Didsbury
index
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Feb 2012
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Contents 4
WHY DON’T YOU...? By Leon Horton
6
GET YOUR DANCING SHOES ON For Chorlton’s Big Green Festival
8
A DAY WITH AMIR From the Village Dry Cleaners
12
LOVE YOUR DIDSBURY INDEPENDENTS Shop local with Tagpassiton
14
WANTED - DIDSBURY GARDENS WITH A TWIST Didsbury Open Gardens
15 16 17 20
CRAFTELICIOUS Home to creating, eating and fun! CHARLES DICKENS Didsbury Village Bookshop FEBRUARY IN YOUR GARDEN Katherine Watson STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Didsbury Dinners Recipe
PUBLISHER
Community Index
EDITOR/ADVERTISING Lesley Swann
SUB-EDITOR Sam Paechter
LISTINGS Rebecca Ronald
CONTRIBUTIONS Katherine Watson, Carol Thompson, Didsbury Village Bookshop, Leon Horton, Didsbury Open Gardens, Village Dry Cleaners, Didsbury Dinners, Big Green Festival
COVER PHOTOGRAPH iStockphoto.com
CONTACT US Tel: Lesley 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk www.communityindex.co.uk DEADLINE FOR THE MARCH EDITION 6th February 2012
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4
Why Don’t You.... … just switch off your television set, and go do something less boring instead?’ As a child of the seventies, I couldn’t for the life of me understand why a kids’ TV show was telling me to turn off the telly. I still can’t. It was a golden age: Play For Today, The Two Ronnies, Tom Baker as Doctor Who - there was so much more to watch. True, this prosperity was followed by bankruptcy, as we passed into the eighties (Sylvester McCoy as Doctor Who?); but to me it felt like a betrayal of just about everything I’d come to know and trust… But now, in this more-means-less thanks-for-nothing-Mr-Murdoch digital age, I get the idea; and it’s in the spirit of that idea that I’ve decided to give it up. Not forever, you understand - despite the shortcomings, I still believe in the potential of television, but I’m happy to abstain for a week (Yes, I know it doesn’t sound much, but to a man like me, a week without television is like a week in politics: a long time). The goggle box: that ubiquitous tragic lantern, vomiting forth
from the corner of every living room. Well, not every living room, but try convincing the programme makers of that. It’s as if they simply cannot accept we can survive without a daily fix of soporific drivel. But guess what? I’ve got friends who don’t let the cathode-ray tube impact on their lives. Sure, some of them favour equally mindnumbing distractions - computer games, Facebook, crotchet, etc - but on the other side, and I don’t mean ITV, some - get this – some, still gather in small groups and practice the ancient art of socialising. But then many of us, and by us I mean me, tune in to switch off; maybe catch up on what’s going down in Emmerdale (hey, I’m from Yorkshire, you’ve gotta allow me that one); which I guess is my roundabout way of saying I watch my fair share of soporific drivel. Now on with the show. Best Geordie accent: ‘Day one. Leon is feelin’ positive and motivated …’ OK, drop the accent. I’m not in the Big Brother house, but much like those lambs to the slaughter, I’m going into this thinking it isn’t going to hurt too much. Surely I’m not beyond redemption? I’ll get to grips with that Kundera novel, listen to Radio 4, and the living room could do with a fresh coat of paint. Day two, and the living room is looking good, the flat has never been so clean and The Unbearable Lightness of Being is really shaping up. This isn’t so bad, I tell myself. But it’s the evening that gets to me. Post-watershed blues. There’s only so much reading or radio a man can take. Ah, well. A hot bath and early to bed.
If television is the new opiate of the people, then the third day is as close to withdrawal as it gets - the cold turkey of boredom. What to do? I find myself staring at the blank screen. My own reflection seems to beckon me: turn on, tune in, drop - No! Go out!. A walk. I like walking. Walking is good. And us Yorkshire folk, we don’t feel the cold like mere mortals. An hour or so later, and I stumble home through a perishing wind - mortally cold, and with the unbearable darkness of being a man who would sell his own grandmother for a peek at the schedules. It occurs to me, not for the first time, that no one would be any the wiser if I accidentally hit the on-switch whilst dusting. Days four and five prove a different kettle of satellite dish. A proverbial sun is shining, there’s a spring in my step, a tune to be whistled, and all those little jobs round the flat are getting done. I’ve even replaced the spent light bulb in the hallway. But there’s a downside. I’ve started talking to myself. Well, not so much talking, as arguing - and invariably losing the argument. Sometimes I just can‘t get on with myself. At this point, I’d like to take back what I said about Radio 4. It’s a godsend, a lifeline; a glass to the wall of the outside world, without which I think I would go quite mad. Play For Today is alive and well and living on the wireless (showing my age again), not to mention some of the finest fresh comedies and excellent documentaries. Day six: Saturday, payday - oh, the blessed relief. I escape the newly painted walls, studiously avoid any pubs where the
5 football might be showing and spend the day socialising with friends. After measuring the day in pints, I stagger home and find, to my horror, not one but two television sets looming blearily at me from the corner. Double telly vision! I’m giving serious consideration to taking up knitting, when all of a sudden… … I wake up next morning on the sofa. With a hangover. Which, in my world, means it’s Sunday, the seventh day - the day of rest and omnibus repeats. It’s always darkest before dawn, and the temptation here is almost overwhelming. I mean, it’s Sunday - Zulu is probably on. And who would know? I would, that’s who. And it’d be just like me to fall at the last hurdle. So, no, not this time. That damned clock can tick all it likes, can punctuate my self-inflicted pain sixty times a minute, but I’m not going to succumb. I spend the day dozing
fitfully under my duvet, a wet flannel clamped to my brow, only emerging to answer nature’s call.
