Miles Platting
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spotlight Autumn 2015
Issue 32
Volunteer MP Want to meet new people? Want to boost your CV? Wednesday 7th October 10:30am – 1pm
What’s inside?
Find out about local volunteering opportunities from a range of organisations including:
Miles Platting You Decide 2015 Results
• Miles Platting Outreach Library • Age UK • Ancoats Canal Project • Miles Platting Community Gardens • Ancoats Dispensary Trust plus others
Free tea and cakes all morning - Free raffle Free goodie bag to the first 20 people Victoria Mill Community Centre and Outreach Library, Lower Vickers Street, Miles Platting M40 7LJ Contact Issie or Vicki on 0161 203 2600 (option 2)
Part of the Spirit of Manchester Festival
Page 3
Tenant Satisfaction Survey Results Page 11
Community Gardens News Pages 12- 13
s u l P ds loa e! r mo Adactus Miles Platting gets connected Facebook: Adactus Miles Platting Twitter: AdactusMP
This document is available in other languages, larger text, braille and on audio cd
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Contact us.. If you’d like to get in touch about anything related to Spotlight, contact: Issie Howard on 07918 907 645 Isobel.howard@adactushousing.co.uk Follow me on twitter: Issie_adactus Vicki Greer on 07739 297 124 victoria.greer@adactushousing.co.uk Follow me on twitter: Vicki_adactus
0800 numbers now also free from a mobile On the 1st of July 2015 there were some exciting changes made to your 0800 freephone number. OFCOM, the telecoms regulator, decided that in line with most other European countries, calls to freephone numbers from mobile phones in the UK will be completely free of charge to the caller. It means that when you see companies advertising a free 0800 number, free will really mean free. As of 1st July, the cost of calling 0800 numbers from a mobile will transfer to the 0800 number holder. You will therefore not incur any charges if you call us on 0800 234 6826 using your mobile phone. 2 | spotlight
Trees We receive many requests in the office regarding trees in residents’ gardens. Maintaining trees in your garden is not a service provided by Adactus Housing. Your tenancy agreement states that you must keep your garden to a ‘satisfactory standard’. This includes maintaining the trees that are in your garden. Your tenancy agreement states: 6.12. You must make sure your garden is tidy. Lawns must be cut and hedges trimmed. Gardens are inspected on a regular basis by your Housing Officer. Failure to maintain your garden can result in legal action being taken against you, which could lead to costs being passed on to you of approximately £500.
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Miles Platting You Decide winners 25k worth of funding from Adactus Housing will be split between nine community groups operating in the area. The groups offer a wide cross section of activities, events and equipment that local East Manchester residents will benefit from. 16 groups originally applied for the funding and after a voting process where you as residents living in Miles Platting were asked to vote for your favourite projects, nine groups won the money. The process is based on participatory budgeting, where local residents make the decisions. The successful groups are: St George’s Day Parade Hire 3 more floats, an additional Samba, Brass and Pipe band, bunting and flags for the children and adults for the 2016 parade. Libraries Arts Club Continue arts sessions at the Outreach Library with 25 sessions covering Christmas, Halloween, Chinese New Year, popular culture themes. YPAC Develop youth work sessions at St Cuthbert’s Church with young people aged 13-19 years over 12 sessions on the last Friday of each month. Park View Community School Enable the school to provide maintenance for the pitch which would mean local community groups could use it for free for one year. Farnborough Road Residents Organise a community clear up for Farnborough Road/Winstanley Road area, ending with a celebration BBQ and with everyone planting their own hanging basket/pot. The St Cuthbert’s Miles Platting Lads and Girls Brigade Buy tables, chairs and storage trolleys to enable the children and young people to be seated for events at the church. Miles Platting, Collyhurst, Ancoats Junior Football Club Provide kits and equipment for the various teams and children that are involved.
