Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD SECOND HIGHEST HOMELESS HOTSPOT IN NORTH WEST

added 30 November 2016

Star date: 30th November 2016

ONE IN 765 SALFORD PEOPLE HAVE NO HOME AS HOUSING CRISIS GROWS

To mark its 50th anniversary housing charity, Shelter, has gone back to research which its formation was based on, and has produced a shocking homelessness hotspot table which puts Salford second worst place in the whole North West, with one in 765 people homeless in the city.

"Fifty years on a modern day housing crisis is tightening its grip on our country" says Shelter Manchester Hub manager, John Ryan "This is the tragic result of a nation struggling under the weight of sky-high rents, a lack of affordable homes, and cuts to welfare support."

SALIX HOMES MOBILITY SCOOTER RULES WILL LEAVE DISABLED HOUSEBOUND SAY RESIDENTS

added 30 November 2016

Star date: 29th November 2016

NEW SAFETY RULES FOR SCOOTERS ANGER ELDERLY AND DISABLED RESIDENTS

"It's diabolical, what they are asking..." Salix tenant

Salix Homes has brought in new safety rules for owners of mobility scooters which, on the surface, seem quite reasonable. However, elderly and disabled residents are saying that the company is discriminating against them, and that many will be left housebound by the new edict.

MAXINE PEAKE, CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON ET AL RAISE THOUSANDS FOR SALFORD WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY

added 29 November 2016

Star date: 28th November 2016

"IF WE DON'T LEARN FROM THE PAST WE END UP WITH A FUTURE A BIT LIKE WE'VE GOT NOW..." MAXINE PEAKE

Hundreds of people packed into Salford University's Maxwell Hall yesterday to hear Maxine Peake, Christopher Eccleston, Sheila Hancock, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Mike Joyce do Radical Readings from Salford's history and struggles.

The top class event was poignant, political and in parts hilarious, with Maxine Peake ending the day by explaining why it's so important to support the Working Class Movement Library... "If we don't learn from the past we end up with a future a bit like we've got now" she said, to thunderous applause.

SALFORD COMMUNITY ACTIVIST HARRY DAVIES LOSES CANCER FIGHT

added 28 November 2016

Star date: 28th November 2016

KERSAL ENVIRONMENTALIST AND COUNCILLOR PASSES ON

Community activist, environmentalist and, latterly, Salford councillor, Harry Davies, has lost his long running fight against cancer. Harry was incredibly well known and respected in Salford, from fighting fracking at Barton Moss, to warning of the Boxing Day flood and helping people to stand up for their rights. He will be sadly missed in the community.

VIRTUAL REALITY COMES TO SALFORD IN POP UP ARCADE AT FUTURE ARTISTS STUDIOS

added 28 November 2016

VIRTUAL REALITY AND RETRO GAMES ARCADE POPS UP IN CHAPEL STREET

Arcade Club on Tour at Future Artists Studios
Thursday December 1st – February 2017
77 Chapel Street £10/£6 - various times

Virtual reality is coming to Salford for the first time ever, at a pop-up arcade in the former Home of Honest Coffee on Chapel Street. The venue collapsed as a cafe recently due to the redevelopment of the area but now Future Artists is re-birthing with the Arcade Club on Tour, featuring Oculus Virtual Reality and Playstation VR, plus over fifty retro arcade games.

FORTY YEARS AFTER GRUNWICK AT SALFORD WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY

added 27 November 2016

SEMINAL GRUNWICK STRIKE REMEMBERED

Looking Back at the Grunwick Strike 1976-1978
Saturday 3rd December 1pm-3pm
Working Class Movement Library free

In the two years from 1976 to 1978, the Grunwick strike became one of the most bitterly fought trade union battles of the decade, with police arresting hundreds of trade unionists on the picket lines. Next Saturday, the Mary Quaile Club marks the forty year anniversary with a film and top speakers.

