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 29^th 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 23^rd 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

Hopefully you are all keeping well, as we slowly emerge from the pandemic that has dominated our lives for the last 18 months.

Within this issue, you will see a number of references to the newly updated and recently issued DCS Didsbury Plan and Future Didsbury proposals for 2021, which has been written by, and contributed to, by both the trustees and members of DCS. Copies have been circulated to the senior management of Manchester City Council, including, Joanne Roney CEO, Sir Richard Leese Leader of the Council, Mayor Andy Burnham, Jeff Smith MP and our council representatives.

We have asked for a meeting with the council to update them on our plan, and discuss our future aspirations to make sure that Didsvury remains a great place to live, work and visit.

Our priority concerns within the plan include the visible and continuous deterioration of our roads and pavements, along with graffiti, fly posting, dilapidation and run down empty shop units, pavement parking and the unenforced local 20 and 30 mph limits. As well as pollution – and associated climate change – which is hindered by a lack of local legislation regarding streetside vehicle idling, local roadside collection of air samples, carbon capture programmes. We are especially keen to use the plan to improve the environment for our families, children and grandchildren. Who are encouraged to walk to school, but are then running the risk and enduring the roadside pollution at peak times.

The Future Didsbury proposals, which were largely proposed by final year students of the Manchester School of Architecture, contain some very clear suggestions as to how we can improve Didsbury centre reasonably easily. Most of the ideas require the will to change, which DCS very much supports, nevertheless, we recognise we need support of the council and additional funding… We will keep you posted on how the discussions progress and would welcome your comments and ideas.

Finally, thank you to all who contribute to this newsletter and items of interest. We should like to thank Nick Bundock who has given permission for an item from St James and Emmanuel Church Newsletter to be included within this edition.

Please have a good and safe summer.
Yours sincerely

THE NORTHERN LAWN TENNIS CLUB

The grass courts are open for play at The Northern – it must be summer! Thanks to major renovation of the turf last season and an unexpectedly warm spring, Head Groundsman, Des Ruchwaldy was able to open all nine grass courts from April 26th, a fortnight earlier than usual! It’s the traditional sign of summer for the club members – and this year it is an additional sign of hope for the beginning of the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

The Northern has had to close even its outdoor courts for nearly six of the last 14 months, with indoor facilities being even harder hit. But thanks to the support of loyal members, plus the grants available from government and sporting bodies, the Northern has survived and thrived, with scores of new members joining up, eager to get out of the house, get moving and get fit!

Founded in 1881, The Northern is one of the oldest lawn tennis clubs in the UK – in fact, one of the oldest in the world. The Northern Lawn Tennis Association was set up in 1879 – nine years before the National Lawn Tennis Association – with the object of staging a tournament to rival the new Wimbledon Tournament, launched just two years earlier.

The Club was originally situated in Old Trafford, eight miles from its current location, but as the century drew to a close, rapid industrialisation made tennis conditions difficult: “… new balls became black after only a few games and a collision with the stop netting caused a well-defined pattern of it to appear on one’s flannels,” one member complained.

The Clubhouse was duly dismantled and re-erected in leafy Didsbury in 1909. In 1936, two squash courts were added at the huge cost of £1,500, and a new era of racquet success was born at the Northern. The North of England Squash Championship was held at the Northern for the first time in 1949 and for 40 years, the Northern’s international tennis tournament was the biggest outside Wimbledon. Connors … McEnroe … Edberg … Sampras … Ivanesevic – they all played (and won!) at the Northern.

Today, the Club has 23 tennis courts – including clay, artificial, grass and indoor surfaces – six squash courts including two ‘glassbacks’ with exhibition seating, a recently refurbished gym, spacious exercise studio and a comfortable lounge bar and eatery. And it still boasts some international stars among the membership – Naomi Broady has won nine tennis singles titles and 19 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit; Squash Professional Julianne Courtice is currently ranked 30 in the world; co-Gym Manager Lisa Pilkington is a GB Powerlifting silver medal winner.

The range of facilities has presented a particular problem for the Club during the pandemic because each section has its own set of rules and restrictions to be followed, each one requires a new set of signage and a new risk report when the rules are tightened or eased. But also each one presented a new challenge – and a new opportunity – to keep members active and engaged. Exercise classes moved onto Zoom and squash coaches launched online fitness sessions. Long thought of as a traditional club, The Northern discovered a talent for thinking outside the box, or rather, outside and in the box – 2 metre square boxes to be precise, marked out on the grass for fresh air yoga. The classes were an instant hit: “Just like a yoga retreat!” exclaimed one delighted member, stretching in the sunshine.

Outdoor spin has been another success and continued on the covered area of the deck even in colder weather. “A lot of the members don’t want to come back inside now, even though we can,” said coGym Manager Lisa Pilkington as restrictions relaxed again recently. The Club has now invested in two large marquees to increase the covered area for both the classes and the Lawn Room bar. As soon as groups of six were allowed outside, Bar Manager Lee Wilde celebrated with the launch of Pizza Fridays and a new range of cocktails. Next on the menu, the ever-popular barbecues and of course the monthly Lawn Quiz.

The tennis teams are already in action and the North West Counties Squash League, which normally runs from September – March, is planning a Summer League to make up for lost time. The Gym has installed screens for safe operation as well as a range of new kit including weight plates, matting, lockers, a power half-rack and a deadlift platform.

Looking ahead, The Northern has plans to improve facilities right across the Club, increase court space and is actively considering the introduction of padel tennis, which has proved hugely popular across Europe. Like other businesses, The Northern has faced an enormously stressful and worrying year as it struggled to stay afloat through repeated closures and partial closures. But support from existing members saw it through and an influx of new members has contributed a fresh burst of energy.

Change: everyone can help – Jean a DCS Member has shown the way!

Who will fix my gas boiler?

Nudged by my eco-conscious daughter I asked for a quote for an air source heat pump. Slow to switch to a 100% green energy company – I overcame my inertia and moved away from gas successfully last month. Her home has Passivhaus standards – the house creates more energy than it needs – a battery stores electricity from solar panels to use at night, or sends it to the grid; underfloor heating from an air source heat pump; no letterbox, good insulation – all contributing to a greener future.

The Green Home Voucher Scheme helped me, although this was suddenly scrapped. Now I understand the finances, you can still apply to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive as the voucher amount was just deducted from this and paid upfront. Payments are made to reimburse part of the cost of green heating installation over seven years, investigate. It is worth it! You can find out more online here: https://www.gov.uk/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive

We all need to reduce CO2 emissions as the scary deadline of an overheated planet is approaching fast. The Climate Coalition is a large collection of concerned groups(RSPB/ WWF/ Friends of the Earth/WI etc.) and aims to increase climate awareness ahead of COP 26 in Glasgow in November. Check out https://greatbiggreenweek.com/ when communities will come together to create art, nature walks, climate cafe – plant-based meals, talks – all to inspire us to make big or small changes. Could groups share their ideas and come together to plan events locally to nudge us all to make Didsbury lives greener?

DCS SOCIAL TRIP Visit to Norstell Priory Wakefield

We are considering our next social trip to Norstell Priory for September 2020. Norstell Priory is one of the great houses of the North of England and is a National Trust Property. The main house was created by Sir Rowland Winn, 4th Baronet, as a replacement for an older house already on the site. Work started of the house in 1730 and was built in the Palladian Style, which was very popular in the early 18th century. The style was thought to express order and stability. The outing includes:
• the coach trip
• stopping in the morning at Batley Mill and Garden centre for a coffee and leisure break
• Included lunch at the Toby Carvery, Wakefield.
• Afternoon visit to Norstell Priory, house and gardens included

At this stage, no more than 24 people by coach (to be confirmed). If you are interested and want to be considered for a place on this trip please e mail to info@didsburycivicsociety.org When you e mail, state your full name, telephone number and how many places you would want.

Although we anticipate restrictions will be lifted, we are conscious that members may want to have the trip with restricted numbers on the coach and sit within their bubble. Should we be oversubscribed, we may explore a second trip/two coaches depending on finances. We will keep your name and send to you a letter late August or early September with more details.

Ghost Advert at Costa Coffee, Wilmslow Road

The project idea to have a wall mural above the terrace of Costa Coffee has provoked many comments. The people who were very much against the idea were opposed on the grounds of the loss of the existing heritage and historic interest of the old advertisements which they felt should be preserved.

Furthermore, the responses have also inspired further thinking about Didsbury’s culture and heritage. In this article, we wanted to share some of the comments DCS received in response to the project:
• I’d like to see a children-themed wall art. It would be lovely for the children in Didsbury grow up with this.
• …the idea of brightening up the street scene in Didsbury appeals I have to say but I have reservations about the position. The “ghost sign” admirers in the country are a growing band….
• I suggest a scene of processing with colourful flags/bunting, drums and other instruments. Celebrating the Didsbury Festival with a procession through the village in good community spirit!
• I assume that you aren`t intending to paint over the historic sign? This is a lovely feature in its own right?

