Community Index Didsbury February 2013

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Feb 2013

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12Are you Sitting Comfortably?Advice from the professionals on warding off back pain

Didsbury Arts Festival ‘13New fringe event announced this year

Didsbury Dinners RecipeCarrot, Parsnip & Ginger Cake

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February In Your GardenA guide for the green fingered

Introducing .. SportsGeoff Garnett’s debut feature on local sport

Contents

Meet the team CommunityI N XD E

PublisherCommunity Index

Editor/AdvertisingLesley [email protected]

Design EditorJoe [email protected]

AdvertisingPeter [email protected]

ContributionsNicola Owen, Katherine Watson, Healthy Spirit, Deborah Grace, Didsbury Dinners, Theo Andrews, Didsbury Physio, Geoff Garnett

Cover PhotographsCarol Thompson

Deadline for March Edition15th February 2013

Contact UsTel: 0787 589 [email protected]

Community Index2nd Floor583 Barlow Moor RdChorltonM21 8AE

www.communityindex.co.uk

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7If Tooth be Told...Didsbury Dentist Nicola Owen answers your questions on all things dental

Healthy Kids, Happy Parent!Healthy Spirit advise how to keep your kids fighting fit

Book ReviewsWhat’s on the Community Index bookshelf this month?

Didsbury PeopleDidsbury wordsmith Nicholas Royle tells us about his new novel “First Novel” (it’s actually his seventh)

@communityindex

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Didsbury People

Tell me about your new novel.A creative writing lecturer with one forgotten novel to his name is trying to write a second. Witnessing a possible murder, he finds himself drawn into a mystery, but how much does he really care? This is the story of a man who can’t choose or even distinguish between opposites, between left and right, hot and cold, right and wrong. It’s as if everything is the same to him. Having said that, there’s both dark and light in the novel. I wanted to catch something of the atmosphere of south Manchester.

How closely do you identify with your protagonist, Paul Kinder? He is, after all, a creative-writing tutor at a Manchester university, as you are, yourself. There’s a bit of me in him, but not much of him in me. This is a man who can spend hours staring out of the window or stroking and sniffing the books on his shelves. Fairly typical for a writer, a bibliophile with a gift for displacement activity. In that regard we are very much alike – and we both have

a collection of mannequins – but I don’t hang out in car parks at Cheadle Royal!

Many of your characters display troubled – indeed pathological – tendencies. Can you explain your fascination with extreme personalities?I have always been drawn to obsessive characters and to the dark side of human behaviour. It’s more interesting and certainly more fun to write about.

Do you think that creative writing, as an academic discipline, can be successfully taught? Surely individuals either possess the ability to write or not?I agree, but if someone possesses the ability, if they have the spark, a good creative writing tutor – just like a good editor – can help them to write better. If someone doesn’t have the spark, however, you can’t give it to them. I get enormous excitement and satisfaction from working with talented writers, whether it’s at MMU or through Nightjar Press and Salt.

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration?Just life itself and the compulsion to probe the mystery of existence. In fiction, the late English novelist Derek Marlowe and the American writer Steve Erickson, author of Days Between Stations, Arc d’X, Zeroville and others.

If you hadn’t become a writer what might you have done instead?I might have remained a waiter at Pizza Express, or become a hair model.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?Always carry a notebook and pen. Always read your stuff out loud at least once before considering it finished. Make sure you have the basics right – if you can’t punctuate around direct speech, find out how to.

Please finish the sentence, ‘I love Didsbury because …’… of Mary & Archie on Burton Road, and the Art of Tea on Barlow Moor Road – and the Didsbury Bookshop. Fletcher Moss, Stenner Woods, the river, and all the lovely people.

Nicholas Royle is an author who specialises in disturbed psychologies and the troubling overlap between fantasy and reality. His latest work First Novel (this is in fact his seventh) is no exception, with enthusiastic reviewers describing its macabre appeal as ‘compelling,’ ‘noir-ish,’ and ‘queasy.’ A senior lecturer in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, Nicholas runs independent publishers, Nightjar Press, and is an editor for Salt Publishing. He also works as a fiction reviewer for The Independent and the Warwick Review.First Novel is published by Jonathan Cape.

Deborah Grace

@giddygoattoys /giddygoattoys

TOYS·BOOKS

·GAMES·GIFTS

2 Albert Hill Street . Didsbury . Manchester . M20 6RFTelephone: 0161 445 1097

www.giddygoattoys.co.uk

Amanda’s off to the Toy Fair tolook at all the wonderful newtoys, games and gifts that we’llbe ordering for the year ahead.

So the Giddy Goat team are havinga MASSIVE SALE to make room forall the new toys and gifts thatwill be arriving.

There’s lots of great bargains to behad throughout all of February soget yourself down or shop onlineat www.giddygoattoys.co.uk

GGT Com Index Feb Ad:Layout 1 23/1/13 13:40 Page 1

Nicola Owen and her team have been offering qualitydental care at The Dental Health Centre for over 20 years in Didsbury village.

