Hulme Green Party

Gayle O'Donovan: Tribute Page

2012-01-22T23:31:00.004Z

Died: Saturday January 21st 2012

This page is to express our thoughts and and memories of Gayle.

She touched many of us.

You can leave messages below.

Thanks.

Southern Voices: Another Perspective

2012-01-18T18:46:00.004Z

The upcoming workshop on Saturday (January 21st), ‘Climate Violence, History and Resistance’, looking at climate change, is being viewed with some interest. The event in Hulme, run by local network Southern Voices, critiques the commonly promoted framework of climate change understanding and its Western outlook.

Southern Voices, describe themselves as a network of people committed to bringing the knowledge and understanding of Southern and Black people to the global issues that are central to education and present-day concerns.

It’s focus is the relationship and issues affecting the countries of the South and the North and it aims to bring southern voices to fora where these issues are analysed, debated, policy decided and knowledge negotiated but where southern perspectives are seldom heard.

In fact, the workshop is the first of a series events where the main focus is Justice:

Jan 21 - ‘Climate violence’ with Kooj Chuhan at Hulme Hall

Feb 18 - ‘Climate justice: ideas into action’ with Caroline Downey, Bridge5Mill in Beswick

Mar 10 - ‘Corruption’ with Susan Chieni and ‘Cooperatives and Fair Trade’ with Yemi Adetona

Mar 31 - ‘Hidden Stories’ with Jaya Graves

Apr 14 - ‘Our role’ - justice, democracy and modern movements.

Southern Voices organisers, Jaya Graves and Dave Cooke, describe the programme as ‘opportunities for people from the South or with Southern roots to voice their experiences, ideas and analysis on critical global issues. This is so often missing in the media and the development of policy and practice. Listen to and engage with the South!’

Jaya/ Dave additionally says ‘The workshops will include presentations but also opportunity to discuss and examine the issues with other participants.’

To book onto any of the events email Dave Cooke at dmcooke@btinternet.com

A Northern View: The Ghosts of London

2012-01-06T17:48:00.007Z

The ghost bike at the junction at Kings Cross station marks the place where Min Joo Lee (Deep Lee to her friends) died on her way to college. It was October 3^rd, her first day back at Central St Martin’s. (picture from http://ibikelondon.blogspot.com/)

She was one of the 16 cyclists killed during 2011 on the roads of London, which started with the death of Gary Mason, former British Boxing champion on January 6^th 2011.

Min Joo’s death was marked by a vigil in which her friends spoke and all the cyclists killed that year were commemorated. It was one of the growing number of events and actions to highlight the increasing number of cyclists Killed or involved in Serious Incidents (KSI) on the streets of London. These include the ghost bike memorials, the newly created Tour du Danger, cycle safety projects and pressure groups. Several activists have created maps of London danger points for cyclists. Other maps are here, here and here.

While its accepted that accidents happen, the number of KSIs in London is viewed as being unacceptably high by campaigners.

Transport for London (TfL), which has statutory responsibility for traffic and road safety, produces statistics on collisions involving cyclists. According to the TfL’s ‘Cycle Safety End of Year Review 2011’, ‘In 2010, the number of KSIs while cycling fell by18 per cent, when compared with the 1994/98 baseline, indicating that cycling is becoming relatively safer’, followed by a graph showing the stats per year from 1994 to 2010. That graph, however, also seems to show that cycle-related collisions from 1997 show a decrease year on year to a low point in 2005. Since 2005, collisions have risen annually to its current point in 2010. The actual figures are to be found at TfL’s Road Safety Unit. In its fact sheet on cycling it can plainly be seen that when comparing from 2005, 2010 KSI’s have risen by 20% (to 467) and total collisions (slight, serious and fatal) by 27% (to 4007).

This difference in perspective is a significant area of concern for campaigners especially when it comes to the actions of TfL and there have been calls for TfL to face corporate manslaughter charges. Activist’s publicising of London’s 10 deadliest junctions for cyclists was to underline a fact outlined in TfL’s own ‘Cycle Safety Action Plan’ (page 14), ‘Data shows that 79% of casualties were injured at, or within 20 metres of a junction, highlighting the vulnerability of cyclists in these locations.’

Campaigners have repeatedly stressed the dangerous junctions and implied that TfL’s lack of action was a potential contributing factor in cyclist’s deaths. A suggested reason for a lack of action in this area has been TfL’s competing priority of maintaining traffic flow.

The other big factors in the number of cycle deaths are larger vehicles (HGVs, trucks and lorries). In 2010, these vehicles were involved in over 50% of fatalities (page 16). Though a recent article suggests the death figures for 2011 will be higher, a report into cycle deaths between 1992 and 2006 states that an average of 43% of these incidents involved HGVs. The researchers go on to suggest HGVs be banned from London roads to save lives.

Larger vehicles have significant ‘blind-spots’, which cyclists often fall victim to. At junctions, this is often fatal, especially to women riders. Rudi.net pointed out that a suppressed TfL study draws attention to the fact women are more likely to be killed by lorries, because ‘they tend to obey red lights and wait at junctions, in the driver’s blind spot.’ The article also suggests advice on how to avoid accidents around larger vehicles.

TfL’s ‘complex view’ of larger vehicles worried campaigners who have complained about TfL’s lorry safety poster and are fighting the government’s moves to introduce longer lorries.

The backdrop to this is an increase in cycling numbers in London, by over 150% between 2000 and 2010. There has been some analysis of the reasons for this and not least of these are TfL’s push to increase the number of cyclists on the roads of London, supported by corporate sponsors, Barclays and Sky.

While TfL is taking some action for cycle safety, there is scepticism as to whether it will meet its own stated Cycle Safety Plan objective to ‘ensure the future growth in cycling in London is accompanied by a reduced rate of cycling casualties’ any time soon.

Min Joo’s death has spurred TfL into changing the King Cross Junction, and campaigners are planning direct action at Kings Cross on Monday January 9^th, from 6pm – 7pm.

The statistics suggest that TfL should clearly be focusing its safety efforts on London junctions and on larger vehicles. Common sense suggests that this a higher priority than ‘maintaining traffic flow’ especially when trying to encourage more people to take up cycling.

Unfortunately the way things are going, many more ghost bike memorials are expected to be seen on the streets of London before it becomes a safer place for cyclists.

Manchester’s Surestart Consultations: A flawed argument

2011-11-19T20:16:00.006Z

Hulme Greens recently commented on the news that the Council was to cut funding to Manchester’s Sure Start services. These cuts were happening against a back drop of high local child poverty and riots in the city.

As the Council moves forward with its plans, it has started a consultation process outlining its reasons for the Sure Start cuts, proposals for the future, a questionnaire and series of public events.

The extensive public consultations are to be commended, with events over 2 months covering most of the Sure Start venues in the city. (It also helpfully published a Directory of Support for Parents and Carers.)

But Manchester City Council’s arguments put forward for the cuts and the scope of the consultations are misleading and ‘unhelpful’. Its ‘Why are we proposing changes?’ page states

“We need to:

Increase the number of families that access the services available (currently less than a third of families in Manchester)
Make better use of the buildings we have so they deliver a wider range of services and attract more people to use them
Identify those families and children who need extra help (especially children aged 0-3 years) more accurately and quickly to ensure that more children enter school ready to thrive, and more families, parents and carers are supported into work. ”

The first line suggests the 40 Sure Start Centres in the city are under-used and inefficient especially as they are used by ‘less than a third of families in Manchester’.

Though open to all families, the POINT of Sure Start is to help the poorest families in society, to help break the cycle of deprivation and it is recognized as an attempt to do so (page 10).

This is especially important as Manchester is recognized as the ‘child poverty capital of Britain’. Framing Sure Start as a service aimed at all families is wrong and the Council is wrong to do so.

The second line specifically mentions the Sure Start buildings above and again in the questionnaires. At the moment, these are exclusively used for Sure Start and related services. This may not be the case by the end of this process and it is important that these buildings primarily do the job they were built for.

The two areas NOT up for negotiation/ consultation are the

increase in childcare fees (from £126 to £150 per week) by nearly 20%
reduction of funded childcare provision by 50% to 15 hours per week, the legal minimum.

The combination of these 2 actions will exclude the very families Sure Start was created to support.

Will Manchester City Council makes public what the effects of cutting these services will be and how its proposed outreach service will mitigate these effects?

Having a consultation which leaves out the important aspects of a service so important to the long term health of the city is short sighted and unsafe.

The national concern of the effect the Sure Start cuts will have are especially applicable to Manchester.

October Events 2011: Hulme and Manchester

2011-10-08T21:09:00.007+01:00

Below are some events happening in Hulme and further afield.

If there anything you think we should add in, let us know.

We hope to produce an events list monthly now.

October 2011

Hulme

Saturday October 23^rd

Hulme Community Gardens, Apple and Pumpkin Day

http://www.hulmegardencentre.org.uk/

October 2011

Debdale EcoCentre/ Hulme Community Gardens

http://debdale-ecocentre.org.uk/training

October 2011

Arcspace

http://firmstart.myzen.co.uk/page.phtml?id=60

http://www.arcspacemanchester.org.uk/index.html

October 2011

Zion Arts Centre

http://www.zionarts.com/whats-on/

Green

Thursday October 13^th 7pm

Manchester Green Party Monthly: HS2 Debate, Squatting Rights and Spaces

http://www.manchestergreenparty.org.uk/localsites/manchester/events8/manchester-greens-monthly-meeting.html

Friday October 14^th and 15^th

City Camp Mcr

http://citycampmcr.org/

Wednesday October 19^th , 7pm

Hunger for Justice,

Mechanics Institute

http://www.wdm.org.uk/events/hunger-justice-0

October 2011

Unicorn Events

http://www.unicorn-grocery.co.uk/news.php

Festivals

Friday October 7^th – 17th

Food and Drink Festival

http://foodanddrinkfestival.com/

Monday October 10^th – 23rd

Manchester Literature Festival

http://www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/

Black History Month

Wednesday 12th October, 5.30–7.00pm

Who do you think you are?

