Chorlton & Whalley Range
index
community
Nov 2011
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Contents 4. The Edge Theatre & Arts 7. Perfect Party Dress 9. Book Reviews 13. Chorlton Hypnotherapy 13. U Decide Funding Vote 14. Creating a Green Home 16. Food & Drink Index 18. In the Tea Hive 21. Home on the Range 22. Community Noticeboard 24. November in your Garden 26. CAF Christmas Craft Market 28. A Hidden Cost of Metrolink
PUBLISHER
Community Index
EDITOR/ADVERTISING Lesley Swann
SUB-EDITOR/WEBSITE Sam Paechter
DESIGN/LISTINGS Rebecca Ronald
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Edge Theatre & Arts, Erica Stacey, Chorlton Bookshop, Tom Bailey, Mike Macpherson, Tea Hive, Home on the Range, Chorlton Arts Festival, Dave Bishop, Katherine Watson
COVER PHOTOGRAPH Tea Hive
CONTACT US Tel: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk www.communityindex.co.uk
DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT EDITION 15th November 2011
3 All designs are made-to-measure
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Theatre and Arts Centre Did you know that Chorlton has its own theatre and arts centre and it’s right on your door step? Do you fancy having a go at acting, joining an art class or taking part in a Brazilian dance martial art? All this takes place, and more, at The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre. It’s run by registered charity Waters Edge Arts, producers of high quality participatory and mainstream theatre. The centre provides the region with a new 70 seat theatre, for use by amateur, community and professional companies. We’ve even just got our first patron, double Tony Award winner Mark Rylance: “I am delighted to support this exciting theatre company. Theatre remains a place where a community can hear and see things about themselves without the filter of government or corporate interest. Good theatre continues to be a particular gift of all people who live in England. Long may The Edge Theatre thrive.” The Waters Edge Arts team are continuing to transform an old church hall into a fantastic arts resource for the community and surrounding areas. The Edge had its official launch in May during the Chorlton Arts Festival: in celebration, a community play was produced called ‘This is Chorlton Calling’. Elder residents of Chorlton were interviewed and stories from their life in Chorlton were acted out by a fantastic cast of community actors and featured performances from youngsters in their resident youth theatre and a choir made up from their singing group. The Edge hopes to become one of Manchester’s leading fringe theatre
venues. A host of professional companies have performed in the theatre space. The Magician’s Daughter, a children’s puppet show from ‘Little Angel Theatre’ (in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company) and Two Friends Productions with their sell out show ‘French Fancies’ came to The Edge this year. As well as a theatre space, the building houses workshop, rehearsal and meeting rooms, with plans to open a café with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. There is a host of fantastic classes for young people including: Theatre Club (5-8’s), The Edge Youth Theatre acting (9-12’s & 13’s-18) and the Edge Youth Theatre singing & dance for 10-16’s. Adults activities include a course in acting, a ‘Dance Theatre’ class and a singing group called ‘The Chorlton Sing’. Independent companies and groups can hire space for all manner of arts activities; there is a comprehensive list of all of those classes online on The Edge’s website and space hire information. In the coming months The Edge will have productions from a new resident theatre company made up of actors with learning disabilities, performances from our youth theatre and a professional show from the Waters Edge Arts team. For more information about The Edge, please visit their website: www.watersedgearts.com The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre, Manchester Road, Chorlton, M21 9JG 0161 282 9776 | Info@watersedgearts.com
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN TO SEW? Basic Sewing Skills Course 5 x 2 hour sessions Tuesdays 7 - 9pm Next course starts 15th November 2011
Designer Dressmaker
Have exactly what you want made-to-measure and to suit your figure!
Pottery Corner 34 Beech Rd, Chorlton M21 9EL
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Different sizes top and bottom?
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Visit www.ericastaceycouture.co.uk for more details
ÂŁ120 for 5 sessions
Tel: 07816 092 194
Contact Ruth on 0161 881 9861 or Ruthlazarus227@btinternet.com
â&#x20AC;˘ Become confident with a sewing machine â&#x20AC;˘ Practise all the basic sewing operations buttonholes, zips, gathers, darts etc. â&#x20AC;˘ Take home a folder of examples to refer to later
Specialist in bridal, prom, mother of the bride/groom est & eveningwear ith Requ
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Perfect Party Dress.... Made Just For You! Can’t find what you want in the shops? Don’t quite know what you want to wear? Different sizes top and bottom? Or simply want to turn up at an event wearing something unique that no one else is wearing? Why not treat yourself to a Christmas party frock that will turn heads and make you feel fabulous? Erica Stacey Couture offers a friendly and bespoke design service allowing you to see your idea grow from a sketch, through to a finished garment that will fit you perfectly. Since graduating with a BA (hons) in Fashion Design with Product Development, Erica has worked as a pattern cutter and designer for a variety of womenswear and childrenswear companies over the last decade, who supply some very well known high street brands. This has given her a deeper understanding of how garments are constructed and has further nurtured her ability to cut clothes to flatter different figures in a variety of different fabrics. Erica grew up on the other side of the Pennines in Leeds, studied in Birmingham and then was bitten by the Manchester bug! Although it is true that it rains a lot, Erica loves Manchester; a
vibrant city with lots of creativity going on! Having sewn since she was a little girl, Erica took the leap in 2010 and started her label, Erica Stacey Couture, from her spare bedroom. It quickly grew too big and she moved into her studio earlier this year.
