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community Didsbury index Nov 2011 view online at www.communityindex.co.uk Delivered FREE to Didsbury homes

Didsbury Community Index November 2011

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Page 1: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

communityDidsburyindex

Nov 2011

view online at www.communityindex.co.uk

Delivered FREE to Didsbury homes

Page 2: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

15

please mention community index when responding to adverts

Mobile Email

07875 360 368 [email protected]

2

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

Property Repairs Chimneys

PointingRoofs

Gutters

Free Est imates

M Duffin

0161 789 664007944 729 608

Page 3: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

3

PUBLISHERCommunity Index

EDITOR/ADVERTISINGLesley Swann

SUB-EDITORSam Paechter

LISTINGSRebecca Ronald

CONTRIBUTIONSKatherine Watson, Amanda Woodvine,

Didsbury Dinners, Dave Bishop, Didsbury Arts Festival

COVER PHOTOGRAPHLesley Swann

CONTACT USTel: Lesley 0787 589 5604

[email protected]

DEADLINE FOR THE DEC/JAN EDITION14th November 2011

ContentsDIDSBURY ARTS FESTIVAL Closing on a high note!

DIDSBURY DINNERSLocal Cookery Classes

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARDNew Regular Feature

ERIKA’S VEGI NIKU-JAGADidsbury Dinners Recipe

A HIDDEN COST OF METROLINKDave Bishop

FOOD & DRINK INDEXNew Regular Feature

NOVEMBER IN YOUR GARDENKatherine Watson

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Page 4: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

Didsbury Arts Festival ended on a high note with an impressive display of home-grown talent – and a surprise guest!

Didsbury’s Got Talent provided the showcase finale to a week-long celebration of the arts which saw thousands of people flocking to more than 170 events.

Eleven finalists entertained a 400-strong audience at Parrs Wood High School with singing, music-making – and a performing dog!

The evening’s judges included former Olympic athlete and Commonwealth 800m gold medallist, Diane Modahl, local

businessman Salim Uddin-Khandakar and Andrew Shakof, headteacher at Parrs Wood High School.

They picked 15-year-old songstress, Tasha Leanne Jones, as the winner. In second place was classical soprano, Scarlett Quigley, aged 13, while boy band, Illusion, all year 10 students at Parrs Wood High, came third.

And there was a surprise in store when John Pienaar, Radio 5 Live's chief political correspondent, in Manchester for the Tory Party Conference, turned up to record the show and interview audience members.

He was so impressed by the high standard of all the performances that he featured the event on his popular Sunday evening show, Pienaar’s Politics.

Afterwards, John told organisers: ‘This has been a great event, thoroughly enjoyable. I have to say that all the acts I’ve seen here tonight are much better than most of those I’ve seen on TV on either Britain’s Got Talent or X Factor.

‘And what can I say about Didsbury? Many of my friends, in the process of moving to MediaCity in Salford, are planning to live in Didsbury. What a

Talent show closes DAF 2011 on a high note!

Winner Tasha Leanne Jones

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Page 5: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

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fantastic place! Has Didsbury got talent? Yes, it certainly has!’

Organiser, Debra Green, pastor at Ivy Church, Manchester, said: ‘We were delighted to have John Pienaar there. What a fabulous journalist he is!

‘This was a fantastic final. The performances were all excellent and we had a great audience. Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this a success. We’d better start planning now for next year!’

Earlier in the evening, more than 300 people took part in a lantern procession from Fletcher Moss Park to Parsonage Gardens. Some children brought giant lanterns made in DAF workshops at Didsbury C of E and Moor Allerton primary schools. Others brought

home-made lamps of all shapes and sizes, including bicycle lamps.

At Parsonage Gardens, lit by fire lamps, coloured lanterns and light sculptures hanging from trees, the audience was entertained by a shadowy cast of dancing nymphs and spirits with ghostly music played on a real piano under a spreading magnolia tree. The spectacle was created for DAF by local artist Mike Lister and artists’ co-operative, pa-BOOM.

