – you were ashamed of taking anyone along it. Now they’ve cleaned it up and strengthened it against flood. And all of a sudden it’s a prime piece of land.

What upsets us is that it’s all at our expense – the people who have stayed here through thick and thin are now surplus to requirements.

We’ve had 400 people at a meeting, we’ve had petitions with loads of signatures saying `leave us alone’…We’ll try our best to keep this community together…and when the time comes we’ll have to act…we’ll get the placards out…We’re going to try and fight this…”

Neither Salford Council nor Countryside Properties denies that Riverside Island is to be demolished.

“We’re going to have to talk about how we deal with that…The Irwell is an incredibly valuable asset to everybody..the problem we have is that if we can build good houses there that attract people to the area, well, there’s more resources coming into Salford as a whole, so let’s strike a balance…”

Cllr John Merry, Leader Salford City Council.

6 Salford Star

THE PLACARDS OUT Central Salford Housing Plan 2004-2006

Overall Vision for Area: “To make Lower Kersal and Charlestown a place where people want to live, by building a community and future that engages everyone…”

Salford City Council

Spends On Housing

Public Sector

£19,887,000

Central Salford URC Draft Vision

Private Sector

Key Site 14: Irwell Riverside Whit Lane Riverside and Lower Kersal Riverside…will position the area as an attractive place for young families…

What

Next Steps…Market test the potential for `executive style’ family housing on the northern riverbank…

“Central Salford is at the heart of the Greater Manchester conurbation and the area is home to Salford Quays and Chapel Street...However areas adjoining these are characterised by older terraced housing and unsustainable communities…”

Making The Future Happen 2004-2006

£34,931,000 Source: Capital Programme 2005/6 (est)

A canal/

riverside

20%

location puts a premium on the value of a property...

British Waterways

NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED – OR WAS IT? The Lower Kersal Experience

By Mike Skeffington, riverside resident.

Moving house can be a difficult time,

even when it is a matter of choice. But when it is compulsory it can even prove traumatic. This is turning out to be the case with the forthcoming redevelopment of Charlestown and Lower Kersal.

Over the past 18 months or so there have been many updates, open forums and information days designed to keep people informed of the progress of the scheme. I live in an avenue designated for demolition and the plans, as set out in 2005 were to proceed in two phases: Phase 1 was the building of houses on the site of the old Kersal High School, off Moor Lane; and Phase 2 was to be houses built on the site of Kersal Way. We were initially assured that we would have a choice of accommodation, both in terms of location and type. This, however is not turning out to be the case.

Locations such as water front and riverside sites are to be given to private developers for the construction of private luxury apartments and houses. This will, of course, put such properties out of the

reach of most existing council tenants who find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to move house. It does mean that huge profits will be made from the sale of land to private developers, and even bigger profits for the developers for sale of these luxury properties in prime sites.

The views will become the preserve of the more affluent members of society Living as I do on an avenue overlooking the River Irwell, I can appreciate more than most the delights of watching geese, swans and ducks descend onto the water.

Across the river is a line of trees and the riverbank is a great walk at any time of year. This, however, will soon be a thing of the past for me and many others when our houses are replaced by the new luxury properties. The views will become the preserve of the more affluent members of society, who will no doubt be more than eager to take advantage of yet another ideal opportunity presented to them by an

accommodating council.

This view might seem a little negative, even pessimistic, but given my experiences in similar situations, events such as open days and other updating strategies are merely smokescreens; PR exercises designed to obscure the fact that decisions had been taken and strategies decided upon far in advance of any public announcements.

I have spoken to many friends and neighbours, most of whom are either confused, upset or quietly angry, but all feel powerless. It would not be an exaggeration to say that people consider this whole situation to be an exercise in `social cleansing’ – moving out council tenants to less favourable localities, in order to sell the land to private developers, thereby making the area seem more `upmarket’.

Local people are not against change per se, they would, however, like to be treated as equals and given choices based on their rights as law abiding tenants - and not on the ability to buy the property in which they would prefer to live.

Salford Star

25

“It would not be an exaggeration to say that people consider this whole situation to be an exercise in `social cleansing’ – moving out council tenants to less favourable localities, in order to sell the land to private developers, thereby making the area seem more `upmarket’.”

Mike Skeffington

“They said they were pulling them down and putting up riverside apartments. We asked if we could move back in and they said no because they were for private buyers.”

Anne Birtwistle

“I think it’s disgraceful. If they’re taking our home why aren’t they building for people whose houses they’ve taken ?

Where are we going to go ? All this has made me ill because I’ve got to lose my home.”

Mary Brown 26 Salford Star

“Most of the people here want to stay. I’ve lived here for 14 years and I don’t think it’s right. All the old people on the estate will have to move.” Stacey Connolly “I don’t think it’s right because people have lived here for years and they are going to have to move from a place that they like. I reckon our houses will come down. Why can’t they all just keep away ? I’m against it and really happy to stay here.”

Emma Spencer

Map and photographs by Steve Mimmack, Mary Mimmack and Steven Speed

Salford Star

27

Lives in L The whit Lane Experience

By Graham Cooper

M

ary has lived in the same house in Pendleton for 47 years and was looking forward to retirement. But two years ago she received an information pack from New Deal for Communities (NDC).

She read through it and discovered that her home and 400 others were earmarked for demolition. It was coming down to make way, in her case, for an access road to what is being called the `Riverside Development’.

The area had been going downhill for several years, due, Mary says, to private landlords. She complained but nothing was done and one by one her friends left the area. A community where everyone knew each other had been torn apart and the houses tinned up.

“These were perfectly good houses” she states “I don’t want to leave here, all my memories are here.”

She’s resigned to going now but where, how and when ?

“I’m living in limbo” she says “I should be enjoying my life but I go to bed thinking about it and wake up thinking about it…”

The only people who win are the property developers...

Mary’s story is becoming widespread as more and more houses in Salford are designated obsolete and being demolished.

But what is replacing them? Between 2003 and 2006, according to a February report to the Strategy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee by Salford Council Leader, John Merry, 987 properties were demolished in Pendleton and Broughton, and the only new houses to go up were in the bijou districts of Chapel Street and Salford Quays (890). That’s after a grant from the Government’s Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme of £48 million! Says it all really. In working class communities we haven’t seen one single new house being built.

Meanwhile, demand for terraced stock, as the only true affordable homes for local people or first time buyers has seen prices rocket. There’s increased demand for council terraces too. In fact, a report by New Prospect in January this year concluded that demand now outstrips supply.

But the future of any council home over 30 years old is in doubt, due to the Decent Homes Standard. The Council states it wants us to have decent homes but then knocks them down instead of doing them up, particularly if they’re in a `strategic location’… …Is it mere coincidence that the majority of housing destined for the chop in the Charlestown/Lower Kersal NDC area is adjoining the River Irwell - Whit Lane Riverside’…`Littleton Road Riverside’… `Lower Kersal Riverside’ ? Houses only 30 years old, demolished to make way for what ?

Affordable homes ?

What’s affordable ? If Urban Splash in Langworthy is anything to go by we’ve had it - two years ago the company’s chairman, Tom Bloxham, said that the upside down houses in Langworthy would sell for “around the £50,000 mark”. When they came on the market it was for double that and they were in the minority. The average prices were well over £120,000. And still they haven’t actually been built.

The official figure for `affordable homes’ is worked out on a 3:1 ratio. The average wage in Salford is around £22,000 so `affordable’ should be around the £66,000 mark. I think it’s fair to say that, even if there’s two people in a family working, with one part time, very few local people are going to be able to afford any of the new houses being built in the city. That’s why the council aren’t giving a figure on `affordability’.

28 Salford Star

Limbo “I was gutted when they told me my house was coming down, I like it here, I like my neighbours and I don’t want to move ” says Angela Moss, who’s lived in Whit Lane for 40 years, and for 12 years in her current flat.

“At the beginning they offered me no council house around here – the only place they offered me was Little Hulton, Ordsall or somewhere else miles away.

“Since then I keep hearing different stories” she adds “One minute the house is coming down, then it’s not, then we’re getting a new house, then we’re not…we don’t know where we stand. I can’t put my daughter’s name down for a school because I don’t know if we’ll get put back in the area or if the school’s coming down.

I’ve seen them knock places down but seen them build nowt. It’s most probably all for yuppies. It’s madness.

“Until I see a house up and they say `that’s your house’…until then I don’t believe anything or trust anyone…”

Everyone’s been waiting to find out what `affordable’ means. We can now reveal that there’s no such thing…

Two years ago urban splash

said the upside down houses in langworthy would sell for “around the £50,000 mark” ”What we’re trying to do is not provide a figure for affordable housing” says John Merry “We want to enable people to buy a house that’s worth more, perhaps, than they have…and what the council will do is provide you with a bridging loan that you don’t have to pay back until you sell or die – which is quite a good deal I would have said…”

So the Council has now become money lenders, dealing in shared equity schemes with relocated owners. The only people who win from this, surely, are the property developers, many who have been financial-

ly assisted in the first place by the Council.

Now they can charge top dollar, knowing that the Council will make up the difference.

Won’t the market price for houses rise even more ? Meanwhile, the Englishman who thinks his home is his castle, only owns half of it and, probably can’t pass it on to his kids unless they pay the Council back.

It’s not all bad news within this regeneration area. Provisions such as the Sports Village, Beacon Centre and Lift Centre will all eventually help redress the balance of inequalities that have existed for years. It’s housing which is the dagger in the heart. `Build more council homes!’ we shout but councils can no longer do that. In many ways it’s not just the Council’s fault, although it takes all the flak. The Council’s constrained by a battery of government, European and even World Bank policies and strategies.

Basically Salford’s being told what to do if it wants money filtering down from all these agencies. Its housing stock is too old... it’s not the right kind of housing…it’s got too many council houses (31%)…So, 7500 homes are being knocked down over the next ten years...Ordsall, Duchy, Whit Lane, Salford Precinct, Higher Broughton, Lower Broughton…for `regeneration’; for `nicer homes’; for `improved neigbourhoods’; for `increased choice’…For who ? Local people?

Not if you live in this brave new land called `Central Salford’, which is an area going from Chapel Street to Salford Quays and incorporating Higher and Lower Broughton, Kersal, Charlestown, Pendleton, Langworthy and Ordsall. We’re “unsustainable communities”. We’re in the way of bright new commuter homes for these new high flying people the council are trying to attract.

Salford Star

29

THE HUMAN C OF CLEARAN

I n the clearance areas there are now two classes of people living side by side – those

ing end of previous demolition projects, and told they were going to the `promised land’ only to find it the complete opposite after years of neglect. Having built up their communities against the odds, neighbourhoods are once more being torn apart. And all that is left is uncertainty.

House owners have been offered a package of financial compensation and bridging loans to buy new properties in the area. They can leave whenever they

Colin `Tiny’ Brown was born and bred in Salford 5 facing the docks, and when his old 2-up 2-down was demolished thirty years ago he was moved onto Whit Lane estate. Two years ago, after health problems, he and his wife Mary were moved from their original Whit Lane home into their current house.

who bought their houses, and those who are renting from the Council.

Council tenants get nothing until there is a compulsory want.

purchase order slapped on their houses.

Then they get a `homeless payment’ of £3800 and a small `disturbance allow-

“When we moved in here no-one said anything about pulling it down” explains

“We’d been in 12 months when we got a letter saying it was coming down – that was four years ago and Christine

I’m sick of living like this.”

we still don’t know where we stand.

