Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD RUGBY STADIUM LOSSES MOUNT TO OVER £10 MILLION

added 31 December 2013

Star date: 30th December 2013

STADIUM LOSSES MORE THAN DOUBLE IN LAST YEAR

The Salford Council/Peel Holdings joint venture rugby stadium in Barton has seen losses mushroom to over £10.2million, latest accounts reveal.

The value of the `AJ Bell Stadium', which hosts Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks, has been written down from £19million in 2011 to £7.649million in 2013 – with around £22million still owed on public money loans from Salford Council. Many will be asking whether the de-valuing of the Stadium is a set up for Marwan Koukash to purchase it on the cheap. And what's it all got to do with fracking?

SALFORD CITY SHOCK MIGHTY DARLINGTON 1883

added 30 December 2013

Star date: 29th December 2013

AMMIES SHAKE QUAKERS AT DARLINGTON

Darlington 1883 2 Salford City 2

A patched up Salford City FC gave mighty Darlington 1883 a massive shock yesterday before the re-born club's biggest crowd of the season. Leading 2-0 with twenty minutes to go, a frantic Darlington fightback ensured a draw. But what a game, what great goals and what a performance by the Ammies. This was the day the mighty Quakers, er, quaked…

SALFORD CITY BAD SANTA DAY AT RAMSBOTTOM

added 29 December 2013

Star date: 27th December 2013

BATTLING FIGHTBACK CAN'T SAVE AMMIES

Ramsbottom United 5 Salford City 2

After giving Ramsbottom a three goal present, Salford battled back with two outstanding strikes from Mark Battersby to almost equalise by half time. But plagued by injuries, the Ammies couldn't quite pull the game around. Salford fans wanted a Christmas cracker – they got Casualty and Bad Santa…

Match Report and photos here…

added 27 December 2013

SALFORD LAD ETHAN EVANS RAISES THOUSANDS FOR ST ANNS HOSPICE

Star date: 26th December 2013

ETHAN CHARITY PRINCE OF SALFORD

Eleven year old Ethan Evans has raised over £5,500 for St Ann's Hospice this year through bag packing, social events, raffles and corporate donations.

Ethan, who is also one of Britain's top swimmers for his age, has overcome his own problems and is now hell bent on helping others. 2014 will see him embark on fundraising for Francis House.

SALFORD STAR SEASONS GREETINGS

added 26 December 2013

Star date: 24th December 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE SALFORD STAR

The Salford Star would like to wish all its readers, contributors, donators and backstabbers a very happy holiday. To all of you who have made this year the most successful online year ever, we thank you.

Our festive image is from the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp.

More seasonal photos here…

added 24 December 2013

SALFORD MAYOR CHRISTMAS CARD HORROR

Star date: 24th December 2013

`LET THEM EAT CAKE'… SALFORD COUNCIL CHRISTMAS CARD

It's not often that the Salford Star is speechless but having seen this year's animated Christmas card from Santa hat-clad Mayor Ian Stewart… we are, er, speechless!

It shows the Mayor, his Deputy and the three remaining senior Council officers going into an oven and then dancing into a `gingerbread town hall'. Takes the biscuit? Let them eat cake? What is the message? We're speechless!

Full cruel yule card horror here…

added 24 December 2013

PREGNANT BARTON MOSS CAMPAIGNER REPLIES TO GMP ON SALFORD ARREST

Star date: 23rd December 2013

AS FOUR MORE BARTON MOSS CAMPAIGNERS ARRESTED OPEN LETTER TO POLICE SPELLS IT OUT

As four more arrests of campaigners at Barton Moss took place yesterday, Maria Sanders, the pregnant protector who was arrested at the site's demonstration last week, has written an open letter to Greater Manchester Police.

She was arrested for `threatening behaviour' and responds… "If this officer… is genuinely threatened by a woman who is five months pregnant and at the time walking backwards drinking a cup of lukewarm tea…perhaps he should be undergoing some form of psychological evaluation."