All designs are made-to-measure
Deeply inspired by her dear Nanna, who made dresses for Harrods, Erica begged to be taken to the haberdashery store when she visited so they could flick through the heavy pattern books and choose something to cut out and make together! Although she would never buy or use a commercial pattern now, the feeling of unfolding the delicate folded tissue paper patterns from the beautifully illustrated envelope and cutting along the appropriate size line and choosing all the fabrics and trims to try and achieve the look has never left Erica! Each bespoke dress is completely unique and made in her own workshop: Your dress is made individually for you, to your exact size and design, to give you a dress like no other. Erica understands that
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we all have our best bits which we want to flaunt and our less favourite bits we want to disguise: she will measure you from head to toe and create the pattern herself to help you feel special. If you’ve ever been frustrated because all the nice dresses don’t have sleeves or the design is lovely but it just doesn’t come in your size or you want something trendy but you have a more mature figure: Erica can help and she will turn it into a fun experience that’s more interesting than just picking a frock from off the peg. She will use her passion for creating different shapes around the female form and will also help with choosing the right colour and features to flatter any figure. Erica Stacey Couture is a specialist in bridal, prom, mother of the bride/groom and eveningwear. Alteration service on bridal and eveningwear is available. Guys, why not treat your other half to a dress? Gift vouchers available on request. www.ericastaceycouture.co.uk
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Book Reviews
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from Chorlton Bookshop
The Night Circus Erin Morgenstern
Walk the Lines Mark Mason
Having fallen for the pre publicity hype I was dying to read this book. Before even opening a page I was hooked. Presented with a black cover and pages with black edging, I knew this was a book for me.
This book is a pub-quiz fanatics dream. It’s packed full of fascinating facts and figures concerning Mark Mason’s love affair with The London Underground.
This is a tale of pure magical fantasy and escapism. The story begins with two mysterious magicians setting a challenge to find an apprentice each. These two puppets will then try to outdo each other with magical brilliance until an eventual winner is declared. To these men all that matters is the challenge; emotions and feelings play no part. This becomes apparent when one of the magicians selects his own daughter to be his apprentice. The competition is played out with a weird and wonderful circus as its backdrop. At first, competition is fierce but good natured. As time progresses, events begin to take a more sinister turn. This is a book to be savoured and definitely not a hurried afternoon read. The characters are delightfully quirky and just how I would love a troupe of magical Victorian circus folk to behave. If you choose to read this you are in for a treat.
The title describes exactly what this book is about. Mark Mason became mesmerised by the Underground Map and decided it would be a wonderful challenge to visit every station and follow all the lines on foot. Along the way he shares his travels with several people who feel a particular bond with the underground. One person we are introduced to is a familiar voice from “The Archers” who used to warn people to “Mind the gap”. Whilst reading this highly amusing book I turned into a complete London Nerd. Having found out so many interesting facts, I decided those around me needed to have everything repeated to them. You have been warned! This book is just one big giant love letter to the London Underground with a bit of love left over for the city itself.
Babbit Lydia Monks One of the great delights of children’s books is their sheer unshackled sense of invention. This, for instance, is narrated by the eponymous blue cuddly rabbit. She’s a feisty sort, and she doesn’t take to being kidnapped from a scrummy picnic by four wicked types she knows only as Witchy, Snappy, Growly and Snorty. Babbit’s child owners, ‘the Little One’ and ‘the Big One’, do their best to rescue her, but in the end it takes an intervention by Mum to save the day. Monks, sometime illustrator to Julia Donaldson, proves once again that she can write a mean picture book too. It’s gentle yet cheeky, with a nifty turn of phrase, perfectly pitched for very little readers. 0-4 years
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VILLAGE DRY CLEANERS
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Chorlton Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a collaboration between therapist and client. Firstly, I will discuss with you your issue(s) – perhaps anxiety, stress, stopping smoking, weight loss or something else. Together, we will decide whether hypnotherapy might be effective for you. If the answer is “yes”, I will help you to enter a state of deep relaxation, similar to that created during meditation. Next, I will address your powerful subconscious mind. For it is here that these persistent problems reside. Thirdly, I will gently help
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recognised by the medical regulatory bodies in Britain, Europe, the USA and Australia as being of therapeutic value.
you out of your deeply relaxed state. And finally, we will discuss how you felt during the session. Most people feel fantastic. Allowing yourself deeply to relax is a very pleasurable experience. Even better, we will be addressing and finally, I hope, freeing you from, a chronic worry, anxiety or bad habit.
If this sounds intriguing, call me, Tom Bailey on: 07969 571 117 or email: tombailey2009@ live.co.uk. I have a diploma in hypnotherapy (with distinction) and a counselling skills qualification, as well as a BA in philosophy and a Master’s degree in English Literature.
Better still, the first session with me is always free. After that, you can decide whether hypnotherapy is really for you. Forget about stage hypnotism. This is a complementary therapy,
Tom Bailey Chorlton Hypnotherapy
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U Decide Funding Thursday 17th November 2011 6pm Chorlton Leisure Centre
For the past couple of years, Chorlton has had ‘U Decide’ events that allow the community to vote on which projects that benefit the community. Some groups that have benefited have been Waters Edge Arts Centre, Ivygreen allotments and Oswald Rd school amongst others. The voting event for this year’s awards will be held on Thursday 17th November at Chorlton Leisure Centre at 6pm. If you live in the Chorlton ward,
follow us on Twitter @communityindex
why not come along and vote for your favourite projects? For more information contact your Regeneration team at Manchester City Council: Kirsteen Armitage on 277 1880 or 277 1894 or email k.armitage@ manchester.gov.uk
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15 WAYS TO CREATE A GREEN HOME – PART 2 In the second of three articles Mike Macpherson of ADC Architects Ltd offers some exciting tips on how to make your home greener and how to choose green when making home improvements. Giving your house a green makeover or eco-refurb doesn’t always have to cost a lot or be complicated. This months tips 6-10 provide more ideas on green home improvements that help the planet and your bank balance.
