A number of residents of the Groves have been experiencing unacceptably low water pressure and poor flow for months. This ongoing problem has made basic daily tasks such as showering with hot water difficult or impossible for many households. The situation is affecting our quality of life and risks residents’ health and wellbeing, especially during the colder months. Households are forced to run taps for longer to get usable temperatures, which wastes water and raises energy costs. The issue disproportionately affects vulnerable residents (elderly, families with young children, those with medical needs).

The problem has been reported to United Utilities multiple times, but the issue remains unresolved. Repeated reports without a clear solution are not good enough. We need United Utilities to urgently investigate the root cause of the low pressure and fix it — not just temporary workarounds. And for Manchester City Council to work with United Utilities and prioritise support for affected residents and relevant regional authorities/regulators to monitor progress and ensure the problem is resolved quickly and permanently.

If you live in the Groves, or care about basic public services, please add your name to this petition and share it.

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…

Thanks to everyone who sent in an entry to the Happy New Year poster competition. Our judges found it very difficult to decide, and in end we had a winner, two runners up and a third! All received prizes and the winner and runners up also received a certificate. 

The winning poster (below) was designed by Sunny from East Grove and will be our Happy New Year poster that we will give, along with a light, to all houses on the Groves that want one. The idea is that we put these in our windows to wish each other a happy 2021 – light, hope and peace.

The runner-up designs (below) will be used on leaflets that will go with each 'Winter Cheer' pack. These will go to our elderly and vulnerable residents and also to families with children. We have a list of houses to go to, but don't want anyone to miss out. If you are, or know, someone who should be getting a pack, please get in touch by email or phone or text 07906 228132 before December 24.
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The picture shows runner-up Aishah with her certificate which was presented by Judith.

These are gloomy times – another lockdown as the Covid restrictions continue, and now cold and dark winter weather. Winter Cheer is a project to put the smiles back on our faces. In December we will be giving small packs of food and essentials to the vulnerable and elderly, and also some sweets to families with children (plus, maybe a few surprises). Then, towards the end of the month, a Happy New Year poster and a light for every house. If we can all put these in our windows we can wish our neighbours light and hope for the new year. And it will look great!

POSTER COMPETITION
Also, we have a competition for junior age children to make a picture or design to use on the poster with a great prize for the winner. More info on this leaflet.

More details about Winter Cheer are on our latest newsletter which everyone should have received at the weekend. If you can't find yours, you can download it here. If you need more information or know of a home or family that should get one of the packs, send an email.