Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD FLOOD VICTIMS TO GET £500 FROM SALFORD COUNCIL

added 31 December 2015

Star date: 30th December 2015

IMMEDIATE £500 FOR LOWER BROUGHTON FLOOD VICTIMS

Salford City Council this afternoon launched an emergency £500 financial assistance package for victims of the Lower Broughton flood. The payment will be processed immediately. Residents just need to call into the Broughton Trust at Humphrey Booth Centre on Spike Island with ID and bank details.

Meanwhile, St Bonifaces Social Club, which was at the centre of the community relief operation, has wound down, with the Beacon Centre by Albion School now being the main collection point for donated goods.

Full details and contact numbers – click here

added 30 December 2015

SALFORD FLOOD SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY BY THE COMMUNITY

Star date: 29th December 2015

HELP BEING DELIVERED TO LOWER BROUGHTON COMMUNITY BY THE COMMUNITY

There's loads of brilliant post-flood acts by Salford's community to help residents hit by the floods in Lower Broughton – from taking cooked food to houses, to cleaning up the streets, to donating money and goods.

This afternoon the Salford Star found volunteer man with a van, Joseph Merrishaw, picking up donated fridges, sofas and household goods and distributing them to those who are in need.

SALFORD FLOOD COMMUNITY CLEAR UP IN FULL SWING

added 29 December 2015

Star date: 28th December 2015

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, SALFORD GETS GOING...

"I'm so proud to be from Salford..." Louise, Helping Hands

This morning the community came out in force to help victims of the flood in Lower Broughton, clearing houses and delivering blankets and other essential items. People came from all over Greater Manchester to join the clean up, together with groups including the Salford Angels Women's Institute, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association and Helping Hands.

Now, a call has gone out for big companies in the city to donate desperately needed cleaning equipment, carpets, laminate flooring, sofas, cookers and fridges... "It's heartbreaking" says Susanne from Salford Angels, "the whole of people's Christmas is on their front lawn..."

SALFORD FLOODS CLEAR UP BEGINS AMIDST RECRIMINATIONS

added 28 December 2015

Star date: 27th December 2015

NO WARNINGS AND FLOOD GATES DIDN'T WORK SAY RESIDENTS

Today a huge post-flood clear up began in Lower Broughton with families disposing of virtually all contents of downstairs rooms. While neighbours, friends and council refuse collectors helped clear the debris, many of those the Salford Star spoke to were angry that they received no warnings that their homes were in imminent danger, and that `Flood Defender' gates handed to selected households didn't fit properly.

One 75 year old resident told the Star how she waded through waist high water and was left freezing for over an hour at the height of the flood.

SALFORD FLOODS DEVASTATE LOWER BROUGHTON

added 27 December 2015

Star date: 27th December 2015

MOCHA PARADE WASHED OUT...ROADS FLOODED...HOUSES SWAMPED

During early evening yesterday the River Irwell burst its banks leaving a trail of devastation in Lower Broughton, where residents saw over three feet of water swamp the estate...

"It was so fast, just a trickle and then the water went right over the top of our gates, and our car got submerged" one resident told the Salford Star "There were no warnings – I managed to save our telly and the dogs and that's it."

Mocha Parade hit by over two feet of water, while Lower Broughton Road, Broughton Road and Great Clowes Street were amongst roads closed with stranded vehicles abandoned.

SALFORD FLOODS AS RIVER IRWELL RISES

added 27 December 2015

Star date: 26th December 2015

SPIKE ISLAND FLOODS AS SALFORD ON HIGH ALERT

Spike Island in Lower Broughton was flooded this afternoon as water covered the streets and reached people's front doors. Elsewhere the River Irwell was almost breaking its banks with water cascading feet from the top of bridges and defence walls.

Salford remains on high alert as Environment Agency flood warnings cover virtually all of the Irwell areas in the city.

More details and photos click here...

added 26 December 2015

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL SALFORD STAR READERS

Star date: 25th December 2015

SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL SALFORD STAR READERS

Salford Star would like to wish happy holidays all our readers, helpers, contributors and friends...