6. Use Natural Paints and Finishes: Most paints, adhesives, sealants and finishes contain solvents which produce potentially harmful volatile organic compound emissions. All solvents, natural or synthetic, contain VOCs which are emitted when the solvent evaporates. Prolonged exposure has been linked to health problems including headaches, skin irritation, allergies and respiratory problems. Instead opt for natural paints and finishes such as beeswax based finishes for wood, low-VOC paints and sealants, and water-based formaldehyde-free adhesives. These may be a little more expensive than similar chemical-based products, but are well worth the cost to avoid toxic products. Look for the European Union Ecolabel, which helps consumers to spot products that are kinder to the environment. Details of the range of natural paints available can be found at the following manufacturers websites:www.auro.co.uk & www.farrow-ball.com
managed forest. Bamboo is an especially sustainable material that is durable, naturally waterproof and often cheaper than hardwood flooring.
7. Use Natural & Renewable Flooring: Every year we send around 1.8 million tons of synthetic carpet to landfill and it takes thousands of years to biodegrade. Fortunately, there are a quite a number of alternative natural and renewable flooring options available that have a low impact on the environment. You can buy ‘green’ carpet made from natural materials, such as sheep’s wool, coconut husks (coir), jute and sisal (plant fibres) or seagrass - and generally they are a similar cost to good-quality synthetic carpet. When installing the carpet opt for an underlay made from recycled materials. Alternatively, choose a wood floor from a sustainably
Linoleum is another alternative made from natural, renewable products. It does not fade, is antistatic and repels dust and dirt, which make it suitable for asthma and allergy suffers. It has a 30-year lifespan and is low maintenance and 100% biodegradable. For information and details on the huge range of colours and designs refer to:www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/ForYour-Home/Products/Linoleum Other flooring options worth considering include durable cork, rubber, and recycled glass/ ceramic tiles.
8. Use High-Quality, Sustainable Materials: Materials that require manufacturing use high levels of energy to produce, and often give out pollutants as a byproduct. Use as many materials as possible that are from natural, sustainable sources and are also highly durable with
15 a long lifespan. When buying new timber (consider reclaimed timber first), make sure that it is from a sustainably managed forest and is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved or similar. Natural stone is another great building material as it will outlive you, and probably the house itself. Rather than use imported stone, a better alternative is to use locally bought new or reclaimed stone flooring, paving and roof slates. It is almost impossible to avoid installing some manmade products, but if they’re built to last & never needing replacement, then they’re still a good compromise. Metal has a large carbon footprint, but it will last for many years - as will fired clay bricks and roof tiles. For further details & information on materials and green products visit the following website: www.greenspec.co.uk
9. Use Local Labour and Materials: When carrying out your home improvement works look to source the materials needed as locally as possible - small, local suppliers can offer very competitive prices. If your refurbishment works include removing some elements of your home, recycle & reuse these
materials wherever possible. Aside from less CO2 emissions in travel, local labour also has the advantage of being close to you, so trades people can come out quickly if there are any problems.
10. Improve Site Ecology: Wherever possible look to improve the bio-diversity of any outside or garden areas. If you have to remove any trees, plant more and re-use the old wood or burn it on a wood burning stove. If you remove the natural habitat of any birds or other animals, put in nesting boxes and feeders. Increase the range of plants and start a vegetable garden or install a small pond.
Reuse any soil you have dug up when landscaping the garden. You don’t even need to have a garden to improve bio-diversity, providing a ‘living roof’ to a new extension can have a positive impact on local wildlife or even simply doing a DIY green roof on top of a shed. A good local example of a living roof that has improved biodiversity can be found at the Unicorn Grocery, visit the website for details:www.unicorn-grocery.co.uk/ living_roof.php Next month in the final article tips 11-15 will make some further green suggestions for anyone considering more extensive home improvement work.
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Food & Drink Index Cafe life 1 Battery Park 615a Wilbraham Road Chorlton, 860 0754 2 Beech Road Cafe 52, Beech Road M21 9EG, 283 7751 3 The Chorlton Eatery 565 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AE, 860 0200 4 Crema Cafe 111 Manchester Road, M21 9PG, 07931 864084 5 Jam Street Cafe 209 Upper Chorlton Road, M16 0BH, 881 9944 6 On The Corner 93 Beech Road M21 9EQ, 881 4841 7 Sweet Tooth Cupcakery 9a Oswald Road M21 9LP 07855 765355 8 Tea Hive
53 Manchester Road M21 9PW
Specialist 9 Barbakan Delicatessen 67-71 Manchester Rd M21 9PW, 881 7053
15 Oasis Ice-Cream Parlour 109 Manchester Road M21 9GA 16 Out of the Blue 484 Wilbraham Road M21 9AS, 881 8353 17 Unicorn Grocery 89 Albany Rd M21 0BN
Restaurant/Bar 18 Asian Fusion 489-491 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AG, 881 7200 19 Azad Manzil 493-495 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AG, 881 1021 20 The Bar 533 Wilbraham Road M21 0UE, 861 7576 21 Bar 480 480 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 9AS 861 9558 22 Bar San Juan 56 Beech Road, Manchester, M21 9EG 23 Beech 79 Beech Rd, Chorlton M21 9EQ, 881 4912
