Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

THOUSANDS ON ANTI DONALD TRUMP RALLY BRING MANCHESTER TO A HALT

added 31 January 2017

Star date: 30th January 2017

GREATER MANCHESTER SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE - 'HEY HO DONALD TRUMP HAS GOT TO GO!'

Over three thousand people crammed into Albert Square in Manchester tonight to send a clear message of opposition to Donald Trump and Theresa 'The Appeaser' May.

Chanting 'Hey Ho Donald Trump Has Got To Go!' and 'Refugees Are Welcome Here' an impromptu march, with many carrying placards comparing Trump to Hitler, brought Manchester city centre to standstill.

SALFORD ROYAL HOSPITAL SEES 12 HOUR TROLLEY WAITS AS NHS CUTS BITE

added 30 January 2017

Star date: 30th January 2017

SALFORD BREACHING HEALTH TARGETS AS CUTS IMPACT PATIENTS

Today, more than two thousand senior NHS doctors have signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to increase spending on health and social care because "unacceptable levels of safety concerns" mean things "simply cannot continue" the way they are.

Here in Salford, underspending and cuts are crippling care, as the Salford Star reveals twelve hour trolley waits at Salford Royal Hospital and cuts to Trafford General Hospital impacting patients in our city.

GREATER MANCHESTER DONALD TRUMP PROTEST

added 30 January 2017

Star date: 30th January 2017

DEMO AGAINST TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN AND UK COMPLICITY

Donald Trump Protest
Monday 30th January 6pm
Albert Square, Manchester

Salford people will be joining thousands of people expected to attend a protest tonight in Albert Square against Donald Trump's ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US, and Theresa May's complicity in it all. Meanwhile, over one million people have now signed an official UK Government petition demanding an end to Trump's official state visit.

IRLAM LIVE SEES ALEXANDER O’NEAL AND JASON DONOVAN HEAD TO SALFORD

added 30 January 2017

Star date: 29th January 2017

THREE DAY IRLAM LIVE FESTIVAL WITH LEGEND, SOUL AND RETRO SOUNDS

The line-up for this year's Irlam Live has been announced with three themed days of top sounds starring huge names, headlined by Junior Marvin's Wailers, Alexander O'Neal and Jason Donovan, plus Toyah, Owen Paul, K-Klass, Dodgy, Odyssey and more.

Over 8,000 people attended the event at Prince's Park, Irlam, last year and organisers are expecting an even bigger turnout for this year's festival which runs on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

SALFORD SAXONS TO PLAY ONCE UPON A SMILE CELEBS AT FC UNITED

added 29 January 2017

Star date: 29th January 2017

SALFORD V CELEBS CHARITY FOOTY MATCH

On Saturday June 10th, local lads, Salford Saxons, will play the Once Upon a Smile Celebs in a charity footy match at FC United's Broadhurst Park. The match has been set up by Salford fundraiser, Paul Hughes, and tickets are on sale now, while the organisers are also looking for people to donate raffle prizes.

GREATER MANCHESTER’S 15% RISE IN ANTI-MUSLIM INCIDENTS

added 29 January 2017

Star date: 29th January 2017

TELL MAMA LAUNCHES ANTI-HATE YOUTH PROGRAMME

Greater Manchester has seen a 15% rise in anti-Muslim incidents and attacks over the last year, and this week, which also featured Holocaust Memorial Day, saw the Manchester launch of the UK's first Anti-Hate National Youth Leadership Programme.

Backed by MP Andy Burnham, who said "The UK has no place for hatred of any type", the programme, which supports young people to challenge, report and overcome hatred, intolerance and prejudice, is backed by Tell MAMA, the only anti-Muslim hate monitoring organisation in the country.

DEATH ON THE STEPS OF THE MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY TO SAVE NHS

added 29 January 2017

Star date: 28th January 2017

DIE-IN AT MRI BY GREATER MANCHESTER NHS CAMPAIGNERS

Save Our NHS campaigners staged a `die-in' in front of the MRI Hospital in Manchester this afternoon to highlight cuts to the health service and to promote a huge #OurNHS demonstration in London on March 4th.

"Dismantling the NHS is an absolute disgrace" said Penny Hicks from the People's Assembly "Many would say it's been dismantled already but it hasn't, it's still here and we're here to save it..."

