Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

FRED DONE REWARDED FOR SERVICES TO SALFORD HERITAGE DESTRUCTION

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the tenth 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.

Fred Done loves Salford. That's why he's about to bulldoze the Black Horse pub on the Crescent and shove up ugly blocks of unaffordable flats – in the conservation area! So, ladies and gentlemen, please bet on a Milton Keynes future and saddle up your bulldozers for the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Award for Services To Salford Heritage Destruction...Fred Done!

Full Award details here...

added 31 December 2016

SALFORD LISTED PUB DEMOLITION WINS AWARD FOR BLEARS, ANTROBUS AND MAYALL

Star date: 30th December 2016

HAZEL BLEARS, DEREK ANTROBUS AND PHIL MAYALL SCOOP `READ MY LIPS' AWARD

This year, the special George Bush Read My Lips Awards has, for the first time, joint winners. All had their tongues well up Ye Olde Nelson pub, demolished after promises to save it. So ladies and gentlemen, pull your pints of lies and give up your heritage for our three winners – Hazel Blears, the ECf's Phil Mayall and Councillor Derek Antrobus!!!

Full award details here...

added 30 December 2016

CO-OP WINS ETHICAL HYPOCRISY AWARD FROM SALFORD STAR

Star date: 29th December 2016

CO-OPERATIVE GROUP SCOOPS ETHICAL HYPOCRISY GONG

This is the saddest citation of this ceremony, as the once proud, ethical Co-op, gets the award for Ethical Hypocrisy, with the company and its capitalist partners brutally evicting homeless people from its properties. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands over your eyes and shed a tear for the end of the `Caring, Sharing Co-op...'

Full Award details here...

added 29 December 2016

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS GREEN FINGERS AWARD

Star date: 28th December 2016

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL GRABS GREEN FINGERS GONG

This special gardening award goes to a cash-strapped council that sheds no tears when it comes to raking the £s on flower shows. So, ladies and gentlemen, please plant a smile on your social care cuts, call a spade a spade and sing `to-marrow belongs to me' for the winner of the Green Fingers Award...Salford City C-o-o-o-u-u-u-ncil!!!

Full award details here...

added 28 December 2016

HAZEL BLEARS HONOURED IN SALFORD STAR AWARD

Star date: 27th December 2016

HAZEL BLEARS SCOOPS `NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT' AWARD

The first award this year goes to a lady who works un-tirelessly, for around five days a month, and is handsomely rewarded for her endeavours. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please throw up your expenses, fasten your food banks and give it up for the winner of the Nice Work If You Get Can It Award....

...Ha-a-a-a-z-e-e-e-l Bl-e-e-e-e-e-ars!!!

SALFORD BOXING DAY FLOOD 2015 ANNIVERSARY

added 27 December 2016

Star date: 26th December 2016

BEFORE THE SALFORD FLOOD

One year on from the flood that hit Salford on Boxing Day last year, here the Salford Star presents a little exhibition of largely unpublished photos taken before the River Irwell burst its banks in Lower Broughton.

In the morning the mood was almost holiday-like as residents came out to see the rising waters. By mid-afternoon it was a darker story...

A SALFORD SANTA SLEIGH CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

added 26 December 2016

Star date: 25th December 2016

COUNCIL DOES HAVE A FESTIVE HEART

Santa and his little helpers who took toys and presents to poorly children at Manchester Children's Hospital have been handed a Christmas miracle. Manchester Council has decided not to impose traffic fines handed out them at the Salford Santa Run earlier this month.

The Council has also even agreed to refund any payments already made, including by the elf driving Santa's sleigh... "It's brilliant news, they have a heart after all" said a member of the Skoda Owners Club, which had received over £200 in fines.

Full details and season's greeting from the Salford Star here...

added 25 December 2016

MANCHESTER LOOSE SPACE PRESENTS CHRISTMAS SQUAT ART REVOLUTION

Star date: 24th December 2016

NEW LIFE COMES TO MANC ART SCENE

After young homeless people got evicted from the old Pizza Express restaurant, they squatted another building. Now the owner has agreed they can stay over Christmas, and last night a free art event called Loose Space was held there.

