The Charlatans Fight to Save Salford Lad's Club

GIGGING: Tim Burgess on stage at The Ruby Lounge

MANCUNIAN rock royalty turned out in force to try to raise enough money to pay for Salford Lad’s Club to run for another 100 years last week.

Headline act, The Charlatans, took to the stage along with guest DJ sets from New Order’s Stephen Morris all in aid of the legendary venue.

Legendary photographer, Stephen Wright, gave music fans the chance to recreate the iconic scene of the Smiths in front of the lads club, as he did originally in 1985.

Lead singer of the Charlatans, Tim Burgess, said: “We don’t do this very often but it’s for a good cause, Salford Lad’s Club. Let’s keep it going for a hundred years.”

The gig was originally scheduled to go ahead at the lads club itself but for unforeseen problems resulting from a fire safety inspection on the listed building.

In search of a venue for the event, put together by Topman CTRL, Manchester’s Ruby Lounge found a date free on the calendar to put on the fundraising gig.

The Ruby Lounge’s venue director, Jay Taylor, said: “We got great feedback. At gigs like that you want the audience and the bands to be happy and both groups were chuffed. It felt like something special.

“Why not support the lads club. It’s not hard to see why it has survived through thick and thin, you’re not open 107 years without doing something right.”

At short notice, the venue managed to put the event together after inheriting the bill and a degree of ticket sales from the lad’s club, attracting a sell-out crowd of around 350 people.

Mr Taylor added: “We were more than happy to step in and tried our best to let people know at such short notice.”

The Ruby Lounge, well known for showcasing up and coming talent, were more than happy to lend the stage to Hatcham Social, whose album Burgess produced, The Heartbreaks and Factory Floor.

The venue change was a positive for the Mr Taylor. He said you don’t have to look for to see why it’s so important, given that over a century of Mancunian music history has been created there.

Salford-born Burgess and fellow band member Mark Collins played an acoustic seven song set, having just released their eleventh studio album.

Cutting their costs, the Ruby Lounge tried to maximise the aid to the lad’s club, with a sum already allocated by Topman CTRL going to the famous club.

Richard Dixon, 20, from Burnley, said: “It’s not often you get to see such a big band, with free drinks, in a small venue.

“Tim Burgess was mixed in with the crowd and chatting with the punters, it was a really personal gig. You can tell he really cares about Salford Lad’s Club.”

The club, which opened its doors in 1903, is still doing great work for the community, with regular exhibitions and events as well as housing one off gigs by stars like Billy Bragg and Liam Fray in recent times.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/charlatans-headline-gig-save-legendary-salford-lads-club

Bury's Christmas Switch-On Goes Snowglobal

HUGE: Snow globe's grand opening

A GIANT snow globe stole the show at The Rock’s first ever Christmas lights switch-on in Bury last week.

The huge Christmas globe, which is five metres in diameter, will be used as an alternative Santa’s Grotto and photo opportunity at the shopping and entertainment centre.

Attracting thousands of people to the shopping centre, the event included dancers from the Northern Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a Take That tribute band and The Rock’s talented Street Star performers.

Nikki Kitchen, The Rock’s marketing manager, said: “It has been absolutely brilliant and better than we could have hoped for. We’re really pleased that everyone’s enjoyed themselves.”

Cast members from The Nutcracker performed inside the snow globe before joining the lantern parade which consisted of local school children and Christmas themed entertainers on stilts.

The Jones family and their daughter Poppy had won a competition to lead the parade and were awarded with £200 to spend at The Rock.

A collection for Poppy, who has cerebral palsy which prevents her from walking unaided, followed the switch-on to help to fundraise for the £40,000 operation she needs in America.

“This has been a fantastic evening, which is the start of a fantastic season in Bury celebrating the old and new developments in Bury,”said the Mayor of Bury, Councillor John Byrne.

“The switch-on is a sign of the town’s confidence and of us having the confidence to say that we are going places and making things happen.”

Artificial illuminated reindeers were also unveiled, grazing on the green roof of Costa Coffee, along with an eight metre-high Christmas Tree and street decorations paying tribute to Bury’s cotton and paper industries.

Northern Royal Ballet dancer, 23-year-old Rachael Gillespie, said: “The night had it all and we’re very honoured to be part of it.

“We’ve all had a really good time and it’s been nice to come to the Rock to be part of whole Christmas experience.”

Fellow Nutcracker performer, Joshua Barwick, 19, added that it was touching and nice to see so many children excited for Christmas and that the snow globe also is a great idea as it appeals to adults as well as children.

