Ordsall On-line

Ordsall Allotments Society

2009-01-20T13:52:00.002Z

The next meeting of the Ordsall Community Allotment Society will be held at Ordsall Community Cafe at 10am on Thursday 22nd January, all are welcome.

Sylvia Sharples,
Treasurer of Ordsall Community Allotment Society

Salford Star Awards

2009-01-17T12:20:00.003Z

On Friday 16th January 2009 at The Studio in the Lowry /theatre, Janet Kent was awarded the "Community Initiatives and Enterprise Star" at Salix Homes' first Salford Star Awards ceremony.

The event was hosted by Salix Homes and sponsored and funded by Jackson Lloyd, Apollo, Aon, Forrest, Bramall Construction and Seddon. It was a very glitzy 'Oscar' type occasion, attended by some 200 people, including personnel from Salx Homes, The Mayor, Councillors, nominees, nominators and people from all walks of life throughout Salford.

The evening commenced with cocktails in the reception area, then we took our places at our allocated tables - ours happened to be No. 13!!!!!!! - and the evening began with the usual welcome speech. The first award was for the "Community Initiatives and Enterprise Star", and there were gasps of delight - and tears - when the envelope was opened and Janet Kent was pronounced the winner. The MC read out the details of her involvement in the community and all the work she has done as a volunteer for Kidz Wid Dreams, our Theme Day and her commitment to The New Barracks TMO. The photographer from The Advertiser took many photographs which will no doubt appear in various publications throughout the year.

She was presented with her 'Oscar', beautiful flowers, the certificate and cinema tickets by the sponsor Apollo.

After most of the presentations had been made, dinner was served, followed by dancing and a team of magicians performing table magic, amazing our table with their dexterity with a pack of cards. One of the guests on our table produced a mouth organ and serenaded us with various renditions. A good time was had by all.

There are so many people in their communities who go that extra mile to keep a sense of belonging and a pride in their neighbourhood. Too many times there is bad press regarding certain areas, but the good things that the silent majority work hard at go unnoticed and unreported. Let's hope these proposed annual awards, encourage better publicity for the effort people make in their communities.

Well done to Janet and I hope the Kidz Wid Dreams group she helps with goes from strength to strength.

There is always an opportunity for others to become involved in all the New Barracks various committees and projects, and if everyone did their little bit, be it only for an hour or so now and again, the workload would be spread more evenly. Everyone has something that they are good at.

I would think this last paragraph applies to all the areas throughout Salford. Just give a bit back to your communities - it's well worth the effort!!

Sylvia Sharples
Community Reporter

Panto at Salford Arts Theatre

2008-12-14T22:44:00.002Z

Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates
We went to see this on a very cold night when Man United were playing, so we were part of a very select audience. It was lovely and warm in the theatre and we settled down to a night of fun and entertainment. However we were hoarse when we came out from shouting so many “behind yous” and various other instructions that the cast asked us to bellow. We thought we were very good.
It was a traditional panto with a dame and a villain and a very lively cat, but the story was different, which made it interesting. Although I did guess the end.
The acting and singing was excellent and there was a lot of running round and perilous getting on and off the boat. I was worried that the evil pirate may have to have treatment for his bruises. The local young people playing the pirates were part of the youth theatre and looked like they had been doing it all their lives. The mermaid with a broad Lancashire accent was hilarious and cracked loads of fishy jokes which you had to be quick to catch!!!
I would have liked a sing a long but I suppose that was just me. The audience were full of praise as they left . I think we all had a good time.
Box office 0161 925 0111 open Tues 9.30 -7 Sat 10-3
from Monday 8th December till Monday 22nd December Matinee 1.30 Evening 7.30 e-mail info@salfordartstheatre.co.uk

Review of Salford Arts Theatre production

2008-12-09T12:31:00.001Z

We spent a memorable evening at Salford Arts Theatre last Friday evening .We were watching the play "Watch her now, An evening with Charlotte Bronte". It was a one woman show,acted brilliantly by Prudence Edwards . The audience left the theatre saying "How did she remember all the words?"
The poetry and prose described Charlotte Brontes life and included parts of her book Jane Eyre. I was amazed how one woman could convey so easily so many strong emotions. Having visited Howarth , the home of The Brontes, I thought I knew about their lives but was surprised by her story.
The theatre was very atmospheric and the silence often said more than the words. The language was of the time and some of the words used in those days caused a giggle or two, however it was a very interesting hour and a bit.
Roni and Scott have taken on the running of Salford Arts Theatre last year and the audiences have been building up.
The next performance is the pantomime, 'Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates' on from Monday 8th December till Monday 22nd December, Matinee 1.30 Evening 7.30
Box office 0161 925 0111 open Tues 9.30 -7 Sat 10-3
e-mail info@salfordartstheatre.co.uk
Very reasonable prices for excellent productions.

2008-11-22T16:06:00.003Z

Ordsall Community Allotment Society.

The next meeting of the above Society is on Tuesday 25th November at 10am at Ordsall Community Cafe. If you are a member or want to become a member please come along on Tuesday to our meeting. All are welcome.

Our local councillor Mr. Ray Machiter will be in attendance to support our community led action to procure land suitable for our purpose.

Sylvia Sharples
Community Reporter & Treasurer of Ordsall Allotment Society

2008-10-29T10:07:00.002Z

I have just recently returned from a week's holiday in Weston-super-Mare with my husband/ We stayed at the old Pontins Holiday camp, which took me right back to the 50's when, with my family as a child, we went to Butlins, Pwhelli in Wales and it rained every day.

The first weekend was a reunion for the veterans, (one of whom is my husband) who served on Christmas Island in the Pacific during the British Nuclear Testing in the 50's/60s - many did not survive beyond 50 yrs old, and those who have survived suffer from various diseases, associated with cancer. I was told out of the thousands who were there only 2000 are left.

The Association has been fighting for compensation from the British Government who refuse to acknowledge that there is a link to cancer from the 'experiment' - surprised? The New Zealand and Australian Governments have compensated those who were there or their relatives. I saw a very potent film made by the New Zealand broadcasting corporation, a documentary showing there is certain proof that genetic damage had occurred.

I wonder how many will be at the next re-union which is in 2 years time? The association has had certain funding to enable their claim to go through the courts which has taken many years, but the next insult is that the funding for this is about to be withdrawn!!

I attach a photo of our chalet which I had paid extra for. Don't know what the standard chalets were like!!
Sylvia Sharples
Community Reporter

2008-10-29T09:52:00.001Z

2008-10-28T14:26:00.002Z

Ordsall Community Allotment Society

The next meeting of the above Society is at 10am on Thursday, 30th October, 2008 at Ordsall Community Cafe. All interested parties are invited and it is hoped that Councillor Ray Maschiter will be present to give us his support.

Sylvia Sharples
Treasurer of Ordsall Community Allotment Society

Congestion Charge

2008-10-07T11:04:00.002+01:00

Time is running out to put your points of view to the powers that be. It's important that everyone has their say - though sometimes it seems pointless as sometime these things are already cut and dried!! I, personally, am hoping that all the infrastructure and the promised improvement in buses, trains etc. will be in place before the due date.

I am wondering what happens if it is not and who pays the government back for the advance of money to help complete it? Would we then have a partial improvement? The Regent Road area has been lacking a comprehensive bus service for a long time. There has been a history of buses not turning up and people waiting for over an hour in the past. It is hard to make arrangements for appointments, or to get to work on time, and causes great anxiety, and maybe lost opportunities or broken appointments.

Only time will tell if the promises are kept.

Sylvia Sharples
Community Reporter

Ordsall Community Allotment Society

2008-09-30T11:24:00.002+01:00

The next meeting of the Ordsall Community Allotment Society will be held at Ordsall Community Cafe at 10m on Thursday 30th October 2008. All are welcome.

Ordsall Festival 20.9.08

2008-09-24T20:06:00.003+01:00

ORDSALL FESTIVAL 20th SEPTEMBER 2008

What a change - the weather was fine and dry – and as they say the sun shines on the righteous!!

A lot of time and effort had been put into organizing the event Gail Skelly in particular was the co-ordinator and rushed around the various performers telling them when they would be on stage.

There were so many groups almost all from the Ordsall area and local talent was prolific – if only their enthusiasm had been matched by the attendance of people from the area. Most of the support was from friends and families of the performers.

However, the day went well, we had a samba band and the kidswidreams danced to the music, there were, Congolese dancers, belly dancers, hip hop and rap dancers, acapella singers, some groups performing twice. The atmosphere was full of brightly coloured outfits which represented the different cultures.

There were quite a few stalls, - One was showing children how to make use of old plastic bags and using them to make craft items. The Refuse Department were there with information regarding the new litter bins, and showing the items which are not recyclable. Ross Spanner manned the Friends of Ordsall Park stall, and Mike and Jane had a stall about Salford’s past and retracing Salford.

Ordsall Community Café were serving food in one of the marquees with their volunteer helpers. St Clements Church had a cake stall and tombola stall. The Seedley & Langworthy in Bloom group were showing people what can be achieved by community involvement in their local area to plant flowers and grow some home produce.

The last stall I visited was the remarkable story of the Sioux Indians who came to Salford with Buffalo Bills Wild West Show in 1887 and camped on the banks of the Irwell. There is still a link to their community in Dakota. There were artefacts to see and a craft stall with a Sioux theme for making masks etc for the grand parade at the end of the event.

The bouncy castle didn’t quite happen – they had left their safety certificate in Middlesbrough so were unable to set it up.

It was a very good day but there needs to be more advertising next time and more support from group leaders and businesses in the area
who could attend and support the local groups working so hard to bring all age groups and cultures together. We all need to work together to make this happen and not leave it to the few who are already working so hard to benefit the area. Bring back the community spirit!!

Sylvia Sharples
Community Reporter

Ordsall Allotments Society

2008-07-22T11:18:00.002+01:00

The above society met at Ordsall Community Cafe on 17th July, 2008 to discuss our next course of action, and to agree the revised constitution. We have obtained quotes for most of the materials required, have identified a site which we need to procure, and are setting up a bank account.
Once the bank account is set up, we can then try and find funding.

