Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

AN EXPLORATION OF IMAGES

Afterlifes by Hannah Farrell
Until 27th April Thursdays and Saturdays 1pm-5pm free
Caustic Coastal

A new exhibition by photography artist, Hannah Farrell, opened at Coastal Coastal this week, exploring 'image'.

RADICAL LOCAL WOMEN IN HISTORY STAR IN NEW BOOK

added 31 March 2019

FOR THE SAKE OF THE WOMEN WHO ARE TO COME AFTER...

A new book, Manchester's Radical Women 1914 to 1945, by top local historian Michael Herbert, will be launched on Saturday 6th April at Three Minute Theatre, Manchester, with a reading of extracts by actress Zoe Iqbal. The book, published by The Mary Quaile Club, tells the stories of local women who campaigned for social change.

FAC 51 THE HACIENDA COMES TO ALBERT HALL MANCHESTER

added 31 March 2019

FULL ON CLUB NIGHT WITH ROGER SANCHEZ, TODD TERRY AND MORE

FAC 51 The Hacienda
Friday 17th May 9pm - 4am
Albert Hall, Manchester from £27.50

FAC 51 The Hacienda returns to The Albert Hall for a full-on club night on Friday 17th May, starring Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Chez Damier, Graeme Park, Greg Wilson and Tom Wainwright.

ALEX REID STARS AT KINGS ARMS SALFORD IN UK PREMIERE OF DIE, MOMMIE, DIE

added 31 March 2019

HAG HORROR OFF BROADEWAY HIT COMES TO SALFORD

Die, Mommie, Die!
Tuesday 16th-Sunday 21st April
The Kings Arms £15

Celebrity Big Brother winner, former cage fighter and top actor, Alex Reid, is to star in the UK premiere of off-Broadway smash hit, Die, Mommie, Die! at the Kings Arms. It's a parody of Sixties 'hag horror' productions like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and Dead Ringer, as Ian Leslie discovers.

SALFORD QUAYS YUPPY WARD CONFIRMED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION

added 31 March 2019

Star date: 29th March 2019

RESIDENTS MOVING INTO ORDSALL WATERFRONT WILL HAVE 'GREATER IDENTITY' WITH QUAYS RESIDENTS

The Local Government Boundary Commission has made a 'final recommendation' that a new 'Quays' ward should include a thin stretch of land by the Ordsall waterfront, as the 'tale of two cities' becomes a reality.

"We consider it likely that electors moving into these properties will have a greater sense of community identity with a wider Quays ward based around MediaCityUK and Salford Quays than with the more established communities of Ordsall" states the Commission, backed by Salford City Council. The Salford Tories objected, arguing that "communities should be encouraged to grow together".

ELDERLY NEGLECT IN SALFORD CITY MAYOR’S TOWERBLOCK

added 29 March 2019

Star date: 28th March 2019

84 YEAR OLD PRISONER AS ALBION TOWERS GETS £3.9MILLION FACELIFT

"I would have been left to rot and die..."

John McDonough is nearly 85, disabled and hasn't been out of his high rise flat in Albion Towers for almost a month, as the block where the Salford Mayor lives undergoes a £3.9million refurbishment.

John has been relying on help from fellow resident Paul Midgely who says he even had to leave his friend's funeral after John phoned him in tears on the verge of suicide... "It boils down to neglect; they have a duty of care" says Paul "Salix Homes should have its own team for vulnerable people – where are they? That's the question."

‘BONKERS’ SALFORD BUS LANE ON THE DEVIL’S ROAD

added 28 March 2019

Star date: 27th March 2019

THE BUS LANE FOR ONE BUS ON THE A666

Salford City Council is adamant that its proposed new bus lane on the A666 between the Irlams O'Th' Height roundabout to the M60 junction at Clifton will 'make the transport network operate more efficiently'...

...But residents who have set up a Facebook group Stop the A666 Bus Lane Madness believe that the Salford Bolton Network Improvements (SBNI) are "completely and utterly bonkers", arguing that only one bus will use the full stretch of the lane – and that it goes in the wrong direction during evening rush hour.