Read full letter here…

added 23 December 2013

CONDEM GOVERNMENT WINS AWARD FOR SERVICES TO SALFORD

Star date: 22nd December 2013

CONDEM GOVERNMENT WINS AWARD FOR TRASHING SALFORD

While the Salford Mayor, MP and Council have scooped most of the Awards this year, it would be unfair to leave out the masterminds behind all the misery, the ones sat stroking their fat white cats.

Ladies and gentlemen, queue up at yer food banks, get kicked out of yer houses and preen that poverty for the most disgusting Government in recent history, the ConDems…

SUPER SALFORD CITY FC STORM INTO CHRISTMAS

added 22 December 2013

Star date: 22nd December 2013

SALFORD CITY CUT CABLES TO SIZE

Salford City 2 Prescot Cables 0

Salford City took their current run to one loss in seven games with the grinding down of Prescot Cables. A penalty by Mark Battersby and a long range howitzer from Matty Purcell sealed the points.

SALFORD COUNCIL INVESTS IN FRACKING COMPANY IGAS

added 22 December 2013

Star date: 20th December 2013

SALFORD COUNCIL INVESTS IN IGAS VIA PENSION FUND

"The layers of corruption and vested interests are starting to become clear" Helen Chuntso

Salford Council, via the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, has been found to be investing in IGas, the company that is causing all the controversy in Barton Moss with its exploratory drilling activities, campaign group Frack Free Greater Manchester has discovered.

As Salford Labour Party, which controls the Council, refuses to condemn fracking, this is bound to lead to questions about a potential conflict of interest. Meanwhile, today there were more protests at Barton Moss as part of the IGas drilling rig arrived at the site.

SALFORD RISK OF LOSING HOME SECOND WORST OUTSIDE LONDON

added 20 December 2013

Star date: 20th December 2013

SALFORD IS "FRIGHTENING" AND "HEARTBREAKING" HOUSE EVICTION HOTSPOT

Salford has been highlighted in a new report by Shelter as being a hotspot for potential house repossession or evictions, with one in 61 households at risk compared to an England average of one in 105.

The statistics make Salford the second worst place in England, outside London, and the worst in the North West. Shelter's Chief Exec called the figures "frightening" and added "It is heartbreaking to see that so many people in England face spending Christmas with the threat of losing their home hanging over them."

Full details here...

added 20 December 2013

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS INTEREST FREE LOANS AWARD

Star date: 19th December 2013

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS INTEREST FREE LOANS – BUT NOT FOR US AWARD

The ridiculously long title of the Interest Free Loans - But Not For Us Award reflects the ridiculous amount of free money given out on behalf of council tax payers to companies that are already rolling in cash. So kiss yer sharks and bang yer head on the bank for this year's winner, Salford City Council…

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE WINS SPELLING AWARD

added 19 December 2013

Star date: 18th December 2013

GMP WINS SALFORD STAR SPELLING AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards, given out to honour stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities in the city over the past 12 months.

While the winners tend to be Salford politicians and companies, there's been a last minute entry for Greater Manchester Police spelling at the anti-fracking Big Orange Bus blockade in Salford this morning. Yep, in came the `Protestor Removal Team' – and out went the dictionary. So wave your English GCSEs in the air for GMP…

SALFORD ANTI FRACKERS BIG ORANGE BUS BLOCKADE

added 18 December 2013

Star date: 18th December 2013

BARTON MOSS BLOCKADE OF IGAS SITE WITH ORANGE BUS

Another brilliant and daring protest against IGas deliveries to its exploratory drilling site took place this morning as anti-fracking protesters blockaded the entrance gates with a big orange coach.

Four campaigners locked themselves onto various parts of the bus which was festooned with messages like `Happy Fracking Christmas' and `Keep Calm and Block the Drill'. It took Greater Manchester police over six hours to remove them, while the action delayed a big convoy of lorries.

SALFORD COUNCILLOR GENA MERRETT WINS ASHLEY JENSEN AWARD

added 18 December 2013

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Star date: 17th December 2013

MERRETT WINS SALFORD STAR AWARD FOR EXPOSING EXTREMISM

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards, given out to honour stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities in the city over the past 12 months.