• New patients welcome.• Cosmetic and routine dental treatment.• Emergencies usually seen same day, even when patients are

not registered at the practice.• Special care for nervous patients.• Please contact reception to book your appointment.

Also introducing our NEW Dental Phobia CentreHTo finally overcome your dental fear HSpecial care offered

Nicola Owen and her team have successfully managed phobic patients for many years

1b School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RDt: 0161 445 5459, e: [email protected]

w: www.didsburydentalhealth.com

SJE.Together.Winter 2012 Covers2_Layout 1 22/11/2012 11:25 Page 3

How should I clean my teeth?Whether you use a normal tooth brush or an electric one, isn’t really the issue, its how you brush with it that matters.

The primary reason we brush teeth is to keep the gums healthy, then to help avoid decay by brushing the plaque off the tooth surfaces. It is important therefore that the brush you use massages the gum tissue and removes the plaque residues. Bleeding may occur initially until the gums have been free of this plaque for a number of days and they

will heal and become stronger.Your dentist or hygienist should be able to demonstrate an effective way to clean your teeth and gums. I often ask patients to bring their brush to their dental appointment and show them how to use it effectively.

With a normal tooth brush I teach patients to push the bristles in between the teeth and wiggle them as they clean the spaces. With an electric brush I tell them to gently adjust the direction of the bristles and push gently in between each tooth so that the spaces aren’t missed.

Dental Bites

A Post WAr HAlf CenturyChristmas letters 1962-2011During the second half of the last century the Wedells began to send a Christmas

letter to their friends and relations, telling them about their lives during the year.

The publication of these diaries, unedited and end-to-end, provides a

fascinating slice of contemporary history as experienced by one family during a

post-war half century.

Buy your copy from: Morton’s (on Warburton street, M20 6WA)

or Inmans (on lapwing lane, M20 6ur)

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Nicola Owen and her team have been offering qualitydental care at The Dental Health Centre for over 20 years in Didsbury village.

• New patients welcome.• Cosmetic and routine dental treatment.• Emergencies usually seen same day, even when patients are

not registered at the practice.• Special care for nervous patients.• Please contact reception to book your appointment.

Also introducing our NEW Dental Phobia CentreHTo finally overcome your dental fear HSpecial care offered

Nicola Owen and her team have successfully managed phobic patients for many years

1b School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RDt: 0161 445 5459, e: [email protected]

w: www.didsburydentalhealth.com

SJE.Together.Winter 2012 Covers2_Layout 1 22/11/2012 11:25 Page 3

Nicola Owen is principal dentist at The Dental Health Centre in Didsbury, which she established over 20 yrs ago. To contact Nicola, email [email protected] or call 0161 445 5459

Cellar conversions | Plumbing & Heating | ElectricsBrickwork | Carpentry | Bathrooms | Painting & DecoratingDrainage & Roofing | Tiling

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Call 07973 684578 or0161 445 6390for a free estimate

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Book Reviews

In 1929, on their honeymoon to Venice, the Landauers, an affluent Czech couple, meet an ambitious architect and, wanting a new home for

themselves, are persuaded to allow him to build one for them in the new, modernist style, the only appropriate one for a bright Future. And so he does in Mesto, the provincial town where the Landauers live. It is a wondrous creation in steel and glass, simple and streamlined, a house where everything is apparent and secrets cannot exist.

But soon it will harbour secrets of a personal nature when both the husband and the wife drift into less than casual affairs. The glass room, in the heart of the house, divided into a dining room and a library by a glowing wall of onyx, will witness their betrayals and those of others in the course of the next decades

when the couple and their children flee the Nazi invasion because of the husband’s nominal Jewishness.

The house, which remains throughout the book the main character, will be inhabited in different guises by the Germans, the Russians and the Czechoslovak Communists before the moving denouement of 1990. This clever device allows the author of this riveting Booker Prize-shortlisted book not only to remind us of the checkered history of Europe in the twentieth century, but also to interest us in the fates of those who were unwillingly drawn into its vortex.

Theo Andrews

Jennet’s family all believe they are witches. Other folk think they are, too. But 1612 is a dangerous time to be a witch. When her family are imprisoned and put on trial at Lancaster Castle, Jennet’s

evidence will decide whether they live or die …

Written to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the infamous Pendle Witch trials, Livi Michael’s fictionalised account recreates a dark period of history when, seven years after the Gunpowder Plot, superstition and paranoia fuelled a widespread belief in witches. A neighbourly grudge would find its expression in malicious gossip and, very quickly, rumour would become incontrovertible, damning fact.

Told through the eyes of a young girl, Jennet Device, Michael’s story of witchcraft and betrayal is both shocking and genuinely poignant. A bubbling cauldron of poverty, ignorance and politics provides a potent brew allowing local magistrate, Roger Nowell,

to exploit a vulnerable child and put treacherous words in her mouth. This is a story about telling stories; about the power of language and the importance of finding your own voice rather than submitting to other people’s lies.