MANCHESTER LIB DEMS LAUNCH INCREDIBLY TITLED 'NOT PUTTING UP WITH THIS SH*T ANYMORE’ ELECTION MANIFESTO!

added 27 March 2019

Star date: 26th March 2019

HILARIOUSLY TITLED ELECTION DOC FROM LIB DEMS

Over the border in Manchester, the Lib Dems have launched their local election manifesto with the hilarious but to-the-point title... 'Not Putting Up With This Sh*t Anymore'!

"It is a vision created by people who woke up one day and thought, 'You know what? I'm not putting up with this anymore'" says Lib Dem Leader, John Leech.

NEW SALFORD ALLIANCE OF INDEPENDENTS TO STAND ON HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL ELECTION

added 26 March 2019

ALLIANCE TO STAND ON COMMUNITY, HONESTY, STRENGTH AND TRANSPARENCY

In Salford, a new Alliance of Independents has launched in time for this year's May local election, standing on the virtues of 'Community, Honesty, Strength and Transparency'.

As well as two CORE Independent candidates in Irlam and Cadishead, the Alliance also includes Councillor Paul Wilson, who resigned from the Salford Labour Party last month and says that he wants "an end to the patronage that silences councillors from truly representing their communities".

Even local election Green Party candidate, Bryan Blears agrees: "I would urge anybody who cares about Salford to get out and get involved in local politics, because we desperately need things to change" he says.

GREATER MANCHESTER CLIMATE GROUPS SLAM ANDY BURNHAM ‘VAGUE’ CARBON PLANS

added 25 March 2019

AS BURNHAM'S GREEN SUMMIT LAUNCHES IN SALFORD, CAMPAIGN GROUPS DEMAND THE DECLARATION OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY

As Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, launches his Green Summit at The Lowry in Salford today, the Greater Manchester Climate Action Network is calling on him and the ten Greater Manchester Council leaders to "declare a climate emergency and take bolder actions to tackle our climate-wrecking emissions more rapidly"...

"To stay within our carbon budget, we need to halve carbon emissions in the next five years" says Mark Burton from Steady State Manchester "But the plan fails to take decisive action, covering its timidity with vagueness. We expect more."

ANTI-BREXIT BILLBOARD APPEARS IN SALFORD

added 25 March 2019

LED BY DONKEYS BILLBOARD ON CLAREMONT ROAD

Anti-Brexit campaigners, Led By Donkeys, have erected a billboard on Claremont Road featuring a quote by Economists For Brexit stating that the car industry is going to have to be 'run down' in the event of Brexit, like the steel and coal industries... 'These things happen'.

CHRIS GREEN MAKES NEW SALFORD FILM BASED ON SHINNY’S LIFE AND ADDICTION

added 25 March 2019

MAKING OF AN ADDICT SHOOTS IN LANGWORTHY

Filming started last weekend in Langworthy for a new feature film by Chris Green of Strangeways Here We Come fame. Making of an Addict, 'stark and brutal', is based on the life of Salford singer, boxer and all round good guy, Shinny, and Ian Leslie went along to movie HQ at the Langworthy Cornerstone to find out more.

TONY KINSELLA DOES THE UNDERTONES AT CLIFTON CRICKET CLUB

added 25 March 2019

TONIGHT – THE UNDERTONES UNCORKED FOR FREE

Tony Kinsella
More Jokes about Girls and Chocolate
Monday 25th March
Clifton Cricket Club 7:45pm free

Tonight, Swinton comic Tony Kinsella returns with his show dedicated to The Undertones called More Jokes about Girls and Chocolate, with plenty of laughs, facts and nonsense.

PETERLOO AND PROTEST AT PEOPLE’S HISTORY MUSEUM

added 25 March 2019

Star date: 24th March 2019

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF PROTEST

Disrupt? Peterloo and Protest
23rd March 2019-23rd February 2020
People's History Museum

A new exhibition opened yesterday at the People's History Museum in Manchester to mark two hundred years since the Peterloo Massacre. Featuring artefacts never displayed before, as well as a short film giving the whole history, Peterloo is brought up to date with a Protest Lab, where people from Salford and beyond can put their campaigns on a giant map, as well submitting photos of their protest.