Rani Moorthy, Salford University

http://www.salford.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/51134/black-history-flyer-final-version.pdf

Saturday 15^th October, 2 -4pm

Manchester Libraries

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/events/event/2224/

Wednesday 19^th October , 12.30 – 5.30pm

Racism: A symposium on Discrimination, Displacement and Home

http://www.salford.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/51134/black-history-flyer-final-version.pdf

Thursday 20^th October

– 6.30pm

Malcolm X Visits Abroad – lecture by Marika Sherwood

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=11596

Wednesday 26th October, 7.00pm

Empire Pays Back, Dr. Robert Beckford, Salford University

http://www.salford.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/51134/black-history-flyer-final-version.pdf

Thursday October 27^th

Arun Ghosh, Band on the Wall

http://bandonthewall.org/events/3161/

October 2011

Contact Theatre

http://contactmcr.com/blog/2011/sep/22/events-black-history-month/

Protest

October 2011 -

Occupy Manchester

http://www.occupymanchester.org/

https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/occupymcr

Sunday October 9^th

Block The Bridge, London

http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/blog/block-the-bridge-block-the-bill

Saturday, October 15th

Occupy London Stock Exchange

http://occupylondon.org.uk/

Saturday November 5^th

Remember, Remember… Houses of Parliament, London

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181720128567344

True Mancunians, SureStart and Youth Services

2011-09-27T12:38:00.017+01:00

Six weeks after the riots, comes news from Manchester City Council (MCC) confirming it will cut funding to the city’s SureStart centres.

With one of the main factors suggested for the cause of the riots being poverty and with rioters coming from high deprivation areas, this is particularly bad news.

But what is Surestart? “Sure Start was part of a Labour government policy to prevent social exclusion, and as such, it was targeted at preschool children and their families in disadvantaged areas. The initiative was the result of a cross cutting review of services for young children chaired by the Treasury. The review's conclusions focused on the importance of the early years for child development, and highlighted the problems of multiple disadvantage for young children, the variation in quality of services for children and families and the need for community-based programmes of early intervention.”

The Labour government eventually devolved responsibility and money for the programme to local councils. This money however, was not ring-fenced and now with the Coalition government budget cuts forced on the Council, MCC has decided to withdraw funding from Manchester SureStart centres.

The Council has done this despite Manchester being named the child poverty capital of Britain, with over 25000 children growing up in ‘severe poverty’. In percentage terms, it is twice the number of neighbours Trafford and Stockport.

On top of this, Manchester has massively cut its youth services provision when the number of young people not in employment, education or training is on the rise. With these actions, the Council is abandoning young people as avenues for employment, further education and higher education for young people are being cut back.

This Council’s attitude has not been to support the people of the city, or to support their services. Its attitude has been to focus on regeneration and business. It can be seen in the comments of Council Leader Richard Leese, in response to a question on whether putting regeneration ahead of services was the right thing to do. It can be seen in the £2 million recent acquisition of land around MCC’s swanky new First Street offices.

This ‘leadership’ does Manchester no favours. With the high levels of deprivation in this city, it is imperative to try and maintain services to the most vulnerable. MCC should be addressing these issues alongside encouraging business development not instead of it.

The Council’s claims that there is ‘no other way’ of progressing should be taken with a bowl of salt. This year it has made drastic decisions on services and jobs which have THEN been followed by ‘consultations’. The Youth services and Surestart cuts have been prime examples of this. The Equality Impact Assessment requirements have happened AFTER cuts have been made. Why?

And of those consultations, have any of the results been made public?

The other side this is about democracy and representation. No Labour Councillor has stood up against the cuts to Manchester Youth and Surestart. Maybe too scared or weak to speak its mind, the body of the local Labour party is one that has forgotten its progressive left roots. The Council spin-doctors in fact even accused the Manchester Save SureStart Mums campaign as ‘hi-jacking’ the issue.

Is this the representation of democracy in Manchester?

The Conservatives and the Labour Council share this in common, both are making a CHOICE to cut essential services in Manchester. And before Labour complain, if they CHOOSE to spend over £2 million on land around their new town hall building instead of putting that money into keeping a some Surestarts open until things turn around, it says more than words.

Hulme Green Party stands against the Council on these cuts. We support the Save SureStart campaigns both locally and nationally.

We stand with the Manchester Coalition Against the Cuts in defending Manchester’s services.

In the wake of the riots, MCC ran the ‘I heart Manchester’ campaign, aimed at getting shoppers back spending money in the city centre. NOT pulling together community spirit, volunteering, supporting local communities in need, their campaign was aimed at shoppers.

Within that intense period, Council spokesman Pat Karney talked about ‘true Mancunians’ supporting the city.

The thing about Manchester, it has a strong history of protest and radical reform.

In keeping with this tradition, the ‘Save Manchester SureStart’ campaigners, Manchester Coalition Against the Cuts, BARAC Manchester, Manchester AntiCuts, Greater Manchester Against the Cuts, the Manchester Unemployed Workers Union, the students of both Manchester University and Metropolitan University and many more, are all closer to the spirit of being ‘True Mancunians’ than any merchandise-heavy shopping campaign by Council fat cats will ever tell us.

Hulme is home to both a SureStart (Martenscroft) , youth facilities and a library. Proctor’s Youth Centre has closed, Hulme Adventure Playground under threat. Our SureStart will be affected with all the other centres in Manchester and Hulme library building is about to be closed.

That being so, we have our own campaign. If a decision to cut services hurts the most vulnerable in our communities, it doesn’t matter if it comes from right-wing government or ‘left’-wing Council.

I “heart” Manchester Surestart – Don’t Cut It

I “heart” Mcr Libraries – Keep Them Open

I “heart” Hulme (of course)

And

If anyone wants to use the logos included in this post in a positive way, for a positive cause, go ahead.

Well, I 'heart' Manchester too…

2011-09-23T15:28:00.010+01:00

The ‘I Y Manchester’ logo is everywhere you look in Manchester City Centre - posters, bus stops, bags, clothing, mugs, even baby-grows.

The campaign, on the surface, is a call for unity after the shocking riots of August 9^th, a call for the community spirit that led100’s of people to help with the clean-up the morning after.

The notion was great but there is something wrong.

The under-current of the campaign is sour, with a proportion of the city irritated and aggrieved by it.

There are a few of reasons for this but one of the most prominent is the naked attempt to get the local population to spend money, to the backdrop of unprecedented cuts to local services and an increasingly poor economic environment.

The excellent article ‘I YCorporate Manchester’, in the Manchester Mule points out that “with an initial 20 per cent drop in visitors to the centre the Saturday after the disturbances, [Richard] Leese told businesses he needed their help in “getting the message out that Manchester is open for business as usual””.

Of the campaign, Manchester City Council’s Head of Communications Mark Lawrence wrote “ There are a number of events and initiatives going on in the city to encourage people to come into the centre and make the most of the shops, restaurants and bars and show their love for Manchester ”. This was supported by free parking, free tram transport, and ‘spectacular’ outdoor events (including a ‘Manchester Moment’).

Running alongside ‘IYManchester’ has been the lower profile, ‘Shop a Looter’ campaign by the Greater Manchester Police, aimed at tracking down the individuals involved in the rioting.

Following the government's lead, the Council took a tough stance with the rioters, the legal system intent on heavily prosecuting those involved, those in council property threatened with eviction and bans from the city centre.

The Council’s angry tone in response to the riots not only condemned the law breakers in strong terms, it constructed in new terms, the idea of the ‘real’ and the ‘true’ Mancunian.

Pat Karney, council spokesman spoke several times in the absence of Council Leader Richard Leese, saying “We want to send out a strong message that Manchester’s business community is standing together and those that disrespect our city are not welcome and will not be allowed to enjoy it” and in an interview references ‘normal working people’ and ‘thuggish kids’.

There has been no strong lead from the Council on the causes of the riots in Manchester and what it aims to do about it.

Whether or not you are ‘True/Real Manc’ or not, ‘good’ or ‘bad’, how you see yourself described or find yourself defined depends on your social and financial situation.

The Council’s decision to lay off thousands of its staff at the beginning of the year was a blow to the city.

The Mule article states ‘Unemployment in the North West rose 13 per cent in the last three months’, with the source of that information also stating that this increase ‘compared with 1.8 per cent nationally’.

The North West, including Manchester, is being hit hard on the employment front.

In addition, cuts to funding from the Coalition government forced the Council to make controversial decisions about its staffing and services. It moved to cut 2000 staff, and withdrew funding to services like advice centres, youth services and Sure Start. Those moves, coupled with cuts to national support programmes (Job Centres, Connexions, NHS etc) have severely eroded the social safety net for the unemployed, those on low income and those who expect to be made redundant in the coming year.

This is important as Manchester already has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country (4^th most deprived). The city constantly features in these national indices.

All this indicates that many more people in Manchester are moving towards low income and the poverty line than is publicly admitted.

In light of this however Manchester City Council priorities seem misplaced. In fact it makes great play of the investment coming into the city with the development of Eastlands football complex, the renovation of the Town Hall, its new First Street offices and the NOMA development, while unapologetically cutting back on support services (which not all Councils have done). Council Leader Richard Leese, when asked by MULE editor Richard Goulding whether it would be more sensible to spend money on services like Sure Start and social services rather than continue investment in large regeneration projects he replied: “If you want to create Manchester as the welfare capital of the world that’s a good route to go down.” This is an amazing stance given that Manchester is currently the child poverty capital of England.

