Didsbury Community Index June 2012 by Community Index

Didsbury

index

community

June 2012

view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk delivered FREE to Didsbury homes

Alexander Technique

time out therapy suzie exley ITEC Dip., IHA

individual sessions, groups courses and workshops

t.07970 011 820

stop smoking Sue Fleming MSTAT www.alexanderteaching.co.uk ☎ 861 8848 mob 07796470163 The Burton Road Clinic Didsbury and Chequers Road Chorlton Pauline Leng

wind down time

managing stress

anxiety MSTAT

www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net

☎ 445 8530 mob 07821470349 The Didsbury Holistic Centre and Lidgate Grove Didsbury

weight loss

why not take some

breaking old habits

time out? insomnia

£5 off

aches & pains

weekday treatments at Haven (valid until end Aug 2012, on first visit) Mobile

suzie@timeouttherapy.co.uk info@devrod.co.uk 07875 360 368 www.timeouttherapy.co.uk

please mention community index responding to adverts to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604when lesley@communityindex.co.uk

Contents 4. Didsbury Festival

7. Community Index 8. Making Wood Work 11. Tag News 14. When a Doodlebug Fell on Didsbury 15. Food and Drink Index 16. Crazy Hanging Planter 17. June in Your Garden 18. Why Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I Get With IT? 20. The Suburban Cooking Collective

Community

I NDEX PUBLISHER

Community Index

EDITOR/ADVERTISING Lesley Swann

SUB-EDITOR/WEBSITE

Liv

Sam Paechter

CONTRIBUTIONS entertainment

Jean Bridson, Graham Pythian, Tree Station, Carol Thompson, Danielle Lowy, Katherine Watson, Leon Horton, Gez Devney refreshments

e oc

COVER PHOTOGRAPH Rebecca Parsons Dogshow

www.rebeccaparsonsphotography.co.uk

DEADLINE FOR THE JULY EDITION 15th June 2012

Funfair

Didsbury Festival Saturday16th June 11am - 4pm Although this year we are celebrating 33 years of Didsbury Festival, I don’t think that anyone can accuse it of being stuck in a time-warp! Over the years we have introduced many new ideas and this year is no exception. For some time we have wished that we could add to the Festival atmosphere by decorating Didsbury Village with bunting. Now, with the generous support of the shops and businesses in

Didsbury, that dream has become a reality. The flags and bunting will be seen in the Village for four weeks from the end of May to mark the Diamond Jubilee, the Festival and Didsbury Open Gardens. We know it will help to create a great community pride and spirit along with a sense of fun and well-being, which will continue over many more years. And to add to the colour will be our new vibrant

posters and banners specially designed for us by Richard Ball. The festival team also works on the understanding that if it isn’t broken it doesn’t need mending and, as always, the event kicks off with the ever popular procession which leaves St Catherine’s School at 11 o’clock en route to the Park. Watch out for royalty and Olympians! Jean Bridson

Didsbury Open Gardens Sunday, 17 June, 2012 12.00-5.30pm

25 gardens, willow sculpture, live jazz, woodcarving raffle, tea & cakes……. Programme £5.00 admits one person (under 12s free). Available from 7 May at The Cheese Hamlet (Didsbury Village) & Inmans Newsagents (Lapwing Lane, Didsbury) All proceeds to charity. www.didsburyopengardens.org

view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk

21 21

5 17 19

Barbakan Delicatessen OPENING TIMES

Monday

8am - 5.30pm

Tuesday

8am - 5.30pm

Wednesday

8am - 5.30pm

Thursday

8am - 5.30pm

Friday

8am - 5.30pm

Saturday

8.30 - 5.00pm

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

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with this voucher in June 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

CHESHIREGATE PROPERTY SERVICES ef

or e

COMPLETE BUILDING SERVICE INCUDES:

• • • • • • • • •

Loft Conversions Extensions Cellar Conversions New Build Commercial & Domestic Refurbishment, including full re-wire & central heating systems Bathrooms & Kitchens supplied & fitted Insurance Backed Guarantee if required Plans, Planning Permission & Building Regs