A Narnia–inspired catwalk show, coinciding with the December release of the third film from the Chronicles of Narnia series along with band Take That Again also warmed the crowd up on what was a wet and windy Thursday night.

Bury resident, Mark Walker, 24, added: “The night’s been really good, there’s loads going on and I definitely think the event has got Bury in the Christmas spirit early.”

Each of the eight finalists of The Rock’s Street Star competition talent also took to the stage, opening voting for the winner of the £1,000 prize on The Rock’s Facebook page.

The Rock has a ten-screen multiplex Vue cinema, a 24-lane bowling and family entertainment centre as well as eight restaurants including Pizza Express, Frankie & Benny’s and Flaming Dragon.

The performances of X Factor-style Street Star performers can be seen and voted on at The Rock’s Facebook page,www.facebook.com/TheRockBury.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/burys-christmas-switch-goes-global

'Street Stars' Competition Kicks Off in Bury

STARS: Competitors take to The Rock's stage

STARS in the making wowed the crowds at a Bury Christmas light switch-on last week in the hope of winning your votes for the Street Stars competition.

The all singing, all dancing acts, who auditioned for the competition at The Rock shopping centre in October, took centre stage to help bag themselves the exclusive prize worth £1,000.

The aspiring stars will be taking turns performing to shoppers every Saturday in the run up to Christmas before voting closes on January 7^th and the winner is announced.

Nikki Kitchen, marketing manager for The Rock, said: “They have been absolutely fantastic considering none of them are professional at the moment, there have been some wonderful performances.

“The street dancers and singers were amazing, they should all be on X Factor next year.”

Attracting a crowd of thousands, the Street Stars all played slots on the main stage in The Rock’s St John’s Square, videos of which have been posted online to help voters make up their minds.

The performer with the most votes will receive £1,000 worth of studio time to record their music or top coaching to help perfect their act.

Martin Poole, who has a degree in music, has started his own website on the back of the competition and he feels that the exposure and live practice resulting from Street Stars, has done him a world of good.

The indie-folk singer said: “Tonight has been a cracking event. I think that the competition is a really good idea and something to bring unknown artists to the forefront.

“It’s better than the X Factor, I like that fact it’s much more community based. It would be great to become an individual recording artist one day, having been involved in Street Stars.”

Every Thursday evening and Saturday since the end of October, each of the eight finalists have been performing at The Rock’s designated ‘hot spot’ to perform to passers-by.

Bury-local, Khan Kassine, who goes by the stage name of Krazy Horse and performs in his bare feet, is the oldest Street Stars competitor at age 66.

“It is a great thing that The Rock is helping aspiring artists,” said Krazy Horse. “I just love the way everyone responded to my stuff and how the audience sung my songs in return. I’d love to write for people.”

Several acts auditioned in front of a tough panel of judges from both The Rock itself and local music experts in October, with the judges whittling the performers down to just eight.

Sixteen-year-old singer, Dj Ajayi, who travels from Solihull to perform at The Rock, is currently getting help preparing her own music from legendary member of The Specials, Ray King.

She said: “I definitely want to be a singer in the end but the main thing at the moment is to get some songs together and keep on performing.”

Busker One, Bloco Ashe, Darcie & Paige, Rameez & Shaun, Sammy Bland were also among the performers vying for votes at The Rock’s first ever Christmas switch-on.

Lorraine Barber, from Whitefield, said: “The acts were all of a really good standard and our children have really enjoyed themselves, it’s like Christmas has come early.”

The performances of the Street Star performers can be seen and voted on at The Rock’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheRockBury.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/street-stars-competition-kicks-bury

German Market Stalls say More the Merrier

CHRISTMAS FEVER: St Ann's Square lit up by markets

PIONEERING German market stall workers voiced their support of another increase in the size of Manchester Christmas Markets after they opened last week.

The Christmas Markets, which began in 1999 with only a few German stalls in St Ann’s Square, have now expanded to accommodate a range of cultures with stalls from all over Europe and beyond.

German traders are now welcoming this year’s new addition of a French Market on King Street, which will be the eighth site, over a decade after proving the idea could be a success for the first time.

Alex Zander, who runs Cologne-based German sweet sellers, Ponzoni-Zander, said: “We have been part of the markets from the start and it’s getting better each year.

“It is good that they are bringing more variety to the market but this area is still all German and it has spread its wings. This is a cosmopolitan market now but the German market is the mainstay.”

The German section of the market includes a Christmas-themed wooden lodge selling ‘Fine German Glühwein & Beer’ along with stalls offering herbal sweets, jewellery, meat, toys and mulled wine.