We have yet another new category this year, The Ashley Jensen Award for Exposing Political Extremism and, although there were several nominations there could be only one winner. So ladies and gentlemen, dance on the tables and cough yer guts out for Salford Assistant Mayor Gena Merrett…

SALFORD ANTI FRACKING PROTESTERS DELIVER XMAS PRESENT TO IGAS

added 17 December 2013

Star date: 16th December 2013

GIANT WIND TURBINE BLADE APPEARS AT BARTON MOSS

This morning, daring anti-fracking campaigners delivered an early Christmas present to the IGas exploratory drilling site at Barton Moss – a massive wind turbine blade which was left blocking the entrance gates.

Late this morning police were guarding the highly symbolic `present' as officers told the Salford Star it was `crime scene evidence'.

SALFORD MAYOR WINS RENT A CROWD OF THE YEAR AWARD

added 16 December 2013

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Star date: 16th December 2013

IAN STEWART WINS SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS `RENT-A-CROWD' AWARD

This `Rent-a-Crowd of the Year' Award is dedicated to all the parents involved in the Save The Grange campaign and all those at the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp. And we have never-seen-before footage to prove the credentials of this year's worthy winner. Ladies and gentlemen wave yer placards in the air for Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart!!!

ISLINGTON MILL FUTURE PARTY FOR SALFORD NEW YEAR

added 16 December 2013

Star date: 15th December 2013

PARTY INTO 3014 AT ISLINGTON MILL

The Future Party
Tuesday 31st December 9pm-8am
Islington Mill £15/£20

Islington Mill's New Year's Eve all night bash promises to `catapult you through a portal into the year 3014 where you will be blasted by a collection of the most forward thinking club nights, promoters and DJs'. With four rooms full of the sassy and the strange can it be missed?

SALFORD CITY STUN CLITHEROE

added 15 December 2013

Star date: 15th December 2013

BATTLING AMMIES FORCE LAST MINUTE DRAW

Clitheroe 2 Salford City 2

Salford City stunned Clitheroe with a last minute equaliser to continue a top run of form that has seen just one loss in the last six league matches. Matthew Purcell hit the first goal and sub David Chadwick got the 89th minute header that sent the Ammies home happy.

MARTIN VICKERS WINS THE SOMETHING STINKS IN SALFORD AWARD

added 15 December 2013

Star date: 14th December 2013

MARTIN VICKERS WINS THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS `SOMETHING STINKS IN SALFORD' AWARD

When it comes to major iffy activities the judges had no hesitation in honouring Salford Council's former Strategic Director Martin Vickers, who this week was appointed Chief Executive of Salford Red Devils. So ladies and gentlemen bounce yer odd shaped balls and hold yer noses for…Martin Vickers!!!

This way down the red devil's carpet please…

added 14 December 2013

SALFORD POLICE TARGET PREGNANT AND ELDERLY AT BARTON MOSS PROTEST

Star date: 13th December 2013

THREE ARRESTS, INCLUDING PREGNANT WOMAN AND AN MEP CANDIDATE AT BARTON MOSS PROTEST

"This is the sort of brutality we've come to expect on the Moss when police are facilitating IGas' corporate agenda" Dan

Three people were arrested, including a pregnant woman and a Green Party MEP candidate, at Barton Moss Community Protection site this morning as around sixty people peacefully demonstrated against more lorry deliveries at the IGas drilling site.

Meanwhile, a disabled man was also barged into bushes by police and an ambulance was called, while an elderly lady with a walking stick was removed against her wishes by police for `walking too slowly'.

SALFORD HIGH SCHOOLS OFSTED SHOCKER

added 13 December 2013

Star date: 12th December 2013

SALFORD KIDS HAVE ONLY 47% CHANCE OF DECENT HIGH SCHOOL

"For too many pupils, reaching the age of 11 can mark the end of access to a good education" Ofsted

Salford high schools have been singled out as a "concern" in the first ever Ofsted report reviewing education standards in the North West.

