community index chorlton & whalley range jan 2013

A thriving placeto live, work, trade,

play & shop

communityChorlton & Whalley Range

Jan 2013index

View online at www.communityindex.co.uk

Happy New Year!

2

a

k

w

ak

kw

aw

akw

i

n_ncp_bK¢§¬�©¯¬«K§ �ª ¢´K©¤ ¥©¤¯Kd�¬«¯L£¥>>>O>>>PTMOOMPNOP>>>OWXNP

with this copy of Community Index

3

a

k

w

ak

kw

aw

akw

i

n_ncp_bK¢§¬�©¯¬«K§ �ª ¢´K©¤ ¥©¤¯Kd�¬«¯L£¥>>>O>>>PTMOOMPNOP>>>OWXNP

with this copy of Community Index

Contents

Meet the team CommunityI N XD E

PublisherCommunity Index

Editor/AdvertisingLesley Swann [email protected]

Design EditorJoe [email protected]

AdvertisingJoseph [email protected]

ContributionsAndrew Simpson, Carol Thompson, Roland Baskeyfield, Dave Bishop, Chorlton Bookshop, Danielle Lowy, Claire Law, Katherine Watson, Chorlton Traders, Leon Horton, Simon Whyatt

Cover PhotographsCarol Thompson, Lesley Swann, & special thanks to JP & Brimelow

Advertising Deadline for the February Edition15th January 2013

Contact UsTel: 0787 589 [email protected]

Community Index2nd Floor583 Barlow Moor RdChorltonM21 8AE

www.communityindex.co.uk

@communityindex

20

32

24

26

10

16

19

6On a Tricycle Made for TeaLeon Horton visits Chorlton’s new Tea & Crumpet Emporium

Book ReviewsWhat Chorlton Bookshop have been reading over the break...

The College in Whalley RangeAndrew Simpson

Modern ForagingHow to spot poisonous items in the urban jungle!

Chorlton’s Secret FernsDave Bishop uncovers mysterious & beautiful ferns

Make Yourself A...Topsy Turvy Pot! Here’s one we made earlier...

January In Your GardenKatherine Watson’s browsing through seed catalogues and having a good old sort out.

Many Happy ReturnsA solution to those unwanted presents...

4

Chorlton Traders NewsFestive lights, toy appeal & looking forward to 2013...23

@communityindex

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

[email protected]

No Job Too Big or Small

Hot & Cold Water Installation & Maintenance

Fixing leaks: Toilets, Taps, Baths, Pipes

Bathroom Fitting

Radiator Repairs, Replacement & Alterations

Thermostatic Valves fitting

Powerflushing & Central Heating Treatment

Outside taps fittingOutside taps fitting

For a trustworthy, friendly & tidy service from a reliable professional, call Hana Kubacova

Tel: 07538 249229www.hanakplumbing.co.uk

Hana K PlumbingQualified Female Plumber

T:07538 249229 / 0161 408 4605E: [email protected]

Hot & Cold Water Installation & Maintenance

Fixing leaks. Toilets, Taps, Baths, Pipes

Bathroom Fitting

Radiator Repairs, Replacement & Alterations

Thermostatic Valves fitting

Bath and shower sealant repair

Outside taps fitting

Qualified Female Plumber

Alexander Technique

balance and poise

ease of movement

stillness

strength in action

voice

individual sessions, groups

workshops

new ten-week basic course,

8 January at 1 pm., Fallowfield

Sue Fleming MSTAT www.alexanderteaching.co.uk 0161 861 8848 CNHC registered

55

The drinking of tea has long been considered a British

obsession, steeped in ritual and prescribed as a cure-all for whatever ails us. “I have measured out my life in coffee spoons” the poet T. S. Eliot wrote. And that’s fine - for an American. But long after Mr Eliot’s fellow countrymen brewed up revolt and poured our libation of choice into Boston harbour, we Brits remain a nation of tea drinkers (according to statistics, we get through something like 60 billion cuppas a year).

But I digress.

Many of you early birds out there (whether dragging the kids to school or trudging into work at some ungodly hour) would no doubt be glad of an early morning pick-me-up. But with most cafes opening well after the school run or commute into town, that’s easier said than done, right? Well, not if you happen to be heading up Wilbraham

Road between 6.30 and 9.00 am. There’s a refreshing new business near Morrisons supermarket: the Tea and Crumpet Emporium.

But this is no ordinary establishment. Taking ‘mobile catering’ to new heights, the Tea and Crumpet Emporium is actually a Dutch tricycle with a boiler built into the front. Yup, that’s what I said... a Dutch tricycle... with a boiler... built into the front. What sort of crazy fellow would come up with such a thing?

Oliver Storr, the man behind the wheels of this mini empire, is passionate about tea. After studying product design at Manchester University, he took a year out to travel the

world. But not for him some beach destination: “I went to Sri Lanka, worked in refugee camps and visited the tea fields there.”

Like I said, he’s passionate about his subject. But how did he hit upon the idea of a three-wheeling samovar? “I was in Australia, working in sales and hating it. I realised then what I really loved was catering for people, returned to Manchester and just took it from there.”

And bought a tricycle with a built-in boiler? “No, I built it myself – that’s when the product design really came in handy. The majority of the unit took about four to six months to build, designing as I went.”

Offering a fine selection of teas (from award-winning Earl Grey to more exotic blends such as black mango, Guarana and Pu Erh), Olly also sells toasted crumpets - which he makes himself: “I wanted to create something artisan and not shop-bought, which let’s face it is pretty standard fare.” If his dedication and enthusiasm are anything to go by, it won’t be long before he’s toasting his own success.

But don’t just take my word for it. If you visit Twitter: @TCrumpet or Olly’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheTeaAndCrumpetEmporium you can request a free cuppa for the next time you’re passing. Hot tea and buttered crumpets on a cold and frosty morning?

Now there’s something to get infused about...

6

On a Tricycle Made For Tea Leon Horton

”

“the Tea and Crumpet Emporium is actually a Dutch tricycle with a boiler built into the front

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

199

Celebrating 30 years in Chorlton...

•ExpertsatStainRemoval•IroningServices•Repairs&Alterations

Special Offer

3 2GarmentsCleanedforthepriceof

or visit: www.villagedrycleaners.com

Call: 0161 860 4451

OPEN TIME

Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 8.30-5.30pm

Thurs (late night) 8.30-7.00pm

Saturday 8.30-4.00pm

38 Manchester Rd, Chorlton, M21 9PH Tel: 0161 860 4451

Specialist in Bridal, Vintage & Silkwear Est: 30 years

LATE NIGHT OPENING Thursdays till 7pm

“What can I say about Village Dry Cleaners?Just excellent! Amir, who owns the business,goes above and beyondwhat is expected and Ican whole heartedly recommend his services.