BELLWAY HOMES SALFORD SALES OFFICE PICKETED BY SWINTON PROTESTERS

added 24 March 2019

Star date: 23rd March 2019

'BUY A HOUSE AND YOU WILL SUFFER' SAY CAMPBELL ROAD CAMPAIGNERS

This morning, Bellway Homes launched sales for its Campbell Road Swinton development, now known as The Brackens, at its offices within The Works on Green Lane in Monton...and the Saving Our Neighbourhood campaign group was there too, picketing and protesting.

"We're here to say to Bellway 'We need a second access' and to prospective buyers that 'You're going to need a second access too'" said Carol Boyce of the group "We're all on the same page here...the people who buy the houses will be suffering..."

SALFORD RESIDENTS TURN OUT IN FORCE TO OPPOSE HOUSES ON DUNCAN MATHESON PLAYING FIELDS

added 23 March 2019

Star date: 22nd March 2019

LOCAL RESIDENTS OPPOSE COUNCIL PROPOSAL FOR UP TO FIFTY HOUSES ON PLAYING FIELDS

A packed public meeting at De La Salle Social Club last night heard how Salford City Council is proposing the building of up to fifty houses on Duncan Matheson playing fields, off Lancaster Road, in an effort to raise £4million it states that it needs to bring the rest of the recreation ground up to standard.

Residents disputed that figure, while Peter Openshaw, from Salford Council, declared himself "staggered" that the campaign of opposition was aimed at the Council, rather than pressurising the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester which owns two thirds of the land, and possibly see it as an 'asset' to be sold for housing.

SALFORD COUNCILLOR ALLEGES ‘LOCAL GOVERNMENT SCANDAL OF THE DECADE’ AT SALFORD CITY COUNCIL MEETING

added 22 March 2019

Star date: 21st March 2019

SALFORD COUNCILLOR, ALMOST DRIVEN TO SUICIDE, BLOWS LID ON 'CRIMINAL OFFENCES' IN COUNCIL AS MULTI-MILLION POUND LAW SUIT PREPARED

'Dysfunctional Labour group...left me wondering on which beam I should hang myself from'

Irwell Riverside Councillor, Stephen Ord, dropped a bombshell at the full meeting of Salford City Council yesterday when he alleged that the refusal of planning permission for the Crescent Police Station "is likely to turn out to be one of the local government scandals of the decade".

In his final speech to Council before retiring, Councillor Ord claimed that Council officers, senior councillors and the City Mayor had turned a blind eye to allegations of planning vote swaying and misrepresentation of his views. He added that "There is a multi-million pound lawsuit being compiled as I speak and there is no doubt in my mind that criminal offences have been committed..."

TEN YEARS OF JOY COMES TO SALFORD

added 21 March 2019

Star date: 20th March 2019

OVER FIFTY? FED UP OF DAYTIME TV? WANT TO GET ON A MAGIC MEDIA ROUNDABOUT WITH THE MAKERS OF SALFORD STAR?

Are you over fifty and sat there all day, knowing there's a spark in you desperate to get out? Do you know someone over fifty who's bored but feels there's more to offer? This could be the experience of what's left of your lifetime...

Welcome to Ten Years Of Joy...a brand new media project run by Salford Star parent company Mary Burns, with the Broughton Trust...and maybe a touch of the Zebedees, as we invite twenty people only onto a magic media roundabout that will take you to places and spaces and crazies, with the only limit your imagination...

SALFORD COMMUNITY MEETS TO OPPOSE DEVELOPMENT ON PLAYING FIELDS

added 20 March 2019

Star date: 19th March 2019

PUBLIC MEETING TO OPPOSE HOUSES ON DUNCAN MATHESON PLAYING FIELDS

On Thursday, 21st March, the Save Our Duncan Matheson Playing Field group is holding a public meeting at De La Salle social club to oppose proposals from Salford City Council to allow the building of up to fifty houses on the recreational field, off Lancaster Road.

"The Council's Local Plan has a section proposing houses on the field, but it is a protected recreational field which cannot be built on, so I don't see how they can put forward a proposal with that effect" says Steven Healey from the Group.