VESPERADOS REV UP FOR SANTA RUN TO MANCHESTER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

added 27 November 2016

ON YER BIKES FOR SANTA RUN

Vesperados Santa Run
Sunday December 4th
Starts at Henry Boddington pub leaving at noon

The first weekend of December can only mean the start of the annual Vesperados Santa Run, which sees loads of stunning bikes, trikes and vintage cars with elves and Santas on board heading for Manchester Children's Hospital laden with presents.

SALFORD ARTS THEATRE SNOW QUEEN PANTO

added 27 November 2016

AN ICE TIME AT ARTS THEATRE PANTO

The Snow Queen
December 9th – 7th January
Salford Arts Theatre from £6.50

This year's affordable panto at Salford Arts Theatre is The Snow Queen, guaranteed to melt the most stoic of psyches..."We've kept the story quite traditional but it's got goodies and baddies and all the usual stuff" says Roni Ellis who plays the baddie Snow Queen "It's a fun afternoon or evening out for the whole family."

SPORTING MEMORIES FOR OLDER PEOPLE AT SALFORD LADS CLUB

added 27 November 2016

A CHANCE TO SHARE SPORTING MEMORIES

Sporting Memories
Tuesday 29th November 11am-2pm free
Salford Lads Club

Older folk are being invited to take part in a unique social event at Salford Lads Club this week which uses sport to recall memories and provides an opportunity to have fun and meet new people.

"Social isolation is a challenge" says Jason White of the Sporting Memories Network "Something like this is fantastic because it gets people out of the house and gets them talking about something that they're really happy to talk about."

SALFORD SCHOOLS LAUNCH SOLAR ENERGY SCHEME

added 27 November 2016

Star date: 26th November 2016

IRLAM PRIMARY AND FIDDLERS LANE PRIMARY GO SOLAR

This week, a unique community energy scheme was launched that sees almost 60kilowatts of solar panels installed on Irlam and Fiddlers Lane Primary Schools by Greater Manchester Community Renewables.

Funding for the scheme was raised from local people who bought shares in GMCR, and will help the two schools save money on their electricity bills... "We are absolutely delighted with the solar panels" says Elaine Darwin, Head Teacher at Irlam Primary School.

SALFORD ROASTERS BRING SPECIALITY COFFEE TO THE CITY

added 26 November 2016

Star date: 26th November 2016

ROASTERS HOPE TO WAKE UP SALFORD TO THE FOURTH WAVE OF COFFEE

Nik Storey, a former Salford Council senior health improvement manager, is hoping to turn the city onto artisan and specialist coffee, via his new company Salford Roasters.

The beans are ethically sourced, the company has added social value and the coffee is available to drink at places like Deli Lama, Playfoots, Malaga Drift and at the National Football Museum. It's also on sale in special packs from the Christmas market at Spinningfields on 27th November and 1st, 2nd and 4th December.

UK GOVERNMENT TO DEPORT MANCHESTER CAMPAIGNER NEXT WEEK

added 26 November 2016

Star date: 25th November 2016

HOME OFFICE MAKING UNLAWFUL ATTEMPT TO REMOVE DIANNE NGOZA

Dianne Ngoza the Zambian nurse and Manchester anti-destitution campaigner is set to be deported from the UK next Wednesday - despite having an outstanding human rights application pending.

"It is beyond my comprehension that the Home Office are doing this before looking at the evidence in my case" Dianne said from Yarl's Wood detention centre, where she was taken from Dallas Court in Salford last week "I am exceedingly grateful to all the people who are working for me and supporting me, without them I would be lost."

SALFORD CITY FC PAYING COUNCIL JUST £27 PER WEEK FOR MOOR LANE GROUND

added 25 November 2016

Star date: 25th November 2016

COUNCILLOR LASHES "ABSOLUTELY DIABOLICAL" RENT PAID BY GARY NEVILLE

Salford councillor Howard Balkind has slated Salford City FC's "absolutely diabolical" low level of rent paid to Salford City Council for its Moor Lane ground. The club, which attracts up to 2,000 fans, is paying just £1,400 a year, or £27 a week, and wants to redevelop the stadium and increase capacity to over 5,000.

