Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD SECOND WORST POLLUTED CITY IN THE UK

added 31 October 2017

Star date: 31st October 2017

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION REPORT SHOWS UNSAFE SALFORD AIR

Salford's air pollution is still the second worst in the country, based on exposure to killer particles known as PM2.5s which are emitted from vehicles, power plants, wood burning and dust from demolition and building work.

Exposure to PM2.5s shouldn't exceed 10 micrograms per cubic metre of air but Salford has 15, second only to Glasgow and joint with London. Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, says "Only bold policies will tackle this public health emergency".

PARLIAMENT INVESTIGATES 'INEFFECTUAL' LOCAL GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY

added 31 October 2017

Star date: 30th October 2017

IS DEMOCRACY FAILING IN SALFORD?

Today, Parliament's Communities and Local Government Committee is investigating 'Overview and scrutiny in local government', which is basically about the effectiveness of councillors gate-keeping local democracy.

Representations to the Committee have been absolutely scathing about the limp wristed approach to 'Overview and scrutiny', or O&S. The minutes of the last such session at Salford City Council record just three lines of notes from a meeting totally devoted to the Swinton Lions loan; while, this week, O&S will scrutinising the mushrooming borrowing at the Council. Will O&S councillors understand it? Do they care?

PAUL HOUGHTON BRINGING MOSAICS AND TAPE ART TO SALFORD

added 30 October 2017

Star date: 29th October 2017

ROBERT DE NIRO, GEORGE BEST AND FAMILY PORTRAITS

Paul Houghton, operating out of Ordsall, has been immortalising legends and local families in mosaics for around two years, and is now developing the unique electrical tape art form...In tape or ceramics, Paul has something for everyone.

SALFORD SPRINGWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL NEEDS RAFFLE PRIZES FOR NEW PLAY AREA

added 29 October 2017

Star date: 29th October 2017

RAFFLE PRIZES NEEDED IN DRIVE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR NEW SPRINGWOOD PLAY AREA

Friends of Springwood Primary School in Swinton are currently trying to raise money for a new bike track and interactive play area, and are looking for raffle prizes. The school, which caters for children with special needs and learning difficulties, is having a Christmas Market on 10th November, where raffle tickets will be sold for a draw on 15th December.

REVOLUTION COMES TO SALFORD...ARTS THEATRE

added 29 October 2017

Star date: 29th October 2017

REVOLUTION COMES TO THE LAND OF MARX AND ENGELS

Revolution
Tuesday 7th November 7.30pm
Salford Arts Theatre

Revolution, a great new play marking one hundred years since the Russian uprising, comes to Salford Arts Theatre next week, which is fittingly less than a couple of miles from Friedrich Engels' old mill in Weaste. Ian Leslie gives Revolution top Marx...

VICTORIA PARK SWINTON UP FOR UK’S BEST PARK AWARD

added 29 October 2017

Star date: 28th October 2017

SALFORD PARK UP FOR TOP HONOUR

Victoria Park in Swinton, famous for its amazing bandstand, has been nominated in the Fields in Trust UK's Best Park Award, in the North West category.

It's up against some of the top parks in the region and needs the public to vote for it before November 3rd.

SALFORD CHORAL SOCIETY OPENS NEW SEASON AT THE STOLLER HALL

added 28 October 2017

Star date: 28th October 2017

FAURE, POULENC AND STRAVINSKY WITH SALFORD CHORAL SOCIETY

Salford Choral Society
Saturday 11th November 7:30pm £17/£13
The Stoller Hall, Chetham's School of Music, Manchester

Salford Choral Society opens its 2017/18 season at The Stoller Hall, the new concert venue at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, with a programme of sounds by Fauré, Poulenc and Stravinsky.

