RE-ELECT SIR GERALD KAUFMAN & MIKE AMESBURY ON THURSDAY MAY 6th

Well, what seems like an eternal wait is over. Gordon has called the General Election for Thursday May 6th and this time it is very serious. Over the coming days you will decide who represents your interests at Manchester Town Hall and in Westminster. These elections will be very close and the choice will be between a Labour Government or a Tory Government. A choice that is between a Labour Party that puts economic growth and fairness first, or the same old Tory Party that will cut, cut and cut again putting the economic recovery at risk.

The Tories are a change that we cannot afford.

To help me and Sir Gerald Kaufman in the election campaign give me a call on 0161 2244717 or email me at cllr.m.amesbury@manchester.gov.uk

Support Students

I do encourage both students and Labour supporters to sign up to the N.U.S. Votes for Students campaign. This aims to peg tuition fees at the current level of £3225. The Lib Dems policies on Higher Education funding are in disarray after several U Turns on abolition of Tuition fees. Labour have re-introduced grants for working class students which is a welcome step forward, together we need to ensure that we press any future government to freeze fees.

http://http//www.nus.org.uk/cy/News/News/NUS-warns-politicians-Vote-for-students-or-pay-the-price/

New BMX bikes - U Decided

Paid a visit to the local BMX youth club last night who were sporting five brand new bikes. The money was courtesy of the U Decide event where residents voted for what they deemed to be worthy community projects. The Olympic standard BMX track has gone from strength to strength and has proved to be a huge success with both local young people and world class BMX riders alike. I'm proud to have helped to secure the £300,000 facility in Platt Fields Park.

New Tot's Community Football Club in Fallowfield

Young people from across Manchester celebrated the launch of a new Football Club at the Platt Lane Complex this week, with a small sided football festival attended by Manchester’s City’s Patrick Vieira.
The event was a taster session for the recently established Platt Lane City FC - the city's newest Football Club for young people aged 5 years and above, which will create teams for all ages and abilities, including disabled teams.
Platt Lane City FC has been set up as a community football club, working towards the chartered standard award which is a sign of best practice for children involved, and has been established to give local children the chance to be involved with a local football club at minimum cost.
At the launch, the young players got to meet one of Manchester City’s latest signings, Patrick Vieira and club mascot, Moonchester, before being given the opportunity to play a series of short matches. The event gave the youngsters the chance to experience first hand the thrill of playing football in one of Manchester’s best training facilities. It also served as a great introduction to the new club.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester has a rich football heritage and we're keen to work with partners such as Manchester City Football Club and the Platt Lane Complex to provide as many opportunities as we can for our young people to play the game at the lowest possible cost.
"We have agreed to freeze all charges for all activities during 2010/11 to help local people during this challenging financial time and the club and council will also be investing in a new indoor playing surface in the Dome to ensure that we offer the best possible facilities for the players and our communities.
"This event was a great success and we hope the young people who took part so enthusiastically will keep playing football and keep coming back."
Platt Lane City FC is open to children and young people aged 5 years upwards. Anyone who wishes to join the club or who wants to find out more information about it should contact Platt Lane Complex on tel: 0161 256 6652

Happy 100 Platt Fields

As reported on the blog a couple of days ago, the launch of the Centenary for Platt Fields was held yesterday and was a tremendous success with around 70 people in attendance. I had the honour of making the opening speech as both as the Executive Member for Leisure as well as being a local Councillor. It was especially pleasing to introduce the honouree President of the Friends of Platt Fields, Sir Gerald Kaufman MP who made an excellent speech. Special thanks go to Victor, Anne and the Friends, Sainsburys for providing sponsorship towards the clock and Manchester Leisure staff for their continued dedication. http://www.plattfields.org/

Platt Fields goes back in time

Platt Fields Park will turn back the hands of time with the installation of a clock to the front of the boathouse for the first time in 50 years.
The unveiling will mark the official launch of the park’s centenary celebrations on Wednesday 17 February 2010, which will last throughout the year. Everyone is welcome to come and watch the curtains part and the handsome black and gold timepiece revealed. And, unlike the original (probably hand wound clock), this one will change the time automatically whenever the clocks change from winter to summer time etc.

It is believed that a clock face used to adorn the boathouse helping visitors with their timekeeping before it was removed sometime in the mid 20th century. It will now be reintroduced as a nod to the park’s great history and to mark the park’s journey forwards towards the next 100 years and local people and visitors are all welcomed to witness this historic occasion.
One local resident remembers: "The clock was used to teach us children how to tell the time. We’d be fishing for tiddlers and check when it was time for tea and get home sharpish so as not to annoy our mam."

The reintroduction of the clock to the park is a popular decision, welcomed by local residents, the Friends group and Manchester City Council alike.