The Miles Platting Community Gardens Steering Committee Resources to grow vegetables and fruit, offer educational opportunities around growing and getting a trainer to deliver a fruit tree maintenance course and hold community garden open days. Haut-Nkam Holding a cultural day in September for the community, running Cameroonian, Bamiléké language classes and getting equipment to run handball sessions. Representatives from each of the nine groups attended a celebration and information event at Miles Platting Outreach Library. It was an opportunity to celebrate, ask any queries and for Adactus representatives to run through details of the funding. Groups also did a lot of networking at the event and a couple of the groups have already discussed working together in the future to develop their projects.
What did you think of this year’s Miles Platting You Decide? ....Can we improve it? ...Let us know your thoughts...
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g n i t t a l P s dly Mile
Age Frien North City Nomads
Great Days Out for older people living north Manchester When was the last time you had a really good day out with friends, or sat on a pier enjoying Fish and Chips or an ice-cream? For some older people these kinds of days out are a distant memory. People who live alone, or who are not part of a social group, can struggle to make friends and can miss out on holidays and day trips. North City Nomads is a membership group open to all residents living in north Manchester 6- the group already has over 450 members. Once registered as a member you will be invited to apply for day trips as they are organised, you can apply for all trips or just those that appeal to you. As well as enjoying a great day out there’s the potential of making new friends and finding out more about other activities that local people are enjoying. The group are very keen to hear from new members from Miles Platting and Collyhurst. Registration for membership is now open for trips taking place in 2016. Like ‘North City Nomads’ on Facebook.
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Golden Voices Community Choir Celebrating singing together for over 5 years Over recent years, singing as part of a choir has become very popular, particularly since Gareth Malone helped to launch the beautiful Military Wives choir who topped the charts at Christmas 2011 with their song, “Wherever You Are”. Since then more and more Community Choirs have formed up and down the country. Did you know that one of Manchester’s very own, open access Community Choirs, rehearses each week just on the edge of Miles Platting? Being an open access choir means that people who have no previous experience of singing can join. Everyone can sing apparently - many of us have just been put off over the years, some by memories of a cruel music teacher telling us we were tone deaf. Membership is aimed at people over 50 and remember you don’t need any experience. New members are invited to pop along to a rehearsal session, meet other members and see if they think it’s for them. You can view clips and images of their performance and even make enquiries about membership at: www.facebook.com/ goldenvoicescommunitychoir
My Generation Over 50s Club night We’re on the move again ..... to Alter Ego, Princess St, Manchester My Generation Club regulars were sad to hear of the closure of the Roadhouse on Newton Street, the venue had generously provided members with a home for the best part of 2014. An appeal to club owners in Manchester through the Manchester Evening News resulted in a kind offer from Alter Ego on Princess Street, the current home of the legendary Twisted Wheel. Why not join members of My Generation on opening night on Sunday 1st November 2015, from 7.00pm for an evening of the coolest club sounds of the 50s, 60s and 70s, as always you’re bound to hear some of the tunes of your generation and there’ll be live music too from The Cavernites, tickets are still just £5.00 and are available in advance or on the door. visit www.facebook.com/mygenerationmcr For more information about any of the above opportunities contact Tracey Annette on 0161 234 4299 or email t.annette@ manchester.gov.uk
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The Child Support Agency (CSA) is closing The CSA is gradually being replaced by the Child Maintenance Service. Parents can no longer apply to the CSA and apply to the Child Maintenance Service instead. The CSA have now started the process of closing active cases. This will happen gradually and you should be given six months’ notice of your case closing. If you’re receiving payments through the CSA then your case won’t be closed for at least a year as they are starting with the people who aren’t getting any money. When will my CSA case be closed down? At the moment letters are being sent to around 150,000 parents who are currently ‘nil-assessed’ - this means that the other parent is not liable to pay child maintenance. There could be various reasons for this - it could be because they were a full-time student, or had a very low income when the CSA made the assessment. The first cases started to close in January 2015. After all the cases that are ‘nil-assessed’ are closed down, they will move on to other cases where no money is being paid. If you’re receiving money through the CSA your case is unlikely to close before 2016, so the changes won’t affect you for some time. It is expected to take until 2018 to close all the cases. You have the option of applying to the Child Maintenance Service if you need help setting up or collecting maintenance. The government has estimated that a third of parents who have a ‘nil-assessment’ would be entitled to a payment under the Child Maintenance Service so if this applies to you it could be worthwhile applying. The Child Maintenance Service - what’s the difference? There is a £20 application fee to use the service. You don’t have to pay the application fee if you have experienced domestic violence or you’re under 18. What do I get for my £20? • The Child Maintenance Service checks the
• • • •
•
income of your child’s other parent with Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) You get a maintenance calculation and a schedule for payments You’re given information on how to arrange the payments directly between yourselves You can access your child maintenance account online to track the payments You will have an annual review - the Child Maintenance Service will check the income of your child’s other parent with HMRC every year to make sure you’re still getting the right amount A collections service is available if you’re not receiving your payments - but there is a charge for this.
