spotlight Miles Platting
Summer 2018 Issue 43
R E M SUM 8 1 0 2 L A V I FEST y a d r tu
Sa
y l u J 28th
on of o n r e t f a an r o f ge 8) s a u p n e e s ( Joi S! E M A G D FUN AN
W hat’s ? insi de
Community News Age Friendly Miles Platting For the under 20’s Health & Wellbeing What’s On Library News Community Gardens Employment, Volunteering & Training Health & Safety Pat’s Gardening Corner Garden Giveaways
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
miles platting spotlight | 1
Say Hello to Rosemary! In April we said goodbye to Amy Holden who left the company after 8 years service to take up a new position closer to home. We wish Amy the very best of luck for the future and thank her for all of her hard work in the area over the years. We are pleased to introduce Rosemary Grant-Muller who replaces Amy as your key contact for community projects in Miles Platting. “Hello, I’d like to introduce myself – I am Rosemary Grant-Muller and I am Environmental Change Officer for Miles Platting. Some projects that I will be working on include: • Holland Street Community Garden • Queensbury Tower Community Grocer and Charity Shop • Furniture Recycling • Cleaning-Up around Shetland and Troutbeck • From this Autumn helping to produce the next issues of Spotlight! As well as the annual Tea in the Park, Summer Festival, Hallowe’en and Christmas Cracker events! I have previously worked in building design and construction and am interested in energy efficiency and environmental projects. I hope to meet as many of you at group meetings and activities over the coming weeks to find our how I can support you. It would be great to hear if you have any ideas for projects, improvements, to use community spaces or if you just have a quick question! Telephone - 0300 111 1133.”
St Georges Day Parade 2018
Contact us.. If you’d like to get in touch about anything related to Spotlight contact Rosemary GrantMuller on 0161 2032600 or email Rosemary.GrantMuller@jigsawhomes.org.uk
2 | miles platting spotlight
A message from the organisers: “Thank you to all the fabulous people that took part and came to watch this year’s parade. The weather looked as though it had us beat but it cleared up for a perfect day. A big thank you to Adactus Housing for the sponsorship and to Suzanne Bullock and Amy Holden for all of their help” Thelma
JIGSAW HOMES LAUNCHES At the beginning of April Jigsaw Homes Group Ltd officially launched. Adactus Housing Group and New Charter Group have merged to create one of the largest housing providers in the North West with more than 33,000 properties across the North West and East Midlands and plan to deliver in excess of 1,500 new homes over the next three years. Known as Jigsaw Group, we will provide quality homes as solid foundations for people to thrive for the rest of their lives; this is reflected in our Group mission ‘Creating homes. Building lives’. Your rights as a tenant or leaseholder are not affected. Manchester City Council remain as your landlord and you will continue to receive services from Adactus in the same way that you do now. You can however benefit from Jigsaw Rewards, an innovative Group-wide scheme of collecting points in exchange for feedback on services and our plans for the future. Adactus Housing Association is now part of the Jigsaw Group.
Vote for your favourite BIG project – and collect rewards for your time JOIN JIGSAW REWARDS TODAY
Register for Jigsaw Rewards today! Jigsaw Rewards is an exciting opportunity for residents of Adactus HA, Beech HA and Chorley CH to give us regular feedback on our services and plans for the future. In return, you will receive points which can be exchanged for gift vouchers or credits on your rent account. Vouchers include: Amazon
.
Tesco
.
Sainsbury’s
.
Love 2 shop
.
Vue Cinema
.
Charity
How to register? It’s simple and quick to register. Visit rewards.jigsawhomes.org.uk and enter your surname and tenancy number. Once you’ve given us a little bit of information about yourself and your preferences, you’ll receive an email which needs to be validated before you can take part. With Jigsaw Rewards, you’re in control. Simply tell us which kind of topics you’re interested in, and how you’d like to take part and we’ll only display the activities you are interested in. You can do as much or as little as you like!
