community
March 2014
Didsbury
View the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk
Delivered FREE to homes & businesses in Didsbury
House Extension Specialists
Architectural & Building Services in South Manchester
0161 431 3080
www.housx.com
info@housx.com
Welcome to the March edition of Community Index
Dear Readers, Welcome to another jam packed edition of Community Index where this month we meet Stitched Up, a not-forprofit social enterprise who are settling into their new premises in Chorlton. We’re also bringing you news on some great upcoming events in Didsbury along with our regular book reviews (p9), gardening tips (p18) and a story from our friendly local historian Andrew Simpson (p6). And if that’s not enough to sate your appetite you can find out how to get involved with community groups, clubs and societies in our namesake, the Community Index (p17).
Joe Beech, Editor
Joe Beech
Lesley Swann
Linsey Parkinson
Sam Paechter
Editor
Marketing & Development
Community Index T : 0787 589 5604
E: editor@communityindex.co.uk @communityindex www.communityindex.co.uk 149 Ayres Road, Manchester M16 9WR
Director
Accounts
Contents
Didsbury People 4 Didsbury Through Time 6 Save The Children 8 Book Reviews 9 Bathroom Angels 10 Stiched Up 12-13 Uncovering The Invisible 14 Southern Cemetery 15 Christ Church, West Didsbury 15 Community Index 17 March In Your Garden 18 Sport In Didsbury 19 Charity Craft Fair 20 Business Index 21
Pick up a copy of Community Index at
Didsbury Library, The Parsonage, Cafe Nero, Costa Coffee, Expo Lounge, Saints & Scholars, The Art Of Tea, Giddy Goat Toys, Harriet & Dee Cover Image Jon Paul Lees, for Stitched Up
Deadline for next edition 14th March, 2014
Contributors Deborah Grace
Andrew Simpson
Instituto Cervantes
Save The Children
Nola Chesworth
John Townsend
Stitched Up Katherine Watson
Bathroom Angels
Geoff Garnett
Didsbury People by Deborah Grace
Karen Merrick
Teaching assistant, Karen Merrick, talks about the life-saving campaign she has undertaken in memory of her son, Josh, who died in January last year.
What happened to Josh?
Josh was 19; fit, healthy and happy. He played for Burnage Rugby Club and was just starting out on his adult life. He wanted to join the Royal Navy to do engineering and had just passed his final fitness exam with flying colours. In January last year, he was working in Glasgow with his dad (Andy, an electrical engineer). That night he went to the gym, had a meal and went to his room at 11pm. In the morning we woke up and Josh was gone. We learned that he’d died of a sudden cardiac arrest but the cause of it, we’ll probably never know.
Tell me about the Josh Merrick Memorial Fund?
We set up the fund to support the work of CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), a charity that promotes cardiac health in young adults. Every week in the UK, at least 12 apparently healthy young people die suddenly of undiagnosed heart conditions. We’re raising money to support ECG screening for young people so that cardiac
4
problems can be picked up and treated. We’re holding our first mobile screening event on 25 March at Burnage Rugby Club where 100 young adults will be screened by the cardio team from CRY. Hopefully it will be the first of many, but I wanted the first one to be at Josh’s rugby club for his friends there.
When’s your next fundraiser?
We’re having a Pink Pig and Prosecco Spring Ball on May 16th at the Waterside Hotel, Didsbury. Pigs and Prosecco were two of Josh’s favourite things! We’re asking people to knit pigs for sale on the night to raise a bit more money, but the evening will also be about raising awareness. Before this happened to Josh, I thought that anyone suffering from a heart condition would have signs and symptoms, but they don’t.
What kind of person was Josh?
Josh was full of fun; he loved life, he loved people and they loved him. He had a great sense of humour. At a party people would make a beeline for him and say,
‘Josh, tell us one of your stories,’ and within minutes everyone would be in fits of laughter. He was kind, caring and had just turned into a lovely young man; a gentleman. When your child passes before you, your future’s taken away as well as theirs because they are your future. And I know Josh would have had an amazing future.
What effect has Josh’s death had you as a family?