What is most intriguing is the presence of supernatural elements in what is, largely, a naturalistic, historical tale. Michael’s characters really do cast spells (albeit with doubtful efficacy!) and they have recognisable animal familiars. To what extent the book’s ‘magic’ is real or imagined is, tantalisingly, left to the reader to decide.

Recommended for readers aged nine plus. A chilling tale for dark, winter nights!

Deborah Grace

The Glass RoomSimon Mawer

Malkin ChildLivi Michael

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Healthy kids, happy parent!10

A good diet, plenty of fresh air and exercise plus lots of love and

attention will generally keep your child healthy, bright and happy. However, a good diet isn’t always easy to maintain in a child and assumes that your child enjoys eating leafy green food and oily fish on a regular basis.No-one would suggest that stuffing your child full of vitamin pills is the solution either, but a balanced diet topped up with a good quality multivitamin can give reassurance to parents that their child is avoiding any obvious nutritional deficiencies. When choosing a multivitamin for your child, buy one that contains the Government recommended levels of nutrients for children, ideally sourced from food rather than synthetic and one that does

not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or saccharine or any other unnecessary additives.

Academic performance is an area of child health where nutrition has a major role to play. A study of primary school children has confirmed that supplements of the omega 3 fatty acids ( found in fish and flax seed oils), could take them from the bottom of the class to the top in just two school terms. The results of The Durham Trial state that more then 40% of the children could benefit from essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements. The study which involved a dozen primary schools, concludes that children given these ‘brain food’ supplements register dramatic improvements in reading age and numeracy.

Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial for normal brain development but these EFAs are seriously

lacking in modern diets and deficiencies are thought to be common. The Food Standards Agency recommends salmon, trout and mackerel for those people who are looking to increase their intake of fish oils. However, it also recently warned that some fish can contain high levels of toxic chemicals such as mercury and dioxin. It is therefore advisable to choose the purist fish you can afford or alternatively try cold pressed organic flax oil which is a good alternative for vegetarians.

At Healthyspirit we have a comprehensive range of good quality, naturally sourced supplements suitable for all the family. Please call into the shop and ask to speak to one of our qualified nutritionists for more information on which supplements may help your child’s health.

Events at HealthySpirit

Free Easibirthing Group Taster SessionSaturday 16th February3.00pm-4.30pmBooking essential

Toning and Mantra Chanting CircleSaturday 9th February11.00am-12.00pmDonations gratefully received.

Lemurian Healing CircleSaturday 9th February2.00pm-4.00pm.Cost £6

Singing and Music TherapySaturday 23rd February12.15pm-1.15pmCost £15 booking essential.

Laughing YogaSaturday 16th February11.00am-12.00pmDonations gratefully received

Circle DanceSaturday 9th February1.00pm-2.00pm.Cost £6

Kundalini YogaEvery Monday 11.00am-12.30pm and every Wednesday 11.30am-1.00pm.Cost £8

Infinite Chi KungEvery Wednesday10.00am-11.00amCost £6

Meditation GroupsEvery Monday 1pm-2pmEvery Tuesday 11.00am-12.00pmEvery Wednesday 7.30pm-9.30pm.Donations accepted.

Spiritual HealingSaturday 2nd & 23rd February2.00pm-3.00pm.Donations gratefully received

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All events are held at The Old Parsonage, Stenner Lane, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2RQ. To book a place, phone 0161 434 6784 (Healthy Spirit, Didsbury)For further information visit www.peruvianenergyhealing.com

Evening Seminars on Inka MysticismThe Seven Levels of PowerMonday 4th February, 7-9pm

Right Path of MysteryMonday 18th February, 7-9pm

The Bands of PowerMonday 4th March, 7-9pm

Love, Birth and DeathMonday 18th March, 7-9pm

Left Path of MagicMonday 8th April, 7-9pm

Sunday Workshops on ShamanismPersonal Power and Psychic ProtectionSunday, 24th February, 10am to 4.30pm

Archetypes and the Hero‘s JourneySunday, 24th March, 10am to 4.30pm

Guided Journeying and Power AnimalsSunday, 28th April, 10am to 4.30pm

Death Rites and Spirit FlightSunday, 2nd June, 10am to 4.30pm

SERVING BODY, MIND AND SPIRITHealthyspirit is a health and spiritual shop

with a holistic healing centre. We offer:

HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

MEDITATION CLASSESSPIRITUAL HEALING & GUIDANCE DRU YOGADEEKSHA BLESSINGATTUNEMENTS

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

FLOWER ESSENCESHOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIESBOOKS CDS (MEDITATION AND MUSIC)CRYSTALS & GIFTSWORKSHOPS

Visit our website for more Information or buy online:

