THE TOP FIVE SALFORD STAR STORIES IN 2011 

So much happened in Salford this year – the cuts, the riots, MediaCityUK, fat cats, Peel Holdings, protests, more cuts, more stupid spending, and, er, more cuts…

Come and re-live the top Salford happenings of the year – and we reveal the five most popular Salford Star stories for 2011…

LAST EVER NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE BLACK LION PUB

Countdown to the World's End Party
Black Lion Pub, Chapel Street
31st December 8pm 'til 3am £3

It's a lovely theme for 2012 – the end of the world…And, for a change, it's nowt to do with Salford Council.

Apparently the Mayans are predicting the world will end on December 21st 2012, so Future Artists is hosting a full on celebration at the Black Lion pub this New Year's Eve.

Radcliffe Borough 0 Salford City 3

SUPER SALFORD END 2011 ON A HIGH

Salford City ended 2011 with a fine win over Radcliffe Borough that takes Rhodri Giggs' team to just five points from a play-off place. Three magnificent goals from Scott Metcalfe, Danny Heffernan and Cayne Hanley bagged the points.

FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS, CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPPORTERS...

With attitude and love xxx

TOP STREETS DEMOLITION: PART 1

APPROPRIATE ADULT HOUSE DEMOLISHED IN THE TOP STREETS OF HIGHER BROUGHTON

"These properties are unique surviving examples of a working class Northern neighbourhood" SAVE Britain's Heritage letter to Eric Pickles.

A Salford Star Exclusive

FROM SALFORD? GO USE CANAL NO 5!

Chanel perfume will not allow its brand to be sold in Salford, the Salford Star understands.

Readers have told us that when they have gone to buy any Chanel perfume at shops in Salford, they have been told that the brand is not licensed for sale here.

A Salford Star Exclusive

SALFORD COUNCIL TO SHUT THREE DAY CARE CENTRES?
Ordsall, Irlam and Little Hulton in firing line…

"It's disgusting… for many people who attend these day centres this will be a life or death sentence" Salford Pensioners Association

Salford Council is to possibly axe three day care centres in the city– Humphrey Booth in Ordsall, Craig Hall in Irlam and Brierley House in Little Hulton.

Salford Council was actually discussing the sale of Brierley House at a meeting yesterday – before the service users or staff had even been informed of its possible closure…

Salford Council Expenditure over £500 July 2011 

ANY CHIMNEYS LEFT IN SALFORD FOR SANTA?
IN ONE MONTH SALFORD COUNCIL SPENDS OVER £130K ON DEMOLITIONS…

Back in the summer, rather than singing birds, it was the sound of bulldozers ringing around Salford as the demolition companies continued to feather their nest to the tune of £136,366 in one July month.

Meanwhile, Santa Salford came early for Peel Holdings which got almost £88,000 in `miscellaneous grants' for MediaCityUK, plus another £1,720,000 towards its joint venture Barton Stadium…

RISE AND SHINE WITH ATTITUDE AND LOVE XXX

Yes, this stunning Salford Star mug in total tangerine is not just for Christmas - you'll rise and shine every day With Attitude and Love xxx.

This brand new edition of the mug is available only in limited edition so place your order now. And get thinking while you're drinking…

SALFORD RESIDENTS LEFT ON SIDELINES AS BBC GETS ITS FOOTY FOCUS WRONG

`…this type of experience could really damage the reputation of the BBC in the community' David Timperely

Yesterday, as the BBC's Football Focus was broadcast live from Salford Lads Club, up to forty people were left out in the rain unable to gain access despite having tickets.