Next meeting Thursday 21st August, 2008 at 10am in Ordsall Community Cafe.
All interested people should attend if possible, so that we can get this project off the ground!!

Sylvia Sharples, Community Reporter

Social Media Centre Open Day

2008-06-12T23:54:00.002+01:00

On Thursday 12th june, the Social Media Centre in Salford had an open evening to raise awareness of the centre and that this is a centre of local people to gain new skills in multi media.

MCIN are launching a media centre as a drop in on Fredrick Rd, Salford. It will train people to do a video blogs at Salford Forum. They will have PC’s and Apple computers, plus staff who know how to use them, as a resource to the people of Salford. MCIN operate to create a social network to link people up using IT in Salford.

Computers are such a big tool to link people up. The opening day is link the drop in, open to all! There will be acrobats and jugglers. I do not know why, but it will be fun. I am so excited that he BBC are coming to Salford, and they will need people to employ.

The Media Centre can act to train people up. So they will be acting as a nucleus for social networks through out the country. I was in Los Angeles last week, but I feel we can steal a mark on the US here. Use the tools that LA have helped provide, to show the Yanks how to do it.

Community Reporter Ordsall, Jonathan Thomason

Please click on my video below which was taken at this event, enjoy !!!

Summer Garden Party - Broughton House 2008

2008-06-10T15:13:00.006+01:00

A special garden party was held at Broughton House, Salford, home for exservicemen, to raise funds to keep the place running. This home is entirely dependant on fund raising, there is no government help. The event was very well attended and the weather couldn't have been better, glorious sunshine. There were many attractions for all ages. The highlight of the event was "The Red Barrows Display Team", which you can view on the video below.

Colonel David Kirkwood is in overall charge of the home having taken over from Colonel Gibbs, earlier this year. Sylvia Sharples, Community Reporter.

Ordsall Allotment Society

2008-05-27T11:04:00.002+01:00

At the meeting last week, it was decided to call the group Ordsall Allotment Society. A constitution is being drawn up and will be put to the next meeting which will be held on
Friday 13th June at 10am, at the Neighbourhood Office, Robert Hall Street, Ordsall, Salford.

We need more people who are interested in having an allotment to put their names on the list and support the group so that land can be made available by the Council.

For further information please contact Sue Rigg Tel: 0161 603 4091 or e-mail sue.rigg@salford.gov.uk

Sylvia Sharples,
Community Reporter.

Internet Safety

2008-05-21T15:47:00.001+01:00

Flower Show at Salford Lads Club 12th July 2008

2008-05-21T13:39:00.002+01:00

A flower show will be held at Salford Lads Club, Coronation Street, Ordsall on 12th July, 2008. All entries accepted whether it be hanging baskets, potted plants, or flower arrangements, come along and join in. Further details will be posted here very soon but any further information can be obtained by contacting New Barracks T.M.O(Cooperative) at 1 Coronation Street, Ordsall, Salford
tel:-0161 848 8256, and ask for Kate or Jonathan.

Sylvia Sharples,
Community Reporter

Salford Refugee Week 2008 (Sunday 15th - 22nd June 08).

2008-05-21T13:23:00.001+01:00

WELCOME TO ORDSALL
& LANGWORTHY!
12.30pm - 3pm at Ordsall Community
Café, Tatton St, Ordsall, Salford M5 3PS
A friendly and welcoming get together
for refugees and asylum seekers living
in Ordsall and Langworthy. Come and
have a chat, meet other people from
your area, enjoy food from different
cultures and find out about health
related services in your area.
Organised by Ordsall Community Café, Ordsall/
Langworthy Health Improvement Team and SARELI.
For more info call Nilofer on 0161 603 4108

Veterans Open Day - Salford

2008-05-20T15:44:00.000+01:00

Sunday, June 8, 2008

1:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Broughton House Care Home for Ex Service Personnel

Park Lane
Salford, England M7 4JD

(Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps)

Ordsall Cafe Media Club Workshops

2008-05-20T13:52:00.003+01:00

Due to demand the Media Club Worshop times have been changed

Increase your skills

Use the Internet to promote yourself (or your project)

Find out about new Internet possibilities

Ordsall Community Cafe Media Club are offering workshops to use the Internet to communicate. The sessions we invite you to are…

· Thurs 29th May 12-2 pm:
How to promote yourself or your organisation using the Internet

· Thurs 5th June 12-2 pm:
Create your own website the easy way

· Thurs 19th June 12-2 pm:
Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

The workshops are aimed at all skill levels and include the following skills;

· Get your website to get better results on search engines like Google

· Use sites like Myspace to get you or your project noticed

· How to get other people to link to your site

· Include video from You Tube and similar on your web pages

· How to set up a simple webpage for you or your project

· How to upload images, links, leaflets, posters, etc to your website

· How to put video from YouTube and similar sites

· How to record good audio

· How to edit your recording and add music

· How to get it ready for the Internet and upload it

Where to upload your audio files and make it into a podcast for others to download it

If you would like to get involved with these workshops and book a place, please contact us:-

Mick Fuzz
Email:- mick@mcin.net
Tel:- 0161 743 3537
Please write your contact details and include an email address if you have one

Allotment Meeting

2008-05-15T15:30:00.002+01:00

At the meeting held today re Allotments in Ordsall, it was decided to set up an allotment society. There will be a meeting onThursday, 22nd May, 2008 at 10am in the Neighbourhood Office, Robert Hall Street, Ordsall.

Anyone who is interested should come along next Thursday when the Society will be formed, constitution made, committee elected, and the next stage of finding out which land would be available, and later to source funding for the project.

We need a minimum of 6 people to move this matter forward. If unable to attend, further information will be posted on this site after the meeting.

Sylvia Sharples
Community Reporter

BBC Manchester North West Tonight and BBC journalism sessions...

2008-05-14T11:10:00.001+01:00

BBC Manchester North West Tonight and BBC journalism sessions...

Last year MCIN ran a successful event at BBC Manchester which included a visit to North West Tonight's (the BBC's flagship news programme for the region) followed by two sessions on journalism skills led by Jim Clarke News Gathering Editor for North West Tonight.

You can find out more about the sessions on the BBC Visit blog:
http://bbcvisit.mywebconnect.info/

We are looking to run another session in early June.

The first visit (to go behind the scenes at North West Tonight) will take place on a weekday evening, the following two sessions during the day.

If you are interested can you please contact:-

David Kay

Tel:- 0161 230 1430

Email: david@mcin.net

Please leave your contact details including email if you have one.

Please state that you are from Ordsall Community Cafe

Meeting re Allotments

2008-05-14T09:39:00.002+01:00

The next meeting about allotments in Ordsall, or Green Gyms is TOMMORROW Thursday,
15th May, 2008 at The Neighbourhood Office, Robert Hall Street, Ordsall, Salford at 10 am. all interested parties are invited to attend. We need a minimum of 6 people to be able to form a society and hopefully the Council will then make some land available, locally.

Sylvia Sharples,
Community Reporter

New Media Club Workshops

2008-05-13T13:05:00.007+01:00

Do you want to?

Increase your skills

Use the Internet to promote yourself (or your project)

Find out about new Internet possibilities

The BBC Dragon's Den sessions were part of the Media club at Ordsall Community cafe. Local people and groups worked with the BBC Dragon’s Den to record their messages and put them on the Internet.

The Dragon’s Den at the Community Cafe was a great success. If you missed it, then the videos of the Dragon's Den recordings are online here.

http://ordsallon-line.blogspot.com/

New Skills Sessions – Coming up!

Now the Ordsall Community Cafe Media Club are offering more workshops.
We invite new people to get involved to use the Internet to communicate. We also invite back people involved in the Dragon’s Den sessions to learn more. The sessions we invite you to are…

· Tues 27th May 2-4 pm:
How to promote yourself or your organisation using the Internet

· Thurs 5th June 2-4 pm:
Create your own website the easy way

· Thurs 19th June 2-4 pm:
Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

Tues 27th May 2-4 pm - How to promote yourself using the Internet Session One

This session is aimed at groups or individuals who want promote their project through the Internet. It is aimed at all skill levels and includes the following skills;

Get your website to get better results on search engines like Google

· Use sites like Myspace to get you or your project noticed

· How to get other people to link to your site

· Include video from You Tube and similar on your web pages

Thurs 5th June 2-4 pm
Promote yourself using the Internet Session Two- Create your own website the easy way

There are now tools that let you create websites easily and for free. You don’t have to use complicated programmes to be able to create your own website anymore. You can use somewhere like Myspace which is an online community to share songs, pictures and videos. Or you could choose a different space for your information which is more flexible and free of adverts. Come and learn how to set up a webpage containing information about yourself or your project. You’ll learn.

· How to set up a simple webpage for you or your project

· How to upload images, links, leaflets, posters, etc to your website

· How to put video from YouTube and similar sites

· Showcase your work for funders through the use of multimedia

Thurs 19th June 2-4 pm - Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

Radio is being listened to more and more as Internet “podcasts”. A podcast is a regular set of audio files published on the Internet. People do podcasts about all sorts of things. It may be about comedy, music, stories from the past or present. The kinds of skills you learn will be.

· How to record good audio

· How to get your audio recording onto a computer

· How to edit your recording and add music

· Where to find free music that you can reuse for your audio recordings

· How to get it ready for the Internet and upload it

· Where to upload your audio files

· How to link to your audio files from your websites

How to make it into a podcast for others to download it

If you would like to get involved with these workshops and book a place, please contact us:-

Mick Fuzz
Email:- mick@mcin.net
Tel:- 0161 743 3537
Please write your contact details and include an email address if you have one

Open Day at Ordsall Community Cafe

2008-05-13T00:50:00.002+01:00

Over the weekend Ordsall Comunity Cafe had a Open day / Community fair, please feel free to have a look at JT video that he has produced on this day.

Media apprenticeships on offer

2008-05-13T00:39:00.001+01:00

Northwest young people hoping to break into broadcasting are being encouraged to apply to the UK’s premier apprenticeship programme, which is launched today (May 12).