To see what happened during DAF 2011 visit: www.didsburyartsfestival.orgAll enquiries to:[email protected]

All Photos: by Richard Strittmatter

2nd place, Scarlett Quigley 3rd place, Boy band, Illusion

Carol SmithHome Improvements

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Page 6: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

6

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The Athenaeum Amateur Dramatic Society

Presents......Willy Russell’s

Breezeblock Park7.30pm each evening from Thursday,

10th November to Saturday, 12th November 2011

at the Church Hall, St Werburgh’s Road, Chorlton M21 0TL

doors at 7pmTickets £6 (£5 concessions)

Ticket Booking line: 07593 827201 or buy your tickets on the door www.mcr-ath-dramasoc.org

Sally Gilkes07815 780 775

Female DECORATOR

Professional

Competitive Pricing•Free Colour Consultation•NVQqualified•Diploma in Interior Design•10% OAP Discount•

[email protected]

Alba-LecDidsbury

Re-wires•Part Re-wires•Sockets•New Consumer Units•Testing,Inspection&Certificationas•per 17th Edition Regulations

Lighting•Showers•Garden Power•

Experienced, local & reliable

10% Discount for OAPs & ex Services

Call Robert: 07780-968-978

Domestic & Commercial Electrician

A comedy about the sadness and madness of happy family

life. Breezeblock Park has been described as “The Royle

Family meets Keeping Up Appearances”.

Its Christmas Eve and a close-knit family gather for the festivities. But lurking beneath the glitzy gift wrap, tired tinsel and fairy lights lie concealed

jealousies, petty squabbles and asecret.Asthedrinksflow,feather’sflyandadaughter’s

news threatens to tear the family apart. Betty and Reeny are

sisters, Tommy is their brother.

Page 7: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

77

Community Index

PRINTLitho print • Digital print• Graphic Design Service

Email us for a quote: [email protected]

Tel: 0787 589 5604

Business Cards

Loyalty Cards

Leaflets

Flyers

Posters

Postcards

Letterheads

Compliment Slips

Page 8: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

8

Local Residents Learn to Cook with Didsbury DinnersSales proceeds from ‘Didsbury Dinners: The Low-Carbon Community Cookbook’ were used to fund a fun cookery course that started in September.

The free four-week course was held at West Didsbury Sure Start Centre, and aimed to increase people’s confidence in the kitchen. As well as teaching people how to make cheap, tasty meals, it was an opportunity to make new friends.

Priority places on the course were given to people with below average cookery skills, a small regular income, and low savings.

Sessions were led by Alison Maudsley a cookery tutor for the Cracking Good Food cooking network based in Chorlton (see www.crackinggoodfood.org). Participants learnt how to make quick and easy stir-fries; simple

sauces; soups, stews and pies; and Mexican dishes. And Amanda Woodvine, editor of ‘Didsbury Dinners’, taught the group about food sustainability issues, including reducing energy when cooking, how to source food locally, and how to cut down on food waste.

After completing the course, all of the budding chefs rated their skills as either very good or excellent.

One participant, Mario, noticed a definite improvement in his cookery skills over the four weeks. He said: “The course has made me more aware of environmental issues, and the importance of eating healthy foods rather than ready-meals. I will now cook more vegetarian foods at home. I’d recommend the course to everyone I know!”

Another participant, Priscilla, commented that the course had helped her enjoy cooking and learning about ingredients. “Cooking can be fun!”

‘Didsbury Dinners: The Low Carbon Community Cookbook’ was published in April.

The glossy 80-page paperback contains recipes donated by

Didsbury residents receive the ‘Cracking Good Cook Award’

Page 9: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

9

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

Established in 1983, a family run business where you can trust us when handling your garments...

Curtains & Upholstery Cleaning £5/kg•Duvet Cleaning: Single £10 Double £15•Ironing Services•Repairs & Alterations•Stain Removal•Same Day Service •Evening Dress & Wedding Dress Specialist•

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38 Manchester Rd, Chorlton M21 9PH

VILLAGE DRY CLEANERSSpecialist Dry Cleaners

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Didsbury residents, schools, community groups and businesses. It is also packed with money- and energy- saving tips that can save the average household a whopping £170, so the book will pay for itself in no time!

The cookbook costs just £6.99, and all sales proceeds are being reinvested in local food sustainability projects. As well as the cookery course, it has already helped to fund a new community orchard on Stenner Lane in Didsbury, which was planted in July.

The book is now on sale via Didsbury Civic Society, Didsbury Library, Didsbury Park Sure Start Children’s Centre, West Didsbury Sure Start Children’s Centre, Cracking Good Food, Manchester Bridge Club, BoHo’s, Unicorn Grocery and Amazon.co.uk.

