Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD COUNCIL GIVES PEEL GROUP OVER £1MILLION PER MONTH

added 31 October 2013

Star date: 30th October 2013

PEEL CASHES IN ON PUBLIC MONEY AT MEDIACITYUK, PORT SALFORD AND MORE… ALMOST £13MILLION!

Analysis of the very latest Salford Council expenditure shows that the Peel Group is raking in over £1million per month in public money that's being sucked up by its MediaCityUK and Port Salford projects, plus others. Even the Peel company that is trying to build on green space land in Salford trousered over £500,000 of Council money.

Despite gobbling up almost £13million of public money in Salford alone over the last twelve months, Peel's ultimate controlling company, Tokenhouse Ltd, is based in the tax haven of the Isle of Man.

SALFORD MAYOR CRANES DEMOLITION BACKLASH CONTINUES

added 30 October 2013

Star date: 29th October 2013

IAN STEWART'S INCREDIBLE TEARS FOR THE CRANES

"Please do not question the council's commitment to Salford's heritage"

As the Salford Quays cargo cranes were being trashed over the weekend, Salford City Mayor, in response to the anger felt by many residents, put up a letter on his website setting out his reasons for signing their death warrant.

Here the Salford Star picks through his warblings with a few facts that residents ought to know. The main graphic for this article was posted on the Save Our Cranes Facebook group last night, as the backlash continues.

SALFORD MAYOR FACES QUAYS CRANES BACKLASH

added 29 October 2013

Star date: 28th October 2013

MAYOR STEWART HITS OUT AT SALFORD STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN QUAYS CRANES DEBACLE

Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart, incredibly called journalism students at the University of Salford `amateurs' and `playing at journalism' on Twitter after they dared to criticise the demolition of the Salford Quays cargo cranes at the weekend.

Hundreds of negative comments about Stewart and the crane demolition were posted on websites, Twitter and Salford Facebook forums, as the Mayor was forced to make a statement on his official site.

HORROR AT SALFORD DELI LAMA CAFE

added 28 October 2013

HALLOWEEN HORROR FOR KIDS AND ADULTS AT DELI LAMA

Spooky Lama for Little Devils (kids)
5pm-6:30pm £5
Hammer Horror Lama (adults)
7:30pm (for 8:15pm screening) £5
Thursday 31st October

Lots of Halloween horror, and little horrors, at the Deli-Lama cafe on the corner of Bexley Square this week with a double scary bill of family freakiness. First up is the Spooky Lama for kids with Halloween crafts and a ghoulish buffet for kids. And at 7:30pm, adults can choose their own horror film, complete with free hot dog, popcorn and soft drink.

SALFORD SHOPPING CENTRE SPOOKED OUT

added 27 October 2013

PUMPKIN TROUBLE ON PRECINCT

Spooks At Salford
Monday 28th October
Wednesday 30th October
12-4pm free

Two free family Halloween events for kids are happening on Salford Precinct this week, with a pumpkin carving workshop on Monday and a scary, hairy, live pumpkin on the loose on Wednesday.

SALFORD QUAYS CRANES £100,000 EXECUTION AS HERITAGE TRASHED

added 27 October 2013

THE END OF THE SALFORD CARGO CRANES

Yesterday the Salford Quays cargo cranes were finally trashed, after a six month fight to preserve them. The demolition, costing "up to £100,000", signed off by Salford Mayor Ian Stewart, lasted 24 hours and was complete by first light this morning.

Here the Salford Star reports from the Docks with loads of photos of the final execution. Not for the squeamish.

Full details click here

added 27 October 2013

SALFORD CITY EARLY HALLOWEEN MATCH

AMMIES IN HORROR LAND

Salford City 2 Wakefield 3

A horror first half put paid to Salford City ending a dismal run that seen them lose ten of the last eleven matches, as woeful Wakefield managed a smash and grab victory at Moor Lane.