Amongst the candle-lit rooms, the Mancorialist staged an exhibition of photographs of local homeless people, and there was loads of other art by supporters of the Manchester Activist Network. The area has been crying out for free art spaces, and now a new movement could well have been born.

SALFORD TEENS TAKE ON THE QUEEN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

added 24 December 2016

Star date: 23rd December 2016

THE TEENS SPEECH TO TELL IT LIKE IT IS

Three working class teenagers from Salford have joined with others from Greater Manchester to take on the Queen with their own Teens' Speech, which will be released at 3pm on Christmas Day.

Amongst issues they will be addressing are the shocking murder of Jo Cox, the refugee crisis, and the Northern Powerhouse... "But amongst their disappointment, they will give you hope for the New Year" states the #TeamFuture campaign.

SHINNY TAKES CHRISTMAS NO 1 SALFORD PROTEST TO MEDIACITYUK

added 23 December 2016

Star date: 22nd December 2016

A PROPER SALFORD CHRISTMAS PROTEST AT BBC AND ITV

When North West Tonight refused to feature James Shinny Davenport's Christmas Number 1 track and the amazing story behind it, he quite simply took the track to them this afternoon with an impromptu protest outside their MediaCityUK studios.

As the tune played in the background, Shinny, whose track stands at number 24 in the UK Charts, shouted "The BBC wouldn't feature James Shinny Davenport, so I'm coming to you...you knock me sick!"

SALFORD LOSES A SLICE OF ITS SOUL WITH THE SAD PASSING OF MADGE KELLY

added 22 December 2016

Star date: 22nd December 2016

LOWER BROUGHTON'S MOTHER SADLY PASSES AWAY

Salford lost part of its soul this morning, with the incredibly sad passing of Lower Broughton's Madge Kelly. Madge was a real stalwart and almost the mother of that community.

A leading light of the formidable RITA tenants association, Madge helped save 400 houses on the Spike Island estate, she was involved in campaigns and heritage projects, became the poster girl for the Boxing Day flood last year and was a proud miner's wife. But most of all Madge was one of the kindest, most caring people in the city. She will be badly, sadly missed.

NO SALFORD FLOOD BARRIERS TO BE SITED IN LOWER BROUGHTON

added 22 December 2016

Star date: 22nd December 2016

SALFORD BOXING DAY FLOOD ONE YEAR ON

Almost a year on from the Boxing Day flood that devastated Lower Broughton, everyone, it seems, wants to know how another flood will affect the community. Will things be any different?

A Salford Council reports states that `demountable flood barriers' won't be placed in Heath Avenue, that resilience measures are merely `ongoing' and that "Lower Broughton remains at risk of flooding". Meanwhile, the South East of England is having over three times more money being spent on flood defences than the North West.

SALFORD GIRL’S GRANNY IMPRISONED IN CHINA IN HUMAN RIGHTS ATROCITY

added 22 December 2016

Star date: 21st December 2016

FALUN GONG GRAN FACING TORTURE AT NAN GOU DETENTION CENTRE

9 year old Salford girl, Kate, is a student at Chetham's School of Music and has been practising a special piece of music on her violin to play to her granny, 64 year old XiuEr Meng, who lives in China.

But Kate won't be able to play the song, Be Saved, this Christmas as her gran, a Falun Gong practitioner, has been detained and imprisoned in the Nan Gou detention centre, deprived of sleep for three days and facing possible torture.

We met up with Kate, and her mum and dad, in Bexley Square - historic and symbolic scene of Salford people's fight against injustice - as the city's ties increase with human rights no-go zone China.

MANCHESTER ANTI DESTITUTION CAMPAIGNER TO FIGHT ON AGAINST DEPORTATION

added 21 December 2016

Star date: 20th December 2016

DIANNE NGOZA SENDS SEASONS GREETINGS TO SUPPORTERS

Today, anti-destitution campaigner, Dianne Ngoza, issued a statement and season's greetings to her supporters. Dianne was detained at Dallas Court reporting centre in Salford and Yarl's Wood in Bedford, before a massive campaign halted her deportation to Zambia.

"I would like to let you, my supporters, know that my legal fight is not over yet until I am given my status in this country" she writes.