Take part. Collect points. Be rewarded.
rewards.jigsawhomes.org.uk
@JigsawRewards
B.I.G is Back Funding from the Breathe Investment Grant (BIG) is now available for funding applications for projects in Miles Platting. Nine applications have been received. Most are now waiting to be judged by our Jigsaw Rewards members, but one application from Church of the Apostles has already been awarded just under £5,000 for Food for the community kitchen. Judging is currently taking place every couple of weeks with members of Jigsaw Rewards voting on the projects as well as earning points in return.
miles platting spotlight | 3
For the Over 50’s Age Friendly A Tales of Miles Platting Celebration From Miles Platting Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Board: Saturday 23 June 6.30—9.30pm St George’s Community Centre, Livesey Street. FREE Starts promptly at 6.30pm Following our launch event in March, which had over 50 people attending, we’ve run a series of creative writing and visual arts workshops in April and May – to create the Tales of Miles Platting. Your tales are now ready to be told, through live performance and in the form of a huge and gorgeous book containing all the stories written in 2017 and 2018. Miles Platting Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Board (MPAFN) is hosting a FREE Celebratory Community Get Together: • To show everyone the Tales of Miles Platting • To celebrate all the projects the board has funded • To put the area on the map for people over 50 in Miles Platting and nearby Collyhurst and Ancoats! Come along and: • Celebrate Miles Platting past, present and future together • Be social – meet your neighbours, meet old friends and make new ones • View the exhibition & gorgeous book with all the Tales in it • Hear the poems and writing, watch the performances • Dance with DJ Ged • Enjoy a delicious buffet • Win fabulous raffle prizes For more info speak to a board member or go to: www.milesplattingafn.org.uk
4 | miles platting spotlight
For the Over 50’s
Greater Manchester Festival of Ageing Greater Manchester’s first ever Festival of Ageing will take place across Greater Manchester between the 2nd and 15th July 2018 and will be a celebration of positive and diverse images of ageing.
The festival is being coordinated by a partnership of five groups, 4CT (a charity in Manchester), HMR Circle (in Rochdale), MMU Age Friendly Team, Persona (in Bury) and Wigan Athletic Community Trust. Funding has been provided through the Ambition for Ageing programme which is a lottery-funded programme through GMCVO. For more information, and to register as an individual, performer, or an event, visit our webpage: https://www.ambitionforageing.org.uk/festival or phone Jane Bramley on 0161 230 1438.
Festival of Ageing – Tales of Miles Platting Event Sycamore Court, Sandal Street, M40 7BS Friday 13th July – 1-3pm Miles Platting Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Board (MPAFN) and Sycamore Court will co-host a summer party as part of Greater Manchester’s Festival of Ageing. This FREE event is open to all over 50s in Miles Platting and the nearby areas of Collyhurst and Ancoats. Come along for a fun, social afternoon of: • Music and dancing with DJ Ged • Tasty food • & see the Tales of Miles Platting Book & Exhibition (stories about Miles Platting and nearby areas, past, present and future – written by local older people during 2017 and 2018) Funded by MPAFN Board and Arawak Walton Housing Association
miles platting spotlight | 5
For the under 20’s Spotlight on….YPAC YPAC are a Youth and Community work charity that work in Miles Platting, Ancoats and Collyhurst. Over winter we have continued to run our Play work sessions at St Georges Community Centre on a Wednesday. We have launched a year 5 and 6 club on a Tuesday running at St Georges. We have also relocated our Thursday night Youth Hub to Vic Mill Hut (Miles Platting Community Library). All our sessions have a mix of Art, sports and games as well as cooking and other life skills. If you want to come down, you’ll need to fill out a medical consent and registration form to participate, but then it’s all free! Over the Easter holidays, we ran Sports coaching sessions at Park View 3G pitch and a Holiday Playscheme at St Georges. We regularly have holiday activities, so keep an eye out for information on these in the local area. Our Friday Job Club and Café at St George’s is still running every Friday from 10am-1. Open to everyone, come do job searches, get help with CV’s, any computer issues we can help with as well! We also spend some time walking around the streets to meet young people, so if you see us out in our hoodies then come and say hello! YPAC are part of the East Manchester Youth and Play Partnership, a group of 12 organisations offering sessions to young people throughout the week. Registering with one of the 12 organisations means that you can become a member and access activities run across the week! East Manchester Youth and Play Partnership are holding a celebration event on the 31st May at Sporting Edge in Openshaw (1 Silverlace Ave, Manchester M11 1GN). With Bouncy castles, sports activities, music, arts, it should be a great day! IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACTIVITIES WE RUN, THEN GET IN TOUCH WITH US ON 0161 834 5665. Weekly Timetable: Tuesday: 3-4.30pm - Community Garden ProjectHolland Street Gardens (by Park View primary school) - Primary School age. (Parents are welcome to stay and help if you want!) 5-7pm - Year 5-6 Group - St Georges Community Centre, Bothwell Road- for year 5 and 6 children. Wednesday: 4.30-6.30pm - Everyone Can Play St Georges Community Centre, Bothwell Road- for age 6- year 5. 6 | miles platting spotlight
Thursday: 3-5pm - Detached Work- Collyhurst (MCA- Livesey Road) 7-9pm - Youth Hub- Vic Mill Hut, Lower Vickers Street - Ages 13-19. Friday: 10-1pm - Job Club- St Georges Community Centre, All ages 12.30-2pm - Detached Work- Collyhurst (MCA- Livesey Road) 4.30-6.30pm - Friday Club, St Georges, Year 8.