Some of the biggest names in TV have come together to offer thirty-six 16-22-year-olds a unique opportunity to break into the business, after the phenomenal success of the first Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production - the only one of its kind anywhere in the UK.

Companies including the BBC, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures, Channel M and Sumners will again join forces alongside smaller companies such as Flix Facilities, Channel K and Mange2Media, to back the Advanced Apprenticeships, giving young people the chance to work behind the scenes of the broadcasting industry.

“When we launched the scheme last summer, it was the first time a production apprenticeship programme had been created specifically for the media industry, so we were unsure how it would be received,” explains David Longworth, Apprentices Training Manager for Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s film, TV, radio and digital content industries.

“The response to the first Apprenticeships has been phenomenal, and the feedback we’ve received from everyone concerned has been so positive, that we’re delighted to be offering the scheme for a second year,” adds David.

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production is open to 16-22-year-olds, living in the Northwest, and is designed specifically for people who wouldn’t usually get the chance to break into broadcasting.

Applicants DON’T need to have GCSE Maths or English, but should be able to work at that level. Anyone who already has a Level 3 qualification, or equivalent, is NOT eligible to apply. Graduates are also not eligible to apply.

“The scheme represents the growing belief in the media industry that talent isn’t about where you live or skin colour, educational achievements, gender or background,” says David, who together with the BBC, Skillset and the Learning and Skills Council, helped devise the apprenticeships, and continues to mentor the first Apprentices, who will complete their 18-month scheme in April 2009.

The second 18-month Programme will begin in September 2008 and will run until March 2010, with each apprentice receiving training and all the experience needed to kick-start their career in the industry. In addition, participants will be able to gain a Level 3 qualification while training.

Apprentices will work across a range of companies such as the BBC, ITV Granada, Sumners, Lime Pictures, 3Sixty Media, Channel M, Flix Facilities, Channel K, Mange2Media, October Films North, and Red Production Company.

“The apprenticeship will develop skills and abilities in various production roles, as well as allowing the trainees to learn about all areas of the media industry,” explains David. “Apprentices will also develop invaluable contacts and a wealth of practical experience across a range of different broadcasting companies.”

At the end of the scheme, it’s hoped the apprentices will be the next generation of industry talent. “There are no guarantees, but once the scheme ends the trainees will have acquired all the skills and experience they need to secure work in their chosen part of the media industry,” says David.

People aged between 16-19-years-old should contact their local Connexions centre before June 13 to apply for an Advanced Apprenticeship. For branch details contact Connexions on T: 0161 245 4945 or E: employersupport@careers-solutions.co.uk

People aged between 20-22-years-old should contact Northwest Vision and Media before June 13 to apply for an Advanced Apprenticeship. Send all enquiries / applications to apprentices@visionandmedia.co.uk

Full details of how to apply and the criteria for entry onto the 2008/10 Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production are available now on www.visionandmedia.co.uk/page/media-apprenticeships-2008/10

Info from the Police about a bogus caller

2008-05-12T11:45:00.003+01:00

The male is white and approx 40yrs old - described as bald - has been noted to wear a black anorak. He knocks on elderly residents homes pretending to be from the waterboard. They let him in and then he removes the toilet cistern and asks them to hold the ballcock in position while he goes to get a tool - turn the water off - that sort of thing. He then searches the house, removes mainly cash and jewellery and exits. He is not know to be violent or aggressive but is believed to be responsible for almost 30 incidents in another Police division. He targeted a house in Brooklands on 28/04/08 and with this in mind we want to make as many residents aware as possible in the South Manchester area.

But there is no reason why he can not move to new areas as people become more aware of his activities in South Manchester, so be careful out there !!!

If he turns up at their address they are not to let him in and should inform Police by ringing 0161 872 5050 asap - any info with regard to a better description, a vehicle being used, name etc would be a great help. Please direct any response to Insp Kevin Marriott (kevin.marriott@gmp.police.uk) or ring 0161 856 4982 / 4546

Redevelopment through the 20th Century in Ordsall

2008-05-08T11:46:00.005+01:00

It is very sad that lessons have not been learned from past regeneration. How many lives are interrupted for a period whilst regeneration takes place and the housing being allocated on completion to a completely different set of neighbours. All the ties have been broken for one reason or another. Continuity is of great significance for the future of the area. Isolation seems to be the product of regeneration and with older residents it is hard to become part of the community under the new order.

In the past law and order was part of the unwritten code of behaviour in each area. Parents knew each other, everyone’s dad became your dad and unacceptable behaviour was not tolerated. The elderly were treated with respect, children ran errands for them, not for reward, but part of the social ethics they had been brought up with. Everyone looked out for each other.

Nowadays after the two lots of ‘regeneration’ has taken place, one in the 20/30s and the other in the 60/70s areas have lost their identities. The old values were still present after all the back to back houses were demolished and communities came back together. The displacement of some of the families who occupied the Victorian slums and withstood this early regeneration found the world had changed after the second one. I believe this led to the start of the breakdown of society in some areas, which has continued to this day.

Future planners need to look at this aspect of regeneration and learn that knocking down houses every 30 yrs or so is not the answer. People need to belong to an area and have a pride in that area and if the community spirit can be rekindled, a lot of problem areas will

start to recover. It will take a long time to recover but where there’s a will there’s a way.

Community Reporter

Sylvia Sharples

Volunteer Night at the Social Media centre

2008-05-06T12:08:00.001+01:00

Social Media Centre Volunteer Night

The Social Media Centre Salford is based in the NDC community room at the Salford Innovation Forum. We have strong links with Salford University, Salford College and the BBC.

Our aim is to:
- use media to help community projects and individuals spread their messages innovatively
- be a hub of people sharing skills and exchanging information to create social media

Volunteer Night:

Date: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 18:00
Location: Salford Innnovation Forum - [Fredrick Rd, Salford] - Map
Phone: 0161 7433537
Website: http://socialmediacentre.wordpress.com
Email: socialmediacentre@gmail.com
[if you can't make it to the night email us and ask us to keep in touch!]

About Volunteering:

We offer a structured programme of volunteering activities that aim to provide a broad range of opportunities to meet a variety of interests. You can offer as much or as little time as suits you - there is no minimum time commitment. Regular support and supervision is provided to ensure that you are always getting the most out of volunteering with us. No special skills are needed to volunteer with us as full training is given.

Some of the areas you can volunteer in are:

Community Reporters:

Our Community Reporters programme is a loosely structured programme that is flexible to the needs and interests of each individual. A Community Reporter is someone who is given the skills and facilities to produce regular content - this can be thoughts and reflections on their life, reporting on events that are happening in their area or issues that affect a group they're involved with, and can be produced as a blog, video or audio. We are linked with the BBC on this project and our reporters get to go on a behind the scenes visit to North West Tonight as part of their training. Community Reporters also have the opportunity to link with other reporters to collaborate on stories and offer peer-support.

Skill-sharing:

Skill sharing is a type of training that's a more collaborative way of learning. Volunteers can help us by getting involved in delivering the skill-sharing sessions we run. This is a good way of gaining experience as a Media Trainer.

Internet channels:

Not everyone wants to be a community reporter but there's plenty of other work to be done when creating local Internet channels. Volunteers can help us find text, audio and video relevant to the area and distribute it to other people. There a number of small and large scale projects that require techincal assistance - and you may have your own ideas of how to use technology to bring people together that can be achieved through volunteering with this project.

Event organisation:

We are planning regular film screenings and community media events and there a number of roles available to volunteers who wish to gain experience in this area.

Networking:

Our goal is to create a hub of people sharing skills and exchanging information to create social media. To achieve this we're organising regular networking events for our volunteers at a variety of venues that allow people to come together to share ideas, resources, contacts and work opportunities.

If you are interested in attending the event please get in touch to book a place or feel free to get in touch to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Email: socialmediacentre@gmail.com
Phone: 0161 7433537

Secret tax adds £200 to cost of running family cars

2008-05-02T00:55:00.000+01:00

Tens of thousands of families will have to pay up to £245 extra a year under new road tax rules after a covert government decision to include cars up to seven years old.

The Treasury admitted to The Times last night that it was quietly abolishing the exemption for older cars from the highest rates of vehicle excise duty. This means that owners of larger cars bought since March 2001 will find that their road tax will rise steeply from next April.

The increases are being introduced in two stages, with many owners who are now paying £210 a year being charged £300 in 2009 and up to £455 in 2010.

The revelation comes amid motoring costs soar. Petrol prices reached £5 a gallon yesterday. One consumer body believes that by next year it could cost £84 to fill an average car with fuel.

The new road tax was announced in last month’s Budget but its impact is only now becoming clear.

Owners of models of the Renault Espace, Vauxhall Zafira, VW Sharan, Ford Galaxy, Citroën C8, Vol-vo XC90 and others that emit more than 225g of carbon dioxide per kilometre, will pay £430 in 2010 compared with £210 this year. Owners of medium-sized cars that emit more than 180g/km, including some Ford Mondeos, will find taxes rising by up to £100.

Those who try to sell their cars will find that the value has fallen sharply because of increases in fuel prices and road tax. The AA said that many people were falling into a “negative equity” trap, with their cars worth thousands of pounds less than outstanding loans.

Motoring groups said that it was unfair to penalise families who bought their cars several years ago, when people knew less about the consequences of CO 2 emissions.

The Government began varying road tax rates in 2001 but did not introduce the band G rate for cars that emit more than 225g/km, until March 2006. In the Budget that year, Gordon Brown, then the Chancellor, said that no car registered before March 23, 2006, would have to pay the band G rate.

In last month’s Budget, Alistair Darling announced a new system of 13 bands, from A to M, coming into force next April and a showroom tax of up to £950 starting in April 2010. The Chancellor said that the changes would raise an additional £1.2 billion up to March 2011 but failed to make clear that a significant portion of this would be paid by owners of older cars who would lose their exemption.

Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “The Government presented the changes as means of influencing people’s purchasing decisions, but it turns out that they are also penalising hard-pressed families who have been running the same car for many years.

“This will hit people who are already struggling to pay higher fuel bills and who bought their cars in good faith, not realising that the Government would move the goalposts.”

Information about the new rates is buried in an appendix to the Budget report and is not mentioned on the DVLA’s website page on vehicle tax.