STREET SUPPORT SALFORD AND PARTY PROTEST SERVE UP CHRISTMAS FEAST FOR HOMELESS

added 20 December 2016

Star date: 19th December 2016

SALFORD AND MANCHESTER HOMELESS GET EARLY CHRISTMAS

Around sixty homeless people were served Christmas dinner, complete with presents and music this afternoon at Cross Street Chapel in Manchester city centre. Even the dogs got treats.

The Community Festive Dinner was organised by Street Support Salford and Manchester, and Party Protest Manchester, with loads of donations and help by a range of organisations, charities and well wishers.

SALFORD COUNCIL £15.8MILLION CUTS AFFECT YOUNG, OLD AND VULNERABLE

added 19 December 2016

Star date: 19th December 2016

ADULT SOCIAL CARE, CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH GET HAMMERED IN CUTS

Salford City Council has announced £15.8million of cuts, of which over £4.5million directly affect the old, the young and the vulnerable. On top of this 133 Council jobs are to be axed. Meanwhile, there's no cuts to the Council's £19million prestige garden project in Worsley.

There's an online consultation on the proposals, conveniently over Christmas, while there's live events at various venues throughout January.

GIANT PUPPY JOINS SALFORD BOYCOTT DOGS4US PROTEST

added 19 December 2016

Star date: 18th December 2016

`PUPPIES ARE NOT PRESENTS' STATES BOYCOTT DOGS4US

A giant puppy joined the Boycott Dogs4Us protest on Agecroft Road this afternoon, holding a sign reading `I am not a present...I have feelings too'.

"As Christmas is coming pet shops like Dogs4Us are getting ready to profit from the sale of sick and dying puppies" said Aran Mathai, founder of Boycott Dogs4Us "Unsuspecting members of the public will be sold dogs sourced from cruel puppy farms..."

LANGWORTHY CORNERSTONE SALFORD STALWART RETIRES

added 18 December 2016

Star date: 18th December 2016

AFTER 13 YEARS AT THE CORNERSTONE DOREEN GETS TOP RECEPTION

The fabulous Doreen Burns, receptionist at the Langworthy Cornerstone community centre, has retired after 13 years behind the desk, and on Friday she was guest of honour at a special tea party.

Doreen is retiring but won't be going on any world cruises – she says she'll be back at the Cornerstone volunteering.

SALFORD SAYF SAFE AS HUGE BIG LOTTERY GRANT SECURES FUTURE

added 18 December 2016

Star date: 17th December 2016

SAYF FOR WEASTE AND BEYOND

SAYF, or St Ambrose Young Families, has secured its future and is expanding with work from its centre on Cholmondeley Road in Weaste, after receiving a £397,235 grant from the Big Lottery.

The award is spread over the next five years and project manager, Jackie Lloyd says the grant "will contribute to the economic inclusion of local residents".

SALFORD CHRISTMAS HIT FOR SHINNY AND MACMILLAN

added 17 December 2016

Star date: 17th December 2016

SHINNY'S CHRISTMAS NO 1 HEADS FOR THE CHARTS

Shinny's single Christmas No.1 got its official release yesterday and went straight to the top of the HMV Charts, with good showings in all the other charts which will be amalgamated to decide the final festive Top Ten.

There's still time to support this top Salford single which will be benefit Macmillan cancer charity, as Ian Leslie urges one last download push to get Shinny the Christmas Number One.

MANCHESTER HOMELESS EVICTED FOR CHRISTMAS

added 17 December 2016

Star date: 16th December 2016

GREATER MANCHESTER PENSION FUND EVICTS HOMELESS

"We asked for a delay on any action until the New Year...They refused"

Just as Greater Manchester local authorities are working out their homeless strategies...and just in time for Christmas, this morning the Greater Manchester Pension Fund evicted around thirty homeless people from the old Pizza Express building off King Street in Manchester.

SALFORD COUNCIL TO SHUT THE GRANGE CARE SERVICE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

added 16 December 2016

Star date: 16th December 2016

COUNCIL PROMISE TO `IMPROVE CHILDREN'S LIFE EXPERIENCES' BROKEN

"Promises have constantly been broken time and time again, forgetting about the heartbreak they are causing to the children, parents and staff alike" parent

Salford Council had a lovely Christmas present for staff, children with complex needs and disabilities, and their parents, when it announced yesterday that The Grange medium to long term care service was to close.