None of us will ever be the same people again; our whole future is changed. From the moment we found out Josh had gone we were on a different path. You worry about your children all the time; about them being knocked down, being offered drugs. Not about going to bed and not waking up! This was never on the radar. As a family we’re very close and we’ve decided that life is too short not to appreciate each other. That’s a big thing.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Every little thing, every second, is special; Keir’s 18th, Maddie’s prom, even one of them scoring a try or a goal at football. Now I think, ‘I’ll just keep that!’ And my main priority now is that my children are happy.
Support Karen’s campaign at www.JoshMerrick.com
Local Ethical Tree Work
www.treestation.co.uk 0161 231 3333 Greater Manchester TreeStation Ltd - A Society for the Benefit of the Community committed to combatting climate change, FSA Mutuals registered number 31552R
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
www.leapfroghome.co.uk 0161 445 7498
Local hardwood firewood | Timber for joinery Mulch for local allotments Sleepers and Weatherboards Biomass woodchip
creative building in Didsbury since 2003
All byproduct upcycled to make wood fuels, planks, and other products - nothing wasted
home extensions • kitchens • bathrooms
We are a unique social enterprise that provides high quality arboricultural services, including planting, pruning, emergency call-outs, dismantling and felling, along with tree safety surveys.
5
Didsbury Through Time by Andrew Simpson
The Coronation of King George The coronation of King George V on June 22 1911 was celebrated in Didsbury as it was all over the country.
The Principal of the Wesleyan College in Didsbury read a passage from the scriptures at the service in the Cathedral and in West Didsbury there was a procession from the Cavendish Road Recreation Ground to Barlow Hall Field where there were sports, maypole and Morris dancing. There was also a military march past. Didsbury had set to work preparing for the event with a Festivities Committee and the local historian Fletcher Moss recorded the day. A few copies of his book with the accompanying photographs have survived and seem to have been plundered by almost every historian of the township since it was published in 1911. “The great glory of the Coronation festivities of 1911 was the procession. Everybody in Didsbury was expected to take some part in it, either in work or money or both and both were freely given. There were nearly a score of emblematic cars, that is wagons laden with villagers dressed in fancy costumes...”
And so to the pictures. Both were taken as the procession passed the Wellington Inn at the junction of Wilmslow and Barlow Moor Roads and both offer up something of Manchester as well as Didsbury in 1911. Directly opposite the Wellington was the Nelson Inn
6
run by Samuel Robert Cheetham who no doubt was on hand to welcome anyone who later wanted a drink. And clear to see in the picture was the sign of A.E. & Co Ltd, fishmongers.
But I am more interested in the second picture with the Gymnasium Car and the Italian Dancing Girls. Manchester’s Little Italy was off Great Ancoats Street and back in 1911 it was a thriving community. And here the photographer has caught that moment with the dancers in full action.
Pictures and quotation; from the Souvenir of the Coronation Festivities Held at Didsbury, June 22nd 1911, Fletcher Moss
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Dog walking and pet care services
£7 £9
30 min walk 1 hour walk
Local, friendly and reliable Fully insured and CRB checked
7 days a week
07876 623 579
info@PawTheLoveOfDog.co.uk www.PawTheLoveOfDog.co.uk 7
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Can you help a child become a confident reader? Photo Photo by by Jonathan Jonathan Hyams/Save Hyams/Save the the Children Children
Save the Children is looking for motivated and enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to make a lasting difference to a child’s life within Greater Manchester. As a volunteer you will regularly spend one-to-one time with children to read, talk and play educational games throughout the academic year as part of ‘Born to Read’.
Born to Read is a partnership programme between Save the Children and the children’s literacy charity Beanstalk to place volunteers in primary schools to support children who are
struggling to read. The consistent and regular support, provided by the volunteer, enables children to make progress with their literacy skills and helps to develop their confidence. You must be patient and encouraging, a good listener and communicator, able to work oneto-one with children at the child’s pace, have a passion for literacy and dedicated to inspiring the next generation of readers. This is a fantastic volunteering opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping children and would like to make
clive victor gale mobile hairdressing Want a change from the Salon experience? Call Clive on
mob 07947 509 411 tel 0161 281 1122
20% DISCOUNT ON FIRST
APPOINTMENT
a difference through giving their time. If this sounds of interest to you, and you can you commit to a minimum of 90 minutes twice a week for one academic year, we want to hear from you! Applications can be made by requesting an application form (details on our advert at the bottom of this page).