will tell you: ‘I only put the telly on for a bit of company’ (just how old am I?).
The longest day turns slowly into night. The clock heaves past the eleventh hour and on towards midnight. I count the minutes, the seconds… Anticipating an end to my suffering, I dig out the remote, watch the clock labour into Monday, hit the on-switch, wait for the little red light, and trawl gleefully through forty-odd channels. And guess what? There’s nothing on.
Postscript. I haven’t a clue if that week back in December will have any lasting effect. I’m still a viewer, but one with a more discerning hold over the remote control, and I’ve no idea what’s happening in the Dales (Psst! Don’t tell anyone, but I do really). If my experience is anything to go by however; who knows, in the future I just might find I no longer need to pay the licence fee.
‘The Palace of Varieties,’ the late, great Dennis Potter once called it, ‘a window on the world.’ But these days that window can seem like so much double glazing. We don’t need television, it needs us; like a crutch, it’s useless without the injured party. And if we didn’t pay for it, they wouldn’t make it. Then again, I live on my own, and as many a solitary character
Now there’s a thought.
Leon Horton Leon has tried life without meat (Dec 2011 edition) and now TV. What next? Suggest a challenge by emailing leon@ communityindex.co.uk
view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk
6
Get your dancing shoes on for Chorlton’s Big Green Festival! The planning for this year's Chorlton's Big Green Festival is now in full swing and the first 'official' event of the year is just around the corner. Chorlton's Big Green Ceilidh will feature the fantastic Beech Band performing traditional folk tunes and keeping you entertained for the duration. Get your dancing shoes on and join us on for an evening of great music, some hearty pints of Guinness and help raise money for CBGF 2012. Chorlton's Big Green Ceilidh will take place on Saturday 11th February from 7.30pm at Chorlton Irish Club, 17 High Lane, Chorlton M21 9DJ. Due to the popularity of last year's Ceilidh, this year's event will be held in a larger room at the Irish Club which means even more room for your best Gay Gordon! Tickets are £5/£3 concessions and can be purchased at Hickson and Black's, Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton or online Come along and have lots of fun at
via the festival website (see below). There will be a limited number of tickets available on the door, on the night but based on last years turnout we would highly recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Chorlton's Big Green Festival is an annual celebration of sustainable living in Manchester which offers a vibrant mix of live music and performance, hands-on practical workshops, food and drink, arts and swaps, and much more. Best of all, entry to the festival is completely free! Chorlton's Big Green Festival 2012 will be held on Saturday 31st March at St Clements Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton, M21 9JF. More information about the event can be found on the Green Chorlton website: www.greenchorlton.org.uk @biggreenfest ChorltonBigGreenFestival
evolve joinery Wooden & UPVC windows Internal & external doors Engineered & solid wood floors
Fundraising Ceilidh!
Stud partition & plasterboard work
Saturday 11th February, 7.30pm At Chorlton Irish Club
Decking & fencing
Tickets £5 (£3 concessions) Buy your tickets from:
All aspects of internal joinery
High quality work for a competitive price
Keep the date free for this year’s main festival:
For a free quote contact Pete
Hickson & Black's Deli,
559A Barlow Moor Road
The Beech Inn, 72 Beech Road The Nook, 535 Wilbraham Road Online via www.greenchorlton.org.uk
“The World in Chorlton”
(booking fee applies)
Or in person from the festival organisers
Saturday 31st March 2012
07947 242 339 0161 427 9317 evolvejoinery@yahoo.com
Email tickets@greenchorlton.org.uk or visit www.greenchorlton.org.uk for more info.
view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk
7 Islay Spalding
Gabriella Casemore
Joanne Cox
Bring this advert and save
on all purchases
Handmade Jewellery and Crafts www.frannyandfiler.com shop@frannyandfiler.com 0161 881 4912 Frances Stunt
70 Beech Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9EG
Abby Filer
to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
8
A Day with Amir at Village Dry Cleaners A good dry cleaners makes it look easy to us customers but a good dry cleaners is not always easy to find. I assumed they have a magic machine which can restore my dress (which has had at least one good night out with perhaps a glass or two of merlot) to its former glory. I asked Amir, who owns Village Dry Cleaners in Chorlton, to explain the magic to me.
