Manchester Irish Club completes the treble in National Competition

The Palace hotel in Manchester erupted when St Kent’s Irish Club in Fallowfield, won its third national Club Mirror Award on Thursday 26 November. Last year it sweept the board by winning the ‘King of Clubs’ and ‘Manager of the Year’. This year it created its own unique piece of history by being one of the first clubs in the Country to win another national award by winning the title of ‘Community Pub of the Year’. The event was held in the prestigious Palace Hotel in Manchester and presented by TV horse racing pundit Clare Balding she described the winners as the nation’s best and congratulated them on all their success. Club Mirror has over 15,000 members throughout the UK and this is the sixteenth year that they have staged these National Awards for its members.


The Four hundred capacity venue which is one of Manchester’s top Irish entertainment and family orientated centres, won the coveted 2009 Club Mirror Award for ‘Community Club of the Year’.

Kevin Fitzpatrick the Fermanagh born manager of the club said “This is very special award because it rewards the work of the whole Parish Community. I have a great team here and everyone deserves the credit for winning such a prestigious award.”


St Kentigern’s Parish Priest Father Tom Connolly said “The whole community is delighted by the news, I am really fortunate priest to have such a vibrant club which caters for the needs of its members. This reward recognises everyone’s contribution to the success the club has in meeting the needs of the Irish community.”

Cllr Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure stated: “St Kent's is a real asset to both the Fallowfield and the Manchester community. From being a venue for community meetings & sporting hub to charity nights (and even my 40th) St Kent's is second to none”.

The club which was started in 1971 when it was built by the labour of the Irish parishioners and it has remained as a cornerstone of the Irish community in Manchester. It is a family orientated community and entertainment venue. Since its inception it has been one of the main hubs of Manchester’s Irish community while still making it accessible and welcoming to people of all different cultural backgrounds and faiths. The club is open seven days a week, where it hosts events for all different sectors of the community, these include: Special weekly Youth Club events, a Credit Union, Irish Language lessons, Traditional Irish Music tuition, Irish Set dancing. It is also home to the Keegan Kennedy School of Irish dancing and is one of the main sponsors of the the award winning Young, Gifted & Green Irish Music, Song and Dance Troupe.

The club itself has a national reputation for attracting a host of major Irish artists from all over the UK and Ireland. It has played host to the likes of The Wolftones, Big Tom, Bible Code Sundays, Philomena Begley, The Fureys, Mick Falvin, Declan Nerney, Susan McCann and TR Dallas to name just a selection of the acts.

During December the club will host the annual Christmas reunion of Manchester’s legendary Celtic Rock band ‘Toss the Feathers’ as well as a special outside broadcast of the award winning Full Irish Radio show with Joe Cassserley. The venue is also a great supporter of sport and sponsors a number of Gaelic Football and Hurling teams, as well as sponsoring and organising its own annual Charity Golf tournament.

New windows, kitchens, bathrooms and boilers - Better housing for all



Just had an update from City South Housing Trust and the progress so far is impressive. The feedback I and my local colleagues have received has been very positive. This does not happen by chance, this is driven by Labours goal to create quality social housing by 2012



New PVCu windows fitted to 2217 homes

New kitchens at 1342 homes

891 properties partially rewired

New bathrooms at 1444 homes

1836 external doors replaced

546 properties fully rewired

New energy efficient condensing boilers installed in 759 homes


Loft insulation installed or upgraded in 797 homes

Save our Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's)

As part of the great Tory takeaway pledge Chris Grayling the shadow home secretary has announced that he will seriously look at scrapping PCSO's if they win the next General Election. My Trade Union UNISON have already launched a campaign to protect these essential public servants, I and the Labour Party will be highlighting this issue over the coming months. Since the introduction of neighbourhood policing teams in my ward PCSO's have been invaluable in the fight against crime acting as the eyes and ears of the area. I am aware of dozens of crimes and incidents of anti social behaviour that they have dealt with as well as getting stuck into community projects that at times are beyond the call of duty. Complete the survey at http://www.fallowfieldclarion.blogspot.com/ to support our PCSO's.