All successful volunteers will be required to attend the initial 2 day training event and will be subject to a full enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and reference checks. Full information will be provided about this service.
CAN YOU MAKE A REWARDING IMPACT ON A CHILD’S LIFE? If If you you are are up up for for the the challenge, challenge, we we are are looking looking for for volunteers volunteers to to visit visit aa local local school school for for an an hour hour and and aa half, half, twice twice aa week week to to give give aa child child the the support support they they need need to to become become aa better better reader. reader.
Contact Contact Save Save the the Children Children today today on on
020 7012 6997
volunteersupport@savethechildren.org.uk volunteersupport@savethechildren.org.uk
Hairdressing to the highest standard 8
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Book Reviews The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England Ian Mortimer
Ian Mortimer describes a medieval world which is at once very different from modern life and yet also oddly familiar.
Life in fourteenth century England is dominated by religion, superstition and ignorance. If you are sick it is because you are sinful. If the harvest fails it is because God is angry. Doctors, with their dung poultices and poisonous potions, are just as likely to kill you as cure you. Prayer is considered to be the best remedy, especially if it is before the bones of a long dead saint. A rigid class structure rules the lives of everyone from powerful aristocrats and wealthy priests to starving peasants and outcast beggars. Justice is
Charm Offensive William Thacker
Around town, his name has become a byword for how to kill a career. Don’t do a Joe. It’s why he lives in a smaller house now, with white-painted roughcast walls and a mattress on the lawn. Washed up ex-Labour politician, Joe Street, 59, discovers just how far he still has to fall when he finds himself at the centre of a lurid, tabloid slur that leaves his marriage and reputation (both already precarious) in tatters. In a last-ditch bid to salvage his good name and something resembling a career, he half-heartedly embarks on an ill-fated charm offensive with dodgy PR ‘consultant’ Barry Thorne, who has an unusually forceful way with difficult clients! When his PR campaign predictably ends in disaster, Joe, now with few options left, turns up on the doorstep of his estranged only daughter,
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
often summary and ruthless, particularly for the poor.
Outside London, most cities and towns are scarcely bigger than modern villages. Travel is difficult and dangerous. Few go beyond their local market town, and nearly everyone works on the land.
Yet it is also a world of familiar human emotions and concerns. Love, pride, joy and laughter are present alongside the fear and misery. It is seen in the excitement of the fair, the street entertainers and mystery plays, the colourful merchants strutting around town, and feasting on saints’ days. Present too is the parents’ love for their children and the bitter loss when one dies. Mortimer presents colour and detail in a way that is never dull and always readable. It is a guide well worth following.
• Review by John Townsend
Rosalind, who, it turns out, has problems of her own. As father and daughter effect a tentative reconciliation, they decide to embark together on a risky, new challenge, an altruistic, social experiment that at last offers Joe the possibility of redemption.
In this engaging first novel, William Thacker combines pace with confident plotting and a fresh, direct style. His hapless protagonist, Joe Street, hugely likeable and the embodiment of battered idealism, is drawn with sensitivity and humour. With the ink barely dry on ‘Charm Offensive’, Thacker is apparently already cracking on with a second novel and a feature film script. An impressive debut from an exciting new talent! Watch this space!
• Review by Deborah Grace
9
Bathroom Angels
Planning a beautiful new bathroom? At Bathroom Angels, we don’t believe in costly showrooms – we come to you. Offering genuine savings on your beautiful new bathroom, with full design, supply and installation from as little as £5,000!
Our no showroom policy means what you pay for your project, goes on your project and not overheads. Hundreds of customers have benefited from our unique approach.
A superb choice of both nonbranded or branded bathroom items, an extensive range of UK & European tiles and a vast selection of flooring options too.
Expert guidance for family bathrooms, bathrooms requiring storage solutions, challenging spaces, knock throughs, wet rooms and easy bathing/showering ideas. Home design visits at a time to suit you, day, evening or weekends!
Only the best quality materials are used on a Bathroom Angels installation so you can rest assured the project is built to last, whether branded or non-branded bathroom items, it’s the fitting that is all important. When you order your new bathroom from Bathroom Angels, you’ll receive a FREE gym pass
Yes, you can have it all... Successful business lady is seeking 5 working partners to work part time from home, without compromising current working or family commitments. Do you have experience in one or more of the following roles? Supervisory | Managerial | Sales | Marketing Recruitment | Self-Employment Call me now!
