Didsbury
index
community
Sept 2012
view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk Delivered FREE to Didsbury homes
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Cash in the Loft?
When you replaced all your old records with CDs all those years ago, did you put them up in the loft? Now could be the time to dig them out... We pay good prices for the right kind of records in the right condition. We’re interested in: Indie
Punk
Northern Soul
70s Rock & Progressive Rock n Roll
60s & 70s Jazz & Soul
Reggae
We can also help with valuations.
Blues
60s (especially Beatles)
Folk
Call us now on: 0161 860 4762
519 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0UF
www.kingbeerecords.co.uk GUITAR/SONGWRITING LESSONS • Experienced teacher of children & adults • Current age range 7 to 72! • First lesson ½ price/other discounts available • I travel to you • Learn songs, styles or grades • Learn to sing whilst playing • Full Enhanced CRB check • Member of The Registry of
Alexander Technique individual sessions and groups
Sue Fleming MSTAT www.alexanderteaching.co.uk ☎ 861 8848 mob 07796470163 The Burton Road Clinic Didsbury and Chequers Road Chorlton 10 week introductory course 25 Sept 1pm Fallowfield 26 Sept 6.30 Chorlton
Guitar Teachers • Annual concert to showcase
Pauline Leng
MSTAT
your new found skills
www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net
(optional)!
☎ 445 8530 mob 07821470349 The Didsbury Holistic Centre and Lidgate Grove Didsbury
Call: 07906 203388 domkearne@gmail.com www.dominickearne.com
to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
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Contents 4. Didsbury Calendar 2013 5. Didsbury Arts Festival 6. TAG! New Cards & New Members 7. The Old Parsonage 8. Didsbury Events 9. Didsbury Traders & Business Association 10. Heritage Weekend 12. Hello Giddy Goat Toys! 14. September in Your Garden 15. In Case You Missed... 17. Lapwing Lane Canopy 17. Palm Trees at the Parsonage
Community
I NDEX PUBLISHER
Community Index
EDITOR/ADVERTISING Lesley Swann
SUB-EDITOR/WEBSITE Sam Paechter
CONTRIBUTIONS
Christine Hession, Deborah Grace (DAF), Carol Thompson, Katherine Watson
COVER PHOTOGRAPH Carol Thompson
CONTACT US Tel: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk www.communityindex.co.uk 34 Manchester Road, Chorlton, M21 9PH
Punch & Judy
Photo ŠPhil Portus
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Didsbury Calendar 2013 The theme of the 2013 Didsbury Calendar is ‘Old Didsbury’ and it will be on sale throughout Didsbury in mid-September. All the photographs this year have been taken by members of the South Manchester Camera Club and the photographs appearing in the calendar were chosen by a panel of Didsbury residents. Money raised from the sale of the calendar goes towards good causes in Didsbury. Last year proceeds from calendar sales were used to give a donation to Friends of Fletcher Moss Park and
Gardens for plants, the Guitar Trail which is held annually in Fletcher Moss Park and a donation was also made to the fund to help pay for bunting and flags to decorate the village for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The calendar is on sale at: Didsbury Library Harriet & Dee Sew-in
at £5.00 for the last nine years. Some of the local traders in Didsbury sponsor the calendar each year which enables us to donate more money to the community as the costs of producing the calendar are covered. Our thanks go to the traders for their generosity. Christine Hession www.didsburycivicsociety.org.uk
Inmans Global News Zayn News Gawsworth Stores The Cheese Hamlet The price has remained fixed
Alpha Dog Walking & Top Cat Services Does your dog need a lunchtime walk? (£9.50 an hour) Do you need your cat(s) visited, fed and made a fuss of whilst you’re away? (from £6.50 per visit) Are you planning a holiday? Would you like your pets to stay in the comfort of your own home? Please telephone 0161 232 8916 if you would like more information regarding the services on offer view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk
Didsbury Arts Festival Diamond Weekend A weekend showcasing the best of Didsbury Arts Festival will bring together new talent and old favourites from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th September 2012. Featuring both new artists and highlights from the last four years of DAF, the DAF Diamond Weekend promises four days of festival fun for all the family - all taking place at Didsbury venues. This year’s packed programme will represent a huge range of arts from music, theatre, dance and comedy to visual arts, crafts, writing and film. Musical highlights include jazz and daily classical music recitals, including opera from students of the Royal Northern College of Music. Classical pianist, Kwang Ho Lee, makes a welcome return, following a sell-out performance at last year’s Festival. Meanwhile, classical music and dance combos, Flamenco de la Vuelta and the Frambuesas Tango Quartet, will add Latin fire to the proceedings. Storytelling and short fiction are given special focus in the literature programme with contributions from The War Tour writer, Zoe Lambert, Nightjar Press and – fresh from
Punch & Judy
Photo ©Phil Portus
Chorlton Arts Festival – FlashTag. Nationally acclaimed storytellers, Shonaleigh and Rogan Mills, will be working their magic and a bedtime story session at Didsbury Library will provide a special treat for the under-fives. Comedy highlights include stand-up and a comedy shorts film night which will bring to DAF for the first time the best of the Manchester Cofilmic Festival and the work of national, awardwinning film-makers. Meanwhile, the historic Old Parsonage, former home to famous Didsbury resident and philanthropist, Fletcher Moss, will be opening its doors for a photography exhibition, hosted by South Manchester Camera Club. This will be the first major event to take place at the Grade II listed building since its recent restoration and renaissance as a community hub, thanks to the efforts of Didsbury Civic Society and their supporters. Fletcher Moss Park will, as in previous years, be the main focus for the Festival’s outdoor events with plenty for children and adults to enjoy. Join the magical Evening Lantern Parade on Saturday night. Don’t forget to bring your own lantern! Watch out for the puppets and enjoy live music, children’s theatre, art and crafts in the creative space on Sunday. Organised by a group of enthusiastic local residents, the aim of DAF is to celebrate the arts and the wealth of talent, diversity and the vibrant community that make Didsbury
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so special. Since its launch three years ago, the area’s annual celebration of the arts has now become a fixture on the local calendar. Festival Director, Maria Stripling, said: ‘This will be a great weekend, jam-packed with old favourites from the last four years of DAF, but also introducing some exciting, new events which will be irresistible to our audiences! ‘We are delighted to have this chance to showcase some of the best artists – not just in Didsbury and Manchester – but from all over the UK. Expect some surprises and watch this space!’ The Festival desk will be open at Didsbury Library from 15th September. Flyers and programmes will also be available from local shops and venues. info@didsburyartsfestival.org www.didsburyartsfestival.org ‘Mother Hen’ interactive storytelling Photo ©Phil Portus
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TAG! New Cards & New Members The new TAG! cards are valid until 2014 AND are on sale now for only £5. The sooner you get one the more you save when supporting local indie shops and businesses in Didsbury.
Here are a few of the 60 fantastic local independent businesses from all over Didsbury who have joined and formed the TAG! Didsbury Community Loyalty Scheme. Just flash your TAG! card to get each discount and show your support. They all sell TAG! cards too. On 10th September Giddy Goat Toys will take over from Rumpus to become the latest member of the TAG! scheme. Amanda and the former Rumpus girls will provide a great new look independent toy shop in the heart of Didsbury Village and the TAG! scheme. 10% off spends over £20. Nest Interiors on School Lane. Michelle not only offers designer furniture brands at low prices but expert friendly advice and a 10% TAG! discount too. Card sales at Nest Interiors help raise money for St Catherine’s School. Taste of Honey, a wonderful Deli on Burton Rd, and a dream
Michelle at Nest Interiors come true for owner Zoe. 10% off spends over £20.
off when spending over £10 on paint-a pot.
