Miles Platting Issue 27

Summer 2014

Miles Platting What’s inside Community You Decide 2014 Spirit lives Voting Day page 3 Child Support Wednesday 25th June (3pm – 8pm) page 4 Community Centre, St George’s Day Parade Lower Vickers Street page 7

We’ve had a great response to our Miles Platting Community You Decide fund for 2014 and it’s now your chance Garden News to decide who gets your vote and wins the cash! page 16 Inside you’ll fi nd an extra leafl et listing all the projects that are looking for funding, have a read and then come along to the voting day on Wednesday 25th June to cast your votes. You For more information, or to get can also see these project outlines displayed at a number of involved with the community community venues in the area (Victoria Mill Community Centre, gardens contact Amy or Issie on: St George’s Youth & Community Centre and the Adactus Housing 0161 203 2600. offi ce from now until the voting day. We’ve altered the voting rules slightly to make sure you as Miles Platting and Adactus Housing Adactus Miles Platting residents are getting your say in a fair way. gets connected. More details of voting rules can be found on page 19 of this issue. Facebook: ‘Adactus Miles Platting’.

Twitter: ‘AdactusMP’.

This document is available in other languages, larger text, Braille and on audio cd. miles platting spotlight

Coffee Morning at the Library Since undergoing internal refurbishment in December last year, Victoria Mill Community Centre, now to the Miles Platting Outreach Library, is attracting more residents than ever before. And to make the most of the shiny new facilities, the centre is now hosting a monthly coffee morning run by Adactus Housing in partnership with the library.

The coffee mornings are held on the fi rst Wednesday of every month from 10:30am until 12pm. The idea is to try and get guest speakers down to the centre each month and so far, we have been visited by Mind Your Money (money advice service) and Macmillan Cancer Support. Please feel free to pop along to the next coffee Amy Davis, Neighbourhood Development Offi cer morning which will be held on Wednesday comments, ‘Since the improvements were made 2nd July – there’ll be free tea, coffee and lots to the inside of the centre, and now with the of biccies! If you are interested in volunteering library facilities there too, it is a lovely place to at the coffee mornings or if you have an idea sit and relax. We hope that the coffee mornings for a future guest speaker contact Amy on: might just encourage a few more people to come along, sit, chat, drink coffee and relax together!’ 0161 203 2600

Miles Platting Community Library Lower Vickers Street, Miles Platting M40 7LJ The Miles Platting Community Library’s opening times:

The Miles Platting Community What else is happening Library’s opening times: at the library?

Tuesday: 2.00pm – 5.00pm Thursdays 1:15 – 1:45pm (term time only) Wednesday: 10.00am – 1.00pm Tiny tots and toddler time for babies, tots and pre-schoolers with their parents and carers. Thursday: 1.00pm – 7.00pm Saturday: 10.00am – 1.00pm Thursdays 3:30 – 5:30pm Miles Better inspirational craft ideas led by artist So go on what are you waiting for, Fiona Smith. pay us a visit!

2 miles platting spotlight

Community spirit is well and truly alive You may think that things have gone quiet with regards to the saving and restoration of the Dispensary but rest assured we are working hard in the background to progress this wonderful campaign.

Although our fi rst round submission for funding The Metropolitan University have was rejected in March of this year, we have now won a £46,000 Collaborative Skills Training Award re-submitted a more robust application and will and Ancoats Dispensary Trust are one of the receive the result of this in July – so not too long groups who will begin work in September with the to wait. University in research to discover how and in what In the meantime the Group have been busy way we could record particular periods of history networking with other organisations including some relating to Ancoats and the neighbourhoods close you may not have heard of, so just to give you an by. This will lead to a public exhibition showcasing update. If you want to join the Halle Community the work under the heading of ‘Creating our Future Choir that has just started at Halle St Michaels in Histories’. George Leigh Street, we will be able to put some If you are around on Sunday the 27th of July at 12 information about this on our website noon we will be having a stall at ‘Party in the Park’ www.ancoatsdispensarytrust.org.uk so you can at Phillips Park so do come and have a chat, have a get yourselves down there and sing your hearts cuppa and fi nd out how you can be part of Ancoats out. You don’t need to be able to read music and Dispensary Trust because we are going to need there are no auditions – just sheer enjoyment. lots of willing hands if we are successful this time On another note (excuse the pun!) but if there round. People who can roll up their sleeves and are any youngsters out there who love to sing or get ‘stuck in’. write their own music or both and want to join in and learn how to do it better then there is a group called ‘Brighter Sound’ based at Band on the Wall Visit our website: and they meet every Wednesday evening at 6pm www.ancoatsdispensarytrust.org.uk – 8pm. If you are between 13 years and 18 years Facebook page ‘Save Ancoats Dispensary’ and old then that’s the place for you. Let us know if it is Twitter page ‘twitdispensary’ but remember we a problem for you to get there as Brighter Sounds are still out there and won’t be going anywhere wants to encourage young people from North and for a while. East Manchester to join this group but recognize that it might not be easy for you to reach Band on Linda Carver the Wall. Co-ordinator for Ancoats Dispensary Trust If we know what the problems are that are preventing young people from joining then perhaps we could work together to sort them out. Each month they hold a showcase on a Wednesday and perform to family/friends or anyone who wants to support them. Ancoats Dispensary Trust is friends of the Halle and the Band on the Wall and we are hoping to work with them in some capacity at the Dispensary. 3 miles platting spotlight

