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 Baby
Bugle
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The
Baby Bugle
issue
10
Congratulations
to Us!
"The Northern Quarter Association is a grassroots organisation that hasn't got any land and hasn't got any money. Their strategy of self-promotion allied with dogged persistence in seeking public sector aid has brought real jobs and real environmental improvements. Liam Curtin's public art scheme is a key element of this renaissance. It is enriching, life-affirming and symptomatic of the self-help vitality of Manchester's cultural quarter."
The latest
issue of Manchester Forum
also carries an article by former Chair of the Association, Michael Trainor,
focussing on the latest development site in the area: the former Smithfield
markets site. All NQA members should have received a copy of The
Forum, but if you would like
Ironically, at the same time as winning an award, Tib Street fell victim to a graffiti vandal - artist is not an appropriate title - who has hit many other areas of the city. Nearly every shop front and the carparks were affected, setting back the improvement of the street several years. The Association is currently encouraging the City Council to clean up the public buildings as a matter of urgency. Although not life-threatening, the effect of the vandalism is to make the street look tatty and uncared-for - which it most certainly is not. Unfortunately, local businesses are responsible for cleaning off the graffiti, although on some surfaces this is easier said than done. However, Operational Services hope to offer a cleaning service to the businesses on Tib Street, at a fee of course, for those who have not been able to remove the graffiti. Radio
Space in August
By now, you will all have noticed the construction of the David Kemp sculpture on the old ruin (corner Church St/Tib St). Completion will be Tuesday 11th May. This is an unusual and eye-catching work, and big. I asked a passer-by what he thought of it so far, he looked a bit bewildered and said "not decided yet". We are planning an event to 'inaugurate' the work in a few weeks time - we'll keep you posted. There are also now some rather fetching stone blocks on the triangle of space on Thomas Street - there is more to come - watch that space! What is
the Northern Quarter Association for, exactly?
"to represent the concerns and view of the area's traders,residents and workers; and,to promote the physical, economic, social and cultural development of the area and to raisefunds for this purpose."These aims are as relevant now as they ever were, but they do include just about everything. We had a good discussion and made a 'wish list' which could turn n/4 into a paradise! Items included on the list included: safety, green spaces, saving old buildings, a dog tap for thirsty muts, a police presence, grants, enough money for the Association, improved public transport and carparking, a commitment to maintaining the diverse and independent nature of n/4, a Smithfield site development we can be proud of, a wine shop and, of course, a cake shop. Mindful that this shopping list may take some time to get through, a number of Subgroups have been formed so a smaller number of people can get together to draw up action plans for the differen areas of concern. At present there are Subgroups on:
Maxine from the Hare & Hounds reports back and says a big Oscar-award-style thankyou. Saturday evening, April 3rd was a sporting night to remember!!! Pitz was inundated with Northern Quarterites for the first Six-a-Side Football Knockout Cup - and what a competition it was!! The cup was won by a very capable Fat City team, whom I warmly congratulate; and runners-up were my very own Hare & Hounds lads, who played absolutely brilliantly (I'm allowed to be biased!!) - and we only got pipped at the whistle by a mere three goals to one! The evening was organised extremely professionally by Johnny Woodhams - and a big thankyou to him for shouldering the responsibility of mustering all the teams, etc. The buffet at Pitz was delicious. My team were: James, Darren, Nigel, Duncan, Steve, Simon and Steve, and the supporters club, chaired by Stef (who was also fully kitted out as sub) were: Dave, Jessica, Max, Tina, Tony, Stefan, Ruth, and the loudest of them all, Reece. We will certainly be after the cup next year. In the meantime, Johnny, what about an Inter-N/4 Darts tournament, for the less athletically inclined!!?? n/4 =
bright & clean
£15,000. Examples might be: street lighting, gates across back alleys, environmental improvement work, CCTV, fencing - all proposals will be considered, but imaginative, simple ideas are particularly welcome (well, that's what it says on the blurb!).
Carparking
(there's an exciting title)
(the City Council) is about to set up a joint venture in conjunction with NCP, which will manage all city centre public parking. The Saga runs and runs ... Because of objections lodged by Manchester Street Traders [their livelihood is threatened], Afflecks Palace [their customers will be choked by fumes, if they are not first run down by a bus] and the Northern Quarter Association [the plans will form a Berlin Wall of buses through the middle of n/4], the City Council's plans to implement a Bus Contraflow system down Church Street will now go to Public Inquiry on 6 July. The three objectors have been invited to speak at the Inquiry. This seems to be part of what appears to be an attempt by the City Council's to get rid of street traders on Church St and Market St. I would like to think that Manchester is not Liverpool (where street traders have recently been banned): we value the vitality and colour that street traders bring to the city centre, not to mention employment. And anyway, the bananas are cheap. Anyone
got room for a rainforest on their windowsill?
