You should have had our latest newsletter through your door in the last couple of days. It includes news of a litter-pick over the weekend of July 11-12. Due to the Coronavirus lockdown we haven't been able to organise one of our usual picks centred on the MSA Office, but it's been good that some individuals have been doing some anyway.  We need to try and stay on top of keeping our streets and alleys clean and tidy for good hygiene reasons. And it looks so much better.

Just go out at a time that suits during next Saturday or Sunday and fill a bag with rubbish, keeping a safe distance away from other people.  BIFFA will collect official bags from the usual place at the end of Upper West and West Groves. If you need bags or pickers send an email. Let's be good neighbours.

The Groves Community Garden has been producing some lovely raspberries and redcurrants – free for anyone to pick and eat. The plum tree is looking like there will be a bumper harvest soon too. Is our jam-maker ready for action?

BMJ Best Practice (British Medical Journal) have published a new leaflet (5th May) with the latest expert medical opinion on Coronavirus. Download here.

As the Coronavirus crisis continues and we enter a fourth week of lockdown', it is easy to get a bit down and 'stir-crazy' cooped up indoors. Don't forget you are allowed to take some daily exercise (just stay 2 meters away from everyone else!) so why not get some fresh air and sunshine and take a walk in the community garden to admire the second round of spring flowers?

The spring flowers are coming out in the Groves Community Garden. For your daily exercise (as allowed in the latest government Coronavirus advice) you could have a walk around the garden and look at the flowers to lift your spirits (just keep a safe distance from anyone else who may have the same idea at the same time). And if you fancy something a bit more strenuous, why not volunteer to do a bit of gardening? There are always jobs to be done to keep the garden maintained and tidy for everyone's benefit. If you'd like to help, send an email, or contact Judith‬.

We have added a new page with links to reliable sources of advice and information so we can steer clear of the bogus stuff doing the rounds. Also links to useful online activities. More to be added as we come across it. See it here.

These are strange and worrying days as the Coronavirus/Covid-19 crisis unfolds. It is important that we each take the expert medical advice to keep safe so the spread of the virus is kept manageable:

• frequent hand-washing
• minimal social contact
• no unnecessary journeys
• Use reliable sources for news and updates. such as www.manchester.gov.uk.

Let us also be considerate and compassionate to one another, to “love our neighbour as ourselves” – particularly the older and more vulnerable amongst us. Use your phone, text, WhatsApp, call round (but don’t go in!) to check on your neighbours. If you have to ‘self-isolate’, let others know so they can help – e.g. get shopping for you. #viralkindness
As someone said: “Keep safe, friends. Let’s panic a bit less, (for those that do) pray a little more, and ensure the only thing we are spreading is kindness.”
We can get through this together.

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions the Great Groves Spring Clean planned for this Saturday has been CANCELLED.

If any individuals would like to do a bit of litter-picking please go ahead. Leave the bags at the usual place at the North Grove end of Upper West Grove. We will arrange for them to be taken away. You may already have a picker and rubbish bags, but if not, send an email with your details and we can get those for you.

​Keep safe. Be kind.

We are taking part in the Great British Spring Clean again this year. Our Groves Clean-Up will be on Saturday on March 21. Come along anytime between 11am and 2pm. As before we are being supported by Manchester City Council, Moss Care St Vincent housing. local businesses such as MSA, and our Councillors will be calling in. Also this year we welcome Manchester Student Homes who will be encouraging our local students to come and join in. 

We will have prizes and goody-bags and we're asking everyone if they can to bring some cake or biscuits to share. Let's make it a fun community and family time together doing something positive.

Our clean-up is registered with Keep Britain Tidy and our number of volunteers and numbers of bags filled will be counted in the national statistics. More details soon.