29 Chorlton Irish Club 17 High Lane M21 9DJ, 881 2898 www.chorltonirishclub. co.uk 30 Coriander 279 Barlow Moor Road M21 7GH, 881 7750 31 Croma 498-500 Wilbraham Road M21 9AP, 881 1117 32 Dulcimer 567 Wilbraham Rd M21 0AE, 860 0044 33 Electrik 559, Wilbraham Rd M21 0AE, 8619558 34 Escape 370 Barlow Moor Road M21 8AZ, 8629911 35 Gallery 537-539 Wilbraham Road M21 9LD, 860 6660 36 The Hillary Step 199 Upper Chorlton Road M16 0BH, 881 1978 37 Horse & Jockey 9 Chorlton Green M21 9HS www.horse andjockeychorlton.com 38 Lead Station 99 Beech Road M21 9EQ, 881 5559
10 Bitter Sweet 103 Manchester Road www. bittersweetshop.co.uk
24 Beer House 57 Manchester Rd Chorlton M21 9PW 861 8378
11 Coffee N Chocolates 514 Wilbraham Road M21 9AW
25 Beggar’s Bush 48 Beech Road M21 9EQ, 861 7393
40 Leo’s 356 Barlow Moor Road M21 8AZ, 861 9092
12 Craftelicious 127 Oswald Road M21 9GE, 860 4814
26 Bowling Green 1 Brookburn Road M21 9ES, 860 2800
41 Mint 478 Wilbraham Road M21 9AS, 881 9130
13 Hickson and Black’s 559A Barlow Moor Road M21 8AN, 881 2001
27 Charango 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, M21 0BQ 881 8596
42 Nectar Bistro 404 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD, 861 9300
14 North Star Delicatessen 418 Wilbraham Rd M21 0SD, 862 0133
28 Chorlton Cricket Club Ellesmere Road M21 0SG, 0783 3735729
39 Lloyds Hotel 617 Wilbraham Road M21 9AN, 286 0693
43 The Nip and Tipple 197 Upper Chorlton Road M16 0BH, 860 7330
44 Nook 535 Wilbraham Road M21 0UE, 882 0700 45 Oddest 414-416 Wilbraham Road M21 0SD, 860 7515 46 Panicos 418 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD, 861 0613 47 Parlour 66 Beech Road M4 1LE 881 4871 48 Pi 99 Manchester Road M21 9GA, 882 0000 49 Sedge Lynn 21a Manchester Road M21 9PN, 860 0141 50 The Spread Eagle 526-528 Wilbraham Road M21 9LD, 861 0385 51 Thai Spice 66a Beech Road M21 9EG, 881 0400 52 Trevor Arms 133/5 Beech Road M21 9EQ 53 Turkish Delight Ltd 573 Barlow Moor Road M21 8AE, 881 0503 54 The Whalley 2 Withington Road M16 8AA, 232 7159 55 Yakisoba 360 Barlow Moor Road M21 8AZ, 862 0888
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Food & Drink Map Barbakan Delicatessen NEW OPENING TIMES Che
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In the Tea Hive Tea hive is a new tea, coffee and cake experience, in Chorlton, Manchester. We serve a wide range of loose leaf teas and artisan coffee blends to compliment our handcrafted traditional cakes in elegant, relaxed surroundings. We also have an ever changing selection of soups, sandwiches and salads; with current favourites being gingered butternut squash soup and grilled hallumi sandwich. Tea is our passion and we have hand-selected a range of loose leaf teas, lovingly blended by J Atkinson, the award winning artisan tea blenders. From firm favourites such as Earl Grey scented with bergamot, through
to our smoky black tea, Russian Caravan, to more unusual red, green and white teas which mystically uncurl in the pot revealing a world of scents and flavours. As we constantly tweak our selection for your enjoyment, you’ll be sure to find the perfect cuppa, served in traditional vintage china. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage on the planet after water and still maintains its title as the world’s oldest beverage. There is said to be approximately twenty thousand different distinctions of tea made in the world, so why just stick to your English breakfast tea? Come and try something new. If you have a
favourite tea and don’t see it on our menu, please ask and we will endeavour to source it for you. We believe our teas are best enjoyed with a slice of one of our wonderful cakes or as part of our afternoon tea, which includes scones, sandwiches, and little sweet treats. We serve the old time classics such as Victoria sponge with lashings of cream and our glorious homemade jam as well as new exciting inventions such as the chai latte cake with creamy ginger icing. Of course we know that people have their favourites, so our ever so popular caramel shortbread, chocolate brownies and fruit loaves are on offer, as well as catering for those with specific dietary needs, such as wheat and gluten free and a range of vegan products. In addition to baking we make a range of preserves, which change with the seasons and will be gathered together in beautiful hampers which proved a hit at last year’s Manchester Christmas Markets. These preserves are on sale all year round and often feature in our sandwiches and cakes. Many of the ingredients for these are sourced from local growers or donated from friends and families allotment and garden surpluses.
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Enjoy a piece of cake on us when you purchase a sandwich or soup* any Monday - Friday in November 2011. Just bring this voucher along to redeem your treat. *Valid for 'eat in’ only Opening a tea room has been our dream for a long time and we’re incredibly excited to be able to do this in Chorlton, in our opinion the perfect location. We’ve been growing our business for the
past two years, originally coming together through a passion for cooking and creating baked delights for our friends, to selling
mince pies in thick snow last winter and supplying to local businesses such as The Horse and Jockey and Eastern Block. Having started out selling cake at Chorlton and other local markets we want to give a special treat to our loyal customer and all of the Chorlton & Whalley Range community, who have made us feel so welcome; we would like to offer everyone who presents us with the following voucher a free piece of cake of your choice after the purchase of either a sandwich or soup. Come and visit us at 53 Manchester Road (on the corner
of Longford Road) just by Chorlton library, from 8am5pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends.
Michelle & Vicky
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Barbakan Delicatessen NEW OPENING TIMES From Monday 31st October
Mon/Tues/Wed 8am - 5.30pm LATE NIGHT OPENING Thursday 8am - 7pm Friday 8am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 5pm Winners of the Craft Bakery Business Award 2011
Your local Award Winning Delicatessen and Bakery is ready to serve you with a wide choice of fresh and original Breads and Deli products. Call in soon and give your tastebuds a treat!
