Didsbury Community Index June 2012

communityDidsburyindex

June 2012

view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk

delivered FREE to Didsbury homes

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to advertise call Lesley: 0787 589 5604 [email protected]

time out therapysuzie exley ITEC Dip., IHA

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please mention community index when responding to adverts

Mobile Email

07875 360 368 [email protected]

Alexander Technique

Sue Fleming MSTAT

www.alexanderteaching.co.uk

☎ 861 8848 mob 07796470163

The Burton Road Clinic Didsbury and

Chequers Road Chorlton

Pauline Leng MSTAT

www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net

☎ 445 8530 mob 07821470349

The Didsbury Holistic Centre and

Lidgate Grove Didsbury

individual sessions, groupscourses and workshops

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Contents4. Didsbury Festival

7. Community Index

8. Making Wood Work

11. Tag News

14. When a Doodlebug Fell on Didsbury

15. Food and Drink Index

16. Crazy Hanging Planter

17. June in Your Garden

18. Why Can’t I Get With IT?

20. The Suburban Cooking Collective

CommunityI N XD E

PUBLISHERCommunity Index

EDITOR/ADVERTISINGLesley Swann

SUB-EDITOR/WEBSITESam Paechter

CONTRIBUTIONS Jean Bridson, Graham Pythian, Tree Station,

Carol Thompson, Danielle Lowy, Katherine Watson, Leon Horton, Gez Devney

COVER PHOTOGRAPHRebecca Parsons

www.rebeccaparsonsphotography.co.uk

CONTACT USTel: 0787 589 5604

[email protected]

34 Manchester Road, Chorlton, M21 9PH

DEADLINE FOR THE JULY EDITION15th June 2012

entertainment

Live Music

refreshments

Dogshow

proce

ssio

n

Funfair

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view the latest edition at www.communityindex.co.uk

entertainment

Live Music

refreshments

Dogshow

proce

ssio

n

Funfair

Didsbury Festival Saturday16th June 11am - 4pmAlthough this year we are celebrating 33 years of Didsbury Festival, I don’t think that anyone can accuse it of being stuck in a time-warp!Over the years we have introduced many new ideas and this year is no exception. For some time we have wished that we could add to the Festival atmosphere by decorating Didsbury Village with bunting. Now, with the generous support of the shops and businesses in

Didsbury, that dream has become a reality.The flags and bunting will be seen in the Village for four weeks from the end of May to mark the Diamond Jubilee, the Festival and Didsbury Open Gardens. We know it will help to create a great community pride and spirit along with a sense of fun and well-being, which will continue over many more years.And to add to the colour will be our new vibrant

posters and banners - specially designed for us by Richard Ball.The festival team also works on the understanding that if it isn’t broken it doesn’t need mending and, as always, the event kicks off with the ever popular procession which leaves St Catherine’s School at 11 o’clock en route to the Park. Watch out for royalty and Olympians!

Jean Bridson

Didsbury Open Gardens Sunday, 17 June, 2012

12.00-5.30pm25 gardens, willow sculpture, live jazz, woodcarving

raffle, tea & cakes……. Programme £5.00 admits one person (under 12s

free). Available from 7 May at The Cheese Hamlet (Didsbury Village) &

Inmans Newsagents (Lapwing Lane, Didsbury)All proceeds to charity.

www.didsburyopengardens.org

5172121

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CHESHIREGATEPROPERTY SERVICES

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Before

After

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read the latest edition online at www.communityindex.co.uk

Tel: 07936 884644

Blocked Gutters?

Call BenGutters Cleared & Repaired

10Community NoticeboardEvents in June

Didsbury FestivalSaturday 16th June 11-4pm Didsbury Park

Didsbury Open GardensSunday 17th June 12-5.30pm Programmes £5 23 gardenswww.didsburyopengardens.org

Clubs, Societies & Groups

Acting For FunCentral Didsbury431 4794

Didsbury Amateur Dramaticswww.celestaplayers.co.uk

Didsbury Cricket Clubwww.didsburyccsports.co.uk

Didsbury Dinnershttp://didsburydinners.wordpress.comFor general enquiries/Community growing group: [email protected] Community cooking group: [email protected]

Didsbury Good NeighboursEvery Tuesday, 10-11.45am coffee morning. Didsbury Sure Start Centre, Didsbury Park07749 504298 www.didsburygood neighbours.com

