Renaissance newsletter by Adactus Housing Group

Issue 29

Miles Platting

Winter 2014

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

page 4

Money saving tips for Xmas

page 8

Christmas Eve

9am–4pm

30th December

9am–5pm

Christmas Day

Closed

31st December

9am–4pm

Boxing Day

Closed

1st January

29th December

Council Tax queries: 0161 234 5002 e: ctax.enquiries@ manchester.gov.uk

Emergency Repairs: 0800 234 6826

MCC Adaptations Team: 0161 234 5001 e: mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk

Allpay: 0870 234 6040 for Direct Debit, debit/credit card payments & ordering new rent cards Housing Benefit queries: 0161 234 5003 e: benefit.enquiries@ manchester.gov.uk

Double success for Miles Platting work club

page 10

Closed 9am–5pm

9am–5pm

Useful contacts Baker House Office: 0800 234 6826 Open 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday (& until 6pm on Wednesday)

What’s on for the over 50’s?

Christmas opening times for the Adactus Housing Office:

2nd January

Message from Neighbourhood Po lic

page 2

from all the staff at Adactus Housing Association!

27th/28th December Closed

What’s inside

Platting Adactus Miles d. gets connecte tus Facebook: ‘Adac Miles Platting’.

Miles Platting Outreach Library: 0161 227 3787

sM P’.

Twitter: ‘Adactu

Environment On Call: 0161 234 5004 e: contact@manchester.gov.uk Find out your utility supplier: Gas: 0870 608 1524 Electric: 0870 751 0093

This document is available in other languages, larger text, Braille and on audio cd.

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Message from your local Neighbourhood Policing Team

Individual Electoral Registration

Dear residents

The way you register to vote has changed

First of all I would like to introduce the newest member of our team PCSO Donna Kennedy. Donna joined as a PCSO in October this year and will be working in the Miles Platting and Ancoats areas. Donna looks forward to engaging with the community and taking part in local events. Christmas is fast approaching and as your Neighbourhood Policing Team we would like to wish you a happy and safe time. Christmas is also a busy time of year for criminals, with a high percentage of crime being opportunistic.

• Ensure all your doors and windows are closed and locked • Don’t leave presents under the Christmas tree before the big day • Don’t leave any valuables or presents in your car • Don’t carry large amounts of cash or valuables • Make sure you dispose of packaging from presents – don’t advertise your new toys to everyone! For more advise please call your Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 3521

Don’t let a criminal enjoy Christmas at your expense!

Police Non emergency – 101

Here are some tips to help keep you safe this Christmas:

Visit our Facebook – GMPMANCHESTEREAST

Contact us! thing related If you’d like to get in touch about any Howard to this issue of Spotlight contact Issie on 07918 907 645 uk isobel.howard@adactushousing.co. or Vicki Greer on 07739 297124 uk victoria.greer@adactushousing.co. Issie Howard

The new system, called Individual Electoral Registration, means that everyone is now responsible for registering themselves. Under the old system, the head of the household could register everyone who lived at their address but this has now changed. The easiest way of registering is online. You will need a few details, including your national insurance number and date of birth, to do this. Registering is important – you need to register to be able to vote at the next election and have your say. You could experience difficulties with credit

How to claim Council Tax Support if you have started claiming Universal Credit. Have you claimed Council Tax Support? and have a If you have claimed Universal Credit to make a liability to pay council tax, you need nchester claim for Council Tax Support with Ma City Council. don’t, you It is important that you do this. If you in full. will have to pay your council tax bill

Vicki Greer

ady If you are already receiving/have alre not need do you claimed Council Tax Support, to make a further claim. ester. You can make a claim online at manch and claim gov.uk/benefits and select ‘Work out online benefit’. Once you have made a claim evidence you will get a list of information and d this to sen you need to provide. You should y. Manchester City Council straight awa

reference agencies as they use the register to confirm where you live to help counteract fraud. So if you need a mobile phone contract, a loan or a mortgage, being on the electoral register will help your application. Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote for more information and to complete the online application. You can use the internet at Miles Platting Outreach Library, opening times are shown on page 2.