The objectors (except for one), were not against murals as a way of brightening up and adding interest
to Didsbury but just felt that this was the wrong location. They made some very positive suggestions:

1. If there is to be a mural it should be on boards so as to retain the original wall. Furthermore, a photographic record should be kept. There could also be an information board sited near CC explaining the significance of the names on the wall.
2. Keep the advertising but enhance it and include an information board.
3. It might be appropriate to site the proposed DCS mural longitudinally, like the ‘Poppy Path’ mural, on the northern side of the School Lane, former railway, now tram, bridge. This would act as a welcome for visitors to Didsbury coming up from the tram stop. It could include buildings and it is suggested it should include some visual representation of Victorian school children, as School Lane is where the very first school was sited from 1860 to 1878.
   A zoom discussion was held with Shane Johnstone, sign writing expert, and a very useful discussion was had. Shane’s background is 30+ years in the industry and one of the last generations to serve an authentic apprenticeship in hand painted sign writing.

The discussion centred on whether the approach should be to conserve what is there, or as art to fade
in and out what is there. The following points were recorded at the meeting:
• A sign writer, in days gone by, would have his own patch and most likely would have been paid very little, sometimes just a pint.
• Preserving what is there is very tricky. Just to varnish over the ghost advert is not an option!
• It is a very expensive process to ensure that the brick material that is there will hold the work together.
• Different paints over time fade because of the weather and the quality of paint today is very different. The second paint protects the first, such that overtime, the most recent disappears and the oldest remains. The signs would have been repainted every decade or so, and each new painter would correct the perceived mistakes of their predecessor with adjustments to their own taste. This way the sign continually evolves as a piece of living folk art heritage.
• Although the original sign writer would not regard this as piece of art, none of the previous sign painters would object to this cycle continuing.
• The artistic value now is very high. English Folk Art is the next big thing……Though this ghost sign may well be of heritage value it is not protected.

DCS acknowledges that the existing or new landlord may come along and cover it over, paint or build upon the existing terrace. The French doors and lights inserted were done so without consideration of what was there in terms of heritage. Yes, there is a great opportunity to enhance what is there. The immediate action after the meeting was to work on a story board to find out the history of the shops before Costa Coffee. And to explore reproducing the artwork on a nearby wall possibly a new abstract. We have agreed to meet again via Zoom, most likely in August, to progress ideas.

SOUTH MANCHESTER U3A

If you’ve ever fancied learning to play the ukulele, study anglo-saxon and medieval history, get by in Welsh, join a friendly walking group, or find new friends to go on holiday with, South Manchester u3a (the University of the Third Age) may be the place for you.

The name could be taken as a bit of a misnomer as it is not actually a university as such, but with its motto of “Live, Learn and Laugh” South Manchester U3A offers older members of the community the opportunity to take part in over 30 different activities from the academic to the physical, so that clichéd phrase ‘something for everyone’ really does apply. Membership is open to everyone who is either retired or are only working part time. Membership costs just £15 a year and attendance at activities costs a mere £1 each time. Activities are taught on a voluntary basis to members by other members who have the relevant skill or knowledge, thus promoting the value of lifelong learning.

In South Manchester, there are informal groups learning Italian, French and Spanish, or you could join a craft group or singing for fun, play table tennis or badminton or even just go for a walk (when lockdown allows). If you want something more cerebral, you could find yourself discussing psychology or philosophy, or listening to and making music.

There’s a book group and a play reading group, as well as tai chi, get fit and walking activities. Other possibilities include art appreciation, table tennis, poetry, and creative writing. During the pandemic, many of these activities have continued on Zoom.

There are 13 u3as in Greater Manchester and it is often possible for members of one group to visit another. Indeed, as it is a worldwide organisation, u3a members can often visit groups in other countries as well. New members are always made very welcome. Membership includes an excellent quarterly magazine which can be read on paper or online. If this sounds like you, all you need to do is contact the membership secretary: Sue Trotter 07774 464866, smu3amembership@outlook.co

A great meeting with Stagecoach!

Both Mike, Chair of DCS and Mary, Secretary of DCS met with Stagecoach Directors. Matt Kitchin, Operations Director and Ross Stafford, Head of Delivery. We had a great Zoom meeting with Stagecoach about….what else…
but buses! Strategically, DCS is interested in addressing issues, such as, diesel v electric v hydrogen buses, a more thought through terminus and transport hub at East Didsbury, that puts the safety of cyclists, bus, trains and tram
users first! Above all else, DCS wants to be listened to and consulted on changes.

This was an important meeting as DCS wants to engage with other agencies about important matters that affect Didsbury. The buses that travel through Didsbury has been a very important subject and feature in our Didsbury Plan. We need transport through Didsbury centre to ensure a thriving and accessible Didsbury to all. Some say the buses are too expensive, others say there are not enough buses connecting East and West. Certainly, pre-pandemic, we had buses running through Didsbury Centre every 10 minutes with three arriving at once on occasions. Indeed, as the buses were close to the terminus at East Didsbury they were running empty of users as many get off at Withington. Why do we have so many double deckers during off peak times?

The meeting with Matthew and Ross gave an insight into how this particular bus company has managed through the Pandemic. Certainly a much reduced service was available during the pandemic with central government monies used to Monday 21st June 2021 to fund essential wages, fuel with the charitable works stopping. By April 2021, the service use was about 60% and by Autumn 2021 the service users will be back to pre-pandemic times, running at 80 to 90 percent. There has been a noticeable reduction of buses to the airport as airport staff jobs were lost. What was interesting is that Stagecoach are not allowed to change bus timetables, even bus shelters or undertake commercial innovation without discussion and approval of TfGM Bus Service Committee. PreCovid, any changes took about 10 weeks to consult with any changes. 10 weeks to consult and get a decision.

Just when we wanted to ask for a bus shelter outside the Digby House, Johnnie Johnston flats at Fog Lane!
We shall pick our moment to raise this issue ……… What was good to hear, was the frustration shared by
Stagecoach on the lack of planning and forward-thinking by agencies and influencers of transport. An East
Didsbury Transport Hub would be great. Hydrogen run buses would be great. Climate change concerns should
underpin future transport planning. To end the meeting, we did say that DCS would like to be consulted on changes and that we could ask the wider community in Didsbury to join any local focus group when required. We agreed to meet again in September to discuss the buses. Please let us know if you want to join in the discussion. A copy of the Didsbury Plan 2021 is on its way to Stagecoach too.

Vaccination Centre

NHS England have approved Emmanuel Church as a Covid-19 vaccination centre. The set up began to administer the first vaccines on Monday 24th May. The centre eases an M20 ‘black hole’ in provision and will administer 200 vaccines a day until July/August. There is little doubt that there will be a degree of disruption as more people seek to use an
already busy site. Here are a few things you might want to know:
• Eight car parking spaces will be permanently reserved for patients.
• The car park will be monitored and controlled by volunteers to ease access in and out during operating hours – up to 8pm.
• To avoid embarrassment don’t use the car park for shopping in Didsbury – you will be asked! Using the carpark for parish business, Home Cafe or groups in the Parish Centre/No.6 are perfectly acceptable uses of the carpark.
• However, please consider walking/cycling or parking responsibly elsewhere.
• If there are spare vaccines at the end of the day a message will be broadcast so that you can add your name to a ‘reserve list’.
• There will be no vaccines administered on Sunday mornings and the car park will be fully available.
• There will be vaccinations administered from No.6 on Sunday afternoons but at a lower level.
• Home Cafe will be open as normal throughout this period.

Despite all this I’m sure that you are as proud as I am that we can play a small part in the national vaccination programme so let’s be kind and understanding towards the many patients, NHS staff and volunteers who will be on site from May 17th.
The photo below is Ali (vaccine centre manager) and Nick scoping the site this week…

High Sheriff’s Young Citizen of the Year

An 18-year-old from the parish of St Catherine of Siena in Didsbury has been recognised as Young
Citizen of the Year in the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester’s awards, for his digital efforts throughout the pandemic.

After the first lockdown, Matthew Montgomery moved all the parish Masses from St Catherine’s onto YouTube so that people could remain connected to their faith through the pandemic. Over the last year, Matthew has singlehandedly edited videos, as well as recording audio from the Mass, including: Music, Readings, Acclamations, Psalms, Prayers, and of course pictures of the Children who have created art which is normally part of ‘little church’. When asked why he chose to support the parish, Matthew said: “The main reason I was motivated to help the Parish is because our community has always helped each other, and I felt as though it was my turn to restore some normality into people’s lives as we all dealt with the pandemic in our own way.

There are stories in the world where religion has helped people in difficult and uncertain times so I knew many people would benefit from it. It was also good for me to learn a new skill which is video editing, I had only been teaching myself for a couple of months! It allowed me to learn the skills at an exponential rate. I also learnt that my true calling in life was creating videos.”

170 videos later, and Matthew’s contributions have been far-reaching. The parish have received messages from people as far away as America: “A woman wrote to us to say that we managed to make her feel a part of the community even though she has never been to our church, seen or talked to our priests or parishioners! I never thought it would have this impact.