SALFORD STAR FUTURE SECURED AFTER GRANT FROM FUNDING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

added 19 March 2019

Star date: 18th March 2019

£7,000 GRANT SECURES SALFORD STAR UNTIL 2020

The immediate future of the Salford Star has been guaranteed, thanks to a £7,141 grant from Funding For Social Change Ltd which supports 'exciting social change and cutting-edge projects'.

The grant, plus over £3,000 raised from the Salford community during our stint at Salford Precinct last year, will ensure that the Salford Star stays open until 2020 at least.

NOT QUITE LIGHT FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SALFORD

added 18 March 2019

Star date: 17th March 2019

DON'T QUITE SEE THE LIGHT AT FESTIVAL THAT REFLECTS CHANGING SALFORD

Not Quite Light Festival
Thursday 28th-Sunday 31st March
Various venues and prices

Four days and nights of art, music and performance will be happening in Salford from 28th to 31st March as the Not Quite Light Festival returns with thirty events in twelve venues, including a free showing of the Ordsall Peacock in both Ordsall Park and viewed from a resident's window on the 11th floor of Nine Acre Court. At the centre of the ethos is a reflection on changing Salford.

JOHN NICHOLAS PLAYS THE EAGLE INN SALFORD

added 17 March 2019

Star date: 17th March 2019

GUITAR, PEDALS AND INTRIGUING TUNES

John Nicholas
Thursday 21st March 7:30pm
Eagle Inn £7

Singer songwriter, John Nicholas, plays the Eagle Inn this Thursday, previewing his new single Free, as Ian Leslie marvels at his layered and intriguing tunes using only guitar, pedals and vocals.

FLOOD ALERT IN PLACE FOR RIVER IRWELL SALFORD

added 17 March 2019

Star date: 16th March 2019

IRWELL WATER HIGH BUT NOT EXPECTED TO FLOOD IN SALFORD

A flood alert was issued by the Environment Agency for the River Irwell in Salford today but flooding in Lower Broughton, Lower Kersal and Charlestown is not expected to take place.

While the Irwell water was high and very fast flowing, the Agency hasn't issued a flood warning and, as yet, the two flood basins on Littleton Road have not been opened, the Salford Star understands.

53 CANDLES LIT FOR HOMELESS DEATHS ON MANCHESTER STREETS DURING LIFESHARE EVICTION PROTEST

added 16 March 2019

Star date: 16th March 2019

SALFORD HOMELESS SHELTER JOINS NO MORE DEATHS ON OUR STREETS PROTEST

Residents and volunteers of the Eccles Saving People Shelter joined Manchester campaigners last night in a candlelit vigil for the 53 homeless people who have died on Manchester streets. The vigil was held on the steps of the former headquarters of homeless voluntary organisation, Lifeshare, which was evicted from the building two weeks ago.

Banners reading 'Blood On Your Hands' and 'Enough Is Enough' were erected on the side of the building, which is now being used as a construction site office for the Chinese led luxury NOMA development, where a one bedroom apartment costs over £250,000.

OVER ONE THOUSAND YOUNG CLIMATE STRIKERS CONVERGE ON MANCHESTER

added 16 March 2019

Star date: 15th March 2019

GLOBAL WARNING...PLANET EMERGENCY!!!

Over one thousand young people, some in school uniform and most carrying home-made placards, attended today's Global Youth Strike for Climate rally in St Peter's Square, Manchester.

"It's absolutely brilliant that so many young people have turned out today to support their planet because at the end of the day it's these people who have to live with the consequences of what our generation have done; so I'm proud of them" said Jo, a Salford mum who attended the rally.

SALFORD STUDENTS JOIN GLOBAL YOUTH STRIKE FOR CLIMATE

added 15 March 2019

Star date: 15th March 2019

SALFORD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS JOIN CLIMATE STRIKE

Today, over one thousand young people are expected to rally at St Peter's Square in Manchester as part of a worldwide Global Youth Strike For Climate, which is demanding urgent action from older people on climate change. Joining them will be students from the University of Salford...