Call John or Steve on: 0161 300 2503 cheshiregate@gmail.com

07796 104 492

www.cheshiregatepropertyservices.co.uk

Blocked Gutters? Gutters Cleared & Repaired

Call Ben Tel: 07936 884644

read the latest edition online at www.communityindex.co.uk

Community Community Noticeboard 10

Events in June

Didsbury Festival Saturday 16th June 11-4pm Didsbury Park Didsbury Open Gardens Sunday 17th June 12-5.30pm Programmes £5 23 gardens www. didsburyopengardens.org

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 Dinners http://didsburydinners. wordpress.com For general enquiries/ Community growing group: didsburydinners@ yahoo.co.uk Community cooking group: community. cooking@yahoo.co.uk Didsbury Good Neighbours Every Tuesday, 1011.45am coffee morning. Didsbury Sure Start Centre, Didsbury Park 07749 504298 www.didsburygood neighbours.com Didsbury Village East Residents Association www.dvera.co.uk Didsbury Village Women’s Institute www.didsburyvillagewi. co.uk Manchester Flower Lovers’ Guild First Monday of the month for flower

demonstrations. Refreshments 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 Friends of Fletcher Moss Park Alan Hill 445 1535 Friends of Marie Louise Gardens www.marielouisegardens. org.uk South Manchester Camera Club www.smcc.org.uk Didsbury Over 50s Group 247 2323 South Manchester U3A Meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 2pm, Emmanuel Church. Contact Edna 434 250 South Manchester Dance School 107 Clyde Road West Didsbury, 445 5308

West Didsbury Bookgroup Meets every four weeks at 7.30pm. Lively mixed group of all ages. Call 445 4483 leaving your name, address & landline West Didsbury Residents Association Pam Siddons 445 5406 www.westdidsbury.org.uk

Arts & Crafts The Classroom on School Lane Learn new a new craft 24 School Lane www.classroomschool lane.com

Wendy Levy Art Gallery 17 Warburton Street Didsbury, 446 4880

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 Stax of Soul Wednesdays 9.30pm-12 Thursdays DJ Pip Rolfe Weekend warm up till 1am One Lounge Bar 1 Lapwing lane www.oneloungebar.co.uk 448 0101 Therapy at Sanctuary Bar Thursday night DJ 7–midnight every week. 653 Wilmslow Road

Social & Support Groups 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

Useful Numbers Didsbury Library 227 3755

email your listings to lesley@communityindex.co.uk

I N D E X Environment on Call 954 9000 Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100 National Rail Enquiries nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50 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.

Please get in touch if you’d like to be included.

Making Wood Work An exciting new project is being set up in Manchester to make the most of wood that is a by-product of park management and 8 recreational woodlands in the area. Greater Manchester TreeStation is the brainchild of local tree surgeon Phil Benn who has been doing treework in the local area for many years. Phil said: “It seemed crazy that getting rid of wood was a problem for most tree surgeons. It was just being thrown away or used as mulch, and it is potentially so much more useful.”

Wood is Amazing Trees are beautiful. They purify the air, nourish the soil and help prevent erosion. Trees have always been central to human life and culture. Wood from local trees must form a part of the kind of locally based economy that we need if we are to live sustainably. It is madness to import wood from Lithuania or Columbia to burn or to make into furniture, when we have not made proper use of the trees on our own doorstep.

Greater Manchester TreeStation

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The idea is to collect wood from local tree surgeons and from woodland management activities of local councils, and use it to give the maximum benefit. Larger trunks are cut into planks and sold to local joiners. Other wood (mainly from native hardwood species) is made into logs for burning in stoves, whilst lower grade wood (conifer, willow and poplar) is made into woodchip for biomass boilers. The TreeStation is a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Gorton and is constituted as a Society for the Benefit of the Community.

This government grant scheme pays businesses (from now) and individuals (from Oct 2012) to burn renewable fuels in biomass boilers, which can be installed instead of the normal gas boiler and can heat the whole house and the hot water. Local firewood can be used to fire your RHIsubsidised boiler. The TreeStation also makes woodchip for large institutional biomass boilers, using byproduct wood and where necessary softwoods bought from local commercial forests.

Burn Local and Clean Burning wood makes sense if the wood is local and you burn it efficiently. The TreeStation sources timber from gardens, parks, and local amenity woodlands. And if you use a DEFRA approved stove then you get about 80% of the energy into your room, compared to 20% for an open fire. Approved stoves burn clean, producing very little ash or smoke, making them suitable for smoke-free zones.

