Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

HARD HITTING SALFORD DRAMA

Our Kid by Taran Knight
Thursday 18th July + 24th, 27th and 31st
The Kings Arms £9/£8 (times vary)

Salford writer and performer Taran Knight brings his hard hitting one-man drama Our Kid to the Kings Arms for three performances. Buzzing with the dark violence and uneasy undercurrent of our two neighbouring cities, Salford and Manchester, and exposing austerity, criminality and its influence on teenagers, Ian Leslie reckons it's one of the must-see highlights of this year's GM Fringe festival.

SALFORD ARTS THEATRE HOSTS NEW SNOWFLAKE PLAY BY AWARD WINNING LIBBY HALL

added 30 June 2019

The Melting of a Single Snowflake by Libby Hall
Wednesday 17th-Friday 19th July 7:30pm
Salford Arts Theatre £8

Salford Star Best Play Award winner, Libby Hall, brings her second drama The Melting of a Single Snowflake to Salford Arts Theatre for the Greater Manchester Fringe. The coming of age play centres on a holiday tragedy and its effects on friendship and lives, as Ian Leslie discovers.

GM FRINGE KICKS OFF FOR A MONTH WITH LOADS GOING OFF IN SALFORD

added 30 June 2019

GM FRINGE SEES SHOWS ALL OVER SALFORD

The ace Greater Manchester Fringe festival begins tomorrow and runs until 31st July with every conceivable show in every conceivable venue. Salford itself will see events at Cobden Works, the Eagle Inn, Kings Arms, The Crypt at St Phillips and Salford Arts Theatre. Here we round up just a few of the Salford happenings...

THREATENED SALFORD OVER SIXTIES CLUB HOLDS OPEN DAY

added 30 June 2019

THRIVING BODDAN LODGE HAS FUN DESPITE DANGER OF CLOSING

Boddan Lodge Over Sixties Club on Monton Green is in danger of closing after fifty years, due to Salford City Council proposing to cut its funding. But that didn't stop the Club holding a vibrant open day yesterday to showcase its activities, attract new members and raise money for good causes.

FROM BRAZIL TO SALFORD IT’S CARNAVAL

added 30 June 2019

Star date: 29th June 2019

BRIDGEWATER CANAL CARNAVAL

Precarious Carnaval
Friday 5th July – Sunday 7th July
Along the Bridgewater Canal free

The Brazil-style Precarious Carnaval takes place at sites along a five mile stretch of the Bridgewater Canal next weekend to mark its 258th anniversary. The Carnaval will take audiences on a walking adventure from the years 1761 to 2061.

YOKO ONO RINGS BELLS FOR PEACE IN MANCHESTER

added 29 June 2019

Star date: 29th June 2019

YOKO BELLS' BEAUTY WILL 'BREAK THE SKY'

Bells For Peace
Thursday 4th July 6pm
Cathedral Gardens, Manchester free

The amazing living legend and iconic artist Yoko Ono is bringing Bells For Peace to Cathedral Gardens in Manchester on Thursday at a massive free event to open the Manchester International Festival. It will be a 'people's orchestra of bells' as Yoko asks everyone to "Come and join together to send a message of peace to the world...", and promises its beauty will "break the sky". Do not miss!!!

‘CHILLING EFFECT ON THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST’ AS ANTI FRACKING CAMPAIGNERS FACE TRIAL IN MANCHESTER

added 29 June 2019

Star date: 28th June 2019

CUADRILLA CASE THREATENS BRITAIN'S PROUD HISTORY OF PROTEST

Today, three anti-fracking campaigners face the final day of a trial brought by Cuadrilla which, their legal representatives state, has a "chilling effect on the right to peaceful protest".

The protesters are charged at Manchester High Court with breaking an injunction at the Preston New Road fracking site in Lancashire and could face up to two years in jail if found guilty. The trial has huge implications for Salford.