WWW.HEALTHY-SPIRIT.COMFREE POST AND PACKAGING WITH FIRST ORDER

AND RECEIVE A £5 VOUCHER TO BE USED ON NEXT PURCHASE OVER £25.00

OR CALL IN AND CHAT WITH OUR FRIENDLY STAFF AT: 37 BARLOW MOOR ROAD, DIDSBURY,

MANCHESTER M20 6TW. TEL: 0161 434 6784OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY from 09.30am-5.00pm



HOLISTIC TREATMENTS


DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS









HOLISTIC TREATMENTS


DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS







Wholefoods

dietary supplements

floWer essences

homoeopathic remedies

books

cds (meditation & music)

crystals & gifts

Workshops

holistic treatments

meditation classes

spiritual healing & guidance

kundalini yoga

chi kung

attunements

ECHO VapourElectronic Cigarette Healthier Option

224 Fog Lane, Didsbury M20 6EL

0161 434 1624

Are you a smoker?Thinking of giving up or just looking

for a healthier way to smoke?Well, why not call in and

give an E-cig a try?Suppliers of E-cigs, E-liquids, and all your

accessories!

Starter kits, batteries, Viva Novas, atomizers & spare parts, cases, etc...

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Whether sitting in a comfy chair at home or in an

office chair, the principles behind healthy sitting are the same: The spine should be fully supported and in a balanced position.1. Sit right back in the chair, making sure your bottom is right back.

2. Pull the shoulder blades back and down, pushing them firmly back into the back rest of the chair.

3. The back rest of the chair should be angled back by about 15 degrees – having the chair bolt upright puts too much

pressure on the lower back.

4. The feet should be firmly supported on the floor or a foot rest BUT the knees must be lower than the hips – if the knees are higher than the hips you are forced into slumping the lower back.

Computer Use5. When sitting correctly, with the WHOLE spine fully supported, the keyboard and mouse should be within easy reach, keeping the shoulder blades supported, the upper arms more or less vertical and the elbows at the same height as the fingers on the keys – this is how you get the correct height of the chair.

6. The back of the neck should be long – feel it. Put the top of the computer screen level with your eyes.

Breaks7. Don’t sit down for too long – home and office. Ideally you should stand and stretch for a few moments every 45 minutes or so. The key to a healthy back is to keep the back mobile.

More tips at www.didsburyphysio.co.uk

Village Physio& Sports Injury Clinic

3 Warburton Street, Didsbury Village, Manchester M20 6WA

0161 448 7844

[email protected]

www.didsburyphysio.co.uk

PhysiotherapySports MassageMassage in PregnancyCore StrengtheningPodiatryErgonomic Assessments

•• • • • •

Are you Sitting Comfortably?

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

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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]

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Are you Sitting Comfortably? 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

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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

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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

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Clubs, Societies & Groups

Acting For FunCentral Didsbury431 4794

Didsbury Amateur Dramaticswww.celestaplayers.co.uk

Didsbury Civic Societywww.didsburycivicsociety.org.uk

Didsbury Cricket Clubwww.didsburyccsports.co.uk

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

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

Didsbury Ladies Probis ClubMeets on alternate Monday afternoons in East Didsbury.Please call Joan Woodall 0161 434 2532 for more information

Didsbury Village East Residents Associationwww.dvera.co.uk

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

Manchester Flower Lovers’ GuildFirst Monday of the month for flower demonstrations.

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

Friends of Didsbury Parkwww.friendsofdidsbury park.co.uk

Friends of Fletcher Moss ParkAlan Hill 215 0971 [email protected]

Friends of Marie Louise Gardenswww.marielouisegardens.org.uk

South Manchester Camera Clubwww.smcc.org.uk

Didsbury Over 50s Group247 2323

South Manchester U3AMeet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 2pm, Emmanuel Church. Contact Edna 434 2509

South Manchester Dance School107 Clyde Road West Didsbury, 445 5308

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

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

Arts & Crafts

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

Wendy Levy Art Gallery17 Warburton Street Didsbury, 446 4880

Music & EntertainmentJazzTuesdays at 8.45pm at the Slug and Lettuce, 651 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury. creativespaceinfo.blogspot.com

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

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

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

Social & Support Groups

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

Social CircleSocial and activity group. Walks, meals, weekends away, quiz nights, live music, dancing, theatre, comedy Tel: 0161 434 0098, or 07767 686 177 www.social-circle.co.uk

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

Useful Numbers

Didsbury Library 227 3755

Environment on Call 954 9000

Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100

Manchester City Council234 5000

East Didsbury Councillors

Andrew [email protected]

Andrew [email protected]

Bridie [email protected]

West Didsbury Councillors

Mark [email protected]

Carl [email protected]

David [email protected]

Community I N D E X

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LETTINGS: 0161 445 2300 [email protected]

DIDSBURY LETTINGS721 Wilmslow Rd Didsbury M20 6WF

www.jpandbrimelow.co.uk@jpandbrimelow

Offices also in:Chorlton 0161 882 2244 Withington 0161 434 6169

targeted Marketing

news Bulletin

[email protected] [email protected]

JP & Brimelow - the Professionals!The NAEA & ARLA are among the UK’s leading professional bodies within the property industry and JP & Brimelow are one of the members that adhere to the strict rules of conduct to ensure that we offer the highest level of integrity and service, while the NAEA & ARLA qualifications meaning you the public can be sure they are dealing with an expert.