Laura Dunlop 07554 667 477
0781 0147 070 info@greendesigns.eu
www.greendesigns.eu 10
for the household. It’s our way of saying thank you for choosing us, and of course, you can use their shower facilities whilst we’re fitting your beautiful new bathroom too!
• • • • • • •
To arrange a free design visit and quotation, please call 0161 610 3684, or visit our website and email an enquiry at www. bathroomangels.co.uk
Bathroom Angels....fast becoming the preferred way to buy a new bathroom in South Manchester and Cheshire! (ask about our sensational range of kitchens too!)
the FREE
didsbury VILLAGE map
available in didsbury now...
professional garden design advert.indd 1 full construction service planting driveway tree surgery fencing & hedging free initial consultation
11/12/2013 2
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
BATHROOM ANGELS
Supply • Design • Install
Planning a Beautiful New Bathroom? Call Bathroom Angels - we come to you, measure up and provide free design and a quotation! • Free measure up, design, advice and quotation • No pushy salespeople • Lots of ideas and samples • Extensive range of bathrooms, tiles and flooring • Installation fitted by time served professionals - built to last!
OOK TAKE A L .co.uk omangels o r h t a .b www ls testimonia and read stomers happy cu r u o m o fr
Call 0161 610 3684 Today! to arrange a no obligation design visit
Visit our website www.bathroomangels.co.uk
Stitched Up Stitched Up formed in 2011 as a cooperative of six women with a range of textile skills. They are Alice, Bryony, Emily, Kelly, Sara and Jacky, and most of them live in South Manchester. Since forming, as well as teaching sewing skills in schools and community centres, they’ve led workshops and hosted events across the North West. In January they moved into 517 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton (formerly Busy Bee Toys). It’s a space where they run workshops, like their popular sewing machine driving test (next one – Sunday March 16th at 1pm) and host events like clothing swaps. They also sell a range of locally made ethical fashion and accessories and reclaimed haberdashery, including beautiful buttons and fabric by the metre.
Jacky says “Since opening we’ve been overwhelmed by support from the local community. It’s great to see everyone popping in, whether to browse the goods we sell or to attend one of our workshops. There’s definitely a big interest, not only in sewing, but also more people want to understand where the clothes they buy have come from. “This month the six of us are participating in Labour Behind the Label’s Six Item Challenge by wearing only six items of clothing for six weeks. You can find out more about this at www.labourbehindthelabel. org. “We’re not for profit, which means all the profits are reinvested in the business; and at the moment, we don’t pay ourselves – each of us having one or two other jobs. We’re working on Stitched Up because we’re all passionately committed to sustainable fashion and sharing skills.”
Workshops
please book in advance: Thursdays 3pm – After School Club A fun and creative club suitable for ages 6+ with an adult. £5 per child. Fridays 11am – 5pm New to Knitting One hour lessons in knitting or crochet with a maximum of three people per session. £12 with materials included. Last Sunday of the month – Crafternoon 1.30-3.30pm £3 Bring along your current project and share ideas and inspiration with other lovely folk. Sunday March 16th 1-3pm – Sewing Machine Driving Test Two-hour crash course to come away with more confidence and an appliqued ‘L’ plate! Beginner-level class. £20, all materials included.
More workshops coming soon
www.stitchedupuk.co.uk 12
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Stitched Up Mission Statement
We love our planet and believe we should treat it with respect
We support garment workers worldwide and believe they should be paid a living wage We inspire people to follow a more creative and sustainable approach to the clothes they wear We prove that sustainable clothing is for everyone without compromising on style We are passionate about recycling, upcycling, reusing and reducing
We are a community that has fun while sharing skills and ideas
Photos : Jon Paul Lees
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
13
Uncovering the Invisible: A Portrait of Latin Americans in the UK
Uncovering the Invisible: A Portrait of Latin Americans in the UK is a series of 22 photographs born of the collaboration between the siblings Roxana and Pablo Allison. For two months from March 20th it’s going to be displayed in the main hall of the Instituto Cervantes. The project is based on the research by Cathy MacIlwaine at Queen Mary University, London, who studied the long-ignored Latin American community in the Capital.