Community News Creative Art Courses Creative Art Courses offers accessible drawing, painting, and mixed-media courses for adults and teenagers. We welcome beginners to intermediate artists and offer a welcoming, supportive and friendly art studio. Its a great place to learn and meet like minded people. My studio is based at AWOL Studios, in Hope Mill on Pollard Street in Ancoats. Ancoats Visual Arts is an informal community group who meet in the studio every Wednesday 12-3pm for an informal, relaxed and friendly art session. It is run by group members and is a small but growing group. If you are interested in drawing and painting you are welcome to join. Simply visit www.meetup.com/ancoats and become a member of the group. It’s free to join and only £4.35 to attend each session. Remember to book before you arrive, bring your art materials and enjoy! If you have any questions please text Brian on 07816 791 023, or email brian@creativeartcourses.org
Unity and Community in Football: Celebrating Cameroonian Heritage The charity Ensemble Manchester has received a grant of £29,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will explore the culture of Manchester residents with a Central African background, particularly Cameroon. Over a 12-month period young people growing up in Manchester will connect with their heritage, research family history, and focus on unity, sharing with the people of Manchester, particularly through a love of football. The project ‘kicked off’ with a celebration of the Cameroon National Day. On Saturday 19th May, the Victoria Mill Community Centre opened for an afternoon of family fun. Young people of the Cameroonian Community wore the colours of the national football team to take part in friendly
competitions at Park view School Football Pitch. There was an exhibition on former Glories of Cameroonian Football during 1982 and 1990 FIFA World Cup, along with face painting, a bouncy castle, barbeque and creative writing in French and English. The Cameroon National Day has been celebrated on 20th May each since 1972 when both territories of the country – English and French – became one nation. Football has continued to play a unifying role in a nation once divided. Based at Victoria Mill Community Centre in Miles Platting, Ensemble Manchester works alongside statutory and voluntary organisations to provide French classes and extra-curricular activities for young people in school and in the community. For more information please visit our website www.ensemblemanchester. org.uk or contact Melanie Ngangen on 07447980526.
miles platting spotlight | 7
What’s On?
Miles Platting Summer Festival 2018 SATURDAY 28TH JULY @ MILES PLATTING LIBRARY AND VIC MILL PARK 12PM - 3PM
Saturday 23 June 6.30—9.30pm
CELEBRATION
A Celebratory Commun Get Together
If you want to get involved with the day, host a stall or run an activity, please get in touch.
ity
Tickets available from: ity Church of The Apostles and Trin Adactus Office, Church xxxxxxxxx xxx ne pho info re mo m and board members. For .uk / milesplattingafn@gma www.milesplattingafn.org
• • • • • •
il.co
together past, present and future Celebrate Miles Platting new friends , bring friends and make Be social - meet friends Tales in it geous book with all the See the exhibition & gor es the performanc Hear the writing, watch From Miles Platti ng Dance with DJ Ged within ticket price) Tasty buffet & raffle (all
Come and join us for an afternoon of fun and games. Look out for posters and flyers about the event nearer the time.
Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Board
Mixed Ability Yoga classes St. George’s Community Centre, Livesey Street, Collyhurst. Mondays 7pm - 8pm. Mats provided £4 per class.