And for those who prefer to go completely paper-free, it will soon be available as a Kindle eBook!

If you are interested in a place on a future cookery course, or for more information about the Didsbury Dinners project, please email [email protected] or join our yahoo group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/didsburydinners

NACS member

www.acornchimneysweepingservices.co.uk

Call John0161 445 3650

CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICESAcorn

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

The Didsbury Handyman City & Guilds multi skilled Tradesman

Domestic & Commercial Public Liability Insurance

0777 852 3088

Environmentally AwareSmall works always welcome

Carpentry•Joinery•Electrical•PlumbingKitchens•Fencing•BuiltinFurniture•Decks

Gates•Shelves•Locks•Hardware

call Nick

v

Page 10: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

10 Community Noticeboard10

Clubs, Societies & Groups

Acting For FunCentral Didsbury431 4794

Didsbury Amateur Dramaticswww.celestaplayers.co.uk

Didsbury Cricket Clubwww.didsburyccsports.co.uk

Didsbury Good NeighboursMarie Greenhalgh07749 504298 www.didsburygood neighbours.com

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

Salsa de Cubac/o 212 Burton Road West Didsbury Manchester07813 830067 [Susan] 07854 192763 [Juan]

South Manchester Dance School107 Clyde Road West Didsbury, 445 5308

Health and Fitness

Didsbury Sports CentreManchester Metropolitan University, 247 2323mmu.ac.uk/sport/didsbury.php

Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre Parrs Wood, Wilmslow Road, 438 2918 www.parrswoodmanchester.co.uk

The Waterside Hotel & Galleon Leisure ClubWilmslow Road, 445 0225, www.watersidehotel.co.uk

Arts & Crafts

The Classroom on School Lane Learn new a new craft or skill.24 School Lanewww.classroomschool lane.com, info@classroom schoollane.com

The Magic Cupboard212 Burton Road West Didsbury Manchester445 8752 www.themagic cupboard.co.uk, email [email protected]

Manchester Mosaics creative and art historical workshops07528 526798www.gallery.me.com/amandamccrannamandamccrann @mac.com

Wendy Levy Art Gallery17 Warburton Street Didsbury, 446 4880

Music & Entertainment

Cineworld CinemaParrswood Entertainment Centre Parrswood Road Didsbury, 434 0909

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 Eclectic mix of music,Upbeat funk & soul beats with resident djs lennon, colin & rolfe 5pm—1amOne Lounge Bar1 Lapwing laneqww.Oneloungebar.co.uk 448 0101

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

Social & Support Groups

Didsbury Village East Residents Associationwww.dvera.co.uk

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

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

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

Useful Numbers

Didsbury Library 227 3755

Environment on Call 954 9000

Gas Emergency 0800 111 999

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

TFGM 0870 6082 608

East Didsbury Councillors

Andrew [email protected]

Andrew [email protected]

David [email protected]

West Didsbury Councillors

Mark [email protected]

Graham [email protected]

David [email protected]

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

email your listings to [email protected]

Page 11: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

11

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

Community Noticeboard

Basic Sewing Skills Course5 x 2 hour sessions

Tuesdays 7 - 9pmNext course starts

15th November 2011

Pottery Corner34 Beech Rd, Chorlton

M21 9EL

£120 for 5 sessions

Contact Ruth on 0161 881 9861 or [email protected]

Become confident with a sewing machine• Practise all the basic sewing operations -•

buttonholes, zips, gathers, darts etc.Take home a folder of examples •

to refer to later

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN TO SEW?

The University of the Third Age is a unique and exciting self help

educational movement for people no longer in full time employment.

It is a learning cooperative of older people which enables members to

share many educational, creative and leisure group activities and to form

new friendships.

South Manchester U3AUniversity of the Third Age

We meet at Emmanuel Church DidsburyonthefirstTuesdayof

each month at 2pm

Contact Edna for details on 0161 434 2509

[email protected]

MANCHESTER SOCIAL FRIENDS

Varied social events for 25-45s

in Manchester

Visit

www.meetup.com/manchestersocfriends

or phone John on:

01253 626268

Extend your social scene and make new friends

Page 12: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

12

Sunday 6 November 2.30 pm CHAMBER MUSIC (SS)