Beautiful Furniture You don’t need to damage rainforests if you want a fabulous hardwood kitchen table. Traditional British hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech are all plentifully available from the TreeStation – and it couldn’t be more local. Further information about the TreeStation can be found at www.treestation.co.uk or by emailing info@treestation.co.uk. The TreeStation is also currently seeking funding from customers and supporters, via a community share issue. Please support your local TreeStation!

Local Ethical Firewood & Tree Work We use the timber produced during the maintenance of local parks, gardens and woodlands to make firewood, timber for joinery and biomass woodchip. Our firewood is made from native hardwood species, and is air dried to a moisture content of less than 25%. Find out more about us on the adjacent page. Firewood prices, including free local delivery: 1 Cubic Metre for £100 | 2 for £190 | 3 for £270 We also offer a full range of tree services including consultancy, please contact us for a quote/info.

Community Share Offer Wood is an amazing material and if properly managed is a genuinely renewable resource. A local, wood-based economy can, and must, play a vital role in the transition to an ethical and sustainable world. Do you share our vision? Then become part of it by buying shares in our community enterprise! Get more information at www.treestation.co.uk/invest. Our aim – to raise £100,000 by October 2012 for: » More machinery for wood processing and environmentally sensitive woodland management » More stock so that we have the capacity to tender for large biomass woodchip contracts » Marketing and project development You get: » Membership including full voting rights » Interest on your investment (expected to be 4%) » Discount scheme » Shares repaid on request, subject to board approval

www.treestation.co.uk — 0161 231 3333 Greater Manchester TreeStation Ltd - info@treestation.co.uk Registered number 31552R

Karen O’Keeffe

GARDEN DESIGN Professional design service to suit your needs and budget For information or to make an appointment tel : 07949 368 308 www.manchestergardendesign.co.uk

DIDSBURY

WINDOW CLEANING houses • shops • flats • offices

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

Mobile

07875 360 368

info@devrod.co.uk

to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk

TAG Competition - Make a Didsbury Bag

Upcycle a shopping bag and make it into your own special Didsbury shopping bag.

Decorate your bag with images/ logos/ symbols of things that make Didsbury special for you - they need to be securely attached with stitches etc so they don’t fall off when out shopping!

(Upcycling is the art of reusing unwanted items by converting them into something better!)

Be as creative as you like and maybe recycle some buttons, material, ribbons etc.

Attach a label to your finished bag with your name (with your age if under 18) and contact number.

The theme is shop local and independent with TAG!

How to enter

If you don’t have a bag to upcycle, while stock lasts, J& P Brimelow have ‘I love M20 bags’ which they would be more than happy for you to use. If you do use one of these bags for your competition entry please leave all J & P Brimelow images and text on one side of your bag visible. You can call into their Didsbury office in the Village to pick one up.

Prize Afternoon Tea for 2 at Airy Fairy Cake Boutique (over 18’s ) £20.00 TAG! Vouchers (12- 18’s) £20.00 TAG! Vouchers (11 and under) A big TAG! thank you to our kind sponsors:

Take it into Rumpus Toy Shop on Albert Hill Street (opposite the Post Office) during the month of June so it can go on display. All bags will be available for collection after judging on 1st July.

United Utilities, Community Index, Bezinga Print, Rumpus Toys, Harriet & Dee, Moor Allerton School, Manchester Bridge Club, J P Brimelow, Stagecoach, Mailboxes Etc & Printing.com TAG! Vouchers can be spent at any shop/business in the TAG! Pass It On Didsbury scheme.

www.tagpassiton.com

karl hutton

bespoke joinery ltd handmade furniture in solid wood

Community

h f i

specialist in:

• fitted shelving

•

• bookcases

•

• libraries

•

• studies

•

• alcove cupboards

•

• hand built kitchens

•

• loft conversions

•

I NDEX

07989 891581

0161 860 4848

www.karlhutton.co.uk please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

Have you got a special gift to buy for a christening, a wedding or birthday? Discover our lovely shops on the cobbled street in Didsbury... 8 and 9 Warburton Street Didsbury 0161 438 2500 Car Parking Available Wilmslow Rd

Barlow Moor Rd

Harriet & Dee School Lane

Buy any Nomination link and receive a Free Bracelet

Name.................................................................................................................... Address..............................................................................................................