Didsbury Village East Residents Associationwww.dvera.co.uk

Didsbury Village Women’s Institutewww.didsburyvillagewi.co.uk

Manchester Flower Lovers’ GuildFirst Monday of the month for flower

demonstrations. Refreshments at 7.15 for 7.30 start. Visitors welcome £5 St Werburghs Church Hall, Chorlton M21 0TJ Anne 881 6591, [email protected] flowersnorthwest.net

Friends of Didsbury Parkwww.friendsofdidsbury park.co.uk

Friends of Fletcher Moss ParkAlan Hill 445 1535

Friends of Marie Louise Gardenswww.marielouisegardens.org.uk

South Manchester Camera Clubwww.smcc.org.uk

Didsbury Over 50s Group247 2323

South Manchester U3AMeet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 2pm, Emmanuel Church. Contact Edna 434 250

South Manchester Dance School107 Clyde Road West Didsbury, 445 5308

West Didsbury BookgroupMeets every four weeks at 7.30pm. Lively mixed group of all ages. Call 445 4483 leaving your name, address & landline

West Didsbury Residents AssociationPam Siddons 445 5406 www.westdidsbury.org.uk

Arts & Crafts

The Classroom on School Lane Learn new a new craft24 School Lanewww.classroomschool lane.com

Wendy Levy Art Gallery17 Warburton Street Didsbury, 446 4880

Music & Entertainment

Didsbury Comedy Club 7pm Show 7:45pm Admission £6/£5 Didsbury Cricket Club, Wilmslow Rd, East Didsbury, M20 2ZY

Pub QuizDog and PartridgeEvery Monday 9.30Cash Jackpot667 Wilmslow RoadTel: 0871 951 1000

Stax of Soul Wednesdays 9.30pm-12 Thursdays DJ Pip Rolfe Weekend warm up till 1amOne Lounge Bar1 Lapwing lanewww.oneloungebar.co.uk 448 0101

Therapy at Sanctuary Bar Thursday night DJ 7–midnight every week.653 Wilmslow Road

Social & Support Groups

Didsbury Social [email protected] www.didsburysocial. jigsy.com

New Family Social UK charity for LGBT adopters, foster carers and their children. Meets every two months in south Manchester.newfamilysocial.co.uk email: [email protected]

Useful Numbers

Didsbury Library 227 3755

Environment on Call 954 9000

Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100

National Rail Enquiries nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50

NHS Direct 0845 46 47 nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Manchester City Council234 5000 www.manchester.gov.uk

Police – non emergency 872 5050

Samaritans 236 8000samaritans.org

East Didsbury Councillors

Andrew [email protected]

Andrew [email protected]

David [email protected]

West Didsbury CouncillorsMark [email protected]

Graham [email protected]

David [email protected]

Listings are FREE for charities, churches, social and non-profit community groups. Please get in touch if you’d like to be included.

email your listings to [email protected]

Community I N D E X

8

Making Wood WorkAn exciting new project is being set up in Manchester to make the most of wood that is a by-product of park management and recreational woodlands in the area. Greater Manchester TreeStation is the brainchild of local tree surgeon Phil Benn who has been doing treework in the local area for many years. Phil said: “It seemed crazy that getting rid of wood was a problem for most tree surgeons. It was just being thrown away or used as mulch, and it is potentially so much more useful.”

Wood is AmazingTrees are beautiful. They purify the air, nourish the soil and help prevent erosion. Trees have always been central to human life and culture. Wood from local trees must form a part of the kind of locally based economy that we need if we are to live sustainably. It is madness to import wood from Lithuania or Columbia to burn or to make into furniture, when we have not made proper use of the trees on our own doorstep.

Greater Manchester TreeStationThe idea is to collect wood from local tree surgeons and from woodland management activities of local councils, and use it to give the maximum benefit. Larger trunks are cut into planks and sold to local joiners. Other wood (mainly from native hardwood species) is made into logs for burning in stoves, whilst lower grade wood (conifer, willow and poplar) is made into woodchip for biomass boilers. The TreeStation is a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Gorton and is constituted as a Society for the Benefit of the Community.