I feel honoured to know that people value the work I put in and to know that I was picked out of thousands of applicants across Manchester is mind blowing. I never set out to get recognition for doing something as simple as giving back to the community and people that I have surrounded myself with my whole life.

Eamonn O’Neal DL, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, added: “As Her Majesty’s High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, I wanted to recognise and acknowledge the young people who are making positive impacts upon their communities through these difficult times.

Matthew is one of those people. In the early part of lockdown, he used his knowledge and expertise to provide the technology for online Masses, realising how important this service was to keep people connected, offer them hope, and to serve their spiritual needs. He has also been making videos to maintain contact between the clergy and parishioners. He did all this – and more – whilst studying for A-levels at college. He is also a dedicated member of the
parish Scout group where he enjoys taking on more and more leadership roles. Matthew’s efforts have been selfless and extremely impressive. This is a fine example of faith in action, and he deserves this High Sheriff Award and our many congratulations.”

Milson Rhodes Clock

Here is an update on The Milson Rhodes Clock and Cenotaph.

The Rhodes Clock cleaning was part of a package of memorials that were cleaned in the city towards the end of the financial year. The cleaning was completed by CBS conservation. CBS were chosen from a tender of 3 companies. Their work is of a very high standard. Please see the link to their website for some further information about their company for your interest: http://www.cbsconservation.co.uk/

The Rhodes Clock was steam cleaned using the doff system, the plaques were purged of moisture, selectively patinated with a potassium polysulphide mix, hot waxed and then buffed with microfiber cloths. With regards to the new door on the clock tower we are working with Halcyon and our planning team. We are looking at this work as soon as
possible.

We are awaiting further feedback from the War Memorials Trust on our grant funding before we can start works to the Didsbury War Memorial. It is estimated to be around June/July. It will be Halcyon Conservation working on this memorial. This work is expected to entail:
• To clean the war memorial
• To remove plaques and access the corrosion to the reverse
side/apply protective coatings
• To replace lost letter fills to incised bronze plaques

DCS are especially pleased to have the Cenotaph Cleaned ready in its Centenary year.

Didsbury Civic Society trustees meet monthly with members to discuss business as usual as well as a number of additional special projects. There are lots more to come but for now we are able to report recent achievements as follows:
• Persistent progress with the Realms Officer, MCC has resulted in The Milson Rhodes Clock being cleaned
• The Cenotaph commemorating 100 years this June/July will be cleaned. This has been paid for 50% by DCS through grants and 50% match funding from the War Memorial Trust. Total £3,400
• Renovation of the bus stop bench Cost £690 Funded by DCS. Thanks to Sam du Prez Didsbury carpenter
• Insertion of a new DCS noticeboard is imminent at Didsbury Library – Thanks to Mike`s perseverance. Cost £1800 which includes a 50% grant funding plus installation costs
• Completion of The Didsbury Plan in conjunction with Future Didsbury and Didsbury Traders Association. Copies of this have been circulated and you are asked to email to friends and family. A copy is on the DCS-Website

• A successful meeting with Southway Housing to support planting of a shrub in memory of Jim Leeming, DCS President of many years. Furthermore, as Southway Housing own the Jubilee Gardens land they have agreed to provide more support in keeping this area free from litter. We are also exploring a new DCS Noticeboard at this side of the Didsbury centre or a wall-based noticeboard.
• A successful meeting with Stagecoach to forge greater links with them. This should result in DCS Members being consulted and used as a focus group for future bus changes and feedback to Stagecoach services.

What Now & What’s Next

The positive news is that we are progressing further forward along the ‘road map’ to freedom and we hope that new variants can be contained physically and by the ongoing vaccination timetable. In the previous Future Didsbury article, our sense of community becoming stronger was highlighted, and it’s beginning to look like the ‘bounce-back’ is actually happening! Right now the children are back at school and some people are back behind their desks in their offices, our shops are opening again and we can sit and freeze outside the pub if we fancy a pint or a G&T, although we can choose to sit inside if you don’t mind taking a risk of catching ‘the dreaded’, especially if you are planning a holiday at the moment!

Like many organisations, Future Didsbury has been forced to reduce its level of activity but now is the time to reignite the project! Soon we will have some good news to share in the context of a new facility to Didsbury, a facility which is a rarity in most towns and villages in the country and capable of delivering ‘life-changing’ opportunities. Future Didsbury hopes to be able to explain further in the next DCS newsletter article!

Residents of Didsbury will soon be made aware of a document which notes the aspirations of DCS for the Future of Didsbury. It equates to a ‘plan of action’ and is to be shared with Manchester City Council (MCC) and any other body or organisation likely to assist as we attempt to make the village centre become the focal point of most community activities in combination with the various voluntary groups we have. To this we must add the area around Burton Road which is an amazing hive of activity! Recent years have seen a great explosion of venues and the popularity is plain for all to see by the numbers that congregate (BC, Before Covid).

It is good to hear that Withington is to benefit from MCC investing in Withington Regeneration Partnership! This is great news for the residents and businesses of Withington and an example of much needed support being provided to finally stem the steady decline of the fabric of Withington. DCS and Future Didsbury hopes to be able to mirror the pathway which has led to this initial investment as fears grow around the viability of some businesses due to the shifting trend away from the high streets and, more specifically, the virtual absence of policing around Didsbury which has become a major concern.

So, some hope for the future with the ‘big reveal’ hopefully in the next issue…
Phil Downs, MBE

It is with great sadness that we advise that Jim Leeming, the President of the DCS, has passed away peacefully at the home of his son Mike.  Jim served the DCS for many years, always giving a lovely opening speech at our public AGMs at the Old Parsonage.  He always had words of encouragement during the proceedings, usually from the right hand of the Chair.  Until recently he also attended the Planning and Licensing meetings. Jim will be sadly missed and when we get back to attending meetings, they will not be the same without him.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mike and his family at this time.

Mike Corlett, Chair DCS

A New Project!

In this newsletter the DCS has listed a number of ideas and projects that we’d like to hear from you about. One of our projects is wall art above the Costa Coffee terrace in Didsbury and we are delighted to say we have the permission of the landlord to carry this out.  It would be great to receive ideas from Members on the following themes for the wall art.

Broadly DCS wants to depict one of the following:

1) Green theme – birds, bees, butterflies, uplifting meadow scene – vibrant colourful scene

2) Abstract of school children, as the wall art will be on School Lane – again a vibrant colourful scene

3) Historical nature of Didsbury, abstract art of key buildings of historical interest – again vibrant colourful scene

Overhead will be the message: ‘Welcome to Didsbury Village’ or ‘Didsbury Village’   

Have you got any creative ideas on the above? Then email us at: info@didsburycivicsociety.org

Mary Christie, Secretary to DCS

Membership Subscriptions for 2021 – A Big Thank You!

A big thank you to all those who paid their subscriptions by the end of January 2021. This helps enormously in planning the year`s finances, to keep DCS running, and also greatly assists the administration of the Membership list. We do not hear from a number of Members despite emails, letters and postcard reminders. We are currently auditing the Membership list and non-payment of subscriptions by the end of March at the very latest will result in deletion of these Member`s details. This currently excludes Life Members and those Members that have replied to emails already sent. This also excludes those who joined in late Autumn and have set up their bank transfers accordingly.

A gentle reminder too, please let us know if you change your email address and/or home address.

Fletcher Moss Park

Message from Friends of Fletcher Moss and Old Parsonage Gardens

The third Coronavirus lockdown has curtailed regular volunteer activities in the Park and Parsonage Gardens. However, dedicated people continue to venture forth with their own gardening equipment during their daily exercise to ensure that the gardens are ready for Spring. Despite the cold and wet weather there is still colour with winter iris, hellebores and snowdrops appearing. We eagerly await the flowering of the polyanthus in the lower bed of the Parsonage Garden and the bulb lawn in the park. (As well as the roll out of the Covid vaccine to all adults!!).

Whilst the Parsonage Garden has largely survived the increase in visitor numbers undamaged, the same cannot be said of Fletcher Moss Park. Grassed areas near the café and to the side of pathways have become seas of mud after increased footfall and visitors attempting to socially distance. Children have found climbing in the rockery to be great fun, but they have damaged plants.

Whilst such damage is a problem in parks and walking areas around the country, Officers from Manchester City Council and The Friends of Fletcher Moss Park and Parsonage Gardens will be considering ways in which the park can recover in the Spring. We would caution people who visit to do all they can to avoid walking where grass once grew and not let their children or grandchildren climb in the rockery. We suggest wearing wellies and using designated footpaths only. Please take children into Stenner Woods for climbing activities.

DCS ideas for projects

A list of the DCS priotiy projects in the local area are listed below. Projects marked with a red asterisk *are being pursued by DCS Trustees for funding. If there’s any way you can support these projects – please let us know at: info@didsburycivicsociety.org

1. The cleaning of Didsbury Library building*

2. The cleaning and repair of the Cenotaph and the Milson Rhodes clock tower*

We are pursuing sources of funding to ensure cleaning of the cenotaph as a priority for 2021.

