Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD HAS 36 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS INFECTION RATE PLUMMETS

added 30 November 2020

Star date: 30th November 2020

BURNHAM CALLS FOR TIER REVIEW IN TWO WEEKS AND MORE BACKING FOR BUSINESS

Salford has 36 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 67, as the fall in infections continues. The seven day rate per 100,000 population has now fallen from 214 to 190.1, the third lowest in Greater Manchester. However, there have been four new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham has written to MPs in the region calling on them to demand better support for business in Tier 3 areas, and a review of the tiers in two weeks, given that Greater Manchester it is now recording the fastest decline in cases in England.

FOREVER MANCHESTER CHARITY CREATES FESTIVE QUIZ FOR COMPANIES AND ART AUCTION

added 30 November 2020

Star date: 29th November 2020

FESTIVE QUIZ AND ART AUCTION TO HELP COMMUNITY GROUPS

Local stars, including Julie Hesmondhalgh, John Thomson and Rowetta, have come together for a fundraising Festive Quiz from ace charity Forever Manchester, which has been supporting community groups all over Greater Manchester throughout the pandemic. It is hoped the Zoom-style Quiz will be bought by businesses and companies for the amusement of their staff.

Meanwhile, the Forever Manchester Art Auction, curated by Salford's legendary graphic artist Trevor Johnson (Factory records, Hacienda et al) and featuring thirty creative works, is running until 4th December.

SALFORD HAS 67 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS COUNCIL ADMITS THAT SALIVA TESTING IS OVER

added 29 November 2020

Star date: 29th November 2020

SALFORD VIRUS RATE CONTINUES TO FALL

Salford has 67 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 64, but the seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen again from 246.5 to 214. There have been two new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile Salford City Council has now officially admitted that the 'Operation Moonshot' saliva testing "has ended" and that the city is now one of 93 areas which have signed up to roll out locally led testing using lateral flow technology.

FRIEDRICH ENGELS 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF SALFORD LEGEND

added 29 November 2020

ENGELS AT 200 – STILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?

Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Engels, the co-author of The Communist Manifesto which kickstarted revolutions all over the world. He worked for years at his father's Victoria Mill in Weaste and had plenty to say about the state of the city during the mid 1840s in his classic tome The Conditions of the Working Class in England. Does Engels still have something to say?

NORTHERN LAUNCH OF ANTI NAZI GERMANS BOOK ONLINE VIA MARY QUAILE CLUB

added 28 November 2020

GERMANS WHO FOUGHT THE NAZIS

'Resistance is always possible, even under the most grim of circumstances...'

The Northern launch of a new book, Anti Nazi Germans, takes place online tomorrow, Sunday 29th November at 2pm in a free Zoom event.

The book challenges a common myth that there was no resistance in Germany to the Nazis, and present at the launch, organised by the Mary Quaile Club, will be authors Merilyn Moos and Steve Cushion.

VIRTUAL ACTOR CONFERENCE TODAY STARS SALFORD ICON MIKE LEIGH

added 28 November 2020

MIKE LEIGH AND JOHN GODBER AT VIRTUAL ACTORS CONFERENCE

Salford's Mike Leigh is starring at today's Virtual Actors Conference, together with top playwright John Godber, and a host of industry professionals and casting directors. The online event runs from 10am to 6pm but if you can't make it you can still buy a ticket and get a catch up from all the events.

SALFORD HAS 64 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR EXPLAINS TIER 3 DECISION

added 28 November 2020

SALFORD INFECTIONS ARE DECREASING SO WHY ARE WE IN TIER 3?

Salford has 64 new coronavirus cases, which is up from the previous day's 57, but overall the seven day rate of infections per 100,000 population has fallen from 260 to 246.5, and there have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Despite the decline in cases, the Government has put Salford in Tier 3 with extra restrictions, and here the city's Director of Public Health explains why this is so, and urges "everyone next week to continue to follow the national and the Tier 3 rules and guidance in order to bring down the number of cases..."