A DAY OF THEATRICAL HORROR AT KINGS ARMS SALFORD

added 28 October 2017

Star date: 28th October 2017

SCARY PLAYS, EVIL QUIZ, SQUEAMISH SCRIPTS, FIENDISH FOOD

Stage Fright: A Day of Theatrical Horror
Sunday October 29th 1pm-10pm
The Kings Arms: day pass £20

A full day of fright and horror is taking place at The Kings Arms tomorrow, with two spooky plays, an evil quiz, readings of rare horror theatre scripts and short stories, a talk on The Weirdest Horror Films Ever Made and the legacy of classic British horror films. Dress for the occasion, it's sure to be dark and stormy.

SALFORD STAR AND SPIKE ISLAND STALWART FREDA RIMMER PASSES AWAY

added 28 October 2017

Star date: 27th October 2017

FREDA THE STALWART OF SPIKE ISLAND...

Freda Rimmer, who lived on Spike Island in Lower Broughton for many, many years and was an absolute stalwart of the community, has sadly passed away.

Freda, along with the other women who ran Riverside Island Tenants Association, or RITA, helped save hundreds of houses that were due for demolition in the area after Salford City Council ran up the white flag in the face of their fierce opposition.

SALFORD COUNCIL SPENDS ALMOST £300,000 ON MY CITY SALFORD WEBSITES

added 27 October 2017

Star date: 26th October 2017

MY CITY SALFORD WEBSITES TO LAUNCH ON MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PUBLIC MONEY

Salford Council is about to launch its My City Salford websites at a cost of almost £300,000, which has been contracted to The Landing, a private company owned by the Council.

The My City Salford 'digital hub' is to be launched in the next few weeks, while the My City Health website is launching next year. The Council states that the sites "allows us to push messages" and "supports communities to do more for themselves ...without the need to contact public services". Are the websites just about axing jobs, D.I.Y. services and controlling information?

DEVELOPER THAT AVOIDED OVER £150,000 IN PLANNING FEES NOW GETS PAID £175,000 BY SALFORD CITY COUNCIL

added 26 October 2017

Star date: 25th October 2017

SALFORD PLANNING MADNESS CONTINUES AS COUNCIL PAYS CHAPEL STREET DEVELOPER £175,000

The total madness of Salford Council's planning policy is set to take an even more crazy turn at Carpino Place, on Oldfield Road, where English Cities Fund (ECf) is building 22 townhouses priced at up to £380,000.

When planning permission was granted for the development, ECf avoided over £150,000 in planning fees due to 'viability', including over £69,000 for public realm improvements which were to be paid 'in kind'. Now, however, Salford Council is set to pay ECf £175,000 for, er, public realm improvements.

FAR EAST INVESTORS GET £34.7MILLION FROM GOVERNMENT TO BUILD UNAFFORDABLE FLATS IN SALFORD

added 25 October 2017

Star date: 24th October 2017

MIDDLEWOOD LOCKS GETS £34.7MILLION PUBLIC LOAN FOR UNAFFORDABLE PROPERTIES

Middlewood Locks, in which fifty per cent of investment comes from the Far East, has bagged a £34.7million 'funding facility' from the Government's Homes and Communities Agency.

In the latest phase of the 24.5 acre development at the back of the Islington estate, a two bed flat costs up to £260,000 and a three bed up to £350,000. Meanwhile, Fairbriar Developments (Salford) Ltd, the company behind Middlewood Locks, has so far avoided £6million in Section 106 payments.

SALFORD HOMELESS MAN HAS TO GET LEG AMPUTATED TO HAVE A HOME

added 24 October 2017

Star date: 23rd October 2017

SHOCKING INDICTMENT OF UNFAIR WELFARE SYSTEM

'For the first time in his life he became a priority...'

Pat Mullen was homeless for over twenty years and, as a single man with drug and alcohol issues, was always bottom of the list for housing. Because of his chaotic circumstances, Pat became ill and recently had to have a leg amputated. Only then could he get somewhere to live, as, for the first time in his life, he became a priority...

"If he hadn't had a leg amputated he would still be on the streets" says his brother, John "...No-one is listening."