The council is unintentionally bringing these differences to the fore with its ‘I Y Manchester’ campaign.

Maybe it is no coincidence that a significant proportion of those arrested in the riots come from areas of high deprivation. A significant number of those arrested were young people, whose avenues for employment, further education and higher education are being curtailed at the same time as their support services.

As the numbers of unemployed grow in Manchester, and the services that normally support those in need dwindle, the implied line that defines who are ‘good and bad’ Mancunians will get closer for a lot of people.

Commenting on these issues Hulme activist Deyika Nzeribe said “The ‘I Y Manchester’ campaign has been a huge disappointment. Instead of using all that energy to pull the city together, to support the people, defend services and yes, support business, it has just been used to encouraging people to shop. And its not a lack of leadership from the Council, they just care more for its businesses and buildings than its citizens. They act and think like 1980s Tories these days.

Manchester isn’t just a place, it’s a people. We pull together. Mancunian. Union isn’t in the name but it should be.

I seriously wonder how much this ‘I Y ’ operation has cost.

And as for ‘shop a looter’, that campaign really gets under my skin. They should have found a way of calling for information on and the arrest of looters without using a guy in a ‘hoodie’. It just adds to the demonization of our young people. They are our young people. Whoever thought of that campaign, whoever signed off on it, is causing bad feeling on top of a bad situation. They should re-do it or get rid of it.”

The Manchester Hackademia Festival: Wednesday 14th to 20th September

2011-09-07T08:57:00.015+01:00

The first ever Hackademia Festival is launching in Manchester and will run from Wednesday 14^th to Tuesday 20^th of September.

Though ‘hacking’ has commonly a negative connotation to do with breaking into computers, a little digging reveals mainly levels of meaning.

According to the Urban Dictionary,

Hack - 1. To program a computer in a clever, virtuosic, and wizardly manner. Ordinary computer jockeys merely write programs; hacking is the domain of digital poets. Hacking is a subtle and arguably mystical art, equal parts wit and technical ability, that is rarely appreciated by non-hackers. See hacker.

Hacker – 3. An individual capable of solving complex non-intuitive problems in a seemingly intuitive manner. The processes and techniques used are not necessarily methodical to the observer, but yet achieve results significantly and consistently faster than known experience would predict. A hacker is not defined in terms of intention or purpose, but rather by the talented single-mindedness of method. A hacker is not a hack. Hackers are not limited to computer hacking.

Academia – ‘is a collective term for the scientific and cultural community engaged in higher education and peer-reviewed research, taken as a whole." -Wikipedia

Why 'Hackademia'?

The majority of hackers make positive ideas and experiences happen from hacking things up and making them into other things....and right now this can mean some positive solutions.

Manchester Business School and MMU are allowing themselves to be 'hacked' them – developing positive relationships and dialogue and using some of their spaces. It create a spirit of openness and sharing and to make sure people who sometimes don't see the 'establishments' get an opportunity to share their ideas.

Amongst the main themes of the festival will be

· Community Empowerment

· Ethical Enterprise

· HackLabs

· EcoLabs

· PermaCulture

· Women and Innovation

The thinking behind the festival comes from hackerspace and free and open culture with people contributing for free, sharing ideas and the costs, if any are minimal. Much of the inspiration for the festival also comes from work in developing countries where people can achieve by making something out of nothing.

Organiser Vicky Sinclair says, “The recent riots showed that there are social problems that are not being addressed and that greater opportunities need to be made available not just for young people, but those out of work, with disability issues, migrations issues...the list goes on. At this time, soaring unemployment rates, uncertainty about education and provision for teens or people with worklessness, the festival is seeking to prove that great things are possible with a bit of knowledge sharing.”

Where and when?

Main dates: Wednesday 14^th to Tuesday 20^th September 2011.

Venues: It will be based mostly in Hulme, but also in venues in the city centre and on oxford road, including the universities who are opening their doors to the community and budding new local ideas creators who might not otherwise have a chance to work in these institutions.

Book onto the conference: email:arcspacemanchester@gmail.com or see the facebook eventhttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192241880816313
Book onto the enterprise incubator, email vickysinclair@gmail.com
Submit a proposal visit http://tinyurl.com/3vdgzga or email vickysinclair@gmail.com
Volunteer, please see the ‘How to be Involved’ section below, which includes details of the planning meetings

For further information, please call 0161 820 6492 11am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Updates will be found on www.hackademia.org.uk. and its agenda pages.

Partners

"Our partners come from Manchester Youth Village, MMU, St Wilfrid's Enterprise Centre, the Council, Manchester Business School, Envirolution, Manchester Youth Elements, Manchester Youth Voices, the Eco Health Clinic, Madlab to the EU and beyond. All giving time for free and that was far from the whole list of people who feel it is time to show how we can make legal, communal spaces open to all age groups to help inspire and realise new ideas and relationships. We will be linking up via webstreaming for people to talk to people about culture and ideas in places as distant from each other as the Amazon to Indonesia."

How to be involved?

"We are calling on local people and anybody who is interested to come along and deliver, participate in workshops, cook, watch films and generally to meet people and experience ideas that you might not have envisaged! We need some help with art materials, getting fabric, masks (for workshops), any spare food, assistance with community cooking and some stewards for activities. We also need help with promotion and telling people about this exciting free festival. Also if you know anyone who can assist us in getting some free food for our entrepreneur business lunch day (who we can promote) this would be amazing! And we also need some bayonet light bulbs (energy saving ones!) for the launch events at a new community venue in Hulme!"

Budding or existing local entrepreneurs are invited to come to our enterprise incubator and troubleshooting workshops (we only have limited spaces left) please email vickysinclair@gmail.com

Planning meetings at ArcSpace, St Wilfrid's Enterprise Centre, Royce Road, Hulme, M15 5BJ

Wednesday 7^th - 4pm
Saturday 10th - 1pm to 4pm
Thursday 15th - 12pm to 5pm

If you would like to contibute an idea or some time please contact:
arcspacemanchester@gmail.com

Press contact:

Vicky Sinclair

Telephone: ArcSpace 0161 820 6492, (11.30 am to 4.30pm mon to fri, no voicemails)

Email: Vickysinclair@gmail.com

Skype: victoria.sinclair23

Hulme and Moss Side Market: End of an Era

2011-09-05T11:01:00.005+01:00

September 11^th seems to be the global ‘bad news’ day.

While most people will consider this the 10^th anniversary of the Twin Towers attack, more locally, it spells the end of Hulme and Moss Side market in its current form.

September 11^th is the date most of the traders at Moss Side Market have been given to quit their units by the building’s landlord, Geraud.

Geraud, who have run the market since 2001, will radically alter the internal structure of the building, with the majority of the space (currently 70 business units) becoming discount store ‘B&M’ and 8 Hulme High Street-facing shop fronts. Additionally there are plans for an outdoor structure to be built to accommodate some of the traders.

Plans for this changes became public over the summer, when worried traders set-up a facebook group to highlight their concerns.

The market, originally Moss Side market, was historically based at the old Moss Side Precinct. When that building was demolished the market temporarily based in the ‘Hot Pot’ pub before being relaunched in 2001 at its current location on the Hulme High Street.

Since then, the market has struggled with lack of take up of units and disappointing customer numbers, which has led to losses for Gerauds.

The traders have responded to these points by accusing the landlord of not understanding the community (it was initially relaunched as a ‘continental’ market with ‘lots of cheese’ before it was changed to reflect Hulme and Moss Sides more multi-ethnic community) the market was based in, the lack of promotion of the market (requests to the Council for help with this met with no response) and high costs .

Former trader Sally Wright, commenting on the recent years of the market, charged that the landlord had allowed the market to run down, making it unattractive for new businesses to set up. They also asked if it was even legal for the building to be changed into a supermarket and shops. It was pointed out that the land has a covenant on it, which means it has to be used as a traditional market.

The Hulme and Moss Side market has been a focal point of the community, a recognition of which is reflected in a covenant being granted.

Candy Kintu, 27, who runs the Candy Scents stall, said: "Everybody’s absolutely gutted about what Groupe Geraud are doing.

"It’s all about money for them – but it will tear our community apart. There has been a market here for decades and it’s one of the things that keeps the Hulme community connected."

Recent news and interviews with traders indicated that 7 businesses will take up the new shop fronts being built.

The rest of the traders were uncertain about what would happen next. Some thought that they may be able to move their businesses outdoors, others not.

When asked about the future one trader commented, ‘What future?’.

Apology to David Oates.

2011-08-13T19:49:00.003+01:00

We received an email recently from David Oates about our blog dated July 16^th, ‘The Manchester Housing Crisis’.

He pointed out that the picture we used for that image was his and that we hadn’t asked permission to use it. That was true and we wholeheartedly apologised.

We have since credited the image to David and very graciously, he allowed us to continue using it.

Part of the reason the image was used is… it is striking.

David has a website, we particularly like his architecture shots of Manchester.

And of the reasons we are pleased to point people in David’s direction, not least is he is based in Hulme. That’s always good.

(Image: Clip Art)

The Manchester Riots: Where’s Richard?

2011-08-10T23:38:00.004+01:00

The scenes of crime and disorder in Manchester on Tuesday evening was a shock to everyone.

The pictures of young people and police running through the streets of the city were disheartening BUT that was balanced out by the way Manchester citizens came together in the morning to clean up the centre. Many came away from their efforts with ‘I ‘heart’ Mcr’ drawn one their faces.

Most of the local reaction has condemned the violence with Manchester City Council spokesman, Pat Karney telling the BBC that it was ‘one of the worst days Manchester has ever seen’.

Councillor Karney was also seen showing Labour leader Ed Miliband around the city.

Given the scale of the disturbances, people have been asking ‘Where is Council Leader Richard Leese?’

