ten

10 issue east Sport for All Waste Not Holt Town Not So Silent Majority

ISSN 1745-8277 WINTER 2009

the magazine about regeneration in east free Waste not

It’s not all waste paper and plastic bottles for the recycling company Emerge. Mark Hillsdon finds that the local social enterprise also runs an education programme and distributes surplus supermarket food. “The principal When Lucy Danger met up with friends in a Then, all of a sudden, recycling went idea was to local pub in 1995 few would have thought mainstream. Emerge had blazed the trail so try and get that a fledgling idea to get Mancunians successfully that in 2005 the Council decided Manchester recycling would, ten years later, turn a small it would take over roadside collections to wake up to corner of New Smithfield Market in itself. “At the time it was a bit of a shock,” recycling” into the industrious epicentre for recycling recalls Danger, “but we looked at what we in Manchester. were trying to achieve, and the fact that At the time, Danger was working for the the service had gone mainstream in many Citizens Advice Bureau and had been on the respects was positive – it’s what we set out fringes of a campaign to prevent a waste to do.” But it also left her facing a series of incinerator being built in east Manchester. tough decisions. The campaign was successful, and it was “We had to look very carefully at what we over a celebratory pint in Mary D’s that were doing and how we were going to pay the the idea for Emerge – or East Manchester rent… there was a lot of belt tightening,” she Environmental and Resources Group Emerge says. In one month they downsized from 50 to give it its full title – first began to take staff to 25, with some employees transferring shape. directly to the Council’s joint venture company. “The principal idea was to try and get Losing the Council contract meant Manchester to wake up to recycling,” says Emerge had to concentrate on the services Danger, who’s now the managing director of they offered to companies and voluntary Emerge, an organisation with over 30 full- organisations, which weren’t covered by the time employees and an annual turnover of local authority. They focused more on working around £800,000. with businesses in central Manchester, “We started offering a recycling service offering a collection service as well as advice to 50 households, using a rickety old van to reduce waste. with wheelie bins on it,” she recalls. “It was a A key contact for these businesses is proper ramshackle set-up.” Gareth Chantrell, who was recently promoted For the first two years Emerge was a to the role of business service supervisor. voluntary enterprise, moving from offices in He joined Emerge as a driver four years ago, Hulme to the West Indian Sports and Social and now liaises closely with customers about Club in Moss Side, before finally arriving at a their recycling needs. depot in Bessemer Street, off Ashton Old Road. “I think the whole of Manchester needs a “It was pretty makeshift and edgy,” good recycling company,” explains Chantrell, says Danger. “At that time the regeneration who lives in Gorton. “Emerge really has programme in east Manchester was just progressed. It’s a small company but it’s got kicking off and there was the feeling that a very big image around it.” things were going to improve.” Emerge makes a small charge for The first big break came when Emerge collecting the materials from businesses, he began a waste paper round in South East explains. The waste is sorted and then sold on Manchester covering 30,000 households. to commercial reprocessors. Gradually money began to trickle in from IT equipment makes up a large amount sources such as the landfill tax, charitable of the haul, and Danger is constantly looking trusts and then a community fund at Kellogg’s. at ways to reuse the monitors and printers Previous page: Soon Emerge had set up a free recycling that end up at the depot. They’ve recently At a local hostel, Paul service for 150+ schools across Manchester started working with a national company (left) and Joe heat up and was also funded by the government which strips down the old equipment so that FareShare soup delivered to run one of the first recycling schemes every component gets recycled. “They do a by Emerge. for high- rise flats in the country. They lot of re-use as well and we’re always keen to also pioneered a kerbside, multi-material try and push the agenda for getting people to Opposite: recycling service and eventually got a deal think more about re-use,” she adds. Lucy Danger started Emerge with the City Council to service 55,000 Chantrell is currently studying for a team after a chat in the pub. households. leader qualification and has ambitions to one