Child Support Agency/Child Maintenance Options – Important Changes

Thousands of letters are to be sent to single parents in Britain informing them of changes to their child maintenance arrangements. The government wants parents to agree their child maintenance agreements “amicably” or face a charge.

Child maintenance is fi nancial support that helps Direct Pay (Child Maintenance Service) and towards a child’s living costs when its parents Maintenance Direct (Child Support Agency) have separated. Under the old system many single parents used the Child Support Agency (CSA) to With Direct Pay and Maintenance Direct sort out maintenance payments, but ministers arrangements, the service managing your case announced last year the CSA would be abolished calculates child maintenance but doesn’t collect it. and replaced by Child Maintenance Options. There The paying parent makes payments directly to the are now two options available to parents. receiving parent. Collect & Pay Once the statutory service has calculated the amount, it’s up to you to agree with the other With a Collect & Pay arrangement, the service parent how and when money is paid. It’s a good managing your case will collect payments from idea to keep a record of your payments, in case the paying parent, and pass them on to the there are any problems in the future. receiving parent. Under the Government’s plans to introduce fees With Collect & Pay the Child Maintenance Service and charges in 2014, customers who choose will manage the maintenance payments and can Direct Pay will not be charged collections fees. take enforcement action if the paying parent doesn’t keep up with payments. Parents with a Child Maintenance Service case can move to Direct Pay now if both parents agree, but The Government plans to introduce fees and under the Government’s plans, from 2014 either charges for parents using the Child Maintenance parent will be able to choose Direct Pay. Service in 2014. However, paying parents may not be able to It is proposed that choose Direct Pay if they have missed payments (or not made them in full) and the receiving parent • paying parents will have to pay an additional tells the Child Maintenance Service that they want 20% collection fee on top of their usual child to use Collect & Pay and pay the 4% collection fee. maintenance amount for using the Collect & Pay service. The main difference between a Direct Pay or Maintenance Direct arrangement and a family- • receiving parents will have a 4% collection fee based arrangement is that the statutory service deducted from their usual child maintenance decides on the amount – and this means it’s amount for using the Collect & Pay service. legally binding. If the paying parent doesn’t keep The Government believes that charging both up with payments the receiving parent can ask parents to use the Child Maintenance Service will the service managing their case to take action encourage them to consider working together to to enforce payment. arrange child maintenance. For further help and assistance with child maintenance parents can visit: www.cmoptions.org

4 miles platting spotlight

Tenancy fraud

It is estimated by the Government that at least 100,000 social housing properties are the subject of housing fraud.

To address this, the government has introduced “The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act”.

Did you know that housing fraud can be:

1 living with a new partner elsewhere but 5 letting someone live in part of the keeping your house/fl at “just in case” property without Landlord consent things don’t work out 6 selling your keys and moving out 2 moving out and leaving adult children in the property 7 if you haven’t told the truth when requesting the property, or have 3 leaving the property empty, and not forgotten to tell us something importantimport giving notice to quit or letting us know that you have left 8 telling us that you lived in the property before the legal tenant died, and claiming 4 letting someone live in the property that you have a right to their tenancy.tenancy whilst you live elsewhere

The act has seen housing fraud become a criminal If you know of anyone sub-letting or taking matter – and local authorities will have the power to possession of a property fraudulently, please prosecute those who unlawfully sub-let their home. inform the housing team on 0161 203 2600 or 0800 234 6826. The punishment could be a fi ne of up to £50,000 and/or two year jail sentence. All reports will be treated in the strictest confi dence and can be given anonymously.