Zelkova Quartet Haydn String Quartet op. 54 no. 2 & Taneyev

String Quartet no. 3Admission £5

Saturday 19 November 7.30 pm CHORAL CONCERT

The William Byrd Singers ‘On Another Shore’Brahms - Zwei Motetten, Op.74

Joubert - Incantation Brahms - Geistliches Leid, Op.30

Brahms - Fest und Gedenksprücke, Op.109Joubert - They are happy Parry - Songs of Farewell

Sunday 20 November 2.30 pm ORGAN RECITAL (SS)

Andrew Condliffe-Jones (Organist, St Paul’s Withington)

to include Laudate Dominium by Peter Hurford & Mariales by Hakim

Admission £5

Darley Avenue, West Didsbury, M20 2ZD Tel: 0161 445 4152

E-mail:[email protected] SUNDAY SOUNDS (SS)

All concerts: 2.30pm start Admission: £5 – Proceeds to the Organ Fund

Tea, coffee & cake before and after concerts

AUTUMN 2011 CONCERT PROGRAMME

CHRIST CHURCH WEST DIDSBURY

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

call us today and get your business noticed

0787 589 [email protected]

communityDidsbury

index

May 2010

New free magazine - 4,000 copies distributed in Didsbury every month

AFFORDABLE EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING

REACH 20,000+ LOCAL HOMES!

DEVINE KITCHENS

Tel: 0161 291 9680

A new kitchen can add both character and wealth to any home, and here at Devine Kitchens we have the expertise and knowledge to advise you on the best use of space, lighting, fixtures and fittings to help create that dream kitchen into a reality.

We have established an excellent reputation over the years for our high qulaity of workmanship and customer focus, all backed up with the various testimonials from our many satisfied clients. We have over 20 years of experience with high quality workmanship fitting kitchens that will inspire.

We have a vast range of kitchens from the classic styled kitchens, or the more contemporary designs.

Design Service Available

www.devinekitchens.co.uk

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please mention community index when responding to adverts

Mobile Email

07875 360 368 [email protected]

Page 13: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

13

HAVE YOU GOT YOURS YET?Save a fortune, support independent

businesses & raise money for local charities with a Tagpassiton Card!

This fantastic community loyalty scheme encourages you to shop local and

independent.

Tagpassiton is now a community interest company and aims to encourage us, through our purchases, to support our local economy.

Use your card to get exclusive access to deals, discounts and promotions at hundreds of

independent businesses.

Look out for the posters and distinctive hand logo when you’re out and about or download a

pocket guide at

Get your card at:

Rumpus ToysAlbert Hill St

Funk Boutique Shcool Lane

Harriet & DeeWarburton St

Inmans Lapwing Lane

Cavendish Primary School

Page 14: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

14

Serves 6–8

2½ cups short-grained sushi rice or tapioca rice

2 onions, sliced ¼ inch (approx ½ cm) thick

1 large leek, diagonally sliced ¼ inch (approx ½ cm) thick

3 large carrots, diagonally sliced ¼ inch (approx ½ cm) thick

2 turnips cut into eighths

1 parsnip, cut into ¼ inch (approx ½ cm) rounds

5 potatoes, cut into eighths

1 small swede, cut into 1 inch (2½ cm) cubes

A couple of handfuls of seasonal mushrooms, cut in half

A handful of dried shiitake mushrooms, pre-soaked in warm water for 20 mins (use the water from this as stock)

2 handfuls of coarsely chopped kale

2 small birds eye chillis, cut with scissors as finely as possible

2 vegetable stock cubes (or kelp stock, dashi)

1 level tbsp golden syrup

1½ cups Kikkoman’s Japanese soya sauce (reduced salt if possible)

¾ cup mirin (sweet cooking sake rice wine)

1 large garlic clove, grated

2 slabs of firm tofu, cut in 2 inch (5 cm) blocks

The florettes of 1 broccoli, plus coarsely chopped stalk

1 cup peas

2 inches (5 cm) of ginger, grated

A handful of flat-leaf parsley

A handful of clear thin rice noodles

4 tsp sesame seeds

1. Cook the rice according to the packet instructions.

2. Meanwhile, in a large deep pan, sauté the onions and leek.

3. Add the rest of the veg (except for peas, broccoli and parsley) and add mushroom soaking-water plus just enough water to cover everything.

4. Add stock cubes, syrup, soya sauce, mirin and the grated garlic. Bring to the boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer on low until potatoes are parboiled.

5. Add tofu, broccoli and peas and grated ginger and parsley. Taste-check at this point – add more water if too salty, or more soya sauce if not salty enough.