4 east “I’ve found day become operations manager. “I always “It’s been a long time coming,” jokes something that wanted to progress in life and get better jobs Danger. “From the very early days people I really want to and do better for myself personally. Emerge were saying, ‘you’ve got to educate the do,” he says. has opened a lot of doors for me and given children,’ and it’s true of course.” “FareShare me the opportunity,” he says. The three-year ‘Real Skills programme’ is a brilliant Community inclusion and the provision is now taking the ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ idea and I’m of training and lifelong learning have message into primary and secondary schools, just absolutely always been core values at Emerge, and the with three new education workers also delighted to have organisation currently has over 20 volunteers, working with young people on issues around got involved.” many from the local community. social enterprise and the environment. Martin Jamieson is one, and he began “Working with schools was also the working for Emerge Food, a subsidiary of the natural progression in spreading the ‘act main organisation, last year. He’s now helping local, think global’ message,” says Danger. with the running of FareShare, a franchise Emerge are continuing to diversify, which redistributes in-date surplus food. working as resource efficiency consultants “I came for an interview and took to it for organisations like the Co-op Group, straight away,” says Jamieson. “Warehouse Northwest Regional Development Agency work is what I used to do. and Kellogg’s, while also in discussions with “I started working on the Smithfield NHS Manchester and the Social Investment Market when I was about 15… it was all fruit Fund about setting up a training kitchen to and veg then… At three or four o’clock in the raise awareness about food and run cooking morning this place used to be chock-a-block. classes in general. There were juggernauts all over the market There are also plans to buy new and traders coming in and buying stock.” equipment that can ‘add value’ to recycled An industrial injury 20 years ago has materials by reprocessing them, even turning left Jamieson suffering from occasional them into completely new products. And blackouts, but FareShare is offering him a there’s a contract with Trafford Council way back into work. He now checks the food to provide a kerbside collection to 7,000 that’s regularly dropped off by many of the properties, too. city’s large supermarkets – which is often At its heart, Emerge remains a community simply wrongly labelled or has damaged business, an organisation offering local packaging – and then helps to distribute it volunteers the chance to improve their job to support organisations and hostels such as prospects. “We genuinely try to employ local the Booth Centre and Mustard Tree who help people,” says Danger. “There’s a lot of really individuals in need. positive energy from the staff… I think east “I’ve found something that I really want Manchester has got a really good community to do,” he says. “FareShare is a brilliant idea vibe about it.” and I’m just absolutely delighted to have got involved.” FareShare has the dual aims of relieving food poverty and cutting back on food waste and Danger hopes it’s a service that retailers will ultimately pay for. “The food industry is effectively saving money – if they didn’t give us the food they would Top: throw it away, and would have to pay to do Gareth Chantrell “Emerge that,” she says. has got a big image...” Danger has always wanted to take Emerge’s message into schools too but lacked Bottom: the funds until last year, when they were Martin Jamieson organises awarded £500,000 by the Big Lottery Fund’s another FareShare delivery. Reaching Communities programme. Sport for All

Len Grant discovers how has shaken off its alien spaceship image to become the focus of local pride.