While our kids have a 75% chance of going to a good or outstanding primary school in Salford, their chance of going to a good or outstanding secondary school is only 47%.

MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY OCCUPIED AS SALFORD CAMPAIGNERS SHOW SOLIDARITY

added 12 December 2013

Star date: 11th December 2013

BARTON MOSS PROTECTORS JOIN UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER OCCUPATION

Students at Manchester University this afternoon occupied its `Social Responsibility' offices as part of a nationwide `Cops Off Campus day' following events at the University of London this week.

This evening the students were joined by people from the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp in Salford, which has also had its problems with police action this week.

SALFORD COUNCIL £1MILLION REDS LOAN FIASCO AS GODLIMAN WATSON HITS SKIDS

added 11 December 2013

Star date: 11th December 2013

SALFORD COUNCIL'S `CREATIVE FINANCIAL MANOEUVRES' BACKFIRE AS WILLOWS LAND GOES INTO RECEIVERSHIP

Salford Council's outstanding loan to the old Salford Reds rugby club company, £1million of which was secured by a deal related to The Willows that even the Council's legal people called `creative financial manoeuvres', looks set for trouble.

Godliman Watson Homes Limited, which `owns' The Willows land is in receivership, its building site at Albert Park is derelict and companies say they are owed thousands of pounds by GWH Ltd, of which former Reds director Robert Iain Watson is a joint owner.

GM POLICE ACCUSED OF QUOTAS AS FIVE ARRESTED IN BARTON MOSS SALFORD

added 10 December 2013

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Star date: 9th December 2013

POLICE `ON A MISSION TO MAKE FIVE ARRESTS' SAY BARTON MOSS ANTI-FRACKING CAMPAIGNERS

"You cannot arrest someone for walking down a road backwards"

This morning Greater Manchester Police made five arrests during a peaceful blockade of lorries heading for the IGas drilling site in Barton Moss. Video footage appears to show police snatch squads targeting some of the twenty people who were involved in the action, with an inspector apparently overheard saying the police needed to make `one more arrest', indicating some kind of quota.

The police were accused of being "aggressive" and "out of control" by campaigner Ian R Crane.

SALFORD RALLY AGAINST FRACKING CALLS ON LABOUR PARTY TO GET OFF THE FENCE

added 09 December 2013

Star date: 9th December 2013

BARTON MOSS TELLS SALFORD MAYOR `NO MORE PERMITS'

"Labour has got to come off the fence on this one" Gail Hodson, Labour councillor

Around four hundred people from all over the country, many carrying trade union and campaign banners, attended a rally and march in support of the Barton Community Protection Camp yesterday

Speeches against fracking company IGas were also directed at Salford City Council and Mayor Ian Stewart, telling the Labour Party to get off the fence and give no more permits for gas drilling in the city.

DELI LAMA CHRISTMAS MARKET SUPPORTS SALFORD CREATIVES

added 09 December 2013

Star date: 8th December 2013

VINTAGE CLOTHES, ART, JEWELLERY, WOOD CRAFT, PHOTOS, BOOKS AND MORE

Deli Lama Christmas Market
Sunday 15th December 10am-3pm
Bexley Square

The Deli Lama café bar and venue is hosting a very special Christmas Market next Sunday with an array of local artists and creatives selling a whole range of one-off gifts, from vintage clothes to photography, and the Salford Lions will be having a stall too.

You can also buy a raffle ticket to win an extraordinary Marmite pack – with proceeds to the Salford Star – love it or hate it?

SALFORD REBEL MUSIC AT THE CRESCENT

added 08 December 2013

Star date 8th December 2013

REBEL MUSIC AT MARX'S DRINKING HAUNT

Rebel Music
Saturday 14th December
The Crescent 7pm free/donation

Having stormed The Crescent pub with the Salford Against The Cuts fundraiser last week, Class Actions and co are at it again with Rebel Music At Karl Max's Drinking Haunt – a night of hot rappers, poets and singer songwriters.