Contact info: yakini999@yahoo.co.uk mob: 07391 205 053
Arts & Crafts Sessions
JOB CLUB Job search, CV Writing, A friendly Supportive Environment
EVERY FRIDAY 10am to 1pm St Georges Community Centre, Livesey Street, M4 7NY ALL AGES WELCOME. 8 | miles platting spotlight
THURSDAYS 11:00 – 13:00
At the Miles Platting Community Grocers, Queensbury Court, Wardle Street, M40 7DD. For further details please contact Amie Keating at Healthy Me, Healthy Communities on 07910 879 985.
being there
Health & Wellbeing Miles Platting’s Housing Hero
Being there is a local charity based in The Grange Community Centre, Beswick, providing support for people living with life limiting illness. Their specially trained volunteers and staff provide: LISTENING & BEFRIENDING: Talking through difficulties and concerns RESPITE SITTING: With a loved one, allowing carers time for themselves SOCIAL EVENTS: Arranging social activities, days out, coffee afternoons and social support TRANSPORT: Driving clients to hospital appointments for treatment GENERAL SUPPORT: Providing information about local services and support networks If you need any support or would like any more information please give the Being There office a call on 0161 230 1431 and speak to Becky. www.beingthere.org.uk northmancs@beingthere.org.uk
Volunteer with Being There Being There are looking for volunteers in the Manchester area to continue delivering a vital service to the community. If you are reliable and have a little time to spare they would love to hear from you! Full training and support is given. If you feel this could be something you could offer please give the office a call on 0161 230 1431 and speak to Becky for more information. Alternatively you can email northmancs@beingthere.org.uk www.beingthere.org.uk
MP resident Zoe Dyson has been shortlisted as a finalist for Housing Hero’s ‘tenant innovator of the year’ award. Jigsaw Homes Group nominated Zoe to recognise all the help and support she has provided with the Holiday Fun and Food activity programmes. Housing Hero awards is a national competition that provides registered housing providers the opportunity to celebrate and reward the outstanding work of housing professionals and tenants. As part of the nomination Jigsaw had to explained how Zoe had got involved, made a difference and inspired the team. The awards ceremony will be taking place at Manchester Central on the 25th June 2018 and I’m sure you will join us in wishing Zoe GOOD LUCK and we hope she scoops the top prize.
miles platting spotlight | 9
Library News
CALLING ALL BEANO FANS!
The National Summer Reading Challenge ‘Mischief Makers’ embraces The Beano and other legendary comic characters this year... “We are thinking this will be a popular favourite with all our library users - young and old alike! Adults will be able to recall their old favourites and re-live the escapades of ‘Beryl the Peril’, ‘Desperate Dan’ and Gnasher to name but a few... Children aged 4 - 11 can claim their Summer Reading Challenge pack and start the fun: borrow just 6 books over the School Holidays to receive a medal and certificate. And wait...the excitement does n’t end there - all members who complete
Books to go Books to Go. A home delivery service for Manchester residents.
the challenge will be entered into a Super Prize Draw. So don’t delay - come down to the Library and sign up between 2nd July and 8th September!” Library Opening Hours are:
Tues 2.00 - 5.00 pm Weds 10.00 - 1.00 pm Thurs 1.00 - 7.00 pm Sat 10.00 - 1.00 pm
Check out the website Manchester.gov.uk/ summerreadingchallenge visit www.adactushousing.co.uk.
Books to Go provides a home delivery service for Manchester residents of any age who have difficulty leaving their home or have issues with acce ss. What can I borrow? We have over 30,000 items of stoc k so we are bound to have something you will like to read. We have books in ordinary and large -print size, talking books, music CD’s and films on DVD. You can also access our digital services anytime, where you can download e-bo oks, digital versions of your favourite mag azine, audio books and use our online refer ence library. Our staff can show you how to get start ed.
How does it work? When you join our service you will be asked to give us an idea of what you like to read and our experienced staff will choose books for you according to your preferences.
Is there a charge? No, the service is completely free.
Become a Books to Go customer
Anyone who has difficulty leaving the home, or is caring for someone who does, can register for the free Books to Go service. Call us on 0161 227 3800 Email the Books to Go team at bookstogo@manchester.gov.uk Or you can call your local library who will be able to fill out a form for you over the phone.
Community Grocers The Queensbury Court Grocers opens every Thursday 09:30 – 12:00. By paying just £2.50 members can choose around £12 worth of food, toiletries and household essentials, all supplied by Fairshare, Tesco and M&S. Call in to join.
NEW! Your community Grocers now has a Charity Shop! All items 50p. Donations of stock gratefully received. Drop off available on: Wednesdays 13:00 – 16:00 and Thursdays 8:30 – 12:30. 10 | miles platting spotlight
For further details please contact Amie Keating at Healthy Me, Healthy Communities on 07910 879 985. Find us at Miles Platting Community Grocers, Queensbury Court, Wardle Street, M40 7DD.
What’s on in your community gardens?