E-mail................................................................................................................... Valid until 23rd June 2012 with completed Voucher. 1 per customer

When a Doodlebug Fell on Didsbury Graham Pythian

Christmas Eve, 1944: the Second World War in Europe, everyone seemed to agree, was dragging towards an Allied victory, despite the stubborn German resistance since the D-Day landings. In England, the black-out regulations had ceased the previous September. Manchester had not suffered seriously from air-raids since the 'Christmas blitz' of 1940. Despite rationing and other wartime hardships, the general mood was one of cautious optimism and anticipation of the seasonal festivities. Yet, between 5 and 6am on December 24th, two whole squadrons of Luftwaffe bombers – a fleet of over 50 planes – had taken off from bases in Holland and were making their way under cover of darkness for the North of England. Moreover, their cargo wasn’t the ordinary bomb quota. Carried beneath the starboard wing of each aeroplane was a V1: the terrifying doodlebug, Hitler’s revenge weapon flying bomb that

had already wreaked havoc in London and the Home Counties. No, this isn’t fiction. The air-launched flying bomb attacks of that Christmas Eve claimed 42 lives – mostly civilian – across the North. 31 successful strikes were recorded: from Chester and Turton in the west to Hull in the east, and from Co. Durham in the north to Macclesfield Forest in the south. And one of the bombs fell on Didsbury. It was around 5-30 a.m. Released from its parent Heinkel aircraft north of Stockport, the V1 began its descent over Cheadle, heading westwards directly for the densely populated residential area of Sharston, Wythenshawe. A local man, Mr. R. Heywood, reported hearing the “dull, pulsating roar” that “seemed to shake the bed”. Fortunately for Mr. Heywood and the rest of the population of Sharston, when the V1’s engine cut out the flying bomb took a turn to the right, heading north

over Gatley. It then initiated a steep dive towards East Didsbury, crossing the River Mersey due south of what used to be Underbank Farm at the end of Millgate Lane, and where the Old Bedians rugby club headquarters are now. 50 yards north of the river it hit the ground, detonating relatively harmlessly in a field of Brussels sprouts. The impact of the blast was nonetheless considerable: broken house windows were reported as far away as Fog Lane, Burnage, School Lane, Didsbury, and Altrincham Road, Northenden. Nowadays there is no sign of the crater. There is an electricity pylon close to what was the bomb site. The immediate area now serves as playing fields. Mercifully, when the bomb exploded in Didsbury in that early morning darkness, there were no casualties. Perhaps the only adverse effect – apart from the broken windows – was a slight restriction in the choice of vegetables for the locals’ Christmas dinner. Graham’s book on local history South Manchester Remembered published by The History Press, is out now, available at all good bookshops.

Food & Drink

Cafe Airy Fairy Cake Boutique 24 School Lane M20 6RG 07791 850 641 Alpine Tea Rooms Fletcher Moss Gardens M20 2SW 445 3679

Casa Tapas 704 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 448 2515 The Didsbury 852 Wilmslow Road M20 2SG, 445 5389 The Dog and Partridge 667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 445 5322

The Art of Tea 47 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TW, 448 9323

The Famous Crown 770 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 7085

Crazy Cow Cafe 837 Wilmslow Road M20 5WD, 215 0325

Felicini Locanda 751 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 2055

Folk Cafe Bar 169-171 Burton Road M20 2LN, 445 2912 efresh Catering Emporium R 10 Whitechapel St M20 6UB, 434 8899

Specialist The Artisan Meat Co 737 Wilmslow Rd M20 6WF, 445 5840

Fletcher Moss 1 William Street M20 6RQ, 438 0073 The Four in Hand 108 Palatine Road M20 3ZA, 448 9397 Gourmet Burger Kitchen 651 Wilmslow Road M20 6QZ, 448 7167

Axons 5-7 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TN, 445 1795

The Great Kathmandu 140 Burton Road M20 1JQ, 445 2145

The Cheese Hamlet 706 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 434 4781

Green Tea Restaurant 222 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 5395

Evans Fish & Fruit Ltd 1 Barlow Moor Rd M20 6TN, 445 2404

Greens 43 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 434 4259

Love2Eat 190 Burton Road M20 1LH, 434 7077 Thyme Out Delicatessen 147 Nell Lane M20 2LG, 434 8686

Restaurant/Bar Albert’s 120-122 Barlow Moor Road M20 2PU, 434 8289 Azzurro Restaurant 242 Burton Road M20 2LW, 448 0099 Bistro West 156 156 Burton Road M20 1LH, 445 1921 Cachumba Cafe 220 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 2479