3.  A new DCS wall art on the Costa Coffee Agreed by the Landlord. A DCS Trustee is   contacting Costa Coffee NW Director too. A panel is being devised to take this project forward.

4. The provision/repair one wooden bench for bus waiters close to 328 Fog Lane and the provision of a bus shelter bus stop (Johnnie Johnson flats, Fog Lane). Quote has been obtained for repair of this bench. DCS finding out who owns this bench. We are “fingers crossed” ensuring renovation soon!

5. A new additional DCS noticeboard in the Jubilee Gardens area of Didsbury Centre* Ordered and will be installed soon!

6. The repair of the iron veranda over shops near the East Didsbury railway station.

7. Installation, of lamp post flame cut style flag banners with “Keep Didsbury Clean” and “Welcome to Didsbury” etc.

8. HODs initiative to create an online virtual tour of the buildings*

9. Water butt/tap/electric socket from Didsbury Library for use by DIB volunteers* Proceeding! Separately awaiting information from MCC about the water butt.

10. Ideas for Tesco/Kingsway triangle green space.

11. Ideas for the public toilets at Barlow Moor Road, including a franchise funded facility.

12. Installation of a Defibrillator for a 24/7/365 service Quotes received late 2020 and is being discussed by the DCS Trustees

13. Provision of Didsbury Public Toilet facility*

14. Provision of additional disabled access parking facilities (Wilmslow Road) * DCS Trustees have recently walked Wilmslow Road with Councillors which highlighted that  Traffic regulation orders in some areas are out of date/incorrect

Articles from our Members

Every quarter we hear from local people about matters they care about, issues they want to engage you on, and articles that provide an insight into something going on in our local area

Plans announced for statue of RSPB founder Emily Williamson

Emily Williamson founded what became the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in 1889. She was working from her home at The Croft at the time. Fast forward to 2021 and the ground floor of the house is now the very popular Alpine Tea Rooms in Fletcher Moss Park.

Now Civic Society Life Member Andrew Simcock is leading a campaign to create a statue of Emily. This follows on from his successful Our Emmeline project which culminated in the 2018 unveiling of the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst in St Peter’s Square. The RSPB is funding the initial design competition.  Twenty three sculptors from Tuscany to New York, Glasgow to Brighton, and one in Didsbury, expressed an interest in the project.

From these a longlist of twelve were selected. Over 6,000 people then voted for their four favourite designs that they wanted to see progress to the shortlist.

The four shortlisted sculptors are Billie Bond, Clare Abbatt, Eve Shepherd and Laury Dizengremel.

For more detail on their designs go to www.emilywilliamsonstatue.com/sculptorsshortlist

Chair of The Friends of Fletcher Moss Park, Alan Hill, has now visited all five potential sites in the park where the statue could be sited. Given the flooding issues in the lower sections the statue would be based somewhere in the upper level of the park. To see the locations and vote for your favourite go to  https://twitter.com/EmilyStatue

The shortlisted designs will be announced at a major event in the summer timed to coincide with the centenary of the 1921 Plumage Act. The statue itself is scheduled to be unveiled on 17^th April 2023; Emily’s 168^th birthday. For more detail on any aspect of the statue project please contact Andrew on andrew4didsbury@gmail.com

The Road to Freedom!

It’s fair to say that Covid-19 has provided a shock around the globe. In Western Europe and North America, we’ve had the benefit of the science and everything else that goes with it. What we haven’t had is good leadership but who could honestly say it could have been done differently, we simply don’t know. The good news is the vaccines seem to be working and no doubt further developments will ensue; the treatment of Covid-19 is improving as the medics learn more but what we don’t know is what will happen when we get to the end of this particular stretch of road as prescribed in the Prime Minister’s roadmap.

We seem to be being nudged in the direction of ‘accepting’ the overall Covid-19 situation as a risk that we’ll always have. When we were told ‘no more lockdowns’ Future Didsbury reads that as ‘you’ll have to learn to live with it’.  Whether or not this interpretation is accurate remains to be seen, however, there is good reason to assume we need to be out there as soon as possible supporting our local trades people and the organisations that hold our community together. ‘Community’ has been an essential part of the Covid-19 landscape. Time and time again the willingness of traders and volunteers comes to the fore. Future Didsbury believes that one element of the way forward is adding more emphasis to our community groups and societies but the other part of the equation equates to the local elections which are due to be dropped on us fairly soon, Thursday 6th May! 

The political landscape is changing as much as Covid-19 in the sense of politicians becoming more and more tested and questioned in the face of global corporations flexing their muscles, eg, Australia v Facebook.  In this single party dominated Manchester insufficient room is left for alternative points of view which implies we are stranded amongst politicos who don’t need to deliver. We would assert that Didsbury residents would like equal consideration of investment funding as other city council wards.

So, feel free to ask the question, what is the councils plan for improving Didsbury, and will the council adopt The Future Didsbury proposal? Phil Downs MBE

The VINE Project

Helping Vulnerable Children In Need of Education

12 years ago, with a small group of volunteers, I set up the Vine Project to support children in an AIDS-ravaged South African township. I first went to South Africa as a teenager in the ‘60s, and have been many times since, but following a number of meetings and coincidences I found myself in 2002 sitting in KwaZulu, Natal with a group of Grandmothers living in dire circumstances, trying to work out how I could help them. They were inheriting their orphaned grandchildren (up to 11) having lost their own children to AIDS. I had just retired and this was my opportunity to put something back into the country that I had come to love.

We first began by helping the grandmothers access grants, organised workshops and bought their Zulu jewellery to sell, giving them an income. In 2008, having made contact with the schools in the township, we were made aware of orphaned children hanging on the railings outside the schools, desperate to get in but without the means and support they need. That’s when Vine was born!!!

We still support the Grannies, but now, our emphasis is on education. It has not been easy. The children, often living alone or in sibling groups, need food, uniform and resource to enable them to get to school. They know that with the support we give them this is their big, if not their only, chance and they grab it with both hands.

At times it has been an uphill struggle. There are often issues dealing with very complicated bureaucracy, riddled with corruption and systems that don’t work. Also, there are some young people who struggle to cope with life outside the township when they go off to college or university. However, taking all this into consideration our project is a real success story. This year we have our 14th youngster at university doing a degree. Also 4 who graduated in very worthwhile subjects. We have a young man, Ntokozo, who dreamed of being a pilot and having got a degree in Geography and the Environment went on to get funding and get his pilot’s license. Another youngster. Msizi, is doing an internship as he finishes his degree in Electrical Engineering and hopes to set up his own company. These were young people who when we first met them were not even attending school properly.

As you can imagine the pandemic has had a big impact on the work we do. The talks we do and the outlets where we sell the Zulu jewellery have dried up.  We have not been able to visit for over a year and I can’t see us getting out in the near future. The needs of the children have changed. We have had to make sure all the university students have computers so that they can work remotely. The children need hand sanitisers and mobile phones so that the ones living remotely and who can’t come into school (they are closed) can keep in touch.

Nonkululeko a young lady who we have supported through school and university and now has a degree in Social Welfare is working for us. She knows first-hand how our project works and is looking after everything in the township in our absence.

Our hope has always been that the South Africans will start to look after their own. We have set up the model and shown that hard work and determination can pay off. The youngsters now know how to access the grants that they are entitled to and the older ones have learnt the importance of mentoring and supporting the younger ones. There are now youngsters who have a solid education and a chance to improve their hopes for the future. We have already made a big difference.

For more information visit our website www.thevineproject.org.uk or find us on Facebook.

Street graffiti – we need your help!

DCS has made contact with Openreach and Virgin Media to provide them both with a list of green cabinets that require cleaning and ridding of graffiti. Mike and Mary walked from Parrswood to Lapwing Lane photographing and numbering each box that requires cleaning. Having undertaken this exercise, we are now in a position to report graffiti incidences and share this information with Didsbury in Bloom (DiB), it is great to work on such issues collaboratively. Whilst we have asked Openreach to go through an area with certain postcodes provided, it would be most helpful if you could find a box near you and report it to Openreach or Virgin Media accordingly. Both companies like to receive a picture, any number on the box and also the address with postcode to identify location. Information below was sent by Openreach.

Nearby, the cabinet on the footway or carriageway will be a jointing box which will have 1, 2 or 3 lids, if the lid(s) are labelled BT, British Telecom, PO, PO Telephones or GPO (see below) then the cabinet is almost certainly an Openreach cabinet.

However, if the lids are labelled Cabletel, NTL, Telewest, Colt, CW etc. the cabinet is unlikely to be an Openreach cabinet.

Openreach cabinets if numbered will be either a 1, 2 or 3-digit number (i.e. – 3, 57 or 126), some may be number digit/digit (i.e. – 6/2).

Didsbury streets: our streets looking rundown – will the owners do the right thing? If there is one near you please report. Details below

A brief history of the 2/241^st Manchester (St Catherine of Siena) Scout Group since 1988.