SMUT SLAM DIRTY STORIES COME TO SALFORD KINGS ARMS

added 28 January 2017

Star date: 28th January 2017

SEX AND THE SALFORDIAN

Smut Slam
Tuesday 31st January 8pm
Kings Arms £8

The Dirty Stories Open Mic comes to Salford this week with sex themed and downright dirty contributions from regular Smut Slammers and an open mic for bawdy story tellers and comics. Expect a fast-paced evening of smutty storytelling based on real life, real lust and real sex for the over-18s, as Ian Leslie reports.

SALFORD GAGGING PROTEST AT INSPIRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER OFFICE

added 28 January 2017

Star date: 27th January 2017

`ABUSE OF POWER AND PUBLIC FUNDS' PROTEST AT SALFORD INNOVATION FORUM

This morning, outside the Inspiring Communities Together (ICT) office at Salford Innovation Forum, local youth worker Graham Cooper staged a `gagging protest' "to highlight the abuse of power and public funds", allegations that have surrounded the charity for years.

Graham highlighted issues within ICT as a whistleblower, and has since been barred from membership of the charity which receives public funding of £90,000 a year. Next week, ICT is holding its AGM and Graham believes he's being gagged from raising `abuses' at the meeting.

SALFORD COUNCIL `CLOUD CUCKOO LAND’ CLAIMS IN UNFAIR DISMISSAL CASE

added 27 January 2017

Star date: 26th January 2017

CHANCE OF A FAIR HEARING AT SALFORD COUNCIL QUESTIONED BY LAWYER AT EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL

"If we are reaching the point where members of staff can be sacked for bringing presents in of equal value, at Christmas time, for young people then we are living in cloud cuckoo land..." lawyer

A lawyer at an employment tribunal hearing yesterday dismissed Salford Council's grounds for sacking a former manager at The Grange children's care home as `nonsense', `absurd' and a `sham', as she was disciplined for breaking policy that in some cases didn't exist. There were also issues raised about safe staffing levels at The Grange.

Meanwhile, the lawyer questioned whether anyone could get a fair appeal hearing at Salford Council...

SALFORD MAYOR TO LAUNCH ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY – ON POSH SALFORD QUAYS

added 26 January 2017

Star date: 25th January 2017

`LEAST DEPRIVED' SALFORD QUAYS TO HOST ANTI-POVERTY LAUNCH

"...despite the success of the city's continued growth, it is clear that not all of Salford's residents are sharing in the benefits of this prosperity..." Salford City Mayor

Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, is to launch the city's new anti-poverty strategy, titled `No one left behind', in the posh environs of The Landing at Salford Quays, within the MediaCityUK area ranked amongst the 10% least deprived in the country.

One of the reasons in the strategy for the cause of poverty is `personal debt'. Today the Salford Star learned of one disabled resident on benefits who was threatened by the Council with £82 court costs – for a debt of £11.63.

MATERNITY SERVICES TO SHUT AT SALFORD ROYAL HOSPITAL

added 25 January 2017

Star date: 24th January 2017

MIDWIFE UNIT AND CLINICS TO MOVE OUT OF SALFORD ROYAL

Salford's Free-standing Midwife-led Unit - created after the closure of Hope Hospital Maternity Unit – plus the ante-natal and post-natal clinics are to be relocated from Salford Royal Hospital to other, undisclosed, locations within the city because of a "demand on space".

Antenatal services will relocate from Salford Royal Hospital by 31st March and the birth centre will move by the end of September, although little seems to be in place. Meanwhile, the Salford Clinical Commissioning Group states that...."engagement is being undertaken to assess and understand the impacts on patients particularly in terms of transport and travelling arrangement".

GREATER MANCHESTER MAYOR TO COST OVER £4MILLION

added 24 January 2017

Star date: 23rd January 2017

GM MAYOR THAT NO-ONE WANTS TO COST OVER £4MILLION

The Greater Manchester Mayor that no-one asked for and no-one wants is set to cost £millions while local councils, including Salford, are slashing public services.

The GM Mayor Election alone will cost £4million, with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) also setting aside £242,000 to pay for the Mayor himself and his staff. The total Mayoral/Devolution costs for 2017-18 are over £6million. And counting...