When do you have to pay collection charges? There are charges if the Child Maintenance Service has to step in to collect money from your child’s other parent and pay it to you. The paying parent has to pay an additional 20 per cent on top of the usual child maintenance amount, and your child maintenance amount is reduced by four per cent. If your child’s other parent pays the money directly to you, neither of you have to pay charges. What about my arrears? If arrears have built up whilst your case was with the CSA, and you choose to use the Child Maintenance Service, the arrears will still stand and can be enforced. This is also the case if you decide to come to a family-based arrangement or your child is now an adult – you’re still owed the arrears. The government has promised that Child Maintenance Service will be better at collecting arrears than the CSA. If you have outstanding arrears you might stand a better chance of getting them if you have a case open with the Child Maintenance Service.
For more information contact Child Maintenance Options 0800 988 0988 or visit www.cmoptions.org
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miles platting spotlight A non-dependant is a person aged 18 or over who is living with a tenant but who is not dependant upon them, and not living in the property on a commercial basis, for example, a lodger. Non-dependants include a grown up son or daughter, a mother or father, Aunt/Uncle, a friend etc. These people are assumed to be giving the tenant something towards their rent, regardless of whether or not they are actually doing so. This assumed contribution is based upon the nondependant’s circumstances. The appropriate deduction will be taken off the eligible rent before the tenant’s Housing Benefit is assessed, and it is the tenant who is responsible for making up this shortfall. The table below details the deductions made to Housing Benefit depending on the Non Dependants circumstances. The default position is for the Housing Benefit Office to take the highest non-dependant deduction i.e. £93.80, unless they have evidence to show that a lower, or nil, deduction should be made. If the highest deduction is being made, it likely that the tenant has not provided any information regarding the non-dependant. When a nondependant has no income then the lowest deduction of £14.55 will apply. There are various exclusions and exceptions to the rules for Non Dependants. These rules can be very complicated and advice should be sought from your Housing Officer, if you are affected by Non Dependants, to ensure your Housing Benefit is correct. There are also different rules which apply to tenants in receipt of Universal Credit as opposed to Housing Benefit. If you have a query regarding Non Dependant deductions please contact your Housing Officer or Money Adviser on 0161 203 2600 or 0800 234 6826.
