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‘New life’ breathed into more than 100 community green spaces across Greater Manchester

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th October 2024

More than 100 green spaces across Greater Manchester have had new life breathed into them thanks to dedicated funding.

Thanks to community-led projects funded by Mayor Andy Burnham‘s Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund, a total of 103 spaces throughout the region have now been transformed since 2022, and the latest round of the fund this year saw 17 successful projects awarded a share of more than £370,000, empowering community groups to make Greater Manchester greener.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says these projects bring communities together, and also encourage local residents to get involved in nature recovery.

Residents have been able to get involved with everything from volunteering opportunities and building green skills, to learning how to grow their own food, maintain gardens and green spaces, and so much more.

A ‘Secret Garden’ next to a primary school in Bolton, and a COVID memorial garden in Stockport are just two of the successful projects to have benefited from funding in this latest allocation.

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Impressively, 22,015 trees and plants have also been introduced to the area since the Fund was started up in 2022, and more 100,000 Greater Manchester people have engaged with completed Green Spaces Fund projects after their transformations.

“It has become increasingly apparent over recent years that green spaces where nature can flourish are vital, not just for our local wildlife but our residents’ physical and mental health,” explained Mayor Andy Burnham.

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‘New life’ has been breathed into more than 100 community green spaces across Greater Manchester / Credit: Greta Hoffman (via Pexels)

“With more than a hundred projects, the Green Spaces Fund is making a huge difference to people’s lives and I’d like to thank each and every one of the brilliant community group members, volunteers, and local businesses that have got behind it and brought it to life.

“It’s a remarkable movement, helping make Greater Manchester a greener, fairer place to live for all.”

The Green Spaces Fund is managed by the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF) – which is said to be a ‘pioneering body’ created in partnership with The Wildlife Trust for Manchester, Lancashire, and North Merseyside, and GMCA.

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GMEF is all about bringing together communities and funding bodies keen to channel their resources into addressing environmental problems.

Featured Image – GMCA

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Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tommy Muir dead tributes

Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.

News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.

The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.

Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.

By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.

There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.

Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.

He also famously face-timed with Kevin de Bruyne back in 2018, during which he said, “I want to watch this City team for 100 years.”

Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.

Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.

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Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.

Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.

“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”

“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”

Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Bluemoon Forum/X

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A look at Embassy Village as construction on Manchester’s homeless housing project begins

Danny Jones Danny Jones Embassy Village for homeless people in Manchester work started

Work has officially begun on Manchester’s long-rumoured Embassy Village, a new living quarters designed specifically to house the local homeless community.

Set to be the largest purpose-built village of its kind in the UK, the hope is to provide short to medium-term housing for up to 40 rough sleepers in the Greater Manchester area.

Planning permission for the £4 million project proposed by the Embassy Charity was handed down back in 2021 and enabling works have been gradually taking place, with the land now fully prepped for construction to begin.

Officially breaking ground on Tuesday, 19 November, developers and regeneration specialists Peel Waters shared the first images from the site as well as concept artwork for what the district will look like once completed.

The 4.5-acre brownfield site sits beneath 22 railway arches just off the Egerton Street Bridge near Castlefield and the bustling Regent Road which heads towards Salford.

Designed to house homeless and vulnerable people living in and around Manchester within individual units, Embassy Village is a joint non-profit venture by both Peel Waters and well-known property company Capital&Centric.

Contractor Vermont Group will be taking on the construction for free, with around 50 organisations offering their services pro bono, including AEW Architects, Planit and Jon Matthews Architects, who helped design the living quarters and wider communal space from the ground up.

Aiming to create a genuinely beneficial community environment, with those staying there able to access green spaces, mini-allotment plots, sports facilities; counselling services, laundry rooms, computer spaces and tonnes more, they’ve come a long way from offering tour bus beds to the homeless.

Residents will also start off on the right path towards getting back on their feet and those staying there will be required to carry out six hours of training per week in things like shopping, cooking, budgeting and other key life skills.

Speaking on the first day of proper construction, Peel Waters‘ director James Whittaker said: “Today’s launch event is an important milestone, marking years of hard work and collaboration to deliver the UK’s first purpose-built community village…”

He went on to thank all of those who have backed the plans so far, including Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham, who has already applauded it as a “fantastic idea.”

With several local organisations either offering their help for free or contribute by donating to the project, the speed at which work can now move is increasing and it is expected that the 24 homes, as well as the central ‘village hall’ space, will be finished within the next 10 months.

The aim is for Embassy Village to be completed in its entirety by the end of 2025 and with more and more businesses being invited to help with the development along the way, the amount of resources and manpower is only looking like it will increase with approximately £1m still needed to fully bring it to life.

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Cooperating with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which specialises in helping the homeless through its ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, Embassy are now working on finding long-term funding for the village’s operational costs once it is up and running.

Another key benefactor is The Moulding Foundation, an organisation dedicated to alleviating social inequalities, who donated £3.5m to support the village’s construction.

Co-founder, Jodie Moulding, told Prolific North: “For most people, access to housing, healthcare, and education is a given – but for others, it is a privilege…

“It has taken an unbelievable amount of time, effort, and energy to get to this point, so finally breaking ground is a huge milestone for everyone involved in bringing Embassy Village to life.”

As for Embassy themselves the charity’s director, Sid Williams, added: “Special thanks go to Matt and Jodie Moulding for their financial backing and the teams at Peel Waters, Capital&Centric, the Mayor’s Charity and Manchester City Council for making this happen.”

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Peel Waters (supplied)

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