Burn Local and CleanBurning wood makes sense if the wood is local and you burn it efficiently. The TreeStation sources timber from gardens, parks, and local amenity woodlands. And if you use a DEFRA approved stove then you get about 80% of the energy into your room, compared to 20% for an open fire. Approved stoves burn clean, producing very little ash or smoke, making them suitable for smoke-free zones.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)This government grant scheme pays businesses (from now) and individuals (from Oct 2012) to burn renewable fuels in biomass boilers, which can be installed instead of the normal gas boiler and can heat the whole house and the hot water. Local firewood can be used to fire your RHI- subsidised boiler. The TreeStation also makes woodchip for large institutional biomass boilers, using byproduct wood and where necessary softwoods bought from local commercial forests.

Beautiful FurnitureYou don’t need to damage rainforests if you want a fabulous hardwood kitchen table. Traditional British hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech are all plentifully available from the TreeStation – and it couldn’t be more local.

Further information about the TreeStation can be found at www.treestation.co.uk or by emailing [email protected]. The TreeStation is also currently seeking funding from customers and supporters, via a community share issue. Please support your local TreeStation!

Local Ethical Firewood & Tree WorkWe use the timber produced during the maintenance of local parks, gardens and woodlands to make firewood, timber for joinery and biomass woodchip. Our firewood is made from native hardwood species, and is air dried to a moisture content of less than 25%. Find out more about us on the adjacent page.

Firewood prices, including free local delivery:1 Cubic Metre for £100 | 2 for £190 | 3 for £270

We also offer a full range of tree services including consultancy, please contact us for a quote/info.

www.treestation.co.uk — 0161 231 3333

Community Share OfferWood is an amazing material and if properly managed is a genuinely renewable resource. A local, wood-based economy can, and must, play a vital role in the transition to an ethical and sustainable world. Do you share our vision? Then become part of it by buying shares in our community enterprise! Get more information at www.treestation.co.uk/invest.

Our aim – to raise £100,000 by October 2012 for:» More machinery for wood processing and environmentally sensitive woodland management » More stock so that we have the capacity to tender for large biomass woodchip contracts » Marketing and project development

You get:» Membership including full voting rights » Interest on your investment (expected to be 4%) » Discount scheme » Shares repaid on request, subject to board approval

Greater Manchester TreeStation Ltd - [email protected] Registered number 31552R









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DIDSBURYWINDOW CLEANING

houses•shops•flats•offices

Tel: 07936 884644didsburywindows.com

NACS member

www.acornchimneysweepingservices.co.uk

Call John0161 445 3650

CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICESAcorn

open fires, boilers Agas, multi-fuel stoves, birds nests removed

Karen O’KeeffeGARDEN DESIGNFor information or to make an appointment tel : 07949 368 308www.manchestergardendesign.co.uk

Professional design service to suit your needs and budget

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Mobile Email


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TAG Competition - Make a Didsbury Bag11

The theme is shop local and independent with TAG!

How to enterUpcycle a shopping bag and make it into your own special Didsbury shopping bag.

(Upcycling is the art of reusing unwanted items by converting them into something better!)

Or If you don’t have a bag to upcycle, while stock lasts, J& P Brimelow have ‘I love M20 bags’ which they would be more than happy for you to use. If you do use one of these bags for your competition entry please leave all J & P Brimelow images and text on one side of your bag visible. You can call into their Didsbury office in the Village to pick one up.

Decorate your bag with images/ logos/ symbols of things that make Didsbury special for you - they need to be securely attached with stitches etc so they don’t fall off when out shopping!

Be as creative as you like and maybe recycle some buttons, material, ribbons etc.

Attach a label to your finished bag with your name (with your age if under 18) and contact number.

Take it into Rumpus Toy Shop on Albert Hill Street (opposite the Post Office) during the month of June so it can go on display.

All bags will be available for collection after judging on 1st July.

Prize

Afternoon Tea for 2 at Airy Fairy Cake Boutique (over 18’s ) £20.00 TAG! Vouchers (12- 18’s)£20.00 TAG! Vouchers (11 and under)

A big TAG! thank you to our kind sponsors:

United Utilities, Community Index, Bezinga Print, Rumpus Toys, Harriet & Dee, Moor Allerton School, Manchester Bridge Club, J P Brimelow, Stagecoach, Mailboxes Etc & Printing.com

TAG! Vouchers can be spent at any shop/business in the TAG! Pass It On Didsbury scheme.

www.tagpassiton.com

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

CommunityI N XD E

17

kar l hutton bespoke jo inery ltd

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Have you got a special gift to buy for a christening, a wedding or birthday?