It’s easy to claim Council Tax Support There is access to free internet and computers in all the city’s libraries as well as the Customer Service Centre in the Town Hall Extension. Do you need help claiming? The Council Tax department offer appointments to help you fill in your claim form at the following places: • Customer Service Centre, Town Hall Extension, M60 2LA • North City Library, Rochdale Road, M9 4AF To make an appointment Go to manchester.gov.uk/benefits and select Benefits Service: contacts, appointments, reception points. Phone: 0161 234 5003 Or book an appointment with Tina Chadwick, Financial Inclusion Officer at Adactus by phoning 0161 203 2600 (option 2).

miles platting spotlight

Age Friendly Miles Platting Age Friendly Miles Platting We have agreed to host a page in the things Spotlight newsletter dedicated to all Age Friendly. ates On this page you will find regular upd and from the Age Friendly Miles Platting s Newton Heath Network, advertisement for promoting activities and opportunities ways people who are over 50 years old and Platting you can be involved in making Miles more Age Friendly.

Launch of the Miles Platting and Newton Heath Age Friendly Network The Network is bringing together partners who work with older people to improve services for local older people. It held its launch meeting on Friday 31st October at St George’s Community Centre and was well attended. Organisations such as the Adult Education Service, Libraries, Zest and others will set out an Action Plan which will include the development of an improved physical activity offer for people over 50 living in Miles Platting and an improved social offer for older people at St George’s Community Centre. If you represent a local group or organisation working with older people and want to join the Network please get in touch with either Tracey Annette t.annette@manchester.gov.uk or phone 0161 234 4299 or Issie Howard isobel.howard@adactushousing.co.uk or phone 0161 203 2600 (option 2).

What’s on for the Over 50s? My Generation - Manchester’s very own Over 50s Club Night These popular club nights, aimed specifically at club goers of the 50s, 60s and 70s, take place at the Roadhouse on Newton Street in central Manchester. BBC Breakfast news is keen to feature the club nights and we are hopeful that a future event will be filmed on location. The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Sue Cooley, has chosen to highlight how organisations and services can act positively to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst older people and she will be our honorary guest at the next Club Night. If you are a local group or organisation looking for a night of live music and dancing in a safe and 4

friendly venue, please consider reserving tickets in advance. Tickets are limited and are on sale at £5 each. Dates of forthcoming nights are: Sunday 11th January 2015 with the Retrobeats Sunday 19th April 2015 with the Macca Band and Sunday 12th July and 4th October - with live bands still to be confirmed.

ase For further information and tickets ple ndly contact Tracey Annette at the Age Frie 9. Manchester team on 0161 234 429

Manchester International Festival announces first three shows Manchester International Festival returns next summer between 2 – 15 July, the first three shows have just been announced and there’s something for everyone. Cbeebie’s Justin Fletcher creates The Tale of Mr Tumble, a new show for children and their families at Manchester Opera House between 11 – 19 July. Before Justin, Jamie xx, artist Olafur Eliasson and Salford’s Wayne McGregor are at the Opera House with Tree of Codes, a contemporary ballet. Also announced, but not on sale yet, is The Age of Starlight. Brian Cox and the visual effects team behind the film Gravity tell the story of the universe with cutting edge digital technology. Manchester International Festival once again has a reduced price ticket scheme for local audiences: a number of the best tickets for every performance of every show will be on sale exclusively for Greater Manchester residents at just £12.

Ancoats Dispensary Trust needs you!! A crowdfunding site has been set up on Spacehive which promotes civic projects, where you can find more information about the project, and the opportunity to donate to this once in a lifetime chance to save a unique part of Manchester’s heritage in one of the most disadvantages wards in Britain. If you are able to make a donation either personally or through your organisation’s charitable donations, we would very much appreciate your support. www.spacehive.com/ thebeatingheartofancoats

Find out more at www.mif.co.uk Facebook: mcrintfestival Twitter: MIFestival

Above: The Age of Starlight. Opposite: The Tale of Mr Tumble

Front Row Film Club Front Row Film Club takes place every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 12 – 3pm at Heathfield Hall, Heathfield Street, Newton Heath M40 1FL. Scheduled films are: 17th December – Walking on Sunshine 6th January – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 20th January – The Fault in Our Stars Upcoming films include Pride, The 100 Foot Journey and Exotic Marigold Hotel II. For more details or to book a place please contact Laura at Zest on 234 3724/07834869203 or email L.Cassidy@manchester.gov.uk Just £1.50 towards refreshments – light buffet lunch served at 12 noon. 5

miles platting spotlight

Disability Cycling Available Every Week

nning “Access BMX” Eastlands Trust are now ru tional Cycling Centre cycling sessions at the Na m 7pm to 8.30pm every Tuesday evening fro session free). These for just £2 a session (first adapted bikes to users, sessions offer a range of and BMX bikes – all such as hand cycles, trikes the indoor BMX track. of which can be used on arm pads will also Full-face helmets, leg and be supplied. eds to be completed A health questionnaire ne before your first visit. either online or in person please contact the For additional information, eption on: National Cycling Centre rec : 0161 223 2244 or email ntre.com. bmx@nationalcyclingce