10% OFF
*
with this voucher in November 2011 *£5 minimum spend
67-71 Manchester Rd, Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW
Telephone: 0161 881 7053
www.barbakan-deli.co.uk to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
Home on the Range
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On the last Friday of the month for the past seven years the DJ’s behind Whalley Range’s suburban disco, Home on the Range have been setting out their stall and entertaining their guests with an eclectic mix of dance music. Situated in the fantastically eccentric Carlton Club it started out as a good excuse for the DJ’s, Matt, Tom and Neil to play their favourite records to their friends and family and support their local social club. But word spread across south Manchester and beyond that Home on the Range was a great night out and it was soon a roaring success for the club. Influenced by the DJ’s love of Manchester’s club nights Electric Chair, Counter Culture and Homoelectric, the night blends classic disco, house, funk and hip hop tracks with up to date purchases from Piccadilly and Fat City records underpinning the fiercely independent feel of the night. Matt say’s “it feels special to do this night; to play your records and get people dancing is a privilege. I’m pleased that our night helps to keep the Carlton Club going.” It is one of the friendliest nights out you will ever go to and attracts people from 20-60 years and beyond who still want a club experience but can’t be mythered to go into town. Donna, one of the regulars said ‘it’s an easy going night, really friendly with great tunes and everyone just after having a proper good dance and cheap drinks without city centre prices, queues and rowdiness’ Fellow DJ Tom adds “People have said to me they love Home on the Range because they can go on their own and have a cracking good time and that isn’t true of many places. I take that as a real compliment.”
The November event, on the 25th sees the night celebrate its 7th birthday and it continues to stay true to the original ideals; turn up early, enjoy the ‘cheap as chips’ bar, meet great people and dance to the music played on proper record decks. Home on the Range, 9pm – 1am £4 on the door. The Carlton Club is at 113 Carlton Rd, Whalley Range, 0161 881 3042.
Community Noticeboard Fairs, Festivals & Markets
of each month at the Lloyds Hotel from 7.30pm
Farmers Market and Craft Fair Horse & Jockey, Chorlton Green. Last Saturday of every month 11–5pm www.horseandjockey chorlton.com
50+Social Group Arts/Walking/Holidays Lila:lilawaiz@tiscali.co.uk 2261214
Manchester Street Market 3rd Saturday of the month outside Chorlton Library. Pop-up Vintage Fair Vintage homeware, clothing & handmade crafts. Every Saturday 12-5pm at the Beech, 72 Beech Rd, Chorlton chorltonvintagefair@ gmail.com
Clubs, Societies & Groups Action for Sustainable Living 277 0377 info@afsl.org.uk Chorlton Aikido Club Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pm St Ninians, Wilbraham Rd www.lancashireaikikai.org Tel: 861 8456 Chorlton Bridge Club Christine Blackburn Tel: 225 8854 www.bridge webs.com/chorlton Chorlton Good Neighbours 881 2925 goodneighbours@ btconnect.com Friends of Alexandra Park 226 7525 www.friends ofalexandrapark.org.uk Friends of Chorlton Meadows 881 6276 www.friendsofchorlton meadows.blogspot.com Transition Chorlton Ways to encourage a more sustainable future in Chorlton. 1st Thursday
Health & Fitness Capoeira – Cordao De Ouro Tuesdays 7-9 (All levels), Saturdays 11-12 (Kids) The Edge Theatre, M21 9JG, www.cdonw.co.uk Chorlton Leisure Centre www.manchestersport andleisure.org, 861 0790 Scottish Country Dancing Beginners Tuesdays Intermediate/Advanced Wednesday 2nd and 16th Nov Manley Park Primary School 7.30-9.30pm £5 per class Contact Helen Freer 633 1528 www.rscds.co.uk The Yoga Rooms Thursday 10-11.15am Drop-in Yoga (all levels) Friday 10.30-11.30am Drop-in Pilates (all levels) Full Programme at www. yogarooms.co.uk Zumba, Yoga for pregnancy, Irish music, Salsa, Irish Dancing and Pilates The Irish Club, High Lane, 881 2898 www. chorltonirishclub.co.uk
Arts & Crafts Battyandgorgeous Fantastic Felt workshop Sunday, 6th Nov 1-5pm Decoupage Saturday, 26th Nov 10.30am-5pm www.batty andgorgeous.com Beetlefelt Craft Workshops Craft Studio
ages 7+ 4.30–6.30pm Tue 15th Nov Weaving Workshop Wednesday, 16th Nov Sewing Surgery Thursday, 17th Nov Silk Painting Sat, 19th Nov 10.30am–1:30pm Nuno Scarf Sun, 20th Nov 10.30am–2.00pm Carol Mowl Tel: 881 6309 or 0777 240 9308 www.beetlefelt.co.uk Chorlton Reading Group Meet monthly 7.30pm at the library. Wed 16th Nov The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal and Accordian Crimes by E.Annie Proulx Creative Corner Café Front Room Comedy A night of Pro Stand Up Comedy, 3rd Monday of every month Make Mosaics For Xmas starting mid Nov Stitched Up 1st Wednesday of every month. Knit a beanie, some mittens or a scarf, or make a shrug from old t-shirts Free acoustic gig Harp and a Monkey Sunday 13th Nov from around 2pm Patrcik’s digital Photography Every Sunday 14 Milton Grove, Whalley Range, M16 0BP 07745 855399 Drum & Percussion Group Playing Brazilian and Cuban rhythms. Thursday evenings 7-9pm St. Margarets Church, Whalley Range Sue 226 4311
email your community notices to: rebecca@communityindex.co.uk
The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre Full programme of theatre, music and art classes including: The Edge Youth Theatre Dance — ages 11-16 Saturdays 11–12pm £5 Theatre Club 5-8 year olds — Mondays 4-5pm £5 Out On The Edge (LGBT Theatre) A brand new theatre group for LGBT 16 to 25 year olds. Mondays 7-9pm £5 Manchester Rd, Chorlton Tel: 282 9776 Full programme online www.watersedgearts.com Ministry of Craft November Courses including: Night photography: Manchester in darkness Tuesday, 15th Nov Screen stars: Introduction to screen printing Saturday, 19th Nov Conquer your sewing machine 19th Nov Sewing skills series: Clothing alterations 19th Nov 07850 894 752, www. ministryofcraft.co.uk Mosaic Therapy 7.15-8.45pm, Thursdays, Chorlton Central Church M21 8BF Tracey: 860 0387 www.traceycartledge. co.uk Rubbish Revamped Folksy Hoop 10th Nov 7-9pm The Lavender Mousevaark 24th Nov 7-9pm The Marvellous Wheel of Tea 1st Dec 7-9pm www.rubbishrevamped. org.uk South Manchester Camera Club Club Meets Monday nights
