didsbury february 2012
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Community Index Didsbury Februrary 2012TRANSCRIPT
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Feb 2012
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PUBLISHERCommunity Index
EDITOR/ADVERTISINGLesley Swann
SUB-EDITORSam Paechter
LISTINGSRebecca Ronald
CONTRIBUTIONSKatherine Watson, Carol Thompson,
Didsbury Village Bookshop, Leon Horton, Didsbury Open Gardens, Village Dry Cleaners, Didsbury
Dinners, Big Green Festival
COVER PHOTOGRAPHiStockphoto.com
CONTACT USTel: Lesley 0787 589 5604
DEADLINE FOR THE MARCH EDITION6th February 2012
ContentsWHY DON’T YOU...?By Leon Horton
GET YOUR DANCING SHOES ONFor Chorlton’s Big Green Festival
A DAY WITH AMIRFrom the Village Dry Cleaners
LOVE YOUR DIDSBURY INDEPENDENTSShop local with Tagpassiton
WANTED - DIDSBURY GARDENS WITH A TWISTDidsbury Open Gardens
CRAFTELICIOUSHome to creating, eating and fun!
CHARLES DICKENSDidsbury Village Bookshop
FEBRUARY IN YOUR GARDENKatherine Watson
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDINGDidsbury Dinners Recipe
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… just switch off your television set, and go do something less boring instead?’ As a child of the seventies, I couldn’t for the life of me understand why a kids’ TV show was telling me to turn off the telly. I still can’t. It was a golden age: Play For Today, The Two Ronnies, Tom Baker as Doctor Who - there was so much more to watch. True, this prosperity was followed by bankruptcy, as we passed into the eighties (Sylvester McCoy as Doctor Who?); but to me it felt like a betrayal of just about everything I’d come to know and trust…
But now, in this more-means-less thanks-for-nothing-Mr-Murdoch digital age, I get the idea; and it’s in the spirit of that idea that I’ve decided to give it up. Not forever, you understand - despite the shortcomings, I still believe in the potential of television, but I’m happy to abstain for a week (Yes, I know it doesn’t sound much, but to a man like me, a week without television is like a week in politics: a long time).
The goggle box: that ubiquitous tragic lantern, vomiting forth
from the corner of every living room. Well, not every living room, but try convincing the programme makers of that. It’s as if they simply cannot accept we can survive without a daily fix of soporific drivel. But guess what? I’ve got friends who don’t let the cathode-ray tube impact on their lives. Sure, some of them favour equally mind-numbing distractions - computer games, Facebook, crotchet, etc - but on the other side, and I don’t mean ITV, some - get this – some, still gather in small groups and practice the ancient art of socialising. But then many of us, and by us I mean me, tune in to switch off; maybe catch up on what’s going down in Emmerdale (hey, I’m from Yorkshire, you’ve gotta allow me that one); which I guess is my roundabout way of saying I watch my fair share of soporific drivel. Now on with the show.
Best Geordie accent: ‘Day one. Leon is feelin’ positive and motivated …’ OK, drop the accent. I’m not in the Big Brother house, but much like those lambs to the slaughter, I’m going into this thinking it isn’t going to hurt too much. Surely I’m not beyond redemption? I’ll get to grips with that Kundera novel, listen to Radio 4, and the living room could do with a fresh coat of paint.
Day two, and the living room is looking good, the flat has never been so clean and The Unbearable Lightness of Being is really shaping up. This isn’t so bad, I tell myself. But it’s the evening that gets to me. Post-watershed blues. There’s only so much reading or radio a man can take. Ah, well. A hot bath and early to bed.
If television is the new opiate of the people, then the third day is as close to withdrawal as it gets - the cold turkey of boredom. What to do? I find myself staring at the blank screen. My own reflection seems to beckon me: turn on, tune in, drop - No! Go out!. A walk. I like walking. Walking is good. And us Yorkshire folk, we don’t feel the cold like mere mortals. An hour or so later, and I stumble home through a perishing wind - mortally cold, and with the unbearable darkness of being a man who would sell his own grandmother for a peek at the schedules. It occurs to me, not for the first time, that no one would be any the wiser if I accidentally hit the on-switch whilst dusting.
Days four and five prove a different kettle of satellite dish. A proverbial sun is shining, there’s a spring in my step, a tune to be whistled, and all those little jobs round the flat are getting done. I’ve even replaced the spent light bulb in the hallway. But there’s a downside. I’ve started talking to myself. Well, not so much talking, as arguing - and invariably losing the argument. Sometimes I just can‘t get on with myself.
