The Pride of Manchester

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester Labour's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure has expressed his delight for the Mancunians who have been selected for Great Britain's Olympic team.
Manchester will be well represented at the Beijing Olympics next month, with ten local athletes making the grade to represent the country.
Ian Jones, Joe Murray, Shanaze Reade, Rebecca Romero, Vicky Pendleton, Jason Kenny, Rick Wadden, Natalie Jones, Simon Miller and Emma Kettle, will all be representing Great Britain alongside a number of other national squads who train in the city.
Councillor Mike Amesbury said: "On behalf of the city of Manchester, I would like to congratulate these athletes on what they have achieved by being selected to compete in the Olympic Games.
We are so proud that they will be representing not only their clubs and their city but their country as well, and I would like to personally wish them all every success in Beijing."
Although Water Polo isn't included in the Olympics this year, athletes representing the Manchester-based Great Britain team are also attending Beijing in preparation for the Olympic Games 2012.
The sportsmen and women from Manchester attending the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics are:
Ian Jones, Wythenshawe, Athletics, Paralympics Joe Murray, Levenshulme, Boxing Shanaze Reade, East Manchester, Cycling Rebecca Romero, East Manchester, Cycling Jason Kenny, East Manchester, Cycling Vicky Pendleton, Wythenshawe, Cycling Rick Wadden, East Manchester, Cycling, Paralympics Natalie Jones, East Manchester, Swimming, Paralympics Simon Miller, Manchester, Swimming, Paralympics Emma Kettle, Manchester, Swimming, Paralympics

THE BEST PARKS IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Manchester has been named as the lead authority in the country for the third year in a row, as 27 of its green spaces were placed in the list of best parks in England and Wales.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by the Civic Trust, is the national standard for parks and green spaces. Manchester Labour has ensured that it has maintained its top position by continuing to build on its success, after securing a further six awards this year.
Winners vary from Victorian parks and town centre gardens to nature reserves, country parks and cemeteries.
Sites must meet the criteria of being welcoming, safe and well maintained, with a strong involvement from the local community.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester Labour's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “This is a great acknowledgement to the council staff and the community groups who maintain and improve our parks.
“It is also a credit to the city’s many friends of parks groups, who make a vital contribution. We have many diverse open spaces from pockets of greenery in the city centre to the vast landscape of Heaton Park. The parks in our city are indeed something to celebrate and the awards are testimony to this."
I am especially pleased this year as our very own Platt Fields Park regained it's Green Flag title.

SAVE OUR GREEN SPACES

MossCare Housing working alongside Manchester Housing has been drafting proposals to build housing on the green spaces on parts of the Bethnall Estate in Fallowfield. Cllr Mike Amesbury stated: "I am incredibly disappointed that both MossCare and Manchester Housing have failed to consult local residents and Councillors. Together with other local Councillors I have expressed both my concern and opposition to these plans. I am not opposed to building additional homes per se as they are desperately needed for Manchester residents but they must be built in appropriate places. To fell mature trees and build on green space, which is at a premium in my opinion, is wrong". To support the campaign email me at cllr.m.amesbury@manchester.gov.uk

Thank you

The residents of Fallowfield and Whalley Range once again have given the local Labour Team a vote of confidence re-electing Councillor David Royle by a comfortable margin. David, I and Peter are proud to serve all residents and will put your concerns and ideas to the city council.

Over the last few weeks one of our regular leaflets has been distributed to ensure we are taking up your priorities. Please complete the survey and return to the Freepost Address provided or email me at cllr.m.amesbury@manchester.gov.uk