Community Noticeboard 23
at 8pm Didsbury Methodist Church M20 5LR www.smcc.org.uk Pottery Corner 34 Beech Road M21 9EL 882 0010
Music & Entertainment Charango DJS Every Friday and Saturday night 10pm-late. 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton 881 8596 charango-chorlton.co.uk Chorlton Film Institute Julia’s Eyes Thurs 17th Nov Doors Open 8.10pm Film starts 8.30pm Entrance £5 St Clements Church Chorlton Folk Club Thursdays 9pm Ellesmere Rd Cricket Club Dulcimer DJs every Friday & Saturday and live acts from around the world every week www. dulcimer-bar.co.uk, 860 6444 Folk Songs and Tunes at The Beech If you enjoy folk songs and tunes even older than the Beech. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays for Songs 2nd & 4th for Tunes. Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EG Home on the Range Everything from punk, funk to classic house. last Friday of every Month The Carlton Club, Whalley Range www.carltonclub.org.uk Horse & Jockey Guy Fawkes Night Sat 5th Nov BBQ from 6pm, Children’s Fireworks
Display at 7.30pm Main display 9.30pm Acoustic Night featuring Rescue The Eskimo Weds 9th Nov 8-11pm Wine Night Thurs 17th Nov 9 Chorlton Green M21 9HS www.horseandjockey chorlton.com Oddest Bar 414-416 Wilbraham Road Chorlton. Mooch down to Oddest every Friday & Saturday to find our fab DJs sifting through the vinyl 11pm-1.30am 860 7515 www.oddbar. co.uk/oddest
Social & Support Groups Chorlton Anxiety Group 226 3871 Café Spirit Meets every second Monday of the month at Copperfields Café in Chorlton opposite the post office 7.30pm Lesley 882 0848 Email: cafespirit@live.com Coffee and Craft Mornings at Chorlton Good Neighbours. Meet friends and have a coffee, with arts and crafts group for those who want it. Thursday’s 10-11.30am Wilbraham St, Ninian’s Church 881 2925 goodneighbours@ btconnect.com, www.cgncg.org.uk LGBT Parents Group 636 7507, 07970 298 559 Rainbow Families 07903 397 108 rainbowfamilies@ hotmail.com
St. Clements Fellowship open to all meets at St. Clements Church Hall at 7.30 pm. Speaker: Emma Flood on making silver jewellery with demonstration. Members £1.00 Visitors £1.5Op. Contact Barbara Burns on 0161 881 5912 or Ida Bradshaw on 0161 861 7158 for information.
Local Websites Beech Road website by Jack Lloyd www. beechroadm21.co.uk Big Notice Board Chorlton www.bignoticeboard. co.uk www.chorlton.co.uk Includes a lively discussion board! Chorlton Civic Society blog www.chorltoncivic. blogspot.com www.chorlton.fetch.it Great new resource for local news, events and business profiles
Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 Manchester City Council 234 5000 www.manchester.gov.uk National Rail Enquiries nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50 NHS Direct 0845 46 47 nhsdirect.nhs.uk Police – non emergency 872 5050 Samaritans 236 8000 samaritans.org TFGM 0870 6082 608 Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100
Chorlton Councillors Matt Strong 07788 978677 cllr.m.strong@ manchester.gov.uk Sheila Newman 881 9641 cllr.s.newman. manchester.gov.uk
www.sochorlton. wordpress.com Lovely blog by ‘some of Chorlton’s newest residents’
Victor Chamberlain 07947 383740 cllr.v.chamberlain@ manchester.gov.uk
www.whalleyrange.org Community website
Whalley Range Councillors
Useful Numbers
Aftab Razaq 07799 560 244 cllr.a.razaq@manchester. gov.uk
Allotments Manager 226 3322 Bus, Train & Tram 228 7811 Chorlton Library 227 3700 Citizens Advice 0870 126 4094 Environment on Call 954 9000
Mary Watson 860 5523 cllr.m.watson@ manchester.gov.uk John Grant 860 7488 cllr.j.grant@manchester. gov.uk
email your community notices to: rebecca@communityindex.co.uk
24
November in your Garden by Katherine Watson For many people November signals the final turn to winter - where the smattering of warmer and brighter days through October, gives way to the dreary trudge of cold and wet, lifted only by a few well-placed national traditions like mischief night and Guy Fawkes. The poet Emily Dickinson described November as “the Norway of the Year” (presumably alluding to short, dark and cold days and not to a month jostling with serial killers). But the gardening year is far from over by November and the days, although shorter, can still be punctuated with a chill sun. Tulips can be put in until the end of the month and most garden centres sell a wide variety. Check your bulbs before you buy them to make
sure they are nice and plump, (try also to avoid bulbs with a lot of mould on them) and get them in the ground as soon as possible. Whilst squirrels generally don’t like the taste of daffodils, the same can’t be said for tulip bulbs and the only way of preventing them from munching through your stock is to cover the planting area with mesh secured at the edges. If you take your chances, make sure you clear up any bits of papery skin from the bulbs after you’ve planted them. Apparently the Dutch interplant their tulips with Fritillaria imperialis to prevent then being eaten. This variety of Fritillaria is a very impressive spring flowering bulb, a wonderful display in groups, but one
that is susceptible to rot in damp conditions so may not be as reliable as other bulbs. November is also a good time to move shrubs and plant trees allowing the roots to settle before spring. If you are thinking of putting in a hedge, you could also consider bare-root whips that are very cheap over the winter and can be bought in bundles. For a large hedge you could plant a double row, staggered with five whips per metre. So all-in-all and in the spirit of our crush on all things Scandi-Wegian, November may well be the Norway of the year for the all the right reasons Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs
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please mention Community Index when responding to adverts
25
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26
Chorlton Arts Festival Christmas Craft Fair