We believe at JP & Brimelow that all Sales & Lettings agents should be licensed, both to protect the consumer and to encourage and maintain high standards of service and local knowledge. Our aim is to promote and ensure professionalism and best practice and by doing so provide a first class service to both clients and future clients of JP & Brimelow.

By choosing an agent who is NAEA, ARLA member you can feel secure in the knowledge that your property is in safe hands.

JP & Brimelow is amongst the steadily growing number of agents across the UK who are working with NAEA and the NFOPP to become qualified and raise standards within their field.

I look forward to assisting you with your let in 2013.

Rebecca Whitehead MARLA Lettings Director

love Didsbury? JPB Valentines essentials

1. Champagne from Reserve Wines

2. Cardfrom Harriet & Dee

3. flowersfrom Flower Lounge

4. Chocolatefrom Inmans

5. oystersfrom Evans

6. Meat

from Axons

7. Cheesefrom the Cheese Hamlet

8. Cocktailsat One Lounge Bar

9. Valentines Mealat Gusto

10. night outat the Metropolitan

SALES: 0161 448 0622 [email protected]

DIDSBURY SALES 748a Wilmslow Rd Didsbury M20 2DW

www.jpandbrimelow.co.uk@jpandbrimelow

Offices also in:Chorlton 0161 882 2233 Withington 0161 445 9700

[email protected] [email protected]

We’re passionate about M20. So much so, we’ve emblazoned our appreciation for all things Didsbury on our very own eco-bags. So, come into our office today and grab yourself a bag, for FREE! Use it for your Cheddar from the Cheese Hamlet,

or your Angus Beef from Axons...Go on show your love for M20!

GRAB YOUR FREE BAG

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

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Welcome to Royal Cod• Traditional Fish & Chips• Friendly Service• Highest Quality Ingredients - finest oil, freshest fish & best grade potatoesDrop in and treat yourself to our amazing Fish & Chips!

466 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 9AS Tel: 0161 222 6135

Come and see us at 748 Wilmslow Rd Didsbury

we’ve got

Valentine’s Day

covered!

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NACS member

www.acornchimneysweepingservices.co.uk

Call John0161 445 3650

CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICESAcorn

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

Plans for new Fringe programme announced!

Local artists, people and organisations are invited to take part

in Didsbury Arts Festival 2013, being held from 22 to 30 June.This year’s annual showcase of local talent promises to be more exciting than ever with the introduction of a brand new fringe programme – ‘DAFringe’ - to run alongside the main DAF line-up. The move will allow more artists to organise their own events and choose their own local venues.

DAFringe events will take place throughout DAF week at venues ranging from shops, bars and restaurants to nursery schools, visitor centres – and even park benches! More information and artist submission forms for both the DAFringe and DAF main programme are now available on the DAF website. The deadline for artist submissions is 13 March 2013.Meanwhile, DAF organisers are keen to hear from individuals

and organisations willing to support this year’s events. Volunteers are needed to help out during Festival week. Local businesses are invited to support the event by providing venues or through sponsorship and donations of goods and services.

Festival organisers are also looking for volunteers to join their team and to take on roles in a variety of areas, including fundraising, marketing and event and artist co-ordination. They would particularly like to hear from anyone interested in managing the festival’s visual arts programme and writers programme.

An assistant festival director is also being sought to work with the festival director in liaising with sponsors and local stakeholders and in organising the festival programme.

Since its launch in 2009, Didsbury Arts Festival has become a fixture on the local calendar. Last year’s DAF Diamond Weekend, held in

September, saw 3000 festival goers flocking to Didsbury’s bars, churches and other venues to enjoy a four-day celebration of local talent.

DAF Director, Maria Stripling, said: ‘Last year’s DAF Diamond Weekend brought together some of the best artists – not just from Didsbury and Manchester – but from all over the UK. As DAF continues to go from strength to strength, our aim is to build on the success of previous festivals by creating fresh opportunities for artists and encouraging more diverse and exciting art forms.’

Anyone wishing to discuss ways in which they would like to get involved should contact: [email protected]

Visit the DAF website at: www.didsburyartsfestival.orgThe DAF AGM will take place on Thursday 7 March, 7- 9 pm at the Albert Club, Old Lansdowne Road, West Didsbury.