THE TREEHOUSE CAFE OPENS IN LOWER BROUGHTON FOR THE SALFORD COMMUNITY

added 23 October 2017

SHOW STOPPER CAKES, OWN BLEND COFFEE AND COMMUNITY VIBE

The TreeHouse cafe opened last month on the corner of Lower Broughton Road and Cromwell Road, complete with own-blend coffee, show stopper home-made cakes and an interior full of upcycled and recycled furniture. The owners are keen to get involved with the community, offering a meeting space and children's activities.

IS IRLAMS O’ TH’ HEIGHT THE HARDEST PLACE TO SPELL IN BRITAIN?

added 22 October 2017

SALFORD ALDI STORE LATEST TO SPELL TH' HEIGHT WRONG

The Aldi store, which replaced the Co-op on Bolton Road, is the latest to get the spelling of Irlams o' th' Height wrong on its signs. Few people who don't actually live in the area get the name right, for some reason.

A local resident who couldn't get Aldi to put its sign right, wrote to the Salford Star and the store was contacted. A spokesperson responded: "We're currently correcting the sign." Why can no-one spell Irlams o' th' Height?

GREATER MANCHESTER ARTISTS AND GENTRIFICATION: SLAVES TO DEVELOPERS?

added 22 October 2017

ARTISTS' ALTERNATIVES TO BEING DEVELOPERS' PLAYTHINGS

Artists' Space and Gentrification - A Grand Alternative?
Saturday 28th October noon-2pm
Phoenix House, Manchester free

As developers use artists to help gentrify areas and run-down spaces, real artists are hitting back with Artists' Space and Regeneration, looking for alternatives to being slaves of fat cats. The event includes a short talk by Jane Brake and John van Aitken with the ace title, Joy and Division in Salford: The Artful Discourses of Gentrification.

EVENT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY IN SALFORD

added 22 October 2017

RUTH AND EDDIE FROW REMEMBERED

'The Point is To Change It': Remembering Ruth and Eddie Frow
Saturday 11th November 2pm free
Working Class Movement Library

It's 30 years since the Working Class Movement Library moved from Ruth and Eddie Frow's home in Old Trafford to Jubilee House on the Crescent, Salford, and to commemorate there's going to be a special event celebrating the lives of the top socialist couple on 11th November, with booking advised asap.

MY LOCAL PITCH SPORTS BOOKING APP FOR SALFORD

added 22 October 2017

ONLINE SPORTS PITCH HIRE SERVICE KICKS OFF

MyLocalPitch, a search and instant booking portal for grassroots sports, has recently launched as an online and app service, linking up with Salford Community Leisure, Powerleague and schools and community centres. There's no extra charge to book using the service.

SALFORD ACTS WANTED FOR BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS

added 22 October 2017

BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS 4TH AND 5TH NOVEMBER

ITV's Britain's Got Talent is holding open auditions at Manchester Central Convention Complex (GMex) in Manchester on Saturday 4th November and Sunday 5th November. Stars from last year's contest, Matt Edwards, The Pensionalities and MerseyGirls will be on hand with advice.

WORSLEY WOODS CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN

added 22 October 2017

FUN RUN, FORAGE WALK, TREASURE HUNT, ART COMP...

Celebration of Autumn
Saturday 28th October 1pm-4pm
Beesley Green Community Centre free

Next Saturday, Worsley Woods Action Group, in partnership with St Mark's Primary School, is holding a Celebration of Autumn to raise funds to improve the path through Worsley Woods. There are stalls, a fun run for under 12s, an art competition, den and bird box building, a treasure hunt and loads more.

SPORTING MEMORIES FOR THOSE WITH DEMENTIA IN SALFORD

added 21 October 2017

ECCLES TO HOST WEEKLY SPORTING MEMORIES SESSIONS

New weekly sessions for people living with dementia are to be held in Eccles. The informal group is tailored to older sports fans who are into football, rugby, cricket snooker or any other sport.