At this point, I’d like to take back what I said about Radio 4. It’s a godsend, a lifeline; a glass to the wall of the outside world, without which I think I would go quite mad. Play For Today is alive and well and living on the wireless (showing my age again), not to mention some of the finest fresh comedies and excellent documentaries.
Day six: Saturday, payday - oh, the blessed relief. I escape the newly painted walls, studiously avoid any pubs where the
Why Don’t You....
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football might be showing and spend the day socialising with friends. After measuring the day in pints, I stagger home and find, to my horror, not one but two television sets looming blearily at me from the corner. Double telly vision! I’m giving serious consideration to taking up knitting, when all of a sudden…
… I wake up next morning on the sofa. With a hangover. Which, in my world, means it’s Sunday, the seventh day - the day of rest and omnibus repeats. It’s always darkest before dawn, and the temptation here is almost overwhelming. I mean, it’s Sunday - Zulu is probably on. And who would know? I would, that’s who. And it’d be just like me to fall at the last hurdle. So, no, not this time. That damned clock can tick all it likes, can punctuate my self-inflicted pain sixty times a minute, but I’m not going to succumb. I spend the day dozing
fitfully under my duvet, a wet flannel clamped to my brow, only emerging to answer nature’s call.
The longest day turns slowly into night. The clock heaves past the eleventh hour and on towards midnight. I count the minutes, the seconds… Anticipating an end to my suffering, I dig out the remote, watch the clock labour into Monday, hit the on-switch, wait for the little red light, and trawl gleefully through forty-odd channels. And guess what? There’s nothing on.
‘The Palace of Varieties,’ the late, great Dennis Potter once called it, ‘a window on the world.’ But these days that window can seem like so much double glazing. We don’t need television, it needs us; like a crutch, it’s useless without the injured party. And if we didn’t pay for it, they wouldn’t make it. Then again, I live on my own, and as many a solitary character
will tell you: ‘I only put the telly on for a bit of company’ (just how old am I?).
Postscript. I haven’t a clue if that week back in December will have any lasting effect. I’m still a viewer, but one with a more discerning hold over the remote control, and I’ve no idea what’s happening in the Dales (Psst! Don’t tell anyone, but I do really). If my experience is anything to go by however; who knows, in the future I just might find I no longer need to pay the licence fee.
Now there’s a thought.
Leon Horton
Leon has tried life without meat (Dec 2011 edition) and now TV. What next?
Suggest a challenge by emailing [email protected]
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The planning for this year's Chorlton's Big Green Festival is now in full swing and the first 'official' event of the year is just around the corner. Chorlton's Big Green Ceilidh will feature the fantastic Beech Band performing traditional folk tunes and keeping you entertained for the duration. Get your dancing shoes on and join us on for an evening of great music, some hearty pints of Guinness and help raise money for CBGF 2012.
Chorlton's Big Green Ceilidh will take place on Saturday 11th February from 7.30pm at Chorlton Irish Club, 17 High Lane, Chorlton M21 9DJ. Due to the popularity of last year's Ceilidh, this year's event will be held in a larger room at the Irish Club which means even more room for your best Gay Gordon!
Tickets are £5/£3 concessions and can be purchased at Hickson and Black's, Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton or online
via the festival website (see below). There will be a limited number of tickets available on the door, on the night but based on last years turnout we would highly recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Chorlton's Big Green Festival is an annual celebration of sustainable living in Manchester which offers a vibrant mix of live music and performance, hands-on practical workshops, food and drink, arts and swaps, and much more. Best of all, entry to the festival is completely free! Chorlton's Big Green Festival 2012 will be held
on Saturday 31st March at St Clements Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton, M21 9JF. More information about the event can be found on the Green Chorlton website:
www.greenchorlton.org.uk
Get your dancing shoes onfor Chorlton’s Big Green Festival!
@biggreenfest
ChorltonBigGreenFestival
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Handmade Jewellery and Crafts70 Beech RoadChorltonManchester M21 9EG
[email protected] 881 4912
Frances Stunt Abby Filer
Islay Spalding Gabriella Casemore Joanne Cox
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A good dry cleaners makes it look easy to us customers but a good dry cleaners is not always easy to find. I assumed they have a magic machine which can restore my dress (which has had at least one good night out with perhaps a glass or two of merlot) to its former glory.
I asked Amir, who owns Village Dry Cleaners in Chorlton, to explain the magic to me.