The Grange was at the centre of a bitter community struggle three years ago, when the Council moved children with short term needs out of the centre in order to "save on the cost of more expensive out of borough residential placements". It stated that it would `improve' these children's life experiences. Now they will be left with nothing.

`VIABILITY’ QUESTIONED AS SALFORD MIDDLEWOOD LOCKS PLANNING PASSED

added 16 December 2016

Star date: 16th December 2016

"WHAT DOES UNVIABLE MEAN?' ASKS PLANNING COUNCILLOR

The second phase of the giant Middlewood Locks development gained planning permission yesterday, with no planning fees payable to Salford Council because the second phase of 546 unaffordable apartments was `not viable'.

Panel member Councillor Charlie McIntyre asked officers to explain what `unviable' meant. Errrrmmmm...

SALFORD CITY STADIUM GETS PLANNING PASSED AMIDST RESIDENTS FURY

added 16 December 2016

Star date: 15th December 2016

GIGGS AND NEVILLE GET RUBBISH DUMPED ON THEM AS SALFORD CITY STADIUM APPROVED

Salford councillors voted almost overwhelmingly in favour of planning permission to double the capacity of Salford City's stadium today, amidst fury from local residents - and Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs being handed a bin liner full of rubbish collected from Moor Lane.

In the meeting Gary Neville said he was trying to "do something special in our local area" and would "confront the challenges". But speaking afterwards, David Mintz, of the Kersal Moor Residents Association said the process was "bent from the beginning" and didn't rule out standing a community candidate in the forthcoming by-election "to make our feelings known to the local council".

£10,000 PAY RISE FOR GREATER MANCHESTER TRANSPORT DIRECTOR

added 15 December 2016

Star date: 14th December 2016

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR TfGM FINANCE DIRECTOR

On Friday, a massive £10,000 pay rise for the Transport for Greater Manchester Director of Finance and Corporate Services is expected to be rubber stamped by Tony Lloyd, the Greater Manchester Interim Mayor.

It will take the finance chief's salary to £169,995 – up by around £20,000 from just two years ago. Those who struggle to pay for buses and trams might not appreciate the huge wage hike.

SALFORD SANTA GIFT SLEIGH FOR SICK CHILDREN GIVEN TRAFFIC FINE BY SCROOGE COUNCIL

added 14 December 2016

Star date: 13th December 2016

MANCHESTER COUNCIL HANDS TRAFFIC TICKET TO MR AND MRS SANTA CLAUS

Manchester City Council has handed a traffic violation ticket to the Salford Santa sleigh which led the convoy of bikes, trikes and scooters taking gifts to sick children at Manchester Children's Hospital earlier this month.

"They can see we're on the Santa sleigh dressed as Santa Claus and Mrs Santa and they still give us a ticket" says Steve `Beaver' Brown of the Vesperados Scooter Club which organised the Santa Run "It is very, very wrong to me."

SALFORD CHARITY STORM AS COUNCILLOR SAYS IT’S RUN BY `GREEDY, POWER GRABBING CONTROL FREAKS’

added 13 December 2016

Star date: 13th December 2016

CHARLESTOWN AND LOWER KERSAL £90,000 LEGACY FUND AT CENTRE OF `UNDEMOCRATIC' `SELF INTEREST' `POWER GRAB'

"It would appear they have acted out of greed; power grabbing control freaks; and self interest on a number of occasions..." Councillor Stephen Ord, Irwell Riverside

Salford Labour councillor, Stephen Ord, has called for an independent inquiry into the affairs of charity Inspiring Communities Together (ICT), which controls £90,000 legacy funding from the old Lower Kersal and Charlestown NDC.

Amidst internal wrangling that has seen the suspension of the ICT Chair and trustees, Councillor Ord has accused the Chief Executive and former Chair of having "an unhealthy mutually beneficial relationship...Personal greed is not too strong a word to use"...