Residents sounded out on Triangle plans

Fallowfield residents are being invited to an exhibition to see proposals for a landmark scheme to help continue to revitalise Fallowfield Triangle and bring more jobs to the area.
Great Placing Housing Group and supermarket chain Aldi will be submitting a planning application to Manchester City Council next week for the Fallowfield Triangle, a shopping and business area which lies between Lloyd St South and Platt Lane.
The application will be twofold. Aldi is applying for a new 1364 sq m store and a secure community car park with 71 spaces. Great Places Housing Group has submitted proposals for nearly 30 new homes and apartments to rent or for sale.
The plans have emerged from a feasibility study commissioned by Manchester City Council to examine the future potential of Fallowfield Triangle which was carried out by the Great Places Housing Group.
Now, residents are invited to see and comment on the new plans for the area at an exhibition at Fallowfield Library, where Aldi staff will be able to talk about potential jobs and architects from Great Places Housing Group will answer questions about the proposed new homes. Members of the planning team from Manchester City Council will also be there to give information on the planning process.
The exhibition will be open on:
Monday 12 October at 10am – 1pm,
Tuesday 13 October, 2pm –5pm,
Wednesday 14 October, 4pm – 7pm.

Fallowfield Councillor Mike Amesbury, said: "We need to ensure the long-term future of the Fallowfield Triangle and that means making sustainable improvements and not just cosmetic changes. We want to see traders and residents benefit from more customers attracted by news services and quality new homes. The exhibition at Fallowfield Library gives local people the chance to have a voice in the planning consultation and development of their area."
Fallowfield Triangle is identified in Manchester City Council's Central Manchester Regeneration Framework, a plan guiding improvements to the wider area, as one of central Manchester's priority neighbourhoods.

Improved homes for all.

As part of Manchester Labour's commitment to improve the basic standard of social housing by 2012, the Fallowfield investment programme is moving on a pace. Over £80 million is being spent on both improving the homes and the broader environment. City South Housing Tenants are benefiting from new kitchens, windows bathrooms and central heating. On the Bethnall estate work will begin on re cladding and insulating houses as well as decoration for communal areas over the next few weeks.

Proud of Fallowfield Respect Fallowfield

Last week I joined the Neighbourhood Police Team, City South Housing Officers and the Street Environment Manager going door to door in Aston Avenue and Clinton Avenue, picking up residents concerns. We manged to speak to over 50% of households by doing repeat visits throughout the day. It was really heartening to hear residents stating that they felt that they had seen a reduction in anti social behaviour and they welcomed the increased visibility of the police with the introduction of PCSO's. As a result of resident feedback the S.E.M will be doing a clean up of the passageways on the estate as well as removing graffiti throughout Fallowfield.

There’s something for everyone at new-look Fallowfield Library


The newly re-furbished Fallowfield Library will be officially opened this week with a visit from the Bookstart Bear and a steel band.
Children from Wilbraham Primary School will also be treated to an art lesson as part of the re-opening with the chance to make their own pop-up 3D version of the library façade.

The refurbishment began in April and since then the library has been operating a reduced service from a single small room at the back of the building.

Now it has something for everyone from toddlers to teenagers and parents to pensioners. It’s been re-painted and re-carpeted and has a modern open-plan feel with a new enquiry desk. There’s a new teen section with study tables, a “lips” style sofa and a careers advice section. There are computer facilities, an ICT facilitator and a Homework Club.

There’s also a new children’s library area with additional seating, a sofa and rugs and the library has new comfortable seating throughout with coffee tables, newspaper stands, displays and information boards.

Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Mike Amesbury says: "The library is looking fresh and modern with enhanced facilities for everyone. There has been some disruption for staff and customers over the last couple of months and I'd like to thank them for bearing with us. I think everyone will agree that the end results made it well worthwhile."