SALFORD RHS BRIDGEWATER GARDEN AUTHORITIES ADMIT TO SHOOTING DEER

added 28 November 2020

Star date: 27th November 2020

DEER HAVE BEEN SHOT AT RHS SALFORD GARDEN

"We take our custodianship of the RHS Garden Bridgewater site and its existing wildlife very seriously..." RHS

What is described by RHS Garden Bridgewater as a "small group" of Roe deer have been shot at the site which is due to open to the public next May.

After residents kicked up fury on social media today, tonight a statement has been issued on the Garden's Facebook site: "We were really sorry to have to make this difficult decision, but we understand that proactive herd management, including humane culling by rifle, is essential to maintain healthy herd sizes." It added that it had to "limit the significant potential damage to plants, shrubs and trees".

SALFORD HAS 57 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS MASS TESTING LOOKS OFF THE AGENDA

added 27 November 2020

Star date: 27th November 2020

MASS TESTING OR MASS VACCINATION?

Salford has 57 new coronavirus cases, as the number and rate of infections continues to plummet. There have, however, still been two new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, as part of Salford and Greater Manchester being in Tier 3, the Government has promised mass testing availability but Greater Manchester is preferring a more targeted approach of testing students and care homes, as it doesn't have the capacity to do mass testing and mass vaccinations..."We are trying to balance our resources" says Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.

SALFORD IN TIER 3 WITH GREATER MANCHESTER

added 27 November 2020

Star date: 26th November 2020

TIER 3 RESTRICTIONS KICK IN ON 2ND DECEMBER

As expected, the Government has put Salford and Greater Manchester in Tier 3, Very High Alert, despite cases dropping in the region. It's almost 'as you were', with no mixing of households 'indoors or most outdoor places' apart from parks; while bars and restaurants must remain closed, except for providing takeaways. Retail shops can re-open, as can personal care places and gyms, but classes are banned.

GM Mayor Andy Burnham tweeted earlier: "Places put into Tier 3 today will get no additional business support funding than those in Tier 1 or Tier 2. Can that possibly be fair?"

SALFORD HAS 73 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES BUT IT LOOKS LIKE TIER 3 POST LOCKDOWN

added 26 November 2020

Star date: 26th November 2020

AS COUNTRY SEES RISE IN INFECTIONS, GREATER MANCHESTER SEES 45% REDUCTION

Salford has 73 new coronavirus cases as the seven day average rate of cases has decreased to 275.5. Last week it was 454. Indeed, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham produced figures yesterday which showed that infections in Greater Manchester had reduced by 45% over the last two weeks, more than anywhere else in England.

Even though virus rates in Greater Manchester are plummeting, the rates are still high and the GM Mayor believes that "more likely than not, it will be Tier 3" after the lockdown on 2nd December. He called for a review in two weeks.

SALFORD CLADDING ISSUES WON’T BE SORTED UNTIL 2022 AS SOLICITORS MOVE IN

added 26 November 2020

Star date: 25th November 2020

FUEL POVERTY CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS PENDLETON RESIDENTS' CONCERNS

Salford councillors were told at a meeting of the Council's Growth and Prosperity Scrutiny Panel this week that cladding, insulation and interior works, including the fitting of sprinklers, for the nine Pendleton blocks won't be complete until 2022.

Meanwhile Tenant Claim is taking on cases for residents whose 'health and safety has been put at severe risk', the Greater Manchester High Rise Task Force is calling for the Government's Building Safety Bill to be 'fixed', and Pendleton is to be at the centre of discussions at a Fuel Poverty Action Conference in December.

SALFORD HAS 71 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ‘COLLAPSES’

added 25 November 2020

Star date: 25th November 2020

SALFORD CASES FALL AS FUTURE OF SCHOOLS AND MEDIA UNDER SPOTLIGHT

Salford has 71 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 57, but the seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen again from 343.8 to 309.1, continuing the dramatic decrease in cases. There has been one new virus-related death announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, the latest school attendance figures show, what the teachers' union NEU calls, "a collapse in school attendance", and the Future of the North West Media is up for discussion tonight in a free Zoom public meeting. As is the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Engels in another Zoom event.