SALFORD MIDDLEWOOD LOCKS 546 FLATS NO PLANNING FEES

added 13 December 2016

Star date: 12th December 2016

THE ZILCH ROAD FROM CHINA TO SCARBOROUGH TO SALFORD

The second phase of Middlewood Locks is up for planning permission this week, with the Scarborough Group and Chinese property developer Hualing Group submitting plans for 546 unaffordable apartments …with no fees being paid. Salford City Council planning officers state that "no contribution is justified".

The whole massive Middlewood scheme of flats, shops, cafes and a hotel is now on course to avoid around £6million in fees – despite £4million of public money being spent on the canal-side site.

SALFORD DOGS4US FACES PUPPIES ARE NOT PRESENTS PROTEST

added 12 December 2016

Star date: 11th December 2016

CHRISTMAS DOGS4US PROTEST IN SALFORD

Puppies Are Not Presents
Sunday December 18th 1pm-3:30pm
Outside Dogs4Us, Agecroft Road

The Salford Dogs4Us store is to face more protests next Sunday, 18th December, as the Boycott Dogs4Us campaign aims to draw attention to impulse buying of puppies as Christmas presents, which, it argues, is fuelling the puppy farm trade.

SAVE NHS CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND CARD RALLY WOWS MANCHESTER

added 11 December 2016

CARDS, CAROLS AND ELVES TO SAVE GREATER MANCHESTER NHS

`Last Christmas we had an NHS
And the very next year
We gave it away...and sometimes to no-one special...'

Save the NHS campaigners were out at the Albert Square Christmas Market in Manchester today, singing festive songs and carols with suitably changed lyrics, much to the delight of shoppers.

They were also asking people to sign `No room at the hospital' Christmas cards for Jeremy Hunt and leaders of the ten Greater Manchester authorities, including the Salford City Mayor, who are to agree £2billion cuts for the local health service and the loss of 1,000 beds. There was no shortage of willing participants.

GOTH ALTERNATIVE XMAS PARTY AT GULLIVERS MANCHESTER

added 10 December 2016

DARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Gothmas
Saturday 17th December 7:30pm
Gullivers, Oldham Street £5/£4

The ultimate alternative Christmas party this year is at Gullivers next Saturday when Gothmas arrives, complete with competitions, stalls, DJ Ben Nield playing 80s goth classics and live bands Rose and the Diamond Hand, Saboteur, Ribcrow and Salford's vampish electro duo Factory Acts. And it's a quid off the entrance for the fabulously dressed, as Ian Leslie reports.

SALFORD PHOTOGRAPHER LOOKING FOR MINERS’ WIVES FOR PHOTO DOC

added 10 December 2016

FROM PIT HOUSE TO POLITICS

Salford photographer and documentary maker, Vanessa Short, is currently looking for miners' wives who supported their husbands during the 1984-85 and have carried on fighting for social justice.

EVIDENTLY CHRISTMASTIME IN SALFORD FOR EAGLE INN

added 10 December 2016

THE SPOKEN WORD WITH A HINT OF TINSEL

Evidently Christmastime
Monday 12th December
The Eagle Inn 7:30pm £3

Evidently, the region's best spoken word night, rolls up for its final event of 2016 with a cracker of a night at The Eagle Inn. Headlining are cutting edge wordsmith George Thomas Miaris, and slammer supreme Sara Hirsch, plus an open mic slot, as Ian Leslie reports...

SALFORD ROYAL HOSPITAL BREAST SERVICE SUB CONTRACTED TO WYTHENSHAWE

added 10 December 2016

Star date: 9th December 2016

BREAST CANCER SERVICE `NOT VIABLE'

"This has happened behind closed doors, none of us knew anything about it..."

In April, Salford Royal Hospital's Breast Service, which investigates and treats symptoms of breast cancer, was quietly sub-contracted to the Nightingale Unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, with health bosses stating that the service wasn't "viable" and wasn't meeting targets. Now the Nightingale Unit isn't meeting its own targets.

Here, the Salford Star talks to two of four sisters who have all suffered with breast cancer, and who say they weren't consulted on the move, won't be able to get to the place and that it just represents more cuts to the local health service.

FURY AS SALFORD COUNCIL RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF SALFORD CITY FC STADIUM

added 09 December 2016

Star date: 8th December 2015

`GARY NEVILLE GETS HIS STADIUM AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT...'