A new lease was recently granted to a company called Powerscale Limited, of which Gary Neville is the sole officer.

NOTHING BACK TO SALFORD COMMUNITY FROM CHAPEL STREET REVEALS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RESPONSE

added 25 November 2016

Star date: 24th November 2016

AS MO CELEBRATES 32 YEARS SERVING THE ISLINGTON COMMUNITY, NOT A PENNY GIVEN BACK FROM CHAPEL STREET DEVELOPMENT

After a year long fight with Salford City Council, the Information Commissioner recently ordered the release of details for the Development Trust Account to the Salford Star. The Account is supposed to hold money for affordable housing and public realm paid by developers on the massive English Cities Fund (ECf) scheme of luxury houses, flats and commercial units on Chapel Street and beyond. But the Star can now reveal that not a penny has been paid into it.

Meanwhile, Mo, who owns the Shalimar convenience store in the midst of the redevelopment, yesterday celebrated serving the community for 32 years, despite the ECf handing one of the new units next door to the Co-op. This is the front line of what the Council is calling `transformational regeneration'...

GREATER MANCHESTER PENSION FUND EVICTION STAVED OFF BY HOMELESS

added 24 November 2016

Star date: 23rd November 2016

APPEAL LODGED AS HOMELESS POSTPONE EVICTION FROM PIZZA EXPRESS BUILDING

Today, homeless people who are occupying the old Pizza Express building off King Street in Manchester city centre got a slight reprieve as they lodged an appeal against an eviction attempt by Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

"All indications are that if we don't get this appeal granted, the eviction will take place on Friday and we are asking for more support then" said Danny Jones of Manchester Activist Network.

GREATER MANCHESTER HOUSING CRISIS PUBLIC MEETING

added 23 November 2016

Star date: 23rd November 2016

SALFORD HOUSING CRISIS – THE CAUSES

Greater Manchester Housing Action Public Meeting
Thursday 24th November 7pm-9pm
Central Hall, Oldham Street, Mcr

Tomorrow night, Greater Manchester Housing Action is hosting a public meeting that will discuss the housing crisis, from the lack of social housing to homelessness and spiralling rents. The results of the discussion will be fed into the GM People's Plan to be presented as demands to candidates standing for Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Speakers include Angela Barratt of Salford Street Support, Betsy Dillner of Generation Rent, and Stephen Kingston editor of the Salford Star. As an intro, here the Salford Star presents a huge article on the causes of the housing crisis in Salford.

HOMELESS PEOPLE TO RESIST GREATER MANCHESTER PENSION FUND EVICTION

added 23 November 2016

Star date: 22nd November 2016

GREATER MANCHESTER COUNCILS TO EVICT HOMELESS FROM MANCHESTER BUILDING

The Greater Manchester Pension Fund, which carries £billions of assets from local council workers, is set to evict around thirty homeless people who have taken winter shelter in the old Pizza Express building that it owns in Manchester City Centre.

Despite twenty local councillors being on the Pension Fund management panel, the eviction is set to go ahead at 8am tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd November... "We will not go quietly" state the homeless people.

SALFORD UNDER SPOTLIGHT ON SHELAGH DELANEY DAY AT SALFORD ARTS THEATRE

added 22 November 2016

Star date: 22nd November 2016

SODDING SALFORD GETS A MOMENT WITH SHELAGH DELANEY

#Be Inspired
Friday 25th November 7pm
Salford Arts Theatre £8

"We all have the same feeling that Shelagh had, of wanting to escape but getting pulled back" Roni Ellis, Salford Arts Theatre

Three top plays make up the #Be Inspired night at Salford Arts Theatre for this year's Shelagh Delaney Day on Friday, all probing the identity of Salford and its people. A Moment sees the changing city through the eyes of those who live here; Sodding Salford is an ale-induced debate on the city being taken over by Manchester, and Out of the Pirates Playhouse is an adaptation of a Delaney radio play about coming of age...

