Upper West Grove was closed to traffic yesterday afternoon to make it an Active Play Street. We had crafts ℅ Georgina and Gulnar, lots of games brought by Manchester Active, stalls by Biffa and the Council, treats from Moss Care Housing, and lots of people brought lovely food. As one chalked comment on the road said: "Best Day Ever". Thanks everyone (including all 3 of our Councillors). And thanks everyone who came early to pick up litter and help set up.

Two years ago we turned Upper West Grove into a Play Street for an afternoon. Remember? We're doing it again! This Wednesday afernoon,* August 30, Upper West Grove will be closed to cars, and between 1:30 and 3:30 it will be time to play, chat and have fun and food. Manchester Active will bring in loads of games, there will be craft activities and we are asking neighbours to bring food and soft drinks to share. And a seat if you want to sit down.

*Please note: Between 1 and 4pm vehicles will be unable to enter or park on Upper West Grove. If you park your car on Upper West Grove you will need to move it elsewhere between those times. Thank you.

We have arranged a Residents' Meeting with our Councillors and Council Officers to discuss the ongoing issue of fly-tipping and dumping in the Groves. Local Housing Providers will also be represented. It will be on Thursday August 3, 3-5pm at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on Plymouth Grove (not a free room hire - though discounted - such is our determination to see action being taken on this blight on our community!)

The number of residents who attend will in itself be an indication of how serious we are about this issue. If we want to make an impact we must Turn Up in person!

As some of this problem is down to students and their landlords we have also invited Manchester Student Homes and MCR Move (agents for the property where this recent dumping originated) to send representatives.

Coming on Tuesday August 22, from 1-4pm, a free event in Swinton Grove Park for all the family. Lots of green and eco-friendly activities and crafts for children and parents, advice on how to save money by 'up-cycling' instead of throwing away. Free resources and information to help us all be more planet-friendly.

Run by Manchester City Council with support from the Friends of Swinton Grove Park, Ardwick Climate Action, M13 Youth Project and more.

At this time of year our student residents move out and unfortunately this coincides with an increase in fly-tipping of furniture and household items and dumping of rubbish, directly into alleys or put in other peoples' bins. Most students and landlords are responsible and respect the area that has hosted them, but there are exceptions. This year we've had a particularly bad example – the photos below are of rubbish strewn in alleys, Community Garden and street all from one house on Upper West Grove. On this occasion we have proof of address, a witness and corroborating testimony from one of residents, all reported to the Council's Compliance Team, so we are hopeful of legal action being taken.

Thanks everyone who came and helped pick up litter on the Groves on Saturday, either on the day or at other times over the weekend. Here are some of our Litter Heroes and the bags we filled. Congratulations to Ethan for winning the Best Junior Litter Picker prize. Thanks to MSV Housing, Keep Manchester Tidy/Manchester City Council and MSA for support.

Some photos of the beautiful spring flowers in bloom in the Community Garden. Photos taken after quite a bit of litter was removed - and the garden looks so much better for it. We all have the chance to join in with the Groves Litter Pick next Saturday - March 18, 11-12:30pm - and make our streets look better too. More info here. Or download a leaflet.

A big thank you to local housing provider Moss Care St Vincent Housing for fixing our gate on the Community Garden. The broken hinge meant the gate could not be used and it would only have been a matter of time before the remaining hinge snapped from the strain from taking the full weight. Here are the before and after photos.

Our next litter-pick will be on Saturday 18th March from 11am-12:30pm. Meet up as usual at the MSA Office (corner of Upper West and South Groves) for bags pickers and gloves. This pick will be part of this year's Great British Spring Clean.

We're hoping to have some refreshments available and prizes for the best junior Litter Heroes. As the leaflet says: "​Join with your neighbours to help make our streets and alleys cleaner. Let's take some pride in our Groves!"

We will be following a recent big clear up of big items and fly-tipped rubbish by Biffa, part of a new Council initiative to take action on rubbish in the City Centre. Our Councillors have asked to include some targeted interventions in local communities where littering is a problem. Hopefully this will include some prevention and prosecutions! Find out more on the 18th

A huge thank you to all who helped with the Groves Litter-pick on Saturday (three pictured below), or at other times over the weekend. Thanks again too MSA for use of their office as a base. A LOT was collected and our streets and alleys look a lot better for it. We also reported some fly-tipping and contaminated bins. It would be so nice to not have to clear up after those still too lazy or selfish to clear up after themselves, but meantime it is good to work together for the common good of our community and environment.