There was fury amongst local residents this morning as Salford City Council planning officers recommended approval for the Class of '92 plans for the redevelopment of Salford City FC stadium, despite overwhelming opposition.

The plans have to go before a panel of councillors to be voted on next week but David Mintz, of Kersal Moor Residents Association, told the Salford Star that "The report is just trying to steamroll any concerns without addressing them...Gary Neville gets to fill his stadium and we have to pay for it. This is far from over..."

THE CHRISTIE FACING £7.5M CUTS AS CANCER PATIENT MADE TO WAIT FOR BED

added 08 December 2016

Star date: 7th December 2016

NO ROOM AT THE HOSPITAL...

"Is that what we're being reduced to? Just die quietly and don't make a fuss? No!" Jean from Langworthy

On Saturday there is a `No room at the hospital' rally in Manchester against NHS cutbacks in Greater Manchester. In the run up, the Salford Star presents a series of articles highlighting the state of the NHS.

We start with a Salfordian cancer patient at The Christie who has experienced cancelled appointments and long waits for treatment because there were no beds. The Christie states that its £7.5million cuts this year won't impact on the quality of care. But this patient's friend says `Enough is enough!'

AS POLL STATES ONLY 18% TRUST NATIONAL PRESS, SALFORD STAR BACKS MEDIA FUND

added 07 December 2016

Star date: 6th December 2016

ALTERNATIVE MEDIA CROWDFUNDING LAUNCHED

Today, a YouGov poll found that only 18% of people trust the national press to tell the truth, unsurprising after some truly disgusting Daily Mail headlines recently.

Now a bunch of alternative national and local media groups, including the Salford Star, have backed The Media Fund, an online, ongoing crowdfunding platform that collects monthly donations, and distributes them to independent and grassroots media.

MANCHESTER CAMPAIGNER DIANNE NGOZA RELEASED FROM YARL'S WOOD

added 06 December 2016

Star date: 6th December 2016

DIANNE IS COMING HOME

Manchester campaigner, Dianne Ngoza, has been released on bail today from Yarl's Wood detention centre, where she has been kept since being held at Dallas Court reporting centre in Salford almost three weeks ago.

"At least now I can go home and eat my vegan food I'm so grateful" Dianne said today "Thank you so much to all my supporters. I am profoundly touched by your kindness."

SALFORD FLOOD COMMUNITY EXCHANGE AT ST BONIFACE’S

added 06 December 2016

Star date: 5th December 2016

SHARING IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES WITH NORTH WEST FLOOD VICTIMS

Flood Community Exchange
Thursday 8th December 4pm-7.30pm
St Boniface's Social Club

The Lower Broughton community is being invited to share experiences and ideas with other flood hit people from the North West this Thursday, 8th December, at St Boniface's Social Club.

Meanwhile, the spending of funds from various benefits in the wake of the Salford flood has been narrowed down to three options, and today BIBA announced new affordable flood insurance for small businesses.

SALFORD PUB SAVED FOR COMMUNITY BY NORWEGIAN MANCHESTER UNITED FAN

added 05 December 2016

Star date: 5th December 2016

THE `B' HIVE SURVIVES

The `B' Hive pub, off Langley Road South, has been saved for the Whit Lane community by a Norwegian Manchester United fan who loved the place too much to see it fall into the hands of a developer.

The `B' Hive was destined to be converted to student flats or demolished until Ronnie the Norwegian arrived like Ole Gunnar Solskjær in Fergie-time to rescue the much loved boozer.

JOHN COOPER CLARKE HITS THE RITZ MANCHESTER

added 05 December 2016

Star date: 4th December 2016

SALFORD LAD CROONS THE RITZ

John Cooper Clarke and Hugh Cornwell brought their live show of ancient pop relics and a few of their own classics to the packed O2 Ritz last night. Not a spoken poem in earshot at the place where Salomey Maloney trod the verse of the Salford bard `in the dandruff light'. But can Johnny Clarke sing?