The Gurkha Grill 198 Burton Road M20 2LH, 445 5444 GUSTO 765 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 445 8209 he Jade Garden T 743 Wilmslow Road M20 6RN, 448 2342 Jem&i 1c School Lane M20 6RD, 0871 230 5026 The Laughing Buddha 782 Wilmslow Road M20 2DR, 434 7688 The Lime Tree 8 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 1217 The Metropolitan 2 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 438 2332

Namaste Nepal 164-166 Burton Road M20 1LH 0161 445 9060 or 0161 448 8353 www. namaste-nepal.co.uk O’Neills 665-667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 448 7941 The Nelson Inn 3 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TN, 434 5118 he Original Third Eye T 661 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 446 2300 ne Lounge Bar O 1 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 448 0101 The Parrswood Hotel 356 Parrswood Road M20 6JD, 445 1783 Piccolino 6 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 434 7524 Pinchjo’s 192 Burton Rd M20 1LH, 434 2020 Pomegranate 202 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 7171 The Railway 3 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 9839 The Royal Oak 729 Wilmslow Road M20 6WF, 445 3152 Rhubarb Restaurant 167 Burton Road M20 2LN, 448 8887 The Rose Garden 218 Burton Road M20 2LW, 478 0747 Saints and Scholars 694 Wilmslow Road M20 2DN, 448 2457 The Sanctuary 653 Wilmlsow Road M20 6QZ, 445 9130 The Slug & Lettuce 651 Wilmslow Road M20 6QZ The Station 682 Wilmslow Road M20 2DN, 445 9761

I N DE X La Tasca 10/12 Warburton Street M20 6WA, 438 0044 The Woodstock 139 Barlow Moor Road M20 2DY, 448 7951

Catering Little Bird Catering 07531 777 588 robyn@littlebirdcatering. co.uk

Eat local and independent with your TAG! card. For all offers checkout www.tagpassiton.com

Crazy Hanging Planter Danielle from Rubbish Revamped shows you how to transform a used milk bottle and spare buttons into a funky hanging planter. How crazy can you make yours look? You will need: A 1 litre plastic milk bottle Scissors Craft knife Hole punch Fishing line (2 x 60cm) 80cm string Googly eyes Buttons (or beads from broken jewellery) Glue or double sided sticky tape Newspaper Plant (flower or herb) Compost Optional: indelible felt pens, waterproof stickers

4. Now decorate the ‘head’. Add googly eyes or buttons using PVA glue or double sided sticky tape. String buttons and beads through the fishing line and knot them to keep them in place.

Here’s some more ideas for turning unused items into fun and attractive planters.

1. Cut bottom off bottle

2. Make some slits for drainage in the lid and replace on bottle

3. Punch two holes on both sides of the rim. Feed 60cm of fishing line through the front holes on each side and tie a knot in the middle so you have two pieces of line about 30cm long.

5. Once the buttons are stuck dry, wrap the whole thing in newspaper to protect it. Part fill the bottle with compost and add the plant. Pack in extra compost as needed.

What have you got lying around the house that you could give a new life to as a planter? An old tin teapot and a leaking watering can? 6. Thread the hanging string through the two middle holes of the planter. Water, hang, admire.

Join a Rubbish Revamped craft workshop – find out what’s on at www.rubbishrevamped.org.uk Photos by Rebecca Parsons www. rebeccaparsonsphotography. co.uk

June in your Garden

by Katherine Watson In 1975 my dad built a then very fashionable rockery in our garden. I spent the next thirty or so years feeling mildly contemptuous towards its random rocks and gravely outcrops and certainly not in any way embracing of its many alpine delights. In the last few years however, I have noticeably thawed and on a recent trip to Holehird gardens near Windermere, the home of the Lakes Horticultural Society, positively swore that I would create a small alpine space in my own garden. Holehird has a number of National plant collections as well as a huge collection of alpines and extensive rock gardens all tumbling towards some magnificent views of Windermere with the peaks of the Lake District beyond. For years I had thought that alpines were fussy

