Welcome to our first edition of the DCS Newsletter 2024. Which will hopefully bring you news of the happenings, events, news and photographs of interest from around Didsbury. Contributions are always more than welcome, if you have something to tell Didsbury do not hesitate to contact Carol Wilkinson our editor on: info@didsburycivicsociety.org
Included in this issue are pen portraits of the elected trustees who will be more than happy to work with all members and giving help and advice where possible.
We also intend to continue running our successful and popular social trips to places of historical interest, the arts and nature. Along with the Garden of Contemplation our biggest community project undertaken to date. The trustees look forward to working and meeting with you all during 2024.
Mike Collett (Chair)
Gordon Brown (Trustee)
Councillor Richard Kirkpatrick (Trustee)
Elaine Sams (Trustee)
Carol Wilkinson (Trustee)
Jubilee Gardens — 6th October Tidy up
Jubilee gardens having its winter tidy up many thanks to Luke from Southway Homes for his support and help Volunteers help every few months to tidy up the gardens, done some pruning and planting
Spring bulb planting – December
This was a bulb planting morning in December and we have another one planned to get the bulbs ready for the GOC spring planting. This links to the successful NiF grant awarded to DCS through the efforts of Pauline Ong.
The Poppy Path and the Cenotaph
The new temporary location for the war memorial wreaths and crosses. As the site clearance at the cenotaph is close to starting
Garden of Contemplation – Didsbury War Memorial
The new Garden of Contemplation – Didsbury War memorial (pictured below), will be created over about 2 years to produce a new space for all to enjoy.
Phase 1, commences on 29th January 2024. This Phase involves clearing the site, laying the base and paving the area. At present over 500 bulbs have been planted in pots and ready for Spring planting. At the same time we are researching the suitable seating ready for installing when funding is raised through grant applications and public donations.
Phase 2 will be installing the seating, custom made water feature and further plants, installation of electricity. We still have some way to go. Watch the area take shape over the next few months.
Thank you to all those below who have made this part of the work happen.
Garden of contemplation updates. .
Our community project is starting to come together.
The project to improve Didsbury’s cenotaph area has started. The end of January the ground was cleared with the help of Manchester City Council (MCC) and @EQUANS_UK who are providing volunteers, equipment and materials. You can view the garden plans in on our website: The full design by Peter Clare | Didsbury Civic Society
First pictures in January 2024. With thanks to MCC and Equan’s and Roche for their efforts on site.
Members from Equan’s staff worked hard, along with the project manager pitting up the temporary fencing signage. Then setting to clear and level the ground.
Concourse users are being advised about the site and the improvements taking place.
However, the back wall looks significantly unstable with a large “fisher” running down it at the corner.
As at Friday 16th the paving slabs had been laid: with the cutting finished by Friday 23rd February within Phase 1 including the initial site clearance and levelling by Equan`s. Again, a big thank you to them for their planning, hard work and support in the community. We have now secured further grants from Manchester Airport Community Funding towards the new seating along with the Worshipful Company of Gardner`s for additional perennial bulbs and plants.
As previously mentioned, the back wall which forms part of the Domino`s Pizza building (preparation area) and is part of the Didsbury Heritage area is still causing concern, regarding its stability before and since the work has started.
It is understood that the responsibility forms part of Lessee`s agreement for maintenance and repair. It is important that Dominos management should be written to, reminding them of their responsibilities as the lease holders and their duty of care to the public. The roof also has a large amount of invasive Ivy growth, which could be further stressing the roof with additional weight.
March … Saturday morning first dig of the beds
We will keep you updated on progress.
Some local information on business in the East Didsbury – Gawsworth Ave area known as the Didsbury Hub
Railton-Meeks are a local Lettings & Property Management company, specialising in all aspects or the rental market. From preparing your property ready for letting, right through to finding the right tenants for your investment. We have over 20 years of experience, and we have excellent reviews.