The story so farIt started in autumn 1982 when Amir’s Parents decided to open a dry cleaners in Chorlton. He was 12 years old and by age 15 he was helping out with the business. “I used to stand by my dad and watch him as he explained about materials, the chemicals and how he identified stains and what to look for”.
In the years since leaving school and college Amir worked as the manager and when his parents decided to retire in 2008 he took over the Village dry cleaners. “I decided to focus on and highlight what we are really good at – which is wedding gowns, vintage wear and silk care”. He has also invested in new technology which is at the forefront of the dry cleaning industry. This is not
only good at cleaning but is also environmentally friendly.
The secret behind the magicSo I asked him what happens to my dress when I enter his shop. He explained his process:
Firstly my dress is checked and logged into their computer with my unique ID; the garment is then checked for stains with Amir who then treats the stains. The process he uses for this is dependent on many different factors: firstly, he identifies the type of stain and, taking into account the type of material, decides which if any chemicals can be used. Chemicals alone will not remove stains, they need different elements to create the right chemical reaction required to lift and remove the stains - they are sonic, air, water and steam which are introduced to break down the stain. After this process it is put inside a dry cleaning machine. Now I saw this machine and it is very BIG, about 2 metres high and 3 meters long. The process takes about 75mins and involves the garments going on a cleaning dip cycle in solvent and then the drying process. Amir tells me his machine has a carbon recovery unit - this is the
environmentally friendly part of his machine. “This process filters off the majority of the solvent particles left in the drum of the machine after the dry cycle, before releasing the clean and dry clothes”.
They have many special finishing tables with various pads and with the aid of steam, vacuum and air they create the magic of the perfect finish to make my dress look like new. “All items are constantly being checked and, if necessary, returned to be either re-cleaned or re-pressed so that every garment is perfect”.
What does the future hold for Village Dry Cleaners?Amir is always looking to the future and aims to make Village Dry Cleaners the best in the North West. His latest purchase is a new machine that kills bacteria and eliminates all odours. “This machine can remove smoke, including fire and flood damaged garments without using chemicals or water”.
He will soon be investing in another dry cleaning machine for ‘F’ cleaning items. He is also starting a pick-up and delivery service in places of work with 2 visits per week.
You don’t have to take my word for it, just look at the reviews to see how good Village Dry Cleaners are:
www.qype.co.uk
www.bview.co.uk
www.villagedrycleaners.com
If you get a chance you should check out his web site for some very handy hints on removing stains. He is also very happy to give advice and help to his customers in whatever way he can.
A Day with Amir at Village Dry Cleaners
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Established in 1982, a family run business where you can trust us when handling your garments...
Curtain Cleaning•Duvet Cleaning: Single £10 Double •£15Ironing Services•Repairs & Alterations•Stain Removal•Same Day Service •Evening Dress & Wedding Dress •Specialist
Special Offer
3 2Garments Cleaned for the price of
Pick-up & Delivery Service
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
VILLAGE DRY CLEANERSSpecialist Dry Cleaners Est:Over 25 years
Wedding Dress Specialist
LATE NIGHT OPENING Thursdays till 7pm
“What can I say about Village Dry Cleaners? Just excellent! Amir, who owns the business, goes above and beyond what is expected and I can whole heartedly recommend his services.I run a vintage inspired bridal boutique in the heart of West Didsbury. As we stock high-end dresses with sometimes challenging silks and fabrics to clean, we’re always amazed at how Amir manages to spruce up our dresses.I recommend his services to all our brides. He’s truly excellent at what he does and is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to fabric – the best dry cleaners in the north, without a doubt!”