“There can’t be He’s down here five times a week. Mostly The velodrome was opened in September many sports it’s with his cycling club, Sportcity Velo, but 1994. Built by Manchester City Council as where beginners today it’s with his school club. a potential home for British Cycling, it is and world Luke Bolton, 15, is in Year 11 at Gorton’s still the only Olympic indoor cycling track in champions Wright Robinson Specialist College and has England. Cardiff has one and there are tracks use the same been cycling at Manchester Velodrome – also planned for Glasgow and London (for the facilities. You known as the – for the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics), but can’t imagine past four years. Looking the part in his shades it took the arrival of the National Lottery to popping down and with his own fixed gear bike, he flies make things work in Manchester. With a new to Old Trafford around the wooden banked track with the influx of lottery cash top-class riders were for a kickabout, style of heroes Chris Hoy and Matt Crampton. able to turn professional and train full-time but that’s what Parent volunteer Adele Cornwall has been in a first-class facility. happens here.” bringing a dozen or more cyclists down to the And it’s paid off. The cycling team came track after school for six years now. “There away from the Beijing Olympics last summer with was no-one to take them to begin with,” eight gold, four silver and two bronze medals, remembers Adele, “and so I said I would bring nearly half of Team GB’s medal booty. Chris them down on the bus. I didn’t even know Hoy has since been crowned the BBC’s Sports what a velodrome was and then when we first Personality of the Year and has become a ‘Sir’ in walked in, it was just, ‘Wow!’ and I’ve been the latest New Year’s Honours. coming down ever since. Such is the cycling success that the “They have their session immediately government’s investment in the elite sport after the British Cycling elite team so, over will increase to nearly £27 million for the 2012 the years, they’ve got to know them pretty games, overtaking athletics, swimming and well. They’re all on first name terms, which is sailing. The majority of that investment will fantastic.” be spent in east Manchester. Although the Great British cycling team All this success has meant the velodrome – the likes of Hoy, Pemberton and Wiggins – has witnessed a massive surge in the grass are known as the elite squad there is nothing roots interest in the sport, on top of what at all elitist about this place. As the General was already a substantial following from Manager, Jarl Walsh, points out, “There can’t committed amateurs. Taster sessions, where be many sports where beginners and world beginners can hop on one of the many hire champions use the same facilities. You can’t bikes and emulate their sporting heroes imagine popping down to Old Trafford for a or heroines, are now booked up months in kickabout, but that’s what happens here. advance. Luke Bolton takes to It’s a great inspiration for the young riders to For those whose prefer to sit, watch and the track. watch the professionals close up.” scream, the Revolution events – held monthly

8 east

12 east The Velodrome is the busiest and, since the Olympics, the most successful making the Revolution events extremely popular. “The talent team since 2003 – have consistently drawn large support their young stars until they are taken from British crowds, and since Beijing have been total on full time by the British Cycling squad. Two Cycling start sell-outs. Billed as ‘high octane fun’ for all of their ‘old boys’, Jason Kenny and Steven to pick up the the family, these Saturday night meetings Burke, were developed through this route and teenage riders feature the well-known riders as well as the went on to win medals in Beijing. who are showing rising stars. “Jason Kenny started cycling at our taster promise but “It’s getting very popular,” says sessions in 2000,” recalls Alan with more than the Sportcity spectator Phil Braybrooke who is in the stands a touch of pride, “and then, eight years later, coaches continue with his three young sons, impatiently waiting he’s on the top of the podium with a gold to support their for the riders to appear. “This event sold out medal around his neck. That’s not bad that, young stars until immediately. People have seen it on TV and is it?” they are taken on now want to see it live. And tonight is the Tim and Alan acknowledge that their full time by the homecoming, the first time the GB team have clubs are at an advantage over others who British Cycling been seen on the track since the Olympics.” don’t have a cycling track on their doorstep. squad.” Phil and his sons are all cycling mad. “We let members of other clubs – up to a They train with the local club where Phil is a certain age – come and train with us and take coach. All the boys know the names of the advantage of the facilities,” says Alan. competitors and are clearly inspired by what They’re also keen to encourage more they see. “I like track and road racing,” says local riders into the sport by targeting east 12-year-old Christian above the roar of the Manchester schools and youth clubs. “People tannoy, “so I’d like to be in the Tour de France might think it’s an expensive sport, and it and the Olympics: I’d like to do both.” can be,” says Tim, “but we have our own As well as the GB team, Revolution supply of track bikes for new riders so parents regulars get to see many of the world’s best don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds track cyclists over a series as international on equipment. Our beginners’ session on riders are brought in to compete with the Mondays is only £1.50 for the hour.” home-grown talent. Road riders, too, come Eleven-year-old Niall Melarkey started to make an appearance, and the format has out at the Monday evening trial sessions after become so successful that it’s been repeated coming along with his old primary school in in Australia. Beswick. He’s now hooked and has progressed But it’s the young guns that Phil gets to Saturday mornings where he trains with most satisfaction from watching. The Future 30 or more other riders. “I’m learning new Stars races feature every region in the skills,” he says, “and building up my stamina. country and eight of the North West riders Then I can move up a group as I get stronger.” ride for east Manchester’s very own Sportcity The cycling bug has bitten Niall’s dad, Velo. Many of them have come up through the Pete, too. “We came first to watch the ranks from the junior team, Eastlands Velo. European Championships. It was absolutely At a Saturday morning session for Eastlands unbelievable, so different from watching it Velo, coaches Tim Ferguson and Alan Mason on TV. It really gets your adrenaline going, recount the origins of the club. “It was started seeing them race around the track at those by the Council when the velodrome first opened,” speeds. says Alan, “ but now it’s run exclusively by “I thought the velodrome was a complete volunteers, may of them riders or ex-riders, and eyesore when I first saw it but it’s totally many of them parents.” different on the inside. It’s brilliant. It’s been “For the junior club we take riders from really good for the area.” eight and teach them the basics of track cycling,” explains Tim, “and then, at 14, they manchestervelodrome.com move onto to Sportcity Velo where things get cyclingrevolution.com much more competitive.” eastlandsvelo.com The talent team from British Cycling start sportcityvelo.com Niall Melarkey waits his to pick up the teenage riders who are showing turn to do a time-trial. promise but the Sportcity coaches continue to