This exhibition brings together portraits of UK based Latin Americans, showing the reality of their lives and getting to know how they have adapted to their new surroundings. The estimated 180,000 Latin Americans in the UK contribute both economically and culturally to the shaping of British Society, but are still unrecognised as an ethnic minority under
the law.
The exhibition opens at 6:30 pm on 20th March, and will be attended by the photographers, Professor MacIlwaine, and Professor Catherine Davies from the University of Nottingham. There will be a question and answer session led by Dr Parvathi Kumaraswami from the University of Manchester, during which the speakers will discuss the theme of identity and the recognition of the Latin Community in the United Kingdom.
Alexander Technique individual sessions and groups
Sue Fleming MSTAT www.alexanderteaching.co.uk ☎ 861 8848 mob 07796470163 Chequers Road Chorlton 10 week course start 29 April
Cycle-technique days in May and June
Pauline Leng
MSTAT
www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net
☎ 445 8530 mob 07821470349 The Didsbury Holistic Centre and Lidgate Grove Didsbury
14
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 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
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Southern Cemetery by Nola Chesworth
Wilfred Pickles 1904 - 1978
Born in Halifax on October 13th 1904, Wilfred Pickles grew up to become the first radio presenter with a regional accent.
Yorkshire-born Pickles started working as an announcer for the BBC’s North Region service, then went on to read the news on the National service during World War II, before hosting his own show ‘Have a Go’ which was enjoyed by over 20 million regular listeners. ‘Have a Go’ involved Pickles visiting people in church
halls, factories and docks; he would chat with and interview the people he met, before asking them a series of questions, where they could win prizes. His much loved show led him to be awarded the OBE for his services to broadcasting in 1950. As well as being a recognisable voice heard in homes across the country, Pickles also appeared in The West End, and on television in ‘Caxton’s Tales’ and ‘For the Love of Ada’ and in films including, most notably, Billy Liar.
Christ Church, West Didsbury Saturday 8 March 7.30pm
William Byrd Singers – Stabat Mater
Music by Palestrina, Tallis, Poulenc, Pergolesi & Leighton - Palestrina: Stabat Mater
Admission: £10 (£9 concessions, £5 students)
Sunday 16 March 3.00 pm The Cassia String Quartet
Programme to be announced.
Admission Free, Retiring collection for clock maintenance
Saturday 22 March 7.30pm
Manchester Chamber Choir – A Spring Garland Music by Purcell, Britten, Weelkes, MacMillan, Wilkinson & Stanford - Purcell: I was glad
Pickles died in Brighton on 27th March 1978, and is buried in Southern Cemetery alongside his son, wife, mother and fatherin-law; his gravestone featuring words from John Donne’s ‘Death Be Not Proud.’
Village Physio & Sports Injury Clinic • • • • • •
Physiotherapy Sports Massage Massage in Pregnancy Core Strengthening Podiatry Ergonomic Assessments
3 Warburton Street, Didsbury Village, Manchester M20 6WA 0161 448 7844 didsburyphysio@btinternet.com www.didsburyphysio.co.uk
Admission: £10 (£8 concessions, £5 students)
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
15
Steamed Up Windows? Handles and Hinges too hard to handle?
Basement Conversions
Door & Window locks behaving badly?
home office • gym • playroom wine cellar • bathroom • wetroom
Roy Nesbitt Tel: 0161 300 0530 Mob: 07921 710 563
northwest
best ce ars basement conversions
www.bestcellarsnw.co.uk Best Cellars North West • Unit 204 792 Wilmslow Rd • Didsbury • Manchester • M20 6UG
10 Year Guarantee On The Glass No Minimum Order No Credit Card Charges Contact your local WindowGeek today for a free, no obligation quote
Sample Price List:
Didsbury Carpenter Handmade furniture and kitchens. All your carpentry needs met and designed. Solutions for every room for every budget.