Nikki Graeme
Owner, The White Closet, Didsbury
10Community NoticeboardClubs, Societies & Groups
Acting For FunCentral Didsbury431 4794
Didsbury Amateur Dramaticswww.celestaplayers.co.uk
Didsbury Cricket Clubwww.didsburyccsports.co.uk
Didsbury Good Neighbours07749 504298 www.didsburygood neighbours.com
Manchester Flower Lovers’ GuildFirst Monday of the month for flower demosntations. Refreshmenst 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 445 1535
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 BookgroupWed 8th Feb, Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallad Every four weeks at 7.30pm. Lively mixed group of all ages. Call 445 4483 leaving your name,address & landline
Health and Fitness
Didsbury Sports CentreManchester Metropolitan University, 247 2323mmu.ac.uk/sport/didsbury.php
The Waterside Hotel & Galleon Leisure ClubWilmslow Road, 445 0225, www.watersidehotel.co.uk
Arts & Crafts
The Classroom on School Lane Learn new a new craft.24 School Lanewww.classroomschool lane.com
Manchester Mosaics creative and art historical workshops07528 526798www.gallery.me.com/amandamccrannamandamccrann @mac.com
Wendy Levy Art Gallery17 Warburton Street Didsbury, 446 4880
Music & Entertainment
Didsbury Comedy Club 7pm Show 7:45pm Admission £6/£5 Didsbury Cricket Club, Wilmslow Rd, East Didsbury, M20 2ZY
Pub QuizDog and PartridgeEvery Monday 9.30Cash Jackpot667 Wilmslow RoadTel: 0871 951 1000
Stax of Soul Wednesdays 9.30PM—12 Thursdays DJ PIP ROLFE Eclectic mix of music,Upbeat funk & soul beats with resident djs lennon, colin & rolfe 5pm—1amOne Lounge Bar1 Lapwing laneqww.Oneloungebar.co.uk 448 0101
Therapy at Sanctuary Bar Thursday night DJ 7–midnight every week.653 Wilmslow Road
Social & Support Groups
Didsbury Village East Residents Associationwww.dvera.co.uk
Didsbury Village Women’s Institutewww.didsburyvillagewi.co.uk
Didsbury Social [email protected] www.didsburysocial. jigsy.com
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]
West Didsbury Residents AssociationPam Siddons 445 5406 www.westdidsbury.org.uk
Useful Numbers
Didsbury Library 227 3755
Environment on Call 954 9000
Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service 905 1100
National Rail Enquiries nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50
NHS Direct 0845 46 47 nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Manchester City Council234 5000 www.manchester.gov.uk
Police – non emergency 872 5050
Samaritans 236 8000samaritans.org
East Didsbury Councillors
Andrew [email protected]
Andrew [email protected]
David [email protected]
West Didsbury CouncillorsMark [email protected]
Graham [email protected]
David [email protected]
Listings are FREE for charities, churches, social and non-profit community groups.
email your listings to [email protected]
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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
The Didsbury 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
881 8162
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For all general electrical workDomestic & Commercial Electricians
DIDSBURYWINDOW CLEANING
houses • shops • flats • offices
Tel: 07936 884644didsburywindows.com
Tel: 07936 884644
Blocked Gutters?
Call BenGutters Cleared & Repaired
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communityDidsbury
index
May 2010
New free magazine - 4,000 copies distributed in Didsbury every month
AFFORDABLE EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING
REACH 20,000+ LOCAL HOMES!
The University of the Third Age is a unique and exciting self help
educational movement for people no longer in full time employment.
It is a learning cooperative of older people which enables members to
share many educational, creative and leisure group activities and to form
new friendships.
South Manchester U3AUniversity of the Third Age
We meet at Emmanuel Church Didsbury on the first Tuesday of
each month at 2pm
Contact Edna for details on 0161 434 2509
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Didsbury’s finest pick-up & delivery service
Love your Didsbury independents this month, save a fortune and support local charities when you buy a Tag card.Thanks to local residents TAG! has also been used last year to help support local groups and charities such as Francis House, Didsbury Festival, Didsbury Arts Festival and Cavendish Rd Primary. If you wish to buy a new TAG! card and support these groups please put them as the referrer when you buy online at www.tagpassiton.com. We hope to raise £2000 for good causes this way.
There are now around 60 fabulous Chorlton independents who have joined the TAG! Didsbury Community Loyalty card scheme. This sort of fundraising is only possible because of their generosity. All have made a generous offer for any TAG! cardholder to enjoy, so there are huge savings to be made when you shop locally and independently.
Thank you for your support!
Congratulations to new TAG! card registered holder A Latch who was the lucky winner in our Xmas draw.
www.tagpassiton.com
Love your Didsbury Independents
10% off Dry Cleaning (excludes pick up & delivery charges)
Advert kindly sponsored by Amir at Village Dry Cleaners
Offer coming soon! Check in store for details
10% off spends over £20
FREE one month’s membership
10% off spends over £20
20% off solutions focused counselling
20% off 1st order & 10% off subsequent orders
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We are a local company based in Chorlton
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Planning is already underway for this year’s charity Didsbury Open Gardens event which takes place on Sunday, 17th June. More than 20 gardens are expected to open their gates to the public in aid of charity and the organizers are already looking for new gardens for this year’s event. The gardens can be large or small, contemporary or traditional…maybe with a bit of a twist? More than 1,000 people bought programmes last year raising over £5,000 for charities and the day was a great success despite the rain!