NikkiGraemeOwner,TheWhiteCloset,Didsbury

Seemorereviewsonwww.qype.co.uk

Village Dry cleaners

Same Day ServiceAvailable

•Curtain Cleaning £5 per kilo (subject to terms & conditions)

•Duvet Cleaning: Single £10 Double £15

Leon Horton

Local Ethical Tree Work & Firewood We are a unique social enterprise that provides high quality arboricultural services, including planting, pruning, emergency call-outs, dismantling and felling, along with tree safety surveys. Our service is professional and sensitive both to our clients’ needs and to environmental concerns. We are SAFEcontractor accredited.

And what other tree surgeons regard as waste, we regard as opportunity – everything is used, to make truly local hardwood firewood; timber for joinery; mulch for local allotments; compost; and biomass woodchip.

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

www.treestation.co.uk 0161 231 3333

Greater Manchester TreeStation Ltd - A Society for the Benefit of the Community committed to combating climate change, FSA Mutuals registered number 31552R

www.mccormackaccounting.co.ukE: [email protected]: 0161 862 0465 M: 07894 912616

ACCOUNTING SERVICES

McCormackAngela

Have you filled in your tax return for the 31st January deadline?

Don’t panic! I’m here to help...

8

Experienced and qualified teachers tutoring:

• 11+ exam preparation• KS 2 & 3 English & Maths

• GCSE Science, Maths & English• A-level Maths & Physics

Top Tutors for better futures!

Call Vanessa: 07832 235136

GUITAR/SONGWRITING LESSONS

Call: 07906 203388 [email protected]

www.dominickearne.com

• Learn songs, styles or grades

• Fun and informal• I travel to you• Lessons start from £11

• 5 years+ teaching adults and children• Fully CRB checked

Gift cards available

At the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy we run a Children & Adolescent department which provides a number of resources for supporting children and adolescents and their families.

We provide support for a number of areas where young people encounter difficulties and which at times might feel overwhelming for parents or carers.

At present we facilitate groups, individual work and family therapy with issues such as :

Eating disorders • Bullying • Self harm • Trauma • Challenging Behaviour • Grief & Loss • Adoption Issues

In addition, we provide courses for parents and professionals working with children. All are CPD certified.

Please see our website childtherapyworld.comfor more information on the therapists, Amanda, Stephanie & Karen and for details of our courses, or ring 0161 862 9456

Discover a healthier happier creative you in 2013Authentic Yoga classes and workshops in Chorlton with Mick [email protected]

07808 501765

9

Fed up with boom and bust when it comes to diet, health, weight?

This year, ditch the traditional

January diet followed by February

failure! Instead, look at changing

the way you eat for the long term.

I am a local, independent, nutritional adviser who can help with weight management, diabetes and digestive disorders. No magic pills or gimmicks— just step-by-step advice, information and practical support to eat well AND

wisely, regain your health and vitality, and be the shape you want to be. Find out more atwww.foodwiser.net

The College in Whalley RangeI like this picture of the

Independent Lancashire College in Whalley

Range.It had been here since 1843 and even before it was finished it was causing a stir amongst “the public and more especially by strangers, respecting this beautiful specimen of gothic architecture which is seen to great advantage from the roads leading westward out of Manchester.”

It’s origins lay in the fact that Dissenters along with Catholics were still barred from entering the Universities, and lay professions. They could not marry in their own places of worship and had to rely on Anglican Churches for registering births and deaths.

This had led to the establishment of an independent academy in Blackburn which was opened in 1816 to “educate young men of decided piety and competent talents for the Christian ministry.”

By 1838 the academy was no longer adequate for this purpose and a new “collegiate building affording more extensive domiciliary accommodation,” was agreed upon which would be sited in Manchester.

A public subscription was launched to meet the cost of what was estimated would be £10,000. It says much for the strength of dissent in the North West that within two years the sum of £14,736 was raised which eventually exceeded £25,000.

And with all such subscriptions the contributions ranged from the modest to the very substantial, so while Mr Joseph Taylor of Ashton handed over £2, George Hadfield from Manchester gave £2,100, Samuel Fletcher £1,300 and our own Samuel Brooks of Whalley House £1,550.

Brooks however also benefited from selling the seven acre site for its construction for £3,650.

The foundation stone was laid In September 1840 and the college opened in 1843.

And so to my second picture which shows the grounds of the Independent College in Whalley Range and the year is 1934.

Our picture is a postcard which “R” says “is a new view of

the college which I thought you might like to see. It gives rather a good view of the grounds I think.”

He was writing to Mr and Mrs Nelson of Garston Old Road in Liverpool and he went on to say that he had “managed a good spot of work,” and was looking forward to “seeing something of a friend of mine who is preaching at Ormskirk on Sunday.”

The original design was for a gothic style building with a tall tower and a principal front 261 feet in length including two professors’ houses at either end with cloisters in between serving as an arcade in which the students could take exercise in wet weather. There were to

10

Buy Andrew’s Book “The Story of Chorlton-Cum-Hardy” or visit him online at chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/

• professional garden design • full construction service • planting • driveway • tree surgery • fencing & hedging • free initial consultation

[email protected]

www.greendesigns.eu0781 0147 070

HMC Professional Painters & Decorators

Call Harry:

0161 881 798207799 107 741

Domestic & CommercialInterior & ExteriorLocal Decorator

Free EstimatesAll Work Guaranteed

Special Credit Crunch Prices!

11

be three storeys surmounted by battlements about 40 feet high.

“The arrangements in the interior of the College, forming a communication with different suites of rooms, are well designed and exceedingly simple; consisting of corridors running the extreme length of the front and of either wing. The lower story of the building

which is sufficiently high above the ground to ensure dryness is intended entirely for servants, and the corridor which connects the different offices runs along the main building.

Entering the College by the broad flight of steps in the basement of the tower we come to the entrance hall on the second or main floor which is a lofty room about 36 feet by

32 and open to the roof.”

And I suppose this description would have been recognised by “R” as well as the countless other students who continued to study there until its closure in 1980.