Since 1988, the numbers involved in St Catherine’s Scout Group have increased steadily when there were only 20 Cubs and 9 Scouts.  Walter Gallagher returned as Group Scout Leader until his death in 1994, whereupon Harold Thomas, an ex-Scout from St Catherine’s in the 1950s and a parent, took over from Walter for the next fifteen years. The Beaver Scout Colony opened for the first time at St Catherine’s in 1994 and has greatly helped to increase the numbers of children attending – the biggest change apart from Beavers was allowing girls to join. Girls had been allowed to join Venture Scouts in 1976 but the Scout movement only allowed girls into all sections from 1991 – St Catherine’s made the decision to go fully co-ed in 1997.

In the late 1990s, the Scout Association rearranged the ages and number of sections from 4 to 5 whilst totally revamping the uniform from the very unflattering mushroom brown adult uniform and obligatory beret to a much more modern navy-blue shorts/trousers and turquoise blue top for the Beavers, dark green top for the Cubs and shorts and dark green shirts for the Scouts. The leaders kept a much nicer shade of brown! At St Catherine’s now we have a strong Beaver Colony of over 30 children meeting on a Monday, 30 – 40 Cubs on a Wednesday and over 20 Scouts on a Tuesday (a big change for the Scouts who used to meet on Fridays). The total membership of the Group is consistently over 100 and makes us one of the largest in our area – the only way to grow from here is to open new Section.

The longest serving current leader in the Group is Shane Nolan, who finally stood down as Cub Scout Leader after 26 years to become Group Scout Leader at the end of 2016 – Shane has been in the Group since he became a Cub in 1979 and became an Assistant Cub Scout Leader in 1988. In 1997, Stephen Gallagher (Walter Gallagher’s son) stepped down as Scout Leader, and Tom Johnston took over – a role he continues to hold 21 years later. A chance conversation with Kathy Petty, whilst she was dropping off her son at Scouts led to Kathy taking over as Beaver Scout Leader in 2001, otherwise the section would have had to close due to lack of leaders – Kathy is still going strong 17 years later. Since 2016, the Cub Scout Pack has been led by Edwina Wilson-Salt, a leader in Stockport since 2006 and joined us in 2015. The last history mentioned a lack of leaders and whilst we currently have over 10 adults regularly involved in weekly meetings, however, we cannot ensure our future without new faces.

Away from the weekly meetings, our Scout Group has been supported by an Executive Committee of Mike Leeming, our Group Chair who took over from Paul Chidgey in 2010. Paul has been chair since Harold Thomas’s appointment as Group Scout Leader in 1994. Tim Royle took over as Group Treasurer from Anne Griffin in 1994 and even though his son has long left he continues to keep an eye on the purse strings to this day. Karen Bennett has been Group Secretary since 2010. We have been fortunate to have had the help of many parents over the years.

In 1993, our Scout Troop accompanied by Father McGarry, travelled to Rome to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the first trip where our Papal flag was blessed by Pope John Paul II – although a very successful trip in many ways including two Papal audiences it was marred by the theft of the 60-year-old Papal Flag on the last day of the trip!

Since the trip to Rome our Group has been very fortunate to go to two World Scout Jamborees, the 18^th in Holland in 1995 as participants and the 22^nd in Sweden in 2011 as visitors. Overseas trips have also taken place at the International Scout Centre at Kandersteg in Switzerland and several visits to both Northern Ireland and the Republic – this shows the commitment of the leaders to give the many children attending the same outdoors experiences as envisioned by the Founder of the Movement, Robert Baden-Powell (Chief Scout) when the Scout movement was founded in 1907.

Although we have modernised in many ways, we are still proud of our heritage and long sponsorship by the Parish. Our new Parish Priest, Father Hitchen, has determined to allocate new storage under the church to help.  The children continue to be given every opportunity to develop as young people allowing them to make a positive contribution to society. The aim for them now is to gain their Chief Scout Award. Since the last history in 1988, over 400 children have been members of the Scout Group from the Parish of St Catherine’s, it is always good to hear of their successes in life and hopefully we have managed to contribute in some measure, they are always welcome to come back and join in.

GMP are engaging with local communities. Mike Corlett, Chair of DCS posed a few written questions to John Picton from GMP. Here is what he had to say…

Why do GMP not provide details of the actual clear up rate for crimes to accompany the rates and occurrences of crime?

I am currently in the processes of collating data regarding crimes, with the aim of producing figures on a regular basis. 

Why did GMP appear to condone the drug dealing activities which were taking place at the Ex- Limes property on Wilmslow Road Didsbury which appeared to be common knowledge. There was also an insulting banner displayed (ACAB) at which residents took discomfort at.

GMP does not condone drug dealing activities. Incidents are assessed on a threat, harm and risk basis. Our response to drug dealing is intelligence led. We gather information and intelligence. Whenever possible we take positive action, obtain warrants and conduct searches. I cannot elaborate on specific premises or individuals, however, if there is insufficient intelligence and evidence, a warrant will not be obtained. It is unlikely that pursuing a prosecution regarding the banner would have resulted in a conviction. This comment relates to The Limes squatter incidence.

Why does GMP allow the high levels of civil damage to take place in the form of graffiti. Especially when preparators leave their TAGs e.g. MACA which appears from Cheadle to Withington on street furniture.

Graffiti is obviously criminal damage, however, identifying the offenders is difficult unless they are caught in the act. I have limited resources and as I have stated, incidents are resourced according to threat, harm and risk. If intelligence is received regarding specific offenders committing the criminal damage, this can be followed up. I have not received any such information.

Are there still any PCSO`s in Didsbury. We appear to have gone from the ever present and well known PCSOs who used to patrol the Didsbury area to a situation of we have not seen a PCSO for several months?

There are still PCSO’s in Didsbury. GMP staff have been affected by COVID just the same as all members of the public. COVID illness and requirements for staff to isolate has at times reduced numbers of available PCSO’s to patrol. Those on duty have had to patrol larger areas. As we hopefully come out of the COVID situation, PCSO’s will be out and about as usual in their designated areas.

Why are GMP not Covid-19 active in Didsbury, visiting and marshalling the local parks and the Mersey Valley (especially with car drivers parking and manoeuvring in large numbers on Stenner Lane to walk the valley) which are already very overcrowded with walkers, runners, cyclists and dog owners, passing and re-passing on walks, cyclists passing in twos and threes, people congregating with takeaway coffee in hand. Including the overcrowding of the very confined children`s playgrounds.

GMP have been active regarding COVID 19. We have had both duty time and specific operational staff out and about engaging with the public and where necessary using enforcement measures, issuing penalty tickets and closing premises.

Will GMP take action against the use of electric scooters, around the public spaces of Didsbury at speeds well in excess of the stated 15mph (presumably rechipped/ remapped to go faster. Especially those riding two up, with no helmets, on public roads and pavements. Also using them in public parks probably without licenses or insurance etc.

Scooters are an ongoing problem and again enforcement is intelligence led. We have seized numerous scooters and will continue to do so.

If the police do police with public consent – why are the public not consulted on what they would actually like to be targeted?

Online Q & A sessions are a new way of liaising and consulting with the public. Hopefully we will continue to use this format and as we come out of the pandemic, we will return to attending public meetings.

When will GMP start to crack down on speeding drivers seriously exceeding the 20mph limit on the local Didsbury roads otherwise the whole exercise was a serious waste of money, changing bylaws, road markings and pavement signage. When issues have been raised with MCC we are told by them that its GMPs responsibility. There is also no clear reporting process for such matters.

We are aware of issues with speeding in and around the area. These areas form part of our daily patrol plans. We regularly conduct speeding initiatives including the use of speed guns in speeding hotspots. The community can really assist in relation to this issue too. Where vehicles are witnessed driving erratically or at speed please record registration details and forward the information on 101 or by email to the local neighborhood team, information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

June Newsletter

The next DCS Newsletter will be issued at the end of June 2021. The deadline for articles is Friday 28^th May 2021 and all articles will be reviewed by the editorial team prior to print. We want to hear your stories and interests. Please send details to info@didsburycivicsociety.org

Didsbury Civic Society – Volunteers Needed!

With all of our work we need help. Volunteers are welcome for a wide area of interests, such as, local history, marketing and communications. If you are wanting to enhance your CV then we will give you the experience. Look at our website too for what we do and where you may want to help: www.didsburycivicsociety.org

Gift Aid Recovery of Membership fees and Donations

Dear Members,

Further to the Gift Aid article which appeared in the June 2020 Newsletter, could we please remind you that it is vital that you complete a paper copy of our authorisation form to allow us to reclaim any tax rebate allowable against your contributions each year. It is important that we hold a form wherever possible, whether you are either a Life Member or an Annual Member, even to simply cover the possibility of any irregular contribution made. Thank you to those individuals for completing a form.

However, the absence of a form makes the reclaim administration harder for the trustees to maximise our revenue. All extra funds collected are greatly appreciated at this time to finance new projects and equipment. Plans for new projects will be announced in our next Newsletter. In the meantime, Members ideas will be considered by e mailing info@didsburycivicsociety.org

Please contact us for the form.