You will need : 250g/9oz/1¼ cups light brown muscovado or demerara sugar

225g/8oz/approx 1 cup sunflower oil

200ml/approx ½ pint apple concentrate or rice syrup

Zest and juice of 2 oranges

1 tsp vanilla extract

550g/1lb 4oz/5 cups plain flour

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp bicarbonate soda

½ tsp salt

225g/8oz carrot, grated

550g/1lb 4oz parsnip, grated

225g/8oz golden raisins, soaked in hot water

2 inches stem ginger (peeled and chopped)

225g/8oz sliced almonds or chopped walnuts (if desired)

For the icing...250g/9oz sunflower spread

500g/1lb 2oz icing sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 inches stem ginger

Instructions : 1. Heat oven to 175°C/350°F/gas mark 4.

2. Grease tin or line with greaseproof paper. Use either a rectangular tin (13 x 9 x 2 inches/33 x 23 x 5 cms) or a round tin (11 x 2 inches/28 x 5 cms).

3. Beat sugar, oil, apple concentrate/rice syrup, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla until blended.

4. In a separate bowl mix all dry ingredients (apart from carrot, parsnip, raisins, stem ginger and nuts) until well combined.

5. Mix wet and dry ingredients. Once blended add carrot, parsnip, raisins (drained), stem ginger and nuts (if using). Mix until well combined.

6. Pour immediately into prepared tin and bake for 60 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. If the cake is not cooked in the middle but is burning on top, cover top with baking foil until cooked throughout.

7. Once baked, transfer to a wire rack. If using a round tin leave to cool in tin for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool for a further hour.

8. Once the cake is fully cooled, prepare icing, if desired. Beat sunflower spread, icing sugar and cinnamon until smooth.

9. Peel and grate stem ginger, collecting juice.

10. Add juice to icing little by little until the icing is smooth but not too runny. Enjoy!

Recipe by :Erika Nagae and Erika Van

Steensburg, The Black Cat CakeryCarrot, parsnip and ginger cake

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]

20

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If you would like to come along to the next Didsbury Traders meeting, join us or be

involved please contact Carol [email protected] for details.

Membership fees are £25 for independents and £75 for larger chains and companies.

For the dates and locations for upcoming meetings visit us on Twitter!

Live in Didsbury, shop in Didsbury, work in Didsbury or just visiting?

Didsbury Traders would like your help please.

We would like your views on Didsbury to help us decide what to focus our efforts on as a group. Shops,

businesses and organisations in various parts of Didsbury will soon be asking for your thoughts as part of this

project so we would be really grateful for your input.

• Partnership and LLP Matters• Company Matters• Shareholder Disputes• Mergers and Sales

• Trading Terms and Conditions• Professional and Regulatory• Employment Issues• Directors' Rights and Duties

Lawyers foryour business

Come and talk to usAdrian Anderson on 0161 832 6131 or email [email protected] www.rallipartnership.law.co.uk

@didsburytraderscommunity

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[email protected]

23

Unwanted Christmas gifts welcome at Oxfam

Before you bin the Rudolph jumper your Aunt Agatha bought

you – think again! Oxfam in Didsbury will be delighted to find new homes for your unwanted Christmas gifts.Every year the charity shop welcomes donations of books, clothes, jewellery and bric-a-brac collected in the great post-Christmas clearout. This year, as part of the charity’s national GRRR! Campaign, Didsbury Oxfam is urging people to Give their unwanted presents to the charity to Resell, Reuse and Recycle in the New Year.

Gifts that can’t be resold in shops or online are sent to one of the charity’s sorting centres where they may be reused in other countries or recycled into useful materials such as cardboard boxes or mattress filler.

Didsbury Oxfam shop manager, Wendy Elliott, said: “Donations are the life blood of Oxfam shops. Throughout the year we offer people the opportunity to change countless lives around the world by converting their unwanted goods into cash and this is especially the case for those redundant Christmas gifts.

‘Your precious donations will make a massive difference to Oxfam in raising as much money as possible for our work fighting poverty around the world.”

For more information call 0161 434 5380 or visit the shop on 778 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury.

Italian Restaurant

1st floor restaurant 613-615 Wilbraham Road

Chorlton-cum-Hardy Manchester

M21 9AN Phone 0161 861 8880

www.mezzalunachorlton.co.uk

Book now for Valentine’s day

Dine in style at Mezzaluna Italian

restaurant & enjoy delicious, freshly made Italian cuisine.

—————————

We are now taking bookings for St. Valentine’s day

Book now for St. Valentine’s day

Freewheeling!

Free adult cycle safety skills sessionswww.bikeright.co.uk/ freewheelingor call 0161 230 7007See website for terms and conditions

Alexander Technique

Sue Fleming MSTAT

www.alexanderteaching.co.uk

☎ 861 8848 mob 07796470163

The Burton Road Clinic Didsbury

Chequers Road Chorlton

Pauline Leng MSTAT

www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net

☎ 445 8530 mob 07821470349

The Didsbury Holistic Centre and

Lidgate Grove Didsbury

individual sessions and groups

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Love your local indies for Valentines Day, great presents and great savings with your TAG! card in Didsbury and Chorlton. Get yours online or from TAG! independents.For that special someone :• Jewellery, cards & gifts from