I've had some responses to last month's moan - I like it when people complain - it shows you read this bulletin! [oops, does that mean an indundation of complaints on Monday ...] The single most effective policy for the area seems to have been the grants made available through the City Council for building improvements. Some property owners in this area are committed to renovation and saving derelict buildings, but do not have sufficient capital to do the whole job. There needs to be more grants available for saving the buildings. But, what if the grants do not materialise? Does that mean the buildings continue to stay empty until they fall down? And what if the building next to yours has dry-rot and the owners refuse to do anything? And, in at least one case, what if the owner is offered a development deal, isn't interested enough to reply, and then one windy day the plastic blows off his roof and the pigeons move in permanently? Michael Trainor recently did a quick survey of Oldham Street, finding 21 derelict or empty premises. Perhaps even more depressing is the fact that the situation was roughly the same four years ago. What to do? Ideas on a postcard to Manchester Planning Department .... Shop Front of the Month Award Goes to Blue View on Tib Street. Me and Michael were very impressed by the refurbished doorway which includes a lovely bit of pink neon flanked by mirrors - a very nice effect and a window display featuring 'what the butler didn't see'. The Northern Quarter Portrait: photographic street installation To kick off an 18-month project, The Northern Quarter Portrait, an exhibition of work by photographer Seb Pattenden will run from 18 May to 15 June. The exhibition, entitled Shot in the Dark, comprises 70 "shots" reflecting "a chaotic vision of the highs and lows of nightlife in an increasingly 24-hour city." These can be viewed from the street - 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the new Tapioca Artspace HQ, Ridgefield, Deansgate (opp Est, Est, Est). Anyone want to write a review for the next issue of the Bugle? Also, Ice Cream You Scream is a 'photographic document' taken by Alasdair Baker whilst travelling with an icecream vendor. The exhibition will run at Nowhere Bar from 1 June - 30 June and at The Bar in Chorlton 5 July to 8 August. The Word
Made Modern
In the latest exhibition commissioned by the Annual Programme, artists Lansley & Bendon focus on themes of "deviance, sexual ambiguity, lust, power and anxiety" using photography and video. The gallery is at 31 Tib St (above the New Cross Army Surplus) and is open Thursday to Sunday, 12 noon to 5pm. com.art.99
This Bulletin
Goes out first week of every month.
issue
10
Congratulations
to Us!
"The Northern Quarter Association is a grassroots organisation that hasn't got any land and hasn't got any money. Their strategy of self-promotion allied with dogged persistence in seeking public sector aid has brought real jobs and real environmental improvements. Liam Curtin's public art scheme is a key element of this renaissance. It is enriching, life-affirming and symptomatic of the self-help vitality of Manchester's cultural quarter."
The latest
issue of Manchester Forum
also carries an article by former Chair of the Association, Michael Trainor,
focussing on the latest development site in the area: the former Smithfield
markets site. All NQA members should have received a copy of The
Forum, but if you would like
Ironically, at the same time as winning an award, Tib Street fell victim to a graffiti vandal - artist is not an appropriate title - who has hit many other areas of the city. Nearly every shop front and the carparks were affected, setting back the improvement of the street several years. The Association is currently encouraging the City Council to clean up the public buildings as a matter of urgency. Although not life-threatening, the effect of the vandalism is to make the street look tatty and uncared-for - which it most certainly is not. Unfortunately, local businesses are responsible for cleaning off the graffiti, although on some surfaces this is easier said than done. However, Operational Services hope to offer a cleaning service to the businesses on Tib Street, at a fee of course, for those who have not been able to remove the graffiti. Radio
Space in August
By now, you will all have noticed the construction of the David Kemp sculpture on the old ruin (corner Church St/Tib St). Completion will be Tuesday 11th May. This is an unusual and eye-catching work, and big. I asked a passer-by what he thought of it so far, he looked a bit bewildered and said "not decided yet". We are planning an event to 'inaugurate' the work in a few weeks time - we'll keep you posted. There are also now some rather fetching stone blocks on the triangle of space on Thomas Street - there is more to come - watch that space! What is
the Northern Quarter Association for, exactly?