Bud Garden Centre is a colourful oasis on the Didsbury Burnage border run by two amazing green fingered ladies - Severine and Brenda. Friendly, and always willing to offer advice they give 10% off spends over £20. (Excludes trees)
You can use your cards in all our schemes. So if Didsbury doesn’t have an independent to fit the bill you could try the TAG! Chorlton scheme too:
As Didsbury doesn’t have it’s own Paint a Pot Emporium we are really pleased to welcome Claire from Minikin Emporium down the road in Sale into the scheme. 10%
Shane and the team at Maple Kitchen and Bathrooms in Chorlton offer quality at affordable prices and an amazing 10% off too. Chorlton Locksmiths (0161 881 8502) Theresa and Patrick with 25 years of experience. Professional service at decent prices. 10% off
7 On behalf of all our scheme members, thanks for your support and we hope you enjoy shopping locally and independently.
and they serve Didsbury too. A special mention to Laura at Airy Fairy Cake Boutique (10% off) who sells TAG! cards to raise money for Francis House and to the Co-operative on Burton Rd who are supporting our Didsbury Community Loyalty Card scheme by selling cards for Francis House too. Using the TAG! scheme can save you pennies to thousands of pounds it all depends on you. The more you spend with the independents in our scheme the more you save (savings are
Carol and Sam
instantaneous you just have to remember to show your card). Would like to see a business your local scheme? Show your card and ask them to get in touch, they can make their own unique offer for the scheme.
For details of all our schemes, to register your card and to download pocket directories for all areas please visit: www.tagpassiton.com
www.tagpassiton.com
The Old Parsonage It seems to have taken a very long time but at last the Old Parsonage will soon be opening its doors.
On the 7th September, the Lady Mayor, Elaine Boyes, will be officially opening the Old Parsonage as a community hub and the Didsbury Parsonage Trust will be holding an Open Day at the Old Parsonage from 1pm to 9pm. This is to give the people who have donated to the Parsonage – or indeed still wish to donate or become Friends of the Parsonage – to visit and see the work that has been done through the fundraising before the building is open to the public on the 10th September, when the first meetings will take place. The Parsonage will be open from 10am to 6pm on the 8th and 9th September for the Heritage Weekend and there will be a display about the years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign through the eyes of the people of Didsbury, as well as an audio-visual display about the work done to the house, with before and after pictures and a display on the history of the house. We hope to have pictures of the Parsonage
when Fletcher Moss lived there as well as photos from when it was an Art Gallery and Museum.
On Saturday the 8th September, Dr Diana Leitch will be giving a talk in St James Church, on “Inhabitants of the Old Parsonage, including Fletcher Moss”. The talk starts at 7pm and there will be light refreshments available. It has been a very complex project, which has raised a few problems, some of which have caused a few sleepless nights, but it has all finally come together and we can open the building to the Didsbury Community. It has been very interesting to find out how much this building is appreciated by the people of Didsbury and just how many people visit, on a regular basis and say how much they are looking forward to be able to use the building.
have done a wonderful job and have taken a tremendous interest in the building and handled the entire project with great care. Our thanks also go to Mr Adrian Anderson who has dealt with all the legal matters involving the leases and sub leases, to the Heritage Lottery, the Co-op, Manchester City Council Cash Grants and Manchester Airport who have all given us grant money for this project, but most of all our thanks must go to the people of Didsbury, who have given us donations amounting to over £60,000. Do come along to the Open Day and see what your donation has helped pay for. If you haven’t donated, we are always willing to welcome new donors and friends.
We have started taking bookings for the community rooms and for the offices on the first floor which we are renting out to small businesses. We would like to thank the builders, Select Interiors, who
Christine Hession www.didsburyparsonagetrust.org.uk
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Didsbury Events
If you are putting on an event in Didsbury please let me know on christine.hession@btinternet.com or 0161 445 6382. The Community Index reaches 10,000 homes in Didsbury over a two month period. If you want people to attend your event, we need the information by the first two weeks of the month for it to be included in the magazine, so please notify us of events taking place in October by 12th September. 7th September
Open Day at Parsonage for Benefactors and those involved with the Parsonage before it opens to the public 1pm to 9pm. Heritage Weekend displays will be in place.