14 east Full Ahead for Holt Town

Len Grant explores the little known backwater near Sportcity that will, in 15 years or so, redefine urban family living in the UK.

I’ve got a print for Ian. I photographed him Around these few streets – against a the last time I visited Holt Town. “That was backdrop of abandoned and decaying mills 18 months ago,” I say, embarrassed it had – there are dozens of small businesses and taken me so long to deliver it. “And look,” he individuals eking out a living. In a yard that laughs, “the same cars are still in the yard… was overflowing with dismantled cars on my we only got rid of that van last week.” last visit, half a dozen men stoop over piles Ian runs a mechanic’s shop on Upper of reclaimed bricks, chipping away the old Cyrus Street – although, with all the mortar and stacking the cleaned bricks on incomplete chassis, car parts and piles of pallets. “They get sold on to brick yards,” tyres, it looks more like a breaker’s yard. He’s says Ian, a self-employed brick reclaimer, been here for over 10 years now and although “and they’re even more expensive than aware there are big plans for this part of east new bricks.” Manchester, he doesn’t take much interest: Holt Town has always had industry at its “I lease this place and will be retiring before heart. As Manchester developed in the mid- too long, so it won’t affect me.” nineteenth century Holt Town – named after Today I am on a mission to capture some a local mill owner – grew in a supporting role of what this overlooked area is about. Holt to the expanding metropolis. They say the Town is triangular on the map, between location of industry, rather than housing, New Islington and Sportcity, bounded by on the east side of the city is a consequence Ashton New Road and Bradford Road, its of the prevailing wind direction: the smoke most prominent landmark being the massive from city centre activity blew up here rather gas holder alongside the Ashton Canal. The than across what became the wealthier River Medlock runs through here as well, an southern suburbs. unassuming asset waiting for an opportunity After John, I’m directed over the road to to fulfil its potential. the Lunch Box café where Leanne Donnelly One of Ian’s neighbours, John Cregg, who would, I’m told, be happy to have her picture tells me he’s 73, leases a yard at the back taken. She is, thankfully, and whilst preparing of a row of houses on Cambrian Street. “I do a steak sandwich on the griddle, she tells me a bit of welding,” he says, “the odd car but time is running out for them. “There’s been a mainly security bars and gates. I only get the café here for 18 years,” she says, “I’ve leased basic state pension but with all the bills I it for the last eight. I really enjoy it here. John Cregg: have to keep working to survive. I’m just about When it gets compulsory purchased we’ll be “I’m just about keeping keeping my head above water but it’s gone offered another location, or be compensated my head above water.” dead now, there’s nothing much happening.” for loss of business.”