Harriet & Dee• The Flower Lounge to say it

with flowers

• Belly Button for cards and gifts

• Books and gifts from Inmans Lapwing Lane

• Canvas prints from Feel Creative

• Cup cakes, afternoon teas, special treats from Airy Fairy Cake Boutique

• Cakes, afternoon Teas, special treats from Dish Ran Away With The Spoon

• Cheesey specials and foody treats from Cheese Hamlet

• Cocoa Cabana West Didsbury’s Chocolatier for all things chocolate

• Steranko for quality clobber • A world of books from

Mortons Book shop

• Wellness gifts from Healthy Spirit

• Learn to play Bridge with courses at Manchester Bridge Club

• Northern Lawn Tennis Club membership

• G4 Fitness for sports massages

• Social Circle membership• Adore Beauty for beauty

treatments• 10 class Zumba class pass

from Becky at Manchester Zumba

• A pramactive course with Claire for new mums

• Male grooming treats from Gentry Grooming

• Withington Cycles

And with all those savings towards an extra special meal....

After phenomenal success in our first store, ‘a Sweet Thought’

is delighted to be opening in Didsbury. We cater for whatever

your taste buds desire. As well as providing the largest selection

of pick & mix in the UK and all your favorite traditional & retro

sweets, we offer a bespoke service for party bags, wedding

favors & gifts. We also have traditional Sweet Cart available for

hire - perfect for indulging your guests with sweets at Weddings,

Parties or Corporate events.

We are happy to discuss

any individual requirements

So call in for a chat!

THE BEST SWEET SHOP IN THE WORLD

comes to DIDSBURY - YAY!

[email protected]

www.asweetthought.co.ukShop: 0161 440 7575

NEWKid’s parties

812b Wilmslow RoadDidsburyManchesterM20 6UH

Please visit our sister store too on ack lane, bramhall.

AST-Community Index advert 148x210.indd 1 22/11/12 16:21:38

26

Garden DesignPlanting AdviceConsultation ServiceProject Managment

07989968841www.fatgrass.co.uk

Many of us think year-on-year about how our gardens

could become more wildlife friendly and February seems like the ideal time to build this into our planning. There are a few vague statements that populate the back of our minds about bee colonies being threatened and the need to leave a bit of mess in the garden for overwintering insects and animals, but I doubt many of us actually know a great deal more than that. I certainly didn’t until I read a couple of articles by accident.

One was a report from the UN environmental programme that highlighted the fact that 71% of crops providing 90% of food worldwide are bee pollinated (which is quite amazing) and another from the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA) which looked at the dramatic fall in honey yield in Britain during 2012.

Taken together, these facts are quite worrying – the BBKA are currently monitoring whether the rain and cold of the

summer last year has hampered the normal process of queen bee production and the affect on winter colony survival levels.

Obviously there isn’t a great deal we can do about our weather but there may be a few small things we could do to help in our gardens. If you’re stuck for a present for someone, you could always ‘adopt a beehive’ (www.adoptabeehive.co.uk) which is a scheme to raise funds for research and education into good bee husbandry.

Alternatively, there are a whole range of everyday plants that are ‘Bee Friendly’ – i.e. rich in pollen and nectar, that

might encourage bees into our gardens (The British Bee Keeping Association website has a full list of bee friendly plants). For example, many of us know that the Buddleja is good for butterflies and bees (its common name being the ‘Butterfly Bush’), but perhaps think about trying a different variety such as Buddleja x weyeriana ‘Moonlight’, with its pastel pom-pom threaded stems.

It might also be worth thinking about winter flowering plants such as the climber Clematis cirrhosa, winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) or the sweet smelling Viburnum x bodnantense. Plenty to keep you buzzy at the start of the growing season.

Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs

Making your garden more accommodating for local wildlife...

February in your Garden

Photo © David Leitch

rooms for HireThe Old ParsonageStenner Lane, Didsbury

Support the Parsonage

DidsburyParsonageTrust

Re-opened in September 2012, after extensive repairs and refurbishment, as a community hub, is now available for lettings. A variety of rooms are available for hire accommodating from 8 to 60 people.

Suitable for: • exhibitions• meetings• courses• workshops

Tel: Steve or Christine 0161 445 7661 [email protected]

• talks• seminars• Wedding & party enquiries welcome.

Offices to RentTwo well appointed offices available on the first floor

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•General Chiropody Treatments

•Corns & Callus Removal

•Nail Cutting & Ingrown Toenails

•Heal Pain, Arch Supports, Insoles & Orthotics

•Registered HCPC Podiatrist

D I D S B U R YF O O T C L I N I C

Didsbury Foot Clinic has moved to: 701 Burnage Lane, M19 1RRTel: 0161 286 3480 Mob: 07931 900 116 Web: www.didsburyfootclinic.co.uk

28 Community Index Sport

Didsbury Golf Club’s new Captain Sandy Jones (pictured)

hopes to be called ‘Sunny’ Jones rather than ‘Hurricane’ Sandy during his year of office.Sandy has been a member of the club since 1976 when he gave up his amateur soccer career and has given valuable service on the club council for several years.