Pull on that winter hat, wrap your hands around a warm glass of mulled wine and prepare to get well and truly into the festive spirit as we welcome the return of Chorlton Arts Festival’s Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday 26th November (11am-4pm). A regular feature of the festive season, set in the serene surroundings of St Clements’ Church, Edge Lane, this is Chorlton’s largest and most established craft fair with over 30 stalls providing the perfect opportunity to find unique and unusual presents for friends and family. Take your pick from individual, handmade, locally-sourced or recycled goodies; from stall holders such as Cara Codd’s vintage jewellery, Cersha Kintu’s skincare and Chrissy Harbour’s chocolates, to Chris Clarke’s artwork and Ruth Bissett’s cards and decorations; plus clothes, accessories and much more. “I’m very excited about this year’s Christmas Craft Fair,” says organiser David Winterton. “We have seen the highest ever level of interest from stall holders and we will be bringing together a mix of new and exciting products especially for the day.” So for those planning a visit, he has some invaluable advice. “As many items are one-offs I urge everybody to get there as early as possible.” Make a day of it and shop ‘til you drop while enjoying a glass or two of our famous mulled wine and spiced apple. Plus, all profits go to help fund next year’s Chorlton Arts Festival. Speaking of which, we’ll be seeking submissions for the 2012 Festival (18-28 May) at the end of the year, and the Christmas Craft Fair will give artists and performers a head start on proceedings as the Festival organisers will be available on the day to answer any questions.
This year’s Festival — which launched with a special performance by patron Damon Gough aka Badly Drawn Boy — delivered the busiest and most diverse programme yet, with over 200 performances showcasing the best local, regional, national and international talent (featuring artists from Australia, America and Germany) in venues across Chorlton, including St Clements’ Church. It is an annual celebration of music, comedy, visual and performing arts and, from simple beginnings, has grown into one of the best multi-arts events in the country. New music was a focus for the 2011 Festival and the headline acts were suitably diverse; from John Smith and Australian band Cloud Control, to Leeds indie folksters Ellen & the Escapades. “Whether it’s jazz, folk, classical or pop, we focused on fresh acts that are at the very top of their genre but that might be new to Chorlton audiences,” explains Festival Director Philip Hannaway. Homegrown talent also got a look-in with Manchester’s very own Matthew Halsall, Blind Atlas and Graham Massey’s band The Sisters of Transistors making an appearance. “It really is such a thrill to see such diversity in Chorlton,” continues Philip. “Over 75 per cent of the Festival is free, and there really is something for everyone. As the Festival has grown so has its ambitions, but it still remains by the community for the community.” For further details see: www.chorltonartsfestival.com All images © Aamir Sabzwari http://www.flickr.com/photos/aamirsab
27
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28
A Hidden Cost of Metrolink There seems to be general agreement that the extension of the Metrolink tram system to Chorlton has been a good thing. We’re told that it will take cars off the road – although I’m not so sure. I suspect that we’ll end up with Metrolink and an ever-growing number of cars. Nevertheless, there is a hidden cost to Metrolink – a cost which, I suspect, the vast majority of local people are not even aware of. The organisation behind Metrolink is Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and if you go on to their website, and dig down, you will find their ‘Wildlife and Tree Replacement Policy’. This policy promises that: “The development of transport infrastructure must ensure the protection and enhancement of protected landscapes, habitats and sites; and take opportunities to protect and enhance biodiversity, ...” Those of us who are concerned about wildlife, and the rate at which it is disappearing both locally and nationally, are beginning to suspect that this promise is not worth the paper it is written on. TfGM seem to be under the illusion that all they have to do to fulfil the promise is to plant a few trees (many of which seem to have died already) and install a few cheap pond liners (which won’t last more than a few years) in some out-of-the-way spots. I am an amateur botanist and I have spent the last few years studying the plant life of the Mersey Valley and South Manchester. As a result I have a pretty good idea which rare or unusual plant species we have lost already and which we are going to lose very soon. Here are some examples:
Ivy-leaved Duckweed This strange little water-borne plant has leaves which float just below the water’s surface. I found it in a waterlogged section of the old railway line between Chorlton and Old Trafford, just before work began on Metrolink. I was allowed to rescue some and moved it to a newish pond near Hardy Farm. Unfortunately it didn’t take to its new habitat and died out. This plant was reported from Chorlton by the great Manchester shoe-maker botanist, Richard Buxton in his flora of 1849. It is probably now extinct in this suburb. Haresfoot Clover I was very excited a couple of years ago to find this distinctive little clover, with its ‘powderpuff’ flowers, on a tiny patch of wasteland at Hough End. A year later this patch of land was obliterated by TfGM’s contractors who sited their heavy machinery on it. I have two more South Manchester sites for this plant, but one of these is threatened. The other is (ironically) near a Metrolink station where the contractors will, no doubt, soon find an excuse to destroy it. Intermediate Polypody on London Plane A few years ago a friend of mine reported that he had spotted, from the top deck of the number 86 bus, a Polypody fern growing on a London Plane tree on Upper Chorlton Road. Intrigued, I decide to investigate further. I found three examples on Upper Chorlton Road and several more on Urmston Lane in Stretford. There were more examples on the Plane Trees which grew on the central reservation of Mauldeth Road West – but, of
