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22/11/2005
ON STREET DRINKING BAN TO MAKE GORTON STREETS SAFER
Police officers in Gorton, in partnership with Manchester City Council, have implemented an on-street drinking ban to make the area safer and improve the quality of life for local people.

The ban, also known as an Alcohol Control Order, came into force yesterday and will continue until further notice.

It bans drinking on certain streets and public spaces that are known to be hotspots for drinking and anti-social behaviour. Anyone found drinking alcohol in a public place will be challenged by police officers and have their alcohol taken away. They may also be issued with a fine of up to £500.

These new powers, supported by GMP's Think Safe Drink Safe campaign, will enable police and local authority to work together to remove anti-social and drunken behaviour from the streets of the North and South Gorton wards.

31/10/2005
Gorton Ghost Walk
GORTON held a Health Walk most HORRID......
The Monastery Monk was to lead a one hour walk with tales and spine Chilling stories to make you tremble. One person that trembled with fear was walk leader David Gray. The turnout was amazing. We arrived as the first walk set off. It had just started to rain but still more and more people were arriving. By the time the second walk was due to start there were about 150 people waiting. They gathered in the church grounds and listened as the monk began his frightful tales. The event was well marshalled. All the walk leaders did their best to ward off the evil spirits and protect the good folk of GORTON , this job was made a little more difficult as most people came along in Fancy dress. Parents and children came across some frightful events on the way, the walk stopped outside the Wagon and Horses where screams were heard as some children spotted the corpse of a hanging bride in the trees. The walk continued down Far lane and into Sunny Brow Park where other entertaining stories were told. Definitely a night to REMEMBER and hopefully one that will happen again next year.........
IT WAS A SCREAM!

26/09/2005
Gorton Festival
Saturday 24th September 2005 noon till late, Gorton Park. Now in its third year the summer weather held out, the crowds tuned out and most people asked said they enjoyed the day. There was plenty to do with some great stage performances, Fun fair, Competitions and Dancers. The entertainment ran into the evening with the lantern procession followed by the Firework display.

31/08/2005
House of Tiny Tearaways
The hugely popular BBC Series House of Tiny Tearaways is back on the BBC this autumn. As we saw in the first series, Dr Tanya Byron worked with various families to solve their parenting problems, and achieved some amazing and life-changing results for the people that took part. A couple on the brink of separation set a wedding date, and a mum who couldn't even face taking her kids to the shops has a holiday booked with them this summer. Dr Tanya has become a saviour to mums and dads across the country who are struggling to cope with unruly toddlers and demanding young children. She has had 14 years of experience as a clinical psychologist with the NHS, treating children with behavioural issues such as problems with aggression, sleeping or eating.
House of Tiny Tearaways is opening its doors and recruiting for families to take part in the series?
We are looking for parents with children between 18 months and eight years old who have childcare problems they want to solve. This is a once in a lifetime chance to get advice from well-known and highly experienced childcare guru, Dr Tanya Byron. families can contact:
Micaela Blitz
Email: micaelab@outlineproductions.co.uk
Tel: 0207 428 1560

16/08/2005
Primary Care Emergency Centre extends its hours
People needing healthcare treatment and advice for minor conditions will now benefit from a new extended evening and weekend service at the Primary Care Emergency Centre in Central Manchester.
The Centre is located within the Accident and Emergency Department at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Its new hours are 10am - 10pm on weekdays and 10am - 5pm at weekends and bank holidays. It was opened in February this year by Central Manchester Primary Care Trust and includes a nurse-led Walk-in Centre and a GP service.
The Centre provides primary care for any patients attending A&E with minor conditions. It is an integral part of the overall A&E service. The Walk-in Centre provides treatment for minor illnesses in both adults and children and gives quick access to health advice and information. No appointment is necessary and patients do not have to be registered with a GP in order to be treated.
Typical minor conditions that can be treated at the PCEC include:

Sue Assar, Chief Executive of Central Manchester Primary Care Trust, said : "This Centre provides convenient, ready access to emergency health services for people in Central Manchester with a minor health problem.
"It works alongside and complements the highly skilled A&E team and enables them to concentrate on people who present with major and life threatening conditions. It has proved extremely popular so far with an average of 950 people attending per month.
"We are pleased that we have been able to recruit additional nursing staff and GP cover so that we can now offer and extended evening and weekend service.
"It acknowledges the fact that for many people living and working nearby, the Accident & Emergency Department at Manchester Royal Infirmary is seen as the first port of call in an emergency.
"The Centre helps to relieve pressure on A∓E and reduce waiting times for patients. It benefits a wide range of people including those who live and work nearby, students, and visitors to the city."