Her husband Steve agrees “Three years ago they said we’d be out of here in 18

we still

“We’d been here four days when they told us it ance’ to cover removal costs. They are being told to take their was coming down” he recalls “Since then they’ve been contradicting carpets and curtains with themselves. First they said they were going to build housing association homes them…

months we’re still here and

Council tenants can’t leave their properties yet and don’t know when the compulsory purchase orders will arrive because no-one’s told them. In the meantime

What is also annoying these people is that originally they were prepared to trust the regeneration plans. Caroline Brophy was part of the so-called `People’s Panel’ for new Kersal Heights development. On the site of the old Kersal High School, it provides spectacular views of the River Irwell and across the city.

their lives are on hold and they are marooned in an area with no facilities and no investment because the ball and chain is looming over it…

It’s been four years already…with possibly another

for the people around here and give us similar properties to the ones we’ve got now. Now they’re telling us it’s the private sector that’s buying them. I’ve never had a lot of money in my life and I don’t own

they’ve promised this and promised that…and nothing.”

my property but

“I think it’s disgraceful” says Mary “If they’re taking our home why aren’t they building for people whose houses they’ve

That’s taken. Where are we goa whole childhood. That’s ing to go ? All this has made me a whole retirement age. ill because I’ve got to lose my home.”

two, three or four years to wait.

Understandably, people are

upset and

angry,

frustrated…

Many have already been on the receiv-

It’s a point echoed throughout the neighbourhood by many people. The Chadwick family have lived on the Whit Lane estate for 15 years, and in their current house for five years after their previous home was demolished.

know nothing.”

“I’m angry”

says Michaela Cole has lived on the estate for seven years “I was told that if I move now I won’t get anything.”

“I was completely misled because I believed the site was being built to re-house people from

“I was absolutely gobsmacked when they said that

the clearance areas” she says

only a few were for council tenants. The rest are private. At my age I can’t afford a mortgage. They say they’re building homes for us but when it comes around to it they’re not.

They’re build-

CASUALTIES LEARANCE… ing for outsiders.”

“They’re treating us like second class citizens” she adds “Like we’re not as important as private home owners. As far

it’s like we don’t matter, we don’t

as the Council’s concerned

count…they give us wrong information, they give us false hope…I don’t feel like I’ve been treated as a real person…”

Further down the Irwell in Lower Kersal it’s the same story. Anne Birtwistle believed she was being moved to a new house on Kersal Heights until she found out that there were only five or six houses for social rent.

“I believed in the redevelopment,

I thought it was for us.

Now I think it’s absolute rubbish…It’s like the `haves’ and

the `have nots’” she says “I wanted to go to the new Kersal Heights estate because it was the first one which will be completed, I’m 60, and wanted to enjoy it while I can. Now I’ve been told I can’t go because there’s only a few for rent and I’m in the 2nd phase of development. Yet there’s a guy in the next street who owns his own house and, even though he’s in the 2nd phase too, he can go up there

It’s discrimination.”

.

Anne originally supported the regeneration plans to the extent that she is actually pictured on the front cover of the NDC and Council’s Redevelopment Information Pack being shown where her new house might be.

“They told me I had a choice of three plots” she recalls “They told me it was going to benefit me but it’s not turning out like that because

they’re

moving the goalposts

all the time. Now I’m just disgusted and annoyed. At the end of the day I’ve not asked to be moved – they are moving me and I’ve got to go where they put me if I

I don’t want to go out of the area, I’ve lived here all my life. want new and that’s wrong.

“Our current houses by the River are damp because of the last floods when the water got into the foundations and we’d rather they just did them up” she adds “But they said they were pulling them down and putting up riverside apartments. We asked if we could move back in and they said no because they were for

private buyers.”

A few houses down the road from Anne, Louisa and Lesley Parr actually took a petition around the estate which was signed by most people they approached and, they say, consequently ignored by the Council. Lesley was also on the People’s Panel for the Kersal Heights development.

“A pure waste of my time” he says “We were really misinformed about it, there’s only five or six for social rent, the rest are for people who can buy. The NDC and Council are quite civil and apologetic when they talk to you

that doesn’t wash.

but You can go for one interview and be told something and go to the next one and it’s totally different – I don’t think we can say we know anything hard and fast about all this.”

But it’s the day-to-day problems that

brings on the stress for people having to live their lives under the shadow of the unknown.

“They keep saying `Don’t worry about it’ but this place needs decorating” says Louisa “You can’t leave it another five or six years. My stair carpet is wearing out – what am I supposed to do – trip over it or buy something new ?”

Meanwhile the meetings with the regeneration agencies go on and on. And Lesley isn’t impressed.

“Every time it’s like `Come to the meeting – free tea and coffee…free buffet’…

What do they credit us with ? It’s not a party…”

Louisa isn’t impressed either…

“All we want to know is where we’re going to live, how long it’s going to be and how much it’s going to cost. Even when you’re young all this would be really stressful – at our age we don’t need it.”

80 year old Lesley agrees: “By the time all this comes about I might have a new address anyway…Agecroft Cemetary.”

He laughs. But it really isn’t funny.

It’s tragic.

”For people who are in council property what I want to see happen is that they get suitable council property of their choice …at a rent they can afford. We’re committed to supporting everybody who is already in the area and to provide suitable housing for them – not just doing lots of luxury accommodation.”

Cllr John Merry, Leader Salford Council

`They’re knocking my house down to put a road through it and now they’re shutting my kids’ school…’

REGENERATION…SALFORD STYLE “I

will chain myself to these gates…It will not close down…I’m furious” fumes Paul Williams, a governor of St George’s Primary in Charlestown who has five children at the school and another due to go in September.

St George’s is one of five primary schools facing closure in East Salford, the others being St Paul’s in Neville Road, Kersal; Lower Kersal Primary; Charlestown Primary and North Grecian Street Primary in Broughton. The schools’ fate will be decided in July and the Council will justify its decision by quoting the drop in birth rate, the drop in average numbers of children attending these schools and the percentage of surplus places.

There seems to be a slight discrepancy these justifications

“It’s local, everyone goes to it, everyone seems to like it, so what’s the point of closing it down ? I think it’s to do with the regeneration. There’s a road going through our house and we’ve got to move so this is probably part of it. It’s out of order.”

Chris Doyle, who has two children at St George’s

and the drive to build new family homes, to attract new families into the area and to retain existing families.

There’s talk of amalgamations and new `super schools’.

The national Labour Party had a pledge to reduce class sizes. Salford City Council has a pledge about “investing in young people in Salford” and to “encourage learning”.

“I’m gobsmacked” says Mary Tombling, who’s got two children at St George’s, one due to go in September and another waiting to be born.

“It’s a brilliant school” she adds “We should get a petition up, get everyone to sign it and try to put a stop to this…”

“It should definitely stay open, it’s a very good school. I don’t know why they’re thinking of shutting it down, there’s talk of putting three schools in one. It’s wrong.”

Cherie Fielding, who has two children at St George’s

OFSTED REPORTS ON THE SCHOOLS Charlestown Primary

“a very effective school… overcomes barriers to achievement in its local environment…”

St George’s Primary

“good value for money…in this school every child matters…”

St Paul’s Primary

“good school… pupils achieve well…”

North Grecian Street Primary

“more strengths than weaknesses…”

Lower Kersal Primary

“provides a secure and happy community in which all are included…”

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS…SAVE OUR SCHOOLS…SAVE OUR SCHOOLS...

CLoKwork Orange

The cheapest fruit and

veg delivered to your door free of charge, and only if you live in Salford. Great idea but the word is only just starting to get out.

“Our aim is to provide fresh groceries to the food deserts of Salford where you can go around an estate and you can’t even buy a carrot” says Collette Carroll, of CLoKwork Orange, a not-for-profit food co-op based at CREST in Charlestown.

“We go to market every morning and buy the cheapest fruit and veg we can possibly get because people around here want cheap and cheerful as that’s what their pockets can stand” she adds “We’re knocking out strawberries at 70p at the moment and there’s some fabulous courgettes around.”

You can’t miss the big red CLoKwork Orange van that tours Salford. It deliv-

ers to older people who struggle to get to the shops, to families who haven’t got time to do a proper shop and to anyone else who wants fresh groceries delivered to their door.

“We want to get into supplying a lot more cafes, pubs and businesses” says Collette “We can save them the hassle

of going to market at ridiculous hours of the morning for a very small delivery charge, and we’re very flexible about delivery times.”

For further details on getting CLoKwork Orange deliveries contact the team on 0161 745 7025 or enquiries@crestsalford.co.uk . They are also looking for volunteers to help out over the summer.

SMOOTHIE MOVIE Fimed on location with special fx, cus-

tom made costumes and top drawer camerawork, A Breakfast Carol is the third movie to be made by Lower Kersal Young People’s Group. The film, scripted by 15 year old Michael Dunne, nicks the plot of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol but gives it a top Salford spin to take its anti-hero, Ben Rooge, on a tour of his pie-eating past in an effort to make him change his ways.

After a visit from the Grim Reaper, Ben is buzzed around Lower Kersal by the ghosts of his mum, friend and cousin to check out his fate if he doesn’t get fit and ditch his max fat food diet and lethargy. At each turn the action cuts to real life interviews with healthly living experts, like the sports development guru at Albion High and the Littleton Road Allotments manager, who show how to get a better chance of long life. A Breakfast Carol is getting a message across in a fun easy-access way but films like this are also the training and breeding ground for the

next generation of Salford filmmakers.

“When we made the first film I didn’t really like being in front of the camera so I thought I’d get into the technical side” says 18 year old Stuart Blair “I went to Pendleton College to do Film and Media and now I’ve done all the camerawork on this film which I can put in my portfolio. I’ve got lots of projects lined up and have just got a grant to do my own stop motion film.”

Michael Dunne, who’s three years younger hopes to follow a similar path.

“I’ve got ideas for all sorts of different projects and hopefully I’ll do more” he says “As long as you keep getting ideas popping out of your head you just keep writing…”

For Tommy Lever, Project Manager of Lower Kersal Young People’s Group, the film is another stepping stone to getting even bigger projects off the ground.

“It’s all about what the young people get out of doing it themselves” he says “The skills, the education, the training…”

A Breakfast Carol will shortly be launched at a special presentation and will be available on DVD for schools and groups.

BEACON AWARD FOR

PERFORMING ARTS The Centre of Excellence in Performing Arts has received the prestigious Beacon Award for its practical teaching and learning. The award was presented by John Kerr from The Edge who sponsored the award and many guests including Hazel Blears, Labour MP for Salford attended the presentation that included extracts from ‘The Boyfriend’ production.

Staff and students are rightly proud of the award and their department which has a growing reputation for excellence in the North West and nationally. Last year 9 students were successful in applying to the Conference of Drama Schools Institutions, this year 14 students have already secured places.

HAIR SUCCESS Hairdressing students at Pendleton College are having great fun and success in entering local and regional competitions.

Carla Swarbrick a Level II Hairdressing student who also works part time at Complex hair Salon, was entered for a national competition by her manager who has been very impressed with her work. Using Davinesse products, Carla had to create a number of different hair styles and dressing techniques. She has been successful in gaining a place in the finals which are being held in Glasgow on May 7th.

BE PART OF NEXT YEARS SUCCESS If you would like further information on Pendleton College or would like an application pack please contact the Admissions Team on 0161 278 3325.

ALL ABOARD! Travel and Tourism students have gained a real insight into the job of Cabin Crew Members.

Many students on the course are considering working as a crew member when completing their course and with the help of British Airways were able to see what the job involves.

Students were given a demonstration of the safety procedures, the onboard equipment and were able to use the flight simulator.