(including VAT & fitting)
Steamed Up Windows
from £30
Replacement Handles
from £35
Replacement Hinges
from £55
Replacement Locking Systems
from £60
Anti-bump/Anti-snap Security Locks
from £69.95
Call Alan Jenkinson on
07809 426403 or 0161 445 0661 Alan Jenkinson Didsbury Carpenter
16
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Community Index Clubs, Societies & Groups Acting For Fun Central Didsbury 431 4794
Didsbury Amateur Dramatics
Didsbury Lawn Tennis Club Bob Peel, 01614 45 0465 didsburyccsports. co.uk
West Didsbury Bookgroup Meets every
didsburyvillagewi.co.uk
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
Tues 10-11.45am coffee morning. Holt Pavilion, Didsbury Park 07749 504298 www. didsburygoodneighbours. org.uk
Didsbury Ladies Probis Club Alternate Monday afternoons in East Didsbury. Joan Woodall 0161 434 2532
South Manchester U3A
Didsbury Village WI
Didsbury Civic Society didsburycivicsociety. org.uk
Didsbury Dinners
Didsbury Over 50s Group 247 2323 1st Tuesday of the month 2pm, Emmanuel Church. Edna 434 2509
celestaplayers.co.uk
didsburyccsports.co.uk
at 8 - 10pm, Didsbury Methodist Church smcc. org.uk
Didsbury Village East Residents Association dvera.co.uk
Didsbury Cricket Club
South Manchester Camera Club Mondays
Dolls House and Miniatures Group 2nd
Monday of each month, 8 - 10pm, Whalley Range Venue. Ann 07814 861285
four weeks at 7.30pm. Lively mixed group of all ages. Call 445 4483 leaving your name, address & landline
Friends of Didsbury Park
West Didsbury Residents Association Pam Siddons
Friends of Fletcher Moss Park Alan Hill 215
Withington Civic Society Roger Smith 445 1473
Friends of Marie Louise Gardens
Social & Support Groups
friendsofdidsbury park.co.uk
0971 awhill@globalnet. co.uk
marielouisegardens.org.uk
Manchester JKF Karate Club Didsbury MMU Sports Centre, Tuesdays 8.30pm Ben Pollock, 07894108944
Oneness Deeksha Meditation Saturdays
11am-12 at The Didsbury Parsonage, Stenner Lane M20 2RQ. Donation £2 Christine 07734 072040.
445 5406 westdidsbury. org.uk
withingtoncivicsociety. org.uk
Manchester Diabetes Support Network Details/
venues/ monthly dates etc diabetesinmanchester@ gmail.com 0161 860 5688/07414 635992
New Family Social
UK charity for LGBT adopters, foster carers and their children. Meets every month in south Manchester.
newfamilysocial.org.uk email: nwdevelopment@ newfamilysocial.co.uk
Useful Numbers Didsbury Library 227 3755
Environment on Call 954 9000
Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100
Manchester City Council 234 5000
Didsbury East Councillors Andrew Simcock
cllr.a.simcock@ manchester.gov.uk
Andrew Taylor
cllr.a.taylor@manchester. gov.uk
Bridie Adams
cllr.b.adams@manchester. gov.uk
Didsbury West Councillors Mark Clayton
cllr.m.clayton@manchester. gov.uk
Carl Ollerhead
cllr.c.ollerhead@ manchester.gov.uk
David Ellison
cllr.d.ellison@manchester. gov.uk
M & H BUILDING CONTRACTORS over 10 years experience
• Extensions • Renovations • Plastering General building repairs • Garden wall Re-pointing • Patios • Bricklaying/block work Cheap rates, excellent quality & reliable friendly team
Tel: Stephen Harrison 07912351114 Joe Murphy 07525415612 email: m.hbuilders@hotmail.com
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
17
March In Your Garden by Katherine Watson Although the wind and frost are still uncomfortable garden visitors in March, the garden is well and truly coming to life with many flowering shrubs and plants braving the still inclement weather.
Gardens start to open their doors to visitors in this month too – some lesser known local(ish) gardens with spring interest include Cheshire’s Dorfold Hall and Stoneyford Cottage; Dudmaston garden in Shropshire and Gresgarth Hall in Lancs. Old fashioned, Victorian favourites are having a resurgence such as the Rhododendron and Azalea (the hybrid of both is imaginatively called the Azaleadendron) as are Camellias, prized for their showy rose-like flowers through March and April. Throughout the 20th Century you would be hard pushed to find a shady spot in any garden without a Camellia, so it is no surprise that it has been extensively bred to produce a multitude of varieties – often with names as showy as the flowers themselves. I am particularly fond of those named
after, I imagine, stout women in plus-fours – C. ‘Berenice Boddy’ being just such a variety. For those who are proud to hail from the Northern reaches of Greater Manchester C. Blackburniana is a must. Camellias need a bit of shelter and shade – and not early morning sun which may scorch their flowers.
