Here are some pictures from our Play Street yesterday on Upper West Grove. Over the time we estimate between 40 and 50 children and about 30 adults came and joined in sharing food, chatting, playing games, making things and generally having a good time together as neighbours. It stayed dry for most of the afternoon, but not quite all!

Big thanks to everyone who contributed to the Bring & Share meal, which festured some really lovely food. Thanks for support from Manchester City Council, Biffa, MSA, MSV and thanks to our craft worker, face painters and M13 Youth Project workers.

To make the street cleaner and safer we picked up litter and other rubbish in the morning - thanks to those who came to help.

After last week's Play Street on South Grove, don't forget we have another one! Wednesday 1:30 to 3:30pm on Upper West Grove Play. The street will be cleared of cars and traffic, leaving it free for crafts, games, face painting, stalls and Bring & Share food. There will also be goody-bags from local housing provider MSV (thank you).  ​Spread the word!

​Everyone welcome. If anyone can come early or stay afterwards to help set up then clear up, your help will be much appreciated!

​Plus litter-pick 11:30 to 12:30 to make it cleaner and safer for the children.

We can now confirm not just one but TWO Play Street days on the Groves this month! Fun and games and activities for the children and a chance to enjoy refreshments and chat for us all.

• Monday 19th on South Grove from 12-3pm, organised by Manchester Active
• Wednesday 28th on Upper West Grove from 1:30-3:30pm, organised by residents with support from Manchester City council and others. Food is by 'Bring & Share' from residents – bring some home cooking and baking to share with your neighbours!

There are more details of both of these events and other play activities in the area in our latest newsletter recently posted through your door. Or download a copy here. 

More photos from last year's Play Street here.

Advance news that another Play Street is being planned for the Groves this summer. It will be on Upper West Grove on Wednesday August 28 from 1:30 to 3:30pm. Please let everyone know. All are welcome and residents are again invited to bring food and/or soft drinks for one of our Bring & Share Picnics. More details to follow about this and also ANOTHER Play Street on a different Grove on Monday August 19. 

Thanks everyone who came and helped with our latest litter-pick yesterday morning, Groves residents and some of the team from Victoria Point. We collected 42 bags of litter. Thanks also to 'Hello Student' for providing refreshments and prizes. 

Our next Groves litter-pick and general tidy up will be on Saturday 9 March from 11am to 12:30pm. We will be based at the Manchester Student Accommodation office at the corner of Upper West Grove and North Grove. Bags, gloves and pickers will be provided and Hello Student, our new neighbours at Victoria Point will be there (come and say hello) and bringing refreshments and litter-hero prizes for children who join in and pick the most litter. This will be part of the 2024 Great British Spring Clean organised by Keep Britain Tidy and Biffa will collect the bags we fill.

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.