The story so far It started in autumn 1982 when Amir’s Parents decided to open a dry cleaners in Chorlton. He was 12 years old and by age 15 he was helping out with the business. “I used to stand by my dad and watch him as he explained about materials, the chemicals and how he identified stains and what to look for”. In the years since leaving school and college Amir worked as the manager and when his parents decided to retire in 2008 he took over the Village dry cleaners. “I decided to focus on and highlight what we are really good at – which is wedding gowns, vintage wear and silk care”. He has also invested in new technology which is at the forefront of the dry cleaning industry. This is not
only good at cleaning but is also environmentally friendly.
The secret behind the magic So I asked him what happens to my dress when I enter his shop. He explained his process: Firstly my dress is checked and logged into their computer with my unique ID; the garment is then checked for stains with Amir who then treats the stains. The process he uses for this is dependent on many different factors: firstly, he identifies the type of stain and, taking into account the type of material, decides which if any chemicals can be used. Chemicals alone will not remove stains, they need different elements to create the right chemical reaction required to lift and remove the stains - they are sonic, air, water and steam which are introduced to break down the stain. After this process it is put inside a dry cleaning machine. Now I saw this machine and it is very BIG, about 2 metres high and 3 meters long. The process takes about 75mins and involves the garments going on a cleaning dip cycle in solvent and then the drying process. Amir tells me his machine has a carbon recovery unit - this is the
environmentally friendly part of his machine. “This process filters off the majority of the solvent particles left in the drum of the machine after the dry cycle, before releasing the clean and dry clothes”. They have many special finishing tables with various pads and with the aid of steam, vacuum and air they create the magic of the perfect finish to make my dress look like new. “All items are constantly being checked and, if necessary, returned to be either re-cleaned or re-pressed so that every garment is perfect”.
What does the future hold for Village Dry Cleaners? Amir is always looking to the future and aims to make Village Dry Cleaners the best in the North West. His latest purchase is a new machine that kills bacteria and eliminates all odours. “This machine can remove smoke, including fire and flood damaged garments without using chemicals or water”. He will soon be investing in another dry cleaning machine for ‘F’ cleaning items. He is also starting a pick-up and delivery service in places of work with 2 visits per week. You don’t have to take my word for it, just look at the reviews to see how good Village Dry Cleaners are: www.qype.co.uk www.bview.co.uk www.villagedrycleaners.com If you get a chance you should check out his web site for some very handy hints on removing stains. He is also very happy to give advice and help to his customers in whatever way he can.
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VILLAGE DRY CLEANERS Specialist Dry Cleaners Est:Over 25 years Wedding Dress Specialist Established in 1982, a family run business where you can trust us when handling your garments... • Curtain Cleaning • Duvet Cleaning: Single £10 Double £15 • Ironing Services • Repairs & Alterations • Stain Removal • Same Day Service • Evening Dress & Wedding Dress Specialist
“What can I say about Village Dry Cleaners? Just excellent! Amir, who owns the business, goes above and beyond what is expected and I can whole heartedly recommend his services. I run a vintage inspired bridal boutique in the heart of West Didsbury. As we stock highend dresses with sometimes challenging silks and fabrics to clean, we’re always amazed at how Amir manages to spruce up our dresses. I recommend his services to all our brides. He’s truly excellent at what he does and is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to fabric – the best dry cleaners in the north, without a doubt!” Nikki Graeme Owner, The White Closet, Didsbury
LATE NIGHT OPENING
Pick-up & Delivery Service
Call: 0161 860 4451 or visit: www.villagedrycleaners.com
Special Offer
3 2 Garments Cleaned for the price of
OPEN
TIME
Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 8.30-5.30pm Thurs (late night)
8.30-7.00pm
Saturday
8.30-4.00pm
Thursdays till 7pm
38 Manchester Rd, Chorlton, M21 9PH
Tel: 0161 860 4451
Community Noticeboard 10
Clubs, Societies & Groups Acting For Fun Central Didsbury 431 4794 Didsbury Amateur Dramatics www.celestaplayers.co.uk Didsbury Cricket Club www.didsburyccsports. co.uk Didsbury Good Neighbours 07749 504298 www.didsburygood neighbours.com Manchester Flower Lovers’ Guild First Monday of the month for flower demosntations. Refreshmenst at 7.15 for 7.30 start. Visitors welcome £5 St Werburghs Church Hall, Chorlton M21 0TJ Anne 881 6591, collierann@btintnet.com flowersnorthwest.net Friends of Didsbury Park www.friendsofdidsbury park.co.uk
