Russell thanks volunteers

At the Christmas meal for volunteers held on dec 21st 2012. Russell Kirby, Chorlton Good Neighbour's Chair thanks the volunteers for their efforts throughout the year

[youtube=http://youtu.be/uNcHij-k-6U]

Bob Cowans to be awarded Arctic Convoy Medal

Bob Cowan is 93 years old. and together with his wife Joyce he is an active member of Chorlton Good Neighbours. He is a veteran of the World War 2 Arctic convoys and we have been running a campaign to get Bob and the other few remainiing Arctic Convoy the medal they deserve

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced in PM Question Time in the House of Commons today (19-12-12) that veterans of the Arctic convoys in the Second World War now will be awarded medals..

The prime minister said: "I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic Convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did"

On February 7th 2013 Good Neighbours will be having an event to celebrate the Arctic Convoy Star medal that Bob Cowan will be receiving and to celebrate his achievements and those other members of Good Neighbours who served in Wordl War 2

For further information about Bob and the campaign for the Arctic Medal see:

Update from BBC News:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20783362

Bob to get Arctic Convoy Medal

Bob to get Arctic Convoy Medal

Bob Cowan is 93 years old. and together with his wife Joyce he is an active member of Chorlton Good Neighbours. He is a veteran of the World War 2 Arctic convoys and we have been running a campaign to get Bob and the other few remainiing Arctic Convoy the medal they deserve

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced in PM Question Time in the House of Commons today (19-12-12) that veterans of the Arctic convoys in the Second World War now will be awarded medals..

The prime minister said: "I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic Convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did"

On February 7th 2013 Good Neighbours will be having an event to celebrate the Arctic Convoy Star medal that Bob Cowan will be receiving and to celebrate his achievements and those other members of Good Neighbours who served in Wordl War 2

For further information about Bob and the campaign for the Arctic Medal see:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20783362

Gardening Club Christmas update

The Chorlton Good Neighbours garden club was closed for Christmas and New Year but we've had a busy few weeks as you will see.

To begin with things got very physical down at the garden when we decided to tackle the foundations of the old scout hut. There had been all sorts of plans to utilise the existing bricks and mortar for a path or work round it but our new volunteer John had some confidence in this area and he went to get his pick axe so we could just get rid of it! This created a real buzz and everyone worked really hard to get the foundations up in just a couple of hours. Well done everybody!



We also managed to get hold of large chest to lock up our tools on site. This will be of massive benefit because we currently use a church cupboard to store our tools - now we will be more self sufficient. The tool shed was a real bargain as it was bought on gumtree but this meant that it had to be taken down by our head volunteer Bernard from someone's garden and then put back again from memory during our gardening session. This created a few interesting "conversations" and more than a little head scratching as we worked out which bits went where. It was a nice job to do indoors though as we hit our first rained out session of the year. The only problem was once we've created this massive chest was how we were going to get it into the garden. Fortunately creativity and group work won the day and our tool chest is now fully installed

[youtube=http://youtu.be/PETfUMq2wzY].

Christmas and New Year - a time of celebration and new beginnings. In aid of this we had a little social down at the site with jacket potatoes cooked in the fire (not particularly christmassy I know but its a more preferred tradition to brussel sprouts), mulled apple juice and minced pies.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/y3Vf83BOaIc]

With a nod to the new year we planted a few bulbs and some hardy plants. It is a risky business planting this late in the year but if it works out we will have some colour in spring. It also feels like a nice positive thing to do at the end of the year

Our Gardening Sessions are 10-12.30 every Friday (although we are now closed until the new year). If you would like to find out more contact us on 0161-881-2925 or come along to our office at Wilbraham St Ninian's Church, Egerton Road South and have a look for yourself.

Carolyn O'Hanlon

Older Men's Development Worker

Historical Research with volunteer Tony Goulding

At St Ninians, in the old church hall there sits a marble plaque in honour of William Carter, who died at a young age, like many men of his generation, in the first world war. Most people pass through the hall without giving this plaque and the life it represents a glance. However, our Chorlton Good Neighbours volunteer Tony Goulding has a keen interest in history. He saw this plaque and decided to do his own investigations. His results so far have been very illuminating and hopefully can inspire us all to take another look at the history behind our surroundings.

Part one of his investigations below:

...and part two

...Tony is still investigating so hopefully we will have more updates in the new year

A very rainy day in the garden...