7th September
Open Afternoon at St James Church, 2pm to 6pm.
7th September
Dr Diana Leitch will be giving an illustrated talk on “Occupants of the Parsonage, including Fletcher Moss”. The talk will start at 7pm at St James’ Church.
8th September
Coffee Concert at Emmanuel Church. Opening concert of season starts at 11am
8th/9th September
Didsbury Open Doors (Heritage Open Days) at various venues around Didsbury. See article in Community Index and collect free programme available in libraries, shops etc.
8th/9th September
Christ Church West Didsbury, Darley Avenue, M20 2ZD. Didsbury Open Doors/Heritage Weekend. Including The Victorian Society ‘Saving the Century’ Exhibition. Free Admission
10th September
Didsbury Traders & Business Association - meeting 12.30pm at the Didsbury Parsonage Trust in Fletcher Moss. New members welcome.
12th September
Didsbury Friends Coffee Afternoon at Emmanuel Parish Centre, starting at 2pm.
18th September
Civic Society Social Group visit to Blackwell House, the Art Deco house in the Lake District and then onto Ambleside. This trip is open to both members and non members.
22nd September
Coffee Concert at Emmanuel Church at 11am.
22nd-23rd September
Didsbury Food Trail - please see www.didsburydinners.com for details.
26th September
Didsbury Friends Coffee Afternoon at Emmanuel Parish Centre, starting at 2pm.
27th-30th September
Various events for the Didsbury Arts Festival Weekend at the Parsonage. See article in the Community Index. Events at The Parsonage and Christ Church, West Didsbury amongst other venues.
TBC
An auction of sporting memorabilia at Gusto to raise money for the Didsbury Parsonage Trust.
6th October
Coffee Concert at 11am at Emmanuel Church.
10th October
Didsbury Friends Coffee Afternoon at Emmanuel Parish Centre, starting at 2pm.
20th October
Coffee Concert at Emmanuel Church starting at 11am.
20th October
Civic Society Social Night and Hot Pot Supper at St Catherine’s Social Club on School Lane. A variety of artists have been booked to entertain. Tickets available from Liz Thornhill Tel: 0161 434 1063.
20th October
The Tarira Chamber Choir from the Faroe Islands, will be performing at Christ Church, West Didsbury. Performance starts at 7.30pm and admission is £5.
24th October
Didsbury Friends Coffee Afternoon at Emmanuel Parish Centre, starting at 2pm. Speaker to be confirmed.
27th October
A talk by Dr Diana Leitch about the “History of Lord Simon of Wythenshawe’s Family. The talk will be held at Emmanuel Church and will start at 7pm.There will be a £3 charge on the door, this money being divided between local charities.
TBC
Didsbury Beer Festival at St Catherine’s Social Club.
31st October
A Halloween Event at the Parsonage.
3rd November
Coffee Concert starting at 11am at Emmanuel Church.
3rd November
Christ Church West Didsbury. Darley Avenue, M20 2ZD. Concert at 7.30 pm – William Byrd Singers
9 11th November
Remembrance Service at the War Memorial outside the Library. Starts at 10.30 am. Followed by short morning service at Emmanuel Church.
14th November
Didsbury Friends Coffee Afternoon at Emmanuel Parish Centre, starting at 2pm.
17th November
Coffee Concert starting at 11am at Emmanuel Church.
24th November
Christ Church West Didsbury is holding a Charity Concert by RNCM for Music in Hospitals and Call Plus Cancer Support.
28th November
Didsbury Friends Coffee Afternoon at Emmanuel Parish Centre, starting at 2pm.