Community gardens
Feeling green fingered? Fancy learning how to ‘grow your own’? Come along to one of our fun and informal gardening sessions in the Holland Street community gardens (opposite Parkview School) • Family Gardening Sessions with Sow the City - from 11:30-1:30pm. Thursday 28th June Thursday 12th July • Family Fun in the Summer Holidays with Sow the City – sessions to be held weekly during the summer holidays. Every Wednesday
Gardening Group with Manchester Cares and Sow the City Manchester Cares is a new community network of older neighbours over 65 and young professionals who get together to share time, fun and friendship. Manchester Cares have teamed up with Sow the City to run a relaxed gardening group – a chance for you to know younger people in Manchester, take part in some gentle exercise and learn about growing food. If you are an older neighbour living in the area, Manchester Cares would love for you to join them at their first gardening group, tending their own Manchester Cares patch with expertise from the award-winning Sow the City. To be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. From 12pm – 2pm. • 19th June • 3rd July • 17th July • 7th August • 21st August Refreshments will be provided and the group has use of the Community Grocers for indoor space if the weather turns. If you’d rather just go down to have a sit down, a brew and a chat….that’s OK too!
Allotment Open Day at the Lalley Centre, Collyhurst On Saturday 14th July we will be hosting our allotment open day. Spring is finally here and we can already see some vegetables sprouting through. We had a wonderful day last year and we expect this year to be even better! We have had a number of new volunteers join the allotment team over the past few months and so we anticipate there being a big harvest this year! Come along and join us on the allotment from 12 – 3pm on the 14th July at the back of St Malachy’s primary school and take home some freshly grown fruit and vegetables. It’s guaranteed to be a great day out for all the family. If you would like come and volunteer on the allotment please contact Ann-Marie or Julia on 0161 205 2754.
Please call Lauren at Manchester Cares on 0161 2070800 if you would like to come or if you have any questions. miles platting spotlight | 11
Employment & Skills Miles Platting Work Club takes up a new home The Miles Platting Work Club at Baker House has now moved to the Yes Centre, 35 - 39 Southchurch Parade, Collyhurst, Manchester, M40 7GE. Yes is a social enterprise launched to help north Manchester residents find fantastic local jobs and take advantage of great training and volunteering opportunities. The centre will be open from 9.30am- 4pm Monday – Friday. Get in touch to find out how Yes can help you get a job, training or volunteering opportunities. For more information, please contact 0161 720 4090 or yesinfo@ yesmanchester.co.uk
The only way is UP! In April the Jigsaw Environmental Change Team delivered a furniture upcycling session within Miles Platting, in partnership with Ground Work. The aim of the session was to encourage people to reuse old wooden furniture, giving it a new lease of life with an achievable and affordable make over. The hope is that this will reduce the amount of furniture going to landfill, enable our residents to save and to also provide residents with a range of new skills that they can use in their own home. Seven residents attended the session, each bringing along a piece of furniture they wanted to work on. Jon, from Ground Work, was able to provide an overview of the techniques needed to prep the furniture and then to paint it, using chalk paint, made from adding a chalk mixture to emulsion and costing a fraction of the amount that some retailers charge for pre mixed chalk paint! Participants took their finished product home at the end of the day. All residents said they really enjoyed the session and have been asking about when we will be running another one – a real success!! Pictured is Dot Lomax and Rose Sheridan and the group hard at work!
12 | miles platting spotlight
Information about Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs)
Health & Safety
A recent review of our Health and Safety policies and procedures has given us the opportunity to review and improve our approach to our tenants and residents who may be living with long term medical conditions, and in particular blood borne viruses. We acknowledge that there is still a lot of fear and ignorance about some medical conditions and this has led to some conditions, such as HIV, being stigmatised. We are committed to ensuring that tenants and residents living with blood borne viruses do not experience discrimination or attitudes that make them feel stigmatised. We now know more about blood borne viruses and acknowledge that the perceptions of risk that are associated with them are often out of proportion to the actual harm that could be caused. Jigsaw Homes Group is committed to educating its staff and residents about the extremely low risks associated with blood borne viruses and the simple precautions which can be taken. 1. The most common blood borne viruses in the UK are Hepatitis A, B & C, and HIV. 2. Medication for viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis have improved massively over recent years. HIV is now treatable medical condition. People living with HIV and adhering well to treatment can bring down the levels of the virus in the system to such a point that HIV cannot be passed to someone else. 3. Blood borne viruses cannot be transmitted through every day social contact, or by sharing cutlery, cups, plates etc. 4. There is often confusion about the difference between HIV and AIDS – they are not the same thing. The term HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) refers to the virus itself. AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome) describes the situation where untreated HIV has severely
weakened someone’s immune system and has made the person susceptible to various illnesses. A person living with HIV does not have AIDS. 5. Good hygiene should be observed at all times. However no special precautions are usually needed when visiting the home of someone who is living with a blood borne virus. 6. Avoid articles such as discarded needles, faeces, or sharps. These could contain small traces of blood. In reality the risk of contracting HIV in such circumstances is extremely small. However, the Hepatitis virus is more virulent and can live for longer outside the body. If you discover such articles, contact the local authority or Jigsaw Contact Centre. 7. Adhere to general health and safety precautions at all times, and report anything out of the ordinary.