SALFORD ATHLETICS STAR PAULA DUNN LINKS UP WITH DIANE MODAHL

added 08 December 2013

Star date: 8th December 2013

PAULA DUNN BECOMES AMBASSADOR FOR DIANE MODAHL SPORTS FOUNDATION

Peel Green's Paula Dunn, Britain's best female sprinter in the late 80s and early 90s and now Head Coach of Paralympics GB, has been appointed as an ambassador for the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.

The Foundation aims to inspire and develop athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds to be all round champions, as Paula explained to the Salford Star.

SUPER SALFORD CITY TANK THE RAILWAYS

added 08 December 2013

Star date: 7th December 2013

AMAZING AMMIES MAKE IT FOUR WINS OUT OF FIVE

Salford City 2 Harrogate Railway Athletic 0

Super Salford City made it four wins out of the last five league games to move up to tenth in the Evo-Stik First Division North by smashing Harrogate with a top second half performance. Goals from Josh Messer and new signing Porya `Rio' Ahmadi sealed the points.

SALFORD RALLY TO SUPPORT BARTON COMMUNITY PROTECTION CAMP

added 07 December 2013

Star date: 7th December 2013

SAY NO TO COAL BED METHANE AND SHALE GAS IN BARTON

Support the Barton Moss Protection Camp Rally
Sunday 8th December meet 12:30
Junction of Liverpool Rd and Barton Moss Rd

A zillion anti-fracking groups have joined together to call a rally tomorrow in support of the Barton Community Protection Camp near the IGas drilling exploratory site.

The rally has been called by the Campaign against Climate Change (CaCC) Trade Union Group, along with Frack Free Greater Manchester, the Green Party, Greater Manchester Trades Council and more.

SALFORD CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2013

added 07 December 2013

Star date: 7th December 2013

CAROLS, READINGS, SINGALONGS AT RNCM

Salford Choral Society Christmas Concert
Saturday 21 December 7.30pm
Royal Northern College of Music £15/£10

The ace annual Salford Choral Society Christmas Concert at the RNCM this year features Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Warlock's Bethlehem Down, and Bruckner's Ave Maria amongst an array of traditional and new carols… "Bring your voice and join in" say the organisers.

SALFORD MENTAL HEALTH BED WARD TO BE AXED AT MEADOWBROOK

added 07 December 2013

Star date: 6th December 2013

A Salford Star Exclusive

MEADOWBROOK PATIENTS SHOVED INTO MIXED WARD AS MEN'S FACILITY IS AXED

Male mental health patients at Meadowbrook are to have their single sex Riley ward axed, as male and female patients will be forced to share the Eagleton ward.

Trade union, UNISON, which represents staff at the hospital have slated the proposals as "not good for patients or their families" and say they will oppose the move. There is a Public Meeting to campaign against mental health service cuts in Bolton tomorrow.

SALFORD MP HAZEL BLEARS WINS BUM OF THE YEAR AWARD

added 06 December 2013

Star date: 6th December 2013

BLEARS GRABS `BUM OF THE YEAR' SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards, which are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

Having been warned off using the name Rear of the Year by that classy competition's organisers* the Salford Star judges have had to change the name of this Award. But still - slap yer thigh, wet yer knickers and kiss yer goose for the MP who doesn't fear her rear…Salford MP Hazel Blears!!!

PEEL HOLDINGS WINS SALFORD EXCELLENCE AWARD

added 06 December 2013

Star date: 5th December 2013

PEEL WINS SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRECKING SALFORD

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards, given out to stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

The judges had no hesitation in awarding habitual Mary Burns gong winners, Peel Holdings/Peel Group this year's prize for Excellence In Wrecking Salford. Cover yer eyes, bring out yer sick bags and give it up – give it all up including yer environment, yer identity and yer money – for Peel Holdings.

SALFORD BARTON PROTECTION CAMP DEFENDANTS GIVEN BAIL

added 05 December 2013

Star date: 5th December 2013

AS BARTON COMMUNITY PROTECTION CAMP BLOWN DOWN, GOOD NEWS FOR THE BARTON THREE

Three community protectors, arrested by Greater Manchester Police last week as they tried to delay equipment arriving at the IGas drilling site in Barton, were given unconditional bail at Manchester Magistrates Court today.

