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.

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.

Everyone is invited to a  a community Christmas lights switch-on event on Wednesday, December 14, 4-5:pm. The lights are in nearby Swinton Grove Park and we will meet on Swinton Grove beside Elizabeth Gaskell House. There will be refreshments, singing of traditional carols and other music, plus special Christmas treats for the children. It's all free thanks to support from the Council and a number of local organisations including Moss Care St Vincent Housing and Elizabeth Gaskell's House, which will also be open from 11-4 for free entry for M13 postcode residents.

The return of our Bring and Share picnic in the Community Garden yesterday was a fun time of neighbours coming together to share great food and conversation. Thank you to all who came and all who brought food and drinks to share. A particular thanks to those who came early to help set up and stayed to help clear up. And thank you Georgina and Mario from M13 Youth Project for providing craft activities and games for the young people. Finally, thanks Marie for loan of the gazebo, Manchester Active for equipment and our various sponsors. 

Our summer Bring and Share Picnic is back, after having to miss a couple of years due to Covid restrictions. It will be on Sunday August 14, 2:30 to 4:30pm in the Community Garden and everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to get together as a community on the Groves and get to know our neighbours better. We ask everyone to please bring some food or soft drinks to share (home cooked is always very welcome!), but if you're unable to do that come along anyway. There's always plenty to share.

Workers from M13 Youth Project will provide craft and sport activities for the children (parents are welcome to join in) and Manchester Active are bringing play equipment. The picnic is organised by Groves residents and supported by the Council, GM Police, MSV Housing and MSA. Download a leaflet here.

We had an excellent, productive and fun morning tidying up the community garden and clearing fly-tipped items and litter round the Groves. It feels good to make our neighbourhood look better. Big thanks to everyone who helped: local residents plus workers from the City Council and Moss Care St Vincent Housing. Thanks too for the drinks and snacks.

Our NEXT community event will be the return of our Bring and Share Picnic in the Community Garden on Sunday August 14 from 2-4:30pm. Make note of the date. More news to follow.

Our next community litter-pick will be on Saturday May 14, 11am to 1pm. We will meet as usual at the MSA Office at the corner of Upper West and North Groves for handing out bags, gloves and pickers. If you can’t come at that time but can help sometime over the weekend, get in touch and we’ll get you a bag (or two). This is always a fun time together, to chat and catch up while we make the Groves look better. And doing something to improve our environment always seems to make us feel better. Maybe we can find some prizes for the best junior litter picker uppers…