Construction careers are the height of fashion

Local school children will improve their prospects for a career in construction after taking the hands on approach at the Gallery of Costume in Platt Hall, Platt Fields Park.
Platt Hall, which is owned and run by Manchester City Council, dates back to 1764 and houses the Gallery of Costume which has one of the leading costume collections in the UK; and features couture pieces from the likes of Dior, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent. It is currently closed for major refurbishment, so the careers’ day is a unique behind the scenes tour of the building works in progress for the lucky pupils attending.

The Grade II* listed building is currently undergoing a complete rewiring of the building, the renewal of the heating system, the installation of a large lecture/meeting room for students and visitors as well as the creation of new exhibition space to host temporary exhibitions.
The pupils will take part in interactive construction exercises hosted by Parkinson Building Contractors with the support of Manchester Chamber and Construction Skills to learn about how a heritage building project of this scale is carried out.

Labour Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for those considering a career in construction to come and see the work in progress. The Gallery of Costume is an extremely important to the city and Platt Hall is a significant part of the City’s architectural heritage. There is some magnificent work taking place within the Gallery of Costume, which will hopefully inspire the pupils visiting."
The Gallery was created in 1947, when Manchester City Council raised the funding to acquire a major private collection of costume, which was thus saved for the benefit of Mancunians and visitors to the city.
Added to over the last 60 years, it is now one of the largest collections of clothing and fashion accessories in Britain, containing over 25,000 items from the 17th century to the present day.
The one million pound investment being ploughed into the Gallery will enable it to open to visitors three days a week and make the collection more widely accessible. Work will be completed on the building in time for the park’s centenary celebrations next spring.

Agencies unite for Fallowfield Respect Action Days

Police teams, councillors, council officers, environment officers and City South Manchester housing officers all joined forces for two days of action in Fallowfield last Thursday and Friday. The event focused on crime prevention with high visibility patrols warning people about anti social behaviour,vehicle crime, and dumped refuge.

Over the two day period a total of 411 properties were visited, and 169 questionnaires were completed. 6 stop accounts were carried out, 1driving offences reported, 1 Stolen car recovered and a lot of high visibility re assurance patrol.

Fallowfield Councilor Mike Amesbury said;" Working together as one team, the council, police, community and other partners have achieved a great deal in just a couple of days. These Respect Fallowfield days gave residents and the opportunity to raise concerns and sent out a clear message that those breaking the law will be dealt with."

Funding setback won’t stop Alexandra Park

Cllr Mike Amesbury has confirmed that plans are still in place to improve the much loved park.
This follows news that Manchester City Council's bid to the HLF/BIG Lottery Parks for People Fund for a grant to restore Alexandra Park in Whalley Range has not been successful.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture & Leisure at Manchester City Council said: " This news is very disappointing not only for me but also the local community who love Alexandra Park and who have worked to help put the bid together, but it does not change Labours commitment to improve the park. We will continue to work with funding bodies and the communities around the park to achieve our plans".
The bid to restore the park was submitted in September last year to the Parks for People Fund, a joint initiative between the Heritage Lottery Fund and BIG Lottery and the City Council plans to resubmit the bid later in the year.
The plans for Alexandra Park, which are supported by a number of Sports Governing Bodies, include the reintroduction of sporting activity into the park, the reinstatement of the Park's Victorian pathways and other historic features, the reintroduction of flowerbeds and a programme of community activities and events involving other partner organisations to revitalise the park.
Alexandra Park sits alongside Princess Road two miles south of the city centre and is a listed Grade II landscape for its innovative design, the completeness of its layout, and the value of its remaining features. It was opened in 1870, after a competition to design the Park was won by the architect Alexander Hennell with the unusual feature of two, male and female, keep-fit areas. He also created a series of curved footpaths, around oval and circular areas catering for the fashion of 'promenading' by large numbers of people.

Free Swimming for young people all year round

Manchester Labour has ‘taken the plunge’ and opted in, providing under-16s and over-60s with free swimming all year round.

The Labour Government’s £140 million free swimming programme has been designed to extend opportunities to swim and to maximise the health benefits of wider participation in swimming. You can swim for free at any local leisure centre pool, including Wright Robinson Sports College.