FREE BASIC COMPUTER AND NET TRAINING FOR SALFORD AT WHITEBEAM COURT

added 23 January 2017

Star date: 22nd January 2017

WHITEBEAM RESIDENTS PROVIDE FREE NET TRAINING

Whitebeam Community Association in Pendleton is currently running free basic computer and internet training for anyone in Salford; and any Pendleton Together tenant can also qualify for a free tablet.

The courses, run on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, are incredibly informal and easy going and as basic as people need, from setting up an email account to getting on Facebook and browsing the net.

SALFORD VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR BEING THERE CHARITY

added 22 January 2017

Star date: 22nd January 2017

DRIVERS AND FRIENDS NEEDED FOR ELDERLY AND ILL PEOPLE

Salford based charity, Being There, is urgently seeking more drivers to help take elderly and chronically ill people to hospital appointments in their cars. A few hours or days of voluntary help could make a huge difference to someone who needs a vital hospital appointment.

Being There is also looking for volunteers to spend a few hours befriending elderly and ill people who are often isolated. Training, expenses and supervision is given.

SALFORD LADS CLUB HOSTS MIKE JOYCE AND PAUL LAKE FOOTY AND MUSIC SPECIAL

added 22 January 2017

Star date: 21st January 2017

SMITHS AND MAN CITY LEGENDS TEAM UP AT SALFORD LADS CLUB

Football and Music Stories with Paul Lake and Mike Joyce
Friday 3rd February 8pm
Salford Lads Club £10 (adv)

Man City fan and former drummer with The Smiths, Mike Joyce, and The Smiths fan and former City legend Paul Lake will be teaming up for a night of Football and Music Stories for an audience at Salford Lads Club next month. Here, Ian Leslie asks Mike Joyce about music, City and a possible autobiography...

NEW SALFORD PEOPLE’S RECORD LABEL LAUNCHES

added 21 January 2017

Star date: 21st January 2017

SHINNY'S RECORDS LAUNCHES AFTER CHRISTMAS NUMBER 1 BID

Fresh from an assault on the Christmas Number One, Salford's James `Shinny' Davenport is launching SHINNy'S RECORDS: The People's Label – to promote local music.

Shinny is on the lookout for local bands and musicians, and the first label release is to be his own track for Valentine's Day, Took You for Granted, as Ian Leslie reports...

LENDLEASE SALFORD OCCUPIED BY PRISON PROTESTERS

added 21 January 2017

Star date: 21st January 2017

PRISON PROFITEERS NOT WELCOME STATE CAMPAIGN GROUPS

Yesterday, the Salford Quays HQ of construction company Lendlease was occupied by groups to highlight the company's involvement in prison expansion, which includes a new £250million mega-prison in Wrexham and a potential new prison in Greater Manchester.

"We don't want a new prison here in Greater Manchester or anywhere" said local resident Jess Bradley, who joined the protest "We desperately need to fund alternatives."

SALFORD REMEMBRANCE SERVICE HELD FOR HOMELESS IN SHADOW OF OBSCENE WEALTH

added 21 January 2017

Star date: 20th January 2017

HOMELESS DEATHS REMEMBERED

`Love leaves a memory no-one can steal...'

In the shadow of new hotels, car parks and office blocks developed by the obscene wealth of Legal and General and Salford Council obsequiousness, a memorial service was held tonight for homeless people who have died on the streets, near the spot where Daniel Smith was murdered a year ago.

SALFORD DONALD TRUMP PROTEST AT MEDIACITYUK BRIDGE

added 20 January 2017

Star date: 20th January 2017

`WE WILL NOT BE TRUMPED' #BRIDGES NOT WALLS

This afternoon, as Donald Trump was preparing to be inaugurated as President of the United States, a huge banner was unfurled over the Millennium Bridge at MediaCityUK stating `We Will Not Be Trumped'.

It was part of a #BridgesNotWalls protest against Trump which happened in over three hundred cities around the world... "Places like Salford are known for tolerance, people helping each other, diversity, harmony and passion" said Furqan Naeem of Citizens UK which led the protests "And that's what we want to show today."

EAST SALFORD COMMUNITY DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM COUNCIL ON CONTROVERSIAL CHARITY

added 20 January 2017

Star date: 20th January 2017

INSPIRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER CONTROVERSY RAGES ON...