Andrew Simpson Pictures from the Lloyd Collection

21

• Extensions • Renovations • Plastering General building repairs • Garden wall

Re-pointing • Patios • Bricklaying/block workCheap rates, excellent quality & reliable friendly team

City & Guilds qualified tradesman with over 10 years experience

Tel: Stephen Harrison 07912351114 Joe Murphy 07525415612

email: [email protected]

M & H BUILDING CONTRACTORS Chorlton Traders MEETING

Thursday 31st Jan 5.30pm

[email protected]

at Chorlton Library

14

SALES: 0161 882 2233 [email protected] [email protected]

LETTINGS: 0161 882 2244 430 Barlow Moor Rd Chorlton M21 8AD

www.jpbrimelow.co.uk@jpandbrimelow Offices also in Didsbury 0161 448 0622 & Withington 0161 445 9700

News Bulletin

JP & Brimelow Community UpdateJP & Brimelow are looking forward to another great year working with and supporting local community organisations. Back in March 2012 Eddie and JP completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon and raised £3,000 for their chosen charity St Annes Hospice. The Chorlton office has also sponsored Chorltonians AFC by providing a full kit for the first team.

Later in the year Eddie made a significant donation to Green Chorlton – through a bulk purchase of TAG! cards. Carol Thompson, (co-founder of TAG) said: “JP & Brimelow are playing a huge role in helping us to support other local Chorlton independent businesses. Working with such a far-sighted and imaginative company has been a real pleasure.”

Looking forward to 2013, Eddie has plans to support Chorlton Book Festival and is also well on the way to making a real difference to the look and feel of Chorlton centre.

If you’re considering a move in 2013 give Edward Ellis a call on 0161 882 2233

Spotted in Chorlton!

www.jpbrimelow.co.uk

News Bulletin

SALES: 0161 882 2233 [email protected] [email protected]

430 Barlow Moor Rd Chorlton M21 8AD

www.jpbrimelow.co.uk@jpandbrimelow Offices also in Didsbury 0161 448 0622 & Withington 0161 445 9700

LETTINGS: 0161 882 2244

What’s your next move?Whether you have a property to sell or to let, JP & Brimelow

are at the top of their game with the skills and expertise to help. Call the Chorlton office today to find out more.

What’s your next move?Whether you have a property to sell or to let, JP & Brimelow

are at the top of their game with the skills and expertise to help. Call the Chorlton office today to find out more.

The Cream of Manchester Estate AgentsIf you’re considering a move, call JP & Brimelow Chorlton

and we’ll explain why we take some topping!

Spotted in Chorlton!

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

N A Evans Electrical ServicesFamily run, serving South Manchester for 25 yrs

Tel: 0161 881 6705 Mob: 07711 032 761

• No job too large, no job too small. Quality above all• Energy saving and eco friendly advice and installation• Inspection and Testing, Installations, Maintenance and Repairs• Weekend and out of hours work • All work fully guaranteed and to relevant regulations

Trustmark / ECA / City and Guilds / Part P and JIB approved/ MIET

14

15

Ben Bagshaw of Shaw Carpentry and Joinery is a qualified and insured carpenter with over 10 years

experience in the residential refurbishment sector. Using like minded conscientious trades SCJ is able to offer a full

range of home improvement services.Please view my web site for photos, reviews and feedback of

recent projects and follow the links for more examples.No job too small, hourly rates apply. Please call for a quote.

www.shawcarpentryandjoinery.co.uk

Tel: 07902 361364

[email protected]

The Chorlton Handyman City & Guilds multi skilled Tradesman

Domestic & Commercial Public Liability Insurance

0777 852 3088

Environmentally AwareSmall works always welcome

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

Gates • Shelves • Locks • Hardware

call Nick

v

Happy New Year to Community Index Readers and all my past, present and

future customers!

“Community Index is a great local magazine. The advertising revenue pays for great community based features & as a regular advertiser it really works for me.”

Nick

16

Garden DesignPlanting AdviceConsultation ServiceProject Managment

07989968841www.fatgrass.co.uk

January is the coldest, wettest and windiest month (after all those

sprouts) and other than feeding the birds and pruning your apple trees, there are few garden jobs that would entice you out. So January could be the ideal opportunity to sort through your gardening paraphernalia and get a bit organised for the year ahead. I wish I had a dedicated shed for dibbers and kneelers but having a small garden means my garage houses all my tools as well as over 500 plastic pots (which annoyingly can’t be recycled) and all manner of

horticultural detritus: half full seed packets, twisty ties, broken canes, 21 (random) hose attachments and any number of miscellaneous garden-related objects from well meaning friends. One popular present in recent years has been the Vert-de-Terre, retro tin for SEEDS which sits next to the one for MATCHES and PEGS - usually empty, but bringing that bit of Country Living chic to my city kitchen. So I’ve decided to put it to purpose and order some seeds this month in preparation for the spring. The business of seeds is blooming, obviously literally but also in terms of the variety that are now available

to the discerning shopper. I am particularly interested in heritage and heirloom seeds and fancy myself in tweeds and worsted waistcoat dibbing in my Giant Bulgarian (leek) ready for a bumper crop. There are quite a few online companies now providing heirloom and heritage seeds including the long standing Chiltern seeds (www.chilternseeds.co.uk) and the Vegetable Seed Store (www.vegetableseedstore.co.uk). One of my favourites is Garden Organic – the working name of the Henry Doubleday research association, based at the Ryton gardens in Coventry - definitely worth a visit if you are in the area (www.gardenorganic.org.uk). This is the UK’s leading organic growing charity and has a huge seed library. At the quirky end of the seed business is Thomas Etty (www.thomasetty.co.uk) with the lovely tag line ‘Heritage seedsman and Bulb Merchant’ who not only has an extensive catalogue of heritage seeds but provides interesting timelines for certain crops – Red Orach for example has been in circulation since 1213 – and lists of flowering plants popular in different centuries.

Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs

A time to browse seed catalogues and have a good sort out in the shed!

January in your Garden

17

VOX LOCALIan McMillan

Hosted by

Mike GarryMarvin CheesemanMark Mace Smith

with

&with a lovely Pasty Supper & dj Phil Beckett

Friday 15 Feb 2013Chorlton Irish Club 7pm - 1am Tickets £15

bop local productions very proudly present

an evening of the spoken word...

www.boplocal.com

‘Four Poets and a Pasty’or

(one of the most splendid events ever to take place in the environs of Chorlton)

Thinking of selling? We’ve got it covered!

Stretford Office:164 Barton RdStretfordManchester, M32 8DPTel: 0161 865 [email protected]

Chorlton Office:571 Barlow Moor RdChorltonManchester, M21 8AETel: 0161 860 [email protected]

Stockport Office:410 Reddish RoadStockportSK5 7AATel: 0161 442 [email protected]

We would like to bring to your attention that if you have already instructed another Agent, we would advise you to check any Agreement you may have to ensure that you are not liable for more than one commission by instructing Trading Places as your Agents.