beggers, disliking excess wet and needing to be cosseted during winter with little panels of glass over them and hot cocoa, but actually there are many varieties that will do well even in our ‘grim-up-north’ weather. The cobweb houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum) for example is always a favourite as are the miniature creeping stonecrops (Sedums). One of my favourites (and only because I once met a very forthright woman with a striking resemblance to Margaret Rutherford whose sister once had a national collection of them) are the many varieties of Saxifrages. Percy Thrower in a 1969 book ‘Everyday Gardening in Colour’ declares the three types of Saxifrages (Cushion, Encrusted and Mossy) as “the most important genera for the rock garden…” , each requiring slightly different methods of

cultivation. The Encrusted prefer sun, the Mossy shade and the Cushion somewhere in between. Other alpines you could try are the many varieties of Lewisia, Alchemilla alpina and Berberis stenophyla. In nearly all cases, alpines like a really well drained soil, preferably mixed with gravel, and a fairly sheltered position. So if you have a few spare pots and a bag of gravel, you too could do as most of us end up doing post 40, stepping straight into the slip-on overshoes of our forebears and recreate a little corner of 70’s heaven, you’ll be surprised at how addictive it becomes… Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs

Garden Design Planting Advice Consultation Service Project Managment

07989968841 www.fatgrass.co.uk

0781 0147 070 info@greendesigns.eu

www.greendesigns.eu

• professional garden design • full construction service • planting • driveway • tree surgery • fencing & hedging • free initial consultation

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

Why can’t I get with IT? What is it with me and technology? It hates me; always has. Ever since I was knee-high to a Japanese instruction manual it’s been the bane of my life. I’ve had tape recorders that didn’t record, a black & white portable with no picture (a bargain at just a tenner, according to my dad) and a mobile phone that made everyone sound like a duck. In these silicon days, anything with a chip in it - no doubt sensing its namesake on my shoulder - takes one look at me and backs away, hissing. I’m like one of those people who can’t wear digital watches, generating some weird magnetic field. Computers break down, music systems blow, televisions fizzle out ‘not with a bang, but a whimper.’ But I think I’ve nailed the reason early on: I’m not so much a Luddite, as the son of one. Not for our family the latest gadgets and gizmos. When my friends were getting exited over their top-loading video players back in the late-seventies, I was hoping for one of those TV games that went beep; while they cooing over their ZX Spectrums and Commodore 64s in the eighties, my sister and I were badgering our parents for a top-loading video player. The result? A man, born when menus and chips meant just that, fondly remembering the days when a good boot not a reboot was all it took to fix something. I can’t lay the blame wholesale with my folks, of course. Truth is, I left school just as computers were coming in the back door, and pretty much managed to ignore them until the mid-nineties. My first PC was already five-years-old and had a black & white screen (which I didn’t mind since I saw it as a glorified typewriter); my second, like most of my technology, was rescued from a skip. I may know my way around the word processor, but

to this day I still haven’t a clue what most of the other programs are for. But all that’s going to change, starting tomorrow. Well, maybe the day after. Because finally, after much procrastination, I’ve decided to join the 21st century. I’m going to ditch my state of the ark (Windows 2000BC) computer and get a laptop. I’m going to get with the program and learn all there is to know about IT. There’s help at hand in the local community and if, like me, you’re tired of being left on the shelf when it comes to computing and information technology, there are numerous options open to you. David at Bloom Learning (07871 686 683) offers computer lessons in your own home www. bloomlearning.co.uk. Chorlton Central Community Centre (0161 860 5921) on Barlow Moor Road offers short six-week courses in computing for beginners, office skills, and computing for the over 50s. Chorlton Park Adult Learning Centre (0161 254 7421) will start the new term in September with both accredited and non-accredited (life improving) computing and IT courses; and for those of you on flexi-time, Learn Direct (0161 860 6814) run many on-line courses from their drop-in centre on Wilbraham Road, including the European Computer Driving Licence or ECDL, an internationally recognised qualification. I like the idea of having a driving licence. Even if it doesn’t allow me on the roads. And who knows? If I get up to speed, maybe somewhere down the line I’ll get a surround sound high definition TV and network it to my wireless broadband laptop. The day they start appearing in skips...

ke t to make re life more Make life more colourful

New and internet with computer new computer skills skills can make life more colourful.

Save money, find love, make friends, be reunited, get organised, start campaigning, check facts, find bargains, book holidays, and much, much more.