You can find out more about HIV and the support available for people living with HIV from George House Trust www.ght.org.uk 0161 274 4499 miles platting spotlight | 13
Pat’s Gardening Corner
I hope you’ve been enjoying some of the lovely sunny days we’ve had. It’s great to get outdoors into the garden after the long winter months. Gardening does wonders for your health. Not only can it help keep you fit but it’s a brilliant way to relieve stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that we are more at ease in a natural environment. The act of gardening itself releases endorphins, making us happier. If your garden is not quite the tranquil haven you’d like it to be yet, there are a few simple changes you can make. If your outside space is limited or you’ve never got into gardening – take a look at some prime plants. If you have a small space like a balcony then all you need is a few compost-filled pots and some fresh plants. The garden should be a place to escape from the stresses of modern life so add some calming elements. Some people find the trickle of a water feature or the tinkle of a wind chime very relaxing. Bamboo and long grasses are a great feature as they contribute a gentle rustling in wind. Planting fragrant plants such as honeysuckle, sweet alyssum and roses just add heavenly scents to the outdoors. Lavender is also a gorgeous-smelling plant that will attract lots of lovely pollinating insects such as bumblebees and butterflies.
14 | miles platting spotlight
Great Summer Giveaways!! • Assortment of flower seeds • Free – Re-useable waterproof shopping bags (can also be used to carry plants) • Free – rolls of garden wire (great for securing your plants) • Free – Sprinkler hose attachment All you need to do to get your pick of our fantastic summer giveaways is to contact us at Baker House as soon as possible. Stocks are limited so you need to be quick.
Summer Photo competition Take a good look around, it wont take you long to notice the many images of summer all around you. Using your camera capture some of these images to win at £20 high street voucher. Email me your photos at Patrice.campbell@ jigsawhomes.org.uk before 31 August 2018. (open to Jigsaw residents only)
Q&A Q&A
A couple of great gardening questions in the mail bag this week… Q.
my garden is looking like a jungle, I don’t know where to start - please help!
A. Once Spring arrives it’s amazing how quickly things start to grow (weeds in particular!). I’d start by strimming the grass if it’s too long for a lawn mower. When it’s shortened it will be easier for you to mow it. Before you start strimming and mowing make sure there are no large objects in the grass that will damage the strimmer or mower. Once the grass is under control, you can sprinkle weed and feed, this will condition the grass and kill off lawn weeds. Where borders are overgrown with weeds, there is no easy way to get rid of them except to give them a good hoe and pull them out from the roots. You could use a weed killer but you may not be able to use the area for planting for sometime after.
Q. I’m struggling with an aphid infestation. What are the best methods of non-chemical pest control?
A. Aphids can be a problem at this time of the year. Ladybirds are their natural predator so try to encourage them by buying or making an insect hotel. Or spray affected plants with water mixed with a few drops of washing-up liquid using a hand spray.
…..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! miles platting platting spotlight | 15 miles
Baker House Office Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (6pm on Wednesday) Emergency Repairs
T 0800 234 6826 T 0800 234 6826
Allpay For direct debit, debit/credit card payments & ordering new rent cards Housing Benefit queries:
T 0870 234 6040
T 0161 234 5003
e: benefit.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk Council Tax queries:
T 0161 234 5002
e: ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk Miles Platting Outreach Library Open: Tuesday 2pm - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 1pm Thursday 1pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm
Environment on call: e: contact@manchester.gov.uk Find out your utility supplier: Gas: T 0870 608 1524 Electric: T 0870 751 0093
16 | miles platting spotlight
T 0161 227 3787
T 0161 234 5004