Miles Platting Exercise Sessions

Following consultation ne w exercise sessions coming soon. Contact Laura Cassidy at Zest on 234 3724 – L.Cassidy@manchester .gov.uk for more information or take a look at: www.facebook.com/Zes tManchester.

miles platting spotlight

Walking Football

Eastlands Trust and MCFC City in the Community Foundation are working in partnership to deliver Wa lking Football at the Manchester Tennis & Fo otball Centre on the Etihad Campus. These sessions are aimed at predominantly older adult males/females (50+ ) who are after a great fun way of keeping active. The sessions works as the name states, you wa lk and play football instead of running! Why not pop along and tak e part every Tuesday 12pm-1pm for just £2. Co ntact the Centre on 0161 220 3840 for more details.

New Ramps & Youth Room for Urban Expression

sion Youth Night at the The fantastic Urban Expres pleased to announce National Cycling Centre is ps for skateboards two new arrivals! New ram able at the session and scooters are now avail ay at 7pm. A brand new which runs every Saturd also now open, with dedicated youth room is sist in the up-cycling young people invited to as rsonalised feel. Anyone of furniture to give it a pe ban Expression, which aged 10-18 can attend Ur and also includes costs just £1.50 per week nce, basketball and BMX, graffiti art, street da lots more!

St George’s Open All Day Fridays Always wondered what goes on at the Centre but never had the chance to drop in? Well now you can! Every Friday 10:00am4:00pm the Centre is open to ALL!

• Come along and use the FREE IT facilities at the Work Club • Get a fresh coffee and piece of toast • Try pilates for FREE, where you can focus on developing strength, balance, flexibility, posture and good breathing techniques – 11.30am – 12.30pm. • Try the Latin American inspired dance, salsa for FREE – 1.45pm – 3.15pm. • Meet other members of the community and socialise

Polite reminder From 1st November 2014 the price per hour for hiring the Centre for children’s parties will increase to £15 per hour plus a £30 returnable deposit. The Community Centre is only hired for children’s parties on the understanding that the building must be cleaned and tidied at the end of the party. All requests for bookings must made using the official booking form and are subject to availability and approval by the Community Association. Contact St George’s on 0161 834 9368.

St George’s Community Centre on the big screen! The Centre was recently used for film ing a new 3 part ITV drama, ‘The Trials of Jimmy Rose’ featuring Amanda Redmond and Ray Winston. Filming took place at the beginning of November and the drama will be shown in the nex t few months- watch this space!

Festive Fun at Open All e’s Day Fridays at St Georg

:30am - 3pm Friday 19th December 10 top stalls • Christmas market table d drinks • FREE festive snacks an • FREE salsa • FREE pilates • FREE bingo (£50, £20 and £10 • FREE festive prize draw grabs) Arndale vouchers up for irit and join the fun... Get in the Christmas sp all welcome!

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Money saving tips over the festive period Tip 1: Priority first

Tip 4: Secret Santa

It’s an expensive time of year but make sure you still pay the essentials - your rent, food, council tax and gas/electricity.

You won’t be alone in feeling like you don’t have enough money at Christmas. Speak to your family and friends and arrange a secret Santa - it’s good fun and saves money!

Tip 2: Set a budget and stick to it Waiting for the credit card bills in January can be a difficult time as many people don’t know how much they owe. Stick to a realistic budget so there won’t be any scary New Year surprises.

Tip 3: Be careful about over borrowing 14% of people spend more than nine months repaying money they spent over Christmas. Only spend what you can really afford to pay back or you’ll be paying for many months and this could affect you well into 2015.