Controversial charity, Inspiring Communities Together (ICT) - labelled `greedy' "power grabbing control freaks" by a local councillor - was at the centre of more anger at a meeting of East Salford Community Committee last night, when its Chair and CEO declined to attend to answer questions about its spending of £90,000 of community money.

Instead, ICT sent a written response, and the community, in turn, demanded that Salford City Council's commissioning officer for the £90,000 of public money attend a future meeting to explain why the Council apparently has no concerns about ICT.

SALFORD MAYOR TO INSTIGATE RESEARCH ON IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS WITH CITIZENS

added 20 January 2017

Star date: 19th January 2017

IRONY A GO-GO AS MAYOR KICKSTARTS `JUST CITIES' RESEARCH

Tomorrow, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, is expected to kickstart PhD research into how to "better understand and act on improving, communications and engagement with civil society groups and citizens", to produce more "just cities".

One of the topics to be covered is how "safe spaces can be created to allow dialogue on climate change". Salford citizens may recall how Salford Council refused any dialogue with anti-fracking protesters at Barton Moss and was central in the police operations that led to scores of arrests at the IGas drilling site. And has since dissed more recent environmental campaigns...

SALFORD COUNCILLORS PASS MOTION CONDEMNING ADULT SOCIAL CARE CRISIS

added 19 January 2017

Star date: 18th January 2017

TORY AND LABOUR COUNCILLORS RALLY AGAINST `PALTRY' AND `DISHONEST' SOCIAL CARE FUNDING

Both Labour and Conservative councillors passed a motion at today's full meeting of Salford City Council condemning the crisis in adult social care, slamming the "paltry offerings from the last budget" and the "dishonest" `shuffling of money between different pots and calling it new investment'.

The motion called for more funding from the Tory Government and more fairness in the distribution of resources, as councillors slated the "absolute disgrace" of a system that "is at breaking point" and sees elderly citizens "punished".

MASSIVE SALFORD QUAYS APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT AVOIDS ALMOST £2MILLION PLANNING FEES

added 18 January 2017

Star date: 17th January 2017

593 APARTMENTS AND TOWNHOUSES – ONLY FIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSES: ALMOST £2MILLION PLANNING FEES AVOIDED!

The planning scandal in Salford continues, with councillors due to rubber stamp Fortis Developments' application for 593 apartments and townhouses in two tower blocks of 13 and 27 storeys high at Furness Quay at the back of Dock Office, off Trafford Road.

According to Salford Star calculations, based on Salford City Council's own figures, Fortis will be avoiding almost £2million in Section 106 planning fees, and paying for just five affordable houses to be located `off site'.

PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO FATAL POLICE SHOOTING OF SALFORD MAN ANTHONY GRAINGER OPENS

added 17 January 2017

Star date: 16th January 2017

THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTS STILL NOT DISCLOSED AS PUBLIC ENQUIRY INTO GMP GRAINGER DEATH OPENS

Tomorrow, Tuesday 17th January, sees the opening of the long-awaited Public Inquiry into the death of Broughton man Anthony Grainger, fatally shot by a Greater Manchester Police officer in 2012 as he was sat, unarmed, in a car in Culcheth. This is only the second time in England and Wales that a Public Inquiry has been set up to examine a fatal police shooting.

Today, the family's representative, Farleys Solicitors, has issued a statement noting that "Thousands of pages of relevant material are yet to be disclosed".

SALFORD SCHOOLS TO GET HUGE CUTS BY TORY GOVERNMENT

added 16 January 2017

Star date: 16th January 2017

BROUGHTON CONSTITUENCY 36TH WORST HIT IN COUNTRY BY EDUCATION CUTS

Broughton is to be the 36th worst hit area in the country for education cuts, according to the Tory Government's new National Funding Formula. The Blackley and Broughton constituency of MP Graham Stringer will see an 11% drop in funding, or £607 per pupil.

Rebecca Long-Bailey's Salford and Eccles constituency will see a 6% funding loss for schools of £306 per pupil, and Barbara Keeley's Worsley and Eccles South will see a 4% drop, or £284 per pupil... "The picture is extremely bleak" state trade unions representing school staff.