Your sincerely, Mike Corlett Chairman DCS

Didsbury in the Past

The Didsbury Civic Society will shortly have a brand new website. We will be including old postcards for sale of Old Didsbury and also other Merchandise including bags for life! Watch this Space!

Graffiti and Fly Posting

The DCS is concerned at the increased levels of graffiti and flyposting which are visible around Didsbury and its village area. We are not alone in this view with another local ward registering their concern also. Currently it appears to be acceptable even when reported under the MCC CRM process for its removal to not be carried out for long periods of time. It clearly degrades our communal surroundings and we would encourage all our members to report any issues to the council to expedite removal. Recent instances of outbreaks include the Old Parsonage, BT green street furniture, lamp posts, the library area and a derogatory banner at the ex-Limes Nursing Home along with the comings and goings which also took place.

Flyposting is also very prevalent with posters being strongly glued to resist removal and weather degradation allowing their remaining in place for very long periods. Let`s get Didsbury clear of these problems.

Thank you all.

Fabric of our Village Life

Whilst there continues to be focus, and rightly so, on ensuring Covid compliance with traders and businesses and keeping our community safe, we should not neglect unsightly disrepairs.  Why are these still not being addressed? Repairs required at Parrswood Tesco area. Are you reporting these through the City Council website.

We have been successful in removing the huge logs left by tree cutters outside of the Old BT building and now under Open Reach. We are pursuing rigorously Open Reach to at last cut the grass in front of this building. Another Trustee is pursuing the higher echelons to improve the doors Didsbury Post Office (e mail sent late August to the Post Office), to allow better access to non-abled persons and also individuals with prams.

Exciting news, Didsbury Police Station has been sold and the legal process of sale is just going through as we go to print. DCS will be in contact with the new owner to discuss their plans.

Didsbury Women`s Institute

The generally held view of the Women’s Institute is that of cake-baking, jam-making and knitting – and whilst it’s true, some of our Didsbury WI members are very good at that sort of thing, we also enjoy getting together to socialise, get out and about, and learn something new and interesting from the speakers that we have at our monthly meetings.  In the last year we’ve had flamenco, African drumming, talks on foraging, a lovely hearing dog for the deaf and many more.  Like everyone else, due to Covid-19 we’ve had to suspend our physical meetings until better times return, so the magician, soap-making, flower arranging and singing which we had planned, will have to wait. 

During the depths of lockdown our committee made a telephone tree and we called all our members to make sure they were ok and although we’ve missed getting together we’ve continued our monthly meetings by zoom as have our craft group and book group. 

We’ve also started our outings again and have organised a picnic and a trip to Elizabeth Gaskell’s house – slowly and carefully trying to get back to a semblance of ‘normal’ taking into account the continuing situation. Many of our members live alone so the social aspect of our WI is important.

As lockdown has eased, some of our ladies have been meeting at Fletcher Moss park for a weekly alfresco, socially-distanced coffee and chat, and it’s been great to see each other ‘in the flesh’ despite some damp mornings. It`s been a turbulent year for all, but we’re looking forward, planning to resume our meetings when we can, even if we have to limit numbers and keeping the friendship, fun and support going for all our ladies to enjoy!

For an active social life and way of Meeting people why not join Didsbury WI Contact.

Future Didsbury – What are we up to?

My last contribution was mainly about Covid-19, how the restrictions impacted on everyone, especially those shielding. Now we have local lockdowns which could be interpreted as communities not functioning well together although I believe South Manchester has been generally well-behaved in the big scheme of things.

Previously, I referenced the Infrastructure Commissions’ four key words ‘climate, people, places and values’. Quite clearly our climate is an issue riddled with nuances but the more we can do to reduce pollution and create more green spaces, the better our quality of life will be.

Although ‘climate’ predominates, people, places and values are more relevant at a local level and will be the focus of our attention. We want Didsbury people to support Future Didsbury from all four corners of Didsbury and beyond, we want to consider our options for developing more and better spaces in and around the village and we want to ‘drill down’ with our thinking to ensure we arrive at a solution that covers ‘the values of our local population’ and the ways in which future developments can be easily expanded precisely because forethought was introduced in the earliest stages of the Future Didsbury Project, e.g., the Manchester School of Architecture students and the work they have produced.

Most people who comment on Future Didsbury are quite positive about the project however they often ask about ‘the money’ and where it will come from. Back in 2018, the Government budget introduced a Future High Streets Fund recognising that high streets were in dire trouble due to the trend of online shopping. £675 million was made available at the time and since £325 million has been added to the pot making it a lovely round £GBP 1 billion. Our intention is to seek the advice of the Minister in bidding for this money but to do that we need everyone behind us, including our elected representatives, planners and influencers. We understand that is possible that MCC are considering building Mayfield Park at a cool £1.4 billion, part of which is going to be taken from the government’s ‘Getting Building’ initiative to introduce more open spaces… obviously that needs to be another target for Future Didsbury as well. So, until next time, stay safe and keep well!

Phil Downs MBE

“La Choquette” arrives in Didsbury

Welcome to Maread and Florent our new Didsbury bakers. Maread`s passion for baking was started from a very early age when she would help her mum bake and decorate the family home. She loved baking homemade Christmas cakes & desserts for family functions.

“It became a hobby for me that I found relaxing and a love of baking that I share to this day with my mum, even now we are still swapping recipes!  It was always my dream to open my own bakery one day.” Maread says it was through baking that she met her partner Florent who also shared a love of baking from childhood; Flo actually started an apprenticeship at the age of 16 in his home town in France (Lille), eventually coming over to Manchester in 2015 for a baker position. Over the past 5 years we have learnt our trade together and now after all the hard work we have managed to create an opportunity to open our new shop in Didsbury which after the re-brand (Oct 2020) will be known as La Chouquette currently called Cidsin.   

Didsbury Village has a real village-like community feel to it.  We’ve always enjoyed the Didsbury vibe, a friendly and uplifting place to work with a mix of charming independent shops and more established premises.

We hope to embed our shop into the heart of the community and gain a reputation to keep people coming back for more delightful tastes from our homemade selection of French Patisserie cakes, baguettes & bread specialities all baked on the premises.  We will have an open kitchen view arrangement so the customers can enjoy seeing all our lovely products being handmade.

Clearly we are both excited by this new life venture and new beginning in Didsbury, we’ve already had such a warm welcome and we will be so proud once our re-brand is complete. With ‘la chouquette’ our dream journey will truly begin. 

Margaret Ashton –  A Woman to Celebrate

It is always important to remind ourselves of the great works of pioneers who may not be household names but lived and worked in our community in the past. Margaret Ashton, as I am sure many people know in Didsbury, was a pioneer with achievements that matched many women such as Olive Shapley, Elizabeth Gaskell and Emmeline Pankhurst. It was probably her pacifism that kept her from the acknowledgement she deserved.

Born in Withington in 1856, her list of achievements and firsts is very impressive. In 1888 she helped to set up the Manchester Women’s Guardian Association, an organisation which encouraged women to become poor-law guardians and to take a more active role in local politics. In 1895 Margaret joined the Women’s Liberal Foundation, and the following year became a founder member of the Women’s Trade Union League. She was also a member of the National Union of Women Suffrage Societies (NUWSS).

Her political career seemed to start in 1900 when she was elected to the Withington Urban Council and in 1908, she became the first woman on Manchester City Council. According to many historians she devoted her time as a councillor to women’s health and education and campaigned to improve the conditions of employment for women. She supported new legislation to improve the wages and conditions of factory girls, to raise the age of employment of children.

Ashton was a very active member and Chair of the North of England Society for Women’s Suffrage and in 1906 resigned from the Liberal party when it was clear that the government would not find time to allow legislation to be passed concerning women’s suffrage. She financially supported the NUWSS’s newspaper, The Common Cause. She remained committed to constitutional methods to gain votes for women as against the more militant actions of the Women’s Social; Political Union (WSPU). She did admire the courage of the suffragettes who were imprisoned.

The NUWSS argued that everything possible should be done to avoid a European war. However, there was split within the NUWSS on the stance taken in its support for the war. Several women who campaigned for peace resigned from the organisation. Ashton and some other women were blocked from attending an international Women’s Peace Congress in The Hague where the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom was formed. Ashton immediately joined this organisation.

Margaret Ashton’s pacifism made her unpopular during the first World War. She was branded “pro-German” and ousted from Manchester City Council in 1921. In addition, the council refused to hang her portrait commissioned by CP Scott, editor of the Guardian, to celebrate her 70^th birthday.

In later life she joined the National Council of Women and helped to establish the Manchester Women’s Citizens Association. Apart from her political and women’s rights work, she worked hard to raise funds for educational institutions and schools and did a range of voluntary roles across the City.

Mary Ashton died at her home in Kingston Road, Didsbury, in October 1937. A principled woman, peace campaigner and political pioneer. It is very fitting that her portrait now hangs in the Council Chambers. We should celebrate her achievements.                     

