Barlow MoorCommunity AssociationALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BARLOW MOOR COMMUNITY

New Building Planned for Community Centre

INSIDE:BMCA needs you!BMCA Group NewsFuture EventsStrawberry Summer Fair:- Saturday June 30th

Southway Housing Trust, Barlow Moor Community Association Ltd (BMCA), Manchester City Council and building contractor Wates have been working together over the last couple of years considering ways to improve the services that are available in Merseybank. As a result plans have been developed to build a new community centre at the existing site with thirteen one and two bedroom flats above.

The flats would provide additional affordable housing for rent and would be managed by Southway Housing Trust. This exciting development will really improve the general environment and make a positive difference to the area.The community centre would

continue to be run by BMCA but would have significant access to new and improved facilities. This will allow more activities to take place at the centre, includ-ing providing a new ICT suite, a dedicated youth area, children’s space and an outreach library.

Although planning permission is still required before the

development can go ahead, we are keen to consult with the local community as

early as possible. Continued...

O Issue 1 | O Summer | O 2012

Contact DetailsBarlow Moor Community Association

23 Merseybank Avenue, Chorlton ManchesterM21 7NT

0161 446 4805Julie Mrozek

bmca23@hotmail.co.uk charity number 1040569

u SENIOR YOUTH GROUP MAKE

MERSEYBANK PROUD ............….....4

u JUNIOR GENERATION IS A GREAT

PLACE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS..... 3

u SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE

BEEN OUT AND ABOUT ......3

Plans displayed are to help with consultation, the final building may look different

Kindly sponsored by

BMCA Needs Members

Barlow Moor Community Centre has recently become a Charitable Company, limited by guarantee. More and more charities have this status because it means that the Trustees of the charity no longer have an unlimited liability for the debts of the charity and it becomes possible to recruit trustees who have a lot to offer but who do not want to risk their life savings.A Charitable company does not have share-holders because the company is not for profit. Instead we have members who are able to support and have a say in the running of the charity. The membership of well known charities such as The National Trust have exactly the same type of membership of BMCA.A member of BMCA has the right to attend the AGM and to attend members meetings. Members are the only people allowed to vote at the AGM. They elect the directors, and the Chair of Directors. They are entitled to receive the Annual Report and the financial statements sent to their homes before the meeting. Because of this duty to send materials

a minimum membership fee of £3 per annum is charged. If you wish to support the work of the charity you can donate more than the minimum amount.

I never go to the centre so why should I support it?• BMCA works with young people to give them

constructive things to do instead of roaming the streets.

• BMCA supports the elderly by running meal clubs and social activities that are open to all over 60s.

• BMCA engages in consultation with the community and acts as an advocate for the community with bodies such as the council and Southway Housing.

• Southway can be contacted via the free telephone in the centre.

• The premises at BMCA are available for various community activities from birthday parties to Councillor’s surgeries. They could be available for you.

• BMCA offers play opportunities during school holidays for children in the area.

• BMCA offers OFSTED approved early learning for pre-school aged children.

If you think any of the above is positive and helps us to live in a better community then please consider becoming a member. A membership form with additional details is enclosed with this magazine.

Phil Davis

Summer 2012

...Also BMCA is bidding for Lottery funding for the ground floor facilities and as part of this bid we need your views on what services you think are most important to the community.There will also be the opportunity to view the proposed plans and leave comments at the existing Barlow Moor Community Centre on Merseybank Avenue from 21st June to 30th June 2012. Also representatives from Southway and Wates will be on hand at the BMCA Summer Fete between 12 noon and 2pm on Saturday 30th June 2012 to answer any questions you may have.Have your say on Twitter #BMCANew Build

Dates:Consultation ongoing, event June 30th 2012 Planning Submitted July 20122nd Round of Lottery Bids August 2012Planning Approval October 2012Start on Site January 2013Building Completed Summer 2013

Over 60’s GroupIt’s that time again where I insist on sharing all of our news with you good or bad. Fortunately we have no bad news at all, so I will swiftly move on to all the fantastic things that the over 60’s group have been getting involved in!The group has grown as the number of people who now use the over 60’s facilities have increased. We now use an extra room for members who want to get involved with art and craft, this group has blossomed into an independent, exciting, and vibrant group who have produced some magnificent greeting cards many made to order and personalised.Our home made community lunches have been very successful a two course meal starting at £2.50 with tea or coffee to round off a perfect afternoon.We have our annual holiday booked and ready to go, this year we are gallivanting off to Blackpool for the weekend for some sun, sand, sea and song. The rest of the year we will be having days out to Llandudno, Southport, Rivingtonbarn, and visits to the theatre.