Daniel Mende, who works on a wooden toy stall in the German Market, said: “Competition is maybe not always great for individual stalls but if it’s bringing more people into the city it is a good thing.”

When Frankfurt-based traders first came over to put on the stalls 11 years ago, only the St Ann’s Square site had any stalls whatsoever, whereas now there are hundreds of stalls on market sites all over the city.

“Every year it gets bigger and bigger and more complicated,” said Ramy Tamam, who sells traditional German salami at the Farm Shop stall in St Ann’s Square.

“It’s good to bring people here and good for Manchester. Mancunians welcome different cultures and the Germans feel more niche, every section of the markets have their own niche.”

This year there will be more than 250 trees and 330 lamp-posts decorated and 28 across-street displays using a total of almost 400,000 low-energy bulbs, adding to Manchester’s Christmassy feel.

Manchester’s German Christmas Markets are open in St Ann’s Square until December 22^nd every day from 10a.m. to 7-30p.m. and until 8p.m. in December, with the bar areas open for an additional hour in the evenings.

Councillor Pat Karney, city centre spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “With so much to see and do right across the city centre, it's no wonder we're people's number one choice for Christmas shopping and festivities."

He added that this year’s Christmas Markets promise to be the best yet as activities across the city appeal to more and more people.

A survey commissioned by Manchester Markets has shown that last year’s Christmas Markets brought around £49.9million into our economy, attracting 1.3million visitors to the city in the process.

Manchester Christmas Market traders employed 1,246 people over the trading period in 2009, with more than half of those positions filled by Mancunians.

German tourist Alfons Görgen, from Trier, visited the German Market for the first time last week.

He said: “This is a really good thing for Manchester, it is the same as Germany but with more attractions.”

For more information on Manchester’s Christmas Markets contact www.visitmanchester.com.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/manchesters-christmas-german-market-stalls-say-more-merrier

Condemned Cow Stem Cell Doctor Defended by Patient's Mother

SHAMED: Dr Trossel leaving hearing

THE DEVOTED mother of a severely disabled Manchester Multiple Sclerosis sufferer came out in support of a disgraced stem cell doctor this week.

Chris Holbrook, 45, was treated by Dr Robert Trossel in 2005 for the degenerative disease before the Dutch-trained doctor was struck off by the General Medical Council last month.

Dr Trossel of Stoke Poges, Berkshire, allegedly injected some of his desperately ill MS patients with cow stem cells that carried risks of mad cow disease in unlicensed treatments.

Mother, Ann Holbrook, has looked after her now wheelchair-bound son since MS took over his life when he was diagnosed, aged just 21.

She said: “I really do feel Dr Trossel was trying to help people, he was genuinely doing the best for his patients.

“He believed in the work he was doing and would not intentionally harm anyone. Chris believes, and so do I, that the treatment halted the progression of his MS.”

After 18 years confined to a wheelchair, Mr Holbrook can no longer speak, move or eat unaided, making his journey to Dr Trossel’s Preventief Medisch Centrum in Rotterdam an ordeal in itself.

His mother said that he endured around 10 stretcher lifts, four journeys in private ambulances and a return trip on a private plane all in the space of a day to receive the ground-breaking treatment.

She added that despite the £18,000 round trip, her son, who can only communicate through the movement of his eyes and blinking, felt a tangible difference in his MS.

The difference was so evident to her son that the strong-willed Mr Holbrook has communicated that he would gladly undergo the journey again.

The treatment featured injections of what were promised to be stem cells harvested from umbilical cords and although she received no proof as to their validity Ms Holbrook is now seeking evidence from the GMC that Dr Trossel actually used bovine cells.

“For four years after the treatment he never had a chest problem. The stem cells apparently go to weakest part of the body, which is Chris’ lungs,” she said. “He was different when he came back, he was stronger.

“I think Dr Trossel believed the cells were okay, if I thought he was using bovine cells I wouldn’t have let Chris have the treatment.”

The pair travelled to Holland with fellow MS sufferer Trevor Crabtree, from Barrowford, Lancashire, who issued a written statement in defence of Dr Trossel that was used with other testimonials at the GMC hearing last month.

“He never said that it would cure me, he had honourable intentions,” said Mr Crabtree. “I was treated in a professional manner and the treatment, while not curing me, helped me and I have no regrets in that decision.”

Stem cells are hoped to help repair nerves damaged by the disease but at present such treatments in the UK are illegal, forcing patients to look abroad at expensive alternative clinics.