THE END OF THE WORLD COMES TO SALFORD KINGS ARMS

added 21 October 2017

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AT THE END OF THE WORLD?

Collision Course
Wednesday 25th October - 53two Deansgate
Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd November, The Kings Arms 7:30pm £10

Front Row Theatre brings Collision Course, the story of two friends with opposing views hiding out in a garage during their last moments at the end of the world, to 53two Deansgate on 25th October, and then The Kings Arms on 1st and 2nd November, as Ian Leslie reports.

SALFORD PRECINCT HOSTS HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

added 21 October 2017

LANTERN MAKING, FANCY DRESS, MASKS AND DANCE

In the run-up to Halloween, Salford Precinct is hosting events culminating in Spooky Saturday (28th) and Sinister Sunday (29th) where there will be face painting, mask and lantern making, a fancy dress competition and free lucky dip.

GREATER MANCHESTER PETITION TO HALT UNIVERSAL CREDIT

added 21 October 2017

Star date: 20th October 2017

OPEN LETTER FROM GREATER MANCHESTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE

Previous to the humiliating defeat of the Tory Government this week, Greater Manchester Housing Action launched a petition calling for a halt to the roll-out of Universal Credit.

The petition is in the form of an open letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions..."We believe that we should not stand for such wilful ignorance of the impacts of the new system" it states "We urge individuals, groups, organisations, MPs, councillors, landlords and housing associations to stand in solidarity against the Universal Credit roll-out."

SALFORD COUNCIL DOES NOTHING AS PORTSMOUTH COUNCIL FORCES TRANSPARENCY ON DEVELOPERS

added 20 October 2017

Star date: 19th October 2017

PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL FORCES DEVELOPERS TO REVEAL VIABILITY ASSESSMENTS

As developers in Salford continue to evade £millions in planning obligations and provision of affordable housing, Portsmouth City Council has passed a motion forcing builders to publicly reveal the viability assessments that give them a get-out.

The Salford Star has shown that over £40million has been avoided in the city by developers, plus the loss of over 1,000 affordable houses... "We want to stop developers that are out to deceive people" said Portsmouth Councillor Steve Pitt, as Salford City Council does nothing.

SALFORD RED DEVILS MOVE FORWARD WITH NEW BADGE AND SUPPORTERS’ TRUST

added 19 October 2017

Star date: 18th October 2017

SALFORD FANS GET VOICE WITH INDEPENDENT SALFORD RLFC SUPPORTERS' TRUST

Salford Red Devils have unveiled a new club crest featuring a plethora of symbols, from the willow tree, to a devil's trident to the Lowry Millennium Footbridge.

Meanwhile, the independent Salford RLFC Supporters' Trust has been created to give fans a voice and boost development of the game and team in the city. It's already got almost three hundred members after just two weeks.

MANCHESTER COUNCIL SLATED OVER £10,000 ONE-WAY TICKETS ‘TO GET RID OF HOMELESS’

added 18 October 2017

Star date: 18th October 2017

LIBDEM COUNCILLOR CONDEMNS 'COUNTRY'S MOST RIGHT WING LABOUR COUNCIL' OVER TRAIN TICKETS TO 'GET RID OF HOMELESS'

Manchester City Council has been slated by its only opposition councillor, after it was revealed by the BBC that £10,000 had been spent on one-way train tickets to 'get rid' of the homeless.

"Manchester Council has spent years refusing to build affordable homes, approving luxury developments, evicting and trying to sue the homeless, ignoring the rough sleepers problem and now buying them out of the city" says LibDem councillor, John Leech, "The country's most right-wing Labour council has reached a whole new low."

THE DEATH OF SOCIAL RENT PROPERTIES IN SALFORD?

added 18 October 2017

Star date: 17th October 2017

CITY WEST ACCOUNTS SHOW MOVE AWAY FROM SOCIAL RENT

New accounts for City West Housing Trust show a loss of 259 social rent properties last year, and an increase of 154 more expensive 'affordable rent' properties. Meanwhile, none of the housing company's new units are for social rent, while 98 high rise flats have been converted from social to private rent.