ANOTHER ‘LANDMARK’ APARTMENT BLOCK FOR ECCLES CENTRE

added 28 June 2019

Star date: 27th June 2019

DEVELOPER TO PUT PLANS FORWARD FOR 22 STOREY BLOCK ON VAUXHALL GARAGE SITE

Developer Cheshire Estates is shortly to submit a planning application for a 22 storey 'landmark building' on the site of the Vauxhall Garage in Eccles centre near Sentinel House, featuring up to 160 apartments.

The developer states that the block "will encourage the regeneration of the centre of Eccles".

ECCLES HAS THIRD HIGHEST HOUSE PRICE GROWTH IN GREATER MANCHESTER

added 27 June 2019

Star date: 26th June 2019

ECCLES, CHEETHAM HILL AND URMSTON NAMED AS HOUSING LOCATIONS WITH 'MOST POTENTIAL'

Eccles has been named alongside Cheetham Hill and Urmston as locations with the 'most potential' in Greater Manchester, with the third highest house price growth, at 3.75% year on year.

The 'property hotspot' is said to be spurred 'by the rise of Salford' according to estate agent, Indlu, which adds that the town is, "arguably, more interesting".

SALFORD SELF HELP CARERS GROUP UNDERLINES FAILING POLICIES OF COUNCIL AND GM MAYOR

added 26 June 2019

Star date: 25th June 2019

TOGETHER AT M44 – AN OASIS OF CARERS SELF HELP BECAUSE NO-ONE IS LISTENING

'Carers are screaming out for more help and support yet it is falling on deaf ears... Carers are struggling and burning out. We are only human and have our limits. Something really needs to change...'

GM Mayor, Andy Burnham, and Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, have lots of 'strategies' and 'exemplar models' in place to support carers. The reality is that many young disabled people in Salford people have been left without care and their carers without respite. In Irlam, a group of carers attend a self-help group, Together At M44, meeting every Wednesday to sort issues and also to have a laugh...

SALFORD SCHOOL HEADS SEND SHOCKING LETTERS TO PARENTS CONDEMNING TORY GOVERNMENT SCHOOL CUTS

added 25 June 2019

Star date: 24th June 2019

7,000 SCHOOLS ACROSS COUNTRY CONDEMN 'INADEQUATE' DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

School heads from across Salford, and across the country, have sent letters to parents condemning "extremely challenging" schools budgets which have been reduced by 8% in real terms since 2010.

"Class sizes are rising", support for children's emotional wellbeing "is being eroded" and the most vulnerable students "are bearing the brunt of cuts" states one Salford head teacher, whose letter to parents has been passed to the Salford Star.

BARTON THEATRE COMPANY DO SONG, DANCE AND COMEDY AT ECCLES CHURCH

added 24 June 2019

Star date: 23rd June 2019

WOULDN'T IT BE LOVERLY IN ECCLES

Wouldn't It Be Lovely
Friday 28th June 7:30pm
Eccles Congregational Church £8/£6.50

This Friday, Barton Theatre Company is presenting Wouldn't It Be Loverly, an evening of song, dance, comedy and drama, at Eccles Congregational Church. It's the prelude to loads of performances by the Company, including at the Precarious Carnival and the Eccles Festival.

AMAZING ECCLES WALK LED BY ACE SALFORD HISTORIAN TONY FLYNN

added 23 June 2019

Star date: 22nd June 2019

ECCLES WALK TO RAISE MONEY FOR MUSTARD TREE FOODBANK

Eccles Walk
Sunday 30th June 1pm
Meet Eccles Train Station £3

Ace local historian, Tony Flynn, is to lead a special Eccles Walk on Sunday 30th June, which will take in the pubs, streets and monuments with witty commentary and wisecracks on everything from Friedrich Engels to ladies of the night, arsenic beer and more. The Walk is to raise money for the Mustard Tree weekend foodbank.