Nigel Humphries, of the Association of British Drivers, said: “This impacts hardest on poorer families who need larger cars. Such drivers may not even realise the huge rises on older Mondeos, Lagunas, Vectras and Galaxies even with middle range engines until VED renewal time. Even some smaller cars such as Astras and Focuses are hit.

“The arrogance of Darling is astonishing. When questioned in a radio interview following the budget he suggested that those affected needn’t pay higher VED as they could buy new cars. Just how are they supposed to do that when food, council tax and mortgages are all up way above inflation?”

A Treasury spokesman said: “The Budget 2008 reforms aim to ensure that there are appropriate and consistent VED signals across the VED system — the more polluting the vehicle, the more VED it will pay — to encourage the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles.

"Cars emitting over 226g CO2/km but bought before Budget 06 will move into Band K in 2009-10 — and will continue to benefit from a reduced rate, and only in 2010-11 will these cars be placed into the band that corresponds to the car’s CO2 emissions.”

Free Britain – What a joke – with all these cameras!

2008-04-30T14:45:00.003+01:00

We are proud of our freedom in this country. We have gone to war to protect it. But now Brown’s Britain is ending that!

They put speed cameras on all the roads, not to improve safety, but raise money! UK had the safest roads in the world, until drivers were too busy watching their speedos, to watch the road. So speed cameras can kill and you are paying for it.

Now they are turning Lollypop crossing patrols into mobile CCD devices. Is this to prosecute more drivers to raise more revenue for the local council or for safety reasons? These cameras are being tested in a pilot scheme with two cameras being mounted either side of the ‘lollipop’ Why? Because the government is watching you! George Orwell wrote the book ‘1984’in 1948 - has it all come true? I think it has. He was just 60 years out!

Wherever you go, whatever you do, the government is filming you. And will be finding new ways to fine you.

There will be huge offices full of people watching you and you will paying for it.

This is not the England my family was proud of and fought and died for!
What is the problem in Salford ?

These are just some of my thoughts.

Road Safety

In 2005 84 people were killed or seriously injured on Salford 's roads and of these 13 were children. In the four years between 2002-2005 statistics show that 354 people have been killed or seriously injured (KSI). In general terms: 80% were adults, 20% were children, 72% were male, 28% were female, 38% were pedestrians, 8% were cyclists, 17% were motorcyclists and 34% were motor vehicle occupants.

National targets set in 2000 require that road casualties are reduced to the following levels by 2010.

Targets and figures were gathered by Salford City Council

JT Community Reporter, Ordsall.

Future of Training at Ordsall Community Cafe

2008-04-29T14:34:00.002+01:00

FUTURE OF TRAINING AT ORDSALL COMMUNITY CAFÉ

I feel that the training we are being afforded at present is community based and if it were to change and be linked to having to obtain qualifications we would lose some of our members.

It started as a scheme to give people of all ages the chance to access the internet and if some people wanted to use it to gain qualifications or find locally based courses, this was a vital first step they could take before following their own path to success.

We have over the past 12 months built up mutual trust with our tutor, Graham Bates, who has a great understanding of our individual needs, and is able to encourage the less technical of us to gain confidence in using the computer.

Many of the older people who attend would easily be put off and end up back in isolation if the emphasis was to change to getting qualifications or accessing the jobs market. Some members have come on in leaps and bounds with the style and delivery of the drop in sessions.

I think the community as a whole would lose out if it was to change the emphasis to one of an academic nature. Many people still do not have a computer at home and going to places like the library etc. are a bit daunting, with nobody to ask if you press a wrong key.

Please keep it similar to what it is now and no doubt more people, both young and old, through word of mouth, will attend the sessions. You only have to look at the impact and interest shown by the senior citizens from Humphrey Booth. It gives people a purpose in life and if they have kids and grandkids who are on the ‘net’, they can keep in touch.

I hope it’s not going to be one more of those schemes where the success will be judged on paper qualifications and getting a job. It is impossible to measure the success of this scheme in personal attainment because it is an individual thing, for which no, measurement device has been invented.

Please keep it as a community based service, which is within the reach of everyone no matter what their age or ability. The sponsors should be able to judge it as putting something back into the area from which so much was taken by many organisations in the past. I would imagine most of the funding is tax-deductable anyway. Sylvia Sharples

Community Reporter

Tour of the BBC Studios in Manchester

2008-04-29T14:13:00.005+01:00

Information regarding these tours was sent to us by Alison Cordingley of the Community Café, Ordsall. We booked our tour on-line and had to be at the BBC on Oxford Road at 10am.

On arrival we were issued with passes with our names and waited for Anne Rabbitt, who was conducting the tours, to arrive and take us on our conducted tour. Our first call was made at Studio A which is the largest studio and where many past series were filmed, but it is not used very often now. It is available to hire to various film companies, but they would have to provide all their own lighting and equipment. Life on Mars was filmed here when the police station set was made and apparently, staff from the BBC was always bumping into figures dressed in 70’s clothing, popping in and out of make-up and dressing rooms. The bright red Cortina was also parked in the car park at the back of the building.

We were shown dressing rooms, not glamorous at all, very basic with a couple of easy chairs, a TV, and a very small en suite shower/bathroom. We were told stars very often order their own special request items, which they pay for. The make-up room was also very basic, more like something from the 70’s together with a very small hairdressing room. Also on site is the costume department where artists go to be fitted with their outfits, this is equipped with sewing machines etc.

We then went to see the studio of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra where they were in full “tuning up mode”. We waited in the shadows listening to the cacophony of sound, all went quiet and the conductor brought them to order and they began their rehearsal. It was very moving. There are at the most 120 musicians playing and the full rehearsals can be watched by the public at specified times, but booking is essential. Sessions are all free, so you just have to ring and book to attend. So come on all you classical music fans, they usually they take place in the afternoons, so could appeal to those not wanting to go out at night. We crept out whilst they were still playing and went to see the radio drama section.

This studio was amazing and the young lady who took us round and explained everything was very informative. There is a carpeted area, a completely soundproofed small room where all the dialogue is spoken and it apparently sounds like the outdoors, also three sets of stairs leading no-where! The three give different effects when the actors run up and down them. There isn’t a dressing room as the actors wear their own clothes as it is not being filmed. The Archers used to be broadcast from this studio. There are a lot of dramas on the various BBC programmes which are all made here. Sound effects are added after the recording from a data base on the computer. Since technology has improved, all the BBC sound effects have taken a year to put on the data base. This means the studio team do not have to be as innovative as they were in the past to create effects.

Our last studio was North West Tonight, which has changed since I was there a year ago. We saw the famous settees where Gordon Burns sits and had our photographs taken there. We saw Heather Stott behind a glass screen broadcasting on Radio Manchester, she waved to us and said hello! We were told that all the presenters and team of the North West studio do all their own ‘ops’ (they have an earpiece and take instructions from the director). In the gallery overlooking the studio is the technical side of all the live performances with banks of monitors and goodness knows how many switches, last minute changes and news flashes are all controlled from there.

This was the first of the tours organised by the BBC, and they are in the process of setting up a studio which will be interactive. There will be a chance to read the news and give a weather forecast, obviously not on air, but simulated so you can watch it afterwards. This could be of great interest to young people who are thinking of a career in the media whether on the technical side or the presenting side.

All in all it was very interesting and the tours have been particularly aimed at residents of Salford prior to the move to Salford Quays, so that local residents can see behind the scenes of the BBC before it moves. When they move there are going to be lots of different TV companies in the same development and all will have to pre-book the specialist studios which are going to be available. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra are going to have their own studio, as now and they are hoping that the acoustics will be as good if not better than the one they now occupy.

Sylvia Sharples Community Reporter, Ordsall Community Cafe

Tour of the BBC Studios in Manchester

2008-04-29T14:11:00.000+01:00

Police Caught in Action 0n 10th April

2008-04-10T14:47:00.009+01:00

On 10th April 08, i was driving along the Mancunian way coming from Ordsall at about 1pm when i noticed that the Police were looking to catch people committing driving offences on this road. The problem was that whilst they were using cameras to carry out this work, they themselves were also committing traffic offences by parking completely on the pavement.

Just a thought, but in a couple of months through the post, people committing these offences will have a fine and my be points on the licence, will the traffic officer carrying out this work get a fine though his letter box, probably not.

Photo's (click on pictures to enlarge)

These Pictures were taken by the roadside, once i had parked legally.

Allotments

2008-04-08T13:58:00.002+01:00

Report on Meeting held on 3rd Arpil, 2008 by Sylvia Sharples

The meeting was arranged to ascertian if there is enough interest to form an allotment society and find out if there is any land which can be made available in the Ordsall and Langworthy areas. There were three people there who are already involved outside of our areas, who went into great detail about how to proceed to establish a group and then press for suitable land in the area.

A lot of the discussion covered communal plots, green gyms, environmental issues, mental and physical benefits, and disabled acess. It seems that if there are anough people interested, funding is available from many sources to set up a group to assess available sites and in some of the areas, soil samples would need to be taken to make sure the ground is suitable for food production.

There needs to be an infrastructure set up to run any designated area with a committee who would allocate the plots, with precedence being give to disadvantaged persons and not the affluent people who have recently moved into the area, who would be very quick to take advantage of the low cost of rental of these plots.

There is a public meeting at the Civic Centre in Swinton at 3pm on 21st April to discuss a green paper from the government on allotments. People are urged to go along and take part in this discussion.

The next meeting regarding the Ordsall and Langworthy initiative on allotments is at 10am on Thursday 15th May 2008 when it is hoped that a framework can be set up to proceed towrds making allotments available in these areas. Any site needs to be within walking distance of a persons home and food production is for their own consumption.

It was decided that now was the time to act before any more green spaces are earmakred for development. LPC Living is going to look into this matter and report to the next meeting.

Tours of BBC Manchester for the people of Salford

2008-03-20T13:49:00.002Z

tours of BBC Manchester are being set up specifically aimed at people who live in Salford, to give them a "behind the scenes" look at what we do, before the BBC moves over to Salford Quays.