Trading Places have been selling houses in Stretford, Chorlton, Old Trafford and Whalley Range for 15 years.

Over the last few years we have noticed more people than ever moving between the areas and have recently refurbished our

Stretford office as well as opening in the heart of Chorlton.

Therefore when it comes to selling, offering two offices for the price of one means nobody covers it better!

If you are thinkng of selling or even changing agent please call us on

0161 860 0000 or 0161 865 9220 to arrange your free market appraisal!

www.tradingplaces.co.uk

Our Stretford office has a client base of first time buyers who either rent in the area or bought there as they couldn’t initially afford Chorlton.

Our Chorlton office has clients who want to downsize and become mortgage free whilst still being in touching distance of Chorlton town centre.

Book ReviewsThe long wait is over, Rebus is back! If retirement was meant to mellow him then something has gone seriously wrong. Working for the cold cases unit with fellow retired police officers, Rebus is as anti-establishment as ever. Following a chance encounter with a grieving mother, Rebus sets his mind to solve yet another seemingly unsolvable case. With his usual tenacity Rebus refuses to take the hints when those above him simply want him to shut up and stop making waves. Bored with the cold cases Rebus is determined to take advantage of a recent change in age restrictions which may see him re-hired as a serving police officer. There is, however, one person

determined not to let that happen. With a crossover from another series of Ian Rankin books, Malcolm Fox is trying his best to destroy Rebus’ reputation once and for all. Years ago Rebus made the mistake of offending Fox over some minor put down. Now this hatred could be all that stands between Rebus returning to a life he knows or an almost certain early grave.Fans of Rebus will love this latest book and I challenge you to wait for the paperback next year! Hopefully Ian Rankin will feel it’s worth carrying on with the series and treat us to another Rebus story next year.Fingers crossed!

2012 has been a real treat for readers of fiction; this has been one of my highlights. Anyone who has visited Chorlton Bookshop in the last few weeks will have been subjected to my never ending praise for this book.Much as the title describes, the central character reaches his momentous 100th birthday and finds himself bored and miserable in an old people’s home. Uninspired to attend his upcoming birthday party he decides to climb out of his bedroom and escape. He finds himself at the local bus station, minding a large suitcase whilst its scary looking owner is in the bathroom. This is where the story takes a definite turn for the bizarre. Without knowing what the suitcase contains Allan decides

to take the first bus he can and steal the case. What follows is a crazy cross-country chase involving the police, elephants and misprinted bibles! Along the way we learn about Allan and his Forest Gump like life. Purely through chance and his unnatural love of all things explosive he has met some amazing historical figures including world leaders and terrorists.In recent years most of the Swedish fiction we’ve been treated to has been crime based. Although several quite horrific crimes do take place you don’t really mind as they all happen to bad people! This is a hilarious well written story which combines the best elements of Tom Sharpe and Jonathan Safran Foer.

Standing in Another Man’s GraveIan Rankin

The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And DisappearedJonas Jonasson

from Chorlton Bookshop

2119

20

Many Happy ReturnsDid you receive any

unwanted gifts at Christmas? Maybe

there was something you wanted Santa to leave in your stocking that was forgotten when he took the mince pies.Well, worry not, because on Saturday 19th January at St John’s Primary School in Chorlton there will be a free swap shop event where you can hand in any unwanted items you have and give them a better home. You may even be able to pick up something you’ve been after for a while!

Happy Returns Swap Party is an opportunity for the community and neighbourhood to get together for a free, fun, family-friendly event where people take along stuff they no longer need and exchange it for things they would like.

Your trash is someone else’s treasure.

Initiated by Claire Law, a parent at St John’s and a Community Guardian in the Chorlton ward, the swap shop has been made possible by a CASH grant from Manchester City Council and the hard work of volunteers from St John’s PTA.

In their annual Gold Star awards The National Confederation of PTAs recently acknowledged St John’s PTA for Working with the local community through events such as this.

Swap shops are a sustainable and inexpensive way to get rid of any old children’s clothes and goods, books, toys, DVDs, dressing up costumes and sports equipment that are still in good condition but that you no longer need. The event on Saturday 19th January will be themed around recycling and sustainable living and will feature creative workshops, face-painting and free refreshments.

The swap party also includes Operation Sunshine, an on-going initiative to collect

redundant school uniforms and shoes. To date Chorlton families have donated over 3,000 items of clean, outgrown school uniforms for delivery to Kent and onward shipping to Africa.

Everyone is invited to this party! Happy Returns Swap Party on Saturday 19th January 2013 from 2 to 4pm at St John’s Catholic Primary School, Chepstow Road, Chorlton.

If you would like to be involved contact: [email protected]

Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga

We clean your oven…so you don’t have to

Ian Glancy Mob Tel: 07580 765765

professionally cleaned

www.ovenwizards.com

Lear

n

BassGuitar

Playto

email : [email protected]

Responsible fi nancial advice for a world of difference

SGCOMINDX/101212

Contact us at our new offi ce: 0161 233 4550, 1 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3BE. Visit us at www.gaeia.com

Gaeia is a trading name of Castlefi eld Gaeia Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 04605261. Registered offi ce 3 Brook Offi ce Park, Folly Brook Road, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7FL

With more than 20 years of providing ethical fi nancial advice in South Manchester the Gaeia name will be known to many of you. Despite moving from Didsbury to central Manchester we continue to look after many loyal clients in the area.

Since our merger with Castlefi eld, we’re now part-owned by a charitable foundation, our employees and even our clients – unusual in fi nancial services!

Whether you are an individual, business, charity or not-for-profi t organisation, Gaeia can provide a fi nancial planning service which incorporates both your ethical values and your fi nancial needs.

We’re still here!

• Ethical savings & investment advice

• Prudent pensions & retirement planning

• Income protection & health insurance

• Ethical fi nancial advice for businesses

• Investment management for Charities and not-for-profi t organisations

405388_Gaeia Chorley_Dids Index_93.5x137w_V2.indd 1 10/12/2012 14:21

8

Exchange your unwanted Xmas gifts, update your kid’s toy box, book, DVD and music

collection – for free.

Bring along Xmas cards, wrap, ribbons and batteries for recycling.

Take part in creative workshops.