£8MILLION SUBSIDY FOR CHAPEL STREET DEVELOPER AS SALFORD COMMUNITY SHOP GETS EVICTION ORDER

added 22 June 2019

Star date: 21st June 2019

MO'S SHOP ON CHAPEL STREET GETS EVICTION NOTICE AS ECF GETS £8MILLION SUBSIDY TO BUILD UNAFFORDABLE PROPERTIES

The English Cities Fund, or ECf, a partnership between Legal and General, Muse Developments and Homes England, is to receive over £8million in subsidies to build 167 apartments and eleven townhouses on Chapel Street opposite Salford Cathedral.

While the developers cash in, Shalimar convenience store, which has served the community for 35 years, has received a 'notice to quit' by September... "Obviously they don't want it next to their posh apartments" says Mo who has vowed to fight the eviction.

SALFORD SCHOOL CRISIS LOOMS DUE TO NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS

added 21 June 2019

Star date: 20th June 2019

'PRESSURE FOR SCHOOL PLACES...RELATING TO DEMAND FROM NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS'

Salford City Council's new 'risk register' notes that beyond the next academic year, there will be "a need for an expansion programme across a number of areas of the city" for secondary education, and that an "additional 11 forms of entry may be required over the next 10 years".

The report adds that the pressure on school places is "especially relating to demand from new housing developments" – which is what the community has been saying for years.

MORE SECRECY OVER SWINTON TRANSFORMATION MASTERPLAN

added 20 June 2019

Star date: 19th June 2019

WHAT IS IT? WHY IS IT SO SECRET?

"The publication of this report at this stage may cause financial concern and uncertainty in the locality" Salford Council

Salford City Council is possibly about to throw more money at its Swinton Transformation Masterplan – having already handed Urban Vision £200,000 to work on the scheme two years ago. But what is the Swinton Transformation Masterplan? All documents related to it are secret and not in the public domain, including next week's procurement report.

SALFORD CITY MAYOR ‘EXTREMELY CONCERNED’ ABOUT FREE SCHOOL ON SITE OF ST GEORGE’S IN LITTLE HULTON

added 19 June 2019

Star date: 18th June 2019

750 PLACE SECONDARY FREE SCHOOL IN LITTLE HULTON PROPOSED BY TORY GOVERNMENT

Both Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, and the Lead Member for Children, John Merry, have issued a joint statement expressing 'concern' over a Government announcement that the former site of St George's RC School in Little Hulton is to be used for a 750 place secondary school to be run by the Star Academy Trust.

St George's was shut a number of years ago after a huge battle to keep it open but now the Mayor notes that an "expansion of primary school provision may be a more valuable use for this site".

£2MILLION TAKEN FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUDGET IN WALKDEN BY SALFORD CITY COUNCIL FOR PRIVATE COMPANY

added 18 June 2019

Star date: 17th June 2019

£2MILLION IN SECTION 106 PAYMENTS FOR WALKDEN HEADING FOR DERIVE HOUSING IN EAST SALFORD

At last month's Salford Council Scrutiny Panel, it was revealed by Walkden Councillor, Richard Critchley, that over £2million had been taken from the Section 106 money for affordable housing in an area "with the most unaffordable housing in the city" and put into the budget for the Council's private housing company Derive, which is concentrating on East Salford.

The Council is currently consulting on its new housing strategy priorities until 2nd July.

SALFORD MEDIA CITY DEMO AGAINST BBC LICENCE FEE FOR PEOPLE OVER 75

added 17 June 2019

DEMO TO DEMAND GOVERNMENT FUNDS LICENCE FEE FOR PEOPLE OVER 75

Don't Switch Us Off
Friday 21st June noon
MediaCityUK

The National Pensioners Convention is calling on people to make a stand outside the BBC at Media City on Friday 21st June against the BBC's decision to means-test the TV licence for older people, and the Government's decision to make the BBC pay for the concession.

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD UNISON VICTORY AS STAFF WIN REAL LIVING WAGE

added 16 June 2019

EIGHTY STAFF EMPLOYED BY COMPASS AT SALFORD UNI WIN PAY RISE

Eighty staff employed by multinational outsourcing company Compass at the University of Salford have won their campaign to be paid at least the Real Living Wage of £9 an hour.

