THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen of Salford…

Welcome to the MARYS, the most glittering occasion in Salford's community calendar. Here we honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

Over the next few weeks we will be announcing the winners – so please dress up, grab a glass of warm white wine and applaud to yourself after each award is revealed…

So now, without further ado, we present the SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2010…

Just keep clicking on the articles above to see the winners

A Salford Star Exclusive…

Revealed: How Salford's Pendlebury Children's Hospital Was Traded For A Full Maternity Unit At Hope…

When Salford's own Children's Hospital was shut down last year to be turned into a block of flats, there were no protests or a campaign to keep it open. For the first time we can reveal the full story behind the closure.

SALFORD WILL HAVE DRASTIC CUTS SAY COUNCILLORS

At last night's first Salford Against The Cuts public meeting, councillors from the ruling Labour Party confirmed that the city will see large cuts, and that Salford Council will not be setting an illegal budget to fight the ConDem Government.

"At the minute, if you're asking the Labour Council not to implement cuts the answer is no" said Councillor Bill Hinds "We won't do an illegal budget."

IT'S NOW OR NEVER FOR SALFORD BABIES!

Demonstrate Against The Closure of Hope Maternity Unit
Wednesday 1st December 2010
Meet 9:30am outside Piccadilly Station in Manchester

"Disgusting…Appalling…Pathetic…An insult to the people of Salford"

55,000 Salford people have signed petitions against the closure of Hope Maternity Unit, yet the health authorities have ignored a whole city's pleas for babies to be born here.

The final decision on Hope's future is being made on Wednesday morning where it's being recommended that the closure goes ahead. The public has been banned from that meeting. Now former Salford MP, Ian Stewart, is urging everyone in the city to protest. He says…

"Every Salford citizen should be mobilising, voicing their opinion and doing something about this. If the people of Salford don't act with their feet and their voices this will be lost…We should do something, not just talk about it…Speak up for it! Act for it! Or lose it!"

HOW LOUD WILL MEDIACITYUK GET?

Residents from Salford Quays and the swanky apartments at MediaCityUK will soon find out how loud it's going to get outside their windows.

Peel Media, owner of MediaCityUK, is holding a consultation with residents just two days before applications for outdoor entertainment and alcohol sales licenses are due to be submitted to Salford Council.

Last week, Peel ran some sound tests at the site and by all accounts it was rather loud.

TOY RUN AND CHARITY NIGHT IN AID OF FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE IRLAM GAS EXPLOSION
Sunday 12th December 1pm Cadishead/Irlam

By motorbike and by van…from the beginning of Victoria Road in Cadishead and onwards via Peel Street, Monton Road, Barton Road, Liverpool Road, Cutnook Lane and finishing at Tiger Moth Square, there's going to be over four hours of toy and donation collecting for the families affected by the Irlam gas explosion on Sunday December 12th.

The fab Christmas gesture by the community for the community ends at 5:30pm with a performance at the Tiger Moth pub by female due Fantasy, followed by a full charity night.

BEST SALFORD BOOKS THIS CHRISTMAS

Books To Make You Think: Part 2

There's one thing about Christmas prezzies – you're bound to get a rubbish book that goes straight to the back of your bookshelf.

We've dug up a couple of 2010 books to buy for the person who doesn't want their brain to mash up like the innards of a Bushtucker Trial species.

BEST SALFORD BOOKS THIS CHRISTMAS

Books To Make You Think: Part1

There's one thing about Christmas prezzies – you're bound to get a rubbish book that goes straight to the back of your bookshelf.

We've dug up a couple of 2010 books to buy for the person who doesn't want their brain to mash up like the innards of a Bushtucker Trial species.

PENDLETON AND LITTLE HULTON WALK IN CENTRES TO BE SHUT?

"I think people can look after themselves a lot of the time" Salford PCT Medical Director

Health chiefs came under fire from the community last night during a consultation on shutting Salford's walk-in centres at Pendleton and Little Hulton.

Proposing the axing of the walk-in centres as part of £7.2m cuts in the local health service, Dr Brian Hope, Medical Director of the Salford Primary Care Trust (PCT), argued that "people can look after themselves a lot of the time".

THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS

Nominations have been flooding in for the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards…

Leading the contenders at the moment are Salford City Council, Hazel Blears, Peel Holdings, University of Salford, Urban Splash, NWDA and NHS Salford.