2 - 4pm, Saturday 30 January 2010

The Sports Hall St John’s Catholic Primary School, Chepstow Road,

Chorlton(off Longford Road)

email: [email protected] to find out more

2 - 4pm, Saturday 19th January 2013

21

NACS member

www.acornchimneysweepingservices.co.uk

Call John0161 445 3650

CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICESAcorn

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

881 8162

www.chorltonelectric.co.uk

• No call out charge • Free estimates • Fully guaranteed

For all general electrical workDomestic & Commercial Electricians

Gas SafeRegistered No. 196842

Select Plumbing & HeatingCentral Heating Installation

Power Flushing Servicing & Repairs

Gas Cooker & Fire InstallationsLandlord Safety CertificatesAll types of Plumbing Work

Fully Tiled Bathrooms

Contact Tony Goss0161 865 665707973 908 592

22

COCKTAILS

We boast about our ROAST

the Nip and Tipplebar-restaurant

www.nipandtipple.com2for1Every day 6:00pm-8:00pm

Nip FizzBramble

Espresso Martini

Margerita

CosmopolitanWhisky Sour

0161 860 7330

Every Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm

Courses

£9.50

Two

197 Upper Chorlton Road

23

Chorlton Traders News

The first Chorlton Traders Christmas Raffle was held this

year in Barclays, a fellow member of the Association. Manager Chris Goldstrawand and his team provided crucial support and refreshments with home baked cakes from Mary (and Chris’s wife) and generous Chorlton independent businesses donated raffle prizes. 1st prize was a painting of the Chorlton Lych gate by local artist Peter Topping, which was presented to the winner at the Chorlton Christmas Lights switch on. Local authors Andrew Simpson and Danielle Lowy (Rubbish

Revamped) also donated copies of their latest books.

Our nominated charity this year was Barlow Moor Community Association. Phil and Ruth lead a dedicated group working to help families and residents on the Merseybank Estate. The money raised from the raffle was used to buy Christmas toys for local disadvantaged children from Busy Bee Toyshop and Monkeypuzzle Toys.

And saving the best for last - we sold £403 of raffle tickets on the day for our appeal AND Barclays generously match funded the amount we raised, so a fantastic £806 was raised in total!

A huge thank you to everyone who supported us and bought tickets. Winners and prize donors

are listed on the Community Notice Board in Barclays.

Carol, Lesley and Roland

Chorlton Festive Lights on Thursday 6th December was a great

success despite the weather! We were delighted to be joined by so many members of the community, not to mention local celebrities Emma Goswell and Chris Holliday of BBC Radio Manchester and Gaydio who had a big part to play at the crucial plunger-pushing moment!

With a few last minute preparations in the form of erecting the Chorlton Traders banners and festive lights, with thanks to caretaker Graham and Savills, mince pies kindly donated by Booths, staging from Oswald Road Primary, the event proper

got underway.

We were treated to the sounds and vocals of Chorlton High Brass Band led by Chris and Les, not only did they showcase some of their best pieces, but also accompanied the community with the carol singing. Oswald Road Primary School Choir, led by Midge, delighted us with alternative variations to traditional carols and sang a number of rounds, together with the lanterns the school had made on the previous day.

Post plunger and the Christmas tree being magically illuminated, our local library team together with some of our newest Chorlton Civic Society members took charge of the mulled wine and everyone helped themselves to food, whilst Father Christmas entertained the kids. Local businesses DeNada, 1847, Teahive and Barbakan generously brought all manner of foods that went down a storm.

Barclays and Christmas Toy Appeal Raffle

Chorlton Festive LightsChorlton Traders

MEETING

Thursday 31st January

5.30pm

[email protected]

atChorlton

Library

For almost as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in

British wild plants. But for a while the flowerless ferns were a bit of a mystery. The classic ‘shuttlecock’ ferns presented some initial identification problems. I painstakingly learned to distinguish between Male Fern, Broad Buckler Fern and Lady Fern. Then I discovered that there is also a species called Scaly Male Fern ... and telling it apart from ‘ordinary’ Male Fern was a bit of a challenge. Luckily all four of these species grow on Chorlton Ees – virtually on my doorstep – so I was able to get a lot of practice in sorting them out.One day I was walking along the lane from Brookburn Road to Hardy Farm when I noticed that growing at the edge of the football field was a unique fern from the other species I’d been studying. This plant’s fronds had a distinctively intricate, spiky outline and I tentatively identified it as, reportedly

extinct, Soft

Shield Fern. The news reached the attention of an expert on the flora of South Lancashire and her immediate reaction was sceptical. Nevertheless, she came to have a look and, well, Soft Shield Fern was declared “no longer extinct in Greater Manchester!” You can imagine what that did for my confidence levels! Incidentally, I’ve found several more specimens since – so either there were not enough local botanists recording local ferns, or Soft Shield Fern finds contemporary local conditions more amenable than those that existed in the past, and is sneaking back in.

Around this time I learned of a British species called Narrow Buckler Fern and wondered if I could find it locally, and distinguish it from the very common Broad Buckler Fern? The right habitat, i.e. damp woodland, exists on Chorlton Ees - so it should be there. Eventually, with a bit of careful searching (and some swearing), I found it. Its fronds are noticeably narrower than its Broad Buckler relative (no surprises there then!) but the crucial difference is that it doesn’t form a shuttlecock; it has a creeping rhizome and its fronds come out of the soil, seemingly at random, in a sort

of loose cluster. In addition

it has pale, chaffy scales on its leaf stalk, whereas those on the leaf stalk of Broad Buckler Fern are darker with a black stripe down the middle.

A remaining mystery is that the two related species grow together on the Ees and they should hybridise... but they don’t seem to - and I haven’t found the hybrid yet.

One day I noticed some Narrow Buckler Ferns growing in a more open habitat and I searched the area for more. At one point, during this search, I noticed something unusual; sprouting out of the ground were lots of tiny, bright green leaves. Although I’d only ever seen pictures before, I knew instantly what I was looking at – another, very un-fernlike,

species of fern called

Chorltons Secret Ferns

”

“So far I have found more than 20 species of fern in the Chorlton area and there are probably a few more yet to be found.

24

Everyone Loves Chorlton!EVERY

TUESDAY

11am at

Longfords Gym

Ryebank Rd

CHORLTON

Adderstongue. Each small plant is between 3 and 7cm tall and consists of a leaf-like blade which leans away from the vertical and from the base of which protrudes a vertical, stalk-like projection; this has horizontal slits in its top section from which spores are produced. It is a very primitive type of fern which is often considered to be an indicator species of unimproved grassland. I realised that I was looking at one of the last traces of the hay meadows that had once been such a common feature of the Mersey Valley. I now think that it’s likely that the colony of Adderstongue, that I found on that day, might very well be the same one that the great Manchester shoe-maker botanist, Richard Buxton found in the first half of the 19th Century and recorded in

his Flora of 1849!