Full review here...

added 04 December 2016

SALFORD SANTA BIKE RUN BRINGS JOY TO MANCHESTER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Star date: 4th December 2016

BIKES, TRIKES, SCOOTERS AND VINTAGE CARS BRING CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

Today, hundreds of bikes, trikes, scooters and vintage cars set off from the Henry Boddington pub in Salford to take gifts to the Manchester Children's Hospital in the Vesperados annual Santa Run.

The Santa run is always one of Salford's finest sights and this year didn't disappoint as people lined the streets to cheer the spectacular convoy.

SALFORD QUAYS TO HOST LIGHTWAVES 2016 UK’S BIGGEST DIGITAL LIGHT FESTIVAL

added 04 December 2016

Star date: 3rd December 2016

ORIGAMI BOATS, 3D HEARTBEATS AND DR WHO

Lightwaves 2016
Friday 9th – Sunday 18th December free
Salford Quays noon-10:30pm

Salford Quays annual Lightwaves Festival this year promises the biggest digital light festival in the country, with 198 origami boats complete with interactive lights, an animated 3D heartbeat, the best of the Blackpool Illuminations, a Today I Love You message from Amsterdam and loads more.

SALFORD CATHEDRAL HOSTS CHRISTMAS CONCERT FOR LOAVES AND FISHES

added 03 December 2016

Star date: 3rd December 2016

SALFORD HOMELESS TO BENEFIT FROM CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Christmas Concert
Sunday 11th December 7:30pm £5
Salford Cathedral, Chapel Street

Salford charity Loaves and Fishes, which supports homeless and vulnerable people in the city, is set to benefit from a spectacular Christmas Concert in the equally spectacular surroundings of Salford Cathedral. The concert features music and readings, including performances by the St John's Cathedral and Notability choirs.

MONOPOLEYES GAME OF LIFE AT KINGS ARMS SALFORD

added 03 December 2016

Star date: 3rd December 2016

CATCH THE GAME OF THE YEAR TODAY IN SALFORD

Monopoleyes
Saturday 3rd December 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Kings Arms
Hope Mill, Manchester
Tuesday 6th-Saturday 10th December

Dark and menacing, Monopoleyes offers a sinister Orwellian take on a man's life that is manipulated by powerful players of an ominous game, where the hat, the boot and the dice conspire in a biting political satire written by Will Travis of This is England and Coronation Street fame. Ian Leslie chances a preview.

SHINNY CHRISTMAS NO 1 VIDEO AND SINGLE RELEASE

added 03 December 2016

view full size

Star date: 2nd December 2016

LET'S MAKE SALFORD THE CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE!

The official video for Shinny's Christmas Number 1 single is out now, starring a host of celebs, including Bez, Mike Sweeney and Tina Malone – plus, of course, a Salford Star t-shirt. The single is also out for pre-order and 20p from every sale goes to Macmillan Cancer Support.

If everyone in the city bought Shinny's Christmas Number 1 we would have Salford's first ever Christmas Number One.

SALFORD PRECINCT SHOPPERS STUNG BY PARKING `RACKET’

added 02 December 2016

Star date: 2nd December 2016

SALFORD SHOPPERS GET FINED FOR SHORT STAY PARKING

"They're just trying it on...It's a racket..." car parker

Shoppers visiting Salford Precinct have told how they are being fined £100 for leaving their vehicles in the official G24 Ltd car parks. The company allows three hours free parking but people have been getting tickets even though they have stayed at the site for a less than an hour's total during the day.

BENEFIT SANCTIONS COSTS OF HUNGER AND HARDSHIP NOT BEING MONITORED STATES NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE

added 02 December 2016

Star date: 1st December 2016

DAMNING SANCTIONS REPORT AS AUDIT OFFICE QUESTIONS FAIRNESS

The National Audit Office has slated the Government's sanctions regime in a new report. It states that, while 400,000 sanctions were imposed last year, the fact that they are widespread "does not mean they are well designed, fairly administered or effective".

The report adds that `wider costs' – "the direct impact on people who get sanctioned" - such as financial hardship, hunger and depression, are not being cost monitored by the DWP. Indeed, it could be costing more to impose sanctions than is saved in benefit non-payments. The report concludes that the "use of sanctions is linked as much to management priorities and local staff discretion as it is to claimants' behaviour".