A meeting on Tuesday afternoon of community activists in Moss Side discussed what action could be taken to prevent disturbances in the area. At one point, the Chair mentioned that he had tried to contact the Council Leader and Deputy Leader Jim Battle only to be told they were both on holiday. While that drew some laughter, its not so funny now.

Leaders are needed in times of trouble, even the Prime Minister and Mayor of London realised that eventually.

“I ‘heart’ Mcr”? Well, be in Manchester.

Ethel and Manchester Council's Social Care Consultation

2011-08-04T18:21:00.007+01:00

"Example 2: Ethel uses an electric scooter to go out independently but is worried that she will get lost and not be able to find her way home and therefore has stopped going out. In future we propose to use GPS technology to support Ethel to maintain her independence.”

Following on from the cuts to Manchester City Council’s budget of £110 million this year (2011/2012), an additional £60 million is being sought for 2012/13.

Within this, the Council’s ‘Directorate for Adults’ is expected to reduce its budget by £39.5 million (slide 5).

As part of these reductions the Council is running a consultation exercise on some of its proposed changes to its Social Care services and charging policy. Some aspects of this changes appear to be

Greatly reducing the level at which users start paying for services
A much greater emphasis on home based care
Increased use of ‘reablement’ support and prevention
Use of technology and innovation.

On an initial reading the two elements that stand out the most from the ‘Directorate for Adults

Consultation: Changes to Social Care Provision. Guidance and information to help you complete

the questionnaire’ paper are

Ethel (above)
Another example: “some people with dementia get a visit 4times a day to remind them to get up, eat, take medication. Some people have found that a text alert reminds them to complete these tasks without the need for a visit.”

It may be reasonable comment say the 2 examples are minor in a whole range of things written but this writer would point out

though the papers have lots of ideas about ‘what could happen’, it is difficult to make out what the changes are going to actually going to be for its users. What is plain, and not in the consultation papers is the number of services that will no longer be funded from 2012 (see table at the end of the paper)
though the lowering of the threshold for payment is clear, how much extra it will cost people is not
that usually, when trying to persuade in a debate, the most convincing, positive examples are used. As an illustration of innovation in the new services, these, 1) and 2) seem poor.
the council does not indicate if it will trial any of these ideas first. Will GPS really help Ethel get home?
The Council doesn’t indicate if it will merge services with other local authorities to achieve economies of scale. It has already done this with its legal services and is considering several more departments.

There are currently 2 consultations both of which end on Monday August 8^th

· Changes to Social Care Provision

· Charging for Social Care

If you have an opinion, there is still a chance voice it, especially in the supplementary questions.

Comment: All change at The Sally

2011-08-02T03:11:00.003+01:00

By Steve Durrant and Patrick Sudlow

For decades The Salutation (the Sally) was a thriving centre of Hulme life and character. Recently It has been bought up by the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and managed by the owners of the "Trof" chain, in anticipation of more students using the area.

And have they retained and respected the character of the pub? Well, no.

The owner has now been overheard complaining that pub is full of old men, no women, no students and no one had money.

If he had done some homework, as business folk are supposed to, he would have found out the Universities and NUS advise students not to drink in pubs in Hulme, hence the lack of students in the Sally.

He would have realised also that the music nights attracted people, but they have stopped. They have even ripped the stage out.

But change can be good, and hopefully when the refurbishment is finished the pub will be an inclusive hub for all the community, it is certainly good that the brewer is independent.

We need to support our local pubs to make sure we don't lose them. The future of the Sally could be an interesting predictor of how students and locals mix as Hulme changes with the spread of the MMU.

Breaking News: Statement from Hulme Festival organisers

2011-07-28T22:52:00.004+01:00

We have just received this message regarding significant changes to the Hulme Festival. Its expected there will be more information forthcoming soon.

"We are sorry to announce that one of the licenses for the Hulme Festival has been revoked. This means that only those activities planned by Zion Arts will be going ahead. The following parts are being cancelled: the Main Stage, Roots Tent, Soapbox Acoustic stage, Holistic Therapies, Urban Activities, Crafty Corner and the Food Court.

The Zion will still be hosting a 1940's themed afternoon. There will be performances from the Swing Commanders, the Zion Arts Young Performers and Borhan (hip-hop pyramid) together with entertainments from Venture Arts and a Story Corner. While we would like to encourage you to attend this event we must warn you that the maximum capacity of the venue is 500 people and, as such, you may be turned away on the day.

We wish to extend an apology and thanks to everyone who has been preparing for the event. Obviously we are massively disappointed that the organisers and Council Members have taken this decision. Please believe we have made every attempt to find alternative means of putting on the festival.

We have every hope of seeing the Hulme Festival return at a later date and are currently working with the Council to determine whether this is possible.

While we share your disappointment, we must encourage you not to take action into your own hands.

If you wish to register your enthusiasm for having the Hulme Festival at a later date please sign this petition."

Hulme Festival 2011: Saturday July 30th 2011, 12pm to 10pm

2011-07-27T01:50:00.005+01:00

The newly resurrected Hulme Festival: Saturday July 30^th 2011, 12pm to 10pm

The free family-friendly festival, at HULME PARK, will include:

live music across 3 stages
spoken word and hip-hop battles
food and textile workshops at Venture Arts
youth theatre performance
art and craft stalls
kid's area and storytelling at the Pagoda
the Zion Centre's 100 year anniversary tea-party
a chill out and bar area
craft activities
reiki / massage / holistic therapies

...and more.

There'll be a whole area dedicated to holistic therapies, 'The Kitchen' with food and food education, 'The Lounge' chill out space and bar, as well as 'Kids Zone' playground, and a full music programme with local acts covering every genre.

For more information: http://www.hulmefestival.co.uk/

If you want to get involved in any way please email: events@mcc-hub.org

**Please note**
Hulme Festival is a Family Friendly event, and Hulme is part of a Designated Public Places Order - this means no alcohol is to be consumed outdoors... Please only drink alcohol bought from the provider on site, and in the designated space

The Manchester Housing Crisis

2011-07-16T14:35:00.005+01:00

There is a real crisis developing in Manchester, one that has been growing for some years and which shows no signs of resolution: decent housing for its citizens.

(Image: David Oates)

The facts

The number of households in Manchester has increased by 37,549 in the last ten years whilst there have been 24,000 new homes built in the same period, mostly apartments. In 2010, there were 16,000 households on Manchester Council’s housing register – 7,000 more than in 2001. These are Manchester Council’s statistics.

However, according to recent official government statistics, the number of households on the waiting list was actually 22,448, a much larger number amounting to no less than 11.1% of total households in the city.

Whatever number ones takes, it is clear that in the last decade there has been a steep rise in housing need in Manchester. Nor is this pressure likely to diminish. The Council estimates that there will be another 56,000 households in Manchester in twenty years times. This is the crisis.

The scandal

At the moment, the Council is building just 200 new council homes in Charlestown, Blackley and West Gorton whilst in the last two years only 255 empty houses have been brought back into use. Meanwhile, in December 2009, there were 13,760 empty homes across all tenures in Manchester, 8040 of these had been empty for more than 6 months.

The expectation is that this number will increase given the number of new private blocks completed but unsold. In addition, Manchester is littered with uncompleted apartment blocks, effectively abandoned by their developers in the wake of the banking crisis and consequent recession. As the Council itself states they have “a number of tools and legal powers to tackle empty homes” but they fail to use them. As noted above, 255 empty houses have been brought back into use in two years. So, that will clear the current waiting list by 2187 at present rates.

It is clear that the rapid increase in housing waiting lists in Manchester coincides with a housing price boom which has led to many households desperate for decent homes being simply priced out of the market. The Council still believes that “home ownership is achievable for households on an average city income” whilst at the same time knowing that “the average wage of city residents in 2009 was £371pw” that is below £20,000 per annum.

According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation, a national statistic which is an accepted measure for household deprivation, 228,235 of Manchester residents live in the worst 10% most deprived neighbourhoods nationally – 51,155 within worst 1%. The Index suggests that some 62% of our households live in the worst 10% in terms of deprivation.

Hulme falls comfortably inside the list of the 1% most deprived wards in the country. To suggest that the ‘average’ Hulme household can afford to buy a home at current prices is simply offensive.

Manchester City Council Responses

So what does Manchester City Council suggest should be done? Their full list of solutions

Using our land and assets to work with private sector and institutional investors to meet demand for new homes
Supporting developers to overcome barriers to building new homes
Looking for solutions that do not depend on public subsidy
Tackling the unsustainable use of energy in our housing
Finding new solutions for those who wish to become home owners

(Source: Building Manchester's neighbourhoods: Housing strategy 2011 to 2021)

It would be difficult to devise a weaker response to the crisis.

Manchester Council has become reliant on the private sector for answering Manchester’s housing problems. No one doubts that there have been difficulties in financing social housing development, but Manchester’s Labour council has been extreme in its response.

Once, the Labour-led Council was a beacon for providing decent social housing but in recent years it has abandoned this, trying to outsource its housing department and wherever possible simply ditch its social housing responsibilities.

The Green View

The Hulme Green Party believes in a Green New Deal for social housing. It believes that building new houses would not only provide decent homes for Hulme families but would also provide work for unemployed construction workers and help lift the region out of recession.

It believes that the existence of empty homes alongside tens of thousands of families on a housing waiting list is immoral particularly when the Council possess the legal power to take over empty property vacant for a long time.

It believes that the Council should takeover and complete abandoned apartment blocks. When quizzed about their failure to do this, one councillor replied that such apartments did not fit the housing needs of most people on the waiting list. It would be interesting to see just how many of these applicants would turn down a two-bedroom apartment in a new block as ‘unsuitable’.

We challenge our Labour councillors to come up with proposals for solving Hulme’s housing crisis with similar positive proposals.

Or would they respond with the vague clichés which characterise Labour’s housing ‘policy’ for Manchester.