The Mary Burns awards begin on Monday 29th November only at  salfordstar.com and will continue all the way through until Christmas.

Everyone in Salford and beyond is invited - Don't miss!!!

BBC SPENDS ALMOST £10,000 ON MEDIACITYUK MAGS

The BBC is spending almost £10,000 producing four issues of the four page magazine telling us all about the great work it's doing in Salford.

The BBC outreach propaganda came under fire from the Salford Star recently for importing teams of workers from St Helens to distribute it, when its headline read `BBC Move Brings Jobs To Salford'...

SALFORD UNIVERSITY GOES TO COURT TO GET PERSONAL INFO FROM WEBSITE

"This is legal bullying" Gary Duke

The University of Salford is today going to a Manchester Court to get permission to hit the Superior Court of California to force WordPress to reveal the identities of both the authors of a blog it claims has libelled it, plus the identities of everyone who has posted on the site.

It's a part of the University's ongoing libel claims against former lecturer Gary Duke, who opposed the job cuts at the University last year. The court bid to force WordPress to reveal identities has major implications for freedom of speech in Salford, and it's ironic that the University's Chancellor is a former General Secretary of Amnesty International…

KEEP HOPE MATERNITY OPEN

Public Meeting
Saturday 27th November 2-4pm
St James Church Hall

On the font page of Saturday's Guardian newspaper, Dr Clare Gerada chair of the Royal College of GPs, warned that the transfer of NHS power from the PCT to doctors might have the effect of "lobbying by patients and patient groups".

In Salford this has already started with a campaign to `Dog Your Doctor' by the Salford Star over local GPs supporting the closure of Hope Maternity Unit.

MAXINE PEAKE BACKS UNIONS AND COMMUNITY AGAINST CUTS CAMPAIGN

"The attacks the Government is proposing will have a devastating impact on areas like Salford" Maxine Peake

Salford Against The Cuts Launch
Monday 29th November 7pm
Salford Link Project

Actress Maxine Peake, former Eccles MP Ian Stewart and a host of trade union and community groups are backing the launch of Salford Against The Cuts. The campaign, which aims to oppose job losses and cuts to public services, is open to anyone and kicks off with a meeting at the end of November in Eccles.

MISFITS HELP OUR HEROES

`We're at war
 What are we fighting for?
 Where's the law?'

Misfit Music, the top unsigned Salford hip hop outfit more known for wild tracks like `Tear The Roof Off' and `Out Of Space', have produced a pensive end of year number to raise awareness for Brit troops out fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The track, called Help Our Heroes, aims to raise money for support our soldiers and is getting huge support from both the families of soldiers and the public…

HACIENDA GOES BACK TO THE DAY WITH PARK, WHITEHEAD, 808 STATE…

Hacienda Classics Xmas Party
28th December 2010  £12
Sankeys 10pm-4am

808 State DJs, K Klass, Graeme Park and Allister Whitehead provide the energy for this year's Hacienda Classics Xmas Party at Sankeys in Manc-land.

ECCLES GETS THE COPD TREATMENT

Last Wednesday Eccles residents got a visit from the Breathing Bus as part of World COPD Day.

COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a serious lung disease that kills more people in the UK than breast, bowel or prostate cancer, and is particularly prevalent in Salford. During the day in Eccles, two thirds of those who were screened on the bus were referred on to their GPs for further tests.

STEPHEN LORD TO SWITCH ON ECCLES LIGHTS
Saturday 20th November 11am onwards free
Eccles Town Centre

A free children's pantomime, donkey rides, a fun fair and what promises to be the "biggest and best switch on that Eccles has ever seen" all happens tomorrow in the town centre, as Salford gears up for Christmas.

At 6pm, Langworthy's own Stephen Lord, who's starred in East Enders and Casualty, will be doing the big switch on.

SALFORD URBAN REGENERATION COMPANY TO BE SHUT DOWN

Unelected, virtually unaccountable and stuffed with people who don't live in the city, Central Salford URC is to be wound up next March after its partners, North West Development Agency (NWDA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) pulled its funding.

Housed in one of the most expensive office blocks in Salford, with staff costs of over three quarters of a million pounds a year, the URC told everyone it was going to make Central Salford a "beautiful, vibrant prosperous city".

Salford people are well entitled to ask `You what?'

NO BLACK CABS AT MEDIACITYUK

BBC staff relocating from London, and Salford people lucky enough to get work, will be staggered to hear that they won't be able to hail a black cab at MediaCityUK.