ROCK SHOW 2006 Students from bands across the college enjoyed performing in the ‘Rock Show 2006’. The show was led by the Music and Music Technology students who were responsible for arranging the various acts, lighting, sound and production of the event at the Ben Kingsley Theatre.

LEAGUE ACADEMY

Are you a keen Rugby player?

Would you like to receive expert coaching, conditioning and development alongside a sports course leading to nationally recognised qualifications?

Pendleton College has a close working relationship with Super League Club, Salford City Reds and students on the Pendleton Academy Scheme benefit from these links.

WHERE TO EAT IN THE CITY

I magine going to your favourite

granny’s for Sunday dinner. You know it’ll be all home cooked, taste great, there’ll be plenty and you’ll be stuffed when you’ve finished…you get the idea. My dinner with my two children at Punter’s on Cromwell Road was just like that.

Punter’s is child friendly, yet intimate enough for a romantic dinner for two.

They have a `specials’ board and their creamy garlic mushrooms are dynamic, my eight year old son thought so too.

Apparently, the restaurant was one of the first in Salford to be awarded the Roy Castle ‘Clean Air Award’, no smoking allowed. They use local suppliers for their ingredients and some of the visitors to the restaurant have been going there for over 15 years.

(no chips on this menu) with elegant service.

There is a lovely warm feel inside Punters – everybody is smiling, eating and laughing, busy catching up on the day and sharing jokes across tables.

A brasserie style restaurant, Punters mixes good, wholesome eating

Oh I forgot the best bit…it’s ‘Bring Your Own.’

From Tuesday to Friday between 6 and 7pm Punters provide an ‘early evening menu’, and on Tuesday if four of you book only three of you pay.

‘Punters’ 194 Cromwell Road 0161 792 1490 Liz Roney

VENTURE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Detailed below are a couple of vacancies we are currently recruiting for, if you are interested in any of these roles or you would like to know more about other roles we are currently recruiting for then please contact Martina on 0161 932 1141 or email marrtina@venturerm.com

MARKETING COMPANY LOOKING TO RECRUIT A STOCK CONTROLLER, CREDIT CONTROLLER AND AN ADMINISTRATOR Working for a large marketing company based in Salford Quays, The salaries are between £13 to £16k plus bonus. We are looking for people who have previous working experience within these roles. Working hours are 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. FANTASTIC company benefits include 23 days hols plus stats, Pension and health scheme, free on site parking, easy access to public transport, childcare vouchers, and attendance bonus as well as company performance pay.

DEBT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LOOKING TO RECRUIT A SALES ADVISOR AND A BANKING ADVSIOR Working for a great debt Management company based near Salford Quays Sales advisor role – You will need to have previous experience of dealing with people over the telephone as well as closing deals, all new business calls are inbound. NO outbound cold calling involved. Banking Advisor – You will need to have previous customer service experience preferably within an office environment. Hours of work are on a rolling 6 week rota starting from 9am and latest finish 9pm only work 1 Saturday in 6 no Sunday working. GREAT company benefits include 20 days holiday moving up 1 per year to 25, you can also buy and sell your holidays, discounted home insurance, motor insurance and travel insurance, Discount RAC cover, Discount on gym membership, childcare vouchers as well as discount on some high street stores.

Poem by Katie b

Morson International Rail Division (Agy) Require PTS/Lookout/HS/COSS/PC/ES/ Machine+crane Controllers for contracts in the North of England and Wales. Must have own Transport/

Excellent Rates Contact: Rebecca or Ashley

P: 0161 789 1910 F: 0161 789 1912

www.morson.com

International

International

HERE COMES THE PERMISSIVE SOCIETY… They loathe Franz Ferdinand so

much they’ve actually written a song about executing the Glaswegian rock band. The Permissive Society wear their opinions on their songs.

“I just hate the fact that rock is considered amusing…and everything has to be a parody and pastiche…and that it’s all a joke, because it never was” says Permissive’s songwriter and guitarist, Joe Parkinson “Rock music just has to affect people because that’s what rock music does…”

The Permissives play rock that’s organic, shot through with home town Salford but kissing the world. For an idea of the sound, think The Kinks dunked in the Irwell for a few days and left to dry out in Shaun Ryder’s head. It certainly impressed Madonna and Aerosmith svengali, Seymour Stein, who saw the four-piece band at In The City and asked to be kept in touch.

“He was really into it” says Joe “Live, we’re really energetic and challenging because our singer, Sean, is completely nuts.

He likes to break down that divide with the audience. We do get quite a following through our live antics and it’s definitely growing.”

The Permissive’s profile picked up previously when they opened Mick Rock’s photography exhibition at Urbis, and

Photo by Karen Mcbride

became an on-stage fixture for two weeks at Contact Theatre using their songs as a soundtrack for the antiplay, Grace. The band have also packed out smaller Manc venues like Charlie’s, The Roadhouse and Night and Day. Now they are in the studio making demos, some of which are on line at www.myspace.com/thepermissivesociety. Check out tracks called Fighting Crime and On The Mend to hear what the Permissives are all about. It’s rock music that affects.

The Permissive Society play The Rampant Lion, Anson Rd, Manchester on May 18th and 28th. Check www.thepermissivesociety.co.uk for further details.

DIRTY OLD TOWN ? YES PLEASE !

We asked Permissive Society guitarist and songwriter, Joe Parkinson, to write his thoughts on where Salford’s at…

What would you do to regenerate a city? I mean, how would

you start? It’s a tall order and the answers they’re coming up with don’t seem to make sense to me. I think that coming from Salford has influenced me and permeates everything I write because it’s that kind of city.

I don’t think that the Lowry Centre and upside down houses do it justice and it’s going to take more than that to regenerate the place for everybody who lives here. What Salford needs is its pride back and it’s a place people should feel proud of coming from.

‘Why aren’t John Cooper Clarke’s writings on the school syllabus for every child in Salford?’

The arts should play an important part in how the city is perceived and it has already been the subject of numerous films, plays and songs. From Dirty Old Town to A Taste of Honey it has always been a bittersweet area of the north for creative people to try and capture. That is something to be proud of and if people felt that connection it would benefit everybody.

Music more than anything is at its best when the people making it are trying to make sense of their surroundings and document their lives. Strikes and political unrest created punk, Thatcherism created The Smiths and a plethora of eighties bands were spurred on in opposition to the Iron Lady.

The reason I loved Shaun Ryder so much when I was young was because I recognised the images he conjured up from my own life. The first album, Squirrel and G-man was one of the only things that made living in Swinton bearable; he got pissed off waiting for the same taxi firms I did…`Get no taxi, get no Radio Car…’. He proved you could do it, that you could get out there and make a difference. He made me proud to be me.

I am inclined to enjoy something more if it’s about, from or making a difference to Salford. I love watching the Salford Symphony Orchestra, I love John Cooper Clarke whose words echo every experience I had growing up. Why aren’t his writings on the school syllabus for every child in Salford? Local history and culture fascinated me as a child because I was fortunate enough to have my granddad who evoked wonderful

images from the city’s past. That’s what needs to be bestowed upon everyone in every area, a sense of their own history.

I spoke to fellow musician Adam Leishman from a band called Suzuki Method, a Salford-based collective, about the image of Salford and what needs to be done to change and regenerate things.

“I think the whole Salford image is really coming to a head at the moment and needs to be addressed quickly” he said “A lot of bands have proved what a powerful tool music can be in terms of promoting change, and it really has to come from the people of Salford. I mean, the majority of kids in Salford don’t really give a shit about creating or being part of anything challenging musically or artistically, what with `artists’ like 50cent doing the rounds at the minute. I don’t think there’s any sign at the moment of that individuality returning, but it’s sorely needed.”

Recognising and celebrating talent from Salford must be a priority. Mike Leigh, John Cooper Clarke, Albert Finney, Chris Eccleston, Shaun Ryder - the list goes on and every one of them carries a bit of that elusive Salford sprit with them.

It’s not about regenerating a building, turning it into flats, throwing an impenetrable fence around it and attracting people from outside the city to live in a self contained fortress. That creates divisions and problems in communities. Nor is it about how many coffee shops or new shopping centres there can be.

“Happy Mondays…first album, Squirrel and G-man, was one of the only things that made living in Swinton bearable…”

It’s about us regenerating ourselves, our attitudes and being proud that we come from Salford. It’s about fulfilling the future by appreciating the past and the things people have given us to document our times, whether it’s Saturday Night Sunday Morning or The Smiths video, I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish, filmed around the streets of Ordsall. They are our history and we are an artistic city…and we don’t just have the Lowry to tell us that…

Suzuki Method play the Late Room, Peter St on 24th June

The Blueprint Team

BLUEPRINT FOR SALFORD Tim Thomas speaks for loads of people when he says

“Manchester’s lost its grit”. Tim deliberately chose Salford to set up his world class Blueprint Studios – and the music world has come to Salford to get its tracks sorted…

At one point New Order, Badly Drawn Boy, Ian Brown and The Doves wanted access to Blueprint but were denied because Elbow had the place block booked. And then one midnight 50 Cent appeared after a gig at the MEN Arena to clean up some sounds….

We’ve all been in bands and wanted to make somewhere that was a bit inspiring…. somewhere that could attract big names but also be affordable for unsigned talent.”

Eventually Blueprint hopes to become a kind of 21st Century Motown, starting a new label so that bands can get their first rehearsals, demos and releases done under one roof. If Manchester’s lost its grit it’s been found in Salford.

For further details see www.blueprintstudios.com

“I wanted limos and guns but they turned up and had never had tea so we went to Tescos and got them loads of different types – the overall winner was Yorkshire Tea” Tim recalls “Then they fell asleep and left in a Griffin taxi and it was all quite average.

I kept calling him 37p with the exchange rate, and he didn’t shoot me which was pretty good.”

Blueprint is very much a `leave your ego at the door’ place, throbbing with Salford heritage. Located on Queen Street, dating from 1870 and a former mission, Tim and his partners got the place and spent two years re-building the interior themselves to transform it into a state-of-the-art sound palace.

They were still building it while Elbow recorded their third album, Leaders Of The Free World here.

“They were upstairs working on songs while we were downstairs banging away with hammers and nails…at 3pm we’d stop so they could start recording” says Tim .

The whole process was documented by the Soup Collective and appeared on a DVD which accompanied the subsequent Elbow album and boosted the studio’s profile. But while Blueprint’s interior looks the part with fancy furniture and huge Mick Rock photos, the atmosphere comes on like the days before everything `Manchester’ went corporate and creatively bankrupt. It’s no co-incidence that Manc bands with a bit of integrity are now crossing the border into Salford to get a taste.

“We wanted to be out on our own, here, creating our own vibe” says Tim “If a band’s just doing it to be cool or for the money I’m not interested. People who come here want to work.

38

Creative Industry In Salford Salford is becoming a hotbed of creativity, not merely for movies but for everything from radio to radical art.

CRIIS is a network for people working on creative ventures in the area. It also aims to showcase and promote their enterprise; to help with funding, and to train Salfordians for jobs in all fields of the industry.

Q u i c k T i m e ™ T I F F ( L Z W ) a r e n e e d e d

Contact us on: 01204 862998 info@criis.org www.criis.org

t o

a n d a d e c o m p r e s s o r s e e t h i s

p i c t u r e .

THIS IS SOLLYWOOD…

The cast and crew from New Street Law, workers at Web Studios and staff from creative companies now based there.