Labour Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “For several years now, Labour run Manchester City Council has been providing free holiday swimming for young people, and last year – in partnership with Manchester NHS – it also started to provide free swimming for the over-60s.”“Now the Labour Government is introducing free swimming nationally, which will enable Manchester to develop its swimming programme even further, helping those who haven’t yet benefited from free swimming to be able to do so, and with the tough financial crisis we are all facing, helping to ease the burden on the family budget. The health benefits of swimming are endless, for young and old alike.”

The Government is aiming to get 2 million people more active by 2012.

Be a part of it…………….For more information on how to “swim for free” simply visit your local leisure centre or phone Leisure Services Community Activity Section on 0161 232 3104.Getting more people; more active; more often!

Bonuses to be banned

The government signals bonuses will be banned for banks with government shares.
At the lobby briefing this morning the PM’s spokesperson said “The Prime Minister had made clear that any future bonuses had to be guided by; long-term interests; no bonuses for failure; a clawback system; and new guidelines for the future. They are the key points but obviously we need to discuss them with the management of the banks”.Make sure you sign John Prescott’s petition if you haven't already.

FREE THEATRE TICKETS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Andy Burnham MP, our Secretary of state for Culture has launched a wonderful initiaive that will benefit young Mancunians .A Night Less Ordinary with the support of Eddie Izzard and Kevin Spacey.
This scheme means that if you’re under 26 and want to try something different, then you can get free theatre tickets to some of the best shows around.
In the same way Labour opened up access to our great museums and galleries, we are now extending this principal through to the performing arts.
We are unlocking seats that might otherwise have remained empty, providing great value for money for young people, and ensuring we open up theatre to as many people as possible.This new scheme sees Labour values in action. Labour has always believed in making the best in life available to everyone, so it’s incredibly exciting to imagine our theatres full to bursting point with young people. The Tories have already talked down the free theatre scheme on a number of occasions. This is typical of the Tories – when Labour introduced free entry into our museums and galleries the Tories opposed this and now, nearly 10 years later, they are still uncomfortable supporting a scheme that widens access to the theatre for young people.

The Library Theatre, The Royal Exchange and Contact are taking part in this scheme.

Local group for older people

Older people are invited to join a brand new activity group at Fallowfield Library.
Beginning on Tuesday 13 January at 1pm, the group will meet each week and has been organised by Manchester Libraries and Age Concern Manchester.

The group is a fun and sociable way of meeting new people and trying new things and as many new members as possible are encouraged to come along.

Ideas gathered so far for future activities include local history workshops, reading groups, crafts, exercise, holistic health, visits to local landmarks, gardening, personal/home security advice, computer sessions and guest speakers.

Local resident Mrs Joyce Holliday said: "What a good idea to start a group. I hope it’s a big success and that I am free on the day of the meetings!"
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council said: "There was definitely a need for a group of this sort in Fallowfield and it’s great that the library is able to offer this service to help people get involved and play an active part in local community life."

The first group meeting is Tuesday 13 January at 1pm at Fallowfield Library and will take place each Tuesday thereafter so please feel free to come along.
For more information contact Fallowfield Library on 0161 224 4153

NEW YEAR NEW IMPROVEMENTS TO MANCHESTER CEMETERIES

Over the last eight weeks, Manchester City Council’s cemeteries have undergone one of their biggest ever grounds maintenance improvement projects.
A team of over 20 people from Bereavement Services spent four weeks at Southern Cemetery, tidying shrubs and hedges and clearing paths.
The Council's workforce was supplemented by Community Payback teams who helped with many of the tasks that were being carried out.
Over the eight-week period over 2,500 trees were pruned with 200 tonnes of green waste being recycled.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, with a responsibility for cemeteries at Manchester City Council said: "When the grass has stopped growing at this time of the year it gives us the ideal opportunity to put our teams together and concentrate on carrying out improvement works that make the grounds within our cemeteries safer and more attractive places. It's a great team effort and the support we get from the Community Payback teams is of great benefit."

Caroline Edwards, Community Payback Manager from the Probation Service said: "We have been working with the Council's cemetery team now for the last six months and the type of work being carried out gives offenders the opportunity to payback within their local communities"