Soccer is still a big part of his life as both he and his wife Kate, who was the club’s Ladies Captain a few years ago, are season ticket holders at Bolton Wanderers.

Kate is actually a Man United supporter at heart and it took her a while to realise that their holidays occurred when there was an international break.

His chosen charity for his Captain’s Year is Macmillan Cancer Support for East Cheshire.

The former chartered surveyor’s current handicap is

15 and his best was 11 and he plays golf two or three times a week (or half the time that Kate plays!).

His favourite hole at Didsbury is the 200-yard par three 11th because you need to be straight and also to get the distance right on the two-tier green.

Sandy said: “If I had to choose three players to join me in a four-ball they would be Sam Allardyce for everything he achieved at Bolton, Harry Redknapp for his great football stories and Luke Donald so that he could pick up a few tips from me on how to improve his swing!

“But it promises to be a great year ahead at Didsbury which is a club always ready to be innovative with great practice facilities and an excellent course and several great current offers for membership,

particularly for younger players who we recruited in large numbers in 2012.

“We have a very pro-active committee, the best professional in the area in Peter Barber as well as excellent off-course facilities at the 19th hole bring on the sunshine in 2013!”

Sandy looks for sunny times

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

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29

Didsbury Toc H RUFC

represented Manchester in the Greater Manchester Sports Award Evening next month after winning the Manchester ‘Club of the Year’award.They were shortlisted for the award and invited to the Manchester Sports Award Dinner held at the Wythenshawe Forum with the other nominated finalists.

They were delighted to win the award with Toc President Jeff Burn being presented with the award by Tracey Neville, the former England netball international.

The Sports Award Dinner is a

showcase of sport and sporting achievements by Manchester sports clubs and players and Toc won ahead of Manchester City Ladies FC and The Wythenshawe Club.

It was a memorable evening hosted by former Olympian Katherine Merry and other awards went to current Olympians Jade Jones and Martin Stamper.

Bedians FC, who field four teams in the Lancashire

and Cheshire AFL each Saturday, were able to celebrate after receiving a grant for £8,500 from the Sports Council.The club, who are based at Millgate Lane in East Didsbury, secured the grant for their commitment to developing and encouraging football for the 14-25 years old group.

Their first use of the grant was to buy state-of-the-art

goalposts which follow all of the current health and safety requirements for their two main pitches.

Rob O’Connor, the Bedians director of football, said: “The club were delighted to receive the grant and the Sports Council can be assured that the money will be used in our aims to develop soccer for younger players.”

Bedians get their reward

Top award for TocSports clubs are the lifeblood of the local community providing a huge range of opportunities for people of all ages and genders to get into sport.They give people the chance to mix in a social environment as well providing vital exercise of body and mind and in many cases make friends for life.

Our area is very rich in such clubs and they rely so much on the voluntary efforts of people to run them and these sports articles try to provide an insight into the huge amount of work done by these volunteers on behalf of their local community.

If you have any stories about sport by individuals or teams contact Geoff Garnett on either 0161 881 7550 or email [email protected]

Community Sport

Officials of Didsbury Toc H with Jeff Burn holding their award

Bedians four teams and officials are pictured with the new posts

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31

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please mention Community Index when responding to adverts

Business IndexAccountancy & FinanceGaeia 13

Building & MaintenanceBest Cellars 14

Dennis Gleeson Plumbing & Buiding

8

BooksA Post War Half Century 7

Chimney SweepAcorn Chimney Sweeping Services

19

CleaningOvenwizards 28

Profresh Carpet Cleaners

12

CyclingBike Right 24

Dental HealthDental Health Care 6

E-CigaretteEcho Vapour 11

Estate AgentJP & Brimelow 16-17

FlooringPrice Less Flooring 21

Food & DrinkA Sweet Thought 25

Classic Cakes 2

Royal Cod 18

Thorntons/Hallmark 18

Furniture & JoineryEvolve Joinery 30

GardensFat Grass Garden Designs

26

HandymanDidsbury Handyman 28

Health & WellbeingAlexander Technique 24

Didsbury Foot Clinic 27

Healthy Spirit 11

Mysticism/Shamanism Workshops

11

MusicDom Kearne Guitar/Songwriting

18

Painting & DecoratingCarol Smith Home Improvement

19

PhysiotherapyVillage Physio 12

PrintingCommunity Index Print 22

RestaurantMezza Luna 23

Namaste Nepal 8

RooferM Duffin 30

Rooms For HireDidsbury Parsonage Trust 27

Social/EventsSocial Circle 32

SolicitorsRalli Solicitors 22

Shopping/GiftsTagpassiton 24

Traders AssociationDidsbury Traders 22

ToysGiddy Goat Toys 5

Tree ServicesSimon Lee Tree Services 13

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Community Index Didsbury February 2013

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Transcript of Community Index Didsbury February 2013