Rent free weeks
As a Manchester City Council tenant you have two rent free weeks therefore these figures will need amending - multiply the relevant weekly nondependent charge by 52 and then divide it by 50; £14.55 multiplied by 52 = £756.60 £756.60 divided by 50 = £15.13 So the equivalent weekly charge to your HB entitlement would be £15.13 a week. 6 | spotlight
Housing Benefit Non Dependant Deductions Situation The person claiming Housing Benefit or their partner is in receipt of: • Attendance Allowance • Disability Living Allowance (care component at any rate) • Personal Independence Payment (daily living component at any rate) • Armed Forces Independence Payment or, • registered blind
2015/6 52 week year
NIL
Non-dep only staying temporarily, or currently on remand or in prison
NIL
Non-dep in Armed Forces whilst on operations
NIL
Non-dep on Pension Credit regardless of circumstances
NIL
Non-dep aged 16-17 regardless of circumstances
NIL
Full time student, any age (unless working 16 hrs+/wk during the summer vacation
NIL
Non-dep aged 18-24 getting: • Income Support • Income based Job Seekers Allowance • Income related Employment & Support Allowance where no additional component payable i.e. during assessment phase - normally first 13 weeks of claim and when appealing, or • Universal Credit and has no ‘earned income’
NIL
Non-dep aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work. For example in receipt of: • Work based training allowance • Incapacity Benefit/Contributory Employment and Support Allowance • Aged 25+ on Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance • Aged 18+ on Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance where additional component payable i.e. during ‘main phase’ if not appealing • Contribution Based Job Seekers Allowance • Statutory Sick Pay (even where earnings are paid to top this up) • Statutory Maternity Pay (even where earnings are paid to top this up)
14.55
Non-dep aged 18 or over and working less than 16 hours a week
14.55
Non-dep aged 18 or over and in remunerative work (16 hours per week or more) Gross Income: £408.00 or more £328.00 - £407.99 £246.00 - £327.99 £189.00 - £245.99 £129.00 - £188.99 Less than £129.00
93.80 85.45 75.05 45.85 33.40 14.55
Other non-deps aged 18 or over
14.55
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‘Come and See for Yourself!’ Our Community Outreach Library is thriving inside the ‘Victoria Mill Community Centre’ but we want to improve and make it better still for the local residents. This is where you might come in… Would you be able to spare a few hours per week (minimum 3 hours) to volunteer to help out in the Library, no experience is necessary as ‘on the spot’ training will be given. Come and have a chat with Irene Kay during opening hours, to see if this is a volunteering opportunity which would suit you (or someone you know) The weekly opening hours are on the back page of this issue. One of our volunteers has been helping out for over a year now and wrote about her experience in the Manchester Evening News; “The staff are wonderful and I’m learning new skills all the time. I know lots of people locally and many of them come into the library when they know I’m there. I love it and feel that I’m putting something back into Miles Platting. Irene can also be contacted by phone or email: Tel 0161 227 3787 Mobile 07980 792 003 Email i.kay@manchester.gov.uk
ARE YOU 16-25 AND UNEMPLOYED? Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service are delivering The Prince’s Trust Team programme. We’re offering young people aged 16-25 the chance to gain qualifications and take part in something challenging and rewarding.
Take part and gain the following: • • • • • • • •
Manual Handling/Health and Safety Certificates Level 1 Food Hygiene First Aid at Work Personal Employability, Achievement and Reflection for Learning (PEARL) The next programme starts in Manchester at the Prince’s Trust Certificate end of September 2015. Teamwork and Community Skills For more information and to arrange an interview: Work Experience Contact Charlie on 07966018386 A Team Building Residential Experience brownch@manchesterfire.gov.uk
Manchester International Festival Some of you are involved in our Miles Platting Area Panel and were able to benefit from attending some performances for free. Groups went along to Mr Tumble or The Skriker at the Royal Exchange Theatre and the techno-musical Wonder.land at the Palace Theatre. Feedback was hugely positive and we hope to invite more of you along to performances next time the festival is on in two years time. spotlight | 7