DCS Social Trip to Attingham Park Shrewsbury – Wednesday 27th September 2023
Our trip to Attingham Park started with the Coach and Passengers both being in place on time and ready to go at 8:30am, with our second pick up at 8:45am also to time. The weather looking good for our ever-popular social event, with the final head count of 35 travellers and off we went.
Surprisingly, even with the speed limit restrictions on the M6 motorway, our driver Howard delivered us to our first stop to water the horses and coffee at a new Designer Outlet of McArthur Glen West Midlands. A part of the Cheshire Oaks group and newly opened it was very smart, Italianate in design and decorated in a piazza style, with all of the top names present. Our money spent and lunch time approaching, all aboard for the Spread Eagle near Penkridge on the A5.
Being the first customers of the day, it was quiet and we were on time for the first cuts of the day in the carvery, and with all preferences catered for by great staff.
The buntings up for the Attingham Grand Tour 2023
Back onto the coach for Attingham Park. Unfortunately, the weather was taking a turn for the worse with grey clouds appearing, rain predicted and high winds. Even a yellow warning! Gordon was now in close contact with NT at Attingham for their visitor update.
The house built in 1785 is a Neo-Classical Georgian Mansion of very generous proportions. It is typical of the period in that many buildings of this era were updated by encapsulation (rendering) to update it into a modern and luxurious house of the period. Such changes were made to demonstrate the wealth of the owners.
The welcome committee in waiting for Didsbury Civic Society.
The records in the house basement and kitchen areas show that the staff were well paid for their services. The house with its long carriageway and gardens were designed by Landscape Architect Humphry Repton with a picture gallery by John Nash.
On a good day there are nice walks in the deer park, with a walled garden, open fields, and walks of one to four miles. Unfortunately, not on this day!
Thank you, Gordon, for organising this trip.
Dates for your diary of upcoming events
Date
Event
Venue
8th May
Didsbury Civic Trip
Lytham Hall
8th June
Didsbury Festival
Didsbury Park
15 &16 June
Didsbury Open Gardens
8 & 19th July
Didsbury C of E Primary Art Exhibition
Didsbury Library
28th July
Parsonage Summer Fair
Old Parsonage
7,8,14 & 15 September
Didsbury Heritage Weekend
14th November
Carol & Lights Christmas switch on
23rd November
Gala Fundraiser for Didsbury Festival 2025
Northenden Golf Club
24th November
Christmas Fair
Old Parsonage
DCS Social Trip to Lytham Hall, Wednesday 8th May 2024
The originally planned venue for the trip has been has been changed. The new venue is now Lytham Hall. The new details are as follows:
In the morning, we will drive to Lytham with a stop in the centre for a coffee break and some browsing and shopping.
Lunch will be a carvery at the Water`s Edge Hotel around 11:45.
In the afternoon we will visit Lytham Hall which was built in 1764. A fine Georgian Mansion of Palladian Architecture and Grade1 listed. It was designed by John Carr, a famous architect of the period. John Carr was probably best known for the Buxton Crescent and Harewood House, West Yorkshire.
At Lytham Hall our group will be directed to a private room where tea/coffee and biscuits will be served. Whilst we enjoy our refreshments a guide will enlighten us with a short history of the ownership by the Clifton Family.
Schedule for the day:
08:30am Pick up at Didsbury Library
08:40am Pick up at East Didsbury Methodist Church
10:15am Arrive Lytham Town centre
11:45am Leave for carvery lunch
13:30pm Leave for Lytham Hall
13:45pm Lytham Hall
16:15pm Leave for Didsbury
The cost including coach, lunch, entrance, guided tour of the house and gratuities is £43.00 per person. Non-members are also welcome.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I would like to join the trip: ……………………………………………….
Last Updated: August 2, 2025 by Didsbury Civic Society
Didsbury Civic Society Newsletter February 2024
Welcome to our first edition of the DCS Newsletter 2024. Which will hopefully bring you news of the happenings, events, news and photographs of interest from around Didsbury. Contributions are always more than welcome, if you have something to tell Didsbury do not hesitate to contact Carol Wilkinson our editor on: info@didsburycivicsociety.org
Included in this issue are pen portraits of the elected trustees who will be more than happy to work with all members and giving help and advice where possible.