It is believed that MS affects around 80,000 people in the UK.

Dr Trossel has been in the news since he was the subject of a 2006 BBC2 Newsnight investigation in which journalist Susan Watts, found that the 56-year-old had injected patients with stem cells that were only for laboratory use.

The doctor, who also had an office in London, performed the treatments on the back of a licensing agreement with a firm which later became Advanced Cell Therapeutics (ACT).

Advanced Cell Therapeutics’s South African owners are still undergoing extradition proceedings after being investigated by both the FBI and US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for stem cell fraud.

After the GMC’s verdict, Dr Trossel said that during his career as a doctor, he always practised with the objective of achieving the very best for his patients.

Ms Holbrook added: “When you are as disabled as Chris, 10 years is a long time to wait for treatment. We can’t sit around for a decade; he just wants to live again.

“He loves life and I would never let anybody do anything that would hurt him.”

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/condemned-cow-stem-cell-doctor-defended-patients-mother

Eccles Mother Hit Hard by £9k Gallery Bills

UNDER PRESSURE: Bills threaten future

A DESPERATE Eccles mum is appealing for sponsors after she was personally issued with a £9,000 bill for the not-for-profit community gallery that she founded.

Karen Illingworth, 50, was issued the bill by Salford City Council for Eccles Community Art Gallery earlier this year and is under pressure to pay the full amount by December, £2,000 of which was due last week.

After an appeal to waive the back-dated business rates bill was rejected, the gallery is now under serious threat of closure, despite being a community initiative that is free to the public.

She said: “All this is very sad and it would be a sad thing if no-one could sponsor us. I can’t pay the bill as a part time worker, debt collectors will be sent round if nobody comes forward to help.

“Huge amounts of my spare time and money have gone into this. All this is immensely worrying as the bill is not far short of my £12,000 salary.”

The mother-of-two, who works as a research technician at Salford Hope Hospital, added that she spends at least 15 hours a week organising the gallery in her spare time, while supporting two children through higher education.

Since the gallery opened around 18 months ago, they have had around 3,600 visitors, equating to about 60 browsers for every day that the premises is open.

Treasurer of the gallery, Ron Mackie, 60, gives up his Saturdays to volunteer. He said: “I was absolutely shocked when I heard of it.

“When you break down the bill, it equates to the gallery having to pay £250 for every day we’ve been open, which is extortionate.”

The gallery, which is in Eccles Shopping Centre, Boothway, only costs £1,500 a year to run, with the premises opening to coincide with the centre’s farmer’s market every Saturday from 10a.m. until 4p.m.

The gallery opened after Ms Illingworth impressed locals with a stall on their 2008 continental market and it has since been a hub of community art events and she is keen to expand to help even more community groups into art.

Support for the gallery has come from high places including Eccles Councillor, John Cullen, and Salford MP, Hazel Blears.

“Please do rest assured that Hazel is fully supportive of Karen,” said a spokesman for Hazel Blears MP. “The gallery is a fantastic addition to the local community.”

The popular gallery has invited local groups like Friends of Eccles Station, Friends of Patricroft Station, local schools and the Links Resources Centre to exhibit their work since its opening.

Amateur artist, Joan Bethell, from Eccles, was taking part in her first public exhibition. She said: “We haven’t got anything else like this in Eccles.

“It should be given help, especially with all the empty shops in the town.”

Last weekend, the gallery’s Painting the Town competition, invited entrants had to create work that represented Eccles to them and was judged by acclaimed Manchester artist, Geoffrey Key.

Moira Glover, from Walkden, was a first-time visitor to the gallery, she said: “More people need to know about this place and it really should stay open. I really hope some sponsors come forward.”

For more information or to donate to the gallery please contact Karen Illingworth on 07981791475 or email ecclescommunityartgallery@yahoo.co.uk.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/eccles-mother-hit-hard-%C2%A39k-gallery-bills

La Roux Surprise a Wet Piccadilly with Secret Gig

WEATHERPROOF: La Roux entertain soaked crowd

CHART-TOPPING band La Roux surprised Manchester by playing a secret gig in Piccadilly Gardens on Friday evening.

The Mercury Prize nominated band wowed the crowd, playing hit singles like ‘In For The Kill’ and ‘Bulletproof’.

Over 2,500 people braved the weather to attend the free gig which took place from a box-shaped billboard that was transformed into a stage for the show.

The billboard, advertising the launch of the new Nissan Juke, was placed in the gardens on Monday and mysteriously read ‘be here at 8pm Friday’.