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FREE Bike s e s r u o C e c Maintenan for Adults receipt of 19+ and in t Are you aged ? If so, why no ts fi e n e b k r o w ’ out of st’s beginners u Tr s d n a tl s a E try out rses and work u o c e c n a n te l bike main at the Nationa ts n e m e c la p experience ll for free! A ? e tr n e C g n Cycli will ovember, and N in rt a st l il w ce Courses ike maintenan b c si a b th o b give you ce of working n e ri e p x e s a ll skills as we nce team. You a n te in a m e ik as part of a b on the world n io ss se e e fr a can even ride try your hand r o k c a tr e m famous Velodro st sit back and ju t o n y h w r O at BMX. GB Olympic m a e T g in z a m a watch our e is yours. ic o h c e h T ? g Team trainin please call, , n o ti a rm fo t For more in re Goatman a la C t c ta n o c t email or tex st on: Eastlands Tru @ or c.goatman 07703528806 .org ortandleisure p rs te s e h c n a m
This October Half Term, look no further than your local sporting facilities across East Manchester to get your kids inv olved in loads of fun and active sport s and activities. During the holidays, you’ll be ab le to access everything from multi spo rt holiday camps at the Mancheste r Regional Arena to BMX sessions on the only indoor BMX track in the co untry at the National Cycling Centre! We ’ve even got activities for tots, like Tots Ten nis at the Manchester Tennis & Footb all Centre. Check out all the detail at: www.superactivecamps.org
Ag ei ng Well activities from Ag e UK Manch ester Miles Platting Plodders (weekl y) Fancy getting out and about around Manchester? Why not join the Plodders for some great walks and visits to local attractions.
other Wednesdays at Piccadilly Gardens outside Morrisons, to They walk at the pace of the slo cat ch a bus, tram or west member of the group so no one feels rushed train to other lovely places. . On the longer walks there is always a stop at a Th e next few destinations are: cafe for a welcome brew and lunch and after the sho • 23 Sept, Salford Quays by tra rt walks around m Ancoats why not carry on to He • 30 Sept MOSI walking or by bus athfield Hall, Newton Heath for the Front Row • 7 Oct Local Ancoats walk. film show? They meet every Wednesday mo Co me along and join them, it’s fre rning at e to walk and 10.15am at either of two locatio if you have a bus ns:- on first and third Wednesdays each month pass it’s free to meet at Trinity Methodist Church, Butler Street travel but bring , Ancoats for a short walk around Ancoats and som e money for the canals. On lunch. 8 | spotlight
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Li n e dance
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Get fit, hav e fun, make some new fr linedances iends, learn taught by a some really n experienc easy ed and pro You don’t ne fe s sional teach ed a partner er. and comple tea, coffee, b te beginners iscuits and fr are very welc esh fruit on the very mo ome. There’s offer and a fr dest £2 charg ee raffle priz e. The danc of every mo e included in e is run on th nth at St Ge e second Th orge’s Comm off Livesey S ursday unity Centre treet, Collyh , Bothwell R urst M40 7N Local) o a d, Y (part fund ed by Collyh urst Big For more in formation o n either of th Diane Aron ese two acti wich Agein vities conta g Well Develo Mancheste ct pmentWork r 07950 427 er, Age UK 292, 0161 2 ageukmanc 05 3851 or hester.org.u diane.aron k FB www.f wich@ acebook.co m/ageukop enshaw
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MPCA Junior Football Club
Training sessions for the new Miles Platting, Collyhurst and Ancoats (MPCA) Junior Football club are going from strength to strength. Sessions are open to both boys and girls and take place on the 3G pitch at Park View Community School (access at the rear of the school). There are 4 coaches available at each session. £2 per child.
Monday - 6.30pm -7.30pm – ages 5 to 8 Wednesday - 6.30pm - 7.30pm – ages 9 to 12 Coming Soon – Tinys session (ages 2 to 4). Please contact Carl on 07762748904 to register your interest. City in the community continue to run the free Kicks training sessions for 6 to 14 year olds at Park View on Saturday’s from 11am – 1pm.