Anne Tucker, Secretary of the Friends of Platt Fields Park said: "Putting the clock back on the boathouse’ was one of the first suggestions made by local people when we asked them how to celebrate the centenary. We have raised the money from donations and subscriptions from our members and other friends. And we are delighted that Sainsbury’s have offered a substantial grant towards its installation."

The history surrounding the original Platt Fields Park clock is sketchy with various theories about when it last kept time in the park. The Friends of Platt Fields would welcome any memories, details of dates, early photographs or any other information about the clock. Contact email@plattfields.org, or phone 248 9331.
The information could be used in a unique publication about the park and photographic exhibition at Platt Hall to mark the centenary, which is one part of a programme of events that the park has planned throughout the year.

Fallofield Councillor Mike Amesbury, (Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure) said: "Platt Fields Park is a Manchester gem and the history attached to it is something to be celebrated. We’re so proud that the park has reached this fantastic milestone and look forward to the next 100 years, as it continues to welcome local people and visitors from miles around to enjoy this special city centre park that has so much to offer everyone."
As part of the centenary celebrations, the Costume Gallery at Platt Hall will reopen its doors in March after a £1million makeover, and will include an exciting exhibition entitled 100 years of fashion, to link to the park’s anniversary. The year-long programme of events will include a special centenary weekend in May to celebrate the anniversary of the park’s opening on 7 May 1910.
The clock is being made by Smith of Derby, who have been clockmakers for over 600 years.
The clock will be unveiled at 12.30pm on Wednesday 17 February and everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information visit http://www.plattfields.org/

U Decided

U Decide in it's third year in Fallowfield was a tremendous success ensuring that community projects that will really make a difference in the area got a slice of the funding cake.

Over forty people attended representing eleven groups that made a pitch amongst their peers to harness the necessary votes. Platt Fields Park projects, The Fallowfield Youth Forum and the Library Older Persons group were just three of the projects that were successful on the night. I am pleased that this event goes from strength to strength, and many wards are now following Fallowfield Labours lead. Even the Lib Dem candidate blessed us with his presence sporting lovely Lib Dem badges why the community got on with the serious business of improving Fallowfield.

Save Sure Start

Both the Tories and the Lib Dem's are focusing what they term "their savage cuts agenda" on children and families. Both relish the opportunity to abolish Child Trust Funds and erode Children's Tax Credits. The real choice at the next General Election will be between the Tory's and Labour, a vote for the Lib Dem's will ensure that we end up with a Cameron led Tory Government. A Tory government would also result in an outright assault on Sure Start, one of Labour most successful policies at helping children and young people. The new Children's Centre in my Ward of Fallowfield has been a tremendous success. A campaign has been launched to place pressure on any political party that maybe considering cutting Sure Start in our communities. Please sign up at http://www.shoutoutforsurestart.com/

Thanks

Mike.

Justice for Gaza Public Meeting

Sir Gerald Kaufman MP will speak about his experiences after he recently led a delegation to Gaza.

Whalley Range Cricket Club, Kingsbrook Road

Thursday the 28th at 7pm

Major Improvements for Whalley Range High

Plans are being submitted for a multi million pound improvement scheme for Whalley Range High School for Girls. This investment includes provision for a new build of sixth form facility, refurbishment of dining and kitchen and remodelling of external areas. Whalley Range HS for Girls has already achieved outstanding academic results at both GCSE and A Level qualifications, this investment will ensure that this excellent service continues.

FREE COMPUTERS AND FREE BROADBAND ACCESS

Labour’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has announced that 270,000 low income families will receive a free computer and free broadband access.The announcement, backed by a £300m investment, come on the same day as further measures are discussed in Parliament, including a promise that all parents will be able to benefit from online reporting and increased one-to-one tuition for children falling behind.

PHONE 03332001004 to see if you and your family are eligible

While Labour is continuing to provide more opportunities for children and young people, the Conservatives continue to refuse to protect frontline services like schools. By refusing to back Labour’s school leaver’s guarantee of a place in education or training for every 16 and 17 year old who wants one, they risk consigning a generation to the scrap heap.Gordon Brown said:“As every family becomes a broadband family, every home will be linked to a school. For those finding it difficult to afford this, today I can announce the nationwide roll out of our home access programme to get laptops and broadband at home for almost 300,000 families. That promise is backed up by a £300 million investment that will see, by March next year, free laptops and broadband for 270,000 low income families across the country.“We realise that for parents to influence and engage in the education of their children they need rich, varied and easily accessible information on the progress, behaviour and attendance of their children. That is why we have said that from 2010 all secondary schools – and from 2012 all primary schools – will guarantee reporting online to parents.”

http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/Home-Access/Get-help/

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."