SALFORD QUAYS CRANES DISGRACE AS £MILLIONS SQUANDERED

added 27 October 2013

Star date: 25th October 2013

ALMOST £6MILLION SQUANDERED ON MEDIACITYUK `HERITAGE' AND `COMMUNITY' PROJECTS… YET CRANES TO BE DEMOLISHED ON QUAYS CULTURE DAY

There's been almost £6million worth of public funding for `heritage' and `community' projects around Salford Quays and MediaCityUK, yet this weekend the Salford Quays cranes, the most iconic heritage items in the area, are being demolished by Salford Council on the authority of Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart.

Incredibly the demolition starts on Quays Culture Open Day – could they be any more hard faced and insulting to Salford people?

HORROR BEDROOM TAX SALFORD FIGURES FROM CITY WEST HOUSING

added 25 October 2013

Star date: 24th October 2013

RENT ARREARS DOUBLE SINCE BEDROOM TAX INTRODUCED

March Against the Bedroom Tax with Pots and Pans
Saturday 26th October
12.30 Cathedral Gardens, Manchester

New figures by City West Housing show that rent arrears have more than doubled since the Bedroom Tax was introduced in April – jumping from 34% of tenants in arrears to 74%.

There are now 1,242 City West tenants owing a total of over £400,000, the report states, as another march against the Bedroom Tax takes place this weekend.

NIGEL PIVARO SAYS STOP THE SALFORD CRANES DEMOLITION

added 24 October 2013

Star date: 23rd October 2013

SAVE SALFORD QUAYS CRANES!

`This is cultural and historic vandalism'

This weekend, the iconic blue cargo cranes at Salford Quays are set to be demolished by Salford Council, their death warrant signed by City Mayor, Ian Stewart.

Here, Nigel Pivaro, former Coronation Street star, freelance journalist for the Sunday and Daily Mirror and Catholic Herald, and regular Salford Star contributor, tells Stewart "to think again about the cranes demolition, even at one minute to midnight. Do you really want this destruction to be the legacy of your leadership?"

SALFORD MAYOR TO SCRAP TOP COUNCIL MANAGEMENT

added 23 October 2013

Star date: 22nd October 2013

£10,000 CONSULTANTS TELL MAYOR TO LOSE CHIEF EXEC POST

Depending on who you believe, Salford Council Chief Executive Barbara Spicer and Strategic Director, Martin Vickers, either quit or got disposed of by City Mayor Ian Stewart. Now, after a £10,000 consultants report, Stewart has decided not to replace them, and to instead appoint a £70,000 (!) Council Manager.

GEORGE TAPP HIT AND RUN CASE GOES TO CROWN COURT

added 22 October 2013

Star date: 21st October 2013

MANCHESTER MAN CHARGED WITH HIT AND RUN HORROR PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Michael Collins, charged with `dangerous driving', after mowing down Salford pensioners' rights and trade union campaigner George Tapp during a protest outside the BAM Construction site, pleaded not guilty at Manchester Magistrates Court today. The case will now go for a committal hearing at the Crown Court on 27th January.

More details here…

added 21 October 2013

SALFORD STAR TWO THOUSAND ONLINE ARTICLES

Star date: 21st October 2013

WELCOME TO 2,000 ONLINE SALFORD STAR ARTICLES

Today sees two thousand online articles on the Salford Star website, dating back to January 2009. Since those early pre-Twitter, barely post-Facebook days, the Star readership has grown from around 4,000 per month to 32,000 readers last month.

When the Salford Star first appeared online, there was a campaign to get the magazine back into print. That campaign is still ongoing.

SALFORD COUNCIL SET TO FLOG CONTROVERSIAL ST GEORGES PLAYING FIELD

added 21 October 2013

Star date: 20th October 2013

CONTROVERSIAL SCHOOL SHEEP PLAYING FIELD TO BE SOLD

Salford Council is preparing to flog off the playing field of St George's RC High School in Little Hulton to developers. The controversial school playing field was centre stage in 2008 as St George's was fighting for its future, when it was revealed in the Salford Star that Salford Council had actually rented it out to a sheep farmer.