We've been lucky with the Good Neighbours Gardening group sessions on Friday mornings, but today (14-12-12) it decided to pour down. We had purchased a large, second hand Keter garden storage box earlier in the week so we could keep our tools in it. We did this in the church hall and managed to do it eventually even though we had no plans to go on. [youtube=http://youtu.be/PETfUMq2wzY]

We also had a problem taking the box into the garden as it wouldn't go through the gate. We managed to lift it over the fence and now it is in position and another addition to our small garden/allotment

Baking Potatoes and Planting Bulbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Vf83BOaIc

On a lovely crisp and sunny December day (7-12-12) in the Good Neighbours garden, we lit a fire, baked some potatoes cleared up some rubbish and planted some plants and bulbs. We have been really luck with the weather on our Friday morning gardening sessions ....so far

Bumper Christmas Update - Chorlton Good Neighbours Gardening Club

The Chorlton Good Neighbours garden club is now closed for Christmas and New Year but we've had a busy few weeks as you will see.

To begin with things got very physical down at the garden when we decided to tackle the foundations of the old scout hut. There had been all sorts of plans to utilise the existing bricks and mortar for a path or work round it but our new volunteer John had some confidence in this area and he went to get his pick axe so we could just get rid of it! This created a real buzz and everyone worked really hard to get the foundations up in just a couple of hours. Well done everybody!

 

We also managed to get hold of large chest to lock up our tools on site. This will be of massive benefit because we currently use a church cupboard to store our tools - now we will be more self sufficient. The tool shed was a real bargain as it was bought on gumtree but this meant that it had to be taken down by our head volunteer Bernard from someone's garden and then put back again from memory during our gardening session. This created a few interesting "conversations" and more than a little head scratching as we worked out which bits went where. It was a nice job to do indoors though as we hit our first rained out session of the year. The only problem was once we've created this massive chest was how we were going to get it into the garden. Fortunately creativity and group work won the day and our tool chest is now fully installed.

Christmas and New Year - a time of celebration and new beginnings. In aid of this we had a little social down at the site with jacket potatoes cooked in the fire (not particularly christmassy I know but its a more preferred tradition to brussel sprouts), mulled apple juice and minced pies.

With a nod to the new year we planted sa few bulbs and some hardy plants. It is a risky business planting this late in the year but if it works out we will have some colour in spring. It also feels like a nice positive thing to do at the end of the year.

The one thing that has impressed me about the gardening group is how hard the volunteers work and what a group of interesting, funny and easy going men they are. I feel very privileged to be working with them and it was nice to be able to sit back and celebrate what we have achieved so far.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our blog readers!!

Our Gardening Sessions are 10-12.30 every Friday (although we are now closed until the new year). If you would like to find out more contact us on 0161-881-2925 or come along to our office at St Ninian's Church, Egerton Road South and have a look for yourself. 

Carolyn O'Hanlon

Older Men Development Worker



Punch & Judy - talk by Rev Ian Mutton

Good Neighbours Christmas Party

Chorlton Good Neighbours Christmas Party was held on Sunday 2nd December. Despite the frosty weather there was a full turnout. Everyone enjoyed the christmas meal, games, bingo, raffle and music from entertainer Ken Ford.

 

Good Neighbours Christmas Party

Chorlton Good Neighbours Christmas Party was held on Sunday 2nd December. Despite the frosty weather there was a full turnout. Everyone enjoyed the christmas meal, games, bingo, raffle and music from entertainer Ken Ford.

Dominic Kelly, Storyteller

Dominic Kelly, an acclaimed storyteller (www.dominickelly.uk.com), came to Good Neighbours coffee morning on Thursday 22nd November as part of Chorlton Book Week. His stories were very well received and he won the audience over with his warm personality and the acting out of his comic and engaging stories. This is just one of those stories involving a large stone and a son trying to win over his father to accept his choice of a new wife......

 

Day Out at FC United

Several of us from Chorlton Good Neighbours went for a trip to Bury to watch FC United Play Rushall Olympic on a cold Saturday afternoon, 17th November. Unfortunately for us FCUM lost by 4-0, their worst defeat of the season. Whilst this rather dampened our enthusiasm a bit, we still had a good time. The crowd never stopped chanting and supporting United and everyone was very friendly and helpful.

 

Hops and Hardy Chrysanthemums

Yet another sunny morning down at the gardening club. Peter finished off uncovering the foundations of the old scout hut. We thought we would have four walls but we only have three. Not sure what happened there but at least we know what we are dealing with now.