Not-for-profit City West made a surplus of £16.3million last year, while its highest paid director trousered £160,000.

ZOMBIES INVADE ECCLES FOR SALFORD CREDIT UNION AWARENESS WEEK

added 17 October 2017

Star date: 16th October 2017

ZOMBIES GIVE OUT THE MESSAGE: 'DON'T GET SPOOKED BY RIP OFF LENDERS'

A zombie flashmob invaded Church Street in Eccles at the weekend to give out the message: 'Don't get spooked by rip off lenders - get local'.

The event was to kick off Greater Manchester Credit Union Awareness Week and to point people towards using the not-for-profit Salford Credit Union, rather than payday and doorstep lenders, and expensive credit cards.

NEW SALFORD STAR HOODIES AND SWEATSHIRTS AVAILABLE

added 16 October 2017

BRAND NEW SALFORD STAR HOODIES AND SWEATSHIRTS IN STOCK

The Salford Star's new range of black hoodies, and black or white sweatshirts, are now available, priced £25 and £20, with every penny of profit going towards keeping the Salford Star alive and kicking.

Get one now!

GREG MURRAY AND THE SEVEN WONDERS AT THE SALFORD ARMS

added 15 October 2017

UPLIFTING LIVE MUSIC AT ITS BEST

Greg Murray and the Seven Wonders
Saturday 21st October 10pm
Salford Arms free

Eight piece rock, alt, folk combo, Greg Murray and the Seven Wonders, take to the stage at the Salford Arms in a free gig next Saturday, complete with brass section and live tunes that promise a euphoric and uplifting night, as Ian Leslie reports.

THE HAUNTING OF BLAINE MANOR AT KINGS ARMS SALFORD

added 15 October 2017

BLAINE IS BACK WITH A BANG

The Haunting of Blaine Manor
Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th October
The King's Arms £10/£8

As a preview for Halloween, check out eerie at its finest in Joe O'Byrne's The Haunting of Blaine Manor at the Kings Arms, a "horror masterclass", as Ian Leslie reports.

AGECROFT WALK RAISES MONEY FOR SALFORD DEMENTIA CHAMPIONS

added 15 October 2017

GILL'S WALK FOR DEMENTIA RAISES HUNDREDS OF POUNDS FOR CHAMPIONS

Last night over two dozen people went on the now annual Gill's Walk For Dementia which took place at Agecroft Cemetery. The group raised hundreds of pounds for Salford Dementia Champions, volunteers who try and improve the delivery of dementia services in the city.

GRUNWICK STRIKE PLAY COMES TO SALFORD WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY

added 15 October 2017

SEMINAL GRUNWICK STRIKE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE

We Are The Lions, Mr Manager
Saturday 21st October 7:30pm
Working Class Movement Library £12.50/£10.50

The Grunwick strike, begun in 1976, was absolutely seminal in modern working class history, as over 20,000 people joined picket lines to defend mainly Asian women against low pay, unfair working conditions and bullying. This new incredibly popular play by Neil Gore celebrates the life of one of the strike leaders, Jayaben Desai.

SALFORD BREXIT VOTERS WANTED FOR UNIVERSITY ONLINE SURVEY

added 15 October 2017

EU LEAVE VOTERS RESEARCH

Salford University researchers would like to hear from the city's 'leave' voters about their 'experiences of living in Salford, and their hopes and fears for Brexit'. They've set up an online survey which should take around 15 minutes to complete.

ACCOUNT OF QUEEN VICTORIA’S CITY VISIT WINS SALFORD LOCAL HISTORY AWARD

added 15 October 2017

Star date: 14th October 2017

PAUL SPEAKMAN WINS FRANK MULLINEUX AWARD

Paul Speakman has won the Frank Mullineux Local History Award for The Queen Cometh, his detailed account of the visit of Queen Victoria to the city in 1851. The annual prize is awarded by the Salford Local History Forum, which described the work as "An excellent, original publication rich in interesting well researched details."