SAVE OUR PUPS SALFORD DOGS 4 US PROTEST

added 16 January 2017

DOGS 4 US FACES MORE PROTESTS

Save Our Pups Protest
Sunday 22nd January 22 noon-4pm
Outside Dogs4Us, Agecroft Road

Controversial pet store, Dogs4Us, is to face yet another protest next Sunday, 22nd January, by the Save Our Pups group. As Salford City Council still ponders over toughening up regulations for pet shops in the city, the campaigning continues.

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD HOMELESS REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

added 15 January 2017

REMEMBERING THE HOMELESS

Homeless Remembrance Service
Friday 20th January 7pm-8pm
The Arches, New Bailey

A year on since the murder of homeless Daniel Smith, there's going to be a remembrance service this Friday for him and all homeless people who have died on the streets of Salford and Manchester...

"How many more have to die before people who have a duty of care wake up?" asks Angela Barratt, of Salford and Manchester Street Support which is organising the event.

GREATER MANCHESTER STOP TRUMP! PROTEST

added 15 January 2017

GREATER MANCHESTER GROUPS UNITE FOR STOP TRUMP! PROTEST

Stop Trump!
Friday 20th January 20
St Peters Square, Manchester 6pm-7pm

Campaign groups from across Greater Manchester, including Stand Up To Racism, CND, Campaign Against Climate Change, Stop The War Coalition and the Green Party are holding a Stop Trump! Protest this Friday, the day Donald Trump is inaugurated as President of the USA. It coincides with protests across America and in London.

SALFORD MADLAB NEW DIGITAL SKILLS COURSES

added 15 January 2017

FROM SETTING UP SOCIAL MEDIA TO SORTING A WEBSITE

MadLab is running a new round of digital skills courses for Salford people during February and March, which range from setting up social media accounts to building a website. Most of the courses are for digital beginners.

BUDDING SCRIPTWRITERS SHOW WORK AT ADP KINGS ARMS SALFORD

added 15 January 2017

Star date: 14th January 2017

FROM ENGELS AND MARY BURNS TO HORROR AND KITCHEN SINK

The Acting and Directing Partnership, or ADP, invites budding scriptwriters to submit their work to be performed at various events at the Kings Arms, including Scripts Aloud in which four short plays or extracts of longer works are presented, complete with audience feedback.

Ian Leslie went along to sample some of the dramatic delights on offer – and was thrilled to find a play about the love affair between Friedrich Engels and Mary Burns, together with others that covered everything from Satan to kitchen sink.

KERSAL COMMUNITY TO STAND CANDIDATE AGAINST SALFORD LABOUR PARTY

added 14 January 2017

Star date: 13th January 2017

COMMUNITY REACTS AGAINST SALFORD CITY COUNCIL AND GARY NEVILLE

"Recent events have proved that local politics has failed in Salford and the people must now reclaim their council for themselves" resident

Following the perceived treatment of the local community by Salford Council during the recent planning battle over the redevelopment of the Moor Lane stadium by Salford City FC, last night Kersal Moor Residents Association decided to stand a candidate against the ruling Labour Party in the forthcoming Kersal local by-election.

"It's not just about this one issue" says the Residents Association's Sandi Mann "We were shocked at how little the councillors listen and how influenced they are by too many other things, so we want to give a voice back to the people..."

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL LETS KOUKASH PAY NO £1MILLION DEBT FOR ANOTHER YEAR

added 13 January 2017

Star date: 12th January 2017

SALFORD RED DEVILS DEBT HOLIDAY EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER 12 MONTHS

As predicted by the Salford Star last week, Salford City Council has allowed Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash a further year's `holiday' on the loans debt he owes, which, according to the latest Council accounts, stands at £1,038,000.

This is on top of the previous holiday of 17 months agreed in August 2015, which means that the cash-strapped Council will have received nothing from Koukash for almost two and a half years.

IRLAM AND CADISHEAD COMMUNITY AND MP SLAM UNACCEPTABLE GREEN BELT DESTRUCTION

added 12 January 2017

Star date: 11th January 2017

TRASHING OF GREEN BELT WILL IMPACT HEALTH OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENT STATES MP BARBARA KEELEY

"...if any more houses are built or any more industrial units are built then the residents of Irlam and Cadishead will be prisoners" resident

On January 16th, the consultation ends on two huge proposals that would change Salford forever – the Salford Local Plan and the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Over in Irlam and Cadishead there's been big public protest meetings over moves to trash the Green Belt, build over 2,000 houses and increase the population by 40%. Worsley and Eccles South MP Barbara Keeley and community group Planning For Our Future have slammed the proposals as having detrimental impacts on the health, infrastructure and environment.