Want to make your life more colourful? David 07871 686 683

Computer lessons in your own home, any time, atplan your convenience Computer lessons in your own home. We what (day, eve, weekend). plan what youyour wantown to learn andFriendly take it at your you want to learnWe and take it at pace. pace. Most people like11 anyears hour long lesson experience. and it only takes a few to get patient tutor with teaching you started. Learn on my computer or yours (if you have one). Friendly, patient, tutor with 11 years’ teaching experience.

David 07871 686 683 david@bloomlearning.co.uk david@bloomlearning.co.uk

Leon Horton

Make life more Handyman colourful The Didsbury with new computer City & Guilds skills multi skilled Tradesman

Computer lessons in your own home, any time, at your convenience (day, eve, weekend). We plan Carpentry • Joinery Electrical • Plumbing what you want to learn •and take it at your own Kitchens Fencing • Built in Furniture • Decks pace. Most• people like an hour long lesson and it only takes •aShelves few to get• your started. Learn on Gates Locks • Hardware my computer or yours (if you have one). Friendly patient tutor with 11 years teaching experience.

Want to make yourNick life more 0777 852 3088 call David 07871 686 683 colourful?

Public Liability Insurance Domestic & Commercial david@bloomlearning.co.uk Environmentally Aware Small works always welcome PTTLs qualified, CRB checked, chartered

to advertise 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk PTTLS qualified, CRB checked, chartered call Lesley: bloomlearning

CHESHIREGATE SOLAR PANELS

YOUR LOCAL SOLAR PV INSTALLER

Generate FREE electricity for life! Reduce your Energy Bills by up to 50% Reduce your carbon footprint

Call us now for a FREE quotation

0161 300 2503

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CHORLTON NURSERY

“Chorlton’s Horticultural Hidden Gem” A large selection of high quality plants available, including: • vegetable seedlings • herbs • fruit bushes & trees • herbaceous perennials • trees, shrubs & roses • climbers • bedding plants • ready made baskets & pots 18A Vicars Road, Chorlton (Entry via passageway) Opening times: 10am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday

www.chorltonnursery.com

GREEN ROOFING SPECIALIST sedum, wildflower and grass •PITCHED ROOFING - slate, clay & concrete tiles •E.P.D.M. flat roofing • Metal and U.P.V.C. guttering • Repairs & maintenence • Free quotes Call Jake Tidy 07775 038 905 • 0161 861 9796 208 Brantingham Rd•Chorlton•Manchester• M21 0TX www.eskroofing.com info@eskroofing.com please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

The Suburban Cooking Collective Not to be confused with the 90s techno/house band ‘Urban Cookie Collective’, Didsbury Dinners is recruiting for a band of eco-cooks to teach people how to bake their own environmentally sustainable batches of cookies (among other things). But we probably won’t encourage hoarding them in offices in town like the band of the same name might do. We plan to teach 100+ more people how to cook this year, and are aiming to recuit 12 community cookery champions to help us set sail towards our goal. Don’t miss this chance to tell other people what they should eat (tongue firmly in cheek, savouring the last mouthful of asparagus).

If you’d like to get involved, please complete our online survey at http://is.gd/3OFF8f, or drop us a line at community. cooking@yahoo.co.uk

Didsbury Digging Plenty of us in Didsbury live in flats, with no access to garden space for growing. While a lot can be grown on a windowsill, local allotment waiting lists follow the national trend of being long, leaving plenty of people looking for land to grow on. In July 2011, we used funding from Didsbury Dinners: The LowCarbon Community Cookbook to establish our first new community orchard on Stenner Lane in Didsbury. Five more

Gez Devney

community gardens/orchards are planned for 2012. We’ve already started to create a new community food garden on Barlow Moor Road in Didsbury, and have secured a Landshare plot near Fog Lane Park. We garden in Didsbury most Saturdays (12-4pm) and new volunteers are always welcome. It’s a great chance to meet lovely new people, get a bit of sun, and discover muscles (and skills) that you never knew you had! Read all about it at http:// didsburydinners.wordpress.com

Didsbury Dinners meets Stanley Kucumber The famous film director of such auteur classics as ‘Potato-eyes Wide Shut’, ‘Clockwork Oranges and Lemons’, and ‘2001: A Space Aubergine’ has some serious competition at the Cannes Canned Food/Film Festival next year. Didsbury Dinners has uploaded its own videos for your wonder and amazement at its new video channel http://vimeo. com/didsburydinners Obviously all our talent and footage is home-grown, just like our veg, so if you’d like a leading roll or sandwich in the future, please come down to our Didsbury community gardening Saturdays and we will be happy to shoot you! Not like that of course. Just email us at community.growing@yahoo.co.uk to sign up.