Carter Hulton recently. What’s going on ? The UK’s largest indie film studio has secretly been springing up in Salford…

Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and top actress Helena Bonham are just some of the big names that have been spotted in Little

Words Stephen Kingston Photos Steven Speed

40 Salford Star

John Thomson’s just finishing his pudding in the canteen, Lisa Faulkner is chatting to someone in the corner and John Hannah is having a dialogue with the director. It’s lunch break during filming for a major BBC drama series called New Street Law and its stars are mingling in the canteen, which sits high above Stage B in one of the three massive silver sheds that make up Web Studios.

Less than three years ago this place was part of a derelict soft drinks factory. And if you’d said it was to going to be home to the biggest film studios outside London people would have thought you were bonkers.

But now celebs from stage, screen and footy pitches are flocking to Little Hulton to be filmed – Ronaldo flew in from Madrid to shoot the new World Cup Coca Cola advert, Helena Bonham Carter was here for eight weeks making The Magnificent 7, Wayne Rooney appeared to film the BBC trailers for the World Cup, and everyone from Chris Bisson to Les Dennis has been floating through recently to guest star in New Street Law. “They all seem happy and realise what we’re trying to do here” says Bob Horsefield, co-owner of the studios “We’re not arty farties with a big management structure or anything. We’re not on the stock market and we’re not owned by any councils or venture capitalists. It’s just me and my partner Ken Sykes who stump up all the cash. We’re electricians who do film lighting – it was just an idea we had and obviously it’s took off.”

“The spin offs are incredible. There’s a proper buzz…”

Bob Horsefield, Web Studios

Bob and Ken have been on the site for nine years, running Web Lighting which does electrics for an array of blockbuster movies. In October 2003 they started planning Web Studios and converted the derelict drinks factory into Stage A, which hosted its first job - Outlaws starring Phil Daniels - the following April. Since then two new huge studios, Stages B and C, have sprung up almost overnight and are fully booked until Christmas. Stage C, which is as big as the James Bond stage and more modern, can’t actually be fully completed, such is the demand for its space.

Web Studios is a huge success but it’s a success that’s taken Little Hulton’s community along with it. Salford’s furthest outpost was almost a ghost town for jobs but the studios are now providing apprenticeships, career opportunities and extra income for people in the area.

“There’s 75 people currently employed on New Street Law plus 80 people a week on average working as background artists all from the area, and that’s just one job alone” says Bob “We’ve doubled the number of our own staff over the last three years too and we’ve taken on three apprentices, all local – one came off the dole, one came through Education to Employment and one started on Work Experience. The local pub, which we call `Stage D’, is doing very well out of us, so is the newsagent. We’ve got people coming in doing reflexology and massages, a mechanic services the cars here and the local taxi firm is making a fortune. The spin offs are incredible. There’s a proper buzz.

“We’ve got a good relationship with the community too” he adds “I try not to do it but end up coming in on Saturdays to give little tours around the studio because we’ve got some impressive sets here. The local video club brought 35 people and a school from the area is bringing some of its pupils as a bit of a treat. There’s a nice feel about the place and we’re still developing because we’re full to bursting point.”

Salford Star

41

42 Salford Star

Web has also already attracted 13 film related businesses which are based permanently on site, all helping each other and housed in a warren of offices built into the studios. These range from caterers to camera, costume and props suppliers, to production and casting companies.

Six months ago these small companies employed around 20 staff, now the figure is hitting 50 and by Christmas it’s projected to rise to over 60. There’s also talk of developing a further 15 acres of the site into a media village to support all the work going on here. Away from the limelight, and off the radar of all the multi-million pound regeneration plans for Central Salford, Little Hulton is being re-born as the epicentre of the city’s new economy.

ing to take on more camera technicians, delivery drivers and admin staff.

“Obviously we can benefit from taking on people who live locally because they are more likely to be available at all hours” says Matthew “It’s unbelievable what Bob and Ken have done here. When we originally came to see them they showed us their vision for the place which we thought was very ambitious but now it’s really starting to happen.”

It’s starting to happen too for Salford based filmmakers who have got facilities on their doorstep that others can only dream about. Simon Powell, of Looking Glass Films, is just

“These are big, big names…all in Little Hulton…”

Sara Satti, Dreamscope Productions

finishing off his second short film, The World According To Liam Lovelle.

“The only thing that is a shame about this success is the lack of support from some officers at the Council, and MPs have been a bit thin on the ground too“ argues Alison Surtees of Creative Industries In Salford (CRIIS), the first company to base itself at the studios after recognising the potential to generate jobs and training for local people.

“Having premises at the studio has been fantastic mainly for networking within the industry” he says “We were the first film company in the UK to use the Alien Revolution, which is a cutting edge state-of-the-art steadicam built by MK-V who are based here, and who have worked on Da Vinci Code and Rocky 6. And without help from Visual Impact we would have had twice the uphill struggle getting our films made.”

“This has been a massive economic development for Little Hulton which has no industry, apart from Tesco in Walkden” she adds “I’d like to see the site link more with what is happening around the regeneration of Central Salford which, we’re told will run on the success of the `creative industries’. What Bob and Ken have done here has been crucial to the interest of the BBC moving to Salford. This is a gem for the city. Not a dream but a reality.”

Meanwhile Darren Hutchinson and Sara Satti of Dreamscope Productions, whose credits include programmes for Granada and footage for the new Robin Hood DVD, insist that while the studios have been great for them, their commitment is also to Salford.

Alison’s points are echoed by every small business that has had a massive boost through being based on the site.

Lemon Casting, which supplies extras, or `supporting artists’, to the industry moved to Web 18 months ago and now has 1800 people from the area on its books who have been employed on everything from the forthcoming World Cup Mars commercial to New Street Law, as well as dramas like Shameless and Vincent.

“Having people who live nearby makes it easy for us, especially when the call-out is 7:15am and they can just fall out of bed” explains Lemon’s Steven McCarthy “We’ve had so much interest that we started running a course on what supporting artists can expect to happen on set. It’s been so popular we’ve now got three running and are starting a new one for children too.”

Matthew Turnbull and Duncan McKendrick, of Visual Impact 24:7 which hires out cameras and broadcast equipment, moved the bulk of their business here last Christmas and have seen turnover increase so fast that they’re look-

“Our editor is from Salford and we want to create more work here” says Sara “We want to be helping towards the success of the studios and the city, otherwise we might as well stick ourselves in some glass tower in Manchester.

We’re in the right place.”

It’s a point echoed by Darren who talks about the contacts they’ve made and the work they’ve got just from being here.

“I mean” adds Sara “Look at the people we’ve had in the studios - we’ve got John Thomson downstairs at moment, and Lisa Faulkner and John Hanna who was in Sliding Doors…I watched the advert being done with Ronaldo… and saw Tim Burton picking up Helena Bonham Cater one afternoon…These are big, big names…all in Little Hulton.”

“Having premises at the studio has been fantastic mainly for networking within the industry” Simon Powell, Salfordian film maker.

Salford Star

43

Happening in Salford PUBS & CLUBS Lower Kersal Social Club Stamford Road Lower Kersal 0161 792 4356 members £1 non members £2.

May Saturday 6 Jeff Spencer/ Paul Stewart Saturday 13 Trisha Bright/ Johnny Corrigan Saturday 20 Paul Hand/ Sheila Scott Saturday 27 Graham Holly/ Jake Stevens (see feature) June Saturday 3 Johnny Driscall/ Sarah Dennis Saturday 10 Jenny Bryce/ Dave Gee Saturday 17 Caroline Lowe/ John Gillan Saturday 24 Danny Wilson/ Mark Burrows The New Oxford Bexley Square Chapel Street 0161 832 7082 Happy hour Mon – Fri 4-8 Boozy Bingo – Thursday nights – win beer instead of prizes

Weekends – Fridays, occasional Saturdays: band/ singer: rock, indie, pop, blues Sundays – open mic slot The Old Pint Pot Adelphi Street Wednesday 10 May 8.00pm Freeflow Live – student rock and pop bands The Old Pint Pot Function Room. Free.

The Dog and Partridge 355 Bolton Road, M6 0161 707 8901 Every Sunday disco/DJ; mixed music from 8pm Every Friday and Saturday live band The Dover Castle 1 Highclere Avenue, M7 0161 792 6941 Quiz night; Thursdays 9.30 Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Karaoke Duke of York 97 Marlbourgh Road, M7 Monday night: darts The Church Inn 1 Ford Street Bexley Square, M3 0161 834 0537 Sunday nights: singer/musician Albert Vaults Chapel Street.

Sunday: band/musician: Irish, Celtic, folk The Black Lion Chapel Street •

1st and 3rd Wednesday of the – karaoke • 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month – Gary Nash • 1st Friday of the month – Big Jim White (Elvis impersonator) • 2nd Friday of the month – month

sounds of the rat pack

• 3rd Friday of the month – Dave Hayes – male vocalist • 4th Friday of the month – Gary Nash – (see feature) • Every Sunday – Donna and Tony – 3-8pm (see feature)

The Kings Arms 11 Bloom St, M3 0161 839 8726 The Hep Cats Hop, Sat 20th May 7.30pm Featuring the Angel Benolo Singers £2.50 Info 07791 258369 The Howff, Sat 27th May 7.30pm

The Kings Arms 11 Bloom St, M3 Cabaret of work in progress in 10 minute bites from songwriters, poets, scriptwriters

acoustic electronic folkadelic sounds

and comics

£4 Door Info: the_howff@yahoo.co.uk Bob Dylan Night, Tue 30th May Kev’s Poker Night – 7:30pm every Tuesday, minimum stakes, tuition available The Willows Willows Rd M5 5FQ Fri 5th May Unbreakable Westlife party hits £5 (£18inc dinner) Sat 6th May Las Vegas Nights decades of hits with 30 costume changes £8 (£23.50) Fri 12th May Pop Goes The 80s Hits of Stock, Aitken and Waterman £5 (£18) Sat 13th May ABBA The Show £9 (£26.95) Fri 19th May Mercury £5 (£18) Recapturing Queen Sat 20th May The Drifters £10 (£26.95) Fri 26th May ABBA Mia £5 (£18) Sat 27th May Soul Brothers Band £8 (£23.50) Thumping live soul with full brass section Further info 0161 736 8541 www.thewillowsonline.co.uk

DANCE, DRAMA, COMEDY AND MUSIC MAY Tue 2 – Sat 6 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Salford Musical Theatre Company Oklahoma!

7.15pm, Sat mat 2.15pm £10 - £14 Tue 2 – Sat 6 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses The story of Britain’s own civil war and eventual salvation, featuring Richard III, Henry VI and Edward IV. Times: Richard III – Tue, Fri & Sat 7.30pm; Henry VI – Wed 7.30pm, Sat 11am; Edward IV – Thu 7.30pm, Sat 3pm Tickets £16 - £20, Mid Week (Wed, Thu & Fri) or Sat Trilogy Tickets (for all 3 shows) £35 Upper Circle, £45 Stalls or Circle 0870 787 5780 www.thelowry.com Tue 2 – Sat 6 May The Lowry, Salford Quays The National Theatre Shell Connections Regional festival of new hour-long plays for and about young people.

Tue – Sat 6.30pm & 8.15pm, Sat mat 4.30pm £3, or two shows for £5 Tue 2 May University of Salford Midday Recitals Peel Hall, Peel Park Campus Chamber music featuring internationally renowned artists - performed every Tuesday during term time 1.00pm - 2.00pm £3.50, £2.50 (concessions)

Fri 5th & Sat 6th May Studio Salford embryo

7:30pm £4 www.studiosalford.com

Mon 8 May St Philip with St Stephen’s Church, St Encombe Place Monday Evening Recitals Robin Dewhurst and friends £3.50, £2.50 concs 7:30pm Mon 8 May The Lowry, Salford Quays No Limits Theatre - Attic Compelling family saga.