With attitude and love xxx

See here for full image and the NUJ's excellent card

added 25 December 2015

FRED DONE WINS SALFORD STAR FEED THE RICH AWARD

Star date: 24th December 2015

FRED DONE WINS FEED THE RICH AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the ninth 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 twelve months.

The coveted Feed The Rich Award has been won by some of the most infamous companies in the North West, Peel Holdings and Urban Splash to name but two. But this year we have a new winner. So ladies and gentlemen, hold your horses and wave your one arm bandit for Salford's own cuddly Betfred hustler... Mr Fred Done!!!

Full Award details here...

added 24 December 2015

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS TREVI FOUNTAIN AWARD

Star date: 23rd December 2015

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS TREVI FOUNTAIN AWARD

Spending money like water has often been a prerequisite for winning a Mary Burns Award but spending money on water? Well what can we say? Except to ask you to piddle your pants, pop your Evian corks and spray to the heavens for the winner of the Trevi Fountain Award... Salford City Council!

Full Award details here...

added 23 December 2015

SALFORD CITY MAYOR WINS JOE STALIN AWARD FOR OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

Star date: 22nd December 2015

SALFORD MAYOR IAN STEWART WINS STALIN AWARD

This `Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government' dates back almost ten years and, for some reason, is usually won by whoever is in charge of Salford City Council. So ladies and gentlemen, crush your opponents, stifle criticism and rattle your ice picks for the worthy winner, Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart!

Full Award details here...

added 22 December 2015

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS 1984 AWARD

Star date: 21st December 2015

THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2015:

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS THE `WELCOME TO 1984' MARY BURNS AWARD

It gives us great displeasure to announce that the `Welcome to 1984' Award goes to Salford City Council for gagging its staff, both in and out of work, via social media monitoring. So ladies and gentlemen, open your Orwells and shout `Bravo New World' for Salford City C-o-o-o-u-n-c-i-l...

Full award details here...

added 21 December 2015

SALFORD SUPERSTAR FUNHOUSE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY AT ISLINGTON MILL

Star date: 20th December 2015

BE THAT SALFORD STAR AT ISLINGTON MILL NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

Cheryl, Fat Out, Guts for Garters and Khom present
Superstar Funhouse 10pm-8am £15
New Years Eve Islington Mill

The Superstar Funhouse New Years Eve dance party at Islington Mill promises the chance to become a superstar, with the blurb insisting `You are special, unique, beautiful, and interesting...'. Now's the chance to show out to the sounds of top DJs and a special public appearance from author and page three preener Trish Dee.

NEW SALFORD FRACKING LICENSE MEANS MOST OF THE CITY UP FOR DRILLING

added 20 December 2015

Star date: 19th December 2015

FRACKING LINED UP FOR WORSLEY, CLIFTON, WALKDEN, PENDLEBURY, LITTLE HULTON AND SWINTON – INCLUDING THE CIVIC CENTRE

This week saw the Government award a new license to Hutton Energy which covers huge swathes of the city which weren't previously banked by IGas around Eccles and Barton Moss.

The new license, awarded days after the Paris Climate Conference, means that a huge area is now up for fracking, including Worsley, Swinton, Clifton, Pendlebury, Little Hulton and Walkden. Nowhere outside Central Salford is now safe from the frackers, including Salford Civic Centre.

CITY WEST HOUSING CHARGE INCREASES FOR SALFORD DISABLED AND ELDERLY BRING CHRISTMAS MISERY

added 19 December 2015

Star date: 18th December 2015

CITY WEST PRICE HIKE FOR SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEMES

"I don't have heating on until night time and have to cut down on my food bills. They're putting us into hardship, it's disgraceful. And there's a lot more like me..." Ernie Spencer, 84

City West Housing Trust, a charity which made a surplus of £14.7million this year, has imposed big increases in charges for reduced support services that are supposed to help people to live independently at its sheltered schemes.

In the run up to Christmas, the Salford Star spoke to some residents who live in City West's sheltered housing in Walkden and Little Hulton about the effects on their lives... "We've been told `If you can't afford it or don't like it, move'" says one resident who is registered blind. City West's highest paid director received `emoluments' of £168,259 last year, a rise of over £15,000.