ACOUSTIC AMNESTY NIGHT SHELTER FUNDRAISER AT SACRED TRINITY SALFORD

added 22 November 2016

Star date: 21st November 2016

TOP ACOUSTIC TALENT GATHER FOR NIGHT SHELTER FUNDRAISER

Acoustic Amnesty
Thursday 24th November 7pm
Sacred Trinity Church, Chapel Street

Seven top acoustic artists, including Chris Flynn, Tracey Browne and James Carson, are playing at the Sacred Trinity Church this Thursday for an Amnesty Acoustic fundraiser, with the proceeds split between Manchester Amnesty and the Greater Manchester Night Shelter.

A great night is in store, in an awe-inspiring location, as Ian Leslie reports.

BOXING LEGEND LARRY HOLMES VISITS HOMELESS AID BARBER

Star date: 20th November 2016

LARRY HOLMES IS A KNOCK OUT WITH HOMELESS HAIRCUT SAVIOUR

American boxing legend, Larry Holmes, paid a flying visit to Ged King's Skullfades barbershop yesterday to salute the work he does cutting the hair of the homeless.

Larry Holmes laughed and joked with customers during the surprise visit to boxing fan Ged… "It's good that a young guy like that is thinking about people and not just about himself" Larry told the Salford Star, before talking about fights with Mohammed Ali and Mike Tyson..."Tyson?" he laughed "Give me three and a half million dollars and I'll fight him again today!"

Full details and interview here…

added 21 November 2016

added 20 November 2016

SUPPORT DIANNE FESTIVAL IN PICCADILLY GARDENS TODAY

Star date: 19th November 2016

PARTY IN SUPPORT OF MANCHESTER CAMPAIGNER DETAINED AT YARL'S WOOD

Today, Saturday 19th November, between 2:30pm and 5:30pm, rappers, musicians, and campaigners will be gathering in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester for a three hour solidarity festival in support of Dianne Ngoza, the Zambian nurse who was taken from Salford to the notorious Yarl's Wood holding centre this week.

Dianne's daughter will also be there and organisers say "This is a chance for people to find out how they can get involved in the campaign".

HUNDREDS OF SALFORD RESIDENTS OBJECT TO GARY NEVILLE `INSULT’ AND TURN ON CLASS OF ‘92

added 19 November 2016

Star date: 18th November 2016

CLASS OF '92 SALFORD CITY FC STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT GETS HUNDREDS OF OBJECTIONS

Final score: Moor Lane Residents 224 Gary Neville 30

Over two hundred local residents have objected to the redevelopment of Salford City's Moor Lane stadium by the Class of '92 and Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim. The club proposes to increase the stadium capacity to over 5,000 and has met with huge resistance from the community.

"A lot has been said about this being good for Salford" says David Mintz of Moor Lane Residents Association "I was born and bred in Salford, and it's an insult to the city to suggest that we need Gary Neville to come down here and re-build a ground to make us great again."

GREATER MANCHESTER LAW CENTRE WINS BENEFITS CASE FOR FIRST CLIENT

added 18 November 2016

Star date: 17th November 2016

BENEFITS RESTORED FOR CLAIMANT AS GM LAW CENTRE GETS FIRST WIN

The Greater Manchester Law Centre, which opened recently as a free people's legal service, has won a case for its first client who, despite being in constant pain from a road accident, was found fit for work and had his benefit stopped.

Now, with a Law Centre volunteer as his representative, he's won his appeal to an independent tribunal and his benefit has been restored.

WHERE’S DIANNE? HOME OFFICE DISAPPEARS MANCHESTER CAMPAIGNER

added 17 November 2016

Star date: 16th November 2016

DIANNE DISAPPEARS FROM SALFORD

The UK Government Home Office has disappeared Dianne Ngoza, a Zambian nurse who was detained for deportation at Dallas Court in Salford today. All day supporters gathered outside the reporting centre, at one point blocking a van trying to take her away.