Keeping the Hulme Mural...

2011-07-09T14:42:00.001+01:00

The Hulme Mural is a vast and vibrant public artwork in Hulme Manchester, comprising six 14 foot panels of sculpted clay along the Hulme Library wall.

It was designed and made by Hulme Urban Potters – a collective of students and tutors at the Hulme Adult Education Centre to mark the turn of the century, and was completed and installed in 2002. The mural depicts some of the key moments in the history of this important Manchester community, and has become a local landmark.

It was unveiled by actor and comedian Johnny Vegas saying: ”I think it is a really important piece of work that promotes local history and a true sense of pride for the people and place it represents. It’s amazing.”

The then City Council Chief Executive member for Culture and Leisure Glynn Evans said: “I’m highly delighted that Hulme Urban Potters have entrusted this fantastic piece of work to Manchester Libraries. The Mural is a celebration of Hulme and it is quite right that it should remain at the heart of the local community”.

Less than ten years later, the community now fears for the future of the Hulme Mural. Consultations are underway about the future of Manchester’s library service, and there are fears that if the Hulme library closes, the building will be sold or worse still, demolished.
Johnny Vegas has now added his voice to the campaign to save the mural saying: “I’d be really disappointed if the mural was damaged or lost due to the closure of the library. It’s a fantastic piece of art work that should be enjoyed by the local community for many years to come.”

Please add your voice to the campaign to save the Hulme Mural by signing the petition. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savehulmemural/signatures

Hulme and Moss Side Market future in doubt

2011-07-08T13:29:00.002+01:00

News is filtering out that the future of Hulme and Moss Side Market is under threat.

A recently set up Facebook group, ‘Save Hulme Market Community Protest’ expressed the concerns of many of the traders and members of the public.

According to the posts, the 10 year old market, owned by French company Geraud, has been sold to B&M.

This news means that the Market as it stands may disappear and prospects for the Hulme traders seem gloomy.

But the traders are not taking these reports lying down, with plans build support from local people, launch a petition and get assurances from the new owners that the Market will remain.

Local trader Leana Dixon-Rowe said ‘If things carry on we will be pushed out by the big businesses and will be left with nowhere affordable to trade from.’

Hulme's 'larger than life' trader and personality Candy Scent said 'The mere thought of Hulme Market's closure makes my chest hurt'.

People are urged to join the facebook group as a first step and contact their Council representatives.

Deyika Nzeribe from the Hulme Greens said ‘This is surprising news, we need to confirm the new owner’s plans for the future. Its important that Hulme and Moss Side’s local businesses are supported and encouraged to grow. We hope this view is shared by B&M.’

MGP Public Event: Why Equality is a Green Issue

2011-07-05T19:48:00.009+01:00

Manchester Green Party is pleased to announce that the next monthly public meeting discussion will be ‘Why Equality is a Green Issue’.

The North West coordinator of the Equality Trust, Mary Curran, will be talking about ‘The Spirit Level’, by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.

Thursday July 14th 2011, 7pm - 9pm

Friend's Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.

So, what is the book about?

Or...

Physical Health -People in more equal societies live longer, a smaller proportion of children die in infancy and self-rated health is better.

Mental Health - People in more equal societies are far less likely to experience mental illness.

Drug Abuse - People in more equal societies are less likely to use illegal drugs.

Education - Children do better at school in more equal societies.

Imprisonment - Unequal societies are harsher, they imprison a higher proportion of people.

Social Mobility - There is more social mobility in more equal societies.

and several more indicators.

And from the authors

Birley Fields Public Meeting Tuesday June 21st

2011-06-18T22:52:00.004+01:00

The Birley Fields Campaign will be holding a Public Meeting on Birley Fields held on

Tuesday June 21st, 7pm

The Yard Theatre, Old Birley Street, Hulme.

For more information: http://birleyfields.org.uk/?p=656.

The petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/birleyfields/

Support for the Hulme's Birley Fields campaign

2011-05-30T15:06:00.016+01:00

Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) proposal to build a £120 million campus development on Hulme’s Birley Fields is likely to go before Manchester City Council’s planning committee for consideration in late June or July 2011 regardless of some reports jumping the gun.

Local resident’s concerns about the development, some of which include the

size of buildings
effects on the community
loss of open space
traffic, congestion and pollution

remain despite MMU’s attempt to address some of these worries.

In response, local residents have

set up a website
held workshops on how to write ‘letters of objection’
taken their concerns to the press with stories in the Manchester Evening News and InsidetheM60.

The group is also encouraging people to sign their online petition, http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/birleyfields/, which currently has over 250 signatures on it.

The Hulme Green Party supports the resident's campaign to stop MMU’s development until the issues raised can be addressed.

The Hulme Green Party also calls on Manchester City Council to make the effects on the Hulme community a higher priority with planning applications.

We note that currently

MMU is doing a large scale development of its All Saints main campus
There is the Birley Fields development, mentioned above, going for planning permission
There is a large 650 bed student accommodation block on Coupland Street proposal going for planning permission
There is a student accommodation building currently being built on Stretford Road
The community is waiting to see if plans will be submitted to build more student accommodation on the ‘Gamecock pub’ site on Boundary Lane
MMU have purchased Hulme’s ‘The Salutation’ pub and its future is now uncertain.

Its a huge amount of activity in Hulme and the combined effects could have a severe effect on the community without careful consideration.

Hulme Local Elections 2011 Results and Response

2011-05-07T17:19:00.007+01:00

First of all the Hulme Green Team would like to thank everyone voted for us, we greatly appreciate your support.

We also would like to thank everyone who put in time, were on the streets, commented, advised, talked to us from your windows and rang us up, it all helped make our campaign.

The issues raised during our campaign, we will continue to pursue, we will make ourselves as accessible as we can to our community.

Finally, we congratulate Labour on their victory in Hulme and particularly Manchester. We hope that they take on board the comments on representing all the community and in Hulme, take on board community concerns on the big changes planned for our area.

It will be our job to help them do this.

And so the results:

Mary Murphy Labour 1689

Ruth Bergan Green 742

Jamie Williams Conservative 302

Andy Hardwick-Moss Liberal Democrats 211

Hulme May 2011: VOTE GREEN, VOTE BERGAN

2011-05-04T17:11:00.002+01:00

Service Charges: Hulme Green Party reaction

2011-04-27T13:47:00.002+01:00

In reaction to the service charges concern, Hulme Green Party candidate Ruth Bergan issued this statement

"These plans are an outrage. The Labour Council said it would uphold City South's promise not to introduce further charges, they must stand by this. Mary Murphy claims to be a voice for Hulme residents, so why is she even considering this proposal? Hulme residents deserve good, affordable housing. It is a terrible reflection on Labour that, at a time when everyone is facing money problems, they are part of plans to introduce new charges."

No reaction has been forthcoming from local Labour Party candidates.

MMU Campus Plans begin to concern Hulme organisations

2011-04-12T19:44:00.011+01:00

Local Hulme campaigners opposed to Manchester Metropolitan's plans for £120 million super-campus recieved a boost recently when social landlord 'Places 4 People' wrote a letter of concern to Manchester City Council's Planning Department.

The Housing Trust, with over 250 properties in Hulme, outlined the main concerns of its residents.

The commentary on the Birley Fields website, also pointed out the lack of support from the local Hulme councillors, all of whom are Labour, "And forget about asking the local councillors, they don’t seem to have a clue outside of the party line on this issue."

Hulme Green Party candidate, Ruth Bergan said "Birley fields is an important green space for local residents. The scale of building proposed will take all this away, residents will see traffic increase on roads that can already be difficult to cross, and they will have reduced sunlight coming into their homes. The Green Party thinks it's healthy to have a diverse community and students have a place in that, but the scale of this development is not justified. We need to preserve our green spaces for both the environmental and the health benefits they bring".

Shock Service Charges Planned by City South Manchester Housing Trust

2011-04-02T20:36:00.019+01:00

Stunned tenants fear extra charges

Along with a letter telling of rent increases, tenants of City South Manchester Housing Trust (CSMHT) were shocked to also get letters on their "Rights and Obligations" under Service Charges.

CSMHT promised NOT to introduce services charges for the work it’s doing now, in its offer document when it took over council property. That was only 4 years ago. The document, called ‘Your Future, Your Choice’ says (on page 28):

“The rent after transfer would pay for the full range of services you now get from the City Council – managing the estates, repairing your home and maintaining the landscape.

“There would be no services charges for any of the planned improvement works described in this booklet. In the future, if you want City South Manchester to provide extra services, these would be paid for by a new service charge, but this would not happen without a full consultation with all tenants affected by the change.

“So, there would only be a new service charge for a new service, not an improved service.”

What is written in this offer document is LEGALLY BINDING as it is part of a contract between CSMHT and Manchester City Council. Page 18 of the document says,

“City South Manchester would be independent from the City Council. However, Manchester City Council would have a legally binding contract with City South Manchester, through which the City Council would make sure that the promises made in this booklet are kept.”

This means the promise not to impose this proposed service charge is legally binding.

Residents are angry that this is even being considered, despite promises made, and massively disappointed that 2 labour councillors, including Hulme’s Mary Murphy, the Vice-Chair, are on the board that have agreed it.

Leaked papers from the Trust show costs will vary between £10 and over £1000 per year, with the higher charges being aimed at tower block tenants.

Residents have called upon the Housing Trust and Councillor Mary Murphy to confirm or deny that

A service charge for new tenants was introduced on April 1^st
service charges for existing tenants in flats and multis will follow at a later date
the offer document promised no services charges for current services
the offer document is a legally binding document that was guaranteed by Manchester City Council.

Because depending on the answers given, there are implications for the Trust, the City Council and the Councillors involved.