We also intend to continue running our successful and popular social trips to places of historical interest, the arts and nature. Along with the Garden of Contemplation our biggest community project undertaken to date. The trustees look forward to working and meeting with you all during 2024.
Mike Collett (Chair)
Gordon Brown (Trustee)
Councillor Richard Kirkpatrick (Trustee)
Elaine Sams (Trustee)
Carol Wilkinson (Trustee)
Jubilee Gardens — 6th October Tidy up
Jubilee gardens having its winter tidy up many thanks to Luke from Southway Homes for his support and help Volunteers help every few months to tidy up the gardens, done some pruning and planting
Spring bulb planting – December
This was a bulb planting morning in December and we have another one planned to get the bulbs ready for the GOC spring planting. This links to the successful NiF grant awarded to DCS through the efforts of Pauline Ong.
The Poppy Path and the Cenotaph
The new temporary location for the war memorial wreaths and crosses. As the site clearance at the cenotaph is close to starting
Garden of Contemplation – Didsbury War Memorial
The new Garden of Contemplation – Didsbury War memorial (pictured below), will be created over about 2 years to produce a new space for all to enjoy.
Phase 1, commences on 29th January 2024. This Phase involves clearing the site, laying the base and paving the area. At present over 500 bulbs have been planted in pots and ready for Spring planting. At the same time we are researching the suitable seating ready for installing when funding is raised through grant applications and public donations.
Phase 2 will be installing the seating, custom made water feature and further plants, installation of electricity. We still have some way to go. Watch the area take shape over the next few months.
Thank you to all those below who have made this part of the work happen.
Garden of contemplation updates. .
Our community project is starting to come together.
The project to improve Didsbury’s cenotaph area has started. The end of January the ground was cleared with the help of Manchester City Council (MCC) and @EQUANS_UK who are providing volunteers, equipment and materials. You can view the garden plans in on our website: The full design by Peter Clare | Didsbury Civic Society
First pictures in January 2024. With thanks to MCC and Equan’s and Roche for their efforts on site.
Members from Equan’s staff worked hard, along with the project manager pitting up the temporary fencing signage. Then setting to clear and level the ground.
Concourse users are being advised about the site and the improvements taking place.
However, the back wall looks significantly unstable with a large “fisher” running down it at the corner.
For more photos of the work so far go to the temporary photo page on Peter Clare’s website https://www.peterclaregardendesign.co.uk/contemplation-garden-build-shots
February’s puzzle …………..
As at Friday 16th the paving slabs had been laid: with the cutting finished by Friday 23rd February within Phase 1 including the initial site clearance and levelling by Equan`s. Again, a big thank you to them for their planning, hard work and support in the community. We have now secured further grants from Manchester Airport Community Funding towards the new seating along with the Worshipful Company of Gardner`s for additional perennial bulbs and plants.
As previously mentioned, the back wall which forms part of the Domino`s Pizza building (preparation area) and is part of the Didsbury Heritage area is still causing concern, regarding its stability before and since the work has started.
It is understood that the responsibility forms part of Lessee`s agreement for maintenance and repair. It is important that Dominos management should be written to, reminding them of their responsibilities as the lease holders and their duty of care to the public. The roof also has a large amount of invasive Ivy growth, which could be further stressing the roof with additional weight.
March … Saturday morning first dig of the beds
We will keep you updated on progress.
Some local information on business in the East Didsbury – Gawsworth Ave area known as the Didsbury Hub
Railton-Meeks are a local Lettings & Property Management company, specialising in all aspects or the rental market. From preparing your property ready for letting, right through to finding the right tenants for your investment. We have over 20 years of experience, and we have excellent reviews.