Pam Venning, DCS Trustee

The Didsbury Civic Society Sub Planning Group

Didsbury Civic Society Planning Group Meets Monthly to discuss local planning issues. At the same time the Trustees are updating The Didsbury Plan. 2017.  This 2017 Plan, was initially drawn up by the Civic Society and involved 3 months’ consultation with Members and local residents Associations is being updated to include much more information and making our concerns s being updated to include City Council and National references to how our communities should be made “fit for the future.”

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904146/gear-change-a-bold-vision-for-cycling-and-walking.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/908257/cycling-walking-investment-strategy-document.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-temporary-alcohol-licensing-provisions-in-the-business-and-planning-bill

DCS General Meetings are resuming

Since March, the Trustees and Sub Planning Group has been meeting monthly. However, we have agreed to start up again the monthly meetings. These will be by zoom and should the current regulations permit we may explore a face to face business meeting in a Covid Secure environment.

Heritage Open Days 11^th September to 20^th September 2020

Every year, Heritage Open Days ( HOD ) occurs  across the Country and will be happening in some areas as a virtual tour of Historic Buildings. Owing to Covid restrictions like most events, HOD is suspended this year and this has focused the DCS on looking at features for inclusion in a programme for 2021. Is there an opportunity for futher plaques in Didsbury or surrounding areas or indeed further stories from members about their memories of growing up in Didsbury which may be featured in a future DCS Newsletter. We would love to hear about your stories and ideas to celebrate the history of the Didbury Centre  and beyond.

Certainly over 120 years ago English Heritage started the blue plaque scheme and there are a plethora of blue plaques across London and lots in Bloomsbury. Mary has been making some  enquiries about Blue Plaques. Cost is a factor and also meeting the criteria set by English Heritage, for example, the person must have been deceased for 20 years at the time of application.  School buildings and churches are exempt. The English Heritage panel sits 3 times per annum and the  applicant will have had to have completed extensive research. English Heritage are looking for more female representation. Pictures below show a plaque of an interesting woman with a story of great heroism, also two blue plaques on the Didsbury Library building. Do you know that there is a plaque of Mitzi Cunliffe on Fog Lane?

Mary, DCS Trustee, was in London August Bank Holiday and managed to take this photo of a brand new plaque, unveiled that weekend in Tiveton Street, Bloomsbury, London of Senior Operative Agent Noor Inayat Khan. Recognised at last for her undercover work during the Second World War. Sadly, she died in Dachau without every revealing her real name.

Warburton Street, Didsbury

@OpenUpMags openupmagazines.co.uk

This article has been reproduced with kind permission of Linsey Parkinson Editor of Open Up South Manchester and also with permission from Andrew Simpson Please read Andrew`s interesting blog too!  https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com  ( not just about Chorlton)!

Historian Andrew Simpson meets the working families that lived along Didsbury’s Warburton Street.

Warburton Street is a tiny, picturesque cobbled lane of independent businesses and bijou cottages.

Right in the heart of Didsbury Village, it’s tucked away behind Wilmslow Road, just a stone’s throw from the junction with Barlow Moor Road and School Lane.

In the January of 1911, number 2 was occupied by John Crompton and Sons and was listed as ‘paint stores’. At number 4 was William Richardson, platelayer; while no.6 was Mrs. Emma Smith, who described herself as ‘Householder’, but I know she was also a laundress.

In April 1911, number 8 was home to the Schofield family, Mr Walter Schofield being a ‘night soil man’. You’d have found the Blomileys at number ten: two labourers and a ‘charwoman’, plus the youngest family member, listed as ‘gardener’s apprentice’.

While Mrs. Smith lived alone in her four-roomed cottage at number 6, the six Schofields had to manage in their two-up, two-down. The Blomileys squeezed themselves into just three small rooms.

The occupations of our residents may seem at variance with the popular image of Didsbury as a well-heeled and comfortably prosperous suburb. but wealthy families had to have ‘help’. Many locals made their living from servicing the ‘better off’, and it suited all concerned if they lived nearby. It’s likely that there would have been lots of ‘Warburton Streets’ in Didsbury.

Mrs. Smith would have washed their linen, while young Jane Blomiley cleaned their houses. Mr Schofield and one of the Blomileys were engaged as night soil men. Their unenviable task was to empty the privies of the rich. ‘Night soil’, as it was euphemistically called, was used as fertiliser.

That leaves our platelayer, Mr Richardson, whose job had nothing to do with ceramics. He had to ensure that the tracks on the stretch from Didsbury Railway Station to Manchester Central were up to scratch.

Across from these families, we find Miss Elizabeth Jane Dean. She was born in Didsbury in 1860 and was living with her mother and sister on Warburton Street by the following year.

However, over the next few years,  the family moved away to Hardman Street, but are then lost to the records after 1866. We find Elizabeth Jane again in 1871, this time living with her grandmother on Lees Street, Ancoats. Just where her mother was, is unclear, and a decade later, Elizabeth Jane is staying with her uncle and aunt, describing herself as a ‘Winder’. She reappears on Warburton Street – with her mother again – in 1891. We find her there still, in the January of 1911, but four months later she had moved to Countess Road, off Hardman Street. With a little more digging, I tracked down Elizabeth Jane’s mother, Mary Dean. Born in 1828 and baptized in St James Parish Church, she gave birth to Elizabeth Jane at the age of 32. Her own father was a handloom weaver, and in 1841 the family lived in Barlow Moor. Ten years later and Mary was a servant at Mersey Bank House in Heaton Norris. Its owner was the illustrious Sir Ralph Pendlebury, a former mayor of Stockport. He proudly recorded on his census return that he was not only a knight, but also a factory owner, employing 170 hands.

Message from the Trustees

Wishing you Seasons Greetings and New Year Mike, Mary, Pam, Gordon, Dominic and Richard

Mike Corlett, Chair of DCS

A very Happy Christmas and a very Healthy and Covid-19 free New Year. The year has been very trying for everyone without exception, with a virus that knows no bounds and does not recognise age and ethnicity. Please keep safe, let’s all obey the rules, with common sense being uppermost at all times.

The DCS has had a good year and made exceptional progress in its transition to a CIO (Charitable Integrated Organisation). We have held regular Trustee meetings, Planning and Licensing during the various lockdowns and our first open General Meeting via Zoom. We also have great plans and ideas for 2021 with continuous striving for the improvements in Infrastructure, Transport, Green Spaces, Heritage and Buildings, along with reductions in pollution, fly tipping, fly posting and graffiti which are very high on the agenda.

The pandemic led to even more reliance on local shops, green spaces, and meeting places. Certainly, in lockdown, there was less buses, less car traffic and, in turn, less pollution. There were families walking, playing and on bikes enjoying green spaces. Greater use of public footpaths. The resurfacing of some local roads and pavements has also been a tremendous improvement. We know that people have lost their jobs and livelihoods and there are real pressures out there on local businesses.  I do hope that anyone with Covid -19 during makes a full recovery. For 2021 with a vaccine on the way, we can look forward to socialising again.

New website

A New DCS website is due very shortly. All information will be on the website, newsletters, minutes and in the meantime e mail with any enquiries to: – info@didsburycivicsociety.org

Our Unsung Heroes thank you to all the volunteers in Didsbury who support streets our green spaces and keep Didsbury free from Litter

“When Brenda and David Woods ‘retired’ to Didsbury in 2014, after many years away from the village, they joined the newly formed Friends of Didsbury Park.  The special attraction of that was to be given their own litter picking sticks!  Armed with those sticks, they began to do a ‘litter patrol’ during their regular morning walking circuit of Wilmslow Road, Ford Lane, the River Mersey and Stenner Lane.  Come rain and come shine, they have continued to try to keep up the good appearance of Didsbury.  Even though at times it felt like they were fighting a losing battle, the gratitude of joggers, dog walkers and morning commuters helped to keep them going, and several passers-by have posted photos and appreciative comments on-line….and now the ultimate accolade – recognition by DCS. Thanks, DCS for all the good work you do”.

Acts of Kindness

Manchester Islamic Centre, Didsbury Mosque is distributing hot meals, drop off fruit and vegetables Tuesdays and Saturdays. This is for the elderly defined as anyone over 60. Distribution in Withington, Chorlton and Didsbury. Please telephone Tracey if needed 07464602434

What’s going on in Didsbury, I am hearing that …….

The DCS continues to have a high level of concern about Graffiti and Flyposting around Didsbury. MCC advises that the current issues with green street level Telecommunications boxes are not their responsibility, even though they are degrading both our living environment and a total eyesore. Should your area be affected, please report problems to the following e-mails: –

BT dcudamagedcabinets@openreach.co.uk or telephone 0800 023 2023

Virgin Media NAM@virginmedia.co.uk

The Trustees’ Annual General Meeting – DCS Trustees are holding their AGM on Monday 14^th December 2020 at 7:15pm to receive a Zoom link drop an e mail to info@didsburycivicsociety.org

Website – A new DCS website is about to be launched during December 2020…….

Improved Toilets – The DCS are pleased to have played their part by submitting a supporting justification for the planned replacement and upgrade of the Old Parsonage volunteer toilet facilities to the rear of the building. Funding and work will be carried out under a social value funding request submission by Cllr. Richard Kilpatrick. The Trustees

The Chippy, School Lane is now Bravos!