The University of Salford is a Living Wage Accredited Employer but Compass, which made £1.7billion profit last year, was paying only £8.21 per hour – until the Union campaigned.

SALFORD GIRL FUNDRAISES TO GO TO CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

added 16 June 2019

LACK OF FINANCE COULD STOP HANNAH GOING TO CAMBRIDGE

Salford girl, Hannah Gaffey, has been accepted for a prestigious place at Cambridge University to do a Masters course in Education but the tuition and living fees of £24,000 could kill her dream. Hannah's friends have started a GoFundMe page, while Hannah herself is selling Tees For fees t-shirts to help fund her dream...

"My aspiration is that if I am successful in fundraising the money for my place, I can be part of making the necessary changes to our education system that ensures more state school educated kids gain access to these institutions" she says.

URBAN AND HISTORIC EXPLORES PHOTOS OF MULVANY’S PUB IN SALFORD

added 16 June 2019

BULLDOZERS HIT MULVANY'S – LAST PHOTOS

This week, demolition teams moved into Mulvany's pub on St Stephen Street, but the Urban Historic Explores UK team managed to take photos before the popular pub met the dust. The team also rescued photos of pub regulars, if anyone can recognise anyone in them.

MUSIC, ART AND ROWETTA AT SALFORD LADS CLUB

added 16 June 2019

RHYTHM OF LIFE CHOIR AT SALFORD LADS CLUB

Rhythm of Life Choir and Rowetta
Friday 28th June from 7pm
Salford Lads Club £11

Friday 28th June sees Happy Mondays star Rowetta performing with the Rhythm of Life Choir in a fundraising evening of music and an art exhibition by Christie Hospital's Art Group. The Choir was recently seen performing on Cold Feet and there's also a top raffle prize on the night of a trip to the Cold Feet set and to be an extra in the series.

ALL FM OPENS NEW STUDIO WITH LIVE MUSIC NIGHT

added 16 June 2019

GEORGE BOROWSKI, AZIZ IBRAHIM, MARIAN WALDRON STAR AT ALL FM

Manchester community radio station, ALL FM, is celebrating the launch of its new, broadcast and training studio with a night of live music on Saturday 22nd June at Levenshulme Old Library, with Aziz Ibrahim, Marian Waldron, George Borowski, the Soul Sounds Choir and more. Tickets are just £5.

SALFORD PINK PICNIC RETURNS TO PEEL PARK

added 16 June 2019

LLOYD DANIELS, JORDON GRAY, YOUTH ZONE, DOGGIE SHOW AND MORE

Pink Picnic
Saturday 22nd June 1pm-8pm
Peel Park free

The Pink Picnic returns to Peel Park this week for Salford's annual LGBT celebration with an array of acts, stalls, a Doggie Show and Youth Zone.

SALFORD GRENFELL VIGIL HEARS THAT PENDLETON BLOCKS HAVE NUMEROUS FIRE SAFETY ISSUES KNOWN OVER ONE YEAR AGO

added 16 June 2019

Star date: 14th June 2019

SECRET SURVEY SHOWED AN AVERAGE OF 4-5 FIRE SAFETY ISSUES IN EACH SAMPLE PENDLETON FLAT

This evening a vigil was held for victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, on land facing the Pendleton high rise blocks still covered in dangerous cladding.

Malus Court resident, Graeme Langton, disclosed to the gathering that when consultants inspected sample flats in the wake of Grenfell, they found an average of four to five fire safety issues per flat in Pendleton. That was over one year ago and nothing has yet been done.

NEW SALFORD BUS LANES TO AFFECT BROAD STREET, FREDERICK ROAD AND BELVEDERE ROAD LEADING TO PRECINCT

added 14 June 2019

Star date: 13th June 2019

WOOLPACK PUB FATE UNKNOWN AS BUS LANES TO BE BUILT

Next week, Salford City Council is proposing new lanes and gates taking buses away from the Pendleton Roundabout and veering them off the A6 Broad Street towards Salford Precinct via Belvedere Road. Another bus lane will affect the junction with Frederick Road.