SALFORD FRACKING AREA SEES SINISTER POLICE PRESENCE

added 20 October 2013

Star date: 20th October 2013

BARTON MOSS BIRD WATCHING EVENT CANCELLED AS POLICE GET INVOLVED…BUT FRIENDS OF THE EARTH EVENT ON ECCLES MARKET GOES AHEAD

"The police should be there to protect us not to stop us doing our democratic and legal duty to raise issues that are important and threats to the community" MFOE

Today should have seen a family bird watching day at Barton Moss, with treasure hunts for the kids, crane spotting and a special bird watch race. But on Saturday morning Greater Manchester Police `warned off' the organisers, believing there was going to be anti-fracking activities, and the event was cancelled.

Meanwhile, on Eccles Market, Manchester Friends of the Earth set up a stall urging Salford people to send postcards to Mayor Ian Stewart stating `Fracking is a dirty word'…campaigners criticised the police for its actions.

SALFORD CITY GROUNDHOG DAY

added 20 October 2013

Star date: 19th October 2013

GALLANT AMMIES UNDONE BY WIRES

Salford City 1 Warrington Town 2

It's getting to be Groundhog Day watching Salford City these days with yet another 2-1 scoreline, the fourth in a row, and the third that has gone against the tangerine army. Despite a gallant effort, the Ammies couldn't overcome their visitors who are sitting third in the league.

SALFORD QUAYS CRANES TO BE DEMOLISHED NEXT WEEK

added 19 October 2013

Star date: 18th October 2013

ONE OF SALFORD'S LAST LANDMARKS TO BE TRASHED – IAN STEWART'S LEGACY

The iconic blue cargo cranes at Salford Quays are to be demolished next week, in what many people will see as the final betrayal of Salford's heritage.

Despite attempts by the community to list the iconic cranes and to get them re-defined as assets of community value, and despite offers by companies to help restore them, Salford Mayor Ian Stewart signed their death warrant and now the cranes are set to be replaced by a £150,000 phone app which will, er, show where they once were.

NHS FUNDING CHANGES WILL HIT THE DEPRIVED NORTH

added 18 October 2013

Star date: 17th October 2013

SALFORD GAINS 1.9% HAMPSHIRE GAINS ALMOST 14%!

The ConDem Government is proposing a new funding formula for the NHS which, health experts claim, "could widen the North-South health divide by reducing NHS services in the North".

The Government is aiming to take out the current `deprivation' weighting and give more emphasis to age, which benefits wealthier areas. Salford gets a 1.9% increase, while South Eastern Hampshire is set for an increase in funding of almost 14%. Manchester is the biggest loser with some areas getting cuts of up to 8% of current funding.

PEEL HOLDINGS SLAMMED IN SALFORD BBC MEDIACITYUK REPORT

added 17 October 2013

Star date: 16th October 2013

MPS SLATE PEEL AND LACK OF JOBS AT BBC MEDIACITYUK

"We saw how people can ﬁddle the ﬁgures on who is local and who is not" Meg Hillier MP

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has slammed Peel Holdings over its studio monopoly at MediaCityUK and its offshore tax status in its latest report, while questioning job and economic benefits that were supposed to be created with the BBC move to Salford.

GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY SALARIES EYE POPPER

added 16 October 2013

Star date: 16th October 2013

AGMA, GMCA AND THE FIVE STAFF EARNING OVER £100,000

Few people have heard of GMCA, or Greater Manchester Combined Authority. But the organisation which `co-ordinates' economic development, regeneration and transport for Salford and the other nine Greater Manchester districts has 71 staff earning over £50,000 and five staff earning over £100,000 according to its new accounts. And then there's AGMA. Confused? You will be…

SALFORD COUNCIL BRANDED HEADLESS CHICKENS BY DISABLED CHILDREN PARENTS

added 16 October 2013

Star date: 14th October 2013

NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT AS SALFORD COUNCIL JUGGLES WITH THE FUTURE OF THE GRANGE

Save The Grange campaigners turned up at the Salford Civic Centre this morning to lobby Mayor Ian Stewart, expecting him to make a decision on the future of The Grange as a short term respite centre for children with disabilities…only to be told that The Grange was not on any agenda.

As the Council acknowledges a massive list of problems with its own proposals to put 14 year olds in with adults, parent David Thornley says "They're running round like headless chickens because they've got no solution".

UNITE THE UNION INEOS DISPUTE COMES TO BASF SALFORD

added 14 October 2013

Star date: 14th October 2013

`NATION'S FUEL SUPPLY AT RISK' AS BASF SALFORD TARGETED FOR UNITE PROTEST

This morning members of Unite the Union were protesting outside BASF chemical plant in Pendlebury, to highlight the company's links with another chemical company, INEOS Grangemouth.

Unite is in dispute with INEOS over, what it calls the `victimisation' of one of its shop stewards, Stevie Deans. Unite is also accusing the billionaire owner of INEOS, Jim Ratcliffe, of planning a `war' to try and break the union, which will impact Britain's energy supplies.

KERSAL MOOR MAGIC GREETS THE AUTUMN

added 14 October 2013

Star date: 14th October 2013

MOOR MAGIC IN SALFORD

The dank autumnal weather couldn't stop magic happening on Kersal Moor yesterday, as fairies, monsters and wizards cavorted to the haunting sounds of Besses Brass Band.

Full details and photos here…

added 14 October 2013

PLUCKY SALFORD LOSE AT LANCASTER

Star date: 12th October 2013

AMMIES AGONY AS LANCASTER SNEAK THE WIN

Lancaster City 2 Salford City 1

Following the 2-1 home win against Bamber Bridge in midweek, Salford just failed to march up the league table as Lancaster sneaked victory after the visitors had completely dominated the first half and should have been out of sight by the interval.

THE BOOK OF AGECROFT COLLIERY SALFORD

added 12 October 2013

Star date: 12th October 2013

THE LAST PIT IN THE VALLEY BY PAUL KELLY

The Last Pit In The Valley
Paul Kelly
Unity Publishing Project free

This has been the year of commemorating Agecroft Colliery. We've had a new memorial on Agecroft Road, the recent exhibition at St Augustine's Church. Now get the book by ex-Agecroft miner, Paul Kelly.

It's packed with everything you need to know about Salford's incredible mining history and loads of anecdotes and asides, from Eric Morecambe working here, to the original of expressions like `shut yer trap'…

Full review here…

added 12 October 2013

SALFORD COUNCIL TO SPEND £184,000 ON THREE TREES AND TARMAC FOR ARTISAN HOTEL

Star date: 10th October 2013

FORMER BROWN BROTHERS BUILDING TARRED WITH CONTROVERSY – AGAIN!

Salford Council is about to spend over £184,000 tarting up the outside of a soon to open hotel created by developers Artisan at the site of the former Brown Brothers Building, off Chapel Street. For £184,000 the `public realm improvements' include three trees, a new sign, some tarmac and paving. Artisan has contributed just £18,400 towards the cost.

It's not the first time this site has been tarred with controversy – by now the building should have been a `hub' creating 200 jobs. Whatever happened? Stars MP Hazel Blears, police commissioner Tony Lloyd, Manchester councillor Chris Paul, Salford's own John Merry and the £1.7million European Social Fund grant that went west…

SALFORD MAYOR TELLS STAFF TO THINK THE UNTHINKABLE

added 10 October 2013

Star date: 9th October 2013

SALFORD MAYOR MISSIVE STATES SOME COUNCIL SERVICES WILL DISAPPEAR

In light of horrific ConDem Government cuts of around £75million over the next three years, Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart has sent out a missive to staff telling them that some Council services will "disappear altogether" and that "we must think the unthinkable".