When the van was finally able to leave late this afternoon, officials said Dianne was being taken to Pennine House near Manchester Airport. But she never arrived.

SHOCK AS MANCHESTER CAMPAIGNER DETAINED FOR DEPORTATION AT SALFORD DALLAS COURT

added 16 November 2016

Star date: 16th November 2016

COMMUNITY ANTI-DESTITUTION CAMPAIGNER DETAINED FOR DEPORTATION

There was shock this morning as community anti-destitution campaigner, Dianne Ngoza, a Zambian nurse who has lived in the UK for 14 years, was detained for deportation under laws that were only previously used to deport criminals.

Outside the Dallas Court Reporting Centre in Salford there was a huge show of support for Dianne from trade unionists and human rights campaigners, and, as the Salford Star goes to press there are attempts to block the van taking her to a deportation centre.

SALFORD POLITICIANS RAIL AGAINST `CARVE UP’ OF CITY’S GREEN SPACES

added 16 November 2016

Star date: 15th November 2016

LABOUR MP, TORY COUNCILLORS AND RESIDENTS OPPOSE COUNCIL GREEN SPACE DESTRUCTION

There's growing opposition this week to Salford City Council/Greater Manchester proposals to develop green belt and green space land in the city. Worsley and Eccles South MP Barbara Keeley has expressed "real fears about these proposals", and Boothstown and Ellenbrook Councillor Bob Clarke calls it "yet another land grab".

Meanwhile, Walkden South Councillor Iain Lindley was horrified to discover yesterday that the Council had made a decision to`dispose' of green space on Hilton Lane while a consultation on the land is still on going. Over three hundred people have signed a petition to stop the proposals to build on Salford's green belt.

GREATER MANCHESTER PENSION FUND TO EVICT HOMELESS AS SALFORD MAYOR ACCUSED OF CROCODILE TEARS

added 15 November 2016

Star date: 14th November 2016

SALFORD MAYOR SITS ON PANEL OF GM PENSION FUND THAT IS EVICTING HOMELESS - AS HE BRANDS HOMELESSNESS "AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE"

Today, at the Civil Justice Centre, the Greater Manchester Pension Fund obtained a possession order on the old Pizza Express building it owns off King Street, in order to evict thirty vulnerable homeless people who have moved in to keep off the streets.

This morning, Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett told the media that Greater Manchester's homeless crisis was "an absolute disgrace". Dennett sits on the Management Panel of the GM Pension Fund that brought today's court action.

PROUD AND LOUD LIVE ART INSTALLATION AT SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY

added 14 November 2016

PROUD AND LOUD'S MOST OFF-THE-WALL PRODUCTION EVER!

Cells: a body of work
Tuesday 22nd November 1pm-3pm
Salford Museum and Art Gallery free

Proud and Loud Arts have always been one of the most exciting creative groups in Salford but their latest work challenging labels of disability promises to be the most off-the-wall ever, with live art installations at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. Yet another `don't miss' Salford moment awaits...

SALFORD INVOLVED TOY APPEAL HITS BROUGHTON

added 13 November 2016

NEW AND NEARLY NEW TOYS WANTED FOR SALFORD FAMILIES

Salford Involved and the Well In Community wellbeing centre have launched their Christmas Toy Appeal, and are looking for new and nearly new toys to ensure that as many Salford children as possible have a present to open this Christmas.

Toys can be dropped off at The WELL IN GYM at The Vibe in Lower Broughton, and will be distributed through a range of community groups throughout December.

SALFORD RIOTS CENTRE STAGE IN NEW GROUND BREAKING SCOTT DEVON DRAMA

added 13 November 2016

RIOTS PORTRAYED BY SALFORD BASED WRITER

When Both Sides Surrender by Scott Devon
Tuesday 15th – Saturday 26th November 7:30pm
53Two, Manchester

When Both Sides Surrender is a ground breaking fast paced, immersive drama with the Salford and Manchester riots centre stage, no lazy stereotyping and a top cast including Hollyoaks star Darren Jeffries.