The fate of the Woolpack pub, only three years ago cited as a new homelessness hub and community forest garden, is not clear from Council illustrations.

SALFORD LABOUR PARTY IN IRONIC CALL FOR CONFISCATION OF DANGEROUSLY CLADDED BLOCKS

added 13 June 2019

Star date: 12th June 2019

AS SECOND GRENFELL ANNIVERSARY NEARS, SALFORD BLOCKS STILL COVERED IN CLADDING

As the second anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy nears, eight blocks in Pendleton owned by Salford City Council are still covered in dangerous cladding.

Ironically, Salford Labour Party, which runs the Council, has echoed calls by the national party to set an ultimatum of six months for private owners of blocks to remove cladding "or face take-over of their blocks by councils to get the work done". This Friday, there's a vigil for Grenfell opposite the Salford towerblocks at 6pm.

NATIONALISE UNITED UTILITIES STATES UNION AS FAT CAT POCKETS OVER £2MILLION

added 12 June 2019

Star date: 11th June 2019

GMB CALLS FOR NATIONALISATION OF WATER COMPANY

Trade union, GMB, has called for the re-nationalisation of water companies as it discloses that United Utilities boss has pocketed over £2million in salary and add-ons during the last financial year.

"It's time to Take Back the Tap" says GMB General Secretary Tim Roache "Water is a natural monopoly that every home, family and individual needs; it should be in public hands not used for shareholder profit."

PETERLOO GRAPHIC HISTORY BOOK PUBLISHED AS WITNESS TO A MASSACRE

added 11 June 2019

Star date: 10th June 2019

PETERLOO TOLD IN ARTWORK AND VERBATIM QUOTES

Peterloo: Witnesses to a Massacre
By Polyp, Poole and Schlunke £11.99

Amongst all the Peterloo 200th anniversary events happening this year, a new paperback graphic history, with stunning artwork and verbatim quotes from those who were there, shines out.... "We decided to just get out of the way and let the voices of the time speak for themselves" say the authors.

SALFORD GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP SEEKS DONATIONS FOR COMFORT BAGS

added 10 June 2019

Star date: 9th June 2019

DONATIONS OF TOILETRIES AND MORE REQUIRED FOR PATIENT COMFORT BAGS

The ace voluntary Salford and Greater Manchester Gynaecological Cancer Support Group does what it says, supporting women who have all different types of gynae cancers through meetings, socials and discussions, and by helping patients undergoing treatment.

One of the ways the group does this is by handing out comfort bags in cancer wards, and it is looking for donations of toiletries and more to help fill the bags. Meanwhile, the next meeting of the group is on Friday 14th June at Salford Royal Hospital.

SALFORD FOUNDATION TRUST 24 HOUR FOOTBALL CHALLENGE

added 09 June 2019

Star date: 9th June 2019

TEAMS WANTED TO SUPPORT SALFORD FOUNDATION TRUST

Between 3pm on Friday 28th June and 3pm Saturday 29th June there will be a 24 Hour Football Challenge to raise money for the Salford Foundation Trust, which helps young people in the city to get on. The Trust is looking for teams of between five and eight players to take part.

SALFORD SUMMER SOLSTICE RITUAL AT KINGS ARMS

added 09 June 2019

Star date: 8th June 2019

Three Mother's present: Summer Solstice Ritual
Saturday 22nd June 7pm
Kings Arms £5

Live music, performance art and heathen rituals kick off the festival season with an eccentric celebration of summer at the Kings Arms on 22nd June, with loads of acts including Trianglecuts, Slowknife and Louise Woodcock, plus an appearance from Egyptian cat goddess Bastet, as Ian Leslie discovers.

SALFORD MAD PRIDE FESTIVAL WITH MUSIC, TEA PARTY AND MAD HATTERS

added 08 June 2019

Star date: 7th June 2019

VICTORIA PARK GOES CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER

Salford Mad Pride
Saturday 8th June noon-5pm free
Victoria Park, Swinton

Tomorrow, Saturday 8th June, sees the family friendly Salford Mad Pride festival return to Victoria Park, with music, dance, a wellness zone and crafts. Everyone is invited to the free event and is asked to wear a mad hat for the day.