6. Remove lid and cook over a medium-low heat until the soup has reduced by half. When the potatoes are cooked so that they break when prodded, add rice noodles. Turn off heat after 5 minutes.

7. Serve in bowls, accompanied with bowls of sticky short-grain sushi rice. Sprinkle sesame seeds over each portion.

“This is an adaptation of Japanese NIKU-JAGA, which literally translates as ‘meat and potatoes’. It uses mainly seasonal spring vegetables available in the Didsbury area. It’s a hearty comfort food dish, with a salty-sweet taste; a cold-weather favourite one-pot dish in Japanese households.

It works well as a veggie dish by replacing the meat with a firm tofu.”

Erika’s veggie niku-jaga

Recipe reproduced from Didsbury Dinners: The Low-Carbon Community Cookbook, with kind permission from the editor Amanda Woodvine.

Didsbury Dinners is an 80-page A4 glossy paperback packed full of recipes from local residents and groups. Buy your copy for just £6.99 from The Albert Club and Didsbury Civic Society. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards promoting local food sustainability. [email protected]

Page 15: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

15

Recipe reproduced from Didsbury Dinners: The Low-Carbon Community Cookbook, with kind permission from the editor Amanda Woodvine.

Didsbury Dinners is an 80-page A4 glossy paperback packed full of recipes from local residents and groups. Buy your copy for just £6.99 from The Albert Club and Didsbury Civic Society. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards promoting local food sustainability. [email protected]

The Burton Road Clinic 121 Burton Road, Didsbury M20 1HZ

0161 446 2533www.theburtonroadclinic.co.uk

theburtonroadclinicOSTEOPATHY

Nicholas Vine & Carolyn GreenhalghRegistered Osteopaths

Osteopaths treat back and neck pain and muscle and joint problems such as whiplash, sciatica and headaches. These problems may be caused by manual work, computer use or stress. Osteopathy can

help with the mechanical effects of pregnancy – both during the pregnancy and afterwards, and with age related conditions and the pain of arthritis. We also treat sports injuries such as shoulder problems and

knee problems, and injuries due to repetitive actions such as playing musical instruments.

Appointments are available Monday to Saturday, including early mornings and evenings.

Alexander Technique

you can improve how you move, perform, look and feel

individual sessions, groups and workshops

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! !

Didsbury LibraryAmended

Opening HoursMonday 9am - 8pmTuesday 9am - 8pmWednesday CLOSEDThursday 9am - 5pmFriday 9am - 5pmSaturday 9am - 1pm 2 - 5pmSunday CLOSED

You can renew items via the website or by calling 0161 234 5007

manchester.gov.uk/libraries

Page 16: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

16

There seems to be general agreement that the extension of the Metrolink tram system to Chorlton has been a good thing. We’re told that it will take cars off the road – although I’m not so sure. I suspect that we’ll end up with Metrolink and an ever-growing number of cars.

Nevertheless, there is a hidden cost to Metrolink – a cost which, I suspect, the vast majority of local people are not even aware of. The organisation behind Metrolink is Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and if you go on to their website, and dig down, you will find their ‘Wildlife and Tree Replacement Policy’. This policy promises that:

“The development of transport infrastructure must ensure the protection and enhancement of protected landscapes, habitats and sites; and take opportunities to protect and enhance

biodiversity, ...”

Those of us who are concerned about wildlife, and the rate at which it is disappearing both locally and nationally, are beginning to suspect that this promise is not worth the paper it is written on. TfGM seem to be under the illusion that all they have to do to fulfil the promise is to plant a few trees (many of which seem to have died already) and install a few cheap pond liners (which won’t last more than a few years) in some out-of-the-way spots.

I am an amateur botanist and I have spent the last few years studying the plant life of the Mersey Valley and South Manchester. As a result I have a pretty good idea which rare or unusual plant species we have lost already and which we are going to lose very soon. Here are some examples:

Ivy-leaved DuckweedThis strange little water-borne plant has leaves which float just below the water’s surface. I found it in a waterlogged section of the old railway line between Chorlton and Old Trafford, just before work began on Metrolink. I was allowed to rescue some and moved it to a newish pond near Hardy Farm. Unfortunately it didn’t take to its new habitat and died out.

This plant was reported from Chorlton by the great Manchester shoe-maker botanist, Richard Buxton in his flora of 1849. It is probably now extinct in this suburb.