One Salford resident, David Timperley, informed the Salford Star that he arrived early with a ticket, well before the doors were open, only to be told that the venue was full. The "disappointed and angry" Smiths and Man United fan said: "It feels like Salford residents take a back seat and are excluded from such opportunities within their own city…"

Salford City 4 Mossley 1

SUPER SALFORD CITY DESTROY MOSSLEY

At a freezing Moor Lane, and with half the side out injured or suspended, Salford City turned on the power to blast away Mossley with three second half goals, including two from super sub Ben Beresford

The Ammies now go into the Christmas period in 9th place in the Evo-Stik First Division, before playing Radcliffe Borough on Boxing Day.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SALFORD BLITZ VICTIMS

Blitz Memorial Garden, Agecroft Cemetery
Sunday 18th December 11am
Peel Green Cemetery (near Crematorium)
Sunday 18th December 12noon

During the Second World War, on the nights of 22nd and 23rd December 1940, German bombers blitzed Salford killing hundreds, and injuring thousands of people. 

Tomorrow, Sunday 18th December, two memorial events are being held at Agecroft and Peel Green cemeteries by The Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust to mark the anniversary of the atrocity.

SALFORD COUNCIL APPROVES BROUGHTON BOUNDARY LINES

Salford Council gave the go ahead for the creation of an Eruv in Salford at its Planning Panel yesterday. An Eruv is a physical boundary line that allows orthodox Jewish people to carry out activities on Sabbath.

Despite the plan being opposed by people from the orthodox Jewish community itself, plus liberal and secular Jewish people and local residents, the plans for the Eruv were passed after the Planning Panel councillors were told to take religious matters `out of the equation'…

SALFORD KIDS WILL SUFFER – TEACHERS SPEAK OUT

"That dream that was sold to the pupils in lower school…and they have worked really hard to achieve that…That's all gone" ex Oasis teacher

Today saw the fifth and final day of a series of strikes by teaching staff at Oasis Academy MediaCityUK, in opposition to 13 jobs being lost by Christmas.

Here we focus on the teachers' views as they finally leave the former Hope High School tomorrow. If your child is at Oasis Academy you need to read their opinions…

SALFORD ESTATES CONFIRM SALFORD OUTDOOR MARKET CLOSURE

"It's crazy. Absolutely crazy" Anne, market trader

Salford Precinct owners, Salford Estates, has confirmed the closure of its Outdoor Market, as predicted by Salford Star last month.

The outdoor market will close on 31st January 2012, as part of the Precinct makeover which includes a new indoor market hall and new retail outlets. The long established Thursday flea market and the Sunday car boot market have not been offered alternative sites.

OASIS TEACHERS ON STRIKE AGAINST CHRISTMAS SACKINGS

"It's a disaster…This lot couldn't manage a whelk stall" Joe Langley, NASUWT

Picket lines appeared outside Oasis Academy MediaCityUK again yesterday morning as teaching staff continue to oppose forced redundancies imposed by the `Christian' school just before Christmas.

This was fourth day of unprecedented industrial action in a Salford school, with pupils sent home and another strike to happen tomorrow. The dispute could have been settled by Oasis but the management refused…

TOP SALFORD THEMED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
No 5: NIGEL WALKER PRINTS

He seems to have come out of nowhere but Ordsall-born Nigel Walker's paintings are fast becoming recognised as depicting Salford and Manchester in stunning realism.

Walker has produced seven poster prints, including one of Salford Precinct market, which are on sale, everywhere from Salford Museum and Art Gallery to the post office on Littleton Road, Lower Kersal. Looking for a unique Salford Christmas present? Look no further!

TOP SALFORD THEMED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
No 4: DESPERATE MEASURES DVD

This top thriller feature film is the perfect Christmas present for anyone who seriously wants to escape the festive season. Written and produced by Salfordian Chris Green and starring Langworthy's own Stephen Lord, Desperate Measures is seriously bleak but spellbinding.

We asked Stephen Lord why everyone should be thrilled to find this DVD in their stocking.

I'M BRIAN AND SO'S MY WIFE
Friday 16th December
8pm onwards free
Black Lion Pub

As part of the Future Artists Christmas shindig next Friday, the No Turn Unstoned team is putting on a festive session of open mic, anything goes entertainment with adult poetry, tall tales, music, comedy and probably the kitchen sink chucked in there too.