SALFORD MASTERPLAN IS TO ‘GET RID OF CARS FROM THE CRESCENT’

added 25 November 2020

Star date: 24th November 2020

WIDTH OF CRESCENT TO BE REDUCED AND CARS BANNED

As part of an ongoing consultation on the Draft Crescent Development Framework, a Scrutiny meeting of Salford councillors last night heard that the vision was to "get rid of cars from the Crescent" as part of a 'vision' for a new transport hub that will see a reduction of the width of the road and a new Metro stop en route to Media City. Buildings will also be demolished to "open up the river".

"It's very laudable" remarked Councillor Robin Garrido "But where are the cars going to go that are still going to be used. Are we still going to have bottlenecks around the city?"

SALFORD HAS 57 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS GOVERNMENT WINTER PLAN ANNOUNCED

added 24 November 2020

Star date: 24th November 2020

DRAMATIC FALL IN SALFORD CASES CONTINUES

Salford has 57 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 62, bringing the cumulative total to 12,934, as the seven day rate per 100,000 population fall from 378.6 to 343.8, continuing the dramatic decrease in cases. There have been two new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, yesterday, the Prime Minister revealed his 'winter plan' to control the virus through a strengthened tier system which Labour Leader Keir Starmer called "risky".

SALFORD OPPOSITION COUNCILLORS CALL IN GREATER MANCHESTER SPATIAL FRAMEWORK

added 24 November 2020

Star date: 23rd November 2020

BUILDING ON SALFORD GREEN BELT 'NOT JUSTIFIED' STATE COUNCILLORS

Salford Conservative opposition councillors, Robin Garrido and Darren Ward, have called in the decision by City Mayor, Paul Dennett, to recommend acceptance of the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The Framework proposes building houses and warehouses on areas of Green Belt land in Irlam, Barton, Boothstown and Little Hulton, and the councillors have called in the decision on the basis of a lack of consultation, respect for human rights, not considering alternative options, and that the decision wasn't 'reasonable'.

SALFORD HAS 62 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS STUDENTS CALL RENT STRIKE

added 23 November 2020

Star date: 23rd November 2020

SALFORD CASES CONTINUE TO DROP

Salford has 62 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 74, bringing the cumulative total to 12,877, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen again, from 400.3 to 378.6. There has been one new virus-related death announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Manchester have called a rent strike for January as part of their ongoing demand for a 40% rent reduction and a guarantee of no staff redundancies for the rest of the pandemic. Last night, they projected their slogans onto a University building.

SALFORD SINGER SONGWRITER JACE CAMPBELL PERFORMS FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITY

added 23 November 2020

ROWETTA, CLINT BOON AND JACE CAMPBELL AT BLACK TIE AND SLIPPERS

17 year old Salford singer songwriter, Jace Campbell, is performing alongside Rowetta and Clint Boon at this week's virtual Black Tie and Slippers event to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The swanky event, hosted by actress Denise Welch and BBC presenter Bruce Turner, will be live from Impossible in Manchester but streamed to anyone buying a ticket...

EAST SALFORD RESIDENTS STAR IN MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL FILM

added 22 November 2020

150 SALFORD RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LOCKDOWN FILM

Over 150 East Salford residents have contributed to a new short film recounting the summer lockdown as part of the Manchester International Festival's Festival in My Neighbourhood event. Made in partnership with Salford artist studio, Paradise Works and filmmaker Danielle Swindells, the film will be premiered online this Wednesday 25th November at 7pm.

GM MAYOR ANDY BURNHAM IS BECOMING A CULT

added 22 November 2020

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, is becoming a cult character, firstly with a Salford beer from Seven Bro7hers Brewery and now with his image on a poster and mug, courtesy of the Stanley Chow Print Shop. All proceeds are going to the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity.

BURNHAM: THE CULT

SALFORD HAS 74 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS ART OF ISOLATION FEATURES PHILIP WESTCOTT

added 22 November 2020

SALFORD ARTIST FEATURES IN NEW ART OF ISOLATION BOOK BY AGE UK

Salford has 74 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 108, bringing the cumulative total to 12,815. This is 100 less new cases than a week ago but whether it is a sustained decrease will become evident over the next few days. There have been four new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, ace Salford artist Philip Westcott, who has captured the sights of lockdown throughout the pandemic, is currently exhibiting in an online Art of Isolation exhibition and his image of nurses at Salford Royal is featured in the accompanying Art of Isolation book to raise money for Age UK.