We are planning to have pilot tours on Wednesday 23 April and Wednesday 30 April. There will be two tours 10.00 am and 12.30 pm, 15 people per tour.

The tour will include - a look at Studio A (our biggest TV studio), radio drama, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra's studio, North West Tonight studio and gallery and also the Radio Manchester studios. The tour might change slightly due to editorial requirements on the day.

If anybody would like to book themselves on the tour, please get in touch with me direct - details are below.

Anne Rabbitt
Event Co-Ordinator
BBC North West, The Press Office, New
Broadcasting House, Oxford Road,
Manchester, M60 1SJ
Phone: 0161 244 4891
Email: anne.rabbitt@bbc.co.uk

Jt from Community Reporter training is now producing video for other organisations

2008-03-13T14:21:00.002Z

Jonathan from Community Reporter training is now producing video for other organisations, Jonathan first started the community reporters programme at the begining of last year (07). johnathan has moved on in leaps and bounds and there is no stopping him in producing his own video content from the skills he has gained. He now has his own following with regards to his bloggs, but is more interesting is that he is now using his skills for other organisations, the latest is the Salford Disability forum.

here are the films that he was asked to film

My Ordsall Cafe

2008-03-13T09:28:00.004Z

Here is a film created & produce by Stacy Cass at Ordsall Community Cafe about how the cafe has evolved. After training at the end of last year, a competition was held to consolidate the training and 2 computers were given away by Graeme Bates (Mcin Web Connect) Here is Stacy's video, Well Done !!!

Community training at the cafe by Mcin Web connect working in partnership with the BBC

2008-03-13T08:50:00.004Z

Various organisations from Ordsall/ Salford attended a course at Ordsall Community Cafe, The Dragon's Den. This training was took place in Febuary 08. Basically this was about organisations being trained to use multimedia skills to sell their organisation.

This training was set up and working in partnership with the BBC and MCIN Webconnect

The groups attended 8 weeks of training on tuesday's, they planned the film right from the start:-
Planning what to do - coming up with ideas
Planning - story boards, risk assessments etc
Filming - using cameras
Video - editing and prodution
Creating videos/films
Distribution

The idea was to create a 3 min video with all the groups attending the course. This ment that the goups had to produce and edit a 20 second video about them and this would then be put together. Below is their work to produce the finished article

please click on the videos to see how they got on !!!

Desi Sisters

First Steps

Salford City Radio

Salford Link Project

JT

Ordsall Community Cafe

Now here is the finished product created, filmed and edited and produced by everyone, enjoy !!

Thanks to everyone that took part, we are looking to take this forward with more training at the BBC, please contact Graeme at the cafe for more details.

The Womens Centre

2008-03-11T15:24:00.002Z

Tanya Hayman from The Womens Centre attended a course at Ordsall Community Cafe, The Dragon Den, basically this was about organisations being trained to use multimedia skills to sell their organisation.

This training was set up and working in partnership with the BBC and MCIN Webconnect

The groups attended 8 weeks of training on tuesday's, they planned the film right from the start:-
Planning what to do - coming up with ideas
Planning - story boards, risk assessments etc
Filming - using cameras
Video - editing and prodution
Creating videos/films
Distribution

Click on the video below:- This is Tanya's work

Meeting about allotments in Ordsall

2008-03-05T14:37:00.002Z

There is a meeting at The Everyone Centre (the old Neighbourhood Office)on 3rd April at 10am - for further information, ring Ross Spanner at The Neighbourhood Office.

Ordsall Community Café’s Salon

2008-01-09T15:53:00.001Z

If the writing is to small, Click on the picture to enlarge and print out.

Buffets for the community

2008-01-09T15:34:00.000Z

Are you a community group or organisation or just local people having a party, here is a buffet menu for people to look at:- Click on the picture to enlarge and print out.

Salford Heart Care Info for 2008

2008-01-09T15:22:00.000Z

Here is some information for 2008

Click on the picture to enlarge and print out.

Regenerating Ordsall

2008-01-08T16:23:00.000Z

Regenerating Ordsall, do you want to know more about the regeneration in your area, how will this affect you ?

In May 2006 LPC Living and Salford City Council signed the Development Framework for Ordsall.

This agreement means that over £150 million will be invested in Ordsall during the course of the next three to five years resulting in major new benefits to local residents including:

Brand new shopping facilities
A state-of-the-art primary school and children’s centre
Brand new family housing
New health and community facilities
Improvements to open spaces in Ordsall

This masterplan is the result of years of planning and consultation with existing residents, community groups and award-winning architects, BPTW.

For more information visit:- http://www.hultonsquare.co.uk/index.htm

Find Out about Ordsall Trust

2008-01-08T16:12:00.000Z

Ordsall Trust

The point of having a Community Development Trust in Ordsall is that it can do what other people aren't doing.

In Broughton and Langworthy, the Trusts are doing what they need to there. They are responding to demands put on them by residents, and working with them and Council staff and other agencies. Ordsall doesn't have to copy any of that, if it doesn't need to. If problems are being tackled, then the Trust has no remit to interfere. It has no requirement to get involved.

However, it can step in when required.

For instance, some groups in the area have needed help with fund-raising in the past. This may happen again in the future. The rules for claiming European funding have changed. From 2007 onwards they will not be accepting applications from small community groups. They want all local groups to work through a 'consortium'. That could be a local Trust.

So, if Ordsall Community Arts wanted to put in a bid for European Social Fund this year, they could do it through Ordsall Trust and would have a good chance of success. Meanwhile, other Ordsall groups might decide to join in with the application and would benefit from new funding coming into the area.

Ordsall Trust has the task of doing what it can to make the area a better place.

It can step in when no one else can, to improve Ordsall and help it become a better place to live.

Ordsall Trust:- http://www.ordsalltrust.com/whatcanwedo.htm

Dragon’s Den training by the BBC

2008-01-08T16:05:00.000Z

Dragon’s Den training by the BBC

The BBC will be coming to share its experience regarding multi media to give people a chance to create a three min video to promote their work, project, or group with the sales pitch to be able to best present there content to a wider audience. Below is a brief outline of training sessions to be held at the Ordsall Café.

Provisional dates/ session outlines:

OBJECTIVE: By the end of four week session group will have produced a three minute video outlining work of their project/ local issue

First Session

Group will meet with Annabelle. Annabelle to outline her role at BBC.

Talk about ideas for film/ how to "pitch" their idea.

Second Session

Annabelle will meet with the group to film footage for the video.

Third Session

Annabelle will meet with the group to edit the video with support of MCIN staff.

Fourth Session

Annabelle will meet with the group to review the editing of the video and make any final changes.

Video will be posted on blog/ YouTube/ MCIN websites etc.

Expected that each session will last three hours.

Annabelle from the bbc will first attend the cafe on Tuesday 15th January 07 at 10am

To get involved please contact the community cafe

Slide Show of Old Ordsall

2008-01-08T11:45:00.000Z

Cooking Classes at the Cafe

2007-12-19T15:50:00.000Z

Please click on the video below to here interviews at the cafe

WHAT 2007 MEANT TO ME IN ORDSALL by Sylvia Sharples

2007-12-19T15:31:00.000Z

One of the most significant landmarks this year was the decision to keep the Ordsall Medical Centre somewhere near where it is now instead of a move to The Quays”!! This was a case of where common sense prevailed and the centre will remain at the heart of Ordsall. So all the cynics who said that the decision was all cut and dried and there was no point in having all the consultations, this was definitely “power to the people”.

Personally, it has been a fantastic year. I have learned to use the internet and many aspects of computers I didn’t know existed. What a wonderful world for the silver surfer! All the jargon of IT explained, a very patient tutor, a visit to the BBC to see North West Tonight go on air. All these things wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t “got out of my rocking chair” and made the effort to join in with events and opportunities in the area.

My hope and wish list of 2008 is more of the same, integration of lots of groups who can all benefit from each other and bring back the community spirit which was almost completely destroyed when houses were demolished and communities broken up. I would say that the communities are well on the way to recovery. The only thing missing is the interaction with the youth of today and the older generation. Let’s see if we can’t bridge this gap.

Let’s hope we all have a lovely Christmas and a peaceful New Year The world’s our oyster, there are lots of pearls to collect, but we all need to search for them.

The Year Turns! By JT

2007-12-19T14:34:00.000Z

This time last year, life was in a rut! It was another year that tends to come along until you die, I tried that in a car accident, and being alive is so much better!

Then suddenly I was in the Ordsall Community Café, and I was nabbed for the Community Reporters Group. Graeme comes in every Tuesday at 10 am., to teach us about digital video. He also comes in on Wednesday afternoon to help people get to grips with computers! Everything today needs IT, so this is a vital leg up for people!

This morning I had had 13,600 views of my personal videos! So I think I got to grips with this digital video stuff! My video blog is edited video on You-Tube! And the world is watching.

So, I have got my ideas out there, being watched and commented on by the world, though Americans do have trouble with anything involving more than sitting in a chair watching videos!

Through my community reporters stuff, I got invited to an IT day by Alison who manages the OCC (Ordsall Community Café). The day was meant to be about linking people up, so it was a networking IT day.

One of the things I played with in Salford early on this year was community radio from the Angel on Regent Road.

This has now moved, but Salford Community Reporters Group has a presence on the internet so Steve and myself had a good chat on what community radio needed.

We agreed that they had hours to fill, and they should have a disability hour. This is my thing, due to my accident, but I want to help improve life for all people in Salford! He emailed me this morning, to say we would sort things out for the New Year, when I am not busy at the Ordsall Community Café.

Wishing you all the best for the new year, bring it on !!!

old ordsall

2007-12-18T13:45:00.000Z

This is a Slide show of Old Ordsall created by Stacy, using pictures donated by Ann Monoghue from Salford Central library's archive.

Old Ordsall

2007-12-18T13:37:00.000Z

This is a slide show created by Stacy, the pictures have been provided by Ann Monogue from Salford Central Library; with permission to show for historical use.

Acapella Singers Web Ste

2007-12-18T10:35:00.000Z

Ordsall has it's own Acapella Singers, who work very hard to bring some light into our lives.