Call Tara on 01614482154 to discuss your specific requirements www.railtonmeeks.co.uk
DCS Social Trip to Attingham Park Shrewsbury – Wednesday 27th September 2023
Our trip to Attingham Park started with the Coach and Passengers both being in place on time and ready to go at 8:30am, with our second pick up at 8:45am also to time. The weather looking good for our ever-popular social event, with the final head count of 35 travellers and off we went.
Surprisingly, even with the speed limit restrictions on the M6 motorway, our driver Howard delivered us to our first stop to water the horses and coffee at a new Designer Outlet of McArthur Glen West Midlands. A part of the Cheshire Oaks group and newly opened it was very smart, Italianate in design and decorated in a piazza style, with all of the top names present. Our money spent and lunch time approaching, all aboard for the Spread Eagle near Penkridge on the A5.
Being the first customers of the day, it was quiet and we were on time for the first cuts of the day in the carvery, and with all preferences catered for by great staff.
The buntings up for the Attingham Grand Tour 2023
Back onto the coach for Attingham Park. Unfortunately, the weather was taking a turn for the worse with grey clouds appearing, rain predicted and high winds. Even a yellow warning! Gordon was now in close contact with NT at Attingham for their visitor update.
The house built in 1785 is a Neo-Classical Georgian Mansion of very generous proportions. It is typical of the period in that many buildings of this era were updated by encapsulation (rendering) to update it into a modern and luxurious house of the period. Such changes were made to demonstrate the wealth of the owners.
The welcome committee in waiting for Didsbury Civic Society.
The records in the house basement and kitchen areas show that the staff were well paid for their services. The house with its long carriageway and gardens were designed by Landscape Architect Humphry Repton with a picture gallery by John Nash.
On a good day there are nice walks in the deer park, with a walled garden, open fields, and walks of one to four miles. Unfortunately, not on this day!
Thank you, Gordon, for organising this trip.
Dates for your diary of upcoming events
DCS Social Trip to Lytham Hall, Wednesday 8th May 2024
The originally planned venue for the trip has been has been changed. The new venue is now Lytham Hall. The new details are as follows:
In the morning, we will drive to Lytham with a stop in the centre for a coffee break and some browsing and shopping.
Lunch will be a carvery at the Water`s Edge Hotel around 11:45.
In the afternoon we will visit Lytham Hall which was built in 1764. A fine Georgian Mansion of Palladian Architecture and Grade1 listed. It was designed by John Carr, a famous architect of the period. John Carr was probably best known for the Buxton Crescent and Harewood House, West Yorkshire.
At Lytham Hall our group will be directed to a private room where tea/coffee and biscuits will be served. Whilst we enjoy our refreshments a guide will enlighten us with a short history of the ownership by the Clifton Family.
Schedule for the day:
08:30am Pick up at Didsbury Library
08:40am Pick up at East Didsbury Methodist Church
10:15am Arrive Lytham Town centre
11:45am Leave for carvery lunch
13:30pm Leave for Lytham Hall
13:45pm Lytham Hall
16:15pm Leave for Didsbury
The cost including coach, lunch, entrance, guided tour of the house and gratuities is £43.00 per person. Non-members are also welcome.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I would like to join the trip: ……………………………………………….
Accompanied by: ………………………………………………………….
Email Contact: …………………………… Telephone Contact: ……………………….
Emergency telephone contact name: …………………………………
Emergency telephone contact number: ……………………………….
Payment preferred by bank transfer to Sort Code: 40-31-20 Account:11514644
Or cheque payable to Didsbury Civic Society at The Old Parsonage Office
Didsbury Spann`s Ghost Advertisement
Who were the Spann Family who advertised their business on the gable end of the building which is now Costa Coffee in Didsbury?
The advert is now a ghost sign but originally read “TEL. 234 DIDSBURY, SPANNS, BLINDS, REMOVING, CARPET, LINOLEUM & BEDDING WAREHOUSE”.
A further exciting announcement will follow soon to commemorate this family and their life in Didsbury society,
More information is on our website Didsbury Spann`s Ghost Advertisement | Didsbury Civic Society
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