Written by Scott Devon, who was living in Salford at the time, the play is being performed in 53two, a hidden venue under the arches in Manchester... "I didn't want to it to be a traditional theatre experience" says Scott. It sounds like one of those `don't miss' nights, as Ian Leslie reports...

SALFORD CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE CELEB VIDEO SHOOT

added 13 November 2016

BEZ, JODY LATHAM AND TINA MALONE JOIN SHINNY FOR CHRISTMAS VIDEO

Shinny's push for a Salford Christmas Number One got a further celeb boost this week, with Bez, Jody Latham and Tina Malone joining him for the video shoot. Shinny is now 6-1 to make it to the festive top slot with his poignant track, Christmas No.1.

As Shinny donned a Salford Star t-shirt for the filming, Ian Leslie checked it all out.

OVER 2,500 MARCH AGAINST FRACKING IN MANCHESTER WITH BIANCA JAGGER

added 13 November 2016

Star date: 12th November 2016

BIANCA JAGGER TELLS SALFORD COUNCIL TO SAY `NO TO FRACKING' AS ANDY BURNHAM PROMISES TO OPPOSE FRACKING IF ELECTED GM MAYOR

As over 2,500 people marched against fracking in Manchester city centre this afternoon, human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger, speaking to the Salford Star, had a message for Salford City Council... "You can say no to the fracking industry and you can listen to the concerns of the people..."

Meanwhile, Labour Party Greater Manchester Mayor candidate, Andy Burnham, addressing a huge post march rally in Castlefield, promised to oppose fracking if he got elected... "The message will go out from Greater Manchester that it is not going to come here without a fight...I will stand up against it" he said.

CHAPEL STREET ALE FESTIVAL STARS SALFORD BEERS AND BANDS

added 12 November 2016

Star date: 12th November 2016

FOUR SALFORD BOOZERS, FIFTY ALES AND LIVE MUSIC INCLUDING THE ULTIMATE STONE ROSES

Chapel Street Ale Festival
Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th November

Four Salford pubs – the Egerton Arms Hotel, Kings Arms, Rovers Return and the Salford Arms Hotel – host the Chapel Street Ale Festival this week, starring beers from local breweries First Chop and Seven Brothers and an array of brews from elsewhere. There's also live music from a range of acts, including The Ultimate Stone Roses.

Ian Leslie previews the Fest and chats with the band in a `I Wanna Beer Adored' special.

SALFORD ENERGY WEEK SEES 11,333 HOUSEHOLDS IN FUEL POVERTY

added 12 November 2016

Star date: 11th November 2016

LANGWORTHY, BROUGHTON, BARTON AND IRWELL RIVERSIDE TOP SALFORD FUEL POVERTY LEAGUE

This is Salford Energy Week, and there's some horrific fuel poverty figures to go with it. According to latest figures, 10.8%, or 11,333, of the city's households are in fuel poverty, with Langworthy, Broughton, Barton and Irwell Riverside topping the league table.

The number of households in fuel poverty has increased by almost 1,000, and Salford City Council has £148,500 available for a variety of Affordable Warmth schemes that should help 1,304 vulnerable people this winter. It's urging residents to apply.

£1,000 SALFORD COUNCIL TAX ENFORCEMENT CHARGES PUTS POVERTY COMMISSIONER IN MORE POVERTY

added 11 November 2016

Star date: 10th November 2016

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL PUTS POVERTY TRUTH COMMISSIONER IN MORE POVERTY

"These are worse than loan sharks..."

When the Salford Poverty Truth Commission launched in July to talk `poverty truth' to those in authority, it was sponsored by Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, and one of the words that kept re-occurring was `Bailiffs'.