 

A generous volunteer Enid, donated some beautiful yellow chrysanthemums from her garden so that we could have a little dash of colour in the garden at this rather barren time of year. Paul and I planted them up in a bed and I think they look rather nice. There is something very positive about putting in plants at this time of year when you've been working so hard digging over, harvesting, weeding and constructing and it made the patio look a little more jolly.

 

 

We also put a layer of spent hops down on our empty raised beds. Many thanks to Ringway Brewery Limited, a new microbrewery in Stockport for providing and delivering these hops for free. Spent hops are a byproduct of the brewing process and are valuable to the gardener as a mulch and soil improver. From my experience of using them on my own allottment they are very attractive to worms so they really help to break down and feed the soil over winter. The hops do smell vaguely of beer but it is not unpleasant. You might smell a bit more like you've been down the pub rather than down the allottment once you finished spreading it though!

 

 

Our Gardening Sessions are 10-12.30 every Friday. If you would like to find out more contact us on 0161-881-2925 or come along to our office at St Ninian's Church, Egerton Road South and have a look for yourself. 

Carolyn O'Hanlon

Older Men Development Worker

An afternoon at the snooker club

Last Tuesday I was sent out to experience Chorlton Good Neighbours Snooker afternoon. I was feeling a bit nervous as as I've never played Snooker before and was going to need a crash course.

I needn't have worried though because the atmosphere was very relaxed and everyone was very friendly. The afternoon started off with a couple of drinks and a chat in the bar and then we moved through to the games room. We set up two games of four and away we went.

I've played a few rounds of pool at University but snooker feels a bit more of a gentleman's game - it certainly has some more complicated rules and a much larger table. I liked the old school brass and wood counter that kept track of the points although I'm not sure I always understood the point system. I managed to pot a few balls and after a very shaky start myself and my partner managed to gain on our opponents. In the end we lost but it was a close run thing. I've certainly been encouraged to have another go at snooker. However, it was probably for the benefit of everyone that the darts didn't come out at this particular session as I've never played that either and it could have got messy. Quit while your ahead O'Hanlon!

All in all, I had a very pleasant and relaxing couple of hours in good company and I learnt to play a new game. Can't say fairer than that.

The snooker group is lead by Wayne Marr. Wayne is very warm and makes sure that everyone feels welcome and knows what they are doing so he'll look after you if you come down for the first time. There are a real range of abilities at the snooker group so whether you are a snooker whizz or a beginner like me you'll have a good afternoon. It is also fine to just pop down and have a chat - you won't be pressurised to play. So go on, why not give it a try? Snooker afternoons are from 1 - 3 pm every Tuesday. Contact Helen at 0161 881 2925 or goodneighbours@btconnect.com for more details.

Carolyn O'Hanlon
Older Men Development Worker

Autumn Leaves and Archeological Digs

The wind swirled the autumn leaves but once again we dodged Manchester's favourite weather; rain and we were able to have another productive session.

Bernard and Peter finished off the compost bays and started it off with our own homemade woodchip.

Paul did a good deed by clearing away the leaves that have gathered around the church. However we weren't just interested in removing the leaves we were interested in cultivating leaf mould for our plot. Autumn leaves aren't just for kicking you know - they can be a useful free resource for gardeners. Simply collect leaves, water if not damp already, store in bin bags with holes punched in them, a compost bay or a your own homemade cage made with chicken wire and leave for a year or two. Once mould has grown on the leaves you can use it as a mulch or soil improver. Leave it even longer and it breaks down into crumbly material that you can use as a potting compost. One of the tips I got from Debdale Eco Centre in Gorton is that putting a weight on the leaves helps to speed up this process so we will be placing some bricks on top of our bags and tucking them away for a year or two.

Meanwhile, Tony and I planned to dig over a patch of soil next to the patio. However it soon became more like an archeological dig when we uncovered the wall and foundations of an old scout hut long demolished. This gives us an interesting dillemma. Do we try to put our greenhouse over these foundations or do we create a raised bed over them? Whilst trying to uncover the extent of the remains we found such "ancient artifacts" as buttons and milk bottles. I say lets call Time Team and get some geophys surveying going!



Our Gardening Sessions are 10-12.30 every Friday. If you would like to find out more contact us on 0161-881-2925 or come along to our office at St Ninian's Church, Egerton Road South and have a look for yourself. 

Carolyn O'Hanlon
Older Men Development Worker