16 east

20 east Reclaimers work through a mound of recycled bricks; the River Valley Park; Leanne Donnelly at the Lunch Box café. ...this is the The vision for Holt Town, set out by “We’d like to stay in the area,” continues type of business developers Cibitas and its partners, is Julie, “we’ve lived round here all our lives and I’m sure the to create ‘a pioneering new quarter for my parents still live on Butler Street in Miles master planners Manchester’s city centre. Over 15 years it will Platting.” have in mind for become a sustainable, mixed use community I mention that the plans are for family the new-look of a kind previously experienced only in housing. Do they think that would work here? Holt Town. other parts of Europe’. The emphasis will be “Oh yes,” says Alan enthusiastically, “it’s a on family housing – there are 4300 homes really quiet area at night – no trouble – it’d planned – and the target residents are either be ideal for families.” those original city centre pioneers who now At lunchtime I’m drawn down Pollard have a young family and still want the buzz Street East towards the Crusty Cob pie of town, or those in the suburbs who feel shop, permanently populated by a queue they are missing out on the urban lifestyle. of fluorescent-vested workmen and made Optimistically the master plan claims that the famous by Ancoats’ own singing postman, Holt Town Waterfront, as it’s being branded, Dom Collins: ‘The girls are all very friendly will ‘re-define urban family living in the UK there/they all know what to do/you can tell for the 21st century’. Powerful stuff. they work in the Crusty Cob because they like Mostly it’s difficult to extrapolate the a pie or two.’ hyperbolic spin developers put on their future Before my homemade meat pie I call in at projects; difficult to imagine the place Wellington House, a business and arts centre populated by the cut-out figures on their in an old warehouse building beside the computer-generated images. But walking canal. I’ve been here before, photographing now, on this crisp autumnal morning, through Holt Town from the studio of a couple of the deserted River Valley Park with the low artists I know. They’re not in today but on the sunlight picking out the last of the leaves stone stairwell I meet Simon Renshaw who, on the young trees, I have to admit I can see with two colleagues, runs Marble Media, a into the future. I can see mums and dads, website design company. Simon invites me grandmas and grandads, strolling through the to have a look at their set-up; all hi-tech in park; children chasing balls, dogs and each a post-industrial setting, very Mancunian. other; I can see joggers, cyclists and anglers Unlike the scrap yards and brick reclaimers, (there’s a cyclist now on the canal towpath, this is the type of business I’m sure the which helps); a couple walking hand in hand master planners have in mind for the new- towards the tram stop and some others with look Holt Town. their racquets heading towards the tennis But isn’t the Holt Town Waterfront just centre at Sportcity. It really could work. going to be another of those projects that has Then I’m back to reality: out the gate and to keep its head down for a couple of years into Upper Helena Street where three men are and wait for the economy to revive? Surely emptying the contents of their van into an it’s ‘halt town’ for Holt Town just now? unattended skip. They look at the camera, “No, we’re not on hold,” says Sally and at me, worried their clandestine activity Cockshaw emphatically, “there’s plenty to might be recorded. do. The tram is definitely coming through According to Sally Cockshaw from Cibitas in 2012 so we’ve got a public square and a the park will be central to the first phase of tram stop to put in. But we’re not putting any development, which includes the relocation of sites up for sale just now, that wouldn’t be the larger businesses near Ashton New Road appropriate.” and the demolition of some of the houses on So, as I brush away the pastry crumbs Cambrian Street. Alan and Julie Chadwick have and head back to my car to write about the lived in their housing association end terraced morning’s activities, I’m already looking house for the last 14 years. “We know it’s on forward to documenting what must be one the cards,” says Alan after I’ve intercepted of east Manchester’s most spectacular their shopping trip, “but they haven’t told us transformations. Hopefully, you’ll still be much. Maybe it’ll happen in the next two years.” able to get a decent meat pie.

22 east Not So Silent Majority

The media overflows with stories of anti-social behaviour and youth crime, but two Beswick teenagers say there’s another side that people rarely see.