The Arch Bar: Hulme Icon

2011-03-25T13:22:00.010Z

The Arch Bar (later Zar Bar) was the troubled but iconic Hulme pub that was based on Stretford Road. Persistent disorder led the bar to be closed by the police and eventually it was torn down and more student flats are currently being built in its place.

Despite problems, local residents were hoping that the building could remain, and used differently, as a café or other community resource, especially as the building had a restrictive covenant on it.

In a recent angry exchange between Mary Murphy and local green activist, Nigel Woodcock, more information came to light.

On the public Hulme-Residents-Online-Group, Nigel argued that the local councillors at the time had removed the ‘restrictive covenant’, which gave the company that wanted to build flats “a green light to destroy the Arch building”.

Surprisingly, as part of her response Councillor Murphy replies “it was I who set up a meeting with our Deputy Chief Executive to discuss the removal of the covenant" … "At time of the removal of the covenant Myself and Nigel (Murphy, another Hulme Labour councillor) were representing our constituents.”

But which constituents? Not the hundreds who campaigned with petitions and direct action to keep the building open.

It was eye-catching and could have been a useful community centre resource for Hulme with a little bit of creative thinking.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of creative thinking from our local councillors. And with the closure and removal of services from Hulme, that is not good the area, not good for me and you.

Hulme Newsletter March 2011 Online edition

2011-03-08T13:22:00.000Z

The online version of the Hulme Green Party Newsletter: March 2011 is now available featuring

Manchester City Councils Cuts: Is there no choice
MMU Birley Fields Campus Plan: Low Marks for Consultation
Salutation Park: Whats happening?
Hulme Local Business

Hulme Newsletter March 2011 Online edition

2011-03-08T13:19:00.004Z

The online version of the Hulme Green Party Newsletter: March 2011

http://tinyurl.com/5uqckrs

featuring

Manchester City Councils Cuts: Is there no choice
MMU Birley Fields Campus Plan: Low Marks for Consultation
Salutation Park: Whats happening?
Hulme Local Business

Hulme Green Party Alternate Budget

2011-02-19T21:02:00.005Z

Hulme Green Party believes the budget proposals suggested by Manchester City Council starts in the wrong place. Cutting frontline services and creating unemployment only adds to the problems created by this Coalition Government. This Council should not be scaring their staff into unemployment by forcing unfair redundancy packages on them.

Below is an idea about how the budget could be approached.

* The figures are units of millions.

Years	2011/12	2012/13	2014/15

Details				Total
CUTS
Staffing and efficiency (1)	10*	10	10	30
First Street Cultural Facility (2)	9	10		19
Football Museum (3)	7			7
Subtotal	26	20	10	56

INCOME
Mcr Airport (4)	27	27	27	81
Birley Fields (5)	7			7
Mcr City Stadium (6)	15	15		30
Subtotal	49	42	27	118

Total	75	62	37	174

We believe that by looking at cuts AND assets, jobs and services can be safeguarded in Manchester.

The CUTS section of the table shows areas where spending can be reduced. The INCOME section shows where money can be raised from council assets.

1) We in the Hulme Green Party believe that if cuts are to be made, jobs should go by a recruitment freeze along with voluntary redundancies. The Council is already planning to reduce costs through efficiency savings.

2) The planned ‘Cultural Facility’ (page 18) should be a lower priority than jobs and services.

3) The planned spend of nearly £7 million by the Council when the 2 richest football clubs in the country are in the city does not seem a good use of money.

4) Manchester Airport repayment of the debt to the Council it owes over 3 years. The amount owed is £83 million

5) A repayment in cash from MMU for the land acquired from the Council for its planned campus development. The land is estimated to be worth £10 million. The council gave the land away for free.

6) The Council owns the City of Manchester stadium at Eastlands, where Manchester City Football Club play. Selling a portion to fans of the club will raise a significant amount of money. If the council were to sell the stadium to Manchester City, who have offered to buy it from them, it would raise between £200 – 300 million pounds, possibly more. It would solve the budget crisis in one sale.

By doing this, the Council will be able to maintain employment while the predicted growth in Greater Manchester creates the hoped for 74000 jobs (slide 26).

Manchester Budget Cuts Proposals and the Consultation Process: The Green View

2011-02-11T14:23:00.010Z

Manchester City Council’s budget cuts, will have a huge effect on communities in Manchester.

BUT the announcements made are just proposals. They are available to comment on the Council website until February 22^nd.

Final decisions will be made on March 9^th2011.

The Hulme Green Party says that

“Although the Council Cuts proposals are online, there are a lot of papers and they are difficult to understand.

We call for a series of public meetings for the organisations and the communities affected.

The Council, the organisations and the people should talk about the hard choices ahead and the best way to support the communities affected.

We especially urge the Council to be open and honest in this process. As far as we can tell, the results of the Councils earlier budget plan consultation, which ended January 17^th 2011, remain unpublished.”

Manchester Cuts: A severe blow

2011-02-09T13:36:00.000Z

There is no doubting the severity of the cuts announced by Manchester City Council.

While its understood that budget reductions have been imposed from the Coalition Government, the Council’s pledge to defend front line services is nonsense.

Cutting the majority of youth services and SureStarts in Manchester, then hoping the voluntary sector could take over them could make sense. Unfortunately the voluntary sector is being slashed by 22%.

In Hulme and Moss Side its expected that at least Hulme Library, the Martenscroft SureStart Centre, debt advice service and youth centres will go.

There has been no call to local groups and unions to discuss the best way of saving services, no consultation on how to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

Add this to the increase in charges from Council services and Housing Trusts, VAT increase, cuts to Manchester Advice services, reduced support available from Job Centres, it is not a stretch to imagine serious hardship coming back to Manchester. The Council wrings its hands and says there is nothing to be done yet the Airport owes it £83 million.

And when the dust settles, the Council will look to cut another £60 million next year.

Manchester Cuts: Is there really no choice?

2011-01-30T16:22:00.000Z

The shocking announcement of 2000 job losses at Manchester City Council is the biggest result of the cuts handed down from the Coalition Government.

The Council, forced to deal with a £110 million reduction, expects to save £70 million pounds with these staffing reductions. This still means that £40 million pounds will still have to be found and it looks likely that front line services will be in the firing line.

In addition, because of the expected cuts in Manchester’s police, fire and health services Manchester residents are going find it more difficult to access the support they need.

Manchester Green Party (MGP) believes nationally, these cuts could largely be avoided by concentrating the deficit reduction by increasing taxes on the financial sector that caused the deficit.

MGP Chair Brian Candeland said “Not only is the Government pursuing the wrong policies, it is seeking to pass the blame onto local authorities. Whilst all local authorities are being hit to some degree, urban councils in the north such as Manchester and its neighbouring boroughs are being hit particularly hard. This will widen the north-south divide.”

While the Coalition Government has forced this budget reduction on the Council, the Council decides what services will be cut.

MGP urges the Council to make every effort to prioritise services to the vulnerable and saving jobs over capital building projects.

Following last weekend’s GMTUC conference, we note:

that in the most recent Council accounts (Accounts Statement 2009/10, page 47, 102), Manchester Airport owes the council over £83 million. The airport is currently raising over £280 million to develop its facilities. As a major investor in the airport, the Council is in a position of influence and should look to reclaim those monies.
the Council's 'sale/transfer' of Hulme's Birley Fields to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) for far less than the value of the land (worth £10 million in some estimates). Hulme Green Party says "Its outrageous. The value of that land would go a long way to reducing the effects of the cuts in Hulme and Manchester. As it stands, the whole MMU proposal is not good for the area."

The recouping of even a proportion of the Airport and Birley Fields monies will save jobs and services in Manchester.

Clean Up of Salutation Park...

2010-12-17T22:36:00.000Z

Hulme's Green Team organised a Clean Up of Salutation Park after it was identified as an issue for local residents.

On a cold Sunday morning December 5th, the residents, the local environment team and the Green Team all pitched in to sweep, rake, cut back plants and prune bushes.

We're working to form a 'Friends of Salutation Park' group to help look after it and working with the Council to repair some damage and put up some useful signs.

The Park should look good for the Summer!!

Every Local Counts!

2010-08-27T23:53:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

A colleague of ours in Trafford and Hulme CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) sent us an interesting link about Hulme pubs. There are some minor errors and it uses the modern boundaries for Hulme but it is informative.
click on link below:
A presentation on Hulme pubs

Manchester's Core Strategy

2010-08-24T23:46:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

There is a consultation on Manchester's Core Strategy(part of the Local Development Framework. A Local Development Framework is a folder of local development documents that outlines how planning will be managed in our area.

We would suggest people log-on, read and respond to it at:
http://manchester-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/pre-bublication

A sample of which below:

Policy H 7

Purpose Built Student Accommodation

The provision of new purpose built student accommodation will need to satisfy the criteria below. Priority will be given to schemes which are part of the universities' redevelopment plans or which are being progressed in partnership with the universities, and which clearly meet Manchester City Council's regeneration priorities.