8pm £8 & £10 Tue 9 & Thu 11 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Opera North - La rondine (The Swallow) Giacomo Puccini 7.15pm £12.50 - £48.50 Tue 9th May Midday Recitals Peel Hall, Peel Park Campus The Stillman String Quartet, Young Artists in Residence Programme includes music by Rossini and Schubert.

Tue 9th - Sat 13th May STUDIO SALFORD, The Kings Arms 11 Bloom St, M3 Game Of Two Halves by Mike Heath (see feature) 8pm £6.50 / £4 (All £4 Tue 9th) 0161 834 3896 www.studiosalford.com

Fri 12 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Sue Perkins The Sue of Mel & Sue, in her first onewoman show.

8pm £12 Sat 13 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Opera North Arms and the Cow 7.15pm £12.50 - £48.50 Sat 13 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Guy Pratt - My Bass & Other Animals Legendary bassist 8pm £10 Sat 13 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Shack plus Special Guests LIMITED AVAILABILITY 8pm £15 Sat 13 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Vincent Dance Theatre Fairy Tale movement, puppetry and music. Most suitable for ages 6-8.

11am & 2pm Adults £7, Children £5 Sun 14 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Handsome Family chilling rural tales and exhilarating harmonies from the back woods of quirky

Albuquerque.

8pm £14

Sun 14 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Dylan Moran 7.30pm £17

Wed 10 May Queer up North Festival STUDIO SALFORD, The Kings Arms Compagnie Pal Frenak Sexy continental contemporary dance double bill.

Contains full frontal nudity 8pm £12 & £15

Mon 15 – Sat 20 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Almeida Theatre Festen At a birthday celebration a dark family secret is revealed…

7.30pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm £16 - £22 Audio Described Performance Wed 17 May

Wednesday 10 May Salford University Brass Band & Adelphi Brass Band Peel Hall, Peel Park Campus 1pm free

Tue 16th - Fri 19th May STUDIO SALFORD, The Kings Arms Silent Joys and Broken Toys Drag trio sing The Shangri-Las. 8pm £6.50 / £4 (All £4 Tue 16th) 0161 834 3896

Wednesday 10 May Mayor of Salford ‘ s Charity Music Night Swinton Park Golf Club, East Lancashire Road, Swinton Salford University Big Band perform repertoire from the 1940’s to the present day.

7pm Ticket enquiries 0161 295 5675 or 295 6108. (Food included) Wed 10 & Fri 12 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Opera North The Marriage of Figaro 7.15pm £12.50 - £48.50 Audio Described Performance Wed 10 May. Thu 11 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Tommy Emmanuel 8pm £15

Tue 16 - Sat 20 May Walkden Methodist Community Hall, Memorial Road M28 Nobody ‘ s Perfect New comedy from The Edgefold Players: Leonard has had several novels rejected from a women’s publisher because he’s a man.

He subsequently gets a deal under a woman’s pen name but the publishers request an interview with her…

7:30pm 0161 702 8708 £5.00 adult £4.00

children

Tue 16 – Sat 20 May The Lowry, Salford Quays The Watermill Theatre Tartuffe

By Molière. Translated by Ranjit Bolt.

7pm except Wed 7.30pm, Wed mat 1.30pm, Sat mat 3pm £12 - £17.50

What would you do…If ?

The changing community of Salford is the focus of a new exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. We look at the international input of local primary schools...

C

COSTA DEL SALFORD

ars, fountains and ‘fantastic schools’ are some of the images on a set of postcards promoting the wonders of Salford - as seen through the eyes of Year 5 children from Marlborough Road Primary School.

It may not be the Spanish Riviera, but Salford has a lot to shout about according to these kids, whose work is being shown as part of What would you do...If ? The exhibition features the work of different artists, asylum and refugee groups as well as the local primary school.

Artist Sam Ingleson and her partner Jo Clements, of Salford based group Artists and Education, helped the kids make flags representing all the school’s different nationalities, as well as postcards, t-shirts and badges.

The pupils also made craft items from jewellery boxes to pencil cases – but the most revealing project is the set of colourful cards that show what they think of their home city.

“Salford is good because they have really interesting schools” says Princess Adegbite “My last school was in Africa and a lot

of children did not have enough money to go, but here everyone has the opportunity to have a good education. I have been here 4 years and I really enjoy it.”

Other top traits of Salford according to 10 year olds Farah Manam, Raffia Raja and Jelani D’Aguilar include the clothes shops and holiday play schemes.

“I like living in Salford” Princess concludes “people are happy here and I think it’s a really good place to go for a holiday.”

Jo Kingston

PUPPETS ON THE PULSE Wild fire recently roared through Salford as animals of all

shapes and sizes ran for safety and the imagination of Salford school kids was let loose.

Bulgarian theatre company, Waggish Radish, worked with year 5 pupils from North Grecian Street Community Primary School and Brentnall Primary School, making puppets from a variety of cultures. The work is now on display at a new exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, ‘What would you do…If?’, exploring the issues around immigration and changing communities.

Arriving in Salford from Bulgaria 15 months ago, the now Buxton-based theatre group have been using puppetry on the theme of ‘running from danger and seeking shelter’. After the pupils got stuck in drawing pictures of characters or imaginary friends, materials were explored in order to make a variety of

puppets, from table top to glove puppets which are popular in Europe. Todor Nikolov, of Waggish Radish, was excited by how inspired the protégés were…“There were a lot of different powerful animals – and a selection of dragons and superheroes”.

Meanwhile, his company will be working with Salford secondary schools in a further series of puppetry workshops, and the performances will be part of the free event, ‘A Small World In Salford’, on 25th June. The event will also involve music and dance performances from international artists living in Salford.

Alison Cain What would you do...If? runs at Salford Museum and Art Gallery until 19th November.

For more information ring 0161 778 0800.

Thu 18 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Page to Stage Workshop Watermill actors take you from page to stage

4.15pm – 5.15pm £3 Quays Theatre Thur 18 to Sat 20 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Our Little Night Music The Studio A showcase of some of the finest musicals, including Lion King, Les Miserables, The Full Monty, Rent and Little Shop of Horrors! £8.00 Thurs, £10.00 Fri and Sat 7:30pm Sun 21 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Sonia Sabri Red North Indian classical Kathak style dance. £10, Under 16s £5 7pm Sun 21 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Mark Steel Subversive wit. £12 & £14 8pm Tue 23 May The Lowry, Salford Quays The Dance Consortium Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker Hot Brazilian dance company. £16 - £20 8pm Tues 23rd – Sat 6th May Studio Salford & cul-de-sac theatre The Kings Arms The Balachites by Stanley Eveling 11 Bloom St, M3 £6.50/£4 Tues 23rd all £4 8pm www.studiosalford.com

Tue 23 – Sat 27 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Twelfth Night All-male production of Shakespeare’s comedy, performed in Russian.

7pm, Sat mat 2pm £14 - £20 Thu 25 & Fri 26 May The Lowry, Salford Quays The Australian Dollar – Boom-BangaBillabong Aussie Pop Tarts in a double tribute with Eurovision hits and stomach churning dance routines.

7.45pm £5 - £10 Fri 26 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Paul Merton’s Impro Chums With Jim Sweeney, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Suki Webster 7.30pm £17.50 Sat 27 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Will Smith - Misplaced Childhood Adults only 8pm £10 Sat 27 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Sing-a-long-a Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 2pm £12.50, Under 16s £8.50 Sat 27 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Sing-a-long-a Sound Of Music 7.15pm £14

Sun 28 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Obelon Arts The Singing Storycloth Spinning, sewing and weaving songs, puppets and swathes of cloth are utilised in inventive ways to bring The Singing Storycloth to life. Most suitable for ages 4-9.

11am & 1pm Adults £7, Children £5 Mon 29 May – Sat 3 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Strangers On A Train Thriller starring Alex Ferns, Will Thorp, Anita Harris, Colin Baker and Leah Bracknell.

7.30pm, Thu mat 2.30pm £14.50 - £20 Tue 30 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Nerina Pallot 8pm £11 Tue 30 May – Sat 3 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Stuart Little Tue 1pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 1pm & 4pm, Thu 10.30am £10 - £16.50 Family Tickets £32 - £58 Wed 31 May – Sat 3 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Black Box What if a Black Box could contain all your innermost secrets?

Eves 7.45pm £7 Fri 2 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Dr Bunhead’s Recipes For Disaster From Brainiac and Blue Peter, the insane Doctor brings science to life 2pm & 7pm Adults £12, Children £10 Family Tickets £40

Sun 28 May The Lowry, Salford Quays Soweto Gospel Choir – Blessed 7.30pm £15.50 - £22.50

Sat 3 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Madame Galina 8pm £10 Sun 4 June The Lowry, Salford Quays The Ken Dodd Happiness Show 7pm £17.50 Sun 4 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Nirupama-Rajendra Ojas – The Rare Brilliance Dance duo from Bangalore 7pm £12, Under 16s £6 Sun 4 June Swinton Masonic Hall, Hospital Road, Pendlebury West Yorkshire Police Band Concert police band in aid of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Research Equipment Fund.

0161 793 7527 7:30pm £5.00 Mon 5 – Sat 10 June The Lowry, Salford Quays The Safari Party – A Comedy in Three Courses

By Tim Firth.

Dark northern comedy about how car boot bargains become exclusive antiques.

8pm, Wed & Sat mats 2pm £14 - £20 Signed Performance 7 June /Audio Described Performance 10 June Tue 6 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Phoenix Dance Theatre Stories in Red 7.30pm £11.50 - £17.50

BLING KNIGHTS AND BLUE DUCKS… I

f the Wombles had a museum this stuff would surely be there – discarded bottle tops…broken dolls…a shattered blue plastic duck.

Things that the everyday folk leave behind. For artist, Louise O’Neill, collecting debris from derelict sites is a labour of love. She photographs and catalogues everything, marks down the exact location where it was found…then puts it all back where she found it, complete with a label of its details.

“It’s about questioning the value we put on museum exhibits” Louise explains Unfortunately, the duck will be back on his Salford site and won’t be making it to this year’s Degree Show, when Louise and all graduating artists from the BA (Hons) Visual Arts course at University of Salford display their work. The Show is free, open to everyone and has an informal vibe that sets it apart from the usual snooty attitude of art gallery exhibitions. It’s well worth going to see the future art stars emerging from the city.

As well as Louise’s archaeological art, highlights also include James Buckley’s Bling Knight, which looks at the role English culture has played in contemp fashion, Lesley Wright’s massive 60s record label paintings, Tom Williams’ installation play on graffiti art and Cheryl Beswick’s tactile textile trips.

The Degree Show opens with a preview on Fri 8th June 6pm and continues for two days Sat 9th and Sun 10th June 10am-4pm at the Irwell Valley Campus, Blandford Road, Salford

GREAT JAKE J

ake Stevens is a local lad, born in Langworthy, and has crooned his way around the North West for last eight years. But he reckons Salford audiences are the best.

“They are really up for it and I always get a fantastic response” he says.

He considers Robbie Williams style to be his forte and considers his key to success is to be able to give a superb performance and entertain a crowd, not just be able to sing like an angel and rock like a god!

Jake can deliver everything from Al Jolson to pop and he does it because he loves it.

“Nothing makes me feel more alive than doing what I want and being who I want to be on stage” he says “It’s such a buzz when I know the audience is with me and singing along.”

Further down the line Jake hopes to be a recording artist but in the meantime watch out for Jake’s Kate Bush number when he appears at Lower Kersal Social Club on May 27th Liz Roney

Fri 9 & Sat 10 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Pramface Comic satire on social racism and celebrity fixation.