Debdale Park Herb Garden
The Friends of Debdale park have created a peaceful haven they have called the Herb Garden. This was officially opened on Saturday 13th August with the ribbon being cut by the Rht. Hon. Sir Gerald Kaufman M.P. Despite heavy rain the event was well attended

29/07/2005
Wright Robinson Sports College
Manchester City Council has today signed a £115 million contract for a new school in Gorton. Under the Private Finance Initiative deal with Hochtief PPP Solutions (UK), Wright Robinson Sports College will be completely re-built on the existing site. The new school will accommodate 1800 pupils - making it the biggest in Manchester.

15/07/2005
Cash grants for communities
Manchester City Council is offering £40,000 per ward as grants for projects that make Manchester a better place to live.
Almost anyone can apply, whether friends and neighbours or voluntary community and residents groups. all you need is a project that will be based in Manchester and will benefit Manchester residents. You also need to be willing to see your project through from start to finish.
for an application form call Dave Hilton on 0161 234 3016 or email voluntary.sector.grants@manchester.gov.uk

The Queens Award for Voluntary Services 2006
To celebrate her golden jubilee in 2002, The Queen announced a new annual award to recognise outstanding voluntary activities by groups in the community.

You can nominate your local unsung heroes and give them the recognition they deserve
For information and a nomination form visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk or call 0845 000 2002

Gorton Community Forum
Have you experience in accountancy or book keeping? Would you like to give some time helping the community? Gorton Community Forum are looking for a treasurer. This unpaid position will give you the satisfaction of helping the local community.
Gorton Community Forum are also looking for volunteers to help run our new community building. If you are interested in either of the above please telephone 0161 220 7362 or call in to 1 Grizebeck Close between 10am and 1pm Monday to Friday

17/06/2005
Re: Police Authority Grants Available for Community Groups
Voluntary and charity groups in Greater Manchester could be eligible for grants of up to £1,000 from a fund run by the GMPA. The Police Property Act Fund uses money received by the police from property confiscated by court order and then sold. Organisations active in their local communities can apply for grants of between £100 and £1,000 to support their work or projects. Applications are considered twice a year.

The money can be used for a specific project or for ongoing activities. Groups from all sectors of the community are eligible and applications currently under consideration range from youth clubs to amateur dramatics societies and projects helping elderly and disabled people. Projects supporting reductions in crime and disorder or anti-social behaviour are especially welcomed.

Information about the Police Property Act Fund and an application form can be found on the GMPA website www.gmpa.gov.uk or by contacting Melanie Tomlinson at the Authority on 0161 793 3851; e-mail: melanie.tomlinson@gmpa.gov.uk

Greater Manchester Police also administers a fund to which local groups can apply for a grant. Called The Greater Manchester Police Community Charity, it can provide small grants - typically £100 - to grassroots organisations, such as local residents associations, who may find it difficult to obtain help. Information can be obtained from Teresa Shepherd at GMP on 0161 856 2276 or by e-mail: teresa.shepherd@gmp.police.uk

Details are also posted on the GMP website www.gmp.police.uk or can be reached through a link from the Police Authority website www.gmpa.gov.uk

09/02/2005
More money for Manchester
Health sevices in Central Manchester are to receive one of the highest cash injections in the country according to the Department of Health. This means a cash increase of nearly 25% over the next three years, By 2007/8 there will be £1,668 for each man, woman and child in Central Manchester.
Central Manchester PCT are working with other PCTs in the city, the local council and other agencies to create a healthy Manchester. Increased funding will help to deliver improved health services and health outcomes for people living in the area. It comes at an opportune time for the PCT as it decides on Health priorities and developments for the future.

How does alley-gating work?
Alley-gating schemes aim to prevent potential burglars and other trespassers from accessing the rear and side of properties by erecting lockable metal gates in alleyways or footpaths shared by a number of houses. Generally, only householders of connected houses are given a key to the gate. Burglars find it more difficult to gain entry to the alleyways and to move about undetected. For example, once alley-gates are installed, the offender must spend time trying to climb the gate, which will increase the chances of being seen.In addition to reducing the level of burglary, other potential benefits include:

Criteria for Alley Gating

A number of alley gating Schemes are planned and due to be undertaken within the Gorton Area over the next twelve months. Gating schemes are only considered if all the abutting residents to an alley are in consent to the scheme.
For more information regarding proposed schemes or to request an alley gating application pack, please contact the Alley gating Team on 0161-234-4904.