Haresfoot CloverI was very excited a couple of years ago to find this distinctive little clover, with its ‘powder-puff’ flowers, on a tiny patch of wasteland at Hough End. A year

A Hidden Cost of Metrolink

Haresfoot Clover

Page 17: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

17

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

later this patch of land was obliterated by TfGM’s contractors who sited their heavy machinery on it. I have two more South Manchester sites for this plant, but one of these is threatened. The other is (ironically) near a Metrolink station where the contractors will, no doubt, soon find an excuse to destroy it.

Intermediate Polypody on London PlaneA few years ago a friend of mine reported that he had spotted, from the top deck of the number 86 bus, a Polypody fern growing on a London Plane tree on Upper Chorlton Road. Intrigued, I decide to investigate further. I found three examples on Upper Chorlton Road and several more on Urmston Lane in Stretford. There were more examples on the Plane Trees which grew on the central reservation of Mauldeth Road West – but, of course, TfGM have now chopped those down.

The phenomenon of one plant growing on another plant (e.g. a fern growing on a tree) without parasitising it is called epiphysis. Epiphytic ferns are most commonly found in the wetter parts of Britain – particularly in ancient oak woodland in the South West. But London Planes are not ancient oaks – they are ‘man-made’ hybrids, often planted as street trees because they are resistant to pollution; to find epiphytic ferns growing on them is extraordinary! I sent a fern frond to a national fern expert for identification. He told me that he had not encountered this combination in any other city in the UK – so it may be unique to South Manchester. Nevertheless, TfGM have destroyed a significant proportion of the population before it can even be properly studied.

The Plants of Hardy Farm and Lower Hardy FarmBoth of these areas are Sites of Biological Importance (SBIs) and, hence, are supposed to be afforded a certain degree of protection. Nevertheless, the Metrolink to the Airport line is to be driven through the latter (a corridor has already been bull-dozed through it) and contractors’ plant and machinery is now sited on part of the former.

Hardy Farm is home to a complex group of wild orchids: Northern Marsh, Southern Marsh, Early Marsh and Common Spotted orchids (all Dactylorhiza sp.) have all been found there, along with their hybrids. Of these Early Marsh is the rarest nationally – but, of course, Metrolink equipment has been ‘plonked’ on top of the best area for that species.

Lower Hardy Farm should always have been the Mersey Valley’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’, from a biodiversity point of view, but it has been ignored and grievously neglected for decades. It used to

contain populations of the magnificent Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) and the rather papyrus-like Wood Club-rush (Scirpus sylvaticus). Both of these have been dug up and moved across the river to Sale – but I’m not confident that they will survive and they are now, of course, both effectively extinct in Chorlton.

This SBI still contains Chorlton’s only population of Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and a rare Hawkweed (Hieracium sp.) but I doubt whether either of these will survive the coming onslaught.

Should we care about these losses? I think that we should. Every day, day in, day out we lose more and more species both locally, nationally and internationally. The gravity of this situation, and its grievous implications for the future of our species, were recognised at a major international conference at Nagoya, Japan, last year. The UK was a signatory to the subsequent treaty – but Metrolink suggests to me that the authorities still don’t ‘get it’ – and still don’t care!

Dave Bishop, Chair of Friends of Chorlton [email protected] http://friendsofchorltonmeadows.blogspot.com

Page 18: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

Cafe Life

The Art of Tea47 Barlow Moor Road Didsbury, 448 9323

The Bursting Butty839 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 6264

Crazy Cow Cafe837 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 215 0325

Fletcher Moss 1 William Street Didsbury, 438 0073

Folk Cafe Bar169-171 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 2912www.folkcafebar.co.uk

Refresh10a Whitechapel Street Didsbury, 4348899

Specialist

The Cheese Hamlet706 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 4781

Latin Kitchenc/o 212 Burton Road West Didsbury, 434 5685

Love2Eat190 Burton Road West Didsbury, 434 7077www.love-2eat.com

Thyme Out Delicatessen147 Nell Lane West Didsbury, 434 8686www.thymeoutdeli.co.uk

Restaurant/Bar

Azzurro Restaurant242 Burton Road West Didsbury, 448 0099www.azzurro restaurant.com

The Bell HouseParrswood Entertainment Centre Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 6990