Tip 5: Save now for next Christmas Cashbox Credit Union offers a Christmas savings club. You can save what you can afford and get paid out in November, direct into your bank account in time for Christmas. Call 0161 342 3266 for more information. Some supermarkets offer a Christmas savings card where they will give you a cash bonus depending on the amount you have saved.

Tip 6: Remember Christmas isn’t about the buying of presents; it’s about having your family and friends together around you! Visit moneysavingexpert.com for more tips and advice.

Things going on and local news Line Dancing

Line dance and social every second ’s Thursday in the month at St George . Community Centre, 12.30 - 3.00pm Absolute beginners welcome, come and have some fun, learn a new skill and make some new friends. Cost £2 with refreshments and raffle included. cial on Next dance will be the Christmas spe Thursday 11 December. ch For more details contact Diane Aronwi Age UK Manchester 07950 427292 or e-mail: .uk. diane.aronwich@ageukmanchester.org

Coffee Mornings Coffee mornings at the Vic Mi ll Community Centre (outreach library) The next one will take place on : Wednesday January 7th 10:30am – 12.00pm

The Outreach Library at the Vic Mill Community Centre is open: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday

2:00pm – 5:00pm 10:00am – 1:00pm 1:00pm – 7:00pm 10:00am – 1:00pm

City in the Community 4 year olds FRE E KICKS football sessions for 6-1 h, Holland at Park View Community School pitc Street, Saturday 11am- 1pm.

Health Walk Health Walk every Wednesday morning. Short gentle walk either around Ancoats or in a local park around Manchester. For details of where to meet and a full programme of walks contact Diane Aronwich Age UK Manchester 07950 427292 or email: diane.aronwich@ageukmanchester.org.uk.

9 7

miles platting spotlight

Double success for Miles Platting Work Club

A chance to earn some extra money

The Miles Platting Work Club is celebrating after two of our regular jobseekers found work in the same week. Oludare Adebusyi, 45, from Audlem Close, has been attending the work club regularly while he searched for work. He has now started work as a Warehouse Operative after seeing the job advertised at the weekly club. Oludare had been using the work club to search for jobs and to update his CV. He said “The work club has been really helpful for me; the staff are really supportive and have let me know when suitable positions are advertised. Without the work club I wouldn’t have seen this job because it was advertised on a website that I didn’t know about”. Fellow Miles Platting resident, Antony Taylor, 56, an experienced carer, had been searching for work for several months but has also now started a new job. Anthony from Shardlow Close said that he couldn’t have done it without the support of he work club. He said “The help I have had from the staff at the work club has been amazing. I have been every week and used their computers to send applications and their phones to chase up job leads. It is hard being out of work so it’s nice to see a friendly face every week to share a cup of tea and to get the encouragement to carry on looking when you feel disheartened. I am made up to be starting work again finally”.

The Miles Platting Work Club has been running every Tuesday morning at Baker House since the start of 2013. Since it started it has helped 37 local residents back into work. Issie Howard, Resident Involvement Officer, said “We are delighted two of our regulars have found work at the same time. It’s great for them and it gives hope to the others who have been struggling to find a position. Their hard work and persistence has paid off!” If you would like to use our laptops to search for work or would like help to write a CV, covering letter or application form then please drop in.

The work club runs every Tuesday from 10.30am until midday and is open to anyone seeking work.

“ “ “

It’s such a great way to earn a bit of extra money as well as giving Adactus my views on services.

”

Great idea - I’m really happy to be involved.

”

I’m able to give my views from the comfort of my own home.

Christmas tree recyclin

as tree make sure that If you have a real Christm tivities are over. you recycle it once the fes your tree next to All you have to do is leave the fortnightly your green bin on any of January 2015 (it doesn’t collection days through t a big green wheelie matter whether you’ve go ly small green bins), bin or one of the food on en base - these are too please remove the wood solid to be processed. your address, you can If you haven’t got one at by logging on to the order a green recycling bin website here Manchester City Council k/info/200084/bins_ www.manchester.gov.u 6217/get_a_new_bin_ rubbish_and_recycling/ box_or_recycling_bag

Live in a block of flats?

If you have a green bin in your shared bin store, leave your tree next to tha t. If you don’t have a green bin please email: contact@manchester.go v.uk to request a Christmas tree collection – the council will get back in touch to let you kn ow when to leave it out (this will NOT count as one of your free bulky waste collections).