Despite millions of pounds worth of public money being sunk into infrastructure at Salford Quays, the whole MediaCityUK site is owned by private company, Peel Holdings, which has confirmed "there will be no taxi ranks within the MediaCityUK development".

Local cabbies aren't happy, to say the least.

MARY BURNS AWARDS 2010  

Nominations for this year's Mary Burns Awards are now open.

The Mary Burns Awards, or Marys as they're affectionately known, are the most uncoveted gongs in Salford, and are awarded only to the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

Anyone can nominate an individual or organisation, and you can even make up your own categories…

CONTROVERSIAL ICE RINK 40% PRICE RISE!

Salford Council's controversial ice rink will see price rises of over 40% after its move this year from Swinton to Salford Quays.

At the top price it will be £9.45 for an adult and £7.45 for a youth to skate at the Quays on a Saturday (inc booking fee).

The ice rink costs Salford council tax payers £228,450, less any sponsorship and ticket income, and has never yet managed to hit its target of 20% capacity.

SALFORDIANS SICK AT SIGHT OF GRIFFIN LAYING WREATH

At yesterday's Cenotaph Service of Remembrance in Salford, residents were horrified to see British National Party leader Nick Griffin step forward from the crowd to lay a wreath.

"I was disgusted" said one woman who was there with her RAF boyfriend to pay respect to those who died fighting fascism "It was sick"

Update: 23rd November 2010 - START WINS!!!

Start in the Park won the viewers' vote and has now got the money to carry out its project!!!

VOTE START TO SORT BUILE HILL PARK
Monday 22nd November 6-6:30pm Granada TV

Start in Salford Creative Arts and Wellbeing Centre has been shortlisted in the final of The People's Millions which is to be broadcast on the 22nd November on Granada Tonight.

Start has a chance to win £50,000 towards its project to transform a disused space in the centre of Buile Hill Park into a thriving community growing space.

Witton Albion 0 Salford City 1

SALFORD CITY THREE POINTS OFF 2nd PLACE!!!

Eight league games undefeated and Salford City are now just three points off second place in the Evo-Stik First Division North after this brilliant away win at third place Witton Albion.

Seven league wins and a draw should see new player manager Rhodri Giggs  take the Manager of the Month Award in his first month as a boss – but the message to Manchester United is clear… `When  Sir Alex Ferguson retires don't come calling for Giggs – he's ours!!!'

SALFORD ARTS THEATRE
Sunday 14th November 6-8pm Free
The Tea Machine, I Married A Cult Figure From Salford, and more…

Is that John Cooper Clarke in the photo? All will be revealed on Sunday at the Salford Arts Theatre when forty years worth of films and videos from BAFTA winner John Crumpton will be shown in a two hour spectacular….

YOU'LL NEVER BEAT THE SALFORD!

Skelmersdale United 2 Salford City 2

As Rhodri Giggs was crowned the new permanent manager of Salford City, the Ammies took their undefeated league run to seven matches with a gritty, determined display at high flying Skem.

Now Salford City fans are seriously dreaming of promotion…

FEAR AND LOATHING IN HIGHER BROUGHTON

Fear and stress from living in a demolition zone? Robbers trying to break in through your attic? Salford City Council has the answer…

`We're going to bring in the Sheriff to forcibly evict you!
In your own best interests, of course!'

More unbelievable hypocrisy from Salford Council, as it seeks to chuck a bloke out of his house after he complained about conditions in Higher Broughton…

NEW BBC `OUTREACH' MAG BLOWS SALFORD JOBS

A new BBC `Outreach' magazine is currently being delivered to houses in Salford with the screaming headline `BBC move brings jobs to Salford'…

So why was one Salford resident who had the publication pushed through her door particularly angry?

FILM STAR GIGGS

Miracle At Moor Lane
BBC Salford Shorts
6pm The Lowry Sunday 14th November. Free.

Rhodri Giggs is to star at the Salford Film Festival in a short film made by the BBC called Miracle at Moor Lane, where he and Salford City FC chairman Darren Quick save the spirit of football from a herd of ghouls and monsters representing greed in the modern game.

Rhodri has a cameo as Sir Rhodri of Giggs, and the supporting cast in the mini Thriller is provided by Salford City supporters both young and old.

THE CHEAPEST PANTO IN TOWN - `OH YES IT IS!'