SALFORD LOCAL ELECTION IN WALKDEN SET FOR 20TH JUNE

added 07 June 2019

Star date: 7th June 2019

FIVE PARTIES FIGHT FOR WALKDEN SOUTH

Five political parties are standing in the Walkden South local ward election, postponed from May due to the death of one of the candidates. The new date is 20th June and is set to be fought by the LibDems, Greens, Labour, Tory and UKIP.

23 STOREY BLOCK SET FOR ECCLES TOWN CENTRE WITH NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

added 07 June 2019

Star date: 6th June 2019

HUGE CHURCH STREET BLOCK WITH 272 FLATS TO HAVE NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Salford City Council Planning Panel is set to consider an application for three blocks of four, six and 23 storey high buildings containing 272 flats and shops on Church Street in Eccles, that will have no affordable housing

The developer will pay only £60,000 in planning obligations due to 'viability', with a 'clawback' arrangement in place, as the planning officer's report states that "The proposal is likely to improve the vitality and viability of Eccles Town Centre".

HUGE PAY INCREASES FOR SALFORD CITY COUNCIL SENIOR OFFICERS

added 06 June 2019

Star date: 5th June 2019

SALFORD CHIEF EXEC TROUSERED £243,707 DURING FINANCIAL YEAR

New draft accounts from Salford City Council reveal that Chief Executive, Jim Taylor, received a total package of £243,707 during the financial year 2018/19, compared to £198,290 the previous year – a whopping rise of over £45,000.

Salford's Director of Place received a rise of almost £20,000, while the Council's Chief Finance Officer got a pay hike of over £13,000.

HUNDREDS RALLY AGAINST DONALD TRUMP IN MANCHESTER

added 05 June 2019

Star date: 4th June 2019

'ORANGE WASTEMAN' NOT WELCOME IN UK

Last night, hundreds of people attended a protest rally in Manchester against Donald Trump's visit to the UK... "Across the country we want to send a message to Downing Street and to remind that orange wasteman that he's not welcome here" said the NUS President, while members of US band Brass Against called for people to work together globally "to break through this fucking nightmare"...

GREATER MANCHESTER TO RALLY AGAINST DONALD TRUMP

added 04 June 2019

Star date: 3rd June 2019

CAMPAIGNERS TO PROTEST AGAINST TRUMP STATE VISIT

Manchester Together Against Trump
Monday 3rd June 6pm
Cathedral Gardens, Manchester

As US President Donald Trump arrives in the UK for a state visit, trade unions, campaigners and faith groups have organised a rally tonight at 6pm in Cathedral Gardens, near Urbis, to protest against what they call 'The world's #1 bigot'.

SALFORD VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR SHARED READING IN THE COMMUNITY

added 03 June 2019

Star date: 2nd June 2019

TRAIN TO READ LITERATURE ALOUD IN COMMUNITY

The Reader, is looking for volunteers to train to read novels, poems and plays aloud for people. For almost a decade, the charity has been doing Shared Reading in the city's mental health wards but is now looking to roll this out to the wider community.

"Great literature speaks to all parts of us, not just that which is sick" states the group, which is holding a taster session on June 19th.

SALFORD MISS ENGLAND SEMI FINALIST RAISES MONEY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

added 02 June 2019

Star date: 1st June 2019

CHLOE REPRESENTS SALFORD IN MISS ENGLAND CONTEST

Weaste's Chloe Brickell is hiking up Scafell Pike tomorrow to raise money for Papyrus, a charity which helps prevent young people's suicide. It's part of her bid to become Miss England, having reached the semi finals in the contest which is not a trad beauty pageant.

"Representing Salford feels crazy and quite nerve-racking but I'm feeling confident" says Chloe, who needs public votes and sponsorship.