TOP SALFORD THEMED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
No 3: SALFORD STAR MUGS – WITH ATTITUDE AND LOVE XXX

A Salford Star mug is not just for Christmas and will bring ferocious cheer all year round!

With a cool Salford Star logo on one side and our strapline `With Attitude and Love xxx' on the other, impress your friends, councillors and MPs with the one and only Salford Star mug. Who's the mugs? Not anyone seen drinking from this top designer caffeine receptive…

TOP SALFORD THEMED PRESENTS
No 2: BRIGGZY – GINGERFICATION ALBUM

Briggzy's Gingerfication, three years in the making, is the Salford album of the year. It contains what has now become the city's unofficial anthem, Home, plus loads of other top tracks that mix hip hop, indie, electro and some heartfelt feelings and fingers to people along the ginger rapper's journey to mic immortality. Er, are you listening Ms Rimmer from Hope High School?

Every kid and adult in Salford should be bought this album for Christmas. End of.

Ossett Albion 2 Salford City 1

FEAR AND LOATHING IN OSSETT

A tale of two penalties, one given, one not, fuelled drama in the dank Yorkshire hills yesterday as Salford City lost a run of seven unbeaten league games. A 91st minute Ossett goal, their second shot on target in the whole match, was enough to spoil Salford's hopes of reaching a play off position by New Year.

TOP SALFORD THEMED PRESENTS
No 1: Gifts from the Start Creative Christmas Market Stall
Brazenose Street, Manchester

Top art project, Start Creative, is selling unique gifts hand crafted in Salford at its stall at Manchester Christmas Market. Goods range from bread boards made from local trees to ceramics and art works, with different artists featured every week until Christmas. And, as Miranda Hogan discovers, all proceeds go to the great cause that is Start in Salford.

SALFORD COUNCIL `RIGHT' TO SACK CHILDREN'S CHIEF – BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THEM?

Jill Baker, former Director of Children's Services, has lost her case against Salford Council for unfair dismissal. Baker was sacked by the Council two years ago, following a stream of shocking child safeguarding cases and a constant `inadequate' rating from the Government watchdog OFSTED. The Manchester Employment Tribunal has ruled that Salford Council acted reasonably and fairly.

The Salford Star sheds no tears for Jill Baker. The magazine called for everyone who was responsible for the appalling child safeguarding mess to resign – Councillors John Merry and John Warmisham, Jill Baker and Chief Executive Barbara Spicer…

SALFORD TO BECOME WILD WEST AS COUNCIL AXES ACTION ON BARKING DOGS, DIY NOISE AND NEIGHBOURS FROM HELL

Salford Council will no longer come out to deal with barking dogs, `low frequency' noise, D.I.Y. drilling (unless it's been driving you mad for over a month) and loads of other complaints as part of cuts to its previously excellent Environmental Protection Team.

Furious residents phoning the Council with these complaints will now be told to take their own action. Expect further pressures on the police and ambulance services…

POLICE AND POVERTY CAUSED RIOTS SAY THE RIOTERS

Reading The Riots, a huge research project conducted by The Guardian newspaper and the London School of Economics, which tries to explain why the summer riots happened, has concluded that the major causes were community policing and poverty. And that the riots were a protest of sorts.

The research involved talking to 270 people who were involved in the rioting across the UK, including in Salford, and researchers collected 1.3million first person accounts.

Salford City 2 Farsley 1

SUPER SALFORD GO SEVEN UNDEFEATED

`Going up…Going Up…Going Up…'

Salford City made it seven league games undefeated in the Evo-Stik First Division North as former fourth placed Farsley came unstuck at Moor Lane. Adam Morning got the two goals as the Ammies move within six points of a play-off place with a game in hand. The excitement mounts.