It's a leak but it ain't Wales

Bad news for Ordsall residents. It's raining.

Okay, it isn't as bad as Nottingham and nobody's homeless - yet. But damage has been done, in particular, the Lads and Girls Club on the corner of Huddart Close has had rain pouring through the roof, damaging the gym floor and the balcony.

You don't believe us? So far it's been mentioned in The Manchester Evening News; The Salford Advertiser; New Musical Express; and other music papers. The reason for that is that the Club has connections to that famous group from the '80s, the Smiths. People still follow the group from all over the world and are concerned that the landmarks mentioned in the songs are still there. The idea that the Club might be washed away caused panic in the streets. Goodwill messages came flooding in (pardon the expression) and offers of help have poured in (sorry again) and include such ideas as a Sponsored Bike Ride to pay for the damage. (If it happens, the ride will take place during Ordsall Eco Week in September. Look out for it).

The only sore point, for residents, is that we now know that it was an inside job, (the roof, that is). Evidence left at the site proves that it was local lads who clambered up onto the tiles and pealed off the lead flashing from the gutters. That's why the roof leaked. Not because the building is old, but because teenagers and criminals decided that it was more important for them to gain a few quid to fund their bad habits than it was for the young people in the area to have somewhere to meet and play. Sorry, Ordsall, is something they didn't say. Sod you, was the true expression.

Once again the thoughtless thieves have gained twenty pounds and caused damage worth thousands. And the Club is not the only place to suffer. There's also a local church (or two) and the Youth Centre, they have also been targeted. It means that the Club has had to employ security guards to keep the trash out for the next few weeks while building repairs are done. The only bright spot is that the perps were too dumb to cover their tracks. They left a knife behind. Presumably the fingerprints on it will allow the police to track down the bad boys, and stop them doing such stupidity in the future.