5 miles platting spotlight

Changes to Council Tax Support Maximum support for working age tenants reduced to 85% (previously 91.5%)

You may be able to get temporary help in certain circumstances if you are struggling to pay your council tax.

There are no defi nite rules for who qualifi es - To apply for extra help with your council tax you don’t even have to be entitled to Council bill you will need to show evidence of your Tax Support. fi nancial problems. The Council will look at each application Please contact Tina Chadwick, Money Adviser at individually. But you must: Adactus Housing on 0161 203 2600 (option 2) • live in the area covered by Manchester City who can assist in completing an application form. Council; and Please be aware if you apply, but are refused, • be in severe hardship through unusual you won’t normally have your application circumstances considered again unless your circumstances have become worse. We are more likely to give you extra help if: • you started to have problems recently - after a reduction in Council Tax Support for instance - rather than having had them for a long time • your council tax problems are out of the control of you and your household - we expect adults who live with you to contribute to the bill • you will work with us to pay off any council tax you owe, and are likely to stay out of debt in the future.

6 miles platting spotlight

St George’s Day Parade pride celebrated in Manchester Thousands came along to watch the annual St George’s Day Parade in Miles Platting and .

Sunday 27th April saw the sky full of sunshine Lead sponsors of the parade, Adactus Housing and light breezes, perfect for the annual St Association got in the festive spirit dressed as George’s Day Parade, which began in Miles Robin Hood and his merry men and got plenty of Platting and headed into Manchester cheers and smiles from the huge crowds. and back to Varley Street, Miles Platting. Thelma McGrail, lead organiser comments Thousands lined the streets, waving fl ags and “What a fab atmosphere, thank you to everyone enjoying the spectacle. Over 200 mods on for getting involved and for coming to cheer us scooters led the parade, a giant colourful dragon all on.” and giant St George on horseback, morris dancers, live bands, fl oats full of local school The parade committee will have a short month children, real horses and carts, belly dancers off before reconvening to start planning for and a whole host of other festive entertainment the next year’s event; they really are the most followed. It was a real festival atmosphere. dedicated volunteers!

Big thanks

The Parade organisers would like to thank sponsors, Adactus Housing and for additional funding. Thank you also to all the groups that took part and for all the support and cheers from the people of Miles Platting along the route.

Thanks, from Thelma and the rest of the organisers.

7 miles platting spotlight Community News

Eagerly awaited new phase of homes for Miles Platting has launched

Housebuilder Lovell is part way through a regeneration project that will eventually bring around 1,000 new homes to Miles Platting as part of the large scale housing development, Platting Village.

The latest phase, named Faraday Green, is now an area with a very bright future that is enjoying on sale. It follows on from the highly successful on-going investment. We look forward to neighbouring Gener8 development on Sandal welcoming new families and fi rst time buyers Street and builds on Lovell’s reputation in the to Platting Village.” area for homes that offer style, quality and value for money. The new homes provide spacious The neighbourhood will include a number of new layouts, fi tted kitchens and bathrooms complete and refurbished green open spaces, including a with appliances, gardens and parking. The homes new park to run alongside the . have the added benefi t of being built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes making them more economical and therefore cheaper to run. A sales offi ce and show homes will open later Clare Noakes, Regional Sales Manager for Lovell this year. For more information call the sales (North West), said: “It’s exciting to be part of such hotline on 0161 6360 717 or visit a huge regeneration project in Miles Platting, www.lovellnewhomes.co.uk