ECCLES THEATRE DEMOLITION APPLICATION WITHDRAWN FROM SALFORD COUNCIL

added 18 December 2015

Star date: 16th December 2015

PLANS TO DEMOLISH GRADE 2 LISTED CROWN THEATRE WITHDRAWN

After numerous objections and complaints from local residents, councillors and the Salford and Eccles MP, the planning application to demolish the Grade 2 listed Crown Theatre in Eccles in order to build flats has been withdrawn.

Jon Grieves, of the Save The Crown Theatre Eccles campaign, which wants the theatre restored, said it was "great news" but Indigo Planning, acting on behalf of the developer, told the Salford Star that fresh plans would be submitted in the new year.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL APPROVES £19MILLION FOR RHS GARDEN

added 16 December 2015

Star date: 16th December 2015

"WE WILL GET CRITICISM" SAY COUNCILLORS

Cash strapped Salford Council this afternoon unanimously approved its spending of £19million on the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Bridgewater in Worsley. Not one single councillor of either party questioned the payments, which include £9million to Peel Holdings.

"We will get criticism" said Environment Lead Member, Gena Merrett, as she congratulated the Council on having "the political courage to take this forward". Meanwhile Councillor Howard Balkind rounded on the Salford Star "for knocking us"...

SALFORD COUNCIL TAKES ON INFORMATION COMMISSIONER OVER WALKDEN OPEN SPACE SELL OFF

added 16 December 2015

Star date: 15th December 2015

SALFORD COUNCIL ARROGANCE IN THE FACE OF NUMEROUS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BREACHES

Salford City Council is determined to keep secret details of its dealings with developer Redwaters which wants to build sixty houses on Hill Top Moss open space land in Walkden.

Last month the Information Commissioner ruled that Salford Council had breached the Freedom of Information Act three times and ordered it to disclose information or it could possibly be in contempt of court. But rather than comply, the Council has appealed and a tribunal will hear the case in the New Year.

SALFORD COUNCIL THREE WEEK BIN COLLECTION WINS MARY BURNS AWARD

added 15 December 2015

Star date: 14th December 2015

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS THIS YEAR'S FIRST MARY BURNS AWARD

The very first award of the year is the `My old man's a dustman and he reckons the change to three week black bin collections is more to do with a dodgy PFI deal than with saving the planet' Award... So clash your bin lids and wet your cor blimey trousers for Salford City C-o-o-o-u-n-c-i-l...

SIGN PETITION AND THANK A POSTIE ON NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY

added 14 December 2015

MONDAY MARKS NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY

Tomorrow, 14th December, marks the fourth annual national Postal Workers Day, and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) want the public to thank their hardworking postie, either in person, or using social media with the hashtag #PeoplesPost, while signing a petition urging the Government to defend the People's Post.

SALFORD STAR T SHIRTS AND MUGS

added 13 December 2015

SALFORD STAR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

For Christmas we have a new supply of Salford Star t-shirts and mugs plus a few old designs found by our supplier down the back of his couch, including a very rare large dark blue hoody. Hurry, hurry, hurry for pre-Christmas delivery.

GIANT BUNNIES LIGHT UP SALFORD QUAYS IN LIGHTWAVES FESTIVAL

added 13 December 2015

WHITE BUNNIES, LIGHTS AND MIRROR CATHEDRAL AT SALFORD QUAYS FEST

Lightwaves 2015
Until 27th December 4:30pm-10:30pm
Salford Quays free

Giant white bunnies, a Cathedral of Mirrors, a psychedelic maze and more are lighting up the public spaces at Salford Quays from now until Christmas as international artists celebrate UNESCO's International Year of Light.