South Manchester Dance School 107 Clyde Road West Didsbury, 445 5308 West Didsbury Bookgroup Wed 8th Feb, Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallad Every four weeks at 7.30pm. Lively mixed group of all ages. Call 445 4483 leaving your name,address & landline
Health and Fitness Didsbury Sports Centre Manchester Metropolitan University, 247 2323 mmu.ac.uk/sport/ didsbury.php The Waterside Hotel & Galleon Leisure Club Wilmslow Road, 445 0225, www.watersidehotel. co.uk
Arts & Crafts The Classroom on School Lane Learn new a new craft. 24 School Lane www.classroomschool lane.com
Friends of Marie Louise Gardens www.marielouisegardens. org.uk
Manchester Mosaics creative and art historical workshops 07528 526798 www.gallery.me.com/ amandamccrann amandamccrann @mac.com
South Manchester Camera Club www.smcc.org.uk
Wendy Levy Art Gallery 17 Warburton Street Didsbury, 446 4880
Friends of Fletcher Moss Park Alan Hill 445 1535
Didsbury Over 50s Group 247 2323 South Manchester U3A Meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 2pm, Emmanuel Church. Contact Edna 434 2509
Music & Entertainment Didsbury Comedy Club 7pm Show 7:45pm Admission £6/£5 Didsbury Cricket Club, Wilmslow Rd, East Didsbury, M20 2ZY
Pub Quiz Dog and Partridge Every Monday 9.30 Cash Jackpot 667 Wilmslow Road Tel: 0871 951 1000
Environment on Call 954 9000
Stax of Soul Wednesdays 9.30PM—12 Thursdays DJ PIP ROLFE Eclectic mix of music, Upbeat funk & soul beats with resident djs lennon, colin & rolfe 5pm—1am One Lounge Bar 1 Lapwing lane qww.Oneloungebar.co.uk 448 0101
National Rail Enquiries nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50
Therapy at Sanctuary Bar Thursday night DJ 7–midnight every week. 653 Wilmslow Road
Social & Support Groups Didsbury Village East Residents Association www.dvera.co.uk Didsbury Village Women’s Institute www.didsburyvillagewi. co.uk Didsbury Social Group didsburysocial@live.co.uk www.didsburysocial. jigsy.com New Family Social UK charity for LGBT adopters, foster carers and their children. Meets every two months in south Manchester. newfamilysocial.co.uk email: nwdevelopment@ newfamilysocial.co.uk West Didsbury Residents Association Pam Siddons 445 5406 www.westdidsbury.org.uk
Useful Numbers Didsbury Library 227 3755
email your listings to rebecca@communityindex.co.uk
Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100
NHS Direct 0845 46 47 nhsdirect.nhs.uk Manchester City Council 234 5000 www.manchester.gov.uk Police – non emergency 872 5050 Samaritans 236 8000 samaritans.org
East Didsbury Councillors Andrew Simcock cllr.a.simcock@ manchester.gov.uk Andrew Taylor cllr.a.taylor@manchester. gov.uk David Sandiford cllr.d.sandiford@ manchester.gov.uk
West Didsbury Councillors Mark Clayton cllr.m.clayton@ manchester.gov.uk Graham Shaw cllr.g.shaw@manchester. gov.uk David Ellison cllr.d.ellison@manchester. gov.uk
Listings are FREE for charities, churches, social and non-profit community groups.
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Domestic & Commercial Electricians
Blocked Gutters?
• No call out charge • Free estimates • Fully guaranteed
Gutters Cleared & Repaired
881 8162
For all general electrical work
www.chorltonelectric.co.uk
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South Manchester U3A University of the Third Age The University of the Third Age is a unique and exciting self help educational movement for people no longer in full time employment. It is a learning cooperative of older people which enables members to share many educational, creative and leisure group activities and to form new friendships. We meet at Emmanuel Church Didsbury on the first Tuesday of each month at 2pm
Contact Edna for details on
0161 434 2509 ednahills@dsl.pipex.com
Tel: 07936 884644 didsburywindows.com
Acorn
CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICES
Call John 0161 445 3650
NACS member
open fires, boilers Agas, multi-fuel stoves, birds nests removed www.acornchimneysweepingservices.co.uk
The Didsbury Handyman City & Guilds multi skilled Tradesman
Carpentry • Joinery • Electrical • Plumbing Kitchens • Fencing • Built in Furniture • Decks Gates • Shelves • Locks • Hardware
call Nick
0777 852 3088
Domestic & Commercial Small works always welcome
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Public Liability Insurance Environmentally Aware
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Love your Didsbury
Independents Love your Didsbury independents this month, save a fortune and support local charities when you buy a Tag card. Offer coming soon! Check in store for details
20% off 1st order & 10% off subsequent orders
10% off spends over £20
Thanks to local residents TAG! has also been used last year to help support local groups and charities such as Francis House, Didsbury Festival, Didsbury Arts Festival and Cavendish Rd Primary. If you wish to buy a new TAG! card and support these groups please put them as the referrer when you buy online at www. tagpassiton.com. We hope to raise £2000 for good causes this way.