Creative Recycling Gallery One-Day Courses for June/July Sun 10th June Bead Making fashion jewellery/accessories • Sun 24th June Felting creating forms (hat/bag) • Sat 30th June Wedding Bouquet pressing plants to preserve • Sat 7th July Glass Fusing create small sample pieces • Sat 14th July Art Journaling collaging/painting/printing • Sun 15th July Rag Rugging for home furnishing • Sat 21st July Book Making designing cover & binding • Sat 28th July Creative Stitch creating cushions • Sun 29th July Drawing can’t draw/can draw

Evening Courses 4/11/18/25th July

Thinking of working in or moving to Spain? Spain holiday there? Or just enjoying a sunny holiday Spanish for beginners / elementary MORNING COURSE ONLY £65 6 WEEK COURSE £ 90 MORNINGS: 10 -11.30AM EVENINGS: 6-7.30PM / 7.30-9PM

Manchester

Hurry up! only 10 students per class

SPANISH COURSES Spanish Wednesdays @ AiryFairyCupcakes 24 School Lane, Didsbury, M20 6RG Starting Wednesday, 13th of June

@HolaManchester For more information and other levels:

Call 0757 7817 376 or email us at: holamanchester@hotmail.com www.holamanchester.wordpress.com

Wed 7-9pm Drawing can't draw/can draw 5/12/19/26th July Thur 7-9pm Book Making creating a bound Journal

Mornings special oﬀer £65! Returning students get 10% oﬀ!

Spanish Mondays available in Chorlton !!

www.creativerecycling.co.uk 40 Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EL

South Manchester

Leaflet Distribution

Spray Tanning

• Delivery to up to 60k addresses in South Manchester • Covering Chorlton, Whalley Range, Stretford, Urmston, Didsbury & Withington • Ex Royal Mail Manager • Reliable service • Competitive pricing helens cards2.indd 1

angel heights

Contact David 0161 881 9961 • 07948 002 036

Reach your potential

12/04/2012 10:2

Using Sienna X, it’s a favourite spray tan of countless celebrities and has been making the news all over the TV and in the Press.

To book your appointment call or text me on 07791 307067.

Helen Griffiths

davidroxburgh1@ntlworld.com follow us on twitter @communityindex helens cards2.indd 2

12/04/2012 10:2

14 22

M Duffin Property Repairs Chimneys Pointing Roofs Gutters Free Estimates

0161 789 6640 07944 729 608

Basement Conversions home office • gym • playroom • wine cellar • bathroom • wetroom

Roy Nesbitt 07921 710 563 Mob: 07921 710 563 Tel: 0161 300 0530

northwest

best ce ars basement conversions

www.bestcellarsnw.co.uk Best Cellars North West • Unit 128 • 792 Wilmslow Rd • Didsbury • Manchester • M20 6UG

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

Business I N D E X Arts & Crafts Creative Recycling Gallery

Best Cellars Cheshiregate Property Services Devine Building & Maintenance

22 6 2

Profresh

Acorn Chimney Sweeping Service

Bloom Learning

Devrod

Devine Floorsanding

Building & Maintenance

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS • • • • • •

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

Carpet Cleaner

Chimney Sweep Computer Tuition Drains Floors Food & Drink

Barbakan Delicatessen

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

Gardens

19 17 17 10

Chorlton Nursery Fat Grass Garden Design Green Designs Karen O’Keffe

Gifts

12-13

Harriet & Dee

Gutters Ben

Didsbury Handyman

Handyman Health & Beauty

Angel Heights Spray Tanning

Karl Hutton

South M/CR Leaflet Distribution

Joiner

Leaflet Distribution Painting & Decorating

6 6

Carol Smith Georgina Cullen

Roofer

Esk Roofing M Duffin

19 22

Solar Panels Cheshiregate Solar Panels

Hola Manchester

Spanish Course

Therapy & Healing

2 2

Alexander Technique Time Out Therapy

Tree Services Mobile Tree Station

07875 Cleaner 360 368 Window

info@devrod.co.uk

Didsbury Window Cleaning

to advertise in the next edition, call Lesley on 0787 589 5604