3D PRINT REVOLUTION FOR SALFORD DISABLED PEOPLE

added 13 December 2015

DISABLED SALFORD PEOPLE INVITED TO JOIN THE REVOLUTION

Fab Lab Workshop
Thursday 14th and Friday 15th January 2016
Start in Salford 10am-4pm free

It's being called a `revolution' for disabled people – being able to design personalised gadgets that will help with day to day life, and then to 3D print them to take home and use. It's a `Fab' idea, and there's a free two day course at Start in Salford in January.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DRAMA TO HIT HARD IN SALFORD

added 13 December 2015

Star date: 12th December 2015

REAL LIFE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACCOUNTS DRAMATISED

And Then You Kissed Me
Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th January
The Lowry £12/£10

`And Then You Kissed Me explores the way in which sexual chemistry and an innate need for love and care within all of us can become toxic...'

The day to day reality of domestic violence is being brought to the stage by Salford based theatre company, Footlights. The hard hitting play, And Then You Kissed Me is based on accounts from victims and perpetrators, and the authorities that deal with the fall out.

SALFORD MADLAB LED CHRISTMAS TREE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

added 12 December 2015

Star date: 12th December 2015

9-11 YEAR OLDS CHRISTMAS TREE MAKER WORKSHOP

Salford MadLab LED Christmas Tree Workshop
Sunday 13th December 2pm-3pm
Bexley Square £5

Salford MadLab is running a special LED Christmas Tree maker workshop for young people aged 9 to 11 tomorrow at its base on the corner of Bexley Square. The miniature trees will be made from laser-cut parts, copper tape and solder.

SALFORD SICK AND ELDERLY PROTEST AGAINST HUGE INCREASE IN SALIX HOMES CHARGES

added 12 December 2015

Star date: 11th December 2015

SALIX FORCED TO CLIMB DOWN OVER VOTE ON UP TO £20 A WEEK SUPPORT COSTS

"How am I going to pay all this? I'm going to have to go on the streets, at 62" Christine, MS sufferer.

Salford's sick and elderly protested outside Salix Homes HQ yesterday over charges that could see a cost of over £20 a week imposed for those living in sheltered housing. Salix was pressing ahead before Christmas with a vote on the unaffordable rise but after meeting protesters agreed to postpone it until February while independent advice is sought for residents. It's a major, if temporary, victory for people power.

SALFORD COULD BE SET FOR OVER 60,000 NEW HOUSES AND FLATS

added 11 December 2015

Star date: 9th December 2015

SALFORD COULD SOAK UP 19% OF ALL NEW HOUSES AND FLATS IN GREATER MANCHESTER

Salford could see over 63,000 new houses and flats built over the next twenty years, if lobbying developers and investors get their way in influencing a document that will be enshrined into Greater Manchester policy. It will include the loss of considerable parts of the Green Belt.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is currently consulting on the proposals. Yet there is no sign of any publicity on it in Salford; not on the Council's website, nor anywhere else. What the hell is going on?

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL TO CONTRIBUTE £19MILLION TO ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY GARDEN

added 09 December 2015

Star date: 8th December 2015

A Salford Star Exclusive

SALFORD COUNCIL TO `CONTRIBUTE' £19 MILLION FOR WORSLEY GARDEN – INCLUDING £9MILLION TO PEEL HOLDINGS

Cash-strapped Salford City Council is to `contribute' £19million to the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Bridgewater on the site of the old Worsley New Hall. The cost includes £9million to Peel Holdings, £5million for `on site' delivery, with a further £5million for `infrastructure'.

A finance report, to be discussed at a full meeting of the Council next week, warns that there could be "consequential pressure on the City Council's revenue budget"...

SALFORD SCHOOL HOURS COULD CHANGE TO REDUCE POLLUTION PROPOSES GMCA

added 08 December 2015

Star date: 7th December 2015

A Salford Star Exclusive

SCHOOL HOURS CHANGE AND HIGH EMISSION VEHICLES CHARGE IN GMCA POLLUTION AND CONGESTION PROPOSALS

Salford school hours could change in radical proposals by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to reduce congestion and pollution. A new Air Quality document, shortly going out to consultation, includes an option for "flexible school days that allow pupils to arrive earlier or later and avoid peak travel times."

Other proposals include Clean Air Zones in which "vehicles that do not meet specified minimum emissions standards are charged for entering the area"; encouraging more electric vehicles and only allowing buses with the lowest emissions to use routes that are highly polluted.