Another March flowering shrub, and one I’ve used a good deal in the last few years, is Daphne odora. This forms a neat compact shrub that can be used more formally next to seating areas or paths near the house and its pretty pink and white March flowers smell wonderful. A smaller version is Daphne × transatlantica Eternal Fragrance flowering from April. For a knock out blast of colour try a Berberis – I have ’Orange King’ as an unruly hedge right outside my kitchen and it is smothered with tiny vivid orange flowers which give way to blue-black berries that are the blackbird’s favourite meal in summer. For the front of the border, Bergenias are doing their thing
in March. Commonly called ‘Elephants Ears’ because of their leathery semi-evergreen leaves, Bergenias are a stalwart in the March garden. The variety ‘Bressingham White’ was a favourite of the Edwardian artist and plants-woman Gertrude Jekyll (‘as in Treacle’).
Garden Design Planting Advice Consultation Service Project Managment
07989968841 www.fatgrass.co.uk 18
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Sport in Didsbury by Geoff Garnett
Maurice completes his labour of love Maurice Watkins has served his beloved Didsbury Golf Club in many capacities since joining 40 years ago. He’s now achieved his burning passion of completing the splendid ‘The History of Didsbury Golf Club’.
The hard-backed book has over 120 pages giving a full history of the 122-year-old club.
Maurice said, “When writing a book the rule is to have a beginning, a middle and an end but let’s hope that this story has a beginning, a middle and no end.” If you’d like a copy, contact the Didsbury office on 0161 998 9278.
Greys make their point Didsbury Greys had to battle the elements and strong opposition at Deeside to emerge with a valuable point in a 1-1 draw that keeps them on top of the table. After a bright start the Greys fell a goal behind but strong play from Jenny Flowers had them level before the break. The second half saw the weather worsen and neither team were able to add to the score. Greys seconds were in a local derby with Didsbury Northern thirds and this too ended with honours
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Maurice with his copy of ‘The History of Didsbury Golf Club’
even at 1-1. Northern led 1-0 at the break but a super strike from Sarah Dzien got the Greys on terms and in a tense finish a fantastic strike from Tiph Moore was disallowed.
The Greys thirds lost out 5-1 to Stockport Bramhall seconds. Good defending by Kath Howarth and Rachael Price kept them in the game and they deserved their consolation from Nicci Wilkinson as they battled hard against strong opponents.
19
M O RO S
CRAFT, VINTAGE AND LOCAL PRODUCTS
FAIR WITH OUR OWN 'BAKE OFF' AN ALADDIN’S CAVE OF STALLS
FROM MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS TO HOME MADE JAMS
SATURDAY ND
11 AM UNTIL
4 PM
P H AR IG R D H SW ID SC SB H OO U OO D RY L
d
so ine do r n a Sta Wi
T
p
22 .MARCH 2014 .
n o ti a n o d S £1 RD st s lt WA A & tru T u s d TO E P ge las A H na g w
Saturday 22nd March 11am – 4pm Parrs Wood High School
COMMUNITY
Y TR EN
There’s a vintage tea room keeping you supplied with refreshments and a pop up restaurant by the renowned chef Robert Owen Brown. Or if you prefer to do it yourself, show off your culinary skills in the prize Didsbury Bake Off! So put that date in your diary now...
EA T
It promises to be feature-filled event with loads of high quality handmade items. An ideal place to get unique, well made gifts from Mother’s Day presents to early Christmas ideas, or spoil yourself with the wonderful cosmetics, jams & chutneys.
T N R W E O B T O BR UP N A R N P R E W PO AU O ST E R
Parrs Wood High School PTA, in conjunction with Didsbury Parsonage Trust are organising a Charity Craft Fair to raise funds for the school and the Parsonage’s stained glass window appeal.