So if you are a keen gardener and looking for a chance to show
off your hard work this summer, why not get in touch with Maria Stripling on 07501 465510 or email
Speaking about the 2012 event, Maria said “ The event will not be taking place in 2013 to give the garden hosts a rest and so this year is special. Those who don’t get involved this year will also have to wait for two years, which could be a missed opportunity to be part of a lovely community charity event.”
Programmes go on sale mid May from local shops.
www.didsburyopengardens.org
WANTED! …Didsbury Gardens with a Twist
Phot
ogra
phs
© J
o Ka
berr
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Located in the heart of Chorlton, Craftelicious is a home to creating, eating and having lots of fun for all ages. Inspired by their own children’s craftiness, the husband and wife team opened the doors in July 2011 and have had such a positive response they now have even more exciting plans for the Craft Café.
With activities ranging from ceramic painting, decopatch and now mosaic making available on a drop-in basis, along with more structured workshops for both children and adults. You cannot help but have fun, either in the Café or The Studio.
The adult workshops last season included making a cushion cover, a fabric journal and textile jewellery making delivered by Craftelicious’ in house artist Maud Telastuo. Looking ahead to 2012 there are already a long list of activities planned, with all times and dates announced on the Craftelicious website. There will be some “Heart Crafts” taking place in February and “Mum and Me” workshops planned in March. Book a place on any of the workshops by the end of February and receive a 10% discount.Crafty tots, where things can get messy with different activity each week (Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10–11.30am) is aimed at pre-schoolers and makes a much anticipated return to The Studio in January.
However, the biggest success so far has to be the parties; which are not just for children! Craftelicious have hosted baby showers (where guests make something for the baby (or baby’s room), hen-do’s (where all the guests have made decorations, keepsakes or favours for the big day) as well as those very popular work night out and team building activities. The feedback has been exceptionally positive with some groups returning several times.
It’s not all about craft though, Craftelicious have just launched their creperie menu which is the perfect accompaniment to their freshly ground coffee, loose-leaf tea and delicious handmade cakes. Whether crafting or not and wanting a tasty bite or in need of a laid back delicious crafternoon, there is something for everyone!
The family run business welcomes everyone with a warm smile with a passion for all things crafty, making themselves available to demonstrate activities for first-timers or share tips to ensure a rewarding experience.
Here’s a flavour of the comments left in the feedback book:
“I really enjoyed coming here as a Birthday present…BRILLIANT service, food, art. Love it!”
“The kids had great fun – nearly as much as the adults!! Will definitely be back.”
Why not pop in and decide for yourselves?
A home to creating, eating and fun for all ages!
Pottery Painting•Parties, Hen Do’s, •
Baby ShowersCrepes & Luxury Cakes•
Tel: 0161 860 4814www.crafteliciousuk.com [email protected]
Facebook.com/Craftelicious.UK
127 Oswald Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9GE
Decopatch•Team Building•Freshly Ground Coffee •& Loose Leaf Teas
twitter @CraftyTea
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The bi-centenary of Dickens birth provides an opportunity to reflect on his achievement. He published over 40 books, many starting in serialised, weekly form. Although I come late to his work I have become a strong admirer.
To read Dickens is to become immersed in more than ‘just’ a novel - it is a parade through our history. Without doubt, the whole of 19th Century human experiences are presented. We learn to comprehend poverty in Hard Times, personal biography, child maltreatment and family relationships in David Copperfield, repression and Anglo/French relationships in a Tale of Two Cities and the full range of loyalties and betrayal in Great Expectations.
Whichever novel is selected we
are almost whisked into another time - I say ‘almost’ because everywhere there are echoes of contemporary social concerns. Thus homelessness, prostitution, exploitation of the poor, inter and intra family relationships are all explored, and in sequence, parade before us. Grief, loss, betrayal, dishonesty, greed are each explored. All human life is here. Dickens expresses strong social criticism; recognises the despair of the poor and disdain of the well to do. Child exploitation, child marriages, sickness anguish and other social ills are presented. The legal system and capital punishment often eviscerated. His profound social and psychological insights are universal, and it is this universality which is his legacy and appeal. Characters journey
from childhood to adulthood and through this the reader understands their choices and emotions.
And throughout, such beautiful prose, ‘and there my sister was laid quietly in the earth, while the larks sang high above it, and the light wind strewed it with beautiful shadows of clouds and trees’ (Great Expectations)
Dickens Christmas Carol began many of our traditions, for example, eating turkey instead of goose. Thus the Christmas we celebrate owes much to his imaginary as does ‘The New Year, the New Year, everywhere the New Year! The old year was already looked on as dead, its effects were selling cheap, like a drowned mariner’s abroad ship! (The Chimes) How graphic!