Discover our lovely shops on the cobbled street in Didsbury...

8 and 9 Warburton StreetDidsbury

0161 438 2500

Car Parking Available

Buy any Nomination link and receive a Free Bracelet

Name....................................................................................................................Address..............................................................................................................E-mail...................................................................................................................

Valid until 23rd June 2012 with completed Voucher. 1 per customer

Barlow Moor Rd School Lane

Wilm

slow Rd

Harriet & Dee

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14

Christmas Eve, 1944: the Second World War in Europe, everyone seemed to agree, was dragging towards an Allied victory, despite the stubborn German resistance since the D-Day landings. In England, the black-out regulations had ceased the previous September. Manchester had not suffered seriously from air-raids since the 'Christmas blitz' of 1940. Despite rationing and other wartime hardships, the general mood was one of cautious optimism and anticipation of the seasonal festivities.

Yet, between 5 and 6am on December 24th, two whole squadrons of Luftwaffe bombers – a fleet of over 50 planes – had taken off from bases in Holland and were making their way under cover of darkness for the North of England. Moreover, their cargo wasn’t the ordinary bomb quota. Carried beneath the starboard wing of each aeroplane was a V1: the terrifying doodlebug, Hitler’s revenge weapon flying bomb that

had already wreaked havoc in London and the Home Counties.

No, this isn’t fiction. The air-launched flying bomb attacks of that Christmas Eve claimed 42 lives – mostly civilian – across the North. 31 successful strikes were recorded: from Chester and Turton in the west to Hull in the east, and from Co. Durham in the north to Macclesfield Forest in the south. And one of the bombs fell on Didsbury.

It was around 5-30 a.m. Released from its parent Heinkel aircraft north of Stockport, the V1 began its descent over Cheadle, heading westwards directly for the densely populated residential area of Sharston, Wythenshawe. A local man, Mr. R. Heywood, reported hearing the “dull, pulsating roar” that “seemed to shake the bed”.

Fortunately for Mr. Heywood and the rest of the population of Sharston, when the V1’s engine cut out the flying bomb took a turn to the right, heading north

over Gatley. It then initiated a steep dive towards East Didsbury, crossing the River Mersey due south of what used to be Underbank Farm at the end of Millgate Lane, and where the Old Bedians rugby club headquarters are now. 50 yards north of the river it hit the ground, detonating relatively harmlessly in a field of Brussels sprouts. The impact of the blast was nonetheless considerable: broken house windows were reported as far away as Fog Lane, Burnage, School Lane, Didsbury, and Altrincham Road, Northenden.

Nowadays there is no sign of the crater. There is an electricity pylon close to what was the bomb site. The immediate area now serves as playing fields.

Mercifully, when the bomb exploded in Didsbury in that early morning darkness, there were no casualties. Perhaps the only adverse effect – apart from the broken windows – was a slight restriction in the choice of vegetables for the locals’ Christmas dinner.

Graham’s book on local history South Manchester Remembered published by The History Press, is out now, available at all good bookshops.

When a Doodlebug Fell on DidsburyGraham Pythian

Food & Drink I N D E XCafe Airy Fairy Cake Boutique24 School Lane M20 6RG07791 850 641

Alpine Tea Rooms Fletcher Moss Gardens M20 2SW 445 3679

The Art of Tea47 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TW, 448 9323

Crazy Cow Cafe837 Wilmslow Road M20 5WD, 215 0325

Folk Cafe Bar169-171 Burton RoadM20 2LN, 445 2912

Refresh Catering Emporium10 Whitechapel St M20 6UB, 434 8899

SpecialistThe Artisan Meat Co737 Wilmslow RdM20 6WF, 445 5840

Axons5-7 Barlow Moor RoadM20 6TN, 445 1795

The Cheese Hamlet706 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 434 4781