In Memory of Patrick Dillon
FREE healthy living sessions at st george’s comm un ity ce ntre, collyhu rst
Adult Zumba - Mondays 7.30pm - 8.30pm Pilates - Mondays 6.15pm - 7.15pm Yoga - Friday 10.30am - 11.30am Free créche (must be pre-booked by calling Vicki on 0161 203 2600 opti
on 2) All day Fridays at St George’s Community Centre 10.00am - 4.00pm • Community café all day • Work club from 11.00am • Public wifi so bring down your tab let or laptop to log on spotlight | 9
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Who’s your Hero? Is there someone in your community that deserves a big thank you? Do you have a neighbour you couldn’t live without? Do you know of a local business that has a positive impact on your area? The Be Proud Awards are the ideal way to say ‘Thanks’ to Manchester’s community heroes, rewarding volunteering excellence and outstanding spirit in our neighbourhoods. This is your opportunity to recognise those who have worked hard to change and improve the lives of others. Young or old, an individual or group – there’s a range of categories to choose from and we want to hear about who YOU think deserves an award. If you know someone who goes the extra mile to make a difference in your area, you can nominate them online at www.manchester.gov.uk/beproud, email community.engagement@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 274 6422 for a nomination form.
You can nominate anyone who lives, works or studies within the Manchester city boundaries. Deadline for entries is Wednesday 30 September 2015.
Platting puts on a fantastic fun filled day Adactus Housing organised a fantastic fun filled Summer Festival on Saturday 1st August. Despite the downpour, the weather didn’t dampen too many spirits. With a whole host of activities such as traditional fair ground games (hook a duck, coconut shy and more), circus skills, plant stall, climbing wall, tombolla, head massage plus information stalls from 4ct, Canal and River Trust and Ancoats Dispensary Trust. The NHS were on hand all day to provide free health checks and the Outreach Library had a steady stream of children popping in all day. The library was open all day and staff engaged with other partners and members of the public to canvass for more Community Outreach Volunteers and encourage young users to join the ‘Summer Reading Challenge’ and take out books. 6 people did sign up for this - so at least 30 books were borrowed that afternoon alone - when the library would normally be closed. Staff also shared library information as surprisingly enough, some local people had not previously ventured into the building before, with one gentleman saying: “So pleased to see that the library is still here, for local people to use!”
Food was supplied by The Angel in Salford and was truly tasty.
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TENANT SATISFACTION SURVEY (2015) Overall satisfaction with the service provided and satisfaction with resident involvement are consistent with last year and encouragingly there has been an increase in overall satisfaction with the neighbourhood. Key performance indicators 2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Change 07-14
Overall satisfaction with service provided
76.8%
79.1%
83.3%
82.3%
90.7%
91.3%
94.0%
93.5%
91%
+14.2%
Overall satisfaction with neighbourhood
69.9%
76.0%
82.1%
78.8%
85.6%
84.6%
91.3%
85.6%
91%
+21.2%
Satisfaction with opportunities for resident involvement
n/a
63.1%
72.7%
74.4%
78.0%
83.5%
83.8%
87.0%
82%
+23.9%
Resident satisfaction with the opportunities for involvement has dropped by 5% since last year. If you have any ideas about how you would like to get involved in the area you live in please contact Issie Howard or Vicki Greer on 0800 234 6826 or use the other contact details on page 2. • The top neighbourhood problems are drug use or dealing (45%), rubbish and litter (28%), off road or mini motorbikes (32%) and car parking (32%). • Of those living in block accommodation, almost half (47%) feel that drug use or dealing is a problem. However, encouragingly overall satisfaction and satisfaction with the neighbourhood is actually higher amongst this group of tenants (93% and 88% respectively) in contrast to previous years. Tenants in block accommodation made up a third of the respondents, a larger sample than on previous years suggesting that the findings were not just down to a small sample or skewed in any way. • Tenants who have reported anti-social behaviour reported high levels of satisfaction with how their case was handled (83%, +2.2% on last year).
