Centralisation of the UK’s local media continues following the sale of the majority of the Guardian Media Group’s regional arm, including the Manchester Evening News and its associated weeklies, to Trinity Mirror Plc. Read more
Welfare Reform: who will it affect?
As part of MULE’s feature on the Welfare Reform Bill, set to be trialled in Greater Manchester towards the end of 2010, Hazel Kent looks at who’s likely to be hit hardest by the Government’s latest welfare-cutting masterplan.
Theatre Review: Ghost Boy
For 17-year-old, MC-ing drug dealer Jamal, life on the Lemonade Estate is tough; nowhere near as sweet as it sounds. Keith Saha’s Ghost Boy, now showing at Contact Theatre, sets a tale of knife crime and weed-fuelled paranoia to a beatboxed, hip hop score. Innovative lyrics and dance punctuate a script which attempts to balance [...]
Parents and teachers fight Stretford school closures
Trafford Council has proposed two schools in Stretford close to form a new Academy. Lostock College and Stretford High School are due to be shut in August with plans for the new Academy based at the site of Stretford High.
Forced labour for Jobseekers
Despite high levels of unemployment due to the recession jobseekers in Greater Manchester will be forced to work up to 40 hours a week as part of the Work for Your Benefits (WfYB) pilot scheme. The region is set to be the trialling ground for a government initiative that will see unemployed people put into [...]
Asylum Seeking Playwright released from detention
MULE has been following the story of community campaigner and playwright Lydia Besong since December, when she was taken into detention just days after her debut play premiered at The Zion Centre in Hulme. Lydia arrived in the UK in 2006 with her husband, political campaigner Bernard Batey, after fleeing persecution in Cameroon, to claim [...]
Kick-starting Manchester’s regeneration game (again)
Public money is streaming into private property developers but despite the bail out companies are not required to build extra affordable housing. Andy Lockhart investigates the Northwest companies receiving funds, missing deadlines and continuing to sell at a premium.
Film Preview: ¡Viva! Festival
¡Viva!, the only festival of Spanish and Latin American cinema in the UK, begins its three week residency at Cornerhouse this Saturday. In a departure from previous years’ programming, thematic strands have been abandoned, after parties jettisoned in favour of Spanish-language cafe discussions and emphasis firmly placed on the new. The results look promising.
Griffinwatch
Barely a day goes by without people across the country wondering what their MEP is up to. So we at MULE thought we’d keep you up to date with exciting events in Strasbourg, home of the European Parliament. It just so happens that the Northwest is blessed to be represented there by everyone’s favourite glass-eyed [...]
Unemployed Workers Unions spring up from Salford initiative
MULE spoke to Alex Halligan, one of the founders of the first modern-day Unemployed Workers’ Union, in Salford. The phenomenon is now sweeping the country, 80 years after the Battle of Bexley Square.
North West Development Agency celebrates 10 years
You might have noticed the name North West Development Agency appearing all over MULE recently – it’s under pretty much every public-private stone you overturn. It puts a lot of money into regeneration, and is part of the New East Manchester Ltd partnership. It’s been funding the National Football Museum, it’s given money to United [...]
Art Review: Greg Holland Photography
The Art of Tea is a charmingly chic café-bar in East Didsbury becoming well known for its exhibitions. Until 16 May the walls will be graced with the photography of talented local artist Greg Holland.
Anger over plans to close community centres
The future of publicly-provided local community centres in Bury is in doubt following the leak of a confidential report. Discovery of the plans have led to the formation of campaign group Save Our Suite to defend the popular Longfield Suite, whose future may be decided next month amid accusations that Bury Council is ignoring residents.
Contact with Moston
Manchester’s Contact Theatre has been at the forefront of cultural life in the city since it opened in 1999. Thanks to its DNA project it is reaching beyond its Oxford Road base and beginning to have a positive influence in other areas of Manchester.
Council scores own-goal by closing Urbis
This Saturday, Urbis’ pop culture exhibition centre will close its doors for the last time. The iconic building is due to re-open in August 2011 to house the National Museum Football, relocated from its former home in Preston. Debates over which guise is more interesting, profitable or “good for Manchester” have missed a vital point: deciding [...]
Cutbacks in democracy?
Moves to create an authority to oversee all of Greater Manchester have been criticised as undemocratic. The Manchester City Region Combined Authority will take powers away from elected local councils and put them in the hands of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities Executive Board.
Palestinian farmers refused visas to visit Manchester for Fairtrade Fortnight
In a move which directly contradicts Gordon Brown’s support for Palestinian olive oil gaining Fairtrade accreditation in 2009, the UK Border Agency has refused visas to three Palestinian farmers scheduled to visit the UK during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010. Yet others already legally in the country have resolved to continue.
People’s History Museum re-opens
The People’s History Museum reopened on 13 February. The re-developed riverside gallery returns offering the public a chance to “explore world changing events led by the working people of Britain”.
Hulme regeneration update
Hulme residents are once again facing ‘regeneration’ plans which have been met widespread opposition. The proposals involve demolishing Arch Bar and building six-storey student flats on the site. The bar has been closed since a drive-by shooting in 2007.
Tescopoly: Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect £21 million
Trafford Council are considering granting planning permission for a 166,847 sq ft ‘mega Tesco’ in Stretford, a move which has been met with fierce opposition. The Council say the £21 million raised by the sale of the site could be used to regenerate Lancashire County Cricket Club. The No Mega Tesco campaign claims this amounts [...]