Evans Fish & Fruit Ltd 1 Barlow Moor RdM20 6TN, 445 2404

Love2Eat190 Burton Road M20 1LH, 434 7077

Thyme Out Delicatessen147 Nell Lane M20 2LG, 434 8686

Restaurant/Bar

Albert’s120-122 Barlow Moor RoadM20 2PU, 434 8289

Azzurro Restaurant242 Burton Road M20 2LW, 448 0099

Bistro West 156156 Burton Road M20 1LH, 445 1921

Cachumba Cafe220 Burton RoadM20 2LW, 445 2479

Casa Tapas704 Wilmslow RoadM20 2DW, 448 2515

The Didsbury852 Wilmslow Road M20 2SG, 445 5389

The Dog and Partridge667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 445 5322

The Famous Crown770 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 7085

Felicini Locanda751 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 2055

Fletcher Moss1 William StreetM20 6RQ, 438 0073

The Four in Hand108 Palatine Road M20 3ZA, 448 9397

Gourmet Burger Kitchen651 Wilmslow RoadM20 6QZ, 448 7167

The Great Kathmandu140 Burton Road M20 1JQ, 445 2145

Green Tea Restaurant222 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 5395

Greens43 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 434 4259

The Gurkha Grill198 Burton RoadM20 2LH, 445 5444

GUSTO765 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 445 8209

The Jade Garden743 Wilmslow Road M20 6RN, 448 2342

Jem&i1c School Lane M20 6RD, 0871 230 5026

The Laughing Buddha782 Wilmslow Road M20 2DR, 434 7688

The Lime Tree8 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 1217

The Metropolitan2 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 438 2332

Namaste Nepal

164-166 Burton Road

M20 1LH 0161 445 9060 or 0161 448 8353 www.namaste-nepal.co.uk O’Neills665-667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 448 7941

The Nelson Inn3 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TN, 434 5118

The Original Third Eye661 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 446 2300

One Lounge Bar1 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 448 0101

The Parrswood Hotel356 Parrswood Road M20 6JD, 445 1783

Piccolino6 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 434 7524

Pinchjo’s192 Burton Rd M20 1LH, 434 2020

Pomegranate202 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 7171

The Railway3 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 9839

The Royal Oak729 Wilmslow Road M20 6WF, 445 3152

Rhubarb Restaurant167 Burton Road M20 2LN, 448 8887

The Rose Garden 218 Burton RoadM20 2LW, 478 0747

Saints and Scholars694 Wilmslow Road M20 2DN, 448 2457

The Sanctuary 653 Wilmlsow RoadM20 6QZ, 445 9130

The Slug & Lettuce 651 Wilmslow Road M20 6QZ

The Station682 Wilmslow RoadM20 2DN, 445 9761

La Tasca10/12 Warburton Street M20 6WA, 438 0044

The Woodstock139 Barlow Moor Road M20 2DY, 448 7951

Catering Little Bird Catering07531 777 [email protected]

Eat local and independent with your TAG! card. For all offers checkout www.tagpassiton.com

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Crazy Hanging PlanterDanielle from Rubbish Revamped shows you how to transform a used milk bottle and spare buttons into a funky hanging planter. How crazy can you make yours look?You will need:A 1 litre plastic milk bottleScissorsCraft knifeHole punchFishing line (2 x 60cm)80cm stringGoogly eyes Buttons (or beads from broken jewellery)Glue or double sided sticky tapeNewspaperPlant (flower or herb)CompostOptional: indelible felt pens, waterproof stickers

1. Cut bottom off bottle

2. Make some slits for drainage in the lid and replace on bottle

3. Punch two holes on both sides of the rim. Feed 60cm of fishing line through the front holes on each side and tie a knot in the middle so you have two pieces of line about 30cm long.

4. Now decorate the ‘head’. Add googly eyes or buttons using PVA glue or double sided sticky tape. String buttons and beads through the fishing line and knot them to keep them in place.

5. Once the buttons are stuck dry, wrap the whole thing in newspaper to protect it. Part fill the bottle with compost and add the plant. Pack in extra compost as needed.

6. Thread the hanging string through the two middle holes of the planter. Water, hang, admire.

Here’s some more ideas for turning unused items into fun and attractive planters.

What have you got lying around the house that you could give a new life to as a planter? An old tin teapot and a leaking watering can?

