The Old Parsonage Stenner Lane Didsbury Manchester M20 2RQ info@didsburycivicsociety.org 0161 445 7661

Areas of Interest

The Didsbury Plan

The Didsbury Plan has been devised by DCS and is a 3 year rolling plan to fulfil our aim of maintaining the quality of life for Didsbury Residents and keeping it as a viable business and retail centre. We are also incorporating Future Didsbury into the plan. The plan will be shared with members with feedback invited in January 2021.

Planning

We promote good planning policy which conserves the best of the present environment and ensures new development is of appropriate quality. We closely monitor Conservation Areas to make sure they are conserved, and if possible, enhanced.  We aim to ensure licensing applications adhere to current MCC policy and are appropriate for a residential district. We create new open spaces such as Jubilee Gardens and Stenner Lane Community Orchard.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/planning

Traders’ Association

A representative from DCS regularly attends the Didsbury Traders’ Association meetings. www.didsburytraders.co.uk

Didsbury East and West Ward Coordination Meetings

A representative from DCS regularly attends these meetings.  We receive information from the Council with regard to local issues such as parking, crime levels and environment and provide feedback.

The Old Parsonage

DCS was instrumental in securing a cost free lease from MCC for The Old Parsonage and provides a trustee to the Didsbury Parsonage Trust.  The Parsonage now functions as a community space providing art exhibitions for local artists, and classes ranging from singing to art, to yoga and meditation. The Parsonage hosts up to 20 weddings a year, its rooms can be booked for seminars, company away days and (at discounted rates) provides a place for local groups to meet.  Four of the rooms also serve as offices for small companies.  A number of events are held at the Parsonage, in which the DCS are involved such as an annual Community Garden Party and a Christmas Fair.

We support the ‘Friends of Fletcher Moss’and Parsonage Gardens‘ who maintain the gardens.

Didsbury Heritage Open Days (HOD)

Every year many significant buildings in Didsbury open their doors to the public for a weekend. ‘Didsbury Open Days’ is part of the national Heritage Open Days event. Free printed information is provided and some walking tours arranged. Talks are given by local historians. It is publicised by DCS and arranged by some of its members. Up to 17 venues have been open with up to 3000 people attending.

Social events

DCS arranges a number of social events.  We organise at least two outings per year to places of interest in the North West.  We also have commemorative social events. Trips are open to none members.

Trip to the World of Wedgwood (April 22)
Trip to St Georges Hall, Liverpool(September 22)

Local history

DCS promotes knowledge of local history as a means of understanding where we live and giving people a sense of place through their heritage. In the past, several self-guided guide books have been published by the Society and a number of talks given throughout the year.  We also take part in Manchester Histories Festival.  We encourage liaison with local schools and often take primary school parties around the Old Parsonage and St. James’ Church area.  The Old Parsonage holds an archive of historical documents and photographs on behalf of DCS.

Guided Tour of Castlefield

Support for other groups and events

DCS strongly supports ‘not-for-profit’ local groups to bid for council funds and can hold funds for them if they have no bank account. We can also help with useful contacts and any planning issues. We support the annual Didsbury Festival, Didsbury Pride, the Didsbury Car Show and many others.

Environment

The total environment is important to DCS so we involve ourselves wherever we can in everything from keeping Didsbury clean to green issues which affect our locality.  If you have any concerns about the environment including litter, graffiti and fly posting please contact  contact@manchester.gov.uk or your local councillor.