Recycling tips for the festive period

Other local work clubs with FREE IT facilities YPAC Work Club for 16-25 year olds Every Friday 2:00pm-5:00pm St George’s Youth and Community Centre, Livesey Street

New Work Club open to everyone Every Friday 11:00am- 1:30pm

• Allocated worker for each person • Individual health and wellbeing assessment focused on mood, nutrition and motivation • Access training, accreditation and apprenticeships

• Use the IT facilities • Have help looking for jobs • Job searching • Volunteer opportunities

St George’s Youth and Community Centre, Livesey Street

YPAC have a brand new website, which is worth a visit www.ypacmanchester.org.uk 10

Comments from some of the current Adactus500 members

Over the Christmas period about 30% more rubbish is produced. Glass, cans, Christmas trees, cards, wrapping paper and plastic are all thrown away in dustbins across the country. This year why not make a special effort to try and minimise the amount of waste produced over the festive period. With a little thought, we can all limit the impact that we have. Below is a list of ideas to help reduce, reuse and recycle our waste over Christmas and into the New Year. Reuse • Cut old Christmas cards and make tags for presents next year. • Buy Christmas trees with roots so they can be planted in the garden in spring or alternatively buy an artificial Christmas tree that can be used year after year. • Buy rechargeable instead of disposable batteries.

Reduce • When shopping for Christmas presents use reusable shopping bags or reuse carrier bags. • Do not over wrap Christmas presents; use a Christmas stocking instead of paper for smaller gifts. • Why not try sending electronic Christmas cards. 11

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News update from Ancoats Dispensary Trust

Christmas leftovers recipe

Well it’s been a busy summer that began with our attendance at Phillips Park Party in the Park festival in July when lots of people visited our stall and told us stories about their experience of Ancoats Hospital when it was in its heyday. In August, a small group from Ancoats Dispensary Trust (ADT) began working with Upper Space a community arts organisation based in Spectator Mill, Ancoats. The idea was that local people or anyone who had any connections with Ancoats and in particular the Dispensary would be invited to create a banner that would reflect how they felt about the area and the building itself.

be originally designed Christmas cards by artist Janet Bray for those who are on the last minute buying your cards. All proceeds will go towards the restoration of the building. Entry is FREE. It’s also a chance to see the inside of what was St Michaels church, now it has been restored as a community resource.

Particular thanks must go to St George’s Community Centre for the use of the space in which to work and Janine, Barney and Tom for their support. We are hoping that the banner will be displayed at various venues throughout the area. The banner is huge and heavy so we have to make sure it can be displayed safely. We are hoping that on Tuesday the 16th of December at our ‘Night of Art’ event at Halle St Michaels in George Leigh Street Ancoats at 7pm – 9pm the banner will be able to be displayed.

We were one of the 11 community groups to receive funding from Miles Platting residents at the Miles Platting You Decide voting day and are now happy to say that we have begun to order the equipment. Once we have this up and running we will fulfil our promise to ‘tour’ the area not only promoting Ancoats Dispensary Trust but showing heritage footage from the North West Film Archives. We also intend to use the equipment to show films made by both the Group and our supporters as we move towards restoration.

If you have any left over parsnips, carrots or cabbage then you can add those too, or try adding some chopped bacon and herbs for extra flavour. For a vegetarian version simply leave out the turkey and add extra veggies. For more ideas on how to make the most of your leftovers throughout the year visit the Love Food Hate Waste website where you can find lots of easy and inspiring recipes: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

The famous banner maker Ed Hall travelled up from London to not only see the Dispensary but to provide a template for the banner so that work could begin. Ed used to be an architect before becoming involved in trade unions and has made banners that have been seen all over the world. When he saw the Dispensary he said it was “the best example of Victorian gothic architecture he has ever seen”. Upper Space not only worked with ADT but with local schools and community groups in the area.

So put a date in your diary for the 16th of December when there will be pictures you can purchase, raffle tickets for a signed Manchester City shirt (result on the night), refreshments, nibbles and wine plus fruit juice and a chance to sign up for FREE as a supporter. There will also

The big question on Christmas Day, after you have cleared away the plates and done the washing up, is what are you going to do with all the left overs? If you want something a little more exciting than Turkey sandwiches then why not try this recipe for Turkey & Sprout Hash – a delicious way to use up two festive favourites, turkey and brussel sprouts. Ingredients: • 3 tbsp oil • 1 onion, sliced • 500g (1lb) leftover roast or boiled potatoes, chopped • 300g (11oz) leftover cooked sprouts, chopped • 250g (9oz) leftover roast turkey, chopped • 4 medium eggs, poached Method: Serves:

Prep time:

10 mins

Cooking time:

20 mins

Cook’s tip Try making 1 large hash by frying everything up in a large frying pan.