Join a Rubbish Revamped craft workshop – find out what’s on at www.rubbishrevamped.org.uk

Photos by Rebecca Parsons www.rebeccaparsonsphotography.co.uk

17


In 1975 my dad built a then very fashionable rockery in our garden. I spent the next thirty or so years feeling mildly contemptuous towards its random rocks and gravely outcrops and certainly not in any way embracing of its many alpine delights. In the last few years however, I have noticeably thawed and on a recent trip to Holehird gardens near Windermere, the home of the Lakes Horticultural Society, positively swore that I would create a small alpine space in my own garden. Holehird has a number of National plant collections as well as a huge collection of alpines and extensive rock gardens all tumbling towards some magnificent views of Windermere with the peaks of the Lake District beyond. For years I had thought that alpines were fussy

beggers, disliking excess wet and needing to be cosseted during winter with little panels of glass over them and hot cocoa, but actually there are many varieties that will do well even in our ‘grim-up-north’ weather. The cobweb houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum) for example is always a favourite as are the miniature creeping stonecrops (Sedums). One of my favourites (and only because I once met a very forthright woman with a striking resemblance to Margaret Rutherford whose sister once had a national collection of them) are the many varieties of Saxifrages. Percy Thrower in a 1969 book ‘Everyday Gardening in Colour’ declares the three types of Saxifrages (Cushion, Encrusted and Mossy) as “the most important genera for the rock garden…” , each requiring slightly different methods of

cultivation. The Encrusted prefer sun, the Mossy shade and the Cushion somewhere in between. Other alpines you could try are the many varieties of Lewisia, Alchemilla alpina and Berberis stenophyla. In nearly all cases, alpines like a really well drained soil, preferably mixed with gravel, and a fairly sheltered position. So if you have a few spare pots and a bag of gravel, you too could do as most of us end up doing post 40, stepping straight into the slip-on overshoes of our forebears and recreate a little corner of 70’s heaven, you’ll be surprised at how addictive it becomes…

Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs

June in your Garden by Katherine Watson

Garden DesignPlanting AdviceConsultation ServiceProject Managment

07989968841www.fatgrass.co.uk

•professionalgardendesign

•fullconstructionservice

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www.greendesigns.eu

07810147070

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Make life more colourful with new computer skillsComputer lessons in your own home, any time, at your convenience (day, eve, weekend). We plan what you want to learn and take it at your own pace. Most people like an hour long lesson and it only takes a few to get your started. Learn on my computer or yours (if you have one). Friendly patient tutor with 11 years teaching experience.

David 07871 686 [email protected] PTTLs qualified, CRB checked, chartered

What is it with me and technology? It hates me; always has. Ever since I was knee-high to a Japanese instruction manual it’s been the bane of my life. I’ve had tape recorders that didn’t record, a black & white portable with no picture (a bargain at just a tenner, according to my dad) and a mobile phone that made everyone sound like a duck. In these silicon days, anything with a chip in it - no doubt sensing its namesake on my shoulder - takes one look at me and backs away, hissing. I’m like one of those people who can’t wear digital watches, generating some weird magnetic field. Computers break down, music systems blow, televisions fizzle out ‘not with a bang, but a whimper.’

But I think I’ve nailed the reason early on: I’m not so much a Luddite, as the son of one. Not for our family the latest gadgets and gizmos. When my friends were getting exited over their top-loading video players back in the late-seventies, I was hoping for one of those TV games that went beep; while they cooing over their ZX Spectrums and Commodore 64s in the eighties, my sister and I were badgering our parents for a top-loading video player. The result? A man, born when menus and chips meant just that, fondly remembering the days when a good boot not a reboot was all it took to fix something.

I can’t lay the blame wholesale with my folks, of course. Truth is, I left school just as computers were coming in the back door, and pretty much managed to ignore them until the mid-nineties. My first PC was already five-years-old and had a black & white screen (which I didn’t mind since I saw it as a glorified typewriter); my second, like most of my technology, was rescued from a skip. I may know my way around the word processor, but

to this day I still haven’t a clue what most of the other programs are for.

But all that’s going to change, starting tomorrow. Well, maybe the day after. Because finally, after much procrastination, I’ve decided to join the 21st century. I’m going to ditch my state of the ark (Windows 2000BC) computer and get a laptop. I’m going to get with the program and learn all there is to know about IT. There’s help at hand in the local community and if, like me, you’re tired of being left on the shelf when it comes to computing and information technology, there are numerous options open to you.