FREE one month’s membership
There are now around 60 fabulous Chorlton independents who have joined the TAG! Didsbury Community Loyalty card scheme. This sort of fundraising is only possible because of their generosity. All have made a generous offer for any TAG! cardholder to enjoy, so there are huge savings to be made when you shop locally and independently.
10% off spends over £20
Thank you for your support!
Congratulations to new TAG! card registered holder A Latch who was the lucky winner in our Xmas draw.
www.tagpassiton.com
20% off solutions focused counselling
Didsbury’s finest pick-up & delivery service
Advert kindly sponsored by Amir at Village Dry Cleaners
10% off Dry Cleaning
(excludes pick up & delivery charges)
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CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS • • • • • •
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We are a local company based in Chorlton Fully trained to NCCA standards Ring or email for a FREE ESTIMATE
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or leave a message on 0161 881 4822 contact@pro-fresh.co.uk www.pro-fresh.co.uk
YOUR BUSINESS HERE affordable, effective
LOCAL
advertising call us today and get your business noticed
TEL: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
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WANTED! … Didsbury Gardens with a Twist Planning is already underway for this year’s charity Didsbury Open Gardens event which takes place on Sunday, 17th June. More than 20 gardens are expected to open their gates to the public in aid of charity and the organizers are already looking for new gardens for this year’s event. The gardens can be large or small, contemporary or traditional… maybe with a bit of a twist? More than 1,000 people bought programmes last year raising over £5,000 for charities and the day was a great success despite the rain!
Photographs © Jo Kaberry
So if you are a keen gardener and looking for a chance to show
off your hard work this summer, why not get in touch with Maria Stripling on 07501 465510 or email info@didsburyopengardens.org Speaking about the 2012 event, Maria said “ The event will not be taking place in 2013 to give the garden hosts a rest and so this year is special. Those who don’t get involved this year will also have to wait for two years, which could be a missed opportunity to be part of a lovely community charity event.” Programmes go on sale mid May from local shops. www.didsburyopengardens.org
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Located in the heart of Chorlton, Craftelicious is a home to creating, eating and having lots of fun for all ages. Inspired by their own children’s craftiness, the husband and wife team opened the doors in July 2011 and have had such a positive response they now have even more exciting plans for the Craft Café.
It’s not all about craft though, Craftelicious have just launched their creperie menu which is the perfect accompaniment to their freshly ground coffee, loose-leaf tea and delicious handmade cakes. Whether crafting or not and wanting a tasty bite or in need of a laid back delicious crafternoon, there is something for everyone!
With activities ranging from ceramic painting, decopatch and now mosaic making available on a drop-in basis, along with more structured workshops for both children and adults. You cannot help but have fun, either in the Café or The Studio.
The family run business welcomes everyone with a warm smile with a passion for all things crafty, making themselves available to demonstrate activities for first-timers or share tips to ensure a rewarding experience.
The adult workshops last season included making a cushion cover, a fabric journal and textile jewellery making delivered by Craftelicious’ in house artist Maud Telastuo. Looking ahead to 2012 there are already a long list of activities planned, with all times and dates announced on the Craftelicious website. There will be some “Heart Crafts” taking place in February and “Mum and Me” workshops planned in March. Book a place on any of the workshops by the end of February and receive a 10% discount.
Here’s a flavour of the comments left in the feedback book:
Crafty tots, where things can get messy with different activity each week (Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10–11.30am) is aimed at pre-schoolers and makes a much anticipated return to The Studio in January. However, the biggest success so far has to be the parties; which are not just for children! Craftelicious have hosted baby showers (where guests make something for the baby (or baby’s room), hen-do’s (where all the guests have made decorations, keepsakes or favours for the big day) as well as those very popular work night out and team building activities. The feedback has been exceptionally positive with some groups returning several times.
“I really enjoyed coming here as a Birthday present…BRILLIANT service, food, art. Love it!” “The kids had great fun – nearly as much as the adults!! Will definitely be back.” Why not pop in and decide for yourselves?
A home to creating, eating and fun for all ages!