Bistro West 156156 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 1921

Cachumba220 Burton Road West Didsbury

Cafe Rouge651-3 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 438 0444

Chiquito Mexican GrillUnit 4 Parrswood Entertainment Centre Didsbury, 446 4130

The Didsbury852 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 5389www.thedidsbury.co.uk

The Dog and Partridge667 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 5322

The Famous Crown770 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 7085

Felicini Locanda751 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 2055www.felicini.co.uk

The Four in Hand108 Palatine Road Didsbury, 448 9397

Frankies Fish Bar178 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 [email protected]

The Great Kathmandu140 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 2145www.great kathmandu.co.uk

Green Tea Restaurant222 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 5395 www.greenteadidsbury.com

Greens43 Lapwing Lane West Didsbury, 434 4259

The Gurkha Grill198 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 5444www.gurkhagrill.com

GUSTO765 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 8209www.gustorestaurants.uk.com

The Hogshead653 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 5389

The Jade Garden743 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 448 2342www.jadegarden didsbury.co.uk

Jem&i1c School Lane Didsbury, 445 3996

The Laughing Buddha782 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 7688www.thelaughingbuddhadidsbury.co.uk

The Lime Tree8 Lapwing Lane West Didsbury, 445 1217www.thelimetree restaurant.co.uk

The Metropolitan2 Lapwing Lane West Didsbury, 438 2332 www.the-metropolitan.co.uk

O’Neills665-667 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 448 7941

The Original Third Eye661 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 446 2300

The Nelson Inn3 Barlow Moor Road Didsbury, 434 5118

One Lounge Bar1 Lapwing Lane West Didsbury, 448 0101

The Parrswood Hotel356 Parrswood Road Didsbury, 445 1783

Piccolino6 Lapwing Lane West Didsbury, 434 7524

Pinchjo’s192 Burton Rd West Didsbury, 434 [email protected]

Pomegranate202 Burton Road West Didsbury, 445 7171

The Railway3 Lapwing Lane West Didsbury, 445 9839

The Royal Oak729 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 3152www.royaloakpub manchester.co.uk

Rhubarb Restaurant167 Burton Road West Didsbury, 448 8887www.rhubarb restaurant.co.uk

The Rose Garden 218 Burton RoadWest Didsbury, 478 0747www.therosegarden didsbury.com

Saints and Scholars694 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 448 2457

The Sanctuary 653 Wilmlsow RoadDidsbury, 445 9130

La Tasca10/12 Warburton Street West Didsbury, 438 0044

The Woodstock139 Barlow Moor Road West Didsbury, 448 7951 www.thewoodstockarmsdidsbury.co.uk

Food & Drink Index18

Page 19: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

19

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

[email protected]

YOUR BUSINESS

HERE

call us today and get your business noticed

0787 589 5604

affordable, effective LOCAL advertising

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS

FAST DRYING SYSTEM•FREE STAIN & ODOUR REMOVAL•STAINGUARD PROTECTION•10% RETIRED PERSONS DISCOUNT•ALL WORK IS FULLY INSURED•ALL FURNITURE MOVED BY OPERATIVE•

Fully trained to NCCA standards

We are a local company based in Chorlton

Ring or email for a FREE ESTIMATE

07742 369 231or leave a message on 0161 881 4822

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Page 20: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

20

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

19

67-71 Manchester Rd, Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW Telephone: 0161 881 7053

10% OFF with this voucher in November 2011

*£5 minimum spend

*

www.barbakan-deli.co.uk

Winners of the Craft Bakery Business Award 2011Your local Award Winning Delicatessen and Bakery is ready to

serve you with a wide choice of fresh and original Breads and Deli products. Call in soon and give your tastebuds a treat!

Barbakan Delicatessen

NEW OPENING TIMESFrom Monday 31st October

Mon/Tues/Wed 8am - 5.30pm

LATE NIGHT OPENING

Thursday 8am - 7pm

Friday 8am - 5.30pm

Saturday 8.30am - 5pm

Page 21: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

21

For many people November signals the final turn to winter - where the smattering of warmer and brighter days through October, gives way to the dreary trudge of cold and wet, lifted only by a few well-placed national traditions like mischief night and Guy Fawkes. The poet Emily Dickinson described November as “the Norway of the Year” (presumably alluding to short, dark and cold days and not to a month jostling with serial killers). But the gardening year is far from over by November and the days, although shorter, can still be punctuated with a chill sun. Tulips can be put in until the end of the month and most garden centres sell a wide variety. Check your bulbs before you buy them to make sure they are nice and plump,