8pm £5 - £10

Wed 21 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Al Murray - And Another Thing 7.30pm £18.50 Wed 21 – Sat 24 June The Lowry, Salford Quays

Fri 30 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band 8pm £15

Sat 10 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Elmer the Elephant 11am & 1pm Adults £7, Children £5 Sun 11 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Dominic Kirwan 8pm £16

Old Times

By Harold Pinter.

8pm, Sat mat 3pm £12 – 16 Signed Performance 22 June. Audio Described Performance 24 June

EXHIBITIONS, TALKS AND FAMILY EVENTS

Sun 11 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Dara O’Briain 7.30pm £15.50 & £17.50 Mon 12 June The Lowry, Salford Quays An Evening with Blowers Henry ‘Blowers’ Blofeld - familiar voice of Test Match Special 8pm £14.50 Mon 12 – Sat 17 June The Lowry, Salford Quays La Cuadra de Sevilla Carmina Burana Flamenco, guitars and Andalusian stallions 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm £22 - £32 Wed 14 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Verve 2006 Northern School of Contemporary Dance Tour 8pm £6 - £8 Thu 15 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Shopping for Shoes

By Tim Crouch Tale of passion and fashion, hearts and soles.

2pm & 7pm £8 Thu 15 – Sat 17 June The Reduced Shakespeare Company Completely Hollywood (Abridged) 8pm, Sat mat 3pm £12 - £16 Sun 18 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Priyadarashini Govind Nritya Sandhya – An Evening of Dance South Indian dance 7pm £12, Under 16s £6

Fri 23 June – Sat 22 July The Lady Boys of Bangkok - Full Moon Party Tour 2006 7pm & 9.15pm Suns 5pm & 7.30pm Sun – Thu £17, Fri & Sat £19 Sunday 25 June Peel Building, University of Salford, Crescent Salford Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Barrie McKinnon, led by John Henderson and featuring Britten ‘ s Soiree Musicale, Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, Borodin’s Polovetsian Dances, and Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance and Adagio from Spartacus.

0161 737 4126 7:30pm £6.00, £5.00 concs Sun 25 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Justin Moorhouse - The Difficult Second Tour!

8pm £12 Sun 25 June The Lowry, Salford Quays The Gardener Play for young children 5-7.

11am & 1pm Adults £7, Children £5 Tue 27 June The Lowry, Salford Quays An Evening with Rabbi Lionel Blue 8pm £14.50 Wed 28 June The Lowry, Salford Quays We’ll Meet Again A light-hearted look at wartime Britain.

2.30pm £10 Thu 29 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Frances Black 8pm £13.50

Graham Finlayson: Simply Black and White.

The Lowry, Salford Quays until 16 Jul Finlayson was involved throughout the 1960s in radically changing press photography. This exhibition shows over 80 photographs spanning his black and white works from the

1950s to the 1970s includManchester Guardian.

ing photos from the

0161 876 2037

Oh WOT A Lovely War? Exhibition The Lowry, Salford Quays until 7 May This accompanying exhibition of video, pho-

tography and model work reflects the crea-

tive process involved in creating Oh, What A Lovely War, the community production about the War on Terror. 0161 876 2037

A Day in the Sun: Outdoor Pursuits in the Art of the 1930s The Lowry, Salford Quays until 25 Jun Paintings, travel posters and photos depicting the pursuit of leisure and pleasurein the

30s. 0161 876 2037

Morrissey and The Smiths Special Salford Lads’ Club – Coronation Street, Ordsall M5 3RX (Just off Regent Road) May 6/7/8 – club open for visitors.

June 16/17/18/ and 24/25 (see feature) Special Exhibition: The Smiths is Dead Iconic images from the Dirty Old Town.

Free 12-4pm www.salfordladsclub.org.uk Howard Silverman: Flood The Lowry, Salford Quays 15 May – 16 July Flood takes its inspiration from Salford’s industrial past of commercial waterways and paper manufacturing.

For the first (15 – 26 May) Bristol-based artist, Howard Silverman, will be on The Deck flooding it with a river of corrugated paper. 0161 876 2037 two weeks of the exhibition

Paintingish: Tim Dunbar UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD ARTS UNIT The Chapman Gallery, Chapman Building, Peel Park Campus until 19 May Mon - Fri 12.00 - 6.00pm An exhibition about painting, but not an exhibition of paintings. An extended study of the ways in which we make paintings, both as painters and as viewers

Free

FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT THE LOWRY SALFORD QUAYS, 0161 876 237 Make Your Own Art Playhouse 11am – 12.30pm every Saturday £1.50 The Studio Performing Arts Playhouse 11am – 12.30pm every Saturday £1.50 The Studio Mon 1 & 29 May Bank Holiday Fun Design colourful posters inspired by the A Day in the Sun exhibition in the Galleries.

Drop in 12pm – 3pm Free Fri 5 May Under 5s First Steps Fun introduction to dance for toddlers.

10am – 10.45am & 11am – 11.45am £1.50 Family Fun Day: Tudor Crafts Ordsall Hall Museum Ordsall Lane, M5 3AN Sun 7 May Learn how the Tudors lived and try your hand at Tudor crafts. Drop in activity.

1.00 - 4.00pm free 0161 872 0251 HOPE FESTIVAL Sunday 21 May 10.00am - 5.00pm Antenatal Clinic (Entrance 2/orange area), Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford M6 A mind, body and spirit awareness event, to raise funds for improving the antenatal facilities at

Hope Hospital. Check reiki,

tarot readings, psychic artists and facials, and workshops on pilates and numerology.

Also, jewellery, card and CD stalls, and an

hourly raffle.

£2.00, including raffle ticket Tel: Pam Comerford 0161 206 5764

A Royal Appointment Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Tues 23 May 2.00pm Talk on the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Salford in 1851.

Booking required call 0161 778 0820. Free Dancin’ All Nite Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Until 25th May Foot-stomping, hip-shaking celebration of the Northern Soul scene and Wigan Casino heydays (see feature).

Free 0161 778 0800 Museum Tour Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Thur 25 May 2.00pm Guided tour of the Victorian Gallery and Lark Hill Place.

Booking required call 0161 778 0821 Free Student Artlab The Chapman Gallery Peel Park Campus University of Salford Wed 25th May – Fri 9th June Prints, photos, paintings and drawings by emerging talent on the BA (Hons) Visual Arts programme Open Mon –Fri 12 – 6pm Free www.arts.salford.ac.uk Free Family Sunday The Lowry, Salford Quays Sun 28 May The last Sunday of every month sees fun art and drama activities inspired by current exhibitions.

Drop in 11am – 3pm Free

Lancashire Woodcarvers Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Sun 28 May 1.30 - 4.30pm Watch as the Lancashire Woodcarvers demonstrate their craft. Free drop in activity.

Whit Holiday activities: The Tudor Games Ordsall Hall Museum Ordsall Lane, M5 3AN Mon 29 May 10.00am - 4.00pm Fun and games the Tudor way. Free drop in activity 0161 872 0251 Whit Holiday Activities: Spring Crafts Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Tues 30 May 2.00 - 4.00pm Make your own decorative window box to take home. Free drop in activity.

Drama Zone – Small Places The Lowry, Salford Quays Tue 30 May – Thu 1 June Creating new worlds, from playing fun games to listening to music

2pm – 3.30pm £1.50

Tue 30 May – Fri 2 June The Lowry, Salford Quays Art Zone – Making Shapes Transform simple pieces of cardboard into fantastic shapes and sculptures

11am – 12.30pm £1.50

Whit Holiday activities: Hobby Horses Ordsall Hall Museum Ordsall Lane, M5 3AN Wed 31 May 1.00 - 3.00pm Make your own toy hobby horse just like the ones Tudor children used to play with.

Free drop in activity Whit Holiday Activities: Fun with Fabrics Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Thur 1 June 2.00 - 4.00pm Use different types of fabric to make a colourful collage. Free drop in activity.

Family Fun Day: Summer Crafts Ordsall Hall Museum Ordsall Lane, M5 3AN Sun 4 June 1.00 - 4.00pm Free fun-packed craft session.

Visual Arts Degree Show 2006 Irwell Valley Campus Studios University of Salford Blandford Rd Fri 9th – Mon 12th June (preview Thurs 8th June 6pm) Showcase of student graduate work from this year’s BA in Visual Arts (see feature) Free - for opening hours check www.arts. salford.ac.uk or phone 0161 295 5223 Secrets of the Hall Ordsall Hall Museum Ordsall Lane, M5 3AN Mon 19 and Fri 23 June 3.00 - 4.00pm A guided tour around Ordsall Hall, including the East Wing. Free drop in activity.

Secrets of Salford Museum Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Tues 20 June 2.00pm Guide to the history of Salford Museum and a tour of the building.

Booking required - call 0161 778 0820 Free

The Den! Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Sat 24 June to Sun 1 October Interactive exhibition about homes, dens and shelters in Salford and the world. Explore the homes that children in Salford live in, and play in different homes and dens from around the world including a tepee and a

tree house, and create your very own den for the day.

Free

MAPAS World Performing Arts: Africa Day Swinton High School Sat 24 June 9.30am - 3.30pm Designed to give an experience of African culture to children aged 8 - 12 through music, dance and drama. There will be an informal ‘sharing performance’ at the end of the day to celebrate.

Tel: 0161 778 0256 £6.00 The Terrible Tudor Tent Ordsall Hall Museum Ordsall Lane, M5 3AN Sat 24 June to Sun 1 October Explore, discover and play in a Tudor tent inside Ordsall Hall Capture your own prisoners, dine with the prince and princess, and create your own spells to ward off the

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & SPORTS EVENTS SALFORD CITY REDS The Willows 0161 736 6564 www.reds.co.uk Home Fixtures: Fri May 5th v Wakefield Wildcats 8pm Fri 19th May v Wigan Warriors 8pm (Challenge Cup Round 5) Mon 29th May v Harlequins (tbc) Fri June 16th v Leeds Rhinos 8pm Fri 30th v Bradford Bulls 8pm SWINTON LIONS Park Lane 0161 794 6190 www.swintonlionrlc.co.uk Home Fixtures: Sun 21st May v Dewsbury 3pm Sun 4th June v Hunslet 3pm Sun 11th June v Celtic Crusaders Sun 25th June v Workington 3pm BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK Sat 6 May 2.00 - 4.00pm Earthwatchers: Recycled Creative Creations

Turning unwanted junk found in the park into imaginative, interesting things. This event is suitable for families with children

6 & 12.

Ordsall ghost. Free

aged between

Small World in Salford Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Sun 25 June 1.30 - 4.30pm A unique event with music, film and photog-

Sun 7 May Two Cities Boat Race Salford Quays Tel: 0161 848 8601 www.visitsalford.info/events Salford v Manchester University boat

raphy from international artists living in

Salford. Music workshops, African cosRussian puppets and more! Free

tumes,

For the Love of Wood Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Until Fri 30 June The work of the Lancashire and Cheshire Wood Carvers, including miniature bone carvings and chainsaw sculptures. Free Mills and Looms Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Until Sun 27 August A major interactive exhibition looking at the textile industry in Salford. Free What Would You Do If ... ?

Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, The Crescent M5 4WU Until Thurs19 November Interactive exhibition about uncertainty, fear and hope, created by Northwest artists and local people (see article) Free

battle

WORSLEY WOODS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE Meet outside Beesley Green Community Centre, off Greenleach Lane Tues 9 May and Sat 10 June 10.00am 12.30pm Conservation Morning An opportunity to get out, get fit and get involved in the local environment. Free Tel: Jo 0161 607 1759 CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK Sat 13 May 1.30 - 3.30pm Kingfisher Kids: Bluebells are Blue Bluebell hunting and discovery of the beautiful wildflower for families with children

aged 6-12. To book phone Clifton Visitor Centre 0161 793 4219.

BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK Sat 13 May 2.00 - 4.00pm Art Club Meets every month to paint seasonal watercolours of the park and its surroundings.

SMITHS SPECIAL at the Lads Club

This year is special for fans of Morrissey

and The Smiths. Its exactly 20 years since the band posed outside Salford Lads’ Club and the photograph was used on the inside cover of The Queen is Dead.

Since then thousands of fans from all over the world have stood on the same step to have their photographs taken.

In 2004 the club opened a special room for fans to visit or send their pictures to, and it has become amazingly popular. The room and club is open for visitors May 6/7/8 during the weekend when Morrissey plays concerts in Manchester.

This is followed by two weekends June 16/17/18 and June 24/25 as part of the national programme of Architecture Week Events with a special exhibition: The Smiths is Dead - Iconic images from the Dirty Old Town featuring local places made famous by film and music.

Free 12-4pm each day Salford Lads’ Club – Coronation Street, Ordsall M5 3RX (Just off Regent Road) www.salfordladsclub.org.uk Liz Roney

28 Salford Star

FLASH NASH AT THE BLACK LI

ON

Welcome to the world of Gary

Nash. For 30 years Gary, a regular face at the Black Lion, has been crooning the circuits of the pubs and clubs in Manchester and Salford and has gained himself a loyal band of followers. With smooth chocolaty vocals giving a rendition of soul clas sics, or belting out Motown, Gary has the ability to cheer anyone up.

So if you’ve had a rotten day or hav e got caught in torrential summer rain ,

just get yourself to the Black Lion , sit yourself down, have a few bee rs, relax, and before you know it you ’ll be boogying round your table to ‘I Believe In Miracles’ without a care in the world.

Chill with Gary on the fourth Frid ay or the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at the Black Lion, Chapel Street Claire Berry

FREE N EASY TOTAL KARAOKE Ever wanted to be a star ?

If so Donna and Tony’s free and easy Sunday sing-a-long will be right up your street. This is more than just karaoke. They will play whatever song you desire, support you with the backing vocals and tune their keyboard into whatever unique key you sing in – this is karaoke come alive!

Anyone from amateur to professional can get up, so whatever your musical taste, be it blasting out Metalica or Sinatra

HERITAGE WALK: Monton Green to Barton Wed 17 May 7.00pm Meet at the shelter on Monton Green, Monton, M30 Exercise body and mind, and discover the hidden history of the city following the

Bridgewater Canal to Barton and back.

Approx 3 miles. £2.00 adults, children free Tel: Ann Monaghan 0161 778 0881 (office hours) SALFORD QUAYS STROLL Fri 19 May 2.00 - 4.00pm Salford Tourist Information Centre A guided walk around Salford Quays, learning something of the history, people and architecture of the area. £5.00 adult, £3.00 concs Tel: David Benson 0161 485 4020 BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK Sun 21 May 10.00am - 1.00pm Walk in the Woods Walk in the Woods month celebrated with a ranger-led walk around Blackleach and then Howclough Woods learning about the variety of trees living in the park.

May African Festival UK Cup Sun 21 May 1-6pm Salford Sports Village, Littleton Road, Lower Kersal,Salford.M7 3AP Annual 6 A Side Adult Football Comp. info@africanfestivaluk.org 0161 273 2567 / 07761 854479 / 07715 853975 Fri 26 to Mon 29 May French Market Salford Quays Tel: 0161 848 8601 www.visitsalford.info/events Stock up on baguettes, brie and Beaujolais and celebrate the 40th anniversary of towntwinning between Salford and ClermontFerrand. Free

CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK Sun 28 May 2.00 - 3.30pm What’s that Tree?

Tree spotting with the rangers.

KERSAL DALE LOCAL NATURE RESERVE Meet outside Garden Needs, Radford Street, off Bury New Road Sun 28 May 10.00am - 12:30pm Action Day - Himalayan Balsam Control Friends of Kersal Dale tackle this invasive species. Equipment provided.

Tel: Jo 0161 607 1759 BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK Weds 31 May and 28 June 7.00 - 9.00pm Boat Club Regular monthly meeting of the Blackleach Model Boat Club. New members welcome.

Sailings most Sundays.

CLIFF CLUBS – MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY Football.community@manutd.co.uk Tel: 0161 708 9451 Cliff Training Ground, Salford 1 & 2 June, 10.00am to 3.00pm £20 full 2 day course. £12 single day Tuition from qualified FA coaches in dribbling, heading, turning, shooting, passing and ball control. Fun games, skill based and Penalty competitions mini-soccer matches and more. Boys and Girls age 6 – 14 welcome. Each child will receive a special Manchester United certificate.

Goalkeeper Courses - 1 June £8.00 • 8 – 11 years 10.00am – midday • 12 – 16 years 1.00 – 3.00pm BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK Sat 3 June 2.00 - 4.00pm Earthwatchers: Interesting Insects Discovering some of the many tiny creatures that live at Blackleach and help them out by building them a nice home. Suitable for families with children aged 6 - 12.

songs, learn your lyrics and get down to this unique showcase.

There’s a buzzing atmosphere and a lot of smiling faces, a rarity to find on a Sunday afternoon/evening. So get yer glad rags on and croon to yer heart’s content.

Every Sunday 3.30pm onwards at the Black Lion, Chapel Street Claire Berry VICTORIA PARK Manchester Road, Swinton, M27 Sat 3 June 11.00am - 4.00pm Super Sports Saturday Footy comps, sports displays and coaching.

Suitable for over 8’ s.

Sun 4 June 2.00pm Sun Band Concert - Greater Manchester Police Band opens the concert season.

Fit City Irlam Sun 4 June On Your Bike!

Bike rides exploring the city via quiet roads, lanes and cycle paths organised by Salford Community Leisure, Health Improvement Team and Cycling Project.

25 places per ride so book early and bring your own bike. Rides begin at 10.30am and last for 1 hour. Tel: Paul Finch 0161 603 4295/Amy Morris 0161 873 7538 St Ann ‘ s Hospice Salford Bike Ride Sunday 4 June Buile Hill High School, Eccles Old Road, Salford M6 Two sponsored bike rides in aid of St Ann’s Hospice - 20 miles or 40 miles. Anyone over 14 can join in. Price: £10.00 including tshirt and refreshments

Tel: Margaret Beck 07870581092 BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK Saturday 10 June 2.00 - 4.00pm Art Club The Blackleach Art Club meet every month to paint seasonal watercolours of the park and its surrounding countryside.

Saturday 17 June 1.30 - 3.30pm Kingfisher Kids: Wildlife Gardening Join the Rangers and discover how to garden for wildlife. For families with children aged 6 - 12. Bookable - phone Clifton Visitor Centre on 0161 793 4219.

Action Day - Woodland Wildflower Planting Saturday 24 June 10.00am - 12:30pm Kersal Dale Conservation Action Day and celebrate the Tree Councils Walk in the Woods Month.

Equipment and refreshments will be provided. Tel: Jo 0161 607 1759

WALKING FOR ALL AROUND SALFORD Tel: Jo Bennett, Health Walks Co-ordinator for further details and an information pack.

0161 873 7538 / 07731 957 883

jo.bennett@salford.gov.uk

MONDAYS Irlam Moss 10.00 - 11.00am (1hour), meet at 9.45am at various places Details: 0161 873 7538 Weaste 12.00 - 12.45pm (45min) Contact Peterloo Court for info 0161 736 6446.

TUESDAYS Buile Hill Park 10.00 - 10.45am (45min) Meet at: 9.45am at the front of The Old Lancashire Mining Museum, Buile Hill Park.

Langworthy Cornerstone 10.30 – 11.30am (1hour) Meet at: 9.45am in the café.

Ordsall 10.00 – 11am (1 hour) Meet at: 9.45am at the front of the Community Café, Tatton St Little Hulton 10.00 –11am (1 hour) Meet at: 9.45am at St Pauls Peel Parish Hall, Little Hulton THURSDAYS Clifton Country Park 10.15 - 11.15am (1hour) Meet at: 10.10am at the Visitors Centre Blackleach Country Park 10.00 - 11.00am (1hour) Meet at: 9.45am at the Visitors Centre Lower Kersal 11.00 – 12.00am (1 hour) Meet at: 10.45am at St Sebastians Community Centre More info contact Tom Snape: 0161 743 0088 Higher Broughton 1.00pm –2.00pm (45min1hour) Meet at: 12.45am at Higher Broughton Health Centre, FRIDAYS Worsley 10.00 - 11.00am (1hour) Meet at: 9.45am at Worsley Court House, Barton Rd

Salford Star

48

Dancin’ All Nite

Music craze, Northern Soul, emerged from the influ-

ence of America’s leading teen export, Motown, and clubs such as the Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino hosted ‘All Nighters’ that flourished in the midst of 60s youth culture.

Although the scene gradually burnt out in the late seventies, Northern Soul left its indelible imprint on the city’s musical history; a legacy which Salford is currently celebrating with its Dancin’ All Nite retrospective.

Exhibiting an array of related memorabilia, from photographs and clothing to records and flyers, Dancin’ All Nite offers a revealing glimpse into Northern Soul’s vibrant music and heady club culture. With contributions from the scene’s figurehead Russ Winstanley and new works by local artist David Barrow, the exhibition also offers a modern twist on a riotous past.

Dancin’ All Night at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery until 25th May Daniel Culpan

SUNDAYS Eccles 10.00 – 11.00am (1 hour) Meet 9.45am at Morrisons Eccles / Patricroft

MOTHER AND BABY / TODDLERS Parent & Toddler Groups North Grecian Street Parent & Toddler Group North Grecian Street Primary School Tel: 0161 792 4598 Tuesday mornings 9:15 – 11:00 am Carer & Toddler Group North Salford Youth Centre, Devonshire Street Tel: 0161 792 5429 Wednesday 9:15 – 11:15 am The Grosvenor Centre Clarence Street Broughton, Tel: 0161 832 2548 Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 – 11 am The Cathedral School of St Peter & St John RC Primary Mount Street Tel: 0161 834 4150 Tuesday 9:30 – 11:30 am St Paul’s Church Moor Lane Tel: 0161 708 9083 Friday 9:30am – 12pm Lower Kersal Activity Centre North Allerton Road Tel: 0161 792 2046 Tuesday 9:30 – 11:30 am Tiger Club St George’s Church & Family Centre Douglas Green Tel: 0161 736 4151 Tuesday & Thursday 9:15 – 11:15 am Men Behaving Dadly The Angel Centre St Philips Place, off Chapel Street Tel: 0161 833 0495 Sundays 10am – 1 pm

Splash & Play at Local Baths Contact Louise at Belvedere Early Years Centre Tel: 0161 737 3171 Play and Stay Session at Belvedere Early Years Centre in the community wing Wednesdays 12:30 – 2:30 pm contact Louise at Belvedere Early Years Centre Tel: 0161 737 3171 Young Mums & Dads Group At Belvedere Early Years Centre Community Wing Fridays 12:30 – 2:30 pm contact Louise at Belvedere Early Years Centre Tel: 0161 737 3171.