Charles Dickens the Bi-centenaryDidsbury Village Bookshop
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In the bleak months of winter, the garden seems to become a space outside the window that is rarely looked at let alone ventured into, which has lead me to think about what a ‘Winter Garden’ might look like and what type of plants could be used to produce something a bit more interesting than the usual hedge of evergreen shrubs. The concept of Winter Gardens has a particular history, peaking in the Nineteenth century with the Victorian obsession with ‘nature’ and ‘spectacle’ and the construction of huge steel and glass buildings reminiscent of Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace and rolled out along the (then) fashionable coast towns of Margate, Blackpool, Bournemouth etc. These buildings functioned in a variety of pleasure-giving
ways, but a central element was always the palm houses featuring the exotic horticultural spoils of the - arguably dubious - activity of plant hunting. Perhaps a lesser-known example of such a building was built in Old Trafford as part of the botanical gardens founded in the 1830’s, to provide recreation for the fashionable residents of Stretford. Apparently the gardens were sited in Old Trafford on the advice of scientist John Dalton, the southwesterly wind protecting the area from the city’s airborne pollution. The complex was demolished in the late 1980s, and all that remains is the entrance gates, close to what is now the White City Retail Park. It’s probably not going to be very easy to recreate the Victorian winter garden unless you happen
to have a large conservatory and a porridge-pot purse, but here are some plants that can be used to sprinkle some frosty magic across the garden: evergreens with wintery interest include shrubs such as Rhododendron ‘Silver Edge’, Pieris ‘Flaming Silver’, Sarcococca confusa and herbaceous plants - Artemesia ‘Lambrook Silver’, Senecio cineraria ‘Silver Dust’ offset by the black grass Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’; wonderful white barked trees – Betula utilis jacquemontii ‘Grayswood Ghost’; and for comedy value the white winter stemmed bramble Rubus cockburnianus.
Katherine Watson, Fat Grass Garden Designs
07989968841www.fatgrass.co.uk
February in your Garden by Katherine Watson
Alexander Technique
Sue Fleming MSTAT
www.alexanderteaching.co.uk
! 861 8848 mob 07796470163
The Burton Road Clinic Didsbury and
Chequers Road Chorlton
Pauline Leng MSTAT
www.alexandertechniquemanchester.net
! 445 8530! mob 07821470349
The Didsbury Holistic Centre and
Lidgate Grove Didsbury! !
individual sessions, groupscourses and workshops
Cafe life 1 Airy Fairy Cake
Boutique24 School Lane M20 6RG, 07791 850 641 airyfairycupcakes.co.uk
2 Alpine Tea Rooms Hollyhedge Road M22 4GP, 445 3679
3 The Art of Tea47 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TW, 448 9323 theartoftea.co.uk
4 Crazy Cow Cafe837 Wilmslow Road M20 5WD, 215 0325
5 Folk Cafe Bar169-171 Burton RoadM20 2LN, 445 2912www.folkcafebar.co.uk
6 Refresh Catering Emporium
10 Whitechapel St M20 6UB, 434 8899 refreshce.co.uk
Specialist7 The Artisan Meat Co737 Wilmslow RdM20 6WF, 445 5840
8 Axons5-7 Barlow Moor RoadM20 6TN, 445 1795
9 The Cheese Hamlet706 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 434 4781cheesehamlet.com
10 Evans Fish & Fruit Ltd 1 Barlow Moor RdM20 6TN, 445 2404evansofdidsbury.co.uk
11 Love2Eat190 Burton Road M20 1LH, 434 7077www.love-2eat.com
12 Thyme Out Delicatessen147 Nell Lane M20 2LG, 434 8686www.thymeoutdeli.co.uk
Restaurant/Bar 13 Albert’s120-122 Barlow Moor RoadM20 2PU, 434 8289
14 Azzurro Restaurant242 Burton Road M20 2LW, 448 0099www.azzurro restaurant.com
15 Bistro West 156156 Burton Road M20 1LH, 445 1921