To help the Mayor, the Salford Star has put together some ideas and is inviting our readers to do the same.

SALFORD QUAYS CRANES TO BE REPLACED WITH £150,000 PHONE APP

added 09 October 2013

Star date: 8th October 2013

A Salford Star Exclusive

CARGO CRANES TO BE DEMOLISHED AND COMMEMORATED ON £150,000 MOBILE PHONE APP

"It's absolutely ridiculous, if there's money available for a mobile phone app then there's money available to restore the cranes" Salford Quays Heritage and Nature Group

The blue cargo cranes on Salford Quays, which many Salford people want to see restored and saved, will be demolished and remembered on a mobile phone app costing around £150,000 to develop. Part of the money is being taken direct from the original budget which was ring fenced to restore the cranes.

DAILY MAIL BURNED AT SALFORD AND MANCHESTER PROTEST

added 08 October 2013

Star date: 7th October 2013

THE DAILY MAIL HATES BRITAIN – AND SALFORD!

"The reason why I'm here burning the Daily Mail is simple - it's poison" Aslan AK

As the Daily Mail was burned by Salford rapper Aslan AK in St Ann's Square yesterday, well over one hundred people joined the almost spontaneous protest organised by Manchester People's Assembly, many carrying home made placards saying why `the Daily Mail hates me'

Amongst those present was Salford councillor John Warmisham, who told the Salford Star that he hates the paper for the way "it's vilified the Council, the people I represent, and the people I work with…"

Full details and more photos here…

added 07 October 2013

MAGIC ON SALFORD KERSAL MOOR

KERSAL MOOR DAY OF MAGIC AND ENCHANTMENT

Magic On The Moor
Sunday 13th October 1-4pm
Kersal Moor

Kersal Moor has seen Chartist demonstrations, horse racing, hangings and the unworldly brilliant football of Salford City FC but it's never seen anything like Magic On The Moor – a day of enchantment where kids and adults are urged to dress as their favourite fantasy figure.

There's magic-themed stalls, food, treats and music, starring Besses Brass Band – and the Salford Star will be there with some special wicked baby grows.

SALFORD SEWS PICASSO GUERNICA

added 06 October 2013

DARN THAT PICASSO AT THE WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY

Darn that Picasso
Saturday 12th October 2-5pm free
Working Class Movement Library

An afternoon of `Conversations and Craftivism' comes to the Working Class Movement Library next Saturday afternoon when activist artists re-make Picasso's anti-war masterpiece, Guernica. And before this event, there's a walk up The Crescent `weaving tales of local creativity and activism along the way'. Everyone welcome.

SALFORD AID FOODBANK CONCERT STARRING TOM HINGLEY

added 06 October 2013

SALFORD FOODBANK CONCERT TO BENEFIT FROM TOM HINGLEY CONCERT

Foodbank Concert
Sunday 13 October 1pm
Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Salford's central Foodbank at Broughton's Church of the Ascension is to benefit from a special concert starring former Inspiral Carpets' singer Tom Hingley, The Lottery Winners, Louis Barabbas and Snow Apple.

The gig, at Manchester's Ruby Lounge is only £3 to get in but people are being asked to bring along some food too, as Cat Heuston reports…

Full details here…

added 06 October 2013

SALFORD COFFEE MORNING FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES CAMPAIGNERS

SALFORD COUNCIL CUTS VICTIMS TO MEET OVER COFFEE

Save The Grange Coffee Morning
Saturday 12th October 11am-1pm
Swinton Royal Legion

Save The Grange campaigners have organised a Coffee Morning at Swinton Royal Legion next Saturday for parents, carers and campaigners to discuss all the cuts that have taken place in Salford to services for children with disabilities. Everyone's welcome.