1st December
Manchester Beethoven Orchestra will be performing at Christ Church, West Didsbury. Starts at 7pm. No admission charge – there will be a collection.
5th December
Carols and Lights. The switching on the Christmas lights and the Carol Service will take place outside the Library starting at 7pm. The carols will be led by children from Moor Allerton School this year.
8th December
A Victorian Christmas Event with Christmas Food and Crafts will take place at the Parsonage. Running from 10am to 6pm.
15th December
A Christmas Concert at Christ Church, West Didsbury by the Manchester Chamber Choir. Performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 (Concessions £8/Students £5).
Didsbury Traders & Business Association Are you a Didsbury business? Would you like to join us ? We have recently re-formed (after 10 years) and are holding our second meeting at 12.30 on the 10th September at the new Didsbury Parrswood Trust in Fletcher Moss. We aim to provide a framework enabling local traders and businesses of all sizes to work together, to engage with our
local community and local organisations as a group and to provide a bigger ‘voice’ at a local and national level. Meetings provide an opportunity to raise issues, discuss opportunities, develop strategies, policies and ideas , share information and get to know each other. Membership fees are £25 for independents (less than 10 branches) and £75 for large companies and businesses with more than 10 branches
Interested? Please contact Carol by sending an email to info@ didsburytraders.co.uk or just come along to our meeting. We hope to have local councillors, Didsbury Civic Society, GMP, Manchester City Council and Metrolink represented at the September meeting which will be chaired by Steve Kerr of Co-operative Foods.
email your listings to lesley@communityindex.co.uk
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Heritage Weekend The Heritage Weekend is part of a nationwide event which takes place every year at the beginning of September. Over the weekend, thousands of properties and landmarks and sometimes private houses, are open for the public to visit. There is no charge to visit these properties, although some may have a donation box available with the money generally going to local charities.
In Didsbury, we call this weekend Didsbury Open Doors and every year the numbers of properties which are open increase. This year we have four new properties open. The Didsbury Civic Society have produced a free leaflet which gives details of the properties which are open and these are available from various shops throughout the village. This year the properties open in Didsbury are: The Towers visit Calendar House, built for the editor of the Manchester Guardian and where the meetings were held to bring the Manchester Ship Canal into being. St James Church The oldest building in Didsbury will have a photographic display about the old Didsbury village which was centred on the church of St
8th & 9th September
James and the old village green which was outside The Didsbury pub. St James’ also open on Friday this year. Mersey Valley Walk leaves from the Eagle Gate, next to The Olde Cock, where there is also a display about the old centre of the village. The Parsonage A new venue, newly refurbished and now open to the public will have a display on the life of Queen Elizabeth II through the eyes of the people of Didsbury, as well as displays on The Parsonage, Fletcher Moss and the renovation work which has been done. The Didsbury, ‘The Gates of Hell’ and the founding of the RSPB. MMU where details about the MMU site and Didsbury Methodist Church and the old St Paul’s Church can be sourced. Nazarene College Built originally in 1914 for William Melland, this fine Edwardian house has many fine Art Deco features. Philip Godlee lived there later in the 1900’s.
Elm Grove School Celebrating 400 years, there will be tours around this beautiful partly Arts and Craft building. Displays will be set up by the children. Didsbury Baptist Church newly refurbished, the Church will have
a display about the history of the church. Emmanuel Church where the Coffee Concert takes place in the morning and where you can see Manchester’s only William Morris stained glass window. United Reform Church Visit to see the beautiful Art Deco windows. Albert Club which started life as a Gentleman’s Club. Displays here will cover the Club itself, the Conservation Area and the Lapwing Lane Canopy. Manchester Islamic Centre which is housed in an old Presbyterian Church. Welsh Chapel one of only two such chapels in the Manchester area. Christ Church Heritage display from the Victorian Society. Siemens the Entrance Hall and one of the demonstration rooms will be open to the public. Booking required for this venue.