Back on the home front we have sampled some line dancing which we thoroughly enjoyed and plan to do again later in the year.Watch the notice boards for future events, and come join us, or maybe if you have a hobby or a craft that you would like to share or introduce to the group come in and have a chat.

Junior GenerationWe recently took a group of our young people aged 10-14 to visit Ladybarn Community Centre to join them for a visit from Commando Joe who brought a climbing wall and inflatables as well as an obstacle course.Junior Generation started in February half term with taster sessions providing many different activities. We provide laptops and Internet to help young people with their learning and home work. We have run workshops on bullying, you can find Children’s poems displayed around the community centre. Our young people also really enjoy cooking sessions, cake baking as well as cookie and pizza making. Another popular activity is the hair dressing, we have life size model heads with equipment that allows young people to experiment with different hair styles, as well as learning to use makeup and paint nails.

Junior ClubJunior club celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style with bunting and a street style party in the community centre grounds with long tressel tables. Party game favourites were enjoyed by all.

Junior sessions run every Thursday from 4.30 to 6.30 at £1.25 per session and 50p for siblings. We offer a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, outdoor games, football, rounders and cricket. We also do a lot of baking and cooking. Anyone from 5 to 12 is welcome to come along.

PlayschemeUnfortunately due to funding we were unable to run our usual 3 day play scheme in February! The good news was that we were able to do an Easter holiday play scheme providing 50 places for children aged 5 to 12. The scheme ran for 5 days with morning and afternoon sessions. The staff provided play opportunities ranging from arts and crafts, baking and outdoor play with trips to the park.Play scheme will be held the first 2 weeks of the holidays starting on the 23rd of July Monday to Friday for children aged 5 to 12 years. For more information please ask for Jane on 446 4805.

Senior YouthThe senior youth have been up to all sorts of activities both at the community centre and out on trips. Regular evenings involve chatting, playing pool, ping-pong, games consoles and football. On top of this our young people have been involved with cooking and eating together, taking part in sessions that deal with sexual health, relationships as well as getting help with CVs, job or college applications and interview practice. Many of the recent highlights include trips out to the cinema, ice-skating, Old Trafford, and Go-Karting.Old Trafford“After breakfast and hot drinks together at the centre we left to visit the best football stadium in the world - Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams! We had a tour from the tour guide who tried to be funny, after the tour we had a quiz with a prize for the winner and then lunch together. After the quiz we went to the Cliffe for a team building exercise before finishing with a game of football and a crossbar challenge. Owen and Aaron won prizes for hitting the crossbar. The United Foundation team were great people to be around and gave us excellent input. We really appreciate Lucy who is great at organising trips.”Go-Karting

“We went Go-Karting during the Easter holidays. We all went as a group and had our own battles on the race track. Everyone enjoyed the experience; it was a great day out.”

“I think youth club is great because there’s nothing to do in the streets so I come Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s brilliant because I get to play football, ping-pong, Xbox and Wii. I’ve been doing some cooking as well, its’ a great way to have fun and stay out of trouble”

Barlow Moor Community Centre is supported by

Diary DatesSummer Strawberry FairSaturday June 30th 12-2pmA chance to find out more about plans for the new community centre building and have your say plus freebies as well as...Raffle, Tombola, Bric-a-brac, Sweets,Strawberry Scones, Face Painting, Free Bouncy Castle, Garden Games, Badge Making, Hook-a-Duck & more

PlayschemeJuly 23rd Mon-Frifor 2 weeks

Playgroup Trip to Lytham St Anne’s July 16thPlaces available for September

Junior ClubEvery Thursday 4.30 - 6.30pm

Junior GenerationTuesdays 4.30-6.30

Senior Youth Every Monday & Thursday 7pm-10pm

Over 60sTuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

Neighbour Resolution Panels Open DayThursday July 19th 1-3pm

PlaygroupWe are having our end of year trip on Monday 16th of July to St Anne’s beach. We invite children and their families to join us. This is a lovely day, the weather is usually dry enough to allow us on to the beach.Playgroup have had a busy term, we have been preparing our children for transition to nursery school. We have made the most of some good weather enjoying walks to the water park to feed the ducks, play in the park and have picnics. We have places for children in September, if any parent or carer has children aged 2 years upwards please contact Shirley on 446 4805 for more information.