Here are just a small selection of positive comments from you: “Things are working well... thank you... when things are reported they are dealt with quite quickly and to a good standard of professionalism...” “No problems very happy! thank you!” “Just like to add that all staff are very helpful and polite whenever contacted also that we have great neighbours”
“Everything is perfect thank you” “Since Adactus took over the Miles Platting/ Ancoats Estate has improved a lot” “Adactus are doing a good job in the Miles Platting area, well done everyone”
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Community Garden News There has been lots of activity going on in the community gardens this growing season with lots of fresh produce now ready for eating. Here is some of the latest news from your community gardens.
Community Gardens get out and about Representatives from the gardens were busy getting out to local events this summer to spread the word about the community gardens. The Holland Street garden opened its gates for the Park View Community School summer fayre, where plants and herbs were given away to passers by. Barrows full of herbs and strawberries were also given away at the Miles Platting Summer Festival and a gardener from Chippenham Road attended Play in the Park Community Event in Saxon Street Park to help plant up hanging baskets to give away. Holland Street gardener Dot Lomax said “it’s been nice to chat to people about what we are doing at the gardens. Many people walk past them every day and still don’t realise what we are doing here – we have some amazing things growing this year and we just want people to know about it and to come and have a look”
Growing Success There has been an abundance of fresh veg grown at both gardens this year and the fruit trees are doing well. Here are a couple of snaps that we have been sent over the last few months. Come along and have a look at what is growing now – you will be welcome to take some away with you!
Incredible Inspiration in Todmorden Back in June a group of community gardeners were lucky enough to join ‘Sow the City’ on their visit to Todmorden’s Incredible Edible Project, which sees fruit and vegetables grown all across the town in a variety of public spaces. The group were treated to a talk and a guided tour by the project founders as well as a delicious vegan lunch, prepared and served by project volunteers in their town centre headquarters. Seeing the range of spaces the Incredible Edible growers have taken over was inspirational and the group came back with lots of ideas which they hope to try out Miles Platting.
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Where are we? We have two community gardens in the area – one at Holland Street and another at Chippenham Road (key access only). The gardens are managed by a group of local residents, with support from officers from Adactus Housing. If you would like a tour of either garden or would like to get involved please get in touch with committee chair Sonya on 07761 714 628 or Vicki from Adactus on 07739 297 124. We are always looking for new people who want to grow their own, or volunteers who would like to muck in with weeding and maintenance!
Park View Primary School Holland Street Community Gardens Chippenham Road Community Gardens
Youth Sessions in the Gardens In a bid to get more young people using the gardens local growers have joined forces with local youth charity YPAC and Adactus Housing to run gardening sessions for young people in both gardens. At the time of going to print the sessions were running at: • Holland Street: Tuesdays 3.30pm to 5pm • Chippenham Road: Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5pm Parents and carers are actively encouraged to join in the sessions too so that the whole family can learn to grow fruit and vegetables together. For further information please contact YPAC on 0161 8345665 or info@ypacmanchester.org.uk.
Keep in touch If you would like to keep up to date with what is going on at the gardens then you can join our new Facebook groups – “Holland Street Community Gardens” and “Chippenham Road Community Gardens”. Search for us or request an invite by emailing email Victoria.greer@adactushousing. co.uk or texting 07739 297 124. You can also request to join our email network to be kept up to date with the latest news and events.