FORMER SALFORD HAIRDRESSER WITH MND TAKES ON 1,000 PRESS UP CHALLENGE

added 22 November 2020

Star date: 21st November 2020

MONTON HAIRDESSER TURNS ATHLETE

John Edmonson, who ran John Andrews Hairdressing Salon in Monton for over thirty years with his friend Paul Donegan, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, or MND, four years ago.

He is now in the midst of the MND1000 Challenge in which he is attempting 1,000 press ups to raise money for the MND Association, as Martha Lewis-Fairbrother discovers.

SALFORD HAS 108 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS MOST AREAS IN THE CITY SEE DECREASING INFECTIONS

added 21 November 2020

Star date: 21st November 2020

SALFORD VIRUS CASES CONTINUE TO DECLINE

Salford has 108 new coronavirus cases, bringing the cumulative total to 12,741, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen from 448.6 to 423.4. There has been one new virus-related death announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, most areas of the city are now seeing a decrease in infections, with the latest official case map showing Salford coloured mainly blue (201-400 rolling rate), whereas it has been covered completely purple recently (400+ rolling rate). Highest cases were in Higher Broughton and Lower Irlam and Cadishead.

ST LUKE’S CHURCH SALFORD UNDER NEW THREAT OF CLOSURE

added 21 November 2020

Star date: 20th November 2020

THE LAST CHRISTMAS FOR ST LUKE'S?

The historic Grade II listed St Luke's with All Saints Church is again under threat of closure. The Church, set on a huge mound off Liverpool Street in Weaste, was added to the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register in 2018, but the COVID-19 pandemic has slashed income from the parish hall lettings.

"Without serious intervention, we shall run out of money by next Easter" says the Team Rector, Reverend Daniel Burton and Team Vicar, Reverend Charlie Gorton.

SALFORD YOUNG PEOPLE DON’T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF PANDEMIC

added 20 November 2020

Star date: 20th November 2020

SALFORD 18-20 YEAR OLDS DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT

A random sample of Salford's young people don't trust the Government, according to an Instagram survey done by student Martha Lewis-Fairbrother.

Unclear guidelines and 'abysmal leadership' were cited as reasons, while many thought there should be more online groups to support young people with issues around mental health. Here, Martha surveys the survey responses...

SALFORD HAS 111 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS INFECTION RATES CONTINUE TO FALL

added 20 November 2020

Star date: 20th November 2020

SALFORD VIRUS RATES DOWN AGAIN...

Salford has 111 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 143, bringing the cumulative total to 12,633, as infections continue to decrease. The seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen again from 454 to 448.6, in line with all Greater Manchester boroughs. Unfortunately, however, there have been five new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, we continue our Tales of the Excluded with the story of freelance engineer Marie and her husband, who have had no support from any Government financial package during the coronavirus crisis.

GREATER MANCHESTER IS SETTING UP A DEDICATED COURT FOR COVID FINES

added 20 November 2020

Star date: 19th November 2020

NEIGHBOURS RATTING ON EACH OTHER FUEL LOCKDOWN COMPLAINTS

Yesterday, Beverley Hughes, Greater Manchester's Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, announced that a special court dedicated to non-payment of Fixed Penalty Notices for breaking lockdown rules will be set up in the near future.

Greater Manchester Police has issued around 370 Fixed Penalty Notices since 5th November, and Hughes revealed that there are "a growing number of what the police are eventually finding are malicious complaints between neighbours who are in dispute".

SALFORD HAS 143 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS POLITICIANS REFUSE TO RELEASE SCHOOL CLOSURE INFO

added 19 November 2020

Star date: 19th November 2020

SALFORD COUNCILLORS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCHOOLS – BUT IT'S KEPT SECRET FROM RESIDENTS!

Salford has 143 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 121, bringing the cumulative total to 12,522. However, in line with all other Greater Manchester boroughs, both the seven day number of cases and case rates are falling. There have been four new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, in answer to questions on the lack of information about infections and closures of schools, Salford Children's Lead, John Merry, said the "confidential" information was only given to ward councillors – not to residents. At his press conference, GM Mayor, Andy Burnham estimated that 12% of school pupils in the region were involved in temporary school closures.