Sites should be easily accessible to the University campus by walking and cycling.
High density developments should be sited in locations where this is compatible with existing developments and initiatives, and where retail facilities are within walking distance. Proposals should not lead to an increase in on-street parking in the surrounding area.
Proposals that can demonstrate a positive regeneration impact in their own right will be given preference over other schemes. This can be demonstrated for example through impact assessments on district centres and the wider area. Proposals should contribute to providing a mix of uses and support district and local centres, in line with relevant Strategic Regeneration Frameworks, local plans and other master plans as student accommodation should closely integrate with existing neighbourhoods to contribute in a positive way to their vibrancy without increasing pressure on existing neighbourhood services to the detriment of existing residents.
Proposals should be designed to be safe and secure for their users, and avoid causing an increase in crime in the surrounding area. Consideration needs to be given to how proposed developments could assist in improving the safety of the surrounding area in terms of increased informal surveillance or other measures to contribute to crime prevention.
Consideration should be given to the design and layout of the student accommodation and siting of individual uses within the overall development in relation to adjacent neighbouring uses. The aim is to ensure that there is no unacceptable effect on residential amenity in the surrounding area through increased noise, disturbance or impact on the streetscene either from the proposed development itself or when combined with existing accommodation.
Where appropriate proposals should contribute to the re-use of Listed Buildings and other buildings with a particular heritage value.
Consideration should be given to provision and management of waste disposal facilities within the development at an early stage.
There is a currently a potential oversupply of student bedspaces in purpose built accommodation in the planning pipeline when matched against demand from both the projected growth in student numbers to 2014/15 (using a mid range growth scenario assumption) and latent demand from students living in the general rented sector. Therefore developers will be required to demonstrate that there is a need for additional student accommodation in terms of waiting lists for existing places, or that they have entered into a formal agreement with a University for the supply of bedspaces.
Applicants/developers must demonstrate to the Council that their proposals for purpose built student accommodation are deliverable. The Council will not support proposals that are speculative, where there is a possibility that planning permission will not be implemented.

Good News?

2010-08-24T16:32:00.000+01:00

There is an article in the MEN about a company moving into Kilburn House,
MSP. It might be good news for the MSP but will it bring much needed
employment to Hulme?
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1314742_name_your_numbers_right_for_science_parks?newsletter=business%2520bulletin-20100824

HULME RESIDENT DIED AT PETERLOO

2010-07-14T16:55:00.000+01:00

PETERLOO MEMORIAL CAMPAIGN CALLS ON MANCHESTER TO RECREATE THE ORIGINAL MARCHES FOR THE 191st ANNIVERSARY ON 15^th AUGUST 2010

Following its hugely successful anniversary gathering in 2009, the campaign is challenging residents of the regions and towns that originally sent marchers to St Peter's Fields in 1819 to do so again, after nearly 200 years.

Last year 200 delegates covered the routes from Oldham, Middleton and Stockport, and rallied at the original location of the massacre with replica banners, to demand that the proposed memorial in St Peter's Square is one that truly reflects the nature of the event. The campaign is insisting the design is prominent, informative and respectful, one that breaks the long tradition of whitewashing the memory of this crucial event.

Two events are planned this year- Sunday the 15^th August for the mass rally, and Monday 16^th to mark the actual date.

Interested groups can contact the campaign by phone- 07800 535471, via its website www.peterloomassacre.org, or through it's facebook group- PETERLOO MASSACRE 191st ANNIVERSARY

City South Housing Trust Hulme Outreach

2010-07-14T16:48:00.000+01:00

As part of our promise to customers we said we would improve the landscaping and the environment in your communities to make them nicer places to live. We have appointed landscape architects BCA Landscape to draw up some initial ideas for eight neighbourhoods and we want you to have your say to shape those plans.

Subject to funding, things we could introduce include street furniture, improved parking, more trees and shrubs,improved communal or play areas, better lighting, signage and public art, new allotments, orchards wildflower or wildlife areas, landmark and entrance features, alley gating and works to over mature trees.

From 12-16 July BCA Landscape and City South staff will be holding a series of consultation events in each neighbourhood. You will be able to see their initial thoughts and sketches at this early stage and give us your feedback and ideas to influence the development of the final designs. We'll also be using the opportunity to consult with you about how we can improve and tailor other services to meet the needs of your neighbourhood.

Check out the table to see when we'll bein your neighbourhood. We'll be setting up a gazebo on one of the communal areas.

If you would like more information contact Hannah Howard on 0161 227 1263.

We look forward to seeing you

Bethnall Monday 12th July 11.00 - 13.30 City Road/Cornbrook Monday 12th July 15.30 - 18.00

BBC / Loretto Tuesday 13th July 11.00 - 13.30 Flamborough Tuesday 13th July 15:30 - 18:00 Loxford street Thursday 15th July 11:00 - 13:30

Sherwood Thursday 15th July 15.30-18.00 St Georges Friday 16th July 11:00 - 13:30 Shawgreen Friday 16th July 15.30 - 18.00

Post Election Thank You

2010-07-14T00:11:00.000+01:00

May Greenview

2010-07-14T00:06:00.000+01:00

Freepost Leaflet Available to Download

2010-04-20T02:23:00.000+01:00

Latest Greenview Available to Download....

2010-04-20T02:06:00.000+01:00

these hideous signs are not helping the people of Hulme!

2010-03-21T19:11:00.000Z

Following the "Our Hulme" meeting last week, at which this issue was raised, local green activist Nigel Woodcock has formally lodged a complaint about the hideous yellow signs that have been dotted around the locality, bringing everyone down and doing NOTHING to reduce crime.

The website FixMyStreet will channel our complaint to the Council and we'll see what sort of response it gets.
http://www.fixmystreet.com/report/104594

It seems obvious that these signs have gone up just now so that the Council can claim to be DOING SOMETHING about crime. But we don't think these signs help. If you agree, please email the Council's Environment Department. I have just looked on their website and they are now operating a single email address for ALL Council services and enquiries, which seems fairly ludicrous. It's contact@manchester.gov.uk - we'll let you know how we get on.

New FREE course in sustainable arts and technologies in the community!!!!

2010-03-21T00:02:00.000Z

How much do you really know about lowering your carbon Footprint? Everyone knows that it’s important – but it can all sound a bit confusing and daunting can’t it? Well…

Arc Space Manchester are proud to announce a new course called Connect Yourself!

It’s about cutting your carbon footprint in new and funky ways that will help you to do your bit for the planet whilst meeting new people and learning about ethical arts and technologies.

We can show you how to tackle climate change in a positive ways by trying your hand at lots of cool activities, such as designing clothes and re-cycling computers! There are 12 sessions, every Wednesday afternoon from 11-2.30pm. We run an evening and weekend session too for those who can’t make it during the week. The course runs until May 24th and you can enrol at any time!

Its fun, its informal and its free to everybody. We are a community organisation so we welcome everybody. We even give you your own pen drive half-way through the course and provide free internet. Go on, become environmentally savvy. What are you waiting for?!

Contact us at arcspacemanchester@gmail.com or call in and see us at St Wilfs Church, Royce Rd, Hulme. Or you can call us on 07872 939216 and leave a message.

In partnership with Manchester City Council and The Manchester Carbon Innovation Fund.

Greenview Cornbrook Special

2010-03-19T23:46:00.000Z

Why we are campaigning for an Ian Curtis Memorial Bridge in Hulme.

2010-03-19T15:40:00.000Z

Hulme has always been a unique place, one of the few places to be completely raised to the ground twice in living history: seeing the destruction of the Victorian back-to-backs, followed by the demolition of the 1960s brutal modernist architectural known as the crescents. One significant victim of the redevelopment was nightclub known as the Russell Club, host to (Manchester music promoter and Grenada Reporter) Tony Wilson’s ‘Factory’ night. This nightclub was where Joy Division regularly played during their brief existence. Indeed Joy Division recorded the version of Transmission that can be heard on the B-side of Atmosphere in Hulme (July 1979).

In the year Joy Division first played in Hulme, 1979, the upcoming Manchester rock photographer, Kevin Cummins, photographed the band in various locations around Hulme. The most iconic of these photos is probably the one of the band on Epping Walk Bridge, one of the narrow pedestrian footbridges that spanned the Princess Parkway. This photograph recently adorned Joy Division’s greatest hits album cover. This is the bridge that we want to re-name in honour and memory of Ian Curtis, who took his life exactly 30 years ago on May 18^th.

Hulme locals are all too aware of how marginalized and put-upon this part of Manchester feels, which is partly why we want this campaign to succeed. The bridge itself is already known to certain locals as ‘Joy Division Bridge’. The re-naming of this bridge would allow fans and visitors to Manchester the opportunity to visit the bridge and recreate Kevin Cummins photographs and to celebrate the city’s fine musical heritage. Fans of The Smiths, regularly congregate around the entrance to Salford Lads’ Club, featured on one of their albums. Renaming the bridge gives Joy Division fans their own part of Manchester.

Since Hulme local activist Gayle O’Donovan set up the Facebook page just over a week ago, it has rapidly expanded up to nearly 700 members, including Kevin Cummins himself. We believe that if this campaign succeeded then we’d be putting Hulme back on the map, restoring some local pride, creating yet another reason for people to visit our fine city, and saluting a local legend.

Renaming the bridge would be another chapter in Manchester’s rich musical history.

For more info join our Facebook Group:http://tinyurl.com/iancurtismemorial

The Arch to be demolited and turned in to student halls

2010-03-19T15:34:00.001Z

Last Thursday, the decision was taken Manchester City Council's Planning Committee to give the go-ahead to the demolition of Arch Bar to make way for a student halls of residence. No doubt Nigel Murphy will be pleased with this decision, since he has bragged to the Applicant (Mr. Andy Whatson) that he was responsible for getting the "restrictive covenant" lifted last year.

Thanks to everyone who signed the petition, that has collected 266 signatures to date. Those who also left a comment will now find that comment pasted up on the Arch building, which has become a part of its own campaign, as you'll see if you go past on the bus.

I see it as another nail in the coffin of the Hulme community, which can now be found on its nights out huddled in the Salutation, the Junction, and perhaps Kim-by-the-Sea. Okay, there are one or two other pubs, but certainly no clubs, like what the Arch used to be, never mind anything as banging as the PSV Club (aka the Russell Club, the Factory, etc.)

I find it particularly galling that Nigel Murphy has been claiming credit (in the most recent "Hulme Rose" leaflet) for "working with residents of the Loxford Estate to oppose the building of a seven storey student block on the site of the former Arch Bar... Your Labour Team," the leaflet burbled, "will continue working with local residents to ensure that any new plans are acceptable to the community."