"to represent the concerns and view of the area's traders,residents and workers; and,to promote the physical, economic, social and cultural development of the area and to raisefunds for this purpose."These aims are as relevant now as they ever were, but they do include just about everything. We had a good discussion and made a 'wish list' which could turn n/4 into a paradise! Items included on the list included: safety, green spaces, saving old buildings, a dog tap for thirsty muts, a police presence, grants, enough money for the Association, improved public transport and carparking, a commitment to maintaining the diverse and independent nature of n/4, a Smithfield site development we can be proud of, a wine shop and, of course, a cake shop. Mindful that this shopping list may take some time to get through, a number of Subgroups have been formed so a smaller number of people can get together to draw up action plans for the differen areas of concern. At present there are Subgroups on:
Maxine from the Hare & Hounds reports back and says a big Oscar-award-style thankyou. Saturday evening, April 3rd was a sporting night to remember!!! Pitz was inundated with Northern Quarterites for the first Six-a-Side Football Knockout Cup - and what a competition it was!! The cup was won by a very capable Fat City team, whom I warmly congratulate; and runners-up were my very own Hare & Hounds lads, who played absolutely brilliantly (I'm allowed to be biased!!) - and we only got pipped at the whistle by a mere three goals to one! The evening was organised extremely professionally by Johnny Woodhams - and a big thankyou to him for shouldering the responsibility of mustering all the teams, etc. The buffet at Pitz was delicious. My team were: James, Darren, Nigel, Duncan, Steve, Simon and Steve, and the supporters club, chaired by Stef (who was also fully kitted out as sub) were: Dave, Jessica, Max, Tina, Tony, Stefan, Ruth, and the loudest of them all, Reece. We will certainly be after the cup next year. In the meantime, Johnny, what about an Inter-N/4 Darts tournament, for the less athletically inclined!!?? n/4 =
bright & clean
£15,000. Examples might be: street lighting, gates across back alleys, environmental improvement work, CCTV, fencing - all proposals will be considered, but imaginative, simple ideas are particularly welcome (well, that's what it says on the blurb!).
Carparking
(there's an exciting title)
(the City Council) is about to set up a joint venture in conjunction with NCP, which will manage all city centre public parking. The Saga runs and runs ... Because of objections lodged by Manchester Street Traders [their livelihood is threatened], Afflecks Palace [their customers will be choked by fumes, if they are not first run down by a bus] and the Northern Quarter Association [the plans will form a Berlin Wall of buses through the middle of n/4], the City Council's plans to implement a Bus Contraflow system down Church Street will now go to Public Inquiry on 6 July. The three objectors have been invited to speak at the Inquiry. This seems to be part of what appears to be an attempt by the City Council's to get rid of street traders on Church St and Market St. I would like to think that Manchester is not Liverpool (where street traders have recently been banned): we value the vitality and colour that street traders bring to the city centre, not to mention employment. And anyway, the bananas are cheap. Anyone
got room for a rainforest on their windowsill?
I've had some responses to last month's moan - I like it when people complain - it shows you read this bulletin! [oops, does that mean an indundation of complaints on Monday ...] The single most effective policy for the area seems to have been the grants made available through the City Council for building improvements. Some property owners in this area are committed to renovation and saving derelict buildings, but do not have sufficient capital to do the whole job. There needs to be more grants available for saving the buildings. But, what if the grants do not materialise? Does that mean the buildings continue to stay empty until they fall down? And what if the building next to yours has dry-rot and the owners refuse to do anything? And, in at least one case, what if the owner is offered a development deal, isn't interested enough to reply, and then one windy day the plastic blows off his roof and the pigeons move in permanently? Michael Trainor recently did a quick survey of Oldham Street, finding 21 derelict or empty premises. Perhaps even more depressing is the fact that the situation was roughly the same four years ago. What to do? Ideas on a postcard to Manchester Planning Department .... Shop Front of the Month Award Goes to Blue View on Tib Street. Me and Michael were very impressed by the refurbished doorway which includes a lovely bit of pink neon flanked by mirrors - a very nice effect and a window display featuring 'what the butler didn't see'. The Northern Quarter Portrait: photographic street installation To kick off an 18-month project, The Northern Quarter Portrait, an exhibition of work by photographer Seb Pattenden will run from 18 May to 15 June. The exhibition, entitled Shot in the Dark, comprises 70 "shots" reflecting "a chaotic vision of the highs and lows of nightlife in an increasingly 24-hour city." These can be viewed from the street - 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the new Tapioca Artspace HQ, Ridgefield, Deansgate (opp Est, Est, Est). Anyone want to write a review for the next issue of the Bugle? Also, Ice Cream You Scream is a 'photographic document' taken by Alasdair Baker whilst travelling with an icecream vendor. The exhibition will run at Nowhere Bar from 1 June - 30 June and at The Bar in Chorlton 5 July to 8 August. The Word
Made Modern
In the latest exhibition commissioned by the Annual Programme, artists Lansley & Bendon focus on themes of "deviance, sexual ambiguity, lust, power and anxiety" using photography and video. The gallery is at 31 Tib St (above the New Cross Army Surplus) and is open Thursday to Sunday, 12 noon to 5pm. com.art.99
This Bulletin
Goes out first week of every month.
|