(try also to avoid bulbs with a lot of mould on them) and get them in the ground as soon as possible. Whilst squirrels generally don’t like the taste of daffodils, the same can’t be said for tulip bulbs and the only way of preventing them from munching through your stock is to cover the planting area with mesh secured at the edges. If you take your chances, make sure you clear up any bits of papery skin from the bulbs after you’ve planted them. Apparently the Dutch interplant their tulips with Fritillaria imperialis to prevent then being eaten. This variety of Fritillaria is a very impressive spring flowering bulb, a wonderful display in groups, but one that is susceptible to rot in damp conditions so may not be as reliable as other

bulbs. November is also a good time to move shrubs and plant trees allowing the roots to settle before spring. If you are thinking of putting in a hedge, you could also consider bare-root whips that are very cheap over the winter and can be bought in bundles. For a large hedge you could plant a double row, staggered with five whips per metre. So all-in-all and in the spirit of our crush on all things Scandi-Wegian, November may well be the Norway of the year for the all the right reasons

Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs

November in your Garden by Katherine Watson

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

DIDSBURYWINDOW CLEANING

houses • shops • flats • offices

Tel: 07936 884644didsburywindows.comTel: 07936 884644

Blocked Gutters?

Call BenGutters Cleared & Repaired

20

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

19

67-71 Manchester Rd, Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW Telephone: 0161 881 7053

10% OFF with this voucher in November 2011

*£5 minimum spend

*

www.barbakan-deli.co.uk

Winners of the Craft Bakery Business Award 2011Your local Award Winning Delicatessen and Bakery is ready to

serve you with a wide choice of fresh and original Breads and Deli products. Call in soon and give your tastebuds a treat!

Barbakan Delicatessen

NEW OPENING TIMESFrom Monday 31st October

Mon/Tues/Wed 8am - 5.30pm

LATE NIGHT OPENING

Thursday 8am - 7pm

Friday 8am - 5.30pm

Saturday 8.30am - 5pm

Page 22: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

22

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

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Page 23: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

Business Index Please note: Community Index accepts no responsibility for transactions entered into or work undertaken by any of the businesses advertising in the Index or any loss, harm or damage arising from using any of the products & services listed.

23

Arts & CraftsSewing Skills 11Building & MaintenanceBest Cellars 19Devine Building & Maintenance

2

Carpet CleaningProfresh 19Chimney SweepAcorn Chimney Sweeping Service

9

Dry CleanersVillage Dry Cleaners 9ElectricianAlba-Lec 6Estate AgentJP & Brimelow 24FloorsDevine Floorsanding 12

Food & DrinkBarbakan Delicatessen 2GardensFat Grass Garden Design 21GuttersBen (clearing & repair) 21Handyman/womanCarol Smith 5Didsbury Handyman 9Homes & Interiorswww.planetvintagegirl.com 22KitchensDevine Kitchens 12MusicJill Fogden 11OsteopathyBurton Road Clinic 15

Painting & DecoratingGeorgina Cullen 17Sally Gilkes 6Carol Smith 5PrintingCommunity Index Print 7RooferM Duffin 2ShoppingTagpassiton Didsbury 13Social GroupManchester Social Friends 119Therapy & HealingAlexander Technique 15Window CleanerDidsbury Window Cleaning 21

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

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YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

call us today and get your business noticed

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affordable, effective LOCAL advertising

Discounts for regular adverts Prices from only £35 per month

Page 24: Didsbury Community Index November 2011

SALES: 0161 448 0622 [email protected] [email protected]

LETTINGS: 0161 445 2300 748a Wilmslow Rd Didsbury M20 2DW

www.jpbrimelow.co.uk@jpandbrimelow

KEEPCALM

AND WE WILL

SELL ON

SALES | 748a Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 2DW T. 0161 448 0622 E. [email protected] LETTINGS | 721 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 0WF T. 0161 445 2300 E. [email protected]

Office also in Chorlton 0161 882 2233 and Withington 0161 445 9700

KEEPCALMAND LET US

RENTON

SALES | 748a Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 2DW T. 0161 448 0622 E. [email protected] LETTINGS | 721 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 0WF T. 0161 445 2300 E. [email protected]

Office also in Chorlton 0161 882 2233 and Withington 0161 445 9700