To view their web site please click the link below

www.ordsallsingers.co.uk

Salford Disability Forum for the young

2007-11-28T14:03:00.000Z

This was the day the Salford Disability Forum were concerned with youth issues at Eccles College for disabled people. It is good there is support out there, but a pity it was not there when I lived in Eccles after my accident! by Jonathan Thomason

The Crippled Boy! by JT

Life was so good, the future was mine!
Then it got up and stamped on me!
The car accident took away a third of my brain,
but all of my new life in London. In time it took my marriage.
Walking I relearned, love is harder the second time around.
Now I fly all over the world, but my heart is here.
With the nurses and carers that put my broken body back together.
My brain has mostly recovered, and so I film
I am a video reporter, reporting on Salford.
Reporting on those who give life back to the broken.
Who will be there, should ever you need them!

Now & Then

2007-11-21T15:46:00.000Z

Salford Remembers by Sylvia Sharples

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

From: Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress and Other Poems.
Christina Rosetti. London: Macmillan 1879.

My Remeberance Day Website:- http://www.myremembranceday.org.uk/

This is my tribute

Ordsall Regeneration

2007-11-20T13:50:00.000Z

Here are some pictures of one of the old school St. Clement's, being demolished. It has now been replaced by a new school Primrose Hill Opened in September this year.

This is a personal account of the thoughts of one resident of Ordsall (JT), regarding the Regeneration taking place in Ordsall.
Have your say.... Please send your thoughts, pitures etc to:

ordsall.on-line@hotmail.co.uk

The Regeneration

Salford was new and exciting! There was a time when the docks were it! It made Salford so rich, and the area was buzzing.
Now the docks are dead, and Salford is one of the poorest cities in England. It is time to tear down the old, and make it all new.
But areas have spirit, have soul! Ordsall was the pits! It was a bad area. But now the bad ones have been cleared out, and what is left is the social gold! As ‘Secret millionaire’ found, there are people who will give you a free meal, when they are struggling to eat!
New people are outsiders for many years. The Quays have shown the lack of social cohesion you can get. You bring in temporary workers, and they stay for the job, and probably don’t even know what a library is!
I live at the Quays, and it is pretty! I live in the houses, where I am the new one – I have only been there for 6 years! They know each other, and are a community – of workers. And then there is me, who is part of the retired population, I am strange in that I am quite young, and socially active.
Now I have seen St Clement’s school torn down: MY Church’s school consigned to the pages of old building plans in the planning offices history files of Salford.
I know people who say ‘That is where I broke my leg’, ‘That is where I got involved with the Red Cross’, ‘That is where I first kissed a boy!’
People’s memories are being torn down with the building. The new school will be good, when I was thinking of adopting a daughter, it was a very big plus point! Salford was to have it own school academy: Like Eccles already does.
But the new school will only work if there are good people involved with it! If it serves a vibrant new community.
Will Salford get it? I hope so. It will have a new tram system, into the heart of the most exciting cities in England.
Manchester is where the industrial revolution kicked off. No doubt there was as much building work then, though not a lot of demolition.
Will Salford and Manchester be the cities of the 21st century? In the new Internet age. I hope so, as I am involved in digital video on my computer. It has the infrastructure to make a difference.
But rather than being flattened in the Second World War, it is being levelled by the demolition ball.
Will a new, fantastic society take root? That is where you come in!

Ordsall Cafe runners up of Neighbourhood Awards

2007-11-20T11:51:00.001Z

Ordsall Community Cafe received the Runners-up prize for Neighbourhood Entrepreneur for all their outstanding work in the Community.

Many thanks to Salford City Council for this acknowledgement and for support in allowing the cafe to accept their certificate of "Highly Commended" in London.

New hair for Christmas

2007-11-13T12:30:00.000Z

172 tatton St

2007-11-13T12:12:00.000Z

Here are some old pictures of 172 tatton St, that were given by the previous owner Mrs Smith of Smiths Bike Shops.

The building is now the Community Cafe and is very different today.

Ordsall Community Cafe Forthcoming events

2007-11-13T12:02:00.000Z

ORDSALL COMMUNITY CAFÉ FORTHCOMING EVENTS

NEW PLAY AREA CONSULTATION
Thursday 15th November 1pm to 3pm

HEALTHY EATING AND COOKERY CLASSES COMMENCING OCTOBER 2007.
The launch will be on Wednesday 10th October from 3.30pm when you will be able to sample some of the dishes we will be learning to cook.
The course will run every Wednesday from 17th October to 5th December 2007, from 4pm to 6pm. There will be free samples for you to take home and try with your family, in addition to wipe clean recipe cards kindly produced by St Josephs IT class project.
A creche will be available. All welcome whatever age

BASIC SKILLS IT TRAINING
Every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm

COMMUNITY REPORTERS
Every Tuesday from 10am to 4pm

LATIN LINE DANCE DROP IN
taster session from 10.30am to 12 pm 26th Nov. 2007
For more information contact: Louise Ashworth, Healthy Hips and hearts co ordinator on 07928522308,or 0161 778 0497

NEW OPENING TIMES
From Monday 3rd September, our cafe will now be open until 5pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and to 7pm on Thursdays for a three month trial period. The cafe will also be open from 9am to 1pm on Fridays, on a permanent basis.

FREE GARDENING SESSIONS WITH NICOLA
Including tips on how to make your garden and plants look healthier and last longer.
How to plant hanging baskets
How to deal with slugs and pests
Every Thursday from 4pm to 6pm commencing 23rd August 2007

PRIZE BINGO EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON

FROM 2ND MARCH 2007 FROM 1.30PM TO 3PM
Four games including a line and house.
£2.50 including refreshments

HAIRDRESSING
Every Monday and Tuesday- see our hairdressing page for further details on how to book an appointment.

PARENTS AND TOTS EVERY THURS FROM 1PM TO 2PM (TERM TIME ONLY)

FREE INTERNET ACCESS EVERY MONDAY AND FRIDAY
You must join IT club and provide ID with proof of your name and address.

Ordsall Cafe Newsletter Sept / OCt 07

2007-11-13T11:50:00.001Z

172 Tatton Street History pictures

2007-10-30T13:05:00.001Z

Ordsall Acapella

2007-10-30T13:03:00.000Z

Ordsall Acapella Singers

The Acapella singers are now based at Ordsall Hall, and practise in the Great Hall, (which is renowned for its acoustics), every Tuesday evening 7pm to 9pm. They would welcome anyone to join their choir. They have several bookings over the next couple of months.

I accompanied the choir on Saturday last, 20^th October, when they had been booked to appear in a cabaret show in St. Clements Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton. They sang twice once at the beginning and then after the interval. Everyone gave them good applaud and were asked to appear at the next show in March next year. The other acts included an alternative comedian, an amazing magician and an African drum band. The show was called ‘Give the Telly the Welly’ which had been organised by a member of the choir David Adelman who can be contacted at davidadelman@talktalk.net .

A good time was had by all.

Last night Tuesday 23^rd October, the choir had been asked to appear in a documentary for Channel M which followed the events at the Hall for one day. The film crew were very impressed with their singing and the show will be on Channel M on Friday 26^th October at 8pm.

If anyone wants any more information about joining or supporting the choir please contact Gail Skelly at Ordsall Community Arts in the Everyone Centre or e-mail gail at gail@ocarts.co.uk.

Sylvia Sharples

Community Reporter

Graeme 's Story

2007-10-03T13:28:00.000+01:00

This is Graeme's story he told me today.

He was out in his fast speed boat when the engine broke down and he was adrift. There were no boats nearby but he set off some smoke flares. There were several other boats in the area but they were at the other side of the bay. However, luckily a much smaller speed boat came to his assistance. He took the boat in tow and headed towards the beach so that Gra could beach her and sort out the problem. Just before he reached the shore he shouted to his rescuer "What do I owe you? " "It's OK", he shouted, "I don't want any money." Graeme then rummaged in his pockets for some money and managed to find a tenner. At this moment the guy cast off the tow-line so that the boat could run ashore under her own weigh. At this point the water looked very shallow whereupon Graeme did a head over heels into water which was far from shallow - coming out of the water like the statue of liberty clutching his 'tenner' which he had held so tight in his hand it was still bone dry! Maybe the moral of this story should be "presumption is dangerous". His crew couldn't stop laughing, and the tale is still funny whenever it is told.

Police State -phone calls to be logged.

2007-10-03T13:18:00.000+01:00

I think we are more and more becoming a police state. This latest report over the weekend that all phone calls from mobiles, land lines are to be logged and kept for a year. What has happened to our privacy? OK the powers that be are all obsessed with terrorists but what about us. It could end up like Germany was pre war everyone suspicious of everyone and being interrogated by police to say if they have spoken to their friends!! The mind boggles. What has happened to this country?

"FREE COMPUTER COURSES"

2007-09-19T14:10:00.000+01:00

Come along to your local community cafe and gain basic skills and learn the language of computers.
No experience is necessary, no age restrictions, no pressure, learn at your own pace. If you are experienced there is a lot of scope to put this to good use with photography, web sites, video recording etc.

Times of the sessions are:

Tuesdays - 10am - 12 noon - Basic skills

1 pm - 3pm - Media Club

Wednesdays - 1pm - 4pm - Basic skills

Please ring the Community Cafe on 872 6011 and speak to Alison or Stacy for further information, or come along and see for yourself.

In a world full of computer jargon, now is the opportunity to dispel some of the myths of this mysterious world.

The Embrace Project

2007-09-11T13:13:00.000+01:00

THE EMBRACE PROJECT (Engaging Refugees and Asylum Seekers)

Project Aims

The project aims to engage with refugees and asylum seekers in Salford through sharing local culture and heritage, developing appropriate internal and external partnerships, learning programmes, and on-site resources.

The project also seeks to assist in the integration of refugees and asylum seekers with the host community and go some way towards ‘myth busting’ about the new communities arriving in the city by celebrating the diversity and skills that new people bring to Salford. In 2006, there were over 450 reported incidents of hate crime in the city. The project aims to create greater understanding, awareness and appreciation of Salford’s newest residents.