8 miles platting spotlight

Soccer Sessions get a ‘Kick Start’ in Miles Platting

Each year the Miles Platting You Decide Fund supports local individuals and community groups to deliver projects in the local area for The Library Theatre Company and the residents of Miles Platting to benefi t from. have merged to create a brand new organisation One of the projects to be successful in the last called HOME. The company will be moving to round of funding was ‘Kick Startz’,Startz’, a soccer a fantastic new purpose built arts centre on skills session, run by local Adactus resident and First Street (near the Mancunian Way and old FA qualifi ed coach, Daniel Douglas Pringle Hacienda building) in 2015 that will house 2 theatres, 5 cinemas and a huge gallery space. The funding has enabled coach, Daniel to In the meantime, the theatre team are busy purchase a variety of equipment to run the working on an amazing programme of site sessions which are held each ThursdayThursday on the specifi c theatre. As they don’t have a stage to community pitch at local primaryprimary school, Park perform on yet they’ve discovered some great View. Thehe sessions are for young people aged places in the city to put on shows. Their fi rst 9-16, and are split into two hour long slots, piece, Angel Meadow, is set in a secret location with the fi rst slot from 5pm – 6pm being for in Ancoats. Next up there’ll be a beautiful version ages 9-13 and the second slot from 6pm – 7pm of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Romeo & Juliet, for ages 14-16. in Victoria Baths. The equipment that Daniel has chosen, includes There are plenty of opportunities to be involved a selection of targettarget goals, to offer the sessions in these performances. They are looking for something just a little bit different to what is members of the public to form a community already being offered in the area. TheThe aim of the cast for Angel Meadow and they are welcoming project is to provide an afterschool activity to community members to join them for open dress keep local kids fi t and healthy and having fun. rehearsals for Romeo & Juliet. If this sounds like something you may enjoy and want to fi nd out Amy Davis, Neighbourhood Development Offi cer more, contact the Engagement Producer, at Adactus Housing, comments “It is great that Rosie Stuart on 0161 200 1533 or at the community have chosen this project to [email protected] benefi t from funding via the Miles Platting You You can also fi nd out more information on their Decide. TheThe sessions have only been running for website www.homemcr.org a short while, but word has spread and they are already proving to be veryvery popular with young people in the area.” For more information about the sessions, please feel free to contactcont Amy on: 0161 203 2600.

9 Upcoming Events in the Area Sizzling Summer Fun What’s going on this Summer in and around Miles Platting? Picnic in If you could ask these the Park local services a question, Saturday 19th July 12pm – 3pm what would it be? Sandal Street Park and the Forget Me Not Garden Friends of Gardening activities, face painting, food Parks, Sports & Leisure and fun. A good opportunity to meet your The neighbours in the area. Local Facilities such as Libraries & Schools Police Miles Platting Crime & Community Safety Residents & Tenants Associations Summer Festival Funding for Local Projects Saturday 2nd August 12pm – 4pm The Ancoats Canal Project Victoria Mill Community Centre Neighbourhood Delivery Team Booked so far, facepainting, stalls, food, (Waste & Recycling) cue ball crazy, tombola plus lots more to Come and discuss local services with follow…… offi cers, councillors and partner organisations who work in the ward.

For more information, please contact: Lydia Tetteh-Lartey or Thorsten Mayer Afternoon Dance your Regeneration Ward Offi cers on: T: 223 1155 or email and Social [email protected] at St George’s Youth & Community [email protected] Centre run by Age Concern or contact your local councillors 10 July • 14 August • 11 September (see www.manchester.gov.uk/Ancoats and Clayton and Twitter: http://www.twitter. Sessions run on the 2nd Thursday every com/MCCAncClay for details) month from 12.30pm – 3.00pm. Tracey teaches line dance for 1 hour (1pm - 2pm) Wednesday 25 June 2014, 17:00 – 19:00 and then there’s a raffl e and a couple more National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, dances. Tea, coffee, biscuits and fruit for Clayton M11 4DQ refreshments throughout the afternoon all for £2 per session. FREE REFRESHMENTS For more details contact: Diane on 0161 205 3851 or email [email protected]