E AG NT
Charity Craft Fair
D OO W IST S RR PTA DIDSBURY PA VI
Community Event
If you would like a stall email info@didsburycraftfair
.ORG.uk ORG.UK
FOR UPTO DATE INFO SEE WWW.DIDSBURYCRAFTFAIR.
Next Meeting : Thursday 20th March 6pm - 7pm at the Fletcher Moss
info@didsburytraders.co.uk @didsburytraders 20
WWW.COMMUNITYINDEX.CO.UK
Business Index Bathrooms
Bathroom Angels
Building & Maintenance Best Cellars HouseX Leapfrog Interiors M & H Building Contractors Window Geeks
Carpentry
Didsbury Carpenter
Charity
Save The Children
Cleaning
Oven Wizards Profresh Carpet Cleaners
Copywriting Chin Up Duck
Dog Walking & Pet Care Paw The Love Of Dog
Gardening
Fat Grass Garden Design Green Designs
Hairdressing
Clive Victor Gale
8
Health & Wellbeing 11 16 2 5 17 16 16 8 21 14 20 7 18 10
Alexander Technique
Jobs
Laura Dunlop
Logs
Seasons Logs
Local Map
Didsbury Village Map
Painting & Decorating
Carol Smith Home Improvement
Physiotherapy Village Physio
Trade Associations Didsbury Traders
Tree Services Tree Station
Woodland School We Are Adventurers
14 10 21 10 17 15 20 5 24
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.
We clean your oven‌ so you don’t have to Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga professionally cleaned Ian Glancy Mob Tel: 07580 765765
www.ovenwizards.com please mention Community Index when responding to adverts
21
Get in touch today to reach 20,000+ South Manchester homes for only ÂŁ110
communit y
Didsbury, Chorlton and Whalley Range - on your doorstep
We love where we live
Community Index is an independent small business, established in 2008. We stand for neighbourhood economies and we shop local. We want vibrant communities, with quality products and services on our doorsteps. We ďŹ rmly believe and rejoice in the things that make Chorlton, Whalley Range and Didsbury distinctive and special. We want a village vibe; we want culture and colour, with lots of independent traders and retailers. We want places where people feel connected and proud of where they live. So let’s hear it for butchers with plastic grass in their windows; cafe owners who give their coffee machines names and friendly tradesmen that want three sugars in their mug of builders' brew. Money spent local stays local - we vote with our feet as well as our cash. Keep hold of your magazine, support our advertisers and be proud of our local independent businesses.
Our magazines We publish two different titles: Community Index Chorlton & Whalley Range Community Index Didsbury Each is a free magazine, delivered to over 5,000 homes and community settings (cafes, libraries, shops etc) a month. The following month, we again deliver over 5,000 magazines to the same community settings, but to homes in different parts of Chorlton & Whalley Range and Didsbury. Households in the target areas receive the magazine on alternate months, while cafes, libraries, bars, sports clubs etc receive every edition, every month. This distribution pattern keeps our costs down and allows us to keep advertising affordable.
Our advertising rates We have a pricing structure that's fair, affordable and transparent, which means we cannot offer discounts on individual adverts. We do give generous discounts if you buy a four-month / four-edition package. Size in mm (width by height)
One month
43.5 x 45
-
67 x 45
£49
£110 £156 (saving £40)
Quarter page
67 x 93.5 (vertical) 137 x 45 (horizontal)
£69
£220 (saving £56)
Half page
137 x93.5 (vertical) 67 x 190 (horizontal)
£99
£340 (saving £56)
148 x 210* 148 x 210* 148 x 210*
£169 £189
£596 (saving £80) £700 (saving £56)
148 x 210*
£250
£900 (saving £100)
Format/position
Twelfth page Eighth page
Full page Inside front cover Inside back cover Back cover
£189
Four months/ editions
£700 (saving £56)
* Please add a 3mm bleed
Leaflet insertion
If you have a leaflet, flyer or menu, we can deliver it with our magazines. Our prices start at just £35 per thousand (for flat A5 or smaller), and £290 for 10,000 (saving £40). For bookings or for more information, just get in touch at editor@communityindex.co.uk or call us on 07875 895 604. And please take a look at our terms and additional information on our website.
www.CommunityIndex.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter
@CommunityIndex