Older brick walls, in the built-up parts of Chorlton, are also good places to look for ferns. Some of the shuttlecock species often appear in stunted form, as does a species called Hartstongue. When rooted in good soil, Hartstongue has long, glossy-green, strap-like leaves, but in walls it tends to be much reduced in size. More suited to the wall habitat is a quartet of species often found together: Wall Rue, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Black Spleenwort and Intermediate Polypody.

So far I have found more than

20 species of fern in the Chorlton area and there are probably a few more yet to be found.

If you are interested in wild ferns or growing ferns in the garden, you might consider joining The British Pteridological Society (www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/bps) There is now a Manchester & North Midlands group of the Society; contact Dr Yvonne Golding at: [email protected]. Dave Bishopfriendsofchorltonmeadows.blogspot.co.uk/

You will need• Scissors• Used wrapping paper• Sticky tape• PVA glue• Paint brush

Make yourself a Topsy Turvy PotBet you enjoyed unwrapping your Christmas presents! Double the fun by turning the wrapping paper into a useful and stylish Topsy Turvy pot. Danielle Lowy from Rubbish Revamped shows you how in an extract from the book, Festive Craft Projects with Recycled Materials. Metallic papers that can’t go in the paper recycling bin are especially nice for this project. You can also use junkmail, leaflets and magazines.

Cut sheets of wrapping paper into strips about15-20cm deep and as wide as available.Fold them into strips about 1.5 to 2cm deep.

Wind the first strip into a tight spiral circle. Sticky tape the end. Add lots more strips, taping them at the beginning and end. 8-10cm diameter is a good final size for your circle.

Here’s the tricky bit. Gently pull the circles up into a tower shape. Make it topsy turvy or straight. Don’t push beyond the depth of the strips or it will all unravel! If this starts to happen, push it back down into a circle and start again, taking it nice and slow....Got the shape you want? Brush on undiluted PVA glue. Leave to dry and add two more layers to glue the rolls together and make the pot stronger - gives it a nice shine too!

Get the book: Festive Craft Projects with Recycled Materials contains 20 illustrated step-by-step projects and is available from Rubbish Revamped at www.rubbishrevamped.org.uk for £5.00 (plus £1.20 postage).

Rubbish Revamped run recycled craft workshops for individuals and organisations. Contact Danielle at [email protected] or on 07910 270 789. Or visit the website to see what’s on at www.rubbishrevamped.org.uk

1.

2.

3.

26

I

SlimmingSlimmingSlimmingWorld

* when you buy a 12-week Countdown course 1-26 January 2013

WorldWorld

Join a warm and friendly group near you today...

Make 2013 your year with Slimming World

THURSDAY Chorlton 10 am, 12 noon, 5pm & 7pm St Johns Parish Centre Corner High Lane & Chequers RdM21 9DX (disabled access)

Call Anna 07977493313

CAREER OPPORTUNITIESIf you are a past or present member of Slimming World & looking for a flexible, self employed, part time role please call Anna 07977 493 313

MONDAY Whalley Range7pm English Martyrs Parish Club Alexandra Road SouthM16 8GF (disabled access)

Call sue 07855 571004

TUESDAY West Didsbury7pm St Bernadettes Church HallPrincess RoadM20 1HH (disabled access)

Call Sue 07855 571004

27

• rewires, repairs & alterations• fire and burglar alarm systems• inspection & testing inc. P.A.T.

Call Andrew on 07729 241 860or visit www.amelectricalandalarm.co.uk

Festivals, Markets & Events

Chorlton Players presentDick WhittingtonThurs 17th, Fri 18th & Sat 19th Jan 7.30pm & Matinee 2pm on 19th. Tickets £4/£6St Werburgh’s Hall, M21 0TL

Chorlton Traders MeetingThursday 31st January, 5.30pm www.chorltontraders.co.uk [email protected] Library

Manchester Street Market3rd Saturday of the month outside Chorlton Library

Clubs, Societies & Groups

Chorlton Aikido Club Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pmSt Ninians, Wilbraham Rdwww.lancashireaikikai.org861 8456

Community Allotment & Apiary Scott Avenue Allotment0797313906807521500223uk.groups.yahoo.com/ group/grow_for_it/

Chorlton Bridge ClubChristine Blackburn Tel: 225 8854 www.bridge webs.com/chorlton

Chorlton Civic SocietyNext meeting Tuesday 8th January 7.30pm Chorlton Library meeting room. Chair - Jenny Slee 0757 0879 091 www.chorltoncivicsociety.org.uk

Chorlton Evening Townswomens Guild Meet every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at 7.30pm Chorlton Library. 0161 881 6354

Chorlton Good Neighbours881 2925 [email protected]

Chorlton History Groupmeets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 1.30pm - 3pm at Chorlton Good Neighbours St Nininians Church, Egerton Rd South

Chorlton Knits1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Oddest Bar

Chorlton Philosophy GroupMeets every Tuesday at 7.30pm, upstairs at the Lloyds pub. All welcomesites.google.com/site/chorltonphilosophygroup

Chorlton Reading GroupOnce a month in the meeting room behind Chorlton library 7.30pmAll welcome 881 [email protected]

Coffee and Craft Mornings at Chorlton Good Neighbours. Meet friends and have a coffee, with arts and crafts group. Thursday’s 10-11.30am Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church 881 2925 www.cgncg.org.uk

IntergenVolunteer opportunities for Chorlton residents 55+ to work with local primary school children. Estelle Longmore 881 7693 or 07946761785 www.intergen.org.uk

Friends of Alexandra Park226 7525 www.friends ofalexandrapark.org.uk

Friends of Chorlton Meadows 881 6276www.friendsofchorltonmeadows.blogspot.com

Friends of Longford [email protected]

Manchester Flower Lovers’ Guild St Werburghs Church Hall, Chorlton Anne 881 6591 flowersnorthwest.net

Shakespeare House Community CentreWhalley RangeM16 8NR, [email protected]

St. Clements FellowshipContact Barbara Burns on 0161 881 5912 or Ida Bradshaw on 0161 861 7158 for information

Whalley Range Cricket & Lawn Tennis Clubevery Friday indoor cricket nets :Years 5 & 6: 6.30-7.30; Years 7-10: 5.30-6.60: Seniors (16+): 7.30-8.30. £4 Springbridge Road, William Hulme Grammar School

Whalley Range ForumJN8 Youth & Community Centre, 82 Cromwell Ave, M16 0BG 881 3744 [email protected] www.whalleyrange.org

Whalley Range 4 [email protected]

50+Social GroupArts/Walking/HolidaysLila, [email protected] 2261214

Health & Fitness

Pilates classes at Firswood Community Centre, Longford Park.

Tues 8 - 9 pm, Wed 6.15 - 7.15 & 7.30 - 8.30 pm.