The event was hosted by Nissan and their spokesman heralded the night as a great success and a fantastic way to launch their new car.

He said: “It was great to see so many people turn up to help celebrate the launch of the Nissan Juke. Their energy really added to the occasion.”

Throughout the week radio station Key 103 encouraged listeners to guess ‘what’s in the box’, by gradually revealing cryptic clues with one lucky entrant winning a £1,000 prize.

Clues included ‘it’s very stylish and also a little bit French’ and ‘there is no chance of stage fright on the night for this red haired wonder’.

Lead singer, Elly Jackson, had a great relationship with the crowd throughout the gig and even sheepishly told fans about her latest mishap.

The red haired diva recently injured her ankle and was told by doctors not to dance during the show although that didn’t stop her dropping a few moves.

Jackson has certainly been in the wars this year, with La Roux having to cancel part of their American tour after she struggled with bronchitis and a throat infection.

The Nissan spokesman praised the energetic electro-pop princess. He said: “Elly was great, despite damaging her ligaments before the gig, she had a wonderful rapport with the audience.

“Judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces, everybody seemed to enjoy the show.”

Prior to the show DJ Rebekah warmed-up the growing crowd playing an electro-dance set from some huge speakers in the boot of a Nissan Juke on stage.

La Roux fanatic, Dean McDonagh, was overjoyed to find the group playing. He said: “I’ve had an amazing night.

“It’s really made my day just walking through town and stumbling across La Roux playing, especially as the gig was free too.”

To celebrate the launch of the Juke, Nissan are planning a roadshow that will be travelling to London, Leeds and Liverpool. Nissan are currently in the process of approaching artists to perform at the events.

For more information about the Nissan Juke and related upcoming events visit www.nissanjuke.co.uk or follow them at www.twitter.com/get_juked.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/weatherproof-la-roux-surprise-wet-piccadilly-secret-gig

Hyde Welcomes the Spice of Asia

ASIAN SPICE: Council backed markets given Asian touch

HYDE’S first ever all singing, all dancing Asian market attracted over 3,000 shoppers last Thursday.

The newly themed market had a massive 77 stalls open for trading as opposed to Hyde outdoor market’s usual Thursday subscription of around 13 traders.

To attract new traders, Tameside Council’s economic development unit has heavily subsidised the stalls and they now cost from just £12 a day.

The event, which featured everything from Indian dancing to Asian cooking demonstrations was a huge success, breathing new life into the town’s market grounds.

Councillor David Sweeton opened the new market. He said: “This vibrant new market is a great opportunity for everyone in Tameside to celebrate the wide array of culinary and cultural traditions right on our own doorstep.”

The event was aimed as much to provide local people with a cultural market as it was to help nearby small businesses to increase their profits as a result of the market’s increased trade.

Council marketing officer, Dean Thurlow, said: “It’s all about giving people value for money and bringing the community together through the mixed background of traders.

“Virtually every ethnic group is represented here every week or two.”

Mr Thurlow explained that the council is keen to give the large Asian and Bangladeshi community a local market, as people were leaving the area to go to competing sites in Longsight and Oldham.

A wide variety of new and old traders set up shop at the market selling spices, saris, jewellery and a lot more, to mark an exciting new era for Hyde’s Thursday markets.

Kalsoom Ali, a regular trader at Ashton’s award winning farmer’s market, wowed the crowds with her Asian cookery demonstrations.

She said: “This really has brought the community together; I’ve never seen so many local Asian people out in force.

“We’ve had interest from loads of locals, both Asian and English, and it has done wonders for the outdoor market already.”

Mrs Ali, who often trades her homemade samosas, paratas and chapatis on Hyde’s neighbouring indoor market, added that she’s now considering joining in with more Asian markets.

Council officials are already looking as far forward as next year, hoping to make the Asian market a lasting fixture in Hyde’s famous market program following its early success.

The market brought in new customers from all over Greater Manchester like Sushila Kotecha, 62, from Newton Heath. She said: “It’s a great idea for people locally and it should be even busier in summertime.

“This is the first time I’ve been to Hyde. I came down just for the new market and hopefully it will bring more people to the area.”

Hyde’s town centre has been the scene of a flourishing market since 1848 and this latest incarnation is hoped to bring a new audience to the historic site.

Located just off the M67, the market grounds are open 8.30am to 4.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday and sit directly across from Hyde town hall.

Anyone wishing to get involved with the market by way of renting a stall should contact the council’s market office on 0161 342 3338.

Also published on www.mancunianmatters.co.uk

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/hyde-welcomes-spice-asia