David at Bloom Learning (07871 686 683) offers computer lessons in your own home www.bloomlearning.co.uk. Chorlton Central Community Centre (0161 860 5921) on Barlow Moor Road offers short six-week courses in computing for beginners, office skills, and computing for the over 50s. Chorlton Park Adult Learning Centre (0161 254 7421) will start the new term in September with both accredited and non-accredited (life improving) computing and IT courses; and for those of you on flexi-time, Learn Direct (0161 860 6814) run many on-line courses from their drop-in centre on Wilbraham Road, including the European Computer Driving Licence or ECDL, an internationally recognised qualification.

I like the idea of having a driving licence. Even if it doesn’t allow me on the roads. And who knows? If I get up to speed, maybe somewhere down the line I’ll get a surround sound high definition TV and network it to my wireless broadband laptop. The day they start appearing in skips...

Why can’t I get with IT? Leon Horton

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The Didsbury Handyman City & Guilds multi skilled Tradesman

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Environmentally AwareSmall works always welcome

Carpentry • Joinery • Electrical • Plumbing Kitchens • Fencing • Built in Furniture • Decks

Gates • Shelves • Locks • Hardware

call Nick

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GREEN ROOFING SPECIALIST sedum, wildflower and grass •PITCHED ROOFING - slate, clay & concrete tiles •E.P.D.M. flat roofing • Metal and U.P.V.C. guttering • Repairs & maintenence • Free quotes

www.eskroofing.com208 Brantingham Rd•Chorlton•Manchester• M21 0TX

[email protected]

Call Jake Tidy 07775 038 905 • 0161 861 9796

www.chorltonnursery.com

Opening times: 10am-5pm

Wednesday-Sunday

18A Vicars Road, Chorlton(Entry via passageway)

• vegetable seedlings • herbs• fruit bushes & trees• herbaceous perennials• trees, shrubs & roses• climbers• bedding plants• bedding plants• ready made baskets & pots

A large selection of high quality plants available, including:

“Chorlton’s Horticultural Hidden Gem”

CHORLTON NURSERY

Not to be confused with the 90s techno/house band ‘Urban Cookie Collective’, Didsbury Dinners is recruiting for a band of eco-cooks to teach people how to bake their own environmentally sustainable batches of cookies (among other things). But we probably won’t encourage hoarding them in offices in town like the band of the same name might do.

We plan to teach 100+ more people how to cook this year, and are aiming to recuit 12 community cookery champions to help us set sail towards our goal. Don’t miss this chance to tell other people what they should eat (tongue firmly in cheek, savouring the last mouthful of asparagus).

If you’d like to get involved, please complete our online survey at http://is.gd/3OFF8f, or drop us a line at [email protected]

Didsbury DiggingPlenty of us in Didsbury live in flats, with no access to garden space for growing. While a lot can be grown on a windowsill, local allotment waiting lists follow the national trend of being long, leaving plenty of people looking for land to grow on.

In July 2011, we used funding from Didsbury Dinners: The Low-Carbon Community Cookbook to establish our first new community orchard on Stenner Lane in Didsbury. Five more

community gardens/orchards are planned for 2012.

We’ve already started to create a new community food garden on Barlow Moor Road in Didsbury, and have secured a Landshare plot near Fog Lane Park. We garden in Didsbury most Saturdays (12-4pm) and new volunteers are always welcome. It’s a great chance to meet lovely new people, get a bit of sun, and discover muscles (and skills) that you never knew you had! Read all about it at http://didsburydinners.wordpress.com

Didsbury Dinners meets Stanley KucumberThe famous film director of such auteur classics as ‘Potato-eyes Wide Shut’, ‘Clockwork Oranges and Lemons’, and ‘2001: A Space Aubergine’ has some serious competition at the Cannes Canned Food/Film Festival next year. Didsbury Dinners has uploaded its own videos for your wonder and amazement at its new video channel http://vimeo.com/didsburydinners

Obviously all our talent and footage is home-grown, just like our veg, so if you’d like a leading roll or sandwich in the future, please come down to our Didsbury community gardening Saturdays and we will be happy to shoot you! Not like that of course. Just email us at [email protected] to sign up.