“There’s always going to be some teenagers between Eastlands Homes, Manchester Youth who behave badly,” says 17-year-old Service and New East Manchester, BOTV Thomas Redfearn, “but it’s the rest of us, provides 11–19-year-olds with the chance the majority, who get a bad image too. Older not only to voice their concerns but to people only ever see the bad side, and I counter some of the stereotypes Thomas is blame the media for that.” keen to challenge. Thomas has been speaking out for young “Last summer the BOTV did some ‘getting people since he was 14. It started when he to know you’ projects with older people,” he attended a neighbourhood meeting about says. “We went to an old people’s home and improvements to his estate. New East taught them how to use their mobile phones. Manchester’s resident liaison officer, Tracey It was great. We taught them how to answer Annette, was there and, Thomas recalls, “she their calls and how to text. None of them had got all the kids together and asked what a camera phone so we didn’t have to show changes we wanted to see.” them that! It didn’t stop after the meeting. Annette, “Just the other month we worked with keen to keep the group together, set up the older people at Crossley House youth centre. Mini Movie Makers project where the Beswick We were all making paper pumpkins together young people worked with a professional film for the Halloween Howler at Clayton Vale. crew to make a DVD about east Manchester. It’s all part of what’s called intergenerational “It was great fun,” remembers Thomas, working, and everyone really enjoys it.” “we did it in the style of a news report with Thomas’s participation with the BOTV an anchorman supposedly in the studio and has helped him personally too. For him it’s a ‘correspondents’ reporting from different great confidence booster. “It’s really useful,” locations. I did one report from Clayton Vale he says, “I never used to say much in class and another from our estate.” before I started with all these meetings Now studying AS level Psychology, and that, but now I’m much more vocal and Sociology, English and Media at Manchester happy to put my ideas across. I never used to College, Thomas has always been interested socialise much, but I’ve made loads of friends in film-making. “The Mini Movie Makers through all the youth work.” project reaffirmed that for me. It was fun.” Thomas is hoping to go to university and Following the film premiere at a city eventually get into media, working behind the centre cinema complex, he and his fellow scenes in TV or filmmaking. Thomas Redfearn and movie-makers were invited to join the North His fellow youth forum member, 18-year- Danny Robinson at the Bang East District Youth Forum, otherwise known as old Danny Robinson, is as close as it gets of the Voice youth forum. the Bang of the Voice (BOTV). A collaboration to a youth activist. He wrote his first letter