Yesterday, Angela Barratt, one of the community Poverty Truth Commissioners, got a notice for the `removal and sale of your goods' from Jacobs bailiffs, acting on behalf of Salford Council. The £932 debt they were claiming wasn't for actual Council Tax but the remainder of over £1,000 charges made by the bailiffs themselves.

OUTRAGEOUS SALFORD CITY MAYOR SPIN AS DEPUTY PAY CUTS ARE £2,000 RISES

added 10 November 2016

Star date: 9th November 2016

£2,000 PAY RISES FOR DEPUTY MAYORS

In a very strange case of political spin doctoring, Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, today claims that "My two deputies will...be taking a £2,000 pay cut each...In a time of austerity the Labour Party in Salford do not think it is appropriate for political leaders to be increasing their salaries."

In fact, according to the Council's own report, and confirmed by Deputy Mayor John Merry, the deputies are actually receiving a £2,000 pay rise on the £30,000 they have been getting this year.

BIANCA JAGGER TO SPEAK AT UNITED AGAINST FRACKING MARCH IN MANCHESTER

added 09 November 2016

Star date: 8th November 2016

BIANCA JAGGER, ANDY BURNHAM AND MORE TO ADDRESS HUGE ANTI-FRACKING MARCH AND RALLY

Bianca Jagger and GM Mayor contender Andy Burnham are amongst speakers who will address a huge United Against Fracking march and rally in Manchester this Saturday called by anti-fracking campaigns from Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

The march and rally is expected to be a massive show of force against the controversial energy extraction but Salford City Council, which today launched its consultation on development in the city over the next twenty years, doesn't mention opposition to fracking at all.

SAVE ISLINGTON MILL WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN FOR SALFORD

added 08 November 2016

Star date: 7th November 2016

ISLINGTON MILL £2.5MILLION RESTORATION

The two hundred year old Islington Mill, off the Islington estate, has a slowly collapsing roof and a major refurbishment planned, with huge amounts of public money pledged. But it needs to raise a good few hundred grand itself and has come up with creative ways of doing this, including selling pieces of a unique artwork.

Is the Mill, Salford's home to artists, amazing events and all kinds of off-the-wall happenings, in danger? "It is" says director Mark Carlin "Mother nature is slowly eroding it and this is the moment where something needs to happen."

SALFORD POVERTY TRUTH COMMISSION VIDEO LAUNCHED

added 07 November 2016

view full size

Star date: 6th November 2016

WORDS AND TRUTH ABOUT SALFORD POVERTY

Salford Poverty Truth Commission has launched a video of voices and truths expressed at its launch back in July. There's two videos; one a four minute long highlights edit and the other, at over an hour long, giving out the full words.

"At the start of the process we were working only with a seed of an idea" the Commission states "Throughout the last year the seed has started to sprout and grow and we are hopeful for what will bloom from it."

Full details and link to full video here...

added 06 November 2016

SALFORD COUPLE URGE PEOPLE TO INVEST IN ME

Star date: 6th November 2016

IN FOR M.E., IN FOR M.E...

M.E., or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, is a modern epidemic affecting around 250,000 people in the UK, yet a lack of research means there is little medical help for patients. However, Karen Morris and Stu Nimmo are doing their best to change it.

Karen, an M.E. sufferer, runs a local support group, while partner Stu is constantly doing runs to fundraise for the biomedical research charity, Invest in M.E. Research. Next stop is Machu Picchu in Peru.

SALFORD CLIMATE CHANGE TALK ON KERSAL MOOR

added 06 November 2016

Star date: 5th November 2016

CLIMATE CHANGE, FRACKING, GREEN SPACE AND MORE ON THE MOOR

Our World Your Future
Monday 14th November 7:30pm free
St Paul's Church, Kersal

The Greater Manchester branch of Friends of the Earth are to take part in a talk and discussion on climate change, fracking, loss of green space and wildlife, pollution plus lots more on Monday 14th November. The discussion is free, open to everyone and hosted by the Friends of Kersal Moor.