THE SOUNDS OF SALFORD LIVE MUSIC CHARITY NIGHT

added 07 December 2015

Star date: 6th December 2015

BENEFIT STATE, THE ASCENSION, CHRIS FLYNN, JIMMY TWAMLEY, TNT, THE THINGS LINE UP FOR CHARITIES

The Sounds of Salford Live Music Night
Friday 18th December from 7pm
The Old Pint Pot £5

Live bands, singers, DJs and a poet are going to be playing at The Old Pint Pot on 18th December for The Sounds of Salford Radio Live Music Night, with proceeds going to St Ann's Hospice and Shelter for Soldiers. Expect to hear the most off-the-wall version of Dirty Old Town, amongst other treats...

SALFORD UNIVERSITY STUDENT TAKES ON HOMELESS CHALLENGE

added 06 December 2015

Star date: 6th December 2015

NARROWGATE TO BENEFIT FROM HOMELESS CHALLENGE

This week, University of Salford student, Matthew Torbitt, is to spend three nights on the streets, plus two days of silence, to raise money for the Narrowgate homeless shelter in Salford.

Matthew was homeless himself a few years ago, managed to turn his life around and now hopes to get Narrowgate some donations, while raising awareness of the issue.

50% OF SALFORD CITY FC NOW HELD IN TAX HAVEN VIRGIN ISLANDS

added 06 December 2015

Star date: 4th December 2015

FROM KERSAL TO THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

As Salford City FC makes history again tonight when the team plays Hartlepool in the second round of the FA Cup, it's not just on the pitch happenings that are redefining the club. Fifty per cent of its shares are now registered through Incanto Investments Limited, registered in the tax haven British Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, back in Kersal, how are local residents coping with the phenomenal growth of Salford City, with crowds increasing tenfold from a few years ago?

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL TO AXE OVER 120 STAFF AS IT AIMS TO REPLACE HUMANS WITH £3MILLION I.T. SYSTEM

added 04 December 2015

Star date: 3rd December 2015

SALFORD COUNCIL TO SPEND OVER £3MILLION ON NEW TECHNOLOGY TO AXE OVER 120 STAFF

Salford City Council is proposing to spend over £3million on new technology which it estimates will allow the axing of over 120 staff who currently deal with the community.

It's part of a 21st Century Dickensian `transformation' drive for a `new customer model based around digital' that will see people having to fend for themselves against Council computers rather than humans.

£400,000 SALFORD BIOSPHERIC FOUNDATION GOES BUST WITH £100,000 DEBTS

added 03 December 2015

Star date: 2nd December 2015

A Salford Star Exclusive

SALFORD COUNCIL OWED OVER £46,000 AFTER GIVING BIOSPHERIC PROJECT £300,000

"We grow citizens and got nowt, while our Mayor invested in growing mushrooms. That just about sums up our Mayor." Graham Cooper, Oliver's Youth Club

Three years ago, at a time of huge cuts, Salford City Council handed £300,000 to the Manchester International Festival as sponsorship for the Biospheric Foundation's `innovative city farm' in Blackfriars, with Salford Mayor Ian Stewart announcing that it was "money well spent". Another £100,000 came via the Festival itself.

Now, the Community Interest Company which ran the Biospheric Project has gone bust with debts of over £100,000, including £46,893 owed to Salford Council. There's also stories of dead fish, starving chickens, community equipment being held to ransom or wrecked, and exploitation of volunteers.

SALFORD COUNCIL TO HAMMER CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

added 02 December 2015

Star date: 1st December 2015

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO BE `REDUCED'

"It does feel like these changes are more about funds than the child's needs" parent

Salford City Council is to introduce tighter eligibility criteria for children with disabilities... "Some families will see a reduction in their current support package following a reassessment of need" states a Council report.

Salford Council argues that the changes are a "redesign" but behind the `redesign' are cuts totalling £290,000 from the Children with Disabilities Service and the Short Breaks budget. Just under half of parents who responded to the Council's dodgy consultation said that their child would be affected by the changes.