The annual community switch-on event for the Swinton Grove Park Festive Lights will be on Swinton Grove, Wednesday December 4, from 3:30pm. Goody bags, hot drinks, crafts, local school children singing – and the countdown to the big switch-on. All free. Also free entry for local residents to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House from 11-3pm.

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. 

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.