"I've been trying to raise awareness of the issue because I think it will lead to potential societal collapse within my lifetime and I'm trying to prevent that really" student Ben Day tells the Salford Star.

23 STOREY TOWER PLANNED FOR ECCLES

added 15 March 2019

Star date: 14th March 2019

272 APARTMENTS, NONE AFFORDABLE, ON CHURCH STREET

Planning permission is currently being sought for a new 23 storey high tower at the far end of Church Street in Eccles containing 272 apartments. None will be affordable thanks to Salford City Council policies, while a 'viability assessment' has been submitted in relation to other potential fees.

NO DEAL BREXIT ‘DISASTROUS’ STATE CORE CITY LEADERS

added 14 March 2019

Star date: 13th March 2019

CORE CITIES LEADERS URGE MPS TO AVOID 'DISASTROUS' NO DEAL BREXIT – AS SALFORD PREPARES FOR 'EMERGENCY SITUATION'

Leaders of the UK's Core Cities, which includes Manchester but not Salford, have written to MPs urging them to "avoid a disastrous No Deal exit from the European Union..."

Meanwhile, Salford City Council has a dedicated 'Leaving the EU' section on its website, explaining that it is "prepared to respond should any of this speculation turn into reality. It's all part of the council's planning and readiness to deal with a wide range of emergency situations..."

ALMOST A DOZEN FORMAL COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST SALFORD COUNCILLORS OVER LAST TWELVE MONTHS

added 13 March 2019

Star date: 12th March 2019

HOSTILE COMMENTS, ATTITUDE PROBLEMS AND INAPPROPRIATE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Salford City Council's Monitoring Officer has reported eleven formal complaints made against councillors over the last year, of which seven were either upheld, partially upheld or are ongoing.

Complaints ranged from 'problem with attitude or behaviour', to 'comments made in a post put on social media', while some were about councillors meddling within the planning process. Astoundingly, none of the councillors are named within the report, as the Council toys with its responses to new recommendations from the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

1500 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AT SALFORD MEDIA CITY GIVEN PLANNING PERMISSION WITH PAYMENT LEVEL DELEGATED TO OFFICER

added 12 March 2019

Star date: 11th March 2019

HUGE PEEL HOLDINGS DEVELOPMENT APPROVED AT MEDIA CITY

A massive development at Media City by Peel Holdings for up to 1,500 units of residential, co-living and student accommodation was approved by Salford City Council last week.

Section 106 payments for transport, public realm, open space, education and affordable housing should have been agreed but, despite Peel submitting a 'viability assessment', the level of contributions have been "delegated to the Assistant Director of Planning and Housing for final agreement". Yet 106 payments for a scheme at Brackley Golf Club in Little Hulton were listed without being 'delegated'.

SALFORD PRE SCHOOL CHILDREN STORY HOUR AT THE HEIGHT LIBRARY

added 11 March 2019

Star date: 11th March 2019

STORYTELLING ON THE HEIGHT

Story Hour
Friday 15th March 1:45pm-2:45pm
Height Library free

This Friday, there's going to be a fab oral storytelling session at The Height Library for pre-school children and their parents and carers, followed by the chance to loan from a range of exciting tales.

SALFORD BAND BENEFIT STATE DO DIRTY OLD TOWN AS IT’S NEVER BEEN DONE

added 11 March 2019

Star date: 10th March 2019

ACE NEW DIRTY OLD TOWN TRACK AND VIDEO

Salford band, Benefit State, have updated the Ewan MacColl anthem Dirty Old Town, complete with a punk oomph that has never been heard before.

The video of the track, starring actors Jimmy Foster and Kelly Hughes, was premiered at the Union Tavern a few weeks ago and is now available on YouTube.

SALFORD GIRL RAISES £800 FOR LITTLE PRINCESS TRUST BY CUTTING OFF HAIR

added 10 March 2019

Star date: 9th March 2019

GIRL WITH CEREBRAL PALSY WHO CAN'T RUN MARATHONS FINDS WAY TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS

19 year old Courtney Davies, who has cerebral palsy, told the Salford Star a month ago that she couldn't run marathons or sky dive for charity, so instead was cutting off her hair to benefit the Little Princess Trust which makes wigs for young cancer sufferers.