THE END OF THE SALFORD STAR?

added 11 January 2017

Star date: 10th January 2017

PRESS REGULATION COULD SEE THE END OF THE SALFORD STAR

Today, a consultation ends on Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 which could see small community media like the Salford Star closed if big developers or politicians decide to have a go at our editorial through the courts.

Unless magazines and newspapers like the Star sign up to a state-approved regulator, we could be stung for costs in a libel case – even if we win! It means that the likes of Peel Holdings, or whoever, could threaten legal action if they wanted to suppress articles that are in the public interest. The Salford Star does not believe that journalists should be subject to state regulation of any description, no matter how it's dressed up.

PENDLETON TOGETHER SALFORD GENTRIFICATION SLAMMED BY IUD PROJECT

added 10 January 2017

Star date: 9th January 2017

£650 MILLION PENDLETON MAKEOVER TRASHED

"We need to see a socially just form of urban regeneration, not gentrification" Professor Loretta Lees

The whole theory and practice of the huge £650million Pendleton Together `gentrification' has been slammed by contributors to a new magazine called `All Materials of Value' which launches at an IUD event this Thursday 12th January at the People's History Museum.

"The new development failed to adequately address the extensive long term poverty characteristic of Pendleton, except by constructively eliminating many of the poorest people from the area and encouraging more affluent newcomers in" write project co-ordinators John van Aitken and Jane Brake.

SALFORD BAND OPERATION DETONATION GET TO SOUNDWAVES MUSIC FINAL

added 09 January 2017

BROUGHTON'S FINEST BAND SET FOR 02 LEEDS MUSIC COMP FINAL

Ace Broughton band, Operation Detonation, has reached the northern final of the national SoundWaves Music Competition and will be competing against a dozen other bands in Leeds on 21st January. There's a supporters' coach going and tickets are still available.

The band is part of the Salford Musical Youth project, which has just received funding for a part-time all round music tutor, and applications are now open.

PAUL WELLER INSPIRES SALFORD SCOOTER BOY FILM

added 08 January 2017

VESPAS, LAMBRETTAS, PAUL WELLER AND SALFORD

The Pebble and the Boy promo
Friday 20th January 7pm
53two, Manchester

The Pebble and the Boy is a road trip movie that starts in Salford and takes place on Vespas and Lambrettas. At the moment it's a twenty minute promo, inspired and endorsed by Paul Weller, and written and directed by top Salfordian film-maker Chris Green, who's got Strangeways Here We Come! released in the summer.

This is a unique chance to see the scooter promo, plus a Q&A with Chris and a screening of another of his short films, Tortured, as Ian Leslie reports...

SOUNDS OF SALFORD DOES MUSIC EVENING FUNDRAISER AT BROUGHTON RUGBY CLUB

added 08 January 2017

BENEFIT STATE, BETH MCROY, RUGBY COMPETITION AND MORE

The Sounds of Salford presents a Music Evening
Saturday 21st January from 7:30pm
Broughton Rugby Club - donation on the door

The Sounds of Salford is holding a fundraising music event for St Ann's Hospice, Folly Lane Juniors and Broughton RUFC at the Rugby Club on 21st January. It stars The Things, Benefit State, Beth Mcroy, Ryan from Cinnamon Dinner and DJ Archer, and is preceded by a rugby tournament.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS THE GARY NEVILLE FINGER IN PIES AWARD

added 08 January 2017

THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2016:

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS GARY NEVILLE FINGER IN PIES AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the tenth annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards, which are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past twelve months.

Kersal residents couldn't believe it when Salford City FC got planning permission for the club's redeveloped stadium, with all manner of stuff going off in the Council dressing rooms. So, ladies and gentlemen, flounce your red cards and flash your Ammies for the winner of the Salford Star Gary Neville Finger In Pies Award...Salford City Council

SALFORD MAYOR WINS JOE STALIN AWARD FOR OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

added 08 January 2017

Star date: 7th January 2017

THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2016:

SALFORD CITY MAYOR PAUL DENNETT WINS UNCLE JOE STALIN AWARD FOR OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

Despite the change of City Mayor, Salford Council's refusal to be open and accountable continues, with more propaganda and less transparency under the new Corbyn-friendly regime. So, ladies and gentlemen, don your rose-tinted glasses for the winner of the Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government – Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett...