10 School & Community Activity sessions for SUMMER FAIR Manchester residents Saturday 5th July 2014 – 11am – 1pm Varley Street, Miles Platting, for only a £1 Manchester M40 7EJ. Active Lifestyles are here to get Manchester residents fi t and active. They Classic car display, offer a range of activity sessions all around bouncy castles, Manchester for only £1. Whatever age you Commando Joe’s assault are they have sessions to suit everyone course, raffl e, chocolate from 0-100yrs. tombola, bottle tombola, Classes in Miles Platting: knit-wear stall, bobble stall, wooden gift & Aquacise, gentle exercise sessions in water at pocket money stall, jewellery stall, cake stall, Miles Platting pools every Tuesday 7.00pm – glitter tattoos, candy fl oss, curry, burgers, 8.00pm and Saturday 9.15am – 10.15am hot dogs & chips, ice-cream van, fi re engine, Beat the Goalie, punching balloons, hook a If you have ever considered running a 5k duck, face painting, roll-a-10p, Lucky Dip, or even just want to get fi tter our Walk2Run toy stall, guess the name, guess the number classes are perfect. They have had members of sweets, pick a lolly, disk drop game who started with walking and just recently PLUS LOTS MORE! fi nished the Manchester Marathon! Come • Live music from St. Michaels Brass Band, and join them every Friday at Eastlands 5.00pm – 6.00pm. • Parents, Family, Friends & the Community all welcome Have fun play sessions with your children at our Mini Movers sessions. Ball swamps, ENTRANCE: Adults 50p trikes and much, much more. Every Children under 16: FREE Thursday 1.30pm – 3.00pm at the (must be accompanied by an adult) Nursery and Children’s Centre. Check out their website for other sessions near you; www.manchester.gov.uk/ activelifestyles or call us for more information 0161 234 5454 Ancoats Dispensary Social Evening Monday 7th July 7:00pm - 9:00pm Swim Thompson Street Fire Station Community Room for FREE Thompson Street, New Cross, M4 5FP 16 & under Come and join the group for a chat about In Manchester this what they’ve been up to. school holiday Refreshments provided. PLUS All welcome! Other Sensational Sports Sessions Avoid the Queues. Register online: manchestersportandleisure.org 11 miles platting Upcomingspotlight Events in the Area Sizzling Summer Fun What’s going on this Summer in and around Miles Platting?

Miles Platting Area EAST MANCHESTER Panel Catch Ups SPORTS AT THE PARKARK These are informal meetings that take Sunday 27th July 2013 12 noon until 4pm place every quarter where local residents Philips Park, Stuart Street, M11 4DN come along to hear about the latest news East Manchester Party in the Park is a family from Adactus Housing and other partners fun and sports activity event at Phillips Park we work with. and the National Cycling Centre. Most recently we’ve had guest speakers There’ll be loads of free things for the whole from YPAC, HOME; the merger between The family to do on the day, so come and join us! Library Theatre Company and Cornerhouse FREE SUMMER FESTIVAL: and the Ancoats Dispensary Trust. Family fun activities and sports Get in touch with Issie on: • ARTS & CRAFT • FACE PAINTERS [email protected] to • FUN FAIR • FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT fi nd out when the next Miles Platting Area • INFORMATION STANDS Panel Catch Up is taking place. • PERFORMANCES • FOOD STALLS • LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Try a range of sports at the in the park including free taster sessions on BMX/ Skateboarding ramp, strider activities, and much, much more!

12 New Park for Miles Platting You will have noticed the construction work that has been taking place alongside the Rochdale canal for the past few months. This work has created a new park. The fencing has now been taken down and the park is ready for residents to use and enjoy. An offi cial naming and opening event will be taking place on 2nd August 2014 and more information about this event will be advertised nearer the time.

12 miles platting spotlight

There’s loads going on at St George’s Youth & Community Centre!

Day Time Event Monday 7:30pm – 8:30pm Zumba for Adults Tuesday 6.00pm – 8.00pm YPAC Believe for School Years 6 & 7 6.00pm – 8.00pm Young Carers group

Wednesday 5:30pm – 7:30pm Junior Club (Everyone Can Play) 7.00pm – 8.00pm RSVP Card Making for the over for 50s (twice a month) 7:30pm – 9:30pm Martial Arts Club

Thursday 12.30pm – 3.00pm Afternoon Tea Dance on the 2nd Thursday every month

Friday 11.00am – 1.30pm YPAC Work Club 2.00pm – 5.00pm YPAC Work Club for 16-25 year olds only 6.00pm – 8.00pm YPAC Aspire for 13-19 year olds

Saturday (often private parties)

Sunday 3:30pm – 5:00pm Martial Arts Club

Look out for local publicity for specifi c details of events or phone the Centre on: 0161 834 9368

13 miles platting spotlight

The Miles Platting Work Club gets a boost!

The Miles Platting Work Club has been running funding from Manchester City Council and were for over a year and in that time has seen over successful! This has meant that they have been 120 people come through its doors looking able to purchase a further four tablet computers for work, over 10% of whom are now in for use when searching for jobs, a wireless printer employment. and a day long employability course, with the very popular LAB project which took place at the The work club runs each Tuesday morning from beginning of this month. Amy and Issie have also 10:30am until 12pm and attracts on average about been running a 6 week mental health and well 12 people to each session. At present the work being course, called BOOST. club has 9 laptops available for job seekers to use, but consultation has proven that people want more – more time and more computers! To fi nd out more information about the Work Club and future courses contact In response to this, work club leaders, Amy Amy or Issie on 0161 203 2600. Davis and Issie Howard, recently applied for

Other East Manchester Work Clubs Work Clubs offer support to help you gain the skills and information needed to help your search for work easier.