Contact Danielle 07511 354 745 www.evolutionpilates.co.uk

(Body Control Pilates trained).

Alexander TechniqueOne-to-one sessions in Chorlton & Didsbury, group evening classes.Contact: Sue Fleming on 861 8848, 07796470163www.alexandertechnique.co.uk

50+ Fitness ClassesEvery Tues morning 11am at Longfords Gym, Ryebank RdContact Earl 07725 199 940 www.50plus-fitness.co.uk

The Yoga RoomsThursday 10-11.15am Drop-in Yoga (all levels) Friday 10-11am Drop-in Pilates (all levels)Full Programme at www.theyogarooms.co.uk

Pilates Classes Sarah 07776196504 www.energyflowfitness.co.uk

Arts & Crafts

Alex Jerman PhotographyPhotography & Camera Training, one to ones, workshops www.alexjermanphotography.com

Battyandgorgeous www.battyandgorgeous.com

Beetlefelt Craft WorkshopsCarol Mowl Tel: 881 6309 www.beetlefelt.co.uk

Chorlton Sewing Club1st Thursday of the month 7.30 - 9.30pmChorlton Library chorltonsewing.wordpress.com

Creative Recycling Gallery40 Beech Rd M21 9ELcraftscreativecourses.co.uk

Drum & Percussion GroupPlaying Brazilian and

Community I N D E X2828

Community I N D E XCuban rhythms. Thursday evenings 7-9pm St. Margarets Church, Whalley Range Sue 226 4311

The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre Manchester Rd, Chorlton Tel: 282 9776www.watersedgearts.com

Making Miniatures Group4th Monday of the month, 8pm Scout Hut, English Martyrs Church, Alexandra Rd South, M16Contact Ann 07814 861 285

Ministry of Craft 07850 894 752 www.ministryofcraft.co.uk

Rubbish Revampedwww.rubbishrevamped.org.uk

South Manchester Camera ClubClub Meets Monday nights at 8pm Didsbury Methodist Church M20 5LRwww.smcc.org.uk

Sewing Courses at Pottery Corner, Beech Rd Basic Sewing Skills, Tues 7-9pm starts 14th Jan Contact Ruth Tel: 881 9861 [email protected]

Music & Entertainment

Bass LessonsLearn bass guitar - beginners to professional. Learn to suit your style!Joe [email protected]

Vox Local or Four Poets and a Pasty! With Ian McMillan, Mike Garry, Marvin Cheeseman & Mark Mace Smith. Friday 15th February Tickets £15 via www.boplocal.comIrish Club, 17 High Lane, Chorlton

Chorlton Film InstituteCosmopolisThurs 17th January. Doors Open 8.10pm Film starts 8.30pm Entrance £5 St Clements Church

Chorlton Folk ClubThursdays 9pm Ellesmere Rd Cricket Club

Chorlton Irish Club17 High Lane, Chorlton M21 9DJ 0161 881 2898 www.chorltonirishclub.co.uk

Folk Songs and Tunes at The BeechIf you enjoy folk songs and tunes even older than the Beech. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays for Songs2nd & 4th for Tunes.Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EG

Guitar/Songwriting LessonsDominic Kearne 07906 203388 www.dominickearne.com

Home on the Range25th January 9pm-1am £5 - This year have fun and dance with us!The Carlton Club, Whalley Range www.carltonclub.org.uk

Manchester Sing Out Choir (Gospel Choir)If you enjoy singing - this is the place to be. Every Tuesday 7-9pmSt Johns Centre, Old Trafford www.manchestersingoutchoir.org [email protected]

Therapy & Support Groups

AJR TherapySolution focused personal counsellingTel: 07557 678 121 www.ajr-therapy.co.uk

Café Spirit Meets 2nd Monday of the month at Copperfields Café in Chorlton 7.30pm Lesley 882 0848 Email: [email protected]

Chorlton Anxiety Group226 3871

Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy454 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton, M21 0BQ 0161 862 9456 www.mcpt.co.uk

New Family Social UK charity for LGBT adopters, foster carers and their children. Meets every 2 months in south Manchester.newfamilysocial.co.uk

Rainbow Families 07903 397 108 rainbowfamilies@ hotmail.com

Local Websites

www.beechroadm21.co.uk

www.chorlton.co.uk

www.chorltoncivic.blogspot.com

www.chorlton.fetch.it

www.sochorlton.wordpress.com

www.whalleyrange.org

Useful NumbersChorlton Library 227 3700

Citizens Advice 0870 126 4094

Manchester City Council234 5000

Index LISTINGS are FREE for Voluntary & Community Groups and local charities. They are also free for our display advertisers offering courses/classes or running events etc.BUSINESSES£15 per edition £75 for 6 mths £125 for 12 mths

Max 40 words

email: [email protected] to book

£10 discount with this advert

EXPERIENCEDlocal plumber

Bathrooms and tilingBlockages and leaksPipework alterations

GAVIN HOWARD mobile: 07969 605321

email: [email protected]

87 Haig Road, Stretford, M32 0DP

B.G. PLUMBING

WRAS approved, cert no. 28518

gavin plumbing advert:Layout 1 04/02/2010 10:23 Page 1

Bathrooms and tilingBlockages and leaksPipework alterationsAmtico floors fitted

30

Community Index is delivered to 20,000 Letterboxes

Looking for cost-effective and reliable leaflet distribution?

Leftover boxes of leaflets? Don’t let them go to waste, get them working

for you!Contact : [email protected]

0787 589 5604

leaflet delivery £35 per 1000 (min order)

Special offer : 10,000 leaflets ONLY £290

evolve joinery

High quality work

for a competitive price

For a free quote contact Pete

07947 242 3390161 427 9317

[email protected]

Wooden & UPVC windows

Internal & external doors

Engineered & solid wood floors

Stud partition & plasterboard work

All aspects of internal joinery

Decking & fencing

Property Repairs Chimneys

PointingRoofs

Gutters

Free Est imates

M Duffin

0161 789 664007944 729 608

Chorlton Gas LtdDomestic Central Heating and Gas Engineers

Service, installation and breakdown repair on all makes of:

fully qualified • fully insured Gas Safe registered • friendly and reliable • local references available

Boilers

Fires

Cookers

Unvented Hot Water Cylinders

Solar Thermal

No Job

too big

or small

Central heating power flushing service available

Call Kevin for a no obligation quote

07722 731 801www.chorltongas.co.uk

Nina WestDecorator“She’s So Neat”

07958 382 682Interiors, ExteriorsPaper HangingColour Advice





15 Years Experience

highly recommended in: freeindex.co.uk

Paper Hanging Specialist

31

32

Over millions of years, humans developed the ability to identify

which foods were nourishing and which foods would quickly make them sick, using a combination of sight, touch, smell and taste.These skills have largely been lost, and though it is unlikely you’ll ever need them in the wild, the modern forager has to navigate an equally, if not more challenging environment – the supermarket!