Christine Hession www.didsburycivicsociety.org.uk Photo: © Phil Portus
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
Community Clubs, Societies & Groups Acting For Fun Central Didsbury 431 4794 Didsbury Amateur Dramatics www.celestaplayers.co.uk Didsbury Civic Society www.didsburycivicsociety. org.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
Didsbury Cricket Club, Wilmslow Rd, East Didsbury, M20 2ZY
Friends of Fletcher Moss Park Alan Hill 215 0971 awhill@globalnet.co.uk
Jazz Tuesdays at 8.45pm at the Slug and Lettuce, 651 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury. creativespaceinfo. blogspot.com
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
Pub Quiz Dog and Partridge Every Monday 9.30 Cash Jackpot 667 Wilmslow Road Tel: 0871 951 1000
I N D E X south Manchester. newfamilysocial.co.uk email: nwdevelopment@ newfamilysocial.co.uk
Useful Numbers Didsbury Library 227 3755 Environment on Call 954 9000 Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100
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
Manchester City Council 234 5000
East Didsbury 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
West Didsbury 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
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
Public Liability Insurance Environmentally Aware
v
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Hello Giddy Goat Toys!
It’s all change in toyland as Louise from Rumpus is moving on and the shop has been taken over by Amanda Alexander and renamed Giddy Goat Toys.
Amanda was the co-owner of Monkey Puzzle Toys in Chorlton along with Nicola Shields and when she heard that Louise was looking to sell up and move on she jumped at the chance of keeping Didsbury’s one and only toy shop open by taking it on herself.
As the mother of two primary school aged boys Amanda is keen to increase the age range of the toys in the shop, bringing in brands such as Lego and Nerf, plus arts and crafts sets for older children from the quirky French toy company Djeco. Knowing how many parties children are invited to over the school year, she also plans to bring in a wider range of toys in the ‘under a tenner’ price range, plus a selection of fun pocket money toys.
welcoming and friendly service they have enjoyed at Rumpus, which Amanda praised, saying ‘Louise has done a fabulous job in creating this beautiful shop and finding motivated and knowledgeable staff to work there and although I will miss our Chorlton customers and working with Nicola I am looking forward to meeting the customers and children of Didsbury and I wish Louise all the best in her new career’. Giddy Goat Toys will also be a member of the Tag Pass it on scheme, offering 10% discounts to sales over £20 as well as selling the cards too. They also have a website at www. giddygoattoys.co.uk allowing customers to browse the stock and even buy online from the comfort of their own home with the option of either free collection from the shop or delivery to addresses across the UK. Why not pop in and say hello?
The existing staff are staying on so customers will receive the same warm,
Built in and free-standing furniture and storage solutions to improve how you use your home. www.enhanceitwithwood.com 0161 8619870 07969 115946 please mention Community Index when responding to adverts
There’s a new ‘kid’ in town down at Didsbury's favourite toy shop. You'll find the same friendly and helpful service, but see lots of new and exciting toys and gifts: • A fun range of value pocket money toys; • New section of toys for older kids including: Lego, Djeco art and craft sets, board games and science kits; • Lots more toys for under a tenner - making us the ideal place to pick up your party presents; • Traditional wooden toddler toys as well as fantastic games, puzzles and books for younger children; and
Visit our website to check out our range or buy online - we deliver across the UK. We look forward to welcoming you in soon.
2 Albert Hill Street . Didsbury . Manchester . M20 6RF Tel: 0161 445 1097 . Email: info@giddygoattoys.co.uk www.giddygoattoys.co.uk @giddygoattoys
/giddygoattoys
TOYS · BO OKS · GAMES
• A great selection of cards and giftwrap.