The haircut happened, Courtney raised over £800 and now there's a video documenting the day, made by media students at Salford University.

SALFORD SUFFRAGIST EVA GORE BOOTH REMEMBERED FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

added 09 March 2019

Star date: 9th March 2019

SALFORD GIRLS YOUTH GROUP EMPOWERED TO CAMPAIGN

In the run up to International Women's Day, members of Salford Girls Youth Group have been researching Salford suffragist Eva Gore Booth and her poetry, while exploring campaigning for women's rights and beyond as part of Tandem Theatre's Game Changers project.

Today, between noon and 3:30pm, banners, sashes and posters created as part of the project, will be on show at Salford Museum and Art Gallery together with a pop-up stall for the public to visit.

SWINTON COMMUNITY LEGALLY BLOCKADES BELLWAY HOMES SALFORD SITE

added 09 March 2019

Star date: 8th March 2019

LORRIES HALTED AS CAMPBELL ROAD COMMUNITY MAKES STAND AGAINST BELLWAY HOMES

Three lorries were stopped from entering the Bellway Homes Campbell Road site this morning, as around three dozen community campaigners protested against the lack of protection for the neighbourhood against site traffic and pollution.

"Bellway has signed a CEMP [Construction Environmental Management Plan] which is about how to protect the local community amongst other things" said Carol Boyce of Saving Our Neighbourhood "We've been through it with a highlighter pen and they are not obeying what they've signed on to do."

SALFORD RIVER IRWELL POLLUTED WITH MICROPLASTICS REVEALS FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

added 08 March 2019

Star date: 7th March 2019

IRWELL SECOND WORST POLLUTED RIVER FROM THOSE TESTED

New research by Bangor University and Friends of the Earth has revealed microplastic pollution in Salford's River Irwell, with 84 small pieces of plastic found per one litre bottle of river water.

The Irwell contamination is similar to the River Thames and researchers and campaigners are calling for national monitoring of such 'alarming' pollution... "We need to know the state of the problem" says Dr Christian Dunn, of Bangor University.

SALFORD ‘ILLEGAL’ SAVING PEOPLE SHELTER TO STAY OPEN UNTIL AFTER EASTER

added 07 March 2019

Star date: 6th March 2019

ECCLES SHELTER ACHIEVES ITS AIM OF KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE OVER WINTER

The Saving People Shelter in Eccles, which was occupied last November by homeless people and supporters, will stay open until at least 23rd April, the date now set for a full day's appeal hearing following NHS Property Service's attempt to evict the residents.

"This building is called a 'shelter' not a 'squat' because the residents themselves have been working so hard to better their lives" says Angela Barratt of Salford Street Support "We hope that the building will be able to stay open to help people who fall through the gaps of society."

TORIES SLATE SALFORD CITY COUNCIL FOR SITTING ON £85MILLION RESERVES

added 06 March 2019

Star date: 5th March 2019

TORIES 'SHOCKED' AT AMOUNT OF EARMARKED RESERVES

At last week's budget meeting of Salford City Council, Conservative Councillor, Karen Garrido, declared herself 'really shocked' that the city was sitting on £85million of earmarked reserves, as well as £13.2million of actual reserves..."What are they earmarked for?" she asked..."Prudential use of our resources" came the response.

Part of the reserves are for the One New Bailey office block, for which the Council had originally squirrelled away over £12million.

SALFORD TO GET CLEAN AIR ZONE CHARGES FOR ALL POLLUTING VEHICLES EXCEPT CARS

added 05 March 2019

Star date: 1st March 2019

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH 'DISMAYED' AT NO CLEAN AIR CHARGES FOR CARS

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has published the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan 'to tackle nitrogen dioxide exceedances', which includes proposals for new Clean Air Zones in Salford and nine other GM areas, introducing charges between £7.50 and £100 for high polluting HGVs, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, vans and minibuses.

Cars are not being included, a move criticised by Manchester Friends of the Earth, which believes the Zones should cover all polluting vehicles and should be introduced far quicker than GMCA is proposing.