Inspire Monday 747 Stockport Road, M19 3AR 10.00am – 12.00pm

YES Monday - Friday Briscoe Lane, M40 1JX 9:00am – 4.30pm

Adactus Housing Tuesday Baker House, Oldham Road, Miles Platting M40 8DS 10.30pm – 12.00pm

Highway Hope Tuesday 1 Matthews Lane, Levenshulme M12 4QW 3:30pm – 5.00pm

Gorton Children’s Centre Wednesday Mount Road, M18 7BG 10:00am – 3.00pm

Get Experienced Friday Pilgrim Drive, Beswick M11 3TQ 10:00am – 2.00pm

YPAC (open to all) Friday St George’s Youth & Community Centre, Livesey Street, Collyhurst M40 7NY 11:00am – 1.30pm

Get support to: • Create your own CV • Create a “Universal Job Match” Account • Set up an email • Apply for jobs/complete application forms

14 miles platting spotlight YPAC News More exciting YPAC news YPAC Work Club YPAC has received Big Lottery funding to deliver Drop-in for young people a programme called ‘Happy Families’, where the organisation will be working with young (16-25 yr olds only) people and their families around a number of key issues including health and wellbeing, Every Friday 2.00pm – 5.00pm for ages employment opportunities, helping people take 16-25 yr olds at St George’s Community Centre, on more positive attitudes and beliefs; improving Livesey St, Collyhurst M40 7NR the community environment through better understanding between people of different Allocated Worker for each person faiths and cultures; undertaking physical improvements and creating a more vibrant Individual health and wellbeing assessment community with increased belief in its place in focused on mood, nutrition and motivation Manchester and beyond. Access training, accreditation and The aim of ‘Happy Families’ is about improving apprenticeship opportunities the lives of young people and their families within Miles Platting, Collyhurst and the surrounding For more info contact: areas YPAC work in. [email protected] YPAC will be launching a brand new website very [email protected] soon, which will highlight all the different projects Or call: 0161 834 5665 happening, so watch this space! Over at YPAC Youth hub, the young people have participated in a mental health project using different arts. There will an up and coming evening exhibition showcasing this work in the near future, so look out for local publicity. The youth hub as always is over at the Church of Apostles on a Thursday 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

As well as the new projects YPAC are continuing to run their regular sessions too, open to all local young people. Believe for young people in school Years 6 and 7: Aspire for young people aged 13 to 19: Tuesday 6:00pm to 8:00pm @ St George’s Youth Friday 6:00pm to 8:00pm @ St George’s Youth & Community Centre. & Community Centre.

The Hub for young people aged 13 to 19: Sessions are all FREE – Thursday 6:00pm to 8:00pm @ YPAC, Church of the Apostles, Ridgway Street. come down and get involved! 15 miles platting spotlight Community Garden News Both of the Community Gardens on Holland Street and Chippenham Road are continuing to be a huge success. Celebration at Holland Street Community Garden To celebrate the end of the fi rst growing season at Holland Street Community Garden, local residents and partner agencies got together on Friday 28th March for a one off celebration event. The garden, which was funded by the Big Lottery’s Local Food Fund, was formally opened by celebrity the garden, including cookery sessions, chef Aiden Byrne on the 2nd May 2013, with a 12 week ‘Get Growing’ accredited course, the aim to make locally grown produce more run by Groundwork and a very popular after accessible for residents of Miles Platting and the school gardening club for nearby Parkview surrounding areas. Primary School. Since its opening, the garden has played host to As a result of a successful fi rst year, many local fortnightly ‘Dig for Victory’ open access sessions, residents have now signed up for keys for the monthly growing sessions run by Katherine garden and are making regular use of it to grow Kennedy, trainer from Community Garden their own fruit and veg. Centre and periodic family fun events, including a Christmas Festival and more recently an Easter The Local Food’s funding scheme has now Egg Hunt. come to end, but Adactus are committed to continuing to support the gardens until such time In conjunction with the funding, there have been that the community will be able to take over its a number of other sessions that have made use of management themselves.

