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"

Christmas Lights switch on with ex city star Alex Williams

Do bring your family and Friends along this Wednesday the 10Th of December at 7pm at the Christmas tree outside Fallowfield Library (Platt Lane).

Fun and Christmas Carols sung by Children from Wilbraham Primary.

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

VOTE FOR FALLOWFIELD AND WHALLEY RANGE

RE-ELECT DAVID ROYLE THIS THURSDAY 1ST OF MAY

Dear resident,

I have been honoured to serve you as one of you councillors for over 14 years now. I was born in Fallowfield and still live on the estate. I have a record of getting things done such as securing money to improve social housing, regenerating our shops and getting more police and PCSO's on our streets. Compare this record with the Lib Dem candidate from Cheethham Hill. He was rejected by the voters there.

Please reject his divisive and incompetent style of politics here.

David Royle.

POLLS OPEN AT 7AM AND CLOSE AT 10PM

HAPPY ST GEORGE'S DAY ON APRIL 23rd

FROM DAVID & THE LABOUR TEAM

104 Extra Police for Manchester

As part of Manchester Labour's budget settlement this year we have provided funding to recruit an extra 104 Police Officers from this April.

Labour Councillor David Royle stated: "I and my colleagues have responded to residents priorities. These extra Police Officers are on top of the new Neighbourhood Police Teams and Police Community Support Officers. My Police Pledge is for residents to see a more visible approach to policing in our community".

Your Priorities Are My Priorities

Councillor David Royle has once again been put forward by the local Labour Team to be
our candidate for the forth coming local elections on May 1st.
Councillor Royle who has lived in the Fallowfield area all his life said: “it is a great honour to
be put forward by the team but it is an even greater honour to help improve my local
neighbourhood for residents, tenants, friends and family.
Together with my colleagues Councillor Mike Amesbury and Councillor Peter Morrison we
are determined to tackle the issues that matter most to you. Your priorities are my
priorities – please email me with your ideas to help us improve our
local community". mailto:community”cllr.d.royle@manchester.gov.uk

Councillor Mike Amesbury backs Unite calls for windfall tax on energy companies

Unite the union, Britain's biggest union has today called for a windfall tax on energy companies and has branded their recent price hikes as excessive.
The union is warning that the latest round of price increases will damage British industry and hit the vulnerable, old and poor. According to Ofgem, power companies are in line for a £9 billion windfall from the European Emissions Trading Scheme. Coupled with the significant profits energy companies are making the union believes there is a strong case for the Treasury to levy a windfall tax to help the vulnerable struggling to pay their energy bills.
“There is a strong case for the government to levy a windfall tax on energy companies. By any standards these recent increases are excessive. Many of my constituents are already struggling to cope with fuel bills, these rises will have a detrimental effect on the vulnerable, old and poor.

Please lobby below

Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
:darlinga@parliament.uk

Work starts on Manchester’s world class BMX track

Cllr Mike Amesbury pictured with Joe Peace

I had the honour of being at the "digging of the turf ceremony" for the new BMX track in Platt Fields Park today. This will be yet another much needed youth facility for both Fallowfield and Manchester young (and not so young) people that residents of the Fallowfield ward have pressed for.

The BMX Track is being constructed by Manchester City Council in partnership with British Cycling Federation and Sport England, who have contributed £315,000 funding through the Community Club Development Programme. The track, which is due to be finished in April, will be home to the newly formed Manchester BMX Club who will deliver coaching, racing and practice sessions for local residents. Alongside the club, Manchester Leisure will manage the track, run drop in open sessions and specific Skills Training Sessions on weeknight evenings.
BMX Racing is a new Olympic discipline, with Great Britain having a genuine gold medal hope in Shanaze Reade. A current World Champion on the Velodrome as well as BMX, Shanaze will spend some of her training time at the Platt Fields track, providing a great motivation for local riders to follow in her footsteps.

Manchester City Council's executive lead member for culture and leisure, Councillor Mike Kane said: "After a lengthy design and consultation process the new track will cater for everyone from beginners to international racers. This track gives local residents of all ages an opportunity to sample bike racing in a safe and fun environment."
BMX Racing differs from freestyle and street riding, which many people will associate with today's BMX. In racing there is less emphasis on performing and more emphasis on getting through the obstacles and to the finish as quick as possible. Riders of any ability can safely ride around the track, regardless of their experience. The age range in BMX racing starts at 4 years old and has no upper limit, so it is a real family sport.
If you would like to try BMX racing, or have ridden in the past and would like to get involved again contact the club on manchesterbmx@hotmail.co.uk or Club Chair Joe Peace on josephpeace@btinternet.com