DCS Minutes of the General Meeting held on the 8th June 2026

Present: Mike Corlett, Chair, Ellie Sams, Cllr Leslie Bell. Mark Clayton, Gordon Browne. Carol Wilkinson, Mary Christie, Ian Johnson.

Apologies for Absence: Cllr Andrew Simcock. Janine Cottingham. Cllr Debbie Hilal, Cllr Richard Kilpatrick, Cllr John Leech.

Acceptance of the Minutes from 11^th May 2026: Proposed Ian Johnson  Accepted Carol Wilkinson

Matters Arising from the Minutes: None

Agenda

1.Ford Bank Estate “An Illustrated History”

Mike Casey a longtime member of the DCS asked if we could circulate his research and documentation of his work regarding the estates history from the start of building up to the present day. We have placed copies of his Flyers on both the DCS`s closed and open noticeboards. The full readable information can be found at www.fordbankestate.co.uk

2. Meeting with Kennedy`s Irish Bar

The DCS had a very positive meeting with their management team of the Owner, General Manager and Bar Manager at their invitation. Their priority was to reach out into the Didsbury Community and to become part of it.  Including the Didsbury Traders, we have now asked Carol Thompson to make the contact etc for future meetings and events.  Kennedy`s have also advised that they want to work with the Community, including the recurring functions of the Didsbury Festival, Carols and Lights and Didsbury Pride which were all discussed. The DCS have agreed to send a copy of a recent quotation received for carrying out a path upgrade in the Garden of Contemplation to bonded resin for the possibility of a funding donation.

3.Didsbury Heritage Area`s Signage

The DCS would like MCC to consider the use of illustrated directional street signage for the Library and Emmanuel Church area, St James Church the Old Parsonage area and the Milson Rhodes clock. The signs could be in the form of pointers with a silhouette of the building and its name etc.  This type of information could be similar to that used in the Heatons area. Gordon Browne suggested that there should also be an updating of the wording for the Rhodes clock, especially after its recent cleaning and door replacement. The current plaque and wording are quite high up on the Tower making it difficult to read and does not fully cover Rhodes life, and his work as a doctor and benefactor. The additional wording could now be at eye level and door mounted enabling the public to read it?

A discussion also followed regarding a notification received for the addition of an extra name to one of the Didsbury War Memorial name plates. To date nothing further has been heard about this addition. Importantly there has not been any follow up discussion with the community as to when this addition will take place, or should a re-dedication take place and whether the cost of this work is being met by a representative body?  

4. Old Parsonage Summer Fayre

Just to confirm that this will take place on the 21^st June 2026 from 11am to 4:30pm, with musical entertainment, stalls and catering.

5. Bunny’s Licensing Appeal

Attendees expressed concern and disappointment that this Appeal was allowed, especially the granting of the very late 3am weekend closing, with all of the potential problems that this brings to both a small area of Didsbury and its wider ripple effects during the clientele dispersal at closing time.

It was also advised by Kennedys that 3 apartments above their bar were still residentially occupied. As anticipated, prior to our meeting with the Kennedy`s Management team we were also asked if we knew why their licensed hours were less business beneficial than those which Bunneys now operate with. This was especially after the “planning approval hoops that they had to jump through” regarding their requested hours, the proposed external decorations and signage before their business opening. Including a very clear set of admission rules posted at their front entrance and operated by the door staff.

This was all contrary to the current metal Bunneys sign fixed across their front upstairs window, which could be a fire a hazard to both customers and staff.

 M1 Nails next door also still display their gaudy lilac neon style sign again affixed above their ground floor area, for which we understand there will be another formal Appeal.

Finance and Membership

HSBC Balance £19277.78

Any Other Business: None

Other discussion

We also had a longer than usual discussion list on the night, with the following being raised:

• Several members in attendance expressed their strong disappointment to the further delay in the Planning Dept rejecting the request for an external watering facility being supplied and installed in the library garden on the opposite side of the disability access path, and to the rear of the Dominos preparation room building. This would allow the feed pipe to exit the library underground under the garden border, under the path to a stand pipe and tap on a wooden post, ideally with a lock facility to avoid waste and mis-use. Is this too difficult to envisage and carry out?
• Importantly, the DCS understands that the library is a listed building but the building has the same status as The Old Parsonage, and Emmanuel Church both listed and have external taps for garden watering! The current situation of MCCs and Community investment along with the risk to Health and Safety appears to be being ignored, rather than granting permission for delivering a positive suggestion and solution. We look forward to a response on this question.    
• A question from the Bunny’s Bar Appeal, asking if there has been a change of direction to Licensing restrictions. It was also suggested that for new bars there should be an entry level standard for all new premises openings, making a level playing field on start-up. It was felt there was a lack of enthusiasm for opposing the application for the 3am closing, even with this bar being in a heritage area (and especially with the previously mentioned 3 occupied apartments still in use above Kennedys making it a residential area). 
• It was also reminded that there still remains a form of  frame work fastened to the front upstairs window of the building with a Bunny’s sign. This is surely a fire hazard.
•  It can also be seen that there also has been no action regarding the requested removal of the 1^st floor garish advertising signage on the M1 Nail Bar which again is in a heritage area.
• The ex- Wishing Well bar to the top end of Warburton Street continues to deteriorate with windows boarded up and now with the standard nonsensical graffiti daubing. Can we ask that MCC Enforcement write to the owners and insist it is removed within the next 10 working days? Their small car park is also being used for fly tipping. Though the good news is that the array of black bin bags and rubbish has now been removed again. Surely there is a duty of care to be applied by the actual owners of this site to pay regular regard to the surrounding area and to help the traders still trying to carry out legitimate business? Again, can MCC Enforcement be instructed to request that landlords play their part in keeping their land clean and tidy. Perhaps also updating the local traders of progress being made with potential tenants?
• Carol Willkinson advised that there is also a deterioration situation with the Artworks at the Parrs Wood Railway Bridge area. It was suggested that we perhaps contact the Friends of the Parrs Wood Railway station about the artwork and also the Friends of Mauldeth Road Railway Station who now also have artwork on display.
• The meeting was advised that we have received a Donation from Barratt Homes of £500 which will also go towards the proposed path upgrade in the Garden of Contemplation.
• We would remind the council that the DCS needs an update of their recent application for a NIF Grant for the Parrs Wood Pocket Park.
• There will also be a renewed chance during 2026 to re-enter the Grant Award cycle and we should be able to re-apply to Manchester Airport Trust and the Duchy of Lancaster for grant funds during this financial year.
• For the Heritage Open Weekend, it was suggested and agreed that this year`s opening night donations should be for the British Heart Foundation, who donated the red bench for the Parrs Wood Park and are doing great work resolving heart problems by innovation. They are regularly featured regularly on TV with their red benches and Grandparents and Grandchildren discussion situations. Our bench was for a young Didsbury man making the involvement even more local.
• Ian Johnson advised that in the Didsbury East Ward Plan under Place and Infrastructure there is “Explore, a junior PCSO scheme for road safety cycle proficiency for women and children” Has this proposal come about?

Yours sincerely, Mike Corlett (Chair)