course, TfGM have now chopped those down. The phenomenon of one plant growing on another plant (e.g. a fern growing on a tree) without parasitising it is called epiphysis. Epiphytic ferns are most commonly found in the wetter parts of Britain – particularly in ancient oak woodland in the South West. But London Planes are not ancient oaks – they are ‘man-made’ hybrids, often planted as street trees because they are resistant to pollution; to find epiphytic ferns growing on them is extraordinary! I sent a fern frond to a national fern expert for identification. He told me that he had not encountered this combination in any other city in the UK – so it may be unique to South Manchester. Nevertheless, TfGM have destroyed a significant proportion of the population before it can even be properly studied. The Plants of Hardy Farm and Lower Hardy Farm Both of these areas are Sites of Biological Importance (SBIs) and, hence, are supposed to be afforded a certain degree of protection. Nevertheless, the Metrolink to the Airport line is to be driven through the latter (a corridor has already been bull-dozed through it) and contractors’ plant and machinery is now sited on part of the former. Hardy Farm is home to a complex group of wild orchids: Northern Marsh, Southern Marsh, Early Marsh and Common Spotted orchids (all Dactylorhiza sp.) have all been found there, along with their hybrids. Of these Early Marsh is the rarest nationally – but, of course, Metrolink equipment has been ‘plonked’ on top of the best area for that species. Lower Hardy Farm should always have been the Mersey Valley’s
29 ‘Jewel in the Crown’, from a biodiversity point of view, but it has been ignored and grievously neglected for decades. It used to contain populations of the magnificent Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) and the rather papyruslike Wood Club-rush (Scirpus sylvaticus). Both of these have been dug up and moved across the river to Sale – but I’m not confident that they will survive and they are now, of course, both effectively extinct in Chorlton. This SBI still contains Chorlton’s
only population of Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and a rare Hawkweed (Hieracium sp.) but I doubt whether either of these will survive the coming onslaught. Should we care about these losses? I think that we should. Every day, day in, day out we lose more and more species both locally, nationally and internationally. The gravity of this situation, and its grievous implications
for the future of our species, were recognised at a major international conference at Nagoya, Japan, last year. The UK was a signatory to the subsequent treaty – but Metrolink suggests to me that the authorities still don’t ‘get it’ – and still don’t care! Dave Bishop, Chair of Friends of Chorlton Meadows davegbishop@aol.com http://friendsofchorltonmeadows. blogspot.com
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open fires, boilers Agas, multi-fuel stoves, birds nests removed www.acornchimneysweepingservices.co.uk
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Painting & Decorating Wall & FloorTiling Joinery & Laminate Flooring Kitchens & Bathrooms Fitted
07751 208582 Established for 15 years
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DEVINE
KITCHENS
• • • • • •
FAST DRYING SYSTEM FREE STAIN & ODOUR REMOVAL STAINGUARD PROTECTION 10% RETIRED PERSONS DISCOUNT ALL WORK IS FULLY INSURED ALL FURNITURE MOVED BY OPERATIVE
We are a local company based in Chorlton Fully trained to NCCA standards Ring or email for a FREE ESTIMATE
07742 369 231
or leave a message on 0161 881 4822 contact@pro-fresh.co.uk www.pro-fresh.co.uk
Chorlton Gas Ltd Domestic Central Heating and Gas Engineers
Service, installation and breakdown repair on all makes of: Boilers
Design Service Available A new kitchen can add both character and wealth to any home, and here at Devine Kitchens we have the expertise and knowledge to advise you on the best use of space, lighting, fixtures and fittings to help create that dream kitchen into a reality. We have established an excellent reputation over the years for our high qulaity of workmanship and customer focus, all backed up with the various testimonials from our many satisfied clients. We have over 20 years of experience with high quality workmanship fitting kitchens that will inspire. We have a vast range of kitchens from the classic styled kitchens, or the more contemporary designs. We have a kitchen to suit everyones taste.
Tel: 0161 291 9680
www.devinekitchens.co.uk
Fires
Job No big o to mall or s
Cookers Unvented Hot Water Cylinders Solar Thermal fully qualified • fully insured Gas Safe registered • friendly and reliable • local references available Central heating power flushing service available
Call Kevin for a no obligation quote
07722 731 801
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Electrician
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JP & Brimelow
10
15
Basic Sewing Skills
6
Estate Agents
Best Cellars Devine Building & Maintenance Joseph Durkin
5 2
Floors
Building & Maintenance
Carpet Cleaning Profresh
Cat Care
Top Cat Care
27 30 29
Chimney Sweep Acorn Chimney Sweeping Service
Chiropodist
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8
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27
Village Dry Cleaner
29 6 25 12
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Andrew Maunsell Chorlton Electric
ADC Architects Ltd
Arts & Crafts
31
Devine Floorsanding
31
Barbakan Delicatessen Tea Hive Unicorn
20 19 32
Enhance Evolve Joinery
25 27
Fat Grass Garden Angels
24 24
Chorlton Gas
30
Carol Smith Chorlton Handyman
26 25
Food & Drink
Furniture & Joinery Gardens
Gas Engineer Handyman/woman
Chorlton Trade Paints Ella Spiers HMC Painters & Decorators Nina West Robert Burns
Plumbers
BG Plumbing Select Plumbing & Heating
Roofer
M Duffin RPL Roofing
Shopping Home on the Range Manchester Social Friends
21 25
RPL Roofing
27 13 5 8 8 8
Solar Panels
Therapy & Healing
30
Carol Smith
29
Monkey Puzzle Toys
2 27 12
Social Group/Events
Devine Kitchens
Painting & Decorating
31 27
Chorlton Tagpassiton
Chorlton Hypnotherapy Counselling in Chorlton Mary Norman, Massage Sue Fleming, Alexander Technique The Acupuncture Works
Kitchens
11 29 11 11 30
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B.G. PLUMBING
EXPERIENCED
local plumber Bathrooms and tiling Blockages and leaks Pipework alterations
GAVIN HOWARD mobile: 07969 605321 email: howard.bgplumbing@gmail.com 87 Haig Road, Stretford, M32 0DP
WRAS approved, cert no. 28518
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