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September in your Garden Katherine Watson
September is the month that evokes a change in the year both literally, signifying the end of summer but also symbolically in folklore and religion where the bountiful harvests of the month are celebrated and stored for the coming winter. Perhaps one of the oldest and most nostalgic of British harvests is the September fruit – apples particularly, but pears and some plums too. The world of fruiting trees is a complex one with a variety of motorway-reminiscent rootstocks for apples (M26, M27); trendy foldaway bike rootstocks for plums (Brompton) and all manner of metrosexual pollinating habits, with many choosing to be self-fertile, a feat even we haven’t managed yet. Even small gardens can justify a cider press these days with smaller trees, fans and espaliers, cordons and standards all crashing onto the scene as we find new and inventive ways to train our fruit. Some good all round apple varieties are ‘Worcester Pearmain’, ‘Scrumptious’ and ‘James Grieve’ all of which are self-fertile (although they would all produce more fruit with an appropriate partner). The ‘Worcester Pearmain’ is a dessert apple with a hint of strawberry and ‘Scrumptious’ is a good fast growing tree that would be happy in a large pot in sun. ‘James Grieve’ is better known and a good all-rounder (eater, cooker, cider apple etc.)
particularly in Northern climbs. If you fancy a pear, and who doesn’t, the most popular continues to be ‘Conference’ as it will take shade – some nurseries even advocate a North facing wall – and is partially self-fertile. If you fancy growing a pear as an espalier or cordon, which means training the sideshoots against wires or trellis in lines which is both attractive and space-saving and allows more light to get to the fruit, ‘Concorde’ is a good choice. Some plums ripen in September and are good additions to the garden. ‘Mirabelle Golden Sphere’, a member of the damson family, produces golden plum-like fruit and is good for a small garden being slender and reasonably self-fertile. For a good cooking plum try ‘Marjories Seedling’ which is self-fertile and a later cropper than the traditional ‘Victoria’. Plums are also good trained as a fan; similar to an espalier but in a fan shape (nurseries will often provide a framework of canes with the shoots already tied in if you ask). As a rule, plums, cherries, peaches and apricots can all be trained as fans but not as espaliers and it is generally advised to position them against a south; south-east; or south-west wall, fence or trellis. Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs
Garden Design Planting Advice Consultation Service Project Managment
07989968841 www.fatgrass.co.uk
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 to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 lesley@communityindex.co.uk
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In Case You Missed ... CLASSICAL CONCERT
The Northern Chamber Orchestra played a Classical Concert on the 30th June at the Manchester Metropolitan University. This event was put on as a Fundraiser for the Parsonage Trust and the NCO donated their time. We also had several pieces played by a very talented young musician, Ruari Leonard from Parrs Wood School who was accompanied on the piano by Ros Holgate.
JAZZ WORKS
There were some fabulous cars on display, including a KIT car (from the TV series Knightrider) with the flashing front lights that spoke to you as you passed by which the children – and many of the older children – found fascinating. The Car Show raises money for The Christie and this year they raised over £1,500. Oxfam had a stand and raised £450 and the Parsonage Trust raised £370 for their funds.
ACOUSTIC GUITAR TRAIL
On the 22nd July, the 4th Acoustic Guitar Trail took place in Fletcher Moss Park again and we were very lucky to have chosen one of the few, not just dry, but glorious days in July. We had over 30 guitarists playing both in the Alpine Garden and in the Electric Tent outside the Alpine Cafe. It was a very successful event which has a very friendly atmosphere to it, with many solo guitarists joining up to jam with other guitarists. The Guitar Trail raises money for Music in Hospitals and the event this year raised just over £600 for the Charity.
Progress at The Parsonage Jazz Works performed a Fundraiser for the Parsonage at Dimitri’s on the 4th July Dimitri’s put on a magnificent meal and Jazz Works set up in the room at the back. The room was packed and it was a very entertaining and successful evening.
PARRS WOOD FESTIVAL
Parrs Wood School held a Festival on the 14th July in the school grounds. This was the first time this event has been held and it was a great success. Pure FM set up a stage to provide the entertainment and many local groups had stalls in the grounds.