Didsbury Civic Society Projects

We are currently devising a list of small improvements to our Didsbury Area to make some necessary albeit small changes to enhance the Village.

Didsbury Civic Society Trustees have compiled a list of projects which we are considering spearheading as future projects. The list below is not in order of priority and in this regard, we should like to hear our Members views on what you deem as priority. The DCS Trustees will also be finding out where responsibility lies for funding these projects, some of which may require fundraising where the project is seen as an addition and enhancement to the Didsbury Centre. DCS Trustees may consider small allowance of funding, should funds allow. However, MCC and TfGM will be lobbied to take on their funding responsibilities. In some cases, Crowdfunding may be a better means of sourcing the funding.

1. The cleaning of Didsbury Library building*

2. The cleaning and repair of the Cenotaph and the Milson Rhodes clock tower*

3.  A new DCS wall art around the Costa Coffee area*

4. The provision/repair one wooden bench for bus passengers outside 328 Fog Lane and the provision of a bus shelter bus stop (Johnnie Johnson flats, Fog Lane).

5. A new additional DCS noticeboard in the Jubilee Gardens area of Didsbury Centre*

6. The repair of the iron veranda over shops near the East Didsbury railway station.

7. Installation, of lamp post flame cut style flag banners to keep Didsbury centre clean and “Welcome to Didsbury” etc.

8. HODs initiative to create an online virtual tour of the buildings*

9. Water butt/tap from Didsbury Library for use by DIB volunteers*

10. Ideas for Tesco/Kingsway triangle green space.

11. Ideas for the public toilets at Barlow Moor Road, including a franchise funded facility.

12. Installation of a Defibrillator for a 24/7/365 service

13. Didsbury Toilets*

14. Provision of disabled parking (Wilmslow Road) *

The projects marked with a red asterisk *are being pursued by DCS Trustees to identify agency/organisation responsible and funding streams or possible means of funding these projects.

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Didsbury Civic Society is looking for volunteers to commit time to doing tasks, such as, researching Manchester City Council documents, archives, buildings etc; support for the membership secretary, general administration, website management, interest in social media, stall keeping on Festival days, organising the administration for social trips, getting articles for the Newsletter, networking etc;

There`s lots to do. Not every day and the work can fit around your availability and interests. Ad hoc volunteering an hour or two a week or even an hour or two a month. It depends what you like to do and where you like to spend your time. E mail info@didsburycivicsociety.org and a Trustee will contact you.

The Future Beckons ‘Future Didsbury’

Like most people, I was hoping we would be cruising towards Christmas with the Covid numbers on the slide but the opposite has happened with the second wave threatening the festivities, although we do have the positives of two or possibly three vaccines already on the horizon which is great news!

As we move forward it seems some important features are moving towards the Future Didsbury ethos in the sense of the government attempting to commit money to the high streets as previously mentioned and now, we have a government announcement bringing the prospect of electric vehicles becoming more and more prevalent in less than 10 years rather than the 20 we expected!  This is going to give us a great opportunity to discuss the options around what happens when they start to dig giant trenches in our high street in order to provide ‘charging points’ for the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs).

Why is the above important? I think most of us would agree that digging huge trenches, laying cables and then filling them back up again without a thought given to the surrounding infrastructure would be totally irresponsible and comes from a mind-set that needs to be abolished ready for the adoption of new ‘strategic thinking’ fit for the challenges ahead of us. Future Didsbury proposes that every opportunity should be taken to see where value can be added to these ‘must have’ 21^st century essentials to accommodate.

Let’s not think in isolation when needing to dig deep trenches, let’s think about how these changes can be expanded into opportunities.  The obvious one to include is the capability of providing wider and better pavements together with massively improved surface drainage by using permeable materials.  This could be designed in such a way as to give the added bonus of ‘grey water’ collection’ for redistribution via large underground tanks. The ‘grey water’ could then be used for watering flower tubs/beds and potentially provide filtered ‘grey water’ for toilet flushes and other purposes where ‘drinking water’ isn’t necessarily needed.

These thoughts and many others would combine to hugely improve a large element of sustainability which is one of the bywords that needs to be uppermost in our thinking in the coming decades of finite resources.  Look no further than the tremendous work done by the 5^th Year Architecture students! The answers are there!                                            

Phil Downs MBE

Christmas will be different this Year

Christmas will be different this year, and for many of us it will be a virtual one.

In our case I doubt our children and their families will be here in person.  One is in Warsaw, another in Leicester and while the remaining two are closer we are not holding up hope that they and our grandson will be around the Christmas table.

Nor will the Italian side of the family be here. They were planning to descend in instalments in the run up to the event, but now their tickets have been put on hold for a better time.

In that respect the mooted festival will take its place alongside the way Eid, Diwali, and Hanukkah were celebrated.

So, rather than dwell on what might have been or reflect on past Didsbury Christmases, instead I shall wander along School Lane sometime around 1911 and I am drawn to the people in the picture.

I doubt that we will ever be certain who the woman staring back at us is but I rather think it will be either Mrs. Martha Meredith who ran “The Supper Bar (Fish and Chips)” at number 1 School Lane or Ellen Tennant who was the wife of George Tennant the butcher from number 3.

And if pushed I think it will be Martha who at 36 described herself as a widow with a 14 years old daughter and shared her home with her brother in law, Mary Ann who she employed as a servant and John Wilson the boarder.

Alas the children’s identities are lost to us, but they will be local and must have been drawn from their homes by the presence of the photographer.

The properties are still recognizably the same and by one of those odd pieces of continuity it remained a fish and chip shop until very recently.

Pictures: – 1916 from the collection of David Harrop, and School Lane circa Didsbury through Time, by Peter Topping and Andrew Simpson.

Andrew Simpson writes regularly on the history of Didsbury for a number of publications, has written ten books and features Didsbury on his blog, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co

Not long after this picture was taken young Bertha Geary aged just 13 of School Lane had heard history when she “saw the flying man on Tuesday night fly overhead.  Beaumont is his name.  I wish you could have seen him.  It made such a noise.”

He was André Beaumont and he was one of 30 competitors in the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain Air race in 1911. Flying in a Blériot XI, he was the first to complete the course which was no mean achievement as many of the aircraft either failed to take off or crashed along the way. But that is for another story………

Changing Face of Didsbury….

DCS Sub Planning group whilst not against the change of use of this building, nonetheless,  raised concerns about the new front entrance, the overdevelopment of the building to 3 storeys ( poor head height room of top flat), and no parking.

Didsbury Police Station

28136/FO/2020 | Change of use of former police station to 6 x two bed self-contained apartments (Class C3), including the erection of a 3 storey rear extension, following demolition of rear single storey and two storey outriggers and elevations alterations to front including new front entrance. | Former Didsbury Police Station 742 – 744 Wilmslow Road Manchester M20 2DW

The Limes Nursing Home

Soon to be flats with 4 terraced houses behind

Andrew Graham Shoes…..

is an independent shoe retailer located in the heart of Didsbury Village. Being independent means that we can offer an extensive range of attractive and stylish footwear that you won’t find elsewhere on the high street.

We stock a broad range of shoes, boots, slippers and sandals from Gabor, Ecco, Rieker, Waldlaufer, Josef Seibel, Remonte and many more distinctive brands from all over Europe. As many of our regular customers will know we pride ourselves on our varied choice of styles, our expertise and friendly service.

We would have been celebrating 25 years in Didsbury village in April 2020, we have been supported in that time by an amazing and loyal customer base. Above are a few images of the shop when we took over the premises in 1995. We had to dismantle brickwork and fixtures in the front of the shop that the kebab shop owners had installed and also dismantle a cold store that had been used when the shop was a Titterton`s butchers.

As we were not able to celebrate our 25th year in business this year, here are a few pictures of our 10th anniversary celebrations. Including a fabulous cake made by Christine one of our employees at that time (stood in the doorway on the left picture). At this time, we had the French patisserie L’Epidor on the left of the shop, and Help the Aged charity shop on our right (as you look from outside). The most satisfying part of my job is helping customers who have been having great difficulty in finding comfortable footwear to suit their feet, with some helpful expertise on what might work for them from our extensive range we can usually find a solution that offers comfort and support and puts a smile on their face.

Above we have on the left a celebratory window display from 2018, Also on the right is our ‘Mini Didsbury in Bloom’ tribute that we put together in March earlier this year as we had to clear the shoes from the window display to prevent them from fading as we entered the 3 months’ lockdown.

I write this as we enter a second lockdown period which is putting an even greater strain on the business. We are operating a ‘Pay and Collect’ service and Free Local Delivery during this period and hope this will sustain us through to opening again on Wed 2 December 2020, hopefully. I look forward to welcoming our customers back as soon as possible and thank them for their continued business and support.

All the small independent businesses in Didsbury need your support more than ever at this difficult time – Thank You.

673 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, MANCHESTER M20 6RA. Tel: 0161 445 8243 Email: info@andrewgrahamshoes.co.uk

Photos