SALFORD COUNCILLOR PAUL LONGSHAW SCOOPS AFFORDABLE HOUSING HYPOCRISY AWARD

added 07 January 2017

Star date: 6th January 2017

COUNCILLOR PAUL LONGSHAW WINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING HYPOCRISY REVOLVING DOOR AWARD

OMG! Could you make it up? Salford Council's Chief Housing Officer, who oversees the destruction of affordable housing in Pendleton, resigns and gets elected as that area's councillor. And then becomes Lead Member for Housing, complaining about the lack of affordable housing! Ladies and gentlemen, you will need a political bath after learning about the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Affordable Housing Hypocrisy Revolving Door Award...Councillor Paul Longshaw!

SALFORD CITY MAYOR WINS SOCIAL HOUSING AWARD

added 06 January 2017

Star date: 5th January 2017

PAUL DENNETT WINS SERVICES TO SOCIAL HOUSING AWARD

Everyone knows about the massive waiting lists to get a social rent flat in Salford, so how did Salford Mayor Paul Dennett acquire a social rent apartment at the delightful Albion Towers in Pendleton? Ladies and gentlemen, surf your sofa, kiss your cardboard box and hi-five the housing list for the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Award for Services To Social Housing...Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett!

GREATER MANCHESTER DEVOLUTION WINS DEMOCRACY DEFICIT AWARD

added 05 January 2017

Star date: 4th January 2017

THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2016:

GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY WINS `HOW THE FUCK DID YOU MANAGE TO IGNORE ALMOST THREE MILLION PEOPLE?' AWARD

As Greater Manchester devolution ups its gears and speeds on towards the GM Mayor election this year, the community of Greater Manchester – all 2.8million of us – have been completely left out of the process. So, ladies and gentlemen, give a big slow handclap for the winner of the `How The Fuck Did You Manage To Ignore Almost Three Million People?' Award... Greater Manchester Combined Authority!

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR NOMA

added 04 January 2017

Star date: 3rd January 2017

MANCHESTER COUNCIL WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

This year, an International category has been introduced for iffy activities outside of Salford that are not being covered by local media. The first winner of this very special International Award is Manchester City Council for its £19million public money NOMA nonsense. So, ladies and gentlemen, come fly with us, as the moon (and Richard Leese) is a balloon...

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR DEYIKA NZERIBE GREEN PARTY GM MAYOR CANDIDATE

added 03 January 2017

Star date: 3rd December 2017

SHOCK AND SORROW AT PASSING OF GREEN PARTY'S DEYIKA NZERIBE

Tributes have been pouring in after the untimely passing of the Green Party's Greater Manchester Mayor candidate, Deyika Nzeribe. The incredibly amiable activist from Hulme stood up against the brutal policing at Barton Moss, spoke out against fracking, climate change, the destruction of the Green Belt and poverty.

"We're all very mournful and shocked" said Wendy Olsen of Salford Green Party "He was really sincere and a very peaceful leader."

More reaction here...

added 03 January 2017

PEEL HOLDINGS WINS SALFORD STAR FEED THE RICH AWARD

Star date: 2nd January 2017

PEEL HOLDINGS WINS FEED THE RICH AWARD

In what is always a hotly contested category, it's almost always won by the same company. And this year is no exception. So, ladies and gentlemen, throw more golden coins into the Media City fountain of profit, and scratch your Ordsall's for the winner of the Feed The Rich Award – Peel Holdings!

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS AWARD FOR POVERTY PIMPING

added 02 January 2017

Star date: 1st January 2017

THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2016:

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS PIMP MY POVERTY AWARD

As poverty worsens in Salford, it's good to see the Council doing its bit – like setting bailiffs on those who can least afford to pay; like not spending a penny of its hardship fund; like cashing in on troubled families. Oh, and pay rises for the Deputy Mayors! So, ladies and gentlemen, empty your pockets and doff your Dickens to the winner of the Pimp My Poverty Award...Salford City Council!