Full figures and details here...

added 19 November 2020

SALFORD SALIVA TEST SPLASHDOWN AS OPERATION MOONSHOT “CEASED”

Star date: 18th November 2020

SALFORD OPERATION MOONSHOT...ER...SHOT!

"What we communicated to the public back in September hasn't actually materialised" Councillor Reynolds

At today's full meeting of Salford City Council, Councillor Gina Reynolds, Lead Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing, officially confirmed that Operation Moonshot has now "ceased".

Salford was to be the pilot for rapid saliva tests and 70% of the population was due to be tested but Councillor Reynolds told councillors that the Council was in an "awkward situation" because "We haven't done mass testing and we haven't tested 70% of our population..."

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL DEFERS DECISION ON COUNCILLORS NON PAYMENT OF COUNCIL TAX

added 18 November 2020

Star date: 18th November 2020

COUNCIL DEFERS DODGY COUNCILLORS AMENDMENT AND WITHDRAWS GMSF MOTION

At a full meeting of Salford City Council this morning, it was agreed to defer what the Salford Star called 'Animal Farm-style' changes to the constitution that watered down the legal duty of councillors to declare non-payment of Council Tax, while increasing the amount chief officers could spend without councillors' approval from £100,000 to £150,000.

The motion on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was also withdrawn after Stockport Council forced a delay. There is a possibility that the other nine GM boroughs could now go it alone.

SALFORD HAS 121 NEW CORONVIRUS CASES AS OVER 350 HOSPITAL STAFF ABSENT

added 18 November 2020

Star date: 18th November 2020

SALFORD CASES FALL AGAIN...

The Salford coronacoaster is lurching all over the place, with 520 new cases reported two days ago, and 'just' 120 reported yesterday. It means that the seven day rate per 100,000 population fell from 476.8 to 462.5.

There have been four new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital, while the latest data shows that 368 staff were absent with COVID-19 related issues on 3rd November, more than double the previous month. Meanwhile, we continue our Tales of the Excluded with the story of business analyst Lynn Hope Thomas..."I do not sleep at night due to nightmares, worry and panic..."

MORE SALFORD PUPILS SENT HOME AS TWO THIRDS OF ENGLAND’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE STUDENTS ISOLATING

added 18 November 2020

Star date: 17th November 2020

OVER 600,000 PUPILS DID NOT ATTEND SCHOOL FOR VIRUS-RELATED REASONS

School attendance figures for last week show a shocking increase in the numbers of pupils self-isolating, with almost two thirds of the country's secondary schools having sent students home, up from 38% the week before, and 22% of primary schools, doubled from 11% the previous week. Over 600,000 pupils did not attend school for coronavirus related reasons.

Lark Hill Community Primary School is the latest Salford school to send Year 2 sets home to self-isolate after a positive case. Meanwhile teachers' union, the NEU, has slated the Government for failing to get infection levels down.

SALFORD HAS 520 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS MORE OF THE EXCLUDED SPEAK OUT

added 17 November 2020

Star date: 17th November 2020

HUGE RISE IN SALFORD CASES COULD BE A BLIP

Salford has 520 new coronaviris cases, a huge rise of 375 cases on the previous day, although this could just be a readjustment of cases not previously counted, as other boroughs of Greater Manchester haven't seen such dramatic changes. The seven day rate per 100,000 population has risen from 471.7 to 476.8. There have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, Louise, a former lead nurse at The Height General Practice and now a self-employed healthcare educator, speaks out as one of Greater Manchester's 147,500 people excluded from Government financial support during this coronavirus crisis.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL TO CHANGE CONSTITUTION ON COUNCILLORS LEGAL DUTY TO DECLARE COUNCIL TAX NON PAYMENT

added 17 November 2020

Star date: 16th November 2020

ANIMAL FARM ARRIVES AT SALFORD COUNCIL

Salford City Council is proposing to change its constitution requiring a legal duty on councillors to declare non-payment of Council Tax, in favour of a clause specifying that they only have to declare if "they attend any meeting involved in setting the Council Tax rate".

A Freedom of Information response, which the Council only half answered after a delay, has revealed that two Salford councillors were ineligible to vote on the most recent budget through late Council Tax payments.