Egg’cellent fun at the Chippenham Road Community Garden To celebrate Easter and a successful half term playscheme at St George’s Youth and Community Centre the kids from the Centre were invited over to the Chippenham Road Clues involved the children working their way Community Garden for a special Easter egg around the garden and fi nding some of the plants garden themed hunt. growing in the garden; the herbs, rhubarb and All in all 20 children came over to the garden and strawberries to name a few. followed special garden clues to fi nd the Easter eggs at the end. For more information, or to get involved with the community gardens contact Amy or Issie 16 on 0161 203 2600. miles platting spotlight

Plan B Bees are one of the most endearing insect visitors to our garden but they also have a vital role in our ecosystem, responsible for pollinating almost 75% of world’s food crops. Bumblebees are among the most loved and familiar of garden insects but sadly in our world of paved gardens and intensive agriculture our bumblebees fi nd themselves hungry and homeless. Unfortunately two UK species have become friendlier to bumblebees and help reverse the extinct in the last 80 years and others have declines we have seen. Some garden centres have declined dramatically. The reason for this is simple a ‘bee friendly’ label on plants that are particularly and clearly visible, there are now far fewer fl owers good for bees or you can see the last page of this in the countryside to provide bees with the pollen leafl et for a list of recommended plants. and nectar that they need to survive. Other things you can do: How you can help • Try and ensure you have different plants Perhaps the simplest thing to do is to plant some that fl ower at different times of year and bee-friendly plants in your garden. As gardens plant traditional cottage garden fl owers and cover over one million acres in the UK, this native wildfl owers. presents a great opportunity to provide food for bumblebees. • You could leave an area of your lawn un-mown to provide fl owers during summer. Weeds such as dandelions and white clover provide bees with good sources of pollen and nectar. • Make a bumble bee box. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/bee_home to fi nd out how. • Raise awareness by sharing the information in this leafl et with your friends and neighbours. • Go one step further by getting involved in survey work and help to monitor the By using this space more effectively, we hope that bee population. everyone can get involved in making the landscape (see www.bumblebeeconservation.org)

Things you might not know about bees If you fi nd a stranded or After feeding they leave a Only bumblebees sleepy bumblebee you can scent on the fl ower which are capable of buzz help to boost her energy helps other bumblebees pollination. This occurs levels with a simple sugar- to avoid wasting energy when the bee grabs the water mix. Mix equal parts landing as the fl ower will fl ower and produces a white sugar and warm contain very little nectar high-pitched buzz. This water then pour into a or pollen. releases pollen that small container or sponge. would otherwise stay Place both the bee and trapped inside. Tomatoes the artifi cial nectar near to some fl owers. are pollinated in this way.

17 gardening corner

Pat’s gardening corner I hope that you are all enjoying some fi ne gardening weather – between the showers! It’s not been a bad Spring though.

There’s loads to do in the garden now - start by getting out your hanging baskets and tubs. There are loads of colourful blooms you can use; like trailing petunias, they are great for a spectacular show of colour, geraniums make an ideal centre piece as do fuchsias. To ensure you get all round blooms there are things you can do which will ensure your basket and tubs stay healthy all Summer long. Here are some tips:-

Use a good compost (don’t use garden soil). Add water retention granules to compost, they can halve the number of times you have Add a slow release fertiliser to the compost to water. when planting up, these come in the forms of sticks, granules or tablets. Deadhead fl owers to prolong blooms.