Funding

The project is currently funded by the DCMA (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and the Barings Foundation. The former grant expires at the end of March 2008 and the latter at the end of October 2007.

Staffing

The EMBRACE project is currently staffed by a Project Officer (4 days a week from April 2007) and part time Volunteer Manager. Both these posts are fixed term contracts and external funding dependent.

Partners

Salford is part of a consortium of partners who deliver the Engaging Refugees and Asylum Seekers project across the UK. This consortium has been in existence, as has the EMBRACE project in Salford, since 2003.

Partners in this consortium are: National Museums Liverpool, Leicester Museums Service, and Tyne and Wear Museums Service.

Key partners the EMBRACE project works with in Salford include: Refugee Action, CVS (Council for Voluntary Service), numerous local colleges and ESOL (English as a Second Language) providers, Neighbourhood Management Teams, Community Development Teams, Community Arts North West, New Deal for Communities, numerous voluntary and community groups (such as The Kurdish Association), numerous refugee artists, and Salford City Council’s Diversity Officers.

Statistics

At the end of November 2006, the total number of refugees and asylum seekers living in Salford was 1127. Of this figure, 890 were being supported in dispersal accommodation, 21 were unaccompanied minors and 111 were refugees.

Salford has the second highest number of NASS (National Asylum Support Service) supported asylum seekers in the Greater Manchester authorities (after Manchester)

1.5% of the UK asylum seeking population (excluding refugees) lives in Salford

In terms of providing accommodation and subsistence, Salford is ranked as the tenth highest borough in the country (Glasgow is the first)

Key issues

§ Exploiting the imaginative theme of Heritage to develop ways to work with refugees and asylum seekers – developing language skills, maintaining cultural memory and learning new ones, and adding music, painting and drama from all over the world to the cultural mix of Salford.

§ Taking a thorough and planned approach at the start of the project to ensure that, through extensive consultation, elements of the project reflect community need

§ Gradually widening the range of partner organisations providing services and resources for and access to refugees and asylum seekers

§ Monitoring progress and outcomes with the huge range of cultures, ages, levels of language ability involved, a significant section of whom are transient or temporary residents.

Outcomes

2445 places on EMBRACE project activities were taken up by refugees and asylum seekers between April 2006 and March 2007
Volunteer Programme

Since January 2006, over 20 volunteers all from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds have participated in the museum’s volunteer programme. Volunteers are either self-referred or are contacted via our partners in Refugee Action. The programme has become a permanent element of the EMBRACE project. Some volunteers have been with us for 9 months or more. All use the programme as a springboard to learn new skills, gain confidence and as a stepping-stone towards employment and training. Some are now engaged in doing Active Citizenship courses in the city.

ESOL Resources

Salford Heritage Services formally launched its new ESOL resources in December 2006. Resources consist of a pack which can be used as pre and post learning to ESOL sessions delivered at both Salford Museum and Art Gallery and Ordsall Hall.

Activities and Events

The EMBRACE project currently leads on events such as Refugee Week and, in conjunction with the Learning Team, Black History Month

Exhibitions

The project has a visible input into a number of exhibitions at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. In 2006, the project led on the exhibition entitled ‘What Would You Do If…’ (open to the public for 8 months) which invited audiences to explore the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers in the UK today, and aimed to promote greater understanding of their skills and situations.

Challenges

The main challenge to this project from 2007-8 is the need to secure funding to continue and develop its great work. Ideally, we would like the project to be absorbed into core budgets. Continued advocacy work is essential to facilitate this. In the meantime, we will be working closely with our consortium partners to seek and procure funding, and approach other grant giving bodies for smaller amounts of money for more distinct elements of project work.

Drop In for fun and exercise at the Cafe

2007-09-11T13:04:00.000+01:00

LET’S DANCE!!

The Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Rhumba,

a little bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll and more………….

Join us for an Over 55s

LATIN LINE DANCE

‘TASTER’ SESSION

The Community Cafe

Tatton Street, Ordsall

Wednesday, 10^th October, 2007

Between 11 am and 12 noon

No partner required – No need to book –

just 75p per person – See you there!

For further information contact:

Louise Ashworth, Healthy Hips and Hearts Support Officer,

SALFORD COMMUNITY LEISURE

079 285 22308, or 0161 778 0497

Whats on at the Cafe - Keeping fit

2007-09-11T13:01:00.000+01:00

LET’S DANCE!!

The Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Rhumba,

a little bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll and more………….

Join us for an Over 55s

LATIN LINE DANCE ‘DROP IN’

The Community Cafe

Tatton Street, Ordsall

Monday, 29^th October, 2007

Monday, 26th November, 2007

Between 10.30 am and 12 noon

No partner required – No need to book –

just £1 per person – See you there!

For further information contact:

Louise Ashworth, Healthy Hips and Hearts Support Officer,

SALFORD COMMUNITY LEISURE

079 285 22308, or 0161 778 0497

Ordsall Health Centre

2007-09-11T11:33:00.000+01:00

Ordsall Health Centre

Here is a link to the healthy living site. We are hoping to establish a monthly surgery with one of the doctors, who may be available to answer questions with regards to health questions.

On this site we will also post health issue for the General public which require awareness, such as when flu jabs are available and who is in need of them.

We are looking for feed back on the site and of course your suggestions.

Please send any comments to Ordsall.on-line@hotmail.co.uk

If you have any items that you think will be of interest, please send them too.


Ordsall Community Reporters

Ordsall Community Cafe Newsletter

2007-09-04T13:16:00.001+01:00

To Make larger please click on the page

With Thanks

2007-09-04T12:14:00.000+01:00

After our summer break the Ordsall On-Line Site is working fast to keep you up to date with whats going on in the area.

But firstly, can we give a huge thanks to MCIN for all their help with this project. We are doing our best with all the new information and training that Gra is offering-- thank you from us all and we hope to drive you mad continually in the forthcoming months.

Can we also give a mega thanks to Gary Copitch for his time, effort and neverending belief in our group.

So with all the news thats going on in Ordsall, we must move to getting our reader numbers on the up and most of all try to get more members to the Community Reporters.

Please keep checking our site for up to date information on events, issues and information- not forgetting the new format we will be using with selection pages on certain items.

Ordsall On-Line

Cookery Classes at the Cafe

2007-09-04T11:28:00.000+01:00

2007-09-04T10:54:00.000+01:00

COMMUNITY WALK FROM ORDSALL COMMUNITY CAFÉ
By Sylvia Sharples, Community Reporter

For the past three weeks on a Wednesday a walk has been arranged, leaving the café at 10am and returning at 11 am. I missed the first week, when I am told quite a few people turned up, and everyone enjoyed a leisurely walk down to Salford Quays.

My husband and I turned up for the second walk where we were accompanied by Charlotte the Park Ranger. Leaving the café (giving extra time for more people to turn up) we walked down through some open space which I didn’t even know existed. Unfortunately it was strewn with rubbish and I couldn’t believe that some local group hadn’t tried to clear it up. We then went through Ordsall Park, and the smell of new mown grass was overpowering. This area was very clean and well kept. We continued down towards the canal and the moment we reached the tow path the peace and quiet was unbelievable, it was another world. The water was like a mill pond and we saw quite a few pairs of mallard ducks busying themselves with their daily routine. We even saw a couple of coots. I imagined how busy the canal must have been in the past with shipping and barges up and down. The remains of the davits and mooring bollards, now sadly unused, was very poignant of people’s working lives in another age.

Our route continued past walls full of graffiti, very artistic, but in the wrong place. I had remarked I had noticed it from the window of the tram, the previous week. How all this could have been painted with nobody complaining is hard to believe.

We then turned off the tow path and crossed the road near the Bricklayers Arms and noticed what a lovely building it was. We then made our way up by the Neighbourhood Office and back along Tatton Street to the café.

During our walk we got to know Charlotte and exchanged views on all sorts of subjects. We also talked about our various backgrounds and things we had done in the past and our current interest, now that we are retired. All in all it was a great success and very therapeutic.

This last Wednesday I was the only one who turned up, which was disappointing. A new Park Ranger, Steve, whose area is Albert Park had come along to see Charlotte’s area. I was asked where I wanted to walk and suggested the same walk as described above. This time I took my camera and took a few photographs, which are shown in this report.

The weather had been threatening to cancel the walk, but it remained dry for the duration. We walked back through the New Barracks Estate, and Regent Square Park which is another oasis, and hidden gem to those who have no occasion to walk through the estate. We returned to the café and I thanked the Rangers for accompanying me.

Without this opportunity I would have never have gone down to the canal on my own as it is far too lonely. We only saw one person on the second trip, but would not feel comfortable going down there alone. Here’s to next week, weather permitting!

Ordsall Acapella Singers

2007-09-04T10:51:00.000+01:00

Press Release

The sweet harmony of Ordsall Acapella Singers

On 26th September, vying with a juggling clown, a bouncy castle and the flashing cameras of an appreciative audience, the Ordsall Acapella Singers sang a mixture of gospel, pop and African close harmony songs at the Salford Lads Club summer event. Their sweet harmonies echoed round one of the Club’s beautiful rooms, only yards away from the rehearsal space used by Morrissey and The Smiths. Jeff Borradaile, the choir’s inspirational musical director, said it was their best performance yet.

Ordsall Acapella sing unaccompanied in four-part harmonies. Formed about two years ago, the group is going from strength to strength, giving regular concerts in and around Salford and Manchester, and running workshops in the community. You can next hear them on 22 September at 9 am at the New Marriott Hotel; 12 till 3 pm at Ordsall Park Festival, and on 23 September 1 till 2 pm at Ordsall Hall Eco Week.

The choir meets 7 and 9 pm on Tuesdays at the Everyone Centre, 2 Robert Hall Road, Ordsall, gravitating afterwards to the pub. A warm friendly and intimate group, it is open to new members, whether beginners or experienced singers.

If you want to join, find out about performances or arrange gigs or workshops, contact Gail at Ordsall Community Arts on 0161 848 8779.

It's a leak but it ain't Wales

2007-07-10T14:28:00.000+01:00

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.