SALFORD HAS 145 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS GREATER MANCHESTER SEES A FURTHER DROP

added 16 November 2020

Star date: 16th November 2020

GREATER MANCHESTER VIRUS CASES CONTINUE TO FALL

Salford has 145 new coronaviris cases bringing the cumulative total to 11,738. The seven day average of cases has decreased from 1,256 to 1,221, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen from 485.3 to 471.7. There have been no new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Today we begin a series highlighting the plight of those Greater Manchester people excluded from financial support during the crisis, and we start with Shan Hira, a live sound engineer who has seen all his work disappear.

Full details and Tales of the Excluded here...

added 16 November 2020

SCARY HAPPENINGS IN SALFORD WITH HELLCAT BELINDA FELLGATE

Star date: 15th November 2020

BELINDA FELLGATE – HELLCAT SERIES CONTINUES WITH CIRCUS MACABRE

The second of the scary teen novella series, Belinda Fellgate, by Salford authors Tracy and David Holroyd, is out now on kindle and is not to be missed, with a scary clown, Satan's Minotuars and the Mirror Master. Only 14 year old Belinda's alter ego, the HellCat, can save the world from a dreadful state just the other side of Swinton!

The first novella, HellCat, was pretty scary, this epic continuation, The Kiss of Flauros, will have you gulping like you've never gulped before...

Full review here...

added 15 November 2020

UPROAR IN SALFORD IN TERENCE MACSWINEY BIOGRAPHY BY DAVE HANNIGAN

THE IRISH MAYOR WHOSE ETHICS STOLE THE HEART OF SALFORD

Few people will have heard of Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork, who was jailed by the British and died in October 1920 while on hunger strike against injustice.

It was the hunger strike that 'rocked an empire', as workers in Salford and around the world rallied around in support, while thousands attended a mock funeral in Manchester. On the hundredth anniversary of MacSwiney's death, Dave Hannigan has out a new biography, here reviewed by Peter Fisher.

SALFORD HAS 174 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AND AS DEATHS INCREASE

added 15 November 2020

Star date: 15th November 2020

ALL GREATER MANCHESTER BOROUGHS SEE A DROP IN WEEKLY RATES

Salford has 174 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 11,593. The seven day rate per 100,000 population has fallen from 532 to 485.3, as every Greater Manchester borough saw a drop in seven day rates and cases.

While the number of new cases oscillates at a high level, the number of sad virus related deaths in the city continues to rise with six announced by Salford Royal Hospital yesterday, bringing the week's grim total to 27.

SALFORD PEOPLE WANTED TO DESCRIBE ICE SKATING BEAR

added 15 November 2020

LARGEST EVER RESEARCH PROJECT INTO GREATER MANCHESTER ACCENTS

All you have to do is describe a journey that includes an ice skating bear, a tyre swing and a dancing monkey. Welcome to Manchester Voices, the largest research project ever into Greater Manchester accents, being undertaken by Manchester Metropolitan University.

Researchers want anyone from Greater Manchester to record their voice describing the journey and send it in..."We want to get a really detailed picture of how people use language across the ten boroughs" says the project's Dr Holly Dann.

SALFORD WORKERS’ FILM SOCIETY NINETY YEARS OLD AS WORKING CLASS LIBRARY CELEBRATES

added 14 November 2020

UK'S OLDEST FILM SOCIETY IS NINETY

The UK's oldest film society, the Manchester and Salford Film Society, celebrates its ninetieth anniversary of continuous activity this week, after a controversial past that includes having a film banned by the Salford Watch Committee.

Salford's Working Class Movement Library is digitally sharing some of the historic Film Society documents it holds, as well as holding an online event where attendees link together to discuss the 1929 experimental Soviet film Man With A Movie Camera.

SALFORD HAS 220 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS HAVE HIGHEST RATES OF INFECTION

added 14 November 2020

SALFORD VIRUS CASES ON A CORONACOASTER

Salford has 220 new confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the cumulative total to 11,419. The figure is down from the previous day's 273 new cases but still high. There have been two new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, new data from the ONS shows secondary school pupils now have the highest rates of infection, leading the teachers' union's Dr Mary Bousted to state that "widespread disruption will continue unless the Government takes steps to get coronavirus under control in schools".