Campaigners branded the case "a waste of public money" and called the ruling a "victory for common sense". Meanwhile today, the Barton Community Protection Camp blew down in strong winds and the protectors are appealing for help from the public.

SALFORD FRACKING PROTEST SEES GM POLICE OVERKILL

added 05 December 2013

Star date: 4th December 2013

IGAS EQUIPMENT DELAYED BY POLICE-SWAMPED PROTEST

Around two dozen campaigners from the Barton Community Protection Camp managed to delay the delivery of equipment to the IGas drilling site by over two hours today as wagons backed up onto the main Irlam road.

The trucks were guarded by a huge Greater Manchester Police presence, including Tactical Aid Unit riot vans and dozens of police personnel. There were no arrests or injuries during the peaceful protest.

Full details and photos here…

added 04 December 2013

BARBARA SPICER WINS SALFORD EXIT AWARD

Star date: 4th December 2013

SPICER WINS `EXIT STAGE LEFT' SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD

This year we have another new category, the `Exit Stage Left' Award for which there were two contenders – Martin Vickers, Salford Council's Strategic Director, and Chief Executive Barbara Spicer. But the judges decided there could be only one winner. So dry yer tears and wave yer hankies for quit queen Barbara Spicer.

MAYOR IAN STEWART WINS KING OF SALFORD AWARD

added 04 December 2013

Star date: 3rd December 2013

STEWART WINS `GIMME THAT CROWN' SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD

This year we have a new category, the `Gimme That Crown' Award for which there was only one contender. So get on yer knees, doff yer caps and all hale the man who would be King of Salford…Salford City Mayor…Mr Ian Stewart!

SALFORD COUNCIL CUTS PREDICTIONS FOR 2014

added 03 December 2013

Star date: 2nd December 2013

A Salford Star Exclusive

MYSTIC MARY PREDICTS COUNCIL CUTS FOR SALFORD STAR

The amazing Mystic Mary Burns has dropped by to predict Salford Council cuts for 2014-15. Her incredible psychic powers unveil the horror to come as £25million of cuts are imposed…

So come with us on a mystical journey of miserablism and then, to relieve the horror, play Mary's fun new game `I'm A Salford Assistant Mayor Get Me Out Of Here'…

Cross Mary's palm with your benefit cuts and all will be revealed…

added 02 December 2013

SUZUKI METHOD GO NATIVE FOR SALFORD

Star date: 1st December 2013

EP, SINGLE AND LIVE DATE FOR SUZUKIS

Suzuki Method
Academy 2 (supporting Alabama 3)
Friday 13th December 7:30pm

Top Salford band, Suzuki Method are going big at the moment with a new single, Sherbet, taken from their Native EP, plus a live date supporting Alabama 3 at the Academy on the 13th December. Cat Heuston caught up with the band during a live store performance to launch the tunes…

SALFORD ECO CAMP AGAINST FRACKING PUTS ON PARTY

added 01 December 2013

Star date: 1st December 2013

MAD FRACKERS TEA PARTY DRAWS LOCAL KIDS TO ECO CAMP

Yesterday the Barton Community Protection Camp threw a Mad Frackers Tea Party which brought in over a hundred guests, including lots of local children and young people who made new banners and placards against potential fracking by IGas.

The big discussion of the day was the earthquakes in Texas this week centred around fracking sites.

Full details and photos here…

added 01 December 2013

SALFORD AGAINST THE CUTS FUNDRAISER

Star date 1st December 2013

SALFORD BANDS LINE UP AGAINST THE CUTS

Salford Against The Cuts Fundraiser
Friday 6th December
Crescent Pub, 7pm free entry but suggested voluntary contribution

Salford bands, poets, MCs and rappers are lining up to perform for Salford Against The Cuts next Friday at The Crescent. Acts include Class Actions, The Moods, Trojan Horse and Taser Puppets. "It's more important than ever that we stand up and show resistance to this regime" says Class Actions vocalist Aidan Cross.