• Pottery Painting • Parties, Hen Do’s, Baby Showers • Crepes & Luxury Cakes
• Decopatch • Team Building • Freshly Ground Coffee & Loose Leaf Teas
Tel: 0161 860 4814 info@crafteliciousuk.com www.crafteliciousuk.com twitter @CraftyTea Facebook.com/Craftelicious.UK
127 Oswald Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9GE
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Charles Dickens the Bi-centenary Didsbury Village Bookshop
The bi-centenary of Dickens birth provides an opportunity to reflect on his achievement. He published over 40 books, many starting in serialised, weekly form. Although I come late to his work I have become a strong admirer. To read Dickens is to become immersed in more than ‘just’ a novel - it is a parade through our history. Without doubt, the whole of 19th Century human experiences are presented. We learn to comprehend poverty in Hard Times, personal biography, child maltreatment and family relationships in David Copperfield, repression and Anglo/French relationships in a Tale of Two Cities and the full range of loyalties and betrayal in Great Expectations. Whichever novel is selected we
are almost whisked into another time - I say ‘almost’ because everywhere there are echoes of contemporary social concerns. Thus homelessness, prostitution, exploitation of the poor, inter and intra family relationships are all explored, and in sequence, parade before us. Grief, loss, betrayal, dishonesty, greed are each explored. All human life is here. Dickens expresses strong social criticism; recognises the despair of the poor and disdain of the well to do. Child exploitation, child marriages, sickness anguish and other social ills are presented. The legal system and capital punishment often eviscerated. His profound social and psychological insights are universal, and it is this universality which is his legacy and appeal. Characters journey
from childhood to adulthood and through this the reader understands their choices and emotions. And throughout, such beautiful prose, ‘and there my sister was laid quietly in the earth, while the larks sang high above it, and the light wind strewed it with beautiful shadows of clouds and trees’ (Great Expectations) Dickens Christmas Carol began many of our traditions, for example, eating turkey instead of goose. Thus the Christmas we celebrate owes much to his imaginary as does ‘The New Year, the New Year, everywhere the New Year! The old year was already looked on as dead, its effects were selling cheap, like a drowned mariner’s abroad ship! (The Chimes) How graphic!
to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
February in your Garden In the bleak months of winter, the garden seems to become a space outside the window that is rarely looked at let alone ventured into, which has lead me to think about what a ‘Winter Garden’ might look like and what type of plants could be used to produce something a bit more interesting than the usual hedge of evergreen shrubs. The concept of Winter Gardens has a particular history, peaking in the Nineteenth century with the Victorian obsession with ‘nature’ and ‘spectacle’ and the construction of huge steel and glass buildings reminiscent of Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace and rolled out along the (then) fashionable coast towns of Margate, Blackpool, Bournemouth etc. These buildings functioned in a variety of pleasure-giving
ways, but a central element was always the palm houses featuring the exotic horticultural spoils of the - arguably dubious - activity of plant hunting. Perhaps a lesser-known example of such a building was built in Old Trafford as part of the botanical gardens founded in the 1830’s, to provide recreation for the fashionable residents of Stretford. Apparently the gardens were sited in Old Trafford on the advice of scientist John Dalton, the southwesterly wind protecting the area from the city’s airborne pollution. The complex was demolished in the late 1980s, and all that remains is the entrance gates, close to what is now the White City Retail Park. It’s probably not going to be very easy to recreate the Victorian winter garden unless you happen
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by Katherine Watson to have a large conservatory and a porridge-pot purse, but here are some plants that can be used to sprinkle some frosty magic across the garden: evergreens with wintery interest include shrubs such as Rhododendron ‘Silver Edge’, Pieris ‘Flaming Silver’, Sarcococca confusa and herbaceous plants - Artemesia ‘Lambrook Silver’, Senecio cineraria ‘Silver Dust’ offset by the black grass Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’; wonderful white barked trees – Betula utilis jacquemontii ‘Grayswood Ghost’; and for comedy value the white winter stemmed bramble Rubus cockburnianus. Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs
Alexander Technique individual sessions, groups courses and workshops
Sue Fleming MSTAT www.alexanderteaching.co.uk ! 861 8848 mob 07796470163 The Burton Road Clinic Didsbury and Chequers Road Chorlton Pauline Leng
MSTAT
www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net
! 445 8530! mob 07821470349 The Didsbury Holistic Centre and Lidgate Grove Didsbury! !
