MADGE KELLY – QUEEN OF SPIKE ISLAND!
Not to be confused with the Salford Star Mary Burns Awards which are given out for gross incompetence and dodgy dealings, Salix Homes came up with its own `Salford Stars' Awards a few years ago which are voted on by its tenants.
Last Friday at a ceremony at The Lowry, Madge Kelly won a Salix Star Inclusion Award for "making a significant contribution to their estate over the years, dealing with issues relating to the flood defence systems, improving the environment, improving homes and tackling anti-social behaviour".
The citation added that Madge is "a passionate individual, who is dedicated to improving the neighbourhood"…
To that we can add that Madge was one of the RITA (Riverside Island Tenants Association) ladies instrumental in saving Spike Island from the bulldozers when Countryside Properties came calling for prime land by the River Irwell. She's also currently involved in fighting to save Broughton Rec from a Salford Council closure or sell off.
"I'm kept very busy three days a week" says Madge "I do gardening every week with the kids, we had an Easter bonnet party last week and at RITA we help with people's housing problems. I'll also keep fighting for the Rec and to keep the houses on Spike Island. I didn't expect the Award but I had a really good night."
If the Salford Star had awards for doing top community work Madge would also win one of those.
In the meantime Salix Homes is one of the favourites to win a genuine Salford Star Mary Burns Award this year – see here and here…