16 Cachumba Cafe220 Burton RoadM20 2LW, 445 2479cachumba.co.uk
17 Cafe Rouge653 Wilmslow RoadManchester, M20 6QZ0161 438 0444
18 Casa Tapas704 Wilmslow RoadM20 2DW, 448 2515casatapas.co.uk/didsbury
19 The Didsbury852 Wilmslow Road M20 2SG, 445 5389
20 The Dog and Partridge667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 445 5322
21 The Famous Crown770 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 434 7085
22 Felicini Locanda751 Wilmslow Road Didsbury, 445 2055www.felicini.co.uk
23 Fletcher Moss1 William StreetM20 6RQ, 438 0073
24 The Four in Hand108 Palatine Road M20 3ZA, 448 9397
25 Gourmet Burger Kitchen651 Wilmslow RoadM20 6QZ, 448 7167gbk.co.uk
26 The Great Kathmandu140 Burton Road M20 1JQ, 445 2145www.great kathmandu.co.uk
27 Green Tea Restaurant222 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 5395 www.greenteadidsbury.com
28 Greens43 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 434 4259greensdidsbury.co.uk
29 The Gurkha Grill198 Burton RoadM20 2LH, 445 5444gurkhagrill.co.uk
30 GUSTO765 Wilmslow Road M20 2DW, 445 8209gustorestaurants.uk.com
31 The Jade Garden743 Wilmslow Road M20 6RN, 448 2342www.jadegarden didsbury.co.uk
32 Jem&i1c School Lane M20 6RD, 0871 230 5026jemandirestaurant.co.uk
33 The Laughing Buddha782 Wilmslow Road M20 2DR, 434 7688www.thelaughingbuddhadidsbury.co.uk
34 The Lime Tree8 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 1217www.thelimetree restaurant.co.uk
35 The Metropolitan2 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 438 2332 the-metropolitan.co.uk
36 O’Neills665-667 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 448 7941oneills.co.uk/oneillsdidsbury
37 The Nelson Inn3 Barlow Moor Road M20 6TN, 434 5118
38 The Original Third Eye661 Wilmslow Road M20 6RA, 446 2300 originalthirdeye.com
39 One Lounge Bar1 Lapwing Lane M20 2NT, 448 0101oneloungebar.co.uk
40 The Parrswood Hotel356 Parrswood Road M20 6JD, 445 1783
41 Piccolino6 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 434 7524piccolinorestaurants.co.uk
42 Pinchjo’s192 Burton Rd M20 1LH, 434 2020pinchjos.co.uk
43 Pomegranate202 Burton Road M20 2LW, 445 7171 pomegranate-restaurant.co.uk
44 The Railway3 Lapwing Lane M20 2WS, 445 9839
45 The Royal Oak729 Wilmslow Road M20 6WF, 445 3152www.royaloakpub manchester.co.uk
46 Rhubarb Restaurant167 Burton Road M20 2LN, 448 8887www.rhubarb restaurant.co.uk
47 The Rose Garden 218 Burton RoadM20 2LW, 478 0747therosegardendidsbury.com
48 Saints and Scholars694 Wilmslow Road M20 2DN, 448 2457saintsandscholars.co.uk
49 The Sanctuary 653 Wilmlsow RoadM20 6QZ, 445 9130
50 The Slug & Lettuce 651 Wilmslow Road M20 6QZ, 434 1011
51 The Station682 Wilmslow RoadM20 2DN, 445 9761
52 La Tasca10/12 Warburton Street M20 6WA, 438 0044 latasca.co.uk
53 The Woodstock139 Barlow Moor Road M20 2DY, 448 7951 thewoodstockarmsdidsbury.co.uk
Food & Drink Index
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Albert’s Restaurant & Bar, 120-122 Barlow Moor Rd13
2 Alpine Tea Rooms, Fletcher Moss Park
4 Crazy Cow Cafe, 837 Wilmslow Rd
19 The Didsbury, 852 Wilmslow Rd
24 Four in Hand, 108 Palatine Rd
40 The Parrswood Hotel, 356 Parrswood Rd
53 The Woodstock, 139 Barlow Moor Rd
Your business here?Call us on 0787 589 5604 for details
Get your business
INDEXED!
Serves 6250g/9oz pitted prunes
250ml/approx ½ pint soya milk
100ml/1/5 pint water
120g/4oz soft brown sugar
120g/4oz margarine
Pinch of nutmeg
½ tsp fresh ginger, grated (or ground ginger)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
200g/7oz self-raising flour
Toffee sauce40g/1½oz margarine
40g/1½oz dark brown sugar
1 tbsp golden syrup
1 tbsp molasses (or treacle)
100ml/1/5 pint soya cream
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 5. Grease a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8’’) baking tin.
