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.

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.

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.

A tree in nearby Swinton Grove Park is being fitted with Christmas lights and we're having a community switch-on event next Wednesday, November 24, 4:40-5:30pm. There will be refreshments, singing of traditional carols and other music, plus special Christmas treats for the children, and prizes for any children who come in a Christmas hat, particularly one they have made themselves. 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 all day for free entry for M13 postcode residents.

Yesterday Upper West Grove became an Active Play Street for the day. Residents were asked to park their cars elsewhere and the street was closed to traffic from 11-4pm. We began with a litter pick with prizes for the children who joined in. Then Manchester Active brought in loads of games, lots of neighbours brought food and we had 3 hours of fun and conversation while the children played and laughed. We reckon around 30 adults and 50 children came for all or part. One neighbour said it reminded her of how the streets were back in the 60s when not many people had cars. Thanks to Manchester Council, Manchester Active, MossCare St Vincent Housing and Biffa.

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.

Once again we fitted our picnic between rain showers! It was an excellent time together. Thanks to everyone who came and brought all sorts of delicious food and drinks. Thanks to M13 Youth Project for children's games. And thanks to Trae for capturing several of us in silhouette on the Community Garden walls.

It's time for our Bring & Share Picnic in the Community Garden. Saturday August 31, from 12:30pm. Everyone welcome – please bring some food to share.

​This year we will be joined again by community artist Trae who will be encouraging us to take part in creating some artwork to decorate the garden. M13 Youth Project will be providing some activities for children and young people. And all of us will be providing the food and (soft) drinks to share. It’s a great way of getting to know your neighbours better and enjoying some new tastes and flavours. We particularly welcome any new students who may have moved into the Groves recently.

STOP PRESS: Once again Akutu has made some jam from one of the plum tree in the garden (thanks to Matteo for helping pick the fruit). Jars available to Groves residents on a first come basis.