The Suburban Cooking Collective Gez Devney

20

Spray Tanning

helens cards2.indd 1 12/04/2012 10:23

angelheights

Reach your potential

Using Sienna X, it’s a favourite spray tan of countless celebrities

and has been making the news all over the TV and in the Press.

To book your appointment call or text me on 07791 307067.

Helen Griffiths

helens cards2.indd 2 12/04/2012 10:23

ManchesterMORNINGS: 10 -11.30AM

EVENINGS: 6-7.30PM 7.30-9PM/

Spanish for beginners / elementary

6 WEEK COURSE MORNING COURSE ONLY £65

£ 90

COURSESSPANISH

Mornings special offer £65!Returning students get 10% off!

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For more information and other levels:

Call 0757 7817 376 or email us at: [email protected]

Spanish Wednesdays @ AiryFairyCupcakes

24 School Lane, Didsbury, M20 6RG Starting Wednesday, 13th of June

Thinking of working in or moving to Spain? Or just enjoying a sunny holiday there? holiday

Spain

Hurry up! only 10 students per class

Spanish Mondays available in Chorlton !!

Evening Courses 4/11/18/25th July Wed 7-9pm Drawing can't draw/can draw 5/12/19/26th July Thur 7-9pm Book Making creating a bound Journal

One-Day Courses for June/July

www.creativerecycling.co.uk40 Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EL

Creative Recycling Gallery

Sun 10th June Bead Making fashion jewellery/accessories • Sun 24th JuneFelting creating forms (hat/bag)•Sat30thJune Wedding Bouquet pressing plants to preserve • Sat 7th JulyGlass Fusing create small sample pieces •Sat14thJulyArt Journaling collaging/painting/printing • Sun 15th July Rag Rugging for home furnishing • Sat 21st July Book Making designing cover & binding •Sat 28thJulyCreative Stitch creating cushions • Sun29th July Drawing can’t draw/can draw

Leaflet Distribution• Delivery to up to 60k addresses in

South Manchester• Covering Chorlton, Whalley

Range, Stretford, Urmston, Didsbury & Withington

• Ex Royal Mail Manager• Reliable service• Competitive pricing

Contact David01618819961•07948002036

[email protected]

South Manchester

21

follow us on twitter @communityindex

14

Basement Conversionshome office • gym • playroom • wine cellar • bathroom • wetroom

Best Cellars North West • Unit 128 • 792 Wilmslow Rd • Didsbury • Manchester • M20 6UGwww.bestcellarsnw.co.uk

best ce arsbasement conversions

northwestTel: 07921 710 563 Roy Nesbitt

September 2009.indd 14 14/08/2009 01:05:00

Tel: 0161 300 0530 Mob: 07921 710 563

Property Repairs Chimneys

PointingRoofs

Gutters

Free Est imates

M Duffin

0161 789 664007944 729 608

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Arts & CraftsCreative Recycling Gallery 21Building & MaintenanceBest Cellars 22Cheshiregate Property Services 6Devine Building & Maintenance 2Carpet CleanerProfresh 23Chimney SweepAcorn Chimney Sweeping Service

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Computer TuitionBloom Learning 18DrainsDevrod 10FloorsDevine Floorsanding 23Food & DrinkBarbakan Delicatessen 5GardensChorlton Nursery 19Fat Grass Garden Design 17Green Designs 17Karen O’Keffe 10GiftsHarriet & Dee 12-13GuttersBen 6HandymanDidsbury Handyman 4Health & BeautyAngel Heights Spray Tanning 21JoinerKarl Hutton 11Leaflet DistributionSouth M/CR Leaflet Distribution 21Painting & DecoratingCarol Smith 6Georgina Cullen 6RooferEsk Roofing 19M Duffin 22Solar PanelsCheshiregate Solar Panels 19Spanish CourseHola Manchester 21Therapy & HealingAlexander Technique 2Time Out Therapy 2Tree ServicesTree Station 9Window CleanerDidsbury Window Cleaning 10

Business I N D E X

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We are a local company based in Chorlton

Ring or email for a FREE ESTIMATE

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Mobile Email


to advertise in the next edition, call Lesley on 0787 589 5604

entertainment

Live Music

refreshments

Dogshow

proce

ssio

n

Funfair

Didsbury Community Index June 2012

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Transcript of Didsbury Community Index June 2012