2. Chop the prunes, and put them in a pan with the soya milk and water. Simmer until the prunes are soft. Remove from heat and then set aside to cool a little.
3. Beat the sugar into the margarine until it makes a smooth mix. Stir in the prune mixture.
4. Mix the spices and bicarb into the flour, then fold this into the margarine mix a bit at a time. Pour it into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile make the sauce. Melt the margarine over a low heat. Add the sugar, syrup and molasses. Once the sugar has dissolved (no graininess visible when you tip the pan from side to side) turn the heat up to a low simmer.
6. Keep simmering it until it’s getting quite thick, and the bubbles coming through it are going quite slowly – around 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the soya cream.
7. You can either pour all the sauce over the cake, or reserve some of it to spoon over when you serve.
Sticky toffee pudding
Colin Bennett, Community volunteer, Action for Sustainable Living, www.afsl.org.uk
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]
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“Ess Paradies”
Sit, Sip & Surf Free Wi-Fi 12- 3pm
Open for Lunch & DinnerTue -Thu 12 - 3pm & 5pm - 9.30pmFri 12 - 10pm Sun11am - 9pmSat 12 - 10pm Mon Closed
372 Barlow Moor Rd • Chorlton Manchester • M21 8AZ • Tel: 0161 881 6881
SPECIAL OFFER*2 Courses for £7.50 or 3 Courses for £10.50*Tue-Fri 12pm-3 pm and 5pm-7pm
Sat 11am-2pm Sun 5pm- 8pm
*Offer applies to selected items; at least one course must be a starter or dessert
Simpler tastes in life are the best. Good quality food served in a relaxed and welcoming family atmosphere, Hotspot is no ordinary restaurant! We serve authentic German cuisine, with an emphasis on Hessian and Bavarian cooking.
AUTHENTIC GERMAN CUISINEH tSp t
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SARAY CAFÉ BAR AND RESTAURANT
FREE BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE
Sunday to Thursdaywith a
3 course meal for 2*
Taste of Anatolia
We are pleased to offer you the very best of Turkish Cuisine, in our family run restaurant in Chorlton.
609 Wilbraham Road • Chorlton • M21 9AN 0161 881 8292
EVERY DAY 11.30am - 6.30pm
2 courses ONLY £9.953 courses ONLY £11.95
*offer valid until 29th Feb 2012 excludes Tues 14th Feb
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www.saraycafebar.co.uk
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67-71 Manchester Rd, Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW Telephone: 0161 881 7053
10% OFF with this voucher in February 2012
*£5 minimum spend
*
www.barbakan-deli.co.uk
Winners of the Craft Bakery Business Award 2011Your local Award Winning Delicatessen and Bakery is ready to
serve you with a wide choice of fresh and original Breads and Deli products. Call in soon and give your tastebuds a treat!
Barbakan Delicatessen
NEW OPENING TIMESFrom Monday 2nd January 2012
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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Saturday
8am - 5.30pm 8am - 5.30pm
8am - 5.30pm
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8am - 5.30pmCLOSED SUNDAYS
Business Index 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.
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Arts & CraftsCraftelicious 15Carpet CleaningProfresh 13Chimney SweepAcorn Chimney Sweeping Service
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Dry CleanersVillage Dry Cleaners 9ElectricianChorlton Electric 11Estate AgentJP & Brimelow 24Food & DrinkBarbakan Delicatessen 22Hotspot 21Saray 21Furniture & JoineryEvolve Joinery 6
GardensFat Grass Garden Design 17GuttersBen 11HandymanDidsbury Handyman 11Homes & InteriorsKingston Beds & Sofas 2Jewellery & GiftsFranny & Filer 7MusicAdrian Allan 5Painting & DecoratingGeorgina Cullen 17RooferM Duffin 23ShoppingTagpassiton Didsbury 12
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0161 789 664007944 729 608
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67-71 Manchester Rd, Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW Telephone: 0161 881 7053
10% OFF with this voucher in February 2012
*£5 minimum spend
*
www.barbakan-deli.co.uk
Winners of the Craft Bakery Business Award 2011Your local Award Winning Delicatessen and Bakery is ready to
serve you with a wide choice of fresh and original Breads and Deli products. Call in soon and give your tastebuds a treat!
Barbakan Delicatessen
NEW OPENING TIMESFrom Monday 2nd January 2012
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
8am - 5.30pm 8am - 5.30pm
8am - 5.30pm
8am - 5.30pm
8am - 5.30pm
8am - 5.30pmCLOSED SUNDAYS