Keep on top of perennial weeds in the garden by using a general weed killer on paths and patios and good old digging power to rid them from borders and fl ower beds. Q&A Questions & Answers Great Summer A couple of questions from the mail? bag ? Giveaways Q. I wasI was told told that that putting putting petroleum petroleum jelly jelly on on the the stalks of dahlias would keep earwigs away? is • FREE – assortment of fl ower seeds (this was a this right? popular one so be quick!) A. Yes, this can be a good way of preventing • FREE – Re-useable waterproof shopping bags the earwigs climbing up the stalks. You (can also be used to carry plants) could also try sticky tape. Don’t forget • FREE – trays of summer bedding plants though that earwigs are useful in the garden as they eat aphids and larvae of other – a selection of indoor ceramic plant • FREE undesirables! pots (various colours/sizes) Q. Most of my garden is in shade are there any – rolls of garden wire (great for securing • FREE plants that like shade? your plants) A. There are loads, shade is not a problem, All you need to do to get your pick of our it’s an ideal growing place for many of our fantastic summer giveaways is contact Pat by most treasured plants. For colour I would email at: recommend aquilegia, begonias, primulas, [email protected] foxgloves, lily of the valley and astilbe. For or call 0161 203 2600 (option 2). foliage I’d recommend hostas, ligularias, * stocks are limited, one item per household gunneras and a wide range of ferns. * open to Adactus Housing residents only 18 oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V miles platting spotlight oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon oting Coupon Milesoting Platting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Couponoting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles MilesYou Platting Platting Platting Voting VotingDecide V Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles PlattingMiles Votingoting Platting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting Voting Voting Voting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting Voting V V Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Voting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Voting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon oting Coupon VotingMiles Platting Voting otingToken Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting V Voting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon You Decide 2014 oting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting V V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles(bring Platting Votingalong) Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting V V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Voting Day oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Wednesday 25thMiles June Platting 3:00pm Votingoting – Coupon8:00pmCoupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting CouponVictoria Miles Mill Platting Community V oting Centre Coupon Miles Platting V Victoria Mill CommunityMiles Platting Centre, Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting CouponWednesday Miles Platting 25th June V 3:00pmoting Coupon - 8:00pm Miles Platting V Lower Vickers StreetMiles Platting M40 7L VotingJoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon It’s your decision... oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V CouponMiles Miles Platting Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V All Adactus Housing/MilesMiles Platting Platting Voting residentsoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V CouponYou Miles Decide Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon are invited to the voting event to be held on oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Wednesday 25th June 2014 from 3:00pm until oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Voting Coupon Miles Platting Token Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon 8:00pm at Victoria Mill Community Centre. oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Unfortunately due to the size of the space we are oting(bring Coupon along)Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon only able to let Adactus Housing residents, who oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V have their voting tokens intoMiles the Platting building. Voting oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Victoriaictoria Coupon Mill Community Miles Platting Centre Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon We have a number of groups who work in the area oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting VWednesday Coupon 25th Miles June Platting 3:00pm Voting - 8:00pm Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon but do not necessarily live here, so you will be oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon unable to attend, we will let you know the outcome oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon of the votes a few days after the event. oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon We will announce the winners a few days after the Milesoting Coupon Platting Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon votes have all been counted. We will contact the oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon groups who have applied for funding to let them Youoting Decide Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon know the outcome and publish the results in the oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon next newsletter. Voting TokenT oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon ...funding for local residents (bringoting along) Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon ...decided by local residents oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V oting Coupon Miles Platting V The Miles Platting You Decide policy is:Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon oting Coupon Miles Platting V no token no vote, so don’t forget yourMiles voting Platting Voting Coupon MilesVictoria Platting Mill Voting Community Coupon Centre Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Wednesday 25th June 3:00pm - 8:00pm oting Coupon Miles Platting V token on the day! Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting VotingV Voting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Voting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting Voting V Voting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon In order to vote you need to bringMiles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting VotingPlattingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting Voting V V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon along one of the voting tokens Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting Voting V V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon CouponYou Miles Miles Platting Platting Decide Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon that are in this current issue of theMiles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Spotlight newsletter. Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon CouponVoting otingMiles Miles Platting Platting Voting VTokenoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon(bring Miles Miles Platting Platting along) Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon CouponVictoria Miles MilesMill Community Platting Platting Voting V Centreoting Coupon Coupon919 Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon WednesdayCoupon Miles Miles 25th Platting Platting June 3:00pmVoting V oting Coupon - 8:00pm Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV oting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting VotingV Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting VotingV V V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Miles Platting Platting Platting Voting V V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Votingoting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting Voting Coupon Coupon Miles Miles Platting Platting Voting V Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Miles Platting Voting Coupon Useful contacts Baker House Offi ce: Council Tax queries: Miles Platting Library: 0800 234 6826 0161 234 5002 0161 227 3787 Open 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday e: ctax.enquiries@ Miles Platting Swimming Pool: (& until 6pm on Wednesday) manchester.gov.uk 0161 205 8939 Emergency Repairs: MCC Adaptations Team: Environment On Call: 0800 234 6826 0161 234 5001 0161 234 5004 e: [email protected] Allpay: 0870 234 6040 for Direct e: [email protected] Debit, debit/credit card payments & ordering new rent cards Find out your utility supplier: Housing Benefi t queries: 0161 234 5003 Gas: 0870 608 1524 e: benefi t.enquiries@ Electric: 0870 751 0093 manchester.gov.uk