SALFORD RED DEVILS REVEAL SCARY NEW LOGO

added 14 November 2020

Star date: 13th November 2020

THE DEVIL RETURNS TO SALFORD

Salford Red Devils have revealed a new scary logo to replace the willow tree that's been featured on the crest for the last three years. The idea is for the club to "appeal to a younger demographic" and to "access alternative income streams" says Red Devils' Managing Director Paul King, adding that supporters had requested the return of the devil to our badge above all else."

SALFORD HAS 273 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS THOSE EXCLUDED FROM FINANCIAL SUPPORT SPEAK OUT

added 13 November 2020

Star date: 13th November 2020

FOOD BANKS, DEBT AND SUICIDE AS IMPACT ON THOSE EXCLUDED FROM SUPPORT REVEALED

Salford has 273 new confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the cumulative total to 11,199. The figure is well up on the last few days, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population rose slightly from 534.7 to 536.6. There were three new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, last night, around three hundred people attended a Zoom public press call with Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region Mayors, and members of ExcludedUK, who told of their horrendous experiences having no financial support during this crisis. Three million people nationally, and around 147,000 in Greater Manchester are affected.

SALFORD HAS 157 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS GM MAYOR SAYS WE MAY HAVE REACHED THE PEAK OF INFECTIONS

added 13 November 2020

Star date: 12th November 2020

GOOD NEWS FOR GREATER MANCHESTER AS VIRUS INFECTIONS FALL – BUT HOSPITALS REMAIN UNDER PRESSURE

Salford has 157 new confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the cumulative total to 10,926 as the case rate falls again, from 565.6 to 534.7. However, new figures reveal that last week Salford Royal Hospital had 133 COVID-19 patients, the highest number since the second wave, while the hospital has announced seven new virus-related deaths.

At yesterday's press conference, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said that "Although there are signs, perhaps, that we may have seen the peak of the second wave...it doesn't yet appear that we've reached the peak in terms of pressure on our hospitals".

SALFORD REMEMBRANCE WREATH LAID FOR MINERS WHO DIED DURING THE WARS

added 12 November 2020

AGECROFT SEES WREATH LAID FOR MINERS AS WALTER PARR GRANDSON SOUGHT

This afternoon, a wreath was laid at the Agecroft War Memorial in memory of Salford miners who died in service during the wars. Representatives from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service laid their own wreath in the morning.

Attending the ceremony was Martin Simpson, who discovered a war grave for his great, great uncle, Walter Parr, who died in action in 1918, and is now trying to trace Walter's grandson.

SALFORD HOPES RAISED TO SAVE DUNCAN MATHESON PLAYING FIELDS FROM DEVELOPERS

added 11 November 2020

SWINTON FC IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR DUNCAN MATHESON FIELDS FUNDING

The ongoing battle to save Duncan Matheson Playing Fields from developers has taken a slight optimistic turn, as Swinton Football Club has been in negotiations with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Manchester charity to bring all the fields back into use.

Duncan Matheson is part owned by the charity and part owned by Salford City Council which has earmarked its share of the land for the development of fifty houses.

TEN PER CENT OF SALFORD POPULATION TO BE OFFERED RAPID VIRUS TEST

added 11 November 2020

LIVERPOOL-STYLE TESTS TO BE OFFERED IN SALFORD

Liverpool-style rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests for asymptomatic people will be offered to ten per of Salford's population, the Government has announced. The tests can provide results within an hour without needing to be processed in a lab. Salford's Director of Public Health will decide who is to be prioritised for the tests.

SALFORD HAS 160 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AS NUMBERS APPEAR TO BE DECREASING

added 11 November 2020

CORONACOASTER CONTINUES TO DIP

Salford has 160 new confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the cumulative total to 10,769. While the figure is up from the previous day's 111 cases, the latest seven day average of cases decreased from 1,521 to 1,464, and numbers are dropping in every Greater Manchester borough, bar one. There have been four new deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile residents in Salford claimed almost two thousand free school meals from Salford City Council during half term - but a fundraising campaign to help with free meals vouchers over Christmas has only attracted 36 donations from across the city.