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07989968841 www.fatgrass.co.uk
Food & Drink Index Cafe life
28 Greens 43 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 434 4259 greensdidsbury.co.uk
41 Piccolino 6 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 434 7524 piccolinorestaurants.co.uk
15 Bistro West 156 156 Burton Road M20 1LH, 445 1921
29 The Gurkha Grill 198 Burton Road M20 2LH, 445 5444 gurkhagrill.co.uk
42 Pinchjo’s 192 Burton Rd M20 1LH, 434 2020 pinchjos.co.uk
16 Cachumba Cafe 220 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 2479 cachumba.co.uk
30 GUSTO 765 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 445 8209 gustorestaurants.uk.com
4 Crazy Cow Cafe 837 Wilmslow Road M20 5WD, 215 0325
17 Cafe Rouge 653 Wilmslow Road Manchester, M20 6QZ 0161 438 0444
5 Folk Cafe Bar 169-171 Burton Road M20 2LN, 445 2912 www.folkcafebar.co.uk
18 Casa Tapas 704 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 448 2515 casatapas.co.uk/didsbury
31 The Jade Garden 743 Wilmslow Road M20 6RN, 448 2342 www.jadegarden didsbury.co.uk
43 Pomegranate 202 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 7171 pomegranate-restaurant. co.uk
1 Airy Fairy Cake Boutique 24 School Lane M20 6RG, 07791 850 641 airyfairycupcakes.co.uk 2 Alpine Tea Rooms Hollyhedge Road M22 4GP, 445 3679 3 The Art of Tea 47 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TW, 448 9323 theartoftea.co.uk
6 Refresh Catering Emporium 10 Whitechapel St M20 6UB, 434 8899 refreshce.co.uk
14 Azzurro Restaurant 242 Burton Road M20 2LW, 448 0099 www.azzurro restaurant.com
19 The Didsbury 852 Wilmslow Road M20 2SG, 445 5389
Specialist
20 The Dog and Partridge 667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 445 5322
7 The Artisan Meat Co 737 Wilmslow Rd M20 6WF, 445 5840
21 The Famous Crown 770 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 7085
8 Axons 5-7 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TN, 445 1795
22 Felicini Locanda 751 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 2055 www.felicini.co.uk
9 The Cheese Hamlet 706 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 434 4781 cheesehamlet.com 10 Evans Fish & Fruit Ltd 1 Barlow Moor Rd M20 6TN, 445 2404 evansofdidsbury.co.uk 11 Love2Eat 190 Burton Road M20 1LH, 434 7077 www.love-2eat.com 12 Thyme Out Delicatessen 147 Nell Lane M20 2LG, 434 8686 www.thymeoutdeli.co.uk
Restaurant/Bar 13 Albert’s 120-122 Barlow Moor Road M20 2PU, 434 8289
23 Fletcher Moss 1 William Street M20 6RQ, 438 0073 24 The Four in Hand 108 Palatine Road M20 3ZA, 448 9397 25 Gourmet Burger Kitchen 651 Wilmslow Road M20 6QZ, 448 7167 gbk.co.uk 26 The Great Kathmandu 140 Burton Road M20 1JQ, 445 2145 www.great kathmandu.co.uk 27 Green Tea Restaurant 222 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 5395 www.greenteadidsbury.com
32 Jem&i 1c School Lane M20 6RD, 0871 230 5026 jemandirestaurant.co.uk 33 The Laughing Buddha 782 Wilmslow Road M20 2DR, 434 7688 www.thelaughingbuddha didsbury.co.uk 34 The Lime Tree 8 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 1217 www.thelimetree restaurant.co.uk 35 The Metropolitan 2 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 438 2332 the-metropolitan.co.uk 36 O’Neills 665-667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 448 7941 oneills.co.uk/ oneillsdidsbury
44 The Railway 3 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 9839 45 The Royal Oak 729 Wilmslow Road M20 6WF, 445 3152 www.royaloakpub manchester.co.uk 46 Rhubarb Restaurant 167 Burton Road M20 2LN, 448 8887 www.rhubarb restaurant.co.uk 47 The Rose Garden 218 Burton Road M20 2LW, 478 0747 therosegardendidsbury.com 48 Saints and Scholars 694 Wilmslow Road M20 2DN, 448 2457 saintsandscholars.co.uk 49 The Sanctuary 653 Wilmlsow Road M20 6QZ, 445 9130 50 The Slug & Lettuce 651 Wilmslow Road M20 6QZ, 434 1011
37 The Nelson Inn 3 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TN, 434 5118
51 The Station 682 Wilmslow Road M20 2DN, 445 9761
38 The Original Third Eye 661 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 446 2300 originalthirdeye.com
52 La Tasca 10/12 Warburton Street M20 6WA, 438 0044 latasca.co.uk
39 One Lounge Bar 1 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 448 0101 oneloungebar.co.uk
53 The Woodstock 139 Barlow Moor Road M20 2DY, 448 7951 thewoodstockarms didsbury.co.uk
40 The Parrswood Hotel 356 Parrswood Road M20 6JD, 445 1783
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24 Four in Hand, 108 Palatine Rd
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4 Crazy Cow Cafe, 837 Wilmslow Rd 13 120-122 Barlow Moor Rd 19 The Didsbury, 852 Wilmslow Rd
Albert’s Restaurant & Bar,
O WILMSL
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Your business here? Call us on 0787 589 5604 for details
ELM GROVE
GE LN
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20
Sticky toffee pudding
Colin Bennett, Community volunteer, Action for Sustainable Living, www.afsl.org.uk
Serves 6 250g/9oz pitted prunes 250ml/approx ½ pint soya milk 100ml/1/5
pint water
120g/4oz soft brown sugar 120g/4oz margarine Pinch of nutmeg ½ tsp fresh ginger, grated (or ground ginger) ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda 200g/7oz self-raising flour
Toffee sauce 40g/1½oz margarine
3. Beat the sugar into the margarine until it makes a smooth mix. Stir in the prune mixture. 4. Mix the spices and bicarb into the flour, then fold this into the margarine mix a bit at a time. Pour it into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes. 5. Meanwhile make the sauce. Melt the margarine over a low heat. Add the sugar, syrup and molasses. Once the sugar has dissolved (no graininess visible when you tip the pan from side to side) turn the heat up to a low simmer. 6. Keep simmering it until it’s getting quite thick, and the bubbles coming through it are going quite slowly – around 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the soya cream. 7. You can either pour all the sauce over the cake, or reserve some of it to spoon over when you serve.