UK UNCUT BLOCKS MANCHESTER IN LEGAL AID CUTS PROTEST

added 06 October 2013

Star date: 5th October 2013

DEANSGATE BLOCKED BY LEGAL AID PROTESTERS

UK Uncut Manchester today blocked off Deansgate, near the Magistrates Courts that serve Manchester and Salford, in a protest against the ConDem Government's unjust changes to Legal Aid, which campaigners argue "will block all but the rich from access to justice".

Protesters, including a couple of Statues of Liberty, held up traffic on Manchester city centre's main road as part of a nationwide series of actions.

SALFORD CITY MISS OUT ON FA TROPHY

added 05 October 2013

Star date: 5th October 2013

AMMIES MISERY CONTINUES

Northwich Victoria 3 Salford City 1

After a great start to the season Salford City have hit a winless patch that, today, saw them go out of the FA Trophy in the first round at Northwich Victoria.

SALFORD HATES THE DAILY MAIL

added 05 October 2013

Star Date: 5th October 2013

THE DAILY MAIL HATES BRITAIN PROTEST

Sunday 6th October 12pm noon
Exchange Street, Manchester

As the Daily Mail, famed for backing the fascist British blackshirts and Hitler, accuses Ed Miliband's dad, Ralph, of `hating Britain', Manchester and Salford people are hitting back tomorrow with a protest outside the Daily Mail's office on Exchange Street around the corner from St Ann's Square in Manc city centre.

OASIS ACADEMY MEDIACITYUK RIOT HEAD QUITS

added 05 October 2013

Star Date: 4th October 2013

A Salford Star Exclusive

OASIS MEDIACITYUK ACADEMY PRINCIPAL LEAVES MID TERM

Patrick Ottley-O'Connor, the head teacher at the centre of the job losses storm at the Oasis Academy MediaCityUK two years ago which led to a pupil riot, has left the troubled high school this week.

A statement from Oasis noted that it was a "mutually agreed decision of Patrick Ottley-O'Connor to explore consultancy opportunities". The decision is puzzling as he has chosen to quit half way through the first term of a new academic year.

SALFORD CITY MAYOR ON BARBARA SPICER DEPARTURE

added 04 October 2013

Star date: 4th October 2013

IAN STEWART'S STATEMENT ON BARBARA SPICER

Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, has now issued a statement confirming the resignation of Chief Executive, Barbara Spicer, who "has informed me that she would like to leave the council – we have reluctantly supported her request…"

Funny that, because Salford Council press office said they didn't know anything about it yesterday… "It's a non-story" the Salford Star was told.

SALFORD COUNCIL CHIEF EXEC BARBARA SPICER SET TO LEAVE

added 04 October 2013

Star date: 3rd October 2013

A Salford Star Exclusive

BARBARA SPICER SET TO LEAVE SALFORD COUNCIL

The Salford Star understands that Salford City Council's £200,000 a year Chief Executive, Barbara Spicer, is set to leave the Council. As rumours were flying around both Salford and Manchester councils this afternoon, two separate well placed sources were adamant that Spicer's job will soon be redundant.

Meanwhile, neither Salford City Council nor Barbara Spicer's office would deny the story, despite the Salford Star giving them numerous opportunities during the day.

SALFORD DE LA SALLE COLLEGE SET FOR BULLDOZERS

added 03 October 2013

Star date: 3rd October 2013

LOCALLY LISTED DE LA SALLE DOOMED FOR 54 HOUSES

De la Salle College, a `designated heritage asset' and `locally listed' building, is set to have its death warrant issued today when Salford Council's planning panel meets to approve outline planning permission for up to 54 three and four bedroom houses on the 2.74 acre site.

The Weaste Lane housing scheme would normally be subject to 20% affordable housing conditions but the Council is set to waive this too.