If you would like to tell Mr. Murphy what you think of these "new plans" - are they "acceptable" to you? - then why not drop him a line? Nigel Murphy (cllr.n.murphy@manchester.gov.uk)

New Green View

2010-03-03T00:24:00.000Z

Breaking News:Hulme Labour wants to have its cake and eat it too!

2010-02-11T21:38:00.000Z

The Arch Bar / student halls planning decision has today been deferred by the Townhall Planning Committee once again. Well done to the residents and Hulme Greens for keeping up the pressure!

Some local greens have been researching the situation, going back to when it was the Admiral and even before that. In fact it was 31st March 1980 when the brewery, Robinson’s (based in Stockport) took out a “restrictive covenant” which meant that the premises could BE USED ONLY AS A PUBLIC HOUSE.

That covenant remained in place for just over 30 years, until it was released on 15th June 2009, nearly two months after the planning application was submitted to turn Arch Bar into a 7-storey student block. And now we learn that none other than Nigel TIM Murphy has been claiming the credit for getting the covenant removed. He’s also claiming credit for getting the size of the block reduced by one floor. I think the local residents and greens deserve the credit for that. But we still lament the loss of yet another local community resource.

The Green Party is not anti-student, many of them are our natural supporters, candidates and members, but when an area is swamped with student halls and these are segregated from the wider community – almost literally, in the case of Hulme – then there is a sense of lack of investment in the locality, and sometimes a lack of care. Hulme is a vibrant mixed community - lets continue to fight to keep it this way.

We’d like Nigel Murphy to out from behind his invisibility cloak to come clean over his involvement in the lifting of the restrictive covenant that stood for 30 years. which signed the death warrant for the Arch to be used as a community space and/or social housing( didn't Hulme Labour promise us that last year in their campaign leaflet?)

2010-01-27T15:16:00.000Z

Hi Greens and Green Supporters,

A pilot anti - climate change campaign is being run in Greater Manchester for the next 5 weeks. It's challenging businesses to switch off lights when they're closed.

The aim is to get the general public to email in photos when they're out in the evening of shops/offices that have left light on and they'll use it to challenge the business.

Watch this YouTube to get more information: http://www.youtube.co/watch?v=mV1RkK2Rctw

It's called The Light Brigade. The website is: www.lightbrigade.org.uk

The facebook group is: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?drop&ref=mb#/group.php?gid=405437965219

And the twitter account is: Lightbrigadeorg.

The group would be really grateful if you could circulate the details of this project and spread the word, as without people knowing, the impact won't be as big.

Best Wishes

Gayle O' Donovan

Hulme Green Drinks - All Welcome

2010-01-15T18:32:00.000Z

Update on the Arch Bar

2010-01-15T17:35:00.000Z

Just to keep everyone informed... The Planning Dept yesterday deferred the decision on whether to give the green light to the plans to build the six-storey block on the site of the Arch.

This is pleasing, but we should not necessarily get our hopes up too much. Nevertheless, following a "site visit" (during which the committee members actually GOT OFF THE BUS - a rare event, apparently), at the actual planning meeting, the first thing that happened was that the Chair, Cllr Burns(Labour) declared that "there's no such thing as a done deal here", quoting directly from a local activist's Twitter update earlier in the day.

This would seem to imply that they are now well aware that there is a head of local public opinion against this, and it has them rattled. They may wish to delay the decision till after the local elections on May 6th. However, according to The Applicant (Andrew Whatson), who we met the night before the planning meeting at the Green Party office, the developers need to start the work before May if they are to be able to open in time for the start of term the following year (Sept. 2011).

The petition has 172 names now, which is great going in just over a week.

Please sign the petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-arch-bar.html

Also, thought I'd pass on the good news that at the same planning meeting it was announced that the developers wishing to turn Chorlton Meadows into football pitches withdrew their application. That doesn't mean that they may not change their plans slightly and re-submit them in the future, but for the time being it's a tremendous victory for the Save Chorlton Meadows campaign.

Well done to everyone involved!

Arch Bar letter

2010-01-12T14:55:00.001Z

Dear Resident,

As you probably know, property developers are planning to knock down the Arch Bar and build a massive six-floor block of student flats there instead. Last month, the Council decided to put off the decision on the plan until after they have conducted a site visit.

This late proposal came from councillors following pressure from locals and The Green Party. However, we shouldn't expect too much from the postponement by itself. The plans will come before the Council Planning Meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday 14th January at 2pm. If this matters to you and you can attend, please do so to show local feeling about the loss of yet another community resource for the people of Hulme.

You may not be aware, however, that The Cavendish pub just along the road from Arch Bar, last week closed down. It was sold by the owners and we think it might become a fast food outlet (this is unconfirmed at this stage). This is all the more reason to try to save the Arch.

Danny Hall, ex-manager of both Arch Bar and the Cavendish pub says: “The Arch Bar should not be demolished – it should be turned into a community resource like it used to be.”

In Spring 2008 a Local Labour election leaflet featured a big item on the fate of the Arch after it closed. Along with a nice photo, it said: "Your Local Labour Team is lobbying for the site, which Robinson's are planning to sell, to be used for the building of affordable homes for Hulme people or a facility to be used by the community."

It's a shame that 18 months later it appears that Labour are ignoring these fine ideals. We had hoped the Labour Council wouldn't just say “yes” to the first money-making scheme that came along. Sadly it looks like property developers' interests may once again come ahead of those of the community.

I will continue to keep you informed of what's happening.

With best wishes for a happy and peaceful New Year.

Gayle O’Donovan,
Green Party Candidate for Hulme

4 days to save Arch Bar - sign the petition

2010-01-10T17:51:00.000Z

Please sign the petition before the planning meeting on Thursday. Visit the site to read the arguments:
Online petition - Save Arch Bar in Hulme

Will MMU finance troubles threaten the "Green Campus"?

2009-12-31T03:03:00.000Z

A string of recent bad news for MMU finances and University funding in general may mean the bold green plans for the proposed Hulme campus are under threat.

The "Green Campus" idea is a big part of the sales pitch, but although there are some imaginative ideas there have never been any guarantee about what they will entail.

As such, these plans could be among the first to be scaled down when belts need tightening. And they do.

First the MMU came unstuck when millions were lost in investments during the Icelandic banking crisis.

Then the university announced 127 job losses in November.

Financial problems now mean the move from Didsbury will now happen in "installments".

link

So December's demands for huge cuts in University spending by Peter Mandelson could spell the triple whammy for the eco-plans.

We hope that the MMU can be open and frank about the potential impact of recent problems on their plans for a Green Campus and we will continue to keep you informed.

Hulme Green Party

Gayle O'Donovan: Tribute Page

Southern Voices: Another Perspective

A Northern View: The Ghosts of London

Manchester’s Surestart Consultations: A flawed argument

October Events 2011: Hulme and Manchester

Rani Moorthy, Salford University

Manchester Libraries

Racism: A symposium on Discrimination, Displacement and Home

Malcolm X Visits Abroad – lecture by Marika Sherwood

Empire Pays Back, Dr. Robert Beckford, Salford University

True Mancunians, SureStart and Youth Services

Well, I 'heart' Manchester too…

The Manchester Hackademia Festival: Wednesday 14th to 20th September

Hulme and Moss Side Market: End of an Era

Apology to David Oates.

The Manchester Riots: Where’s Richard?

Ethel and Manchester Council's Social Care Consultation

Comment: All change at The Sally

Breaking News: Statement from Hulme Festival organisers

Hulme Festival 2011: Saturday July 30th 2011, 12pm to 10pm

The Manchester Housing Crisis

Keeping the Hulme Mural...

Hulme and Moss Side Market future in doubt

MGP Public Event: Why Equality is a Green Issue

Physical Health -People in more equal societies live longer, a smaller proportion of children die in infancy and self-rated health is better.

Mental Health - People in more equal societies are far less likely to experience mental illness.

Drug Abuse - People in more equal societies are less likely to use illegal drugs.

Education - Children do better at school in more equal societies.

Imprisonment - Unequal societies are harsher, they imprison a higher proportion of people.

Social Mobility - There is more social mobility in more equal societies.

and several more indicators.

Birley Fields Public Meeting Tuesday June 21st

Support for the Hulme's Birley Fields campaign

Hulme Local Elections 2011 Results and Response

Hulme May 2011: VOTE GREEN, VOTE BERGAN

Service Charges: Hulme Green Party reaction

MMU Campus Plans begin to concern Hulme organisations

Shock Service Charges Planned by City South Manchester Housing Trust

The Arch Bar: Hulme Icon

Hulme Newsletter March 2011 Online edition

Hulme Newsletter March 2011 Online edition

Hulme Green Party Alternate Budget

Manchester Budget Cuts Proposals and the Consultation Process: The Green View

Manchester Cuts: A severe blow

Manchester Cuts: Is there really no choice?

Clean Up of Salutation Park...

Every Local Counts!

Manchester's Core Strategy

Policy H 7

Purpose Built Student Accommodation

Good News?

HULME RESIDENT DIED AT PETERLOO

City South Housing Trust Hulme Outreach

Post Election Thank You

May Greenview

Freepost Leaflet Available to Download

Latest Greenview Available to Download....

these hideous signs are not helping the people of Hulme!

New FREE course in sustainable arts and technologies in the community!!!!

Greenview Cornbrook Special

Why we are campaigning for an Ian Curtis Memorial Bridge in Hulme.

The Arch to be demolited and turned in to student halls

New Green View

Breaking News:Hulme Labour wants to have its cake and eat it too!

Hulme Green Drinks - All Welcome

Update on the Arch Bar

Arch Bar letter

4 days to save Arch Bar - sign the petition

Will MMU finance troubles threaten the "Green Campus"?