Little Nippers Charlestown Primary School Lissadel Street Tuesday & Wednesdays 9:00 – 11:00 am Toy Libraries Story Sacks, Educational Loan Box’s and Music Box’s Bradshaw Early Years Centre Devonshire Street Tel: 0161 792 3271 Wednesday 1:30 – 2:30 pm Thursday 9:30 – 10:30 am Broughton Play Development Project Broughton Surestart Shop Bury New Road Tel: 0161 708 9475/ 9474 Belvedere Early Years Centre Off Belvedere Road Pendleton Tel: 0161 737 3171 Breast Feeding Support Come along for a drink and a chat to any of the following support groups: Breastfeeding Support Drop-In Monday 10:00 am – 12 noon Langworthy Cornerstone, Breastfeeding Specialist available to offer practical help and support.

LangworthyCornerstone Wednesday 12:30 – 2:30 pm 451 Liverpool Street Helpline: 07742 179299

Broughton For details about Breastfeeding Groups in Broughton please ring: Helpline 07767 474221 Little Hulton Monday 1:30 – 3:00 pm Baby Capers, Sure Start Shop 26 Little Hulton District Centre Helpline: 07979 748108 Boothstown Friday 1:30 – 2:30 pm Standfield Community Centre 0161 212 5300 (Health Visitors) Helpline: 07979 748108 Ordsall Tuesday 11:00 am – 12 noon Community Cafe, Tatton Street Helpline: 07768 508461 Swinton Tuesday 10:30am – 11:30 am The Scout Hall (behind the Folly) Lyton Road (off Station Road) Helpline: 07800 959152 Winton Wednesday 1:00pm – 2:00pm Winton Library, Worsley Road Helpline: 07776 185272 Irlam Monday 1:30 – 2:30 pm St Mary’s Church Hall Penry Avenue, Cadishead (behind Automech) Helpline: 07766 114821 Kersal 1st Thursday every month 11:30 am – 1:00 pm St Georges Church and Family Centre Langley Road Helpline: 07984 700166

TALKS AND LOCAL GROUPS Wed 3 May 4.30pm A talk on contemporary History and Politics

by Tim Richter, University of Manchester.

Salford University, Rayleigh Room, Faraday House. Free. All Welcome

Mon 8 May 10.15am Swinton and Pendlebury Local History Society, Pendlebury Methodist Church, Bolton Road, Pendlebury M27 Tel: John Cook 0161 736 6191 The History of the Order of St John Talk by Ian Tootell £1.00 Wed 10 May 7.30pm Eccles and District History Society, Alexander House, Liverpool Road, M30 Tel: Andrew Cross 0161 788 7263 Local Participation in the Spanish Civil War Illustrated talk by Chris Carson £2 Wed 10 May 2.00pm Walkden Local History Group, The Guild Hall, Guild Avenue, Walkden M28 Tel: Ann Monaghan 0161 778 0881 A Salford Slideshow Talk by Tony Frankland £1 Thurs 11 May Jacqueline Iddon - Pots of Interest Winton Flower Club £3 Parish Hall, St James Hope, Eccles Old Road, Salford M30 www.winton-flowers.fsnet.co.uk Wed 17 May 7.45pm Boothstown and District Local History Group, Boothstown Community Centre, Stansfield Drive, Boothstown M28 Tel: Ann Monaghan 0161 778 0881 The Hultons of Hulton Illustrated talk by Maureen Gilbertson £1.50 Sat 20th May Old Fire Station Salford University Adult Learners Awards 11.00am.

A city-wide presentation event to recognise achievements of learners

May 25th 9am-4pm, Community Chest Funding Community Chest Funding Surgery at NDC Office, Cromwell Road. All Welcome Fri 26 May - Special guest Anne Hamilton Jersey Fri 30 June - Arthur McDonald - Gallmaufrom fry

Salford Floral Art Society Methodist Church, King Street, Irlams o ‘ th ‘ Height, M6 www.sfas.colsal.org.uk £4.00

28 Salford Star

Ball Skills I n the new comedy A Game Of Two

Halves, Pete (played by Dan Atkinson) creates a whole fantasy world about his personal life, joining in with the lads’ banter on boobs and bums in the office coffee room and sharing the painful grief of losing his beloved dead wife. Except he’s secretly gay.

He has to do this to ward of the inevitable enquiries by Tom (Neil Bell) about why he’s not been copping off with the lovely ladies in the office, who seem to be getting along with him very well indeed.

Playwright, Mike Heath, explores the tentative relationships between gay and Sat 27 and Sun 28 May Hot Bed Press: Screenprint using photostencils

1st floor, The Casket Works, Cow Lane, Salford M5 Brand new weekend courses to try screenprinting.

For further details Tel: 0161 743 3111 www.hotbedpress.org Wed 31 May 7.30 - 9.00pm Salford Local History Society, Salford Museum and Art Gallery Tel: Roy Bullock 0161 736 7306 Tokens, Badges and Medallions of Bolton Illustrated talk by Cliff Stockton £1.00 Thurs 1st June 11am-4pm Broughton in Bloom, Nazarene Church, Camp Street, Salford Tel: 0161 792 1579 Free Email: matthew@salfordnazarenechurch. co.uk

straight men in the land of suits - not only are there the usual difficulties you may expect - the prejudice, jibes and alienation but bizarrely, as Mike states, if you’re not as camp as Christmas people don’t believe you.

So during office hours Pete continues digging himself into a deep burrow of lies, but how will they play at a footy match ?

A Game of Two Halves at

RELIGIOUS/ CHURCH EVENTS Sat 1 May 10.30am-3.30pm Praying with Icons Katherine House,26 Singleton Rd, Salford.

M7 4W Led by Revd David Sutton. Bring packed lunch.

Contact Teresa White 0161 708 9744 khousefcj@hotmail.com Sat 6-Sun 7th May The Big Deal Weekend Tel: 0161 946 2300 Alan Saunders Big Deal Coordinator Community Action and BBQs Space Concert in Buille Hill Park. Free Wed 10 May 7.30-9.30pm Jewish Life Katherine House, 26 Singleton Road, Salford. M7 4W An evening with David Arnold £5 Contact Teresa White 0161 708 9744 khousefcj@hotmail.com Sat 10 June 7.30pm Choral & Organ Concert St Paul’s Church, Moor Lane, Kersal. M7 0QA Mixed items for choir and organ. Solos by Bolton Chamber Choir and Organist £3.00 Contact: Lisa Batty 0161 792 5362

Thurs 8 June - Ken Watson - California Here I Come Winton Flower Club Parish Hall, St James Hope, Eccles Old Road, Salford M30 www.winton-flowers.fsnet.co.uk: £3.00

COURSES

Wed 28 June 7.30pm Salford Local History Society, Salford Museum and Art Gallery Tel: Roy Bullock 0161 736 7306 Victorian Gallery and Lark Hill Place Guided Tour Talk and tour by Helen Connelly £1.00 GATEWAY CLUB, St Paul’s Community Centre, Walkden 0161 728 3246 Every Fri from 7.00pm Gateway Club is a social club for adults with learning disabilities. Wide range of activities including table tennis, dominoes, snooker, darts, table football

salford

Claire Berry

Mon 5 June 10.15am Swinton and Pendlebury Local History Society, Pendlebury Methodist Church, Bolton Road, Pendlebury M27 Tel: John Cook 0161 736 6191 Bradshaw ‘ s Railway Timetable Talk by Cyril Bowker £1

Sat 24 and Sunday 25 June Hot Bed Press: Introduction to bookbinding 1st floor, The Casket Works, Cow Lane, Salford M5 New weekend course – for details ring 0161 743 3111 www.hotbedpress.org

studio

The Angel Healthy Living Centre St Philips Place, Salford M3 8FA salfordangel@btconnetct.com Monday Yoga 1pm – 3pm; Pottery 10.30 –12.30 Wednesday Computers 1pm-3pm; Tai Chi 2pm –4pm; Cookery 5.30 pm – 8.30pm Thursday Watercolours 10am –12pm; Relaxation class 1pm 3pm; Samba drumming 7– 9.30pm Friday Yoga 1pm –3pm Broughton Database Broughton Recreation Centre, Camp Street, Salford 0161 708 9971 Computer courses and ECDL certificates Most courses free Monday 10am-12.30pm Drop In; Afternoons/ Evenings-classes Tuesday 10am-12.30pm Drop In; 1.30-4pm & 5pm-8pm Drop In Wednesday Morning classes; 1.30-4pm & 5pm-8pm Drop In Thursday 10am-12.30pm Drop In; 1.30-4pm&5pm-8pm Drop In

Friday 10am-12pm Adult Literacy& Numeracy Drop In support.

Saturday 10am-12.30pm Drop In The Broughton Trust Clowes House, 319 Bury New Road, Salford, M7 2YN 0161 708 0116 http://www.thebroughtontrust.org.uk (Outreach Centre – 20 Mocha Parade, Lower Broughton, Salford, M7 2QE 0161 835 4005) Various courses Monday Literacy 9.30am- 11.30am, (Outreach Centre); Numeracy 12.30pm-2.30pm, (Outreach Centre) Tuesday HealthCare L1 12.30-2.30pm Wednesday Numeracy 9.30am-12pm (Outreach Centre - Creche); Literacy One to One (10-12pm Clowes House) Friday Craft 9.30am-12.30pm (Clowes House); French 9.30am-11.30am (Outreach Centre) Lower Kersal Centre Northallerton Road, Lower Kersal, Salford, M7 3TP 0161 792 2046 Various courses Free - Creche available Monday English 10am-12.pm; Computers 10am-12pm; Maths 12.30pm-3pm Arts & Crafts 1pm-3pm; Computers1pm-3pm Tuesday Maths 10am-12pm; English 1-3pm Wednesday Spanish 10-12pm; Art 1-3pm Thursday ECL 9.30am-12pm; Criminology 9.3011.30am; ESOL 10amFriday English 9.30am-12pm St George’s Family Centre Douglas Green, Salford, M6 6SF 0161 736 4151 Photography, Mondays 10am – 12pm. Free Langworthy Cornerstone 451 Liverpool Street, Salford, M6 5QQ 0161 212 4400 langworthy@salford.pct.nhs.uk 10 week courses / free IT Suite available Wednesday 6.00 – 9.00pm Garden Design; Friday 1.00pm – 3.00pm Art and Design

Salford Women’s Centre Halton Bank, Langworthy Road, Salford, M6 7AB 0161 736 3844 LEA Funded Monday Post natal group 10am-12pm Tuesday Counselling 10am-12pm; Cookery 1.30pm3.30pm Wednesday Creative Writing 10-12pm; Writing group 1-3pm Thursday Art/Drawing 1pm-3pm North Salford Youth Centre Devonshire Street, Salford 0161 792 5426 Free Monday 10am – 12pm – Sewing for Orthodox Jewish Women Tuesday 10am – 12pm – Asian Women’s sewing Marlborough Road Primary School 0161 742 9507 Saturday 9am – 11am and 11am – 1pm – Asian Women’s Sewing Bethel Community College Hamilton Hall, Tetlow Lane, Salford, M7 4BU various ESOL courses available, contact Rev Raymond 0161 492 0240 17/18 May Hackers, Crackers, eFraud and Forensics University of Salford £500 - £650 MJ O Hara, Lecturer, IS Institute, University of Salford, M5 4WT 2 day hands on training event for those with an interest in computer system abuse, fraud and forensics.

COMCP – COMPUTER AND IT SKILLS COURSE C.R.E.S.T. COMMUNITY CENTRE 3 – 5 Concord Place, Charlestown, Salford, M6 6SJ www.comcp.co.uk 0161 737 7066 Free informal IT skills courses – an ideal way of building essential skills and gaining confidence.

Suite of 7 computers with

internet connections.

Tuesday Digital Photography 10:30-12:30 Thusday Basic Computing 10.30 – 12.30

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