This is the second edition of Lucy Powell’s fortnightly South Manchester Community News
 

Creative extravaganza at Didsbury Arts Festival

With more than 80 events in 8 days and 40 venues, there is plenty for everyone to choose from at this first week-long Didsbury Arts Festival. There are exhibitions by more than 40 local artists, lunchtime recitals, film, poetry and book readings, comedy, jazz and acoustic bands and combinations of all of these - happening everywhere you look.  The festival is an opportunity to have a go at being creative, with interactive workshops taking place throughout the week for all ages, including painting and drawing, puppets and animation, crochet bombing and writing – oh and also line dancing, belly dancing, Salsa – to name a few. http://www.didsburyartsfestival.org

Concern about new football pitch in Chorlton

There has been huge local concern recently about the plans for Chorlton football pitch on what was formerly the University of Manchester/UMIST grounds. Bringing the pitches back into use plus floodlights and other new infrastructure should require planning permission. If you’d like the chance to scrutinise the plans contact me at community@lucypowell.org.uk 

Police seem to be having an impact against burglars

The police have been involved in a big effort to arrest burglars in South Manchester. The dramatically named Operation Storm resulted in 22 arrests being made. There were 11 raids on properties of suspected burglars to search for stolen property and other evidence linking the occupants to criminal activity. Police also carried out 97 stop and searches and 98 stop and accounts. This action will carry on to the New Year.If you have any information contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Highly Successful Manchester Pride

On 29th August Labour figures such as Tony Lloyd MP and Arlene McCarthy MEP walked in support of the gay community at Manchester Pride. We should be proud of the progress the Government has made on equality for the LGBT community. It was honour to take part in this parade. Anyone who is interested in LGBT Labour needs to contact Kevin Peel on northwest@lgbtlabour.org.uk.

What do you want to see from our local health services?

On the 2nd of October I am holding the 21st Century Healthcare Debate in Manchester Withington with the Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP. He wants to hear what you think, as do I, about the NHS. I am particularly keen to hear from Doctors, Nurses and other healthcare professionals and those who regularly use NHS services.  Please email 21stcenturyNHS@lucypowell.org.uk with your ideas on what you think of the NHS, its strengths and weaknesses, what the government needs to do and Anything else you want to say.  When emailing please include your name, address and contact phone number and please specify if you just want to contribute to the debate or you want to attend on 2nd October. You will be sent by email details of the event. 

And finally....

Please do email me with any events or news happening locally or even if you'd like to let us know about an interesting shop, business or local service that you'd like to recommend other folk take a look at. My email address is community@lucypowell.org.uk and I'll be knocking on doors throughout the area over the next two weeks to find out what's concerning you at the moment and where I can help.

Lucy Powell is Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Manchester Withington