SALFORD RED DEVILS OWNER KOUKASH LINKED WITH GOLD COAST TITANS

added 14 October 2017

Star date: 14th October 2017

MARWAN KOUKASH LINKED WITH AUSTRALIAN NRL CLUB

According to a report in the Brisbane Times this morning, Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash 'has emerged as a prospective owner' of the Gold Coast Titans, who play in the Australian National Rugby League.

The paper describes Koukash as a 'billionaire', whose "net worth is estimated at $3 billion". The latest Reds accounts show liabilities of over £8million and huge debts to Salford Council still not settled. Meanwhile, confusion reigns over the status of Salford Red Devils' ownership.

RNLI CELEBRATED IN NEW MIKRON THEATRE PLAY COMING TO SALFORD

added 14 October 2017

Star date: 14th October 2017

STRIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVES

In at the Deep End
Wednesday 18th October 7:30pm
St Peter and Paul's Church, Eccles £11/£9

Mikron Theatre brings its new nautically exciting and entertaining play celebrating the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to St Peter and Paul's Church in Eccles this week. In at the Deep End takes a compelling look at the RNLI and its unsung heroes, with some song along the way, as Ian Leslie reports.

OVER 1,000 SALFORD PEOPLE HAVE DISABILITY PAYMENTS CUT OR REDUCED

added 14 October 2017

Star date: 13th October 2017

CHANGE FROM DLA TO PIP CAUSES MISERY FOR MANY DISABLED PEOPLE

Figures obtained in Parliament by Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, show that over one thousand disabled Salford people have either had their payments decreased or had claims disallowed during the move from Disability Living Allowance (DLA), to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

"PIP is a step backward from DLA, it is discriminatory and being used to reduce entitlement by an unscrupulous government that is institutionally disablist" says Rick Burgess from Manchester Disabled People Against The Cuts.

SALFORD BROWN COW PUB DEVELOPERS TO AVOID £100,000S IN PLANNING PAYMENTS

added 13 October 2017

Star date: 12th October 2017

BROWN COW PUB ON WORSLEY ROAD SET FOR 49 HOUSES AND FLATS

Next week, Caspia Management Ltd and Robinsons Brewery are applying to Salford City Council to build 21 flats and 28 houses on the site of the Brown Cow pub on Worsley Road, near Eccles.

Residents and councillors are objecting to the scheme, while the developer looks set to avoid hundreds of thousands of pounds in planning payments. They say that the pub isn't 'viable'...but neither is their housing scheme 'viable'...

GREATER MANCHESTER LAW CENTRE BOYCOTTS UNIVERSAL CREDIT

added 12 October 2017

Star date: 11th October 2017

LAW CENTRE REFUSES TO FACILITATE UNIVERSAL CREDIT ROLL-OUT

Greater Manchester Law Centre, which specialises in welfare benefit claims, is refusing to facilitate Universal Credit roll-out..."We will not be complicit" the Centre states. Greater Manchester Housing Action, which has produced a letter against the roll out signed by a number of local politicians and organisations, calls Universal Credit a "debt machine" and the Government's 'next Poll Tax'.

SALFORD COUNCILLORS’ £87,000 TO TELEVISE THEMSELVES

added 11 October 2017

Star date: 11th October 2017

£87,000 COST OF BROADCASTING SALFORD COUNCIL MEETINGS

Cash strapped Salford City Council has recently agreed a contract worth £87,333 with Public-i Ltd to broadcast its meetings, which includes new microphones and HD cameras. The last public information on viewing figures revealed that less than one hundred people watched each broadcast.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL APPROVES WAGE CUTS AND JOB CUTS

added 11 October 2017

Star date: 10th October 2017

'POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS' CUTS TO SALFORD PEOPLE'S SAFETY

"We won't be able to safeguard the welfare and safety and residents of Salford"

Salford councillors, including City Mayor Paul Dennett, unanimously voted to cut wages and jobs in the Council's Regulatory Services this morning, as staff protested outside the Civic Centre.