24 east When NEM’s youth co-ordinator at the East is the magazine about time, Gary Buxton, was invited to contribute regeneration in east Manchester About East and is published three times a towards a national pilot of the Young year by Len Grant Photography East is all set to change! From early summer East magazine will be launched into cyberspace Advisors scheme, Danny was a natural on behalf of New East and will be online at www.thisiseast.com. This digital reincarnation will mean more people will candidate. “At first I wasn’t 100% sure what Manchester Ltd get the chance to see what’s happening in east Manchester. We will use the technology to best it was until I went on the training courses, Issue 10 Winter 2009 advantage by adding new stories more quickly and incorporating short films and audio. but it’s to do with informing decision-makers Editorial address: Photographer and writer, Len Grant will continue to go out and about, interviewing local of young people’s needs and the day-to-day East Magazine people and capturing the essence of east Manchester. There’ll be more of the images and articles New East Manchester Ltd problems they face. The feedback I give is 187 Grey Mare Lane that have made East magazine a distinctive record of the area’s transformation. partly my own thoughts and partly what other Beswick In the four years since we launched young people think, so I have to get out there Manchester M11 3ND East, the magazine has covered a wide tel: + 44 (0) 161 223 1155 and ask them their views. Yes, at first they variety of subjects. Our first issue, at the were a bit sceptical of the whole thing but Photographs © Len Grant beginning of 2005, heralded the construction once they realised it could be for their own Text © Mark Hillsdon, Len Grant. of : Len’s gritty black and white benefit, then they were OK.” Crusty Cob lyrics with permission pictures recorded what we sadly now know of Dom Collins. Since becoming a young advisor was a flawed installation. In that issue he more than three years ago, Danny and also documented many of the local pubs that ISSN 1745-8277 his colleagues have organised countless were enjoying extra trade with Manchester Designed by Alan Ward @ activities. “It’s hard to remember them www.axisgraphicdesign.co.uk City’s return to this side of town. all,” he says modestly, “but one of the Printed by Andrew Kilburn Print East has followed much of the physical best was getting the area’s city councillors Services Ltd. regeneration that New East Manchester to his MP when he was just 12, complaining Danny: “There have been involved. Young people wouldn’t normally All rights are reserved. has spearheaded. We’ve seen New Islington improvements, but I still about the state of local parks. “I never felt go to councillors’ ‘surgeries’ so we brought No part of this publication may come out of the ground with pictures and have issues with this safe in the park and wrote to make some be reproduced or transmitted the councillors to the youth clubs and even in any form or by any means, articles on the new housing, water park and suggestions. I’m still waiting for a reply!” park.” organised a quiz show, ‘Advice is your Right!’ electronic or otherwise, including infrastructure. New and renovated homes At 13, he volunteered himself to attend which was a good evening.” photocopying, recording or any in Ancoats, Beswick and Miles Platting have a consultation meeting at the City of information storage and retrieval That dialogue between elected system, without written consent all been profiled, as have plans for Toxteth Manchester Stadium. “There were lots of representatives and the young people they from the publisher. Street and, in this issue, Holt Town. decision-makers there,” he remembers, serve has continued. “Now,” says Danny, The rights of the photographers Len has celebrated the success of “regeneration people and council officials. “if you asked teenagers round here who and writers to be identified as resident groups; artists; schools; dedicated authors of this work have been The only way I can put it is that I blabbered their councillors were, many of them would individuals and voluntary organisations. He’s on for an hour and a half about the parks and asserted by them in accordance know, which is more than can be said for the with the Copyright, Design and featured Sure Start, Gorton Monastery (twice), a multi-million pound restaurant and the arrival services to schools.” adults!” Patents Act 1988. of the Metrolink; we’ve had articles from a variety of local writers on subjects as diverse as the “The lighting in Bradford Park has never He reckons his openness comes from his The opinions expressed in East co-operative societies, the local internet provider Eastserve, and community radio. been good enough, and although there have upbringing: “We were always taught that we are not necessarily those of The printed version of East is not disappearing completely. Each year we will publish a New East Manchester Ltd been lots of improvements to the park since I could have an opinion,” he laughs. “It wasn’t smaller format, single issue which will compliment what you’ll see and read online. was 13, lighting is still a concern that hasn’t always the right opinion, but at least we Cover: If you’d like to keep up with developments here in east Manchester, email [email protected] been properly resolved. could say how we felt!” Training for Eastland Velo at and we will let you know when thisiseast.com is launched. Manchester Velodrome. “I had issues about school too,” he Danny works for a national pub chain but, Back Cover: Eddie Smith says. “We had good teaching staff at Wright in the future, would like to join the police and Ian in Holt Town. Acting Chief Executive, New East Manchester Ltd Robinson but when you were ready to move continue working with young people. on, there wasn’t the support you needed.” The following summer Danny’s enthusiasm Contributors in this issue was put to good use by regeneration staff when he came up with the idea of keeping Len Grant is a freelance photographer and writer based in Manchester. For the past decade or so east Manchester’s young people busy during he has made regeneration the subject of his personal and commissioned work. His most recent the holidays. “We organised something to do book, From the Ground Up: New Islington 2001–2007 charts the development of east Manchester’s Millennium Community. He is currently working on a personal project about social exclusion. on each evening from Monday to Thursday for Partly funded by Also see www.lengrant.co.uk the whole six weeks. We had rock climbing one night, then some training with Manchester Mark Hillsdon is a freelance writer who came to Manchester as a student 20 years ago and never City coaches another night, just one activity left. He’s written for a diverse range of publications from Esquire to Country Walking, as well after the other.” as several national newspapers. A consultant editor on the Time Out guide to Manchester, he is currently working on his first children’s novel.

26 east In this issue of East: Mark Hillsdon rediscovers the meaning of the 3R’s; Len Grant investigates who’s using the velodrome; Manchester’s largest scheme for family homes; a shout-out for young people; and East goes online 10