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion for 4-5 minutes until browned. Mash the potatoes roughly in a large bowl. 2. Mix onions into the potato with the sprouts and turkey, season to taste and mix well with a spoon. 3. Heat the remaining oil and press the hash into the frying pan and fry 3-4 minutes. Turn the hash over, (don’t worry if it breaks up) and fry for a further 2-3 minutes until golden. 4. Serve topped with a poached egg.

A big thank you to all those who voted for us and thanks to Adactus for giving us the opportunity. 13

gardening corner

Pat’s gardening corner

Q&A

Many of you will now be looking forward to and preparing for the festive season. So much time and worry goes into all the decisions that need to be made for the annual celebration, with many of them centring on gifts. Fresh flowers and plants are always appreciated by the garden-lover whether it’s a bouquet or a Poinsettia. The range of gifts is enormous from gardening books to packets of seeds, subscriptions to gardening magazines to garden equipment like secateurs or a ticket to garden show.

If you have any decorative plant pots that aren’t frostproof empty them of all soil and store them in the shed, greenhouse or garage.

Q. W hich plants can I use to pot up my patio container that will withstan d the winter months?

Below are just a few :

Pick a dry still day to rake up fallen leaves, don’t put them on the compost heap, as leaves break down in a cold process, whereas a traditional compost heap breaks organic matter down in a warm/hot process. Put them into a leaf composter, or make leafmould. How to make leafmould - Left on the lawn, leaves will prevent light reaching the grass, and trap moisture, killing the grass and encouraging the spread of moss. Collect the leaves with a garden rake or leaf blower. I then run over the leaves a few times with my lawnmower (with the grass box removed), so the leaves are shreaded, this speeds up the rotting process as well as reducing the amount of space needed to store them. Pile the leaves or shreadings into black bin liners, add some water and after tying the tops of the bags, poke some holes in the side with a garden fork and store them in a secluded part of your garden. In 12-18 months you should have some nice leafmould.

Questions & Answers

A couple of questions fro m the mail bag

Some of my favourite gift ideas are the decorative bird feeders which you can find in many of the garden centres at the moment or plant up a basket or pot with colourful violas and heathers. It’s that time of year when you think the garden is something to be wrapped up, put away and left until next spring but there are lots of things that can be done now to help spring be an even better time of year!

???

Keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover shrubs that are likely to be damaged by frost with garden fleece, sacking or an old light blanket. Replace summer bedding in borders with winter flowering pansies, polyanthus, wallflowers, myosotis, tulips and daffodils bulbs.

Leave the old growth of tender plants unpruned over the winter months. This will help to protect the central crown of the plant and take the brunt of any frost damage. If plants are cut back hard in autumn new growth could be damaged by frost.

Don’t forget the wildlife - top up your bird feeders with peanuts and hang up some fatballs, a tasty and welcome treat in the winter months.

A. One of my favourites this year is a pansy called Pansy Fizzy Lemm on berry. All pansies, violas and heath ers are great for brightening up the winter months, along with wallflower and polya nthus (you should still cover with a fleece on very cold nights). Q. I have a lot of clay in my soil, how can I improve it? A. M ake use of the frosts we have been having, dig over the soil and let the frost get to work, it will help break up the clay. There is also a product called Cla y Breaker which you can purchase at any Garden Centre. Bulky organic matter like composted bark is also a great way of improv ing your soil.

Christmas garden giveaways Be the first to bag your free Christmas garden giveaways* • A selection of small indoor plant pots (various colours) • A selection of flower seeds • Bulb baskets (for ground planting) • Selection of spring bulbs • Handy hessian gardening bag • Garden twine • Handy garden gloves • Slug pellets (Contact Pat at Adactus Housing for your free giveaway, but be quick as stock is limited. Open to Adactus residents only). Email: Patrice.campbell@adactushousing.co.uk Phone: 0161 203 2600 (option 2)