THE BIRDS OF SALFORD DOCKLANDS BOOK LAUNCH

added 05 November 2016

Star date: 4th November 2016

RARE BIRDS AND SIGHTS AT SALFORD QUAYS AND POMONA

The Birds Of Salford Docklands Book Launch Event
Sunday 6th November 11am-2pm
Meet 11am outside The Lowry

James Walsh launches his virtual book, The Birds Of Salford Docklands, this Sunday with a special walk from The Lowry to Pomona looking at heritage and environment, spotting a few birdies en route.

The book is a compilation of 35 years of ecological observations on the post-industrial docklands, with loads of photos and records of the hidden Salford wildlife.

SALFORD SCHOOLS FACE BIGGEST CUTS FOR A GENERATION

added 04 November 2016

Star date: 4th November 2016

TORY CUTS OF UP TO 15% WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF TEACHERS IN SALFORD

New calculations by teachers' unions, the NUT and ATL, show that Salford education faces real term cuts of over £9million by 2020, with the forecast loss of 252 teachers and £320 per pupil.

The unions have produced an interactive map that shows the affect on every school in the area with some, like St Sebastian's Primary and Salford City Academy, facing cuts of up to 15%. How will the Tory Government decimate your kid's school?

Full details and link to interactive school map here...

added 04 November 2016

SALFORD COUPLE CLAIM DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION CAUSED SOCIAL SERVICES TO TAKE THEIR BABY

Star date: 3rd November 2016

OVER 1,000 SALFORD CHILDREN SUBJECT TO PROTECTION PLANS OR BEING `LOOKED AFTER'

"They were discriminating before the child was even born..." mother

Salford now has over one thousand children subject to either a Protection Plan or classified as Looked After, as the numbers rise year by year. After Salford Council was judged `inadequate by OFSTED for its child safeguarding, many families believe that the pendulum has swung the other way via over-zealous social workers.

Here the Salford Star talks to one mother who believes her baby was removed because she and her husband have learning disabilities.

SALFORD REDEVELOPMENT KILLS CREATIVE COMMUNITY COFFEE SHOP

added 03 November 2016

Star date: 2nd November 2016

CHAPEL STREET'S HOME OF HONEST COFFEE SHUTS AS DEVELOPERS MOVE IN

The Home of Honest Coffee, set up as a community space and financed by Kickstarter backers, has closed just over a year after opening, as the cafe got starved of customers by the mass redevelopment of the area for luxury apartments.

"Everything has happened at once and nobody who is responsible ever asked how all this is this going to affect those businesses in the middle that pay business rates and employ people" says Mark Ashmore, from Future Artists which ran the cafe. However there is a silver lining...

PEEL HOLDINGS MICKEY MOUSE PLANS FOR SALFORD HERITAGE SITE

added 02 November 2016

Star date: 1st November 2016

PEEL PLANS PLASTIC HERITAGE TO REPLACE 1840 BURGESS FARM BUILDINGS

After Salford councillors deferred Peel Holdings' application to demolish the locally listed farmhouse and connected buildings at Burgess Farm, which date back to around 1840, the company returns to the planning panel this week.

Peel is still planning to demolish the iconic farmhouse but the planned development of ten houses on Hilton Lane will now have features replicating what it wants to trash.

Full details here...

added 01 November 2016

CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON LEADS STAR LINE UP FOR SALFORD WCML FUNDRAISER

Star date: 1st November 2016

MAXINE PEAKE, SHEILA HANCOCK, JULIE HESMONDHALGH, MIKE JOYCE AND CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON GET RADICAL

Salford's Working Class Movement Library has lined up five top stars to front its latest fundraising event, as Christopher Eccleston, Sheila Hancock, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Mike Joyce and Maxine Peake will take part in an afternoon of `prose, poetry and drama telling stories of radicalism and revolution'.

Tickets for the event at Maxwell Hall on 27th November go on sale from 4pm today.