Congestion Charges for residents

2007-05-29T12:53:00.000+01:00

Just to let you know we have only had an e.mail acknowledging receipt of the questions posed. Apart from that it's all gone quiet.

Will keep you posted folks.

I have e.mailed the following questions to our councillors with regards to the Proposed Congestion Charges for the use of Regent Road.

If you have any comments please add them below...................

As a resident living in the proposed area of the congestion charges route, I would like some answers to questions put to me please.

1. I know that residents can claim a discounted rate for use of the road, however, what about those who have no choice but to use the road because of the council closing all other exits?

2. Will you re-open recently closed routes through Ordsall Estate in order that we have a choice as to whether we use the Congestion Charged Routes?

3. If you do not re-open the roads should we not have a nil charge like the emergency services or even the breakdown services or are we to be treated like trapped rabbits in a warren?

Stacy Cass

Ordsall Acapella Choir

2007-05-29T11:29:00.000+01:00

On Friday 18th May, I went with the Acapella Choir to Stockport Art Museum, where they were booked to sing at the preliminaries before an Achievement Award Presentation. There were many dignitaries there, canapés and drinks were served and a bongo band was playing as people entered the museum. The choir were asked to sing in the chapel of remembrance where the acoustics were brilliant for this type of singing.

After their traditional warm up, they sang many songs, under the watchful eye of the professional choirmaster who puts them through their paces every Tuesday at the Every One Centre in Ordsall. Their performance was outstanding and very professional, especially considering some of the members had only been with the group for a few weeks. Lots of people stopped and listened to the choir and gave them tremendous applause. Some even asked could they go to the Tuesday night sessions.

I have been to many of their performances, over the last few years, when there were only at the most half a dozen singers, this time however there were 15 of them. This influx of members is mainly due to their appearance on Radio Manchester in March when they asked for new members.

If there is anyone out there who enjoys singing, and wants to sing for pleasure and be with a good crowd of fun loving people, then here’s your opportunity.

If you have any event where a choir would be appropriate please get in touch with Ordsall Community Arts at the Everyone Centre in Ordsall.

The Duke comes to Ordsall

2007-05-22T11:51:00.000+01:00

- and plays table football!

Anybody who turned on Granada News on Thursday, 17th May will have seen the pictures of the Duke of Gloucester coming to visit Salford Lads and Girls Club on Coronation Street in Ordsall.
However, that's all you will have seen.
The camera showed you the Duke entering the building. What happened next?

First, the Duke was introduced to the Officers of the Club - the Chair, the Secretary and the Treasurer. The he met Leslie Holmes, the Club's Development Officer, who took the honoured guest on a tour of the Club. They looked at the Memorial Brass Plaque first, which lists the members of the Club who fell in the First and Second World Wars. Then, moving upstairs, the Duke was fascinated to see the wooden shields which record the winners of the Club's annual gynastic competitions going back to the 1920s.

Moving on, the Duke saw the Snooker Room, the Secretary's office, and was then ushered into the old Concert Room, and was shown the holes in the plaster and the crumbling roof which needs repairing. The guest sympathised with all the work that needs doing, and expressed support for the Club's current 'Million Pound Appeal', which hopes to raise enough funds to fix up the building for the 'next hundred years', as Leslie told him.

Also, on the first floor is the boxing gym. The Duke was keen to talk to all the young people training there and hear about their recent successes. Ushered down the back stairs, the Duke was then led into the Junior Games Room. He was offered a game of pool but seemed more keen to try the Air Hockey. He wasn't put off when the puck flew off the table, and insisted in pursuing the game until he scored enough points to win!

Next stop was the Senior Games Room which is where all the other guests were gathered, for a cup of tea and international buffet, prepared by Ray and Marie. The Duke was thanked by the President of the Greater Manchester Federation of Youth Clubs and made a short speech, before being led back out the front door and onto the coach for a short trip to the airport.

The visit had been organised by 'The Fed' to celebrate a hundred years of their existence. As most people know, our Club in Ordsall has been going even longer. Still, it was a great honour to see the Duke and a great pleasure to have him view the Club and see all the improvements that have been made in the last few years. Also, it was welcome to know he's supporting the Club in its improvement plans.

Watch this space.

a Success

2007-05-22T10:49:00.000+01:00

Ordsall Café Project - A Community Success

A burnt out building at the end of Tatton St, in Ordsall, a dream for local residents, who formed a committee, a lot of arduous work and negotiating with Salford Council and of course the Fund Raising; is what it took to make the Ordsall Community Café Project the success it is today…

The café 1^st opened its café doors in June 2005, and all the hard work continued until the building was completed this year. The rooms are beautiful, and range from a meeting room to a counselling/quiet room at the top of the building. The food is low priced and tasty, with the focus being healthy eating.

The Community Centre now has meeting rooms available for hire, a salon; local Community Services use the café and their rooms. A computer suite with wireless internet access for free use, from which a Community Reporters group has been set up, using the skills they have gained from the free training it holds; from basic skills using a computer to making films and pod casts for blogs. There are Parents and Toddlers groups on a Thursday afternoons, Weaning Classes run by the P.C.T., help and advice on healthy living and even a refugee link permanently based in one of its rooms. Table top sales and fairs are held there and the Bingo sessions on a Friday afternoon are fun too.

With a Manager, 2 part-time staff and dedicated volunteers this centre has become a hub of the Community of Ordsall, which is in great need of the services the Café provides. Such as the forthcoming Health and Well-being Event being held in June, to which anyone from the Community can attend.

A web site has been set up, that has lots of useful news, information and links; newsletters are produced bi-monthly and distributed throughout the area.

In the last year the Café has had its hard work recognised by two organisations, by the presentation of awards: Towards Excellence in Volunteering for 2 recommendations in Monitoring and Development of Policies in Volunteering and its work towards Expansion of the group of volunteers. The second prestigious Award won this year, which was presented to the Café’ and accepted by its Manager Alison Cordingley, was the Co-Operative Foundation Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Community, under the category of: Community Facilities.

Along side this the centre has featured on the BBC’s program “The Life of Grime”, showing the building in the beginning, when it was burnt out and the only thing in it were hundreds of pigeons; and more recently it was included in a Channel 4 program being aired later this year.

The whole project which relies on funding and volunteers has come along way in such a short time, it provides venues for local people, includes the schools and forums for other projects in the area, such as the Regeneration of Ordsall, which is a huge part of the areas development into the 21^st century.

For further information you can visit their up to the minute website on www.occ.colsal.org.uk

Ordsall On-line

Ordsall Allotments Society

Salford Star Awards

Panto at Salford Arts Theatre

Review of Salford Arts Theatre production

Congestion Charge

Ordsall Community Allotment Society

Ordsall Festival 20.9.08

Ordsall Allotments Society

Social Media Centre Open Day

Summer Garden Party - Broughton House 2008

Ordsall Allotment Society

Internet Safety

Flower Show at Salford Lads Club 12th July 2008

Salford Refugee Week 2008 (Sunday 15th - 22nd June 08).

Veterans Open Day - Salford

Ordsall Cafe Media Club Workshops

· Thurs 29th May 12-2 pm:How to promote yourself or your organisation using the Internet

· Thurs 5th June 12-2 pm:Create your own website the easy way

· Thurs 19th June 12-2 pm:Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

Allotment Meeting

BBC Manchester North West Tonight and BBC journalism sessions...

Meeting re Allotments

New Media Club Workshops

· Tues 27th May 2-4 pm:How to promote yourself or your organisation using the Internet

· Thurs 5th June 2-4 pm:Create your own website the easy way

· Thurs 19th June 2-4 pm:Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

Tues 27th May 2-4 pm - How to promote yourself using the Internet Session One

Thurs 5th June 2-4 pmPromote yourself using the Internet Session Two- Create your own website the easy way

Thurs 19th June 2-4 pm - Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

Open Day at Ordsall Community Cafe

Media apprenticeships on offer

Info from the Police about a bogus caller

Redevelopment through the 20th Century in Ordsall

Volunteer Night at the Social Media centre

Social Media Centre Volunteer Night

Volunteer Night:

If you are interested in attending the event please get in touch to book a place or feel free to get in touch to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Secret tax adds £200 to cost of running family cars

Free Britain – What a joke – with all these cameras!

Future of Training at Ordsall Community Cafe

Tour of the BBC Studios in Manchester

Tour of the BBC Studios in Manchester

Police Caught in Action 0n 10th April

Allotments

Tours of BBC Manchester for the people of Salford

Jt from Community Reporter training is now producing video for other organisations

My Ordsall Cafe

Community training at the cafe by Mcin Web connect working in partnership with the BBC

The Womens Centre

Meeting about allotments in Ordsall

Ordsall Community Café’s Salon

Buffets for the community

Salford Heart Care Info for 2008

Regenerating Ordsall

Find Out about Ordsall Trust

Dragon’s Den training by the BBC

Slide Show of Old Ordsall

Cooking Classes at the Cafe

WHAT 2007 MEANT TO ME IN ORDSALL by Sylvia Sharples

The Year Turns! By JT

old ordsall

Old Ordsall

Acapella Singers Web Ste

Salford Disability Forum for the young

Now & Then

Ordsall Regeneration

Ordsall Cafe runners up of Neighbourhood Awards

New hair for Christmas

172 tatton St

Ordsall Community Cafe Forthcoming events

Ordsall Cafe Newsletter Sept / OCt 07

172 Tatton Street History pictures

Ordsall Acapella

Graeme 's Story

Police State -phone calls to be logged.

"FREE COMPUTER COURSES"

The Embrace Project

Drop In for fun and exercise at the Cafe

Whats on at the Cafe - Keeping fit

· Thurs 29th May 12-2 pm:
How to promote yourself or your organisation using the Internet

· Thurs 5th June 12-2 pm:
Create your own website the easy way

· Thurs 19th June 12-2 pm:
Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

· Tues 27th May 2-4 pm:
How to promote yourself or your organisation using the Internet

· Thurs 5th June 2-4 pm:
Create your own website the easy way

· Thurs 19th June 2-4 pm:
Record Audio and put it online as a downloadable Podcast

Thurs 5th June 2-4 pm
Promote yourself using the Internet Session Two- Create your own website the easy way