Mother Goose
Salford Arts Theatre
16th-24th December 2010

This year's Salford Arts Theatre panto is Mother Goose, the story of golden eggs, wealth and happiness – `It's behind you!' as the ConDem coalition government might say…

With all this in mind, the Salford Arts Theatre are offering depression busting tickets for only a fiver, if booked and paid before 27th November. An offer and a panto you can't refuse!

LOWRY COMES HOME TO PEEL PARK

Salford Art Club Annual Exhibition
Until 6th February 2011 - Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Salford Art Club's Annual Exhibition features an old member's painting, as LS Lowry's the bandstand goes on show alongside contemporary works.

Gareth Lyons goes to the opening and discovers that Salford's Mayor could have been a major collector of the masters – if only he'd kept the rubbish.

POOR WEE ME
Vue Cinema
Lowry Outlet Mall
Wednesday 10th November 8:30pm  Free

The 7th Salford Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday with the premiere of Simon Powell's top feature film Poor Wee Me, starring Paul Hurstfield, Tim Booth, Michelle Holmes, John Henshaw and Ian Mercer.

RHODRI GIGGS' TANGERINE ARMY WIN AGAIN!

Salford City 1 Cammell Laird 0

Rhodri Giggs' Salford revolution is now in full swing as the Ammies stormed past Cammell Laird to make it six wins out of six, to take the tangerine army within four points of the play off places in the Evo-Stik First Division North.

Who needs FC United when you can have super Salford City?

FAIRBRIDGE NEEDS HELP

"These people have so much to offer. What they need, and what we provide, is support" Tracy Minshull, Manager of Fairbridge

Government cuts might well affect Fairbridge, the Salford charity that helps 13-25 year olds get a fresh start in life.

Here, Zoe Savory sees how short term savings may have long term consequences and shows how to help this top project.

KNOW IT. CHECK IT. TREAT IT: IN ECCLES

Morrisons car park, Eccles 11th November
Eccles Cross, November 17th

Last month, Salford Reds and Liz Dawn kicked off a campaign which aims to raise awareness of a fatal lung disease that 6000 people in Salford may have without knowing it. Since then a bus has been touring the city offering screenings and advice. Its next stops are in Eccles…

TEN FAMILIES UNABLE TO RETURN HOME IN IRLAM

City West Housing has confirmed that ten families will be unable to return to their homes and will have to be re-housed following the gas explosion in Irlam on Tuesday.

It is expected that 78 families will be going home today, with another 72 families returning in the very near future. Some families, however, will have to wait for up to two weeks.

IRLAM PEOPLE TO START RETURNING HOME TOMORROW

Some residents in Irlam who had to leave their homes following the gas explosion yesterday will be able to begin returning home tomorrow, from 8:30am.

City West Housing has just issued a statement giving the details and urging anyone from the affected streets who has not informed the company of their whereabouts to call the emergency number 0300 123 5522.

NO RETURN FOR 200 FAMILIES IN IRLAM

Following this morning's gas explosion in Irlam, 200 families living near Merlin Road in Irlam will not be allowed home tonight as the cordon thrown up around streets in the area remains in place. Salford Council and City West Housing are providing overnight emergency shelter …

CITY WEST HOUSING PROPERTIES DESTROYED IN IRLAM GAS EXPLOSION

Eleven people have been taken to hospital and a number of houses have been badly damaged following a gas explosion at Merlin Road in Irlam this morning. City West Housing has confirmed that it was working on the kichen of the property where the gas explosion happened…

SALFORD DOCTORS BACK HOPE CLOSURE DESPITE SAFETY CONCERNS

It looks like Salford's doctors are supporting the closure of Hope Maternity Unit even though they have concerns about "arrangements for safe transfer of patients" from Salford to other units.

In papers seen by the Salford Star before the meeting to discuss Hope's fate, the doctors are reported as stating that despite these safety concerns the decision to shut the Maternity Unit is the "right one for women and children in Greater Manchester".

So far, not one single doctor in Salford has accepted an invitation by the Keep Hope Maternity Open campaign to discuss the decision face to face.

FIREWORKS THEATRE AND LANTERNS IN ORDSALL

Lighting The Legend: `I Think I'll Stay' 

Thursday 4th November 6pm-8pm Free
Lowry to Ordsall Park

Pip Paf Arts and Ordsall Community Arts groups put on another spectacular family event this Thursday with a lantern parade, wild theatre show and fireworks by Walk The Plank in Ordsall Park