GEORGE GALWAY CONCERT
George Galway performed on the 14th July at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club to raise money for the Lapwing Lane Canopy. Once again this was a very successful event with George and his associates playing to a packed room. The George Galway Swing Band and George performed two sets and George played several solos and well as playing with his jazz quartet for several sets and playing a duet with Sarah Miller.
CLASSIC CAR SHOW
This event, which took place on the 15th July, is now in its third year and each year it surpasses the previous one. Once again, the weather was good and there was an estimated attendance of over 1,500 visitors. There were 130 cars displayed and again the number of cars rises each year. The difference between this car show and many others is that most of the cars displayed are owned locally.
Keep looking in Community Index to see what is happening in Didsbury and if you are organising anything, contact Christine Hession on 0161 445 6382 or christine.hession@btinternet.com and we can include your event in the listings for the next issue of Community Index. We need to know what the event is, where it is, when it is (date and time) and who is setting the event up and we need the information by the 12th of the month before the event to get it in the next issue. If you can let us know earlier that is even better.
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Lapwing Lane Canopy The canopy above the shops on Lapwing Lane, opposite the site of the new Metro station, will very shortly be celebrating its 100th Anniversary.
Lapwing Lane Arcade, or to give it its ‘real’ name, Moorfield Arcade, is a rare surviving example of an Edwardian canopy and is possibly the only original one remaining in Manchester. It was built in 1913 by a company called Booth and Britten, who also designed the houses in the Ballbrook Conservation area to the north around Ballbrook Road. The houses and the arcade were built to a design by the Architect, George Wescott.
itself. They have raised a lot of money to date, but these projects always cost more than was originally envisaged because when you start looking more closely you find more things which need to be done, so fundraising is going to be on-going.
The glass in the roof of the canopy will all be replaced and the missing or damaged parts of the cast-iron work are all going to be copied before the whole canopy is prepared and re-painted. The guttering will all be replaced and new bollards will be put in place at either end of the canopy to prevent reversing vehicles causing
Friends of Lapwing Lane Arcade, or FOLLA, are working extremely hard to raise the money to pay for this Arcade, with its beautiful cast-iron tracery, to be renovated in time for its Anniversary. They are working closely with the owners and managers of the shops on the parade and are setting up a Trust for the canopy
more damage to the structure.
Mike Bath is researching the history of the canopy at the moment and has found out the names of many of the previous shop and shop-owners but there are gaps. Do you remember any of the shops which used to be on this arcade in the 20th century? Do you have any photographs? Do you have any memories of the area which you would like to share? If you do, please contact either Mike Bath on mikebath@pfsl. org.uk or christine.hession@ btinternet.com www.folla.org.uk
Palm Trees at the Parsonage - An Update We did try very hard to save the palm trees at the Parsonage. It was always our intention to move these trees if we possibly could but unfortunately, with three of them it has proved to be impossible and they have had to be felled.
On the day of ‘The Big Move’, the men had to hand dig round the roots of the first tree because the trees were so close to the house that getting a machine in was impossible. We had been told that the roots of these particular palms were very compact, much like those of a leek; unfortunately this did not
prove to be the case. When the roots were exposed, they were much larger than expected and to make matters worse, these particular trees had self-seeded and were growing on the line of the drains and into these drains. When they tried to move the roots, the drains began to break. The three trees closest to the Eagle Gate entrance, that are closest to the house will have to go but we hope to be able to save the palm closest to the porch, because this is not on the drain line and is further away from the house. If this can be moved, it will be moved into
Marie Louise Gardens. The palm trees are a fairly new feature at The Parsonage – we do have photographs taken in 1968 which show no palm trees, but they are a popular feature and we hope we can transplant one of them. The other three palms which are further away from the house will remain in place. The good news is that several seedlings were found around the trees which have been felled and these have been potted up and will, hopefully, be grown on. Christine Hession www.didsburyparsonagetrust.org.uk
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