40g/1½oz dark brown sugar 1 tbsp golden syrup 1 tbsp molasses (or treacle) 100ml/1/5 pint soya cream 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 5. Grease a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8’’) baking tin. 2. Chop the prunes, and put them in a pan with the soya milk and water. Simmer until the prunes are soft. Remove from heat and then set aside to cool a little.
Recipe reproduced from Didsbury Dinners: The Low-Carbon Community Cookbook, with kind permission from the editor Amanda Woodvine. Didsbury Dinners is an 80-page A4 glossy paperback packed full of recipes from local residents and groups. Buy your copy for just £6.99 from The Albert Club and Didsbury Civic Society. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards promoting local food sustainability. didsburydinners@yahoo.co.uk
21
H tSp t AUTHENTIC GERMAN CUISINE
“Ess Paradies”
SARAY
CAFÉ BAR AND RESTAURANT Taste of Anatolia We are pleased to offer you the very best of Turkish Cuisine, in our family run restaurant in Chorlton.
20% Discount on our TAKEAWAY MENU
BOOK NOW for Valentines Day Call 881 8292
Simpler tastes in life are the best. Good quality food served in a relaxed and welcoming family atmosphere, Hotspot is no ordinary restaurant! We serve authentic German cuisine, with an emphasis on Hessian and Bavarian cooking.
SPECIAL OFFER*
2 Courses for £7.50 or 3 Courses for £10.50
FREE BOTTLE OF
10% OFF* with your copy of Community Index
* Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Open for Lunch & Dinner Tue -Thu 12 - 3pm & 5pm - 9.30pm Fri 12 - 10pm Sun11am - 9pm Sat 12 - 10pm Mon Closed
Sit, Sip & Surf
*Offer applies to selected items; at least one course must be a starter or dessert
Sunday to Thursday with a 3 course meal for 2* *offer valid until 29th Feb 2012
HOUSE WINE
*Tue-Fri 12pm-3 pm and 5pm-7pm Sat 11am-2pm Sun 5pm- 8pm
excludes Tues 14th Feb
EVERY DAY 11.30am - 6.30pm
2 courses ONLY £9.95 3 courses ONLY £11.95
Free Wi-Fi 12- 3pm
372 Barlow Moor Rd • Chorlton Manchester • M21 8AZ • Tel: 0161 881 6881
609 Wilbraham Road • Chorlton • M21 9AN www.saraycafebar.co.uk
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0161 881 8292
21 21
2222
17 19
Barbakan Delicatessen NEW OPENING TIMES From Monday 2nd January 2012
Monday
8am - 5.30pm
Tuesday
8am - 5.30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5.30pm
Thursday
8am - 5.30pm
Friday
8am - 5.30pm
Saturday
8am - 5.30pm
CLOSED SUNDAYS 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 February 2012 *£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
23
Business Index Arts & Crafts
Please note: Community Index accepts no responsibility for transactions entered into or work undertaken by any of the businesses advertising in the Index or any loss, harm or damage arising from using any of the products & services listed.
Gardens
6 24
11
Therapy & Healing
11
AJR Therapy Alexander Technique
7 17
Didsbury Window Cleaning
11
15
Fat Grass Garden Design
17
Profresh
13
Ben
11
Didsbury Handyman
Carpet Cleaning Chimney Sweep Acorn Chimney Sweeping Service
Dry Cleaners
Village Dry Cleaners
Electrician
9
Chorlton Electric
11
JP & Brimelow
24
Barbakan Delicatessen Hotspot Saray
22 21 21
Estate Agent
Food & Drink
Furniture & Joinery Evolve Joinery
6
Gutters
Handyman Homes & Interiors Kingston Beds & Sofas
2
Franny & Filer
7
Adrian Allan
5
Jewellery & Gifts Music
Painting & Decorating Georgina Cullen
17
M Duffin
23
Roofer
Shopping Tagpassiton Didsbury
Social & Events Big Green Festival Ceilidh Social Circle
Craftelicious
Window Cleaner
12
M Duffin Property Repairs Chimneys Pointing Roofs Gutters
Free Estimates
0161 789 6640 07944 729 608
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