Generally speaking, in the wild foods that are safe smell and taste good. Food that is bad, or rotten will look and smell awful, to the point of making us feel physically ill.

Unfortunately, modern science has given manufacturers the ability to make anything look, taste and smell delicious, regardless of its contents, through the use of artificial flavours, colours and fillers. We therefore need a new set of rules by which to forage for our sustenance.

The following are some top tips when hunting and gathering for your clan in the perilous aisles of the ubiquitous supermarket:

1. Food should come from a field, not a factoryIf you cannot recognise the food as a bit of an animal or part of a plant, don’t eat it. Think roots or eyeballs, if it never had either, don’t touch it!

2 If it has a food label, it’s not foodI could go into a lengthy explanation of food labels, the misguided RDAs, how manufacturers manipulate the law with misleading ingredient names and portion sizes, but you’d soon find your label deciphering skills redundant, on realising that every product in the supermarket that has one isn’t actually food!

3 If it says “healthy” on the label, its almost certainly very bad for youSad, but true.

4 If the use by date is more than a week away, don’t touch itIf fungus and bacteria won’t touch it, then you shouldn’t either!

5 Beware of vague claims on animal productsHappy eggs, traditionally reared, freedom foods and even free range mean little, other than the animal was spared the most debased level of cruelty.

Even organic doesn’t guarantee quality meat – Organic beef could have been fed organic grains which still results in nutritionally inferior meat.

When selecting Beef, make sure it’s grass-fed. Pork and Chicken should be free range. Often your best bet for naturally reared supermarket meat is hill grazed British Lamb (though often all you’ll find is New Zealand Lamb, the mind boggles!).

On your next supermarket visit, it will quickly become apparent that despite its vast size and typical range of 50,000 products, there is actually very little that can be considered food fit for human consumption!

This all raises the question, why go to the supermarket at all? Supermarkets are supposed to save you time and money – get all your shopping in one place, at a low price. The truth is though, if you eat real food the supermarket may cost you more of both!

Time - Between queueing for the car park, navigating the

Modern ForagingHow to spot poisonous items in the urban jungle!

35 Gorton Road, Reddish, Stockport, SK5 6AZ0161 442 7581new store 30 Copson Street, Withington, M20 3HB 0161 312 1412

www.classiccakes.org

wedding cakes • birthday cakes christening cakes • fancies • gateaux • cupcakes

Our wide selection of Wedding Cakes and Special Occasion Cakes are designed and hand crafted to suit all tastes from traditional to modern.

Top quality cakes for all occasions

33

walking dead in the aisles to get to some real food hidden at the back (supermarkets always follow the same layout), before queueing at the checkout (giving you time to note the correlation between the health of the people with trolleys full of “food” and “health” products), and then queueing to get out of the car park, chances are you could have popped to Frosts, Out of the Blue, and Unicorn, had a friendly chat in each, and got some cooking tips to boot, in less time. Even if it does take you the same time, or slightly longer, it will certainly be a more pleasurable experience.

Money – Supermarkets are not cheap. They create the illusion through “loss leaders”. Common items such as bread and milk, of which people register the prices, are sold at a loss. This

loss is recouped by huge mark-ups on cheap food products.

Actual food (i.e. meat, vegetables and fruit) are a pain for supermarkets, as they cost much more to produce, transport and store, and have short shelf lives. As a consequence, they are typically very expensive. This fact is hidden using confusing pricing strategies (pricing some items per lb, some per kg, some per 100g, others per item). Do you know how much you last paid for apples?

By choosing local, fresh, seasonal produce, you cut down on production, transportation and storage costs, thereby saving money. If you can walk or cycle to a local store, you’ll save money on petrol, which could be a considerable saving. The money you do spend will

go back into the local economy, rather than into the coffers of vast multi-conglomerates, and you’ll reduce your environmental footprint!

So, if you do go down to the supermarket today, don’t forget to follow the rules, or even better, don’t go to the supermarket at all!

Simon Whyatt is a personal trainer and nutritionist based in South Manchester, whose outdoor fitness classes in Chorlton Park www.primalfitnesss.co.uk are part of the TagPassItOn scheme.

The original version of this article was first published on his blog: www.livenowthrivelater.co.uk

35

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.

please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

Business IndexAccountancy & FinanceAngela McCormack Accounting Services

8

Gaeia 21

Building & MaintenanceBest Cellars 14

M & H Building Contractors

11

Chimney SweepAcorn Chimney Sweeping Services

22

CleaningOvenwizards 20

Profresh Carpet Cleaners

5

Computer RepairPC Pal 17

Dry CleaningVillage Dry Cleaners 7

ElectricianAM Electrical & Alarm 27

Chorlton Electric 22

NA Evans Electrical Services

14

Estate AgentJP & Brimelow 12-13

Trading Places 18

Food & DrinkBattery Park 34

Classic Cakes 33

Nip & Tipple 22

Furniture & JoineryEvolve Joinery 30

Shaw Carpentry & Joinery

15

GardensFat Grass Garden Designs

16

Green Designs 11

Gas Safe EngineerChorlton Gas 31

Select Plumbing & Heating

22

Handyman/womanChorlton Handyman 15

Health & FitnessFifty Plus Fitness 25

Foodwiser 9

Slimming World 27

Yoga life 9

Male GroomingClose Male Grooming 3

MusicDom Kearne Guitar/Songwriting

8

Joe Beech Bass Lessons 20

Painting & DecoratingCarol Smith Home Improvement

27

HMC Painters & Decorators

11

Nina West Paper Hanging Specialist

31

Robert Burns Decorator/Joiner

11

PharmacyEverest Pharmacy 2

Picture FramingThe House of Bystander 5

PlasteringSK Plastering 30

PlumbingBG Plumbing 30

Hana K Plumbing

Select Plumbing & Heating

5

22

RooferM Duffin 31

Social / EventsDick Whittington 17

Happy Returns Swap Party

21

Home On The Range 25

Vox Local 17

Therapy & HealingAJR Therapy 27

Alexander Technique 5

Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy

9

Traders/BusinessChorlton Traders 11

Tagpassiton 36

Tree ServicesTree Station 8

TutorsTop Tutors 8

community index chorlton & whalley range jan 2013

Documents

Transcript of community index chorlton & whalley range jan 2013