On a more serious note… It has been a fantastic summer in the gardens, but unfortunately both gardens have suffered from a number of incidents of petty vandalism – some plants have been destroyed, the polytunnels damaged, signs ripped up and a bumper crop of pumpkins that were growing to be used in a Halloween event at Parkview School have been damaged. This is all very disheartening to the gardeners who have spent hours of their own time tending to the plants and raising grant funds to pay for the seeds and equipment. Please help us to keep the gardens as they should be by ensuring that children do not walk on the beds or climb over the garden fences. If you have any information about the perpetrators of any vandalism please report it to your Adactus Housing Officer or contact: Vicki at Victoria.greer@adacushousing.co.uk / 07739 297 124. Remember – these are your community gardens – lets look after them together. spotlight | 13
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Pat’s Gardening Corner
As I write I can’t believe its September already, where has the year gone? If like me you spend the summer busy in your garden, it’s easy for the months to pass us by ……. As the summer slowly drifts into autumn there are things we can do to prolong colour in our gardens:• Keep deadheading summer plants such as dahlias and geraniums this will prolong flowering • Keep up your weekly feeds • Replace bedding plants that are finished with vibrant violas and asters Autumn is a time when we need to prepare our gardens for the coming winter months ahead, there are a number of jobs which can be done now which include:-
Autumn Garden Giveaways* Marie from Nuneaton Drive was one of our lucky winners from our summer giveaways. Marie was quick off the mark and bagged herself a glass lantern and some plant food – well done Marie! There are plenty of Autumn garden giveaways………..
• Trim hedges before the onset of winter to keep • A selection of seeds them compact and bushy from ground level. • Plant ties • Check your lawn and make sure any weeds • Bulb baskets you sprayed last month are dying. Repeat the • Terracotta trough – great for planting treatment if necessary. Aerate the lawn with a spring bulbs in! garden fork and scatter lime lightly over it. This • Handy gardening bags sweetens the soil after many years of lawn food • A selection of beautiful spring bulbs application. Rejuvenate tired lawns with an • A selection of ceramic indoor plant pots autumn feeding to ready them for the onset of • Rolls of garden twine (great for securing cool winter weather. plants and climbers) • Gather fallen leaves, grass clippings, kitchen • Garden gloves scraps and shredded prunings and layer them in *Stocks are limited (ring Pat at Adactus a compost bin. Turn periodically with a garden on 0800 234 6826)* fork to allow air to circulate and feed organisms, and decompose the organic matter quickly. Don‘t overload your compost with one particular ingredient – maintain a mix. • Transfer the leaves that fall on your garden and lawn to the compost bin on a regular basis, otherwise they will smother your plants and grass • Divide evergreen perennials. Lift them from the soil, divide at the root and re-plant into well-conditioned soil. 14 | spotlight
Q&A
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Q&A Q.
My back lawn has suffered over the summer months and I now have a bald patch on it, how can I repair it?
A. Grass is pretty robust and does recover well. You can mix some grass seed with some finely sieved compost and cover the bald area, water in well and protect from birds with some netting.
Q. When is the best time to plant spring bulbs? A. Anytime between October and December before the first frosts. Avoid any that are damaged, shriv-
elled or feel soft and go for plump, firm bulbs. Aim to plant within a week or they’ll start to sprout. Plant two to three times their own depth and around 2 bulb widths apart making sure the top of the bulb if facing upwards. Replace the soil after planting, breaking down any large clumps and firm in gently, making sure there are no air spaces around the bulbs.
Q. Most of my garden is in shade are there any plants that like shade? A. There are loads, shade is not a problem, it’s an ideal growing place for many of our most treasured plants. For colour I would recommend Aquilegia, begonias, primulas, foxgloves, lilly of the valley and astilbe. For foliage I’d recommend hostas, ligularias, dunneras and a wide range of ferns.
Don’t forget the wildlife this autumn and winter. Encourage birds into your garden by hanging out a couple of bird feeders; you can buy wild bird seed at most supermarkets or garden centres. Fat balls in the coldest of months are a favourite and a welcome treat!
Photo Competition Take a good look around it won’t take you long to notice the abundance of wildlife we have all around us; robins, blackbirds etc. Capture some of the local wildlife on your camera to win a £20.00 high street voucher of your choice. Email me your photos at Patrice.campbell@ adactushousing.co.uk before 19 October 2015, or send them to our office. (Open to Adactus Housing residents only)
…..Pause for thought Consider your garden as ‘an extra room’ - it deserves as much consideration as the inside of your house. Please care for your garden and keep it tidy - it’s your responsibility! spotlight | 15
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