The department deals with issues like food hygiene, trading standards and slum landlords, and a member of staff told the Salford Star that "We won't be able to safeguard the welfare and safety and residents of Salford"; while UNISON branch secretary, Steven North, added that the move is "potentially dangerous".

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL PROPOSES OVER £100 A WEEK WAGE CUTS FOR STAFF PLUS JOB CUTS

added 10 October 2017

Star date: 9th October 2017

14 JOBS TO BE AXED AND £6,521 SLASHED FROM WAGES OF SALFORD COUNCIL STAFF

Tomorrow, members of Salford City UNISON are to lobby Salford Council over proposed wage cuts of up to £6,521 a year for some staff who work in Regulatory Services, plus the loss of 14 jobs.

Regulatory Services protect people of Salford from slum landlords, rogue traders and dangerous products... "All of us should be concerned when any proposals are put forward to weaken them" says Salford UNISON branch secretary Steve North "...staffing and wage reductions cannot be justified..."

SWINTON LIONS REVEAL NEW ‘MANCHESTER’ LOGO

added 09 October 2017

Star date: 9th October 2017

'MANCHESTER' LOGO WILL HELP 'MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES' STATE LIONS

After Salford Red Devils fans threatened mutiny if Marwan Koukash added 'Manchester' to the club name, Swinton Lions have now incorporated it into their new logo, to enter 'a fresh era'.

Swinton Lions recently received a £60,000 loan from Salford City Council but the club argues "The incorporation of the word 'Manchester' reflects our pride in being part of the Greater Manchester conurbation. It is a geographical statement and not a political one... in the modern world we also need to be mindful of marketing opportunities and presenting a clear identity..."

CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON, MAXINE PEAKE ET AL STAR IN THE ACTING CLASS AT SALFORD ARTS THEATRE

added 09 October 2017

Star date: 8th October 2017

UNMISSABLE DOCUMENTARY EXPOSES CLASS DIVISIONS IN CULTURE

The Acting Class
Saturday 14th October
Salford Arts Theatre £5

Culture is riven with social class, and a new feature length documentary being shown at Salford Arts Theatre next Saturday, and at Moston Small Theatre on Friday, lays it all out through the words of famous and non-famous actors, writers, directors, producers and wannabe-but-can't-be actors.

The Acting Class is unashamedly talking heads, proudly working class and totally unmissable, as Christopher Eccleston, Maxine Peake and friends in the north and south get more and more angry about 'Downturd Abbey' et al...

WIN TICKET TO SEE SOLD OUT MORRISSEY PLAY ‘THORN’ IN SALFORD

added 08 October 2017

Star date: 7th October 2017

AWARD WINNING, SOLD OUT MORRISSEY PLAY TICKET UP FOR GRABS

Tim Keogh's play, Thorn, inspired by the life of Morrissey, rightly won the Best Newcomer Award at the GM Fringe, and returns to the Kings Arms in Salford on 17th and 18th October for two sold out shows. The Salford Star has one free ticket to give away for the performance on Tuesday 17th. To win it there's one simple question (for Morrissey fans) to answer, as Ian Leslie reports.

RAPAR BACKS CONGO TORTURE VICTIM AT DALLAS COURT SALFORD

added 07 October 2017

Star date: 7th October 2017

TORTURE VICTIM NOT ALONE IN SALFORD

Yesterday, members of human rights group, RAPAR, staged a solidarity protest at Dallas Court, the Home Office Reporting Centre in Salford, for Maurice Luzolo, a member of the opposition party in Congo, whose wife was killed while he was being beaten and tortured in prison.

Maurice is seeking asylum in Britain and was worried about being detained when he had to report at the Centre. RAPAR members went along to make sure that he was safe.