Baker House Office: 0800 234 6826 Open 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday (& until 6pm on Wednesday)

Emergency Repairs: 0800 234 6826

Allpay: 0870 234 6040 for Direct Debit, debit/credit card payments & ordering new rent cards

Housing Benefit queries: 0161 234 5003 e: benefit.enquiries@ manchester.gov.uk

Useful contactsCouncil Tax queries: 0161 234 5002 e: ctax.enquiries@ manchester.gov.uk

MCC Adaptations Team: 0161 234 5001 e: mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk

Miles Platting Outreach Library: 0161 227 3787

Environment On Call: 0161 234 5004 e: contact@manchester.gov.uk

Find out your utility supplier:

Gas: 0870 608 1524

Electric: 0870 751 0093

This document is available in other languages,larger text, Braille and on audio cd.

Issue 29Miles Platting

Winter 2014

What’s insideMessage from Neighbourhood Policepage 2

What’s on for the over 50’s?page 4

Money saving tips for Xmaspage 8

Double successfor Miles Platting work clubpage 10

Christmas opening times for the Adactus Housing Office:Christmas Eve 9am–4pm

Christmas Day Closed

Boxing Day Closed

27th/28th December Closed

29th December 9am–5pm

30th December 9am–5pm

31st December 9am–4pm

1st January Closed

2nd January 9am–5pm

Facebook: ‘Adactus

Miles Platting’.

Twitter: ‘AdactusMP’.

Adactus Miles Platting

gets connected.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Yearfrom all the staff at Adactus Housing Association!

First of all I would like to introduce the newest member of our team PCSO Donna Kennedy. Donna joined as a PCSO in October this year and will be working in the Miles Platting and Ancoats areas. Donna looks forward to engaging with the community and taking part in local events.

Christmas is fast approaching and as your Neighbourhood Policing Team we would like to wish you a happy and safe time. Christmas is also a busy time of year for criminals, with a high percentage of crime being opportunistic.

Don’t let a criminal enjoy Christmas at your expense!

Here are some tips to help keep you safe this Christmas:

Dear residents

2

Individual Electoral Registration

3

How to claim Council Tax Support if you have started claiming Universal Credit.Have you claimed Council Tax Support?

If you have claimed Universal Credit and have a

liability to pay council tax, you need to make a

claim for Council Tax Support with Manchester

City Council.

It is important that you do this. If you don’t, you

will have to pay your council tax bill in full.

If you are already receiving/have already

claimed Council Tax Support, you do not need

to make a further claim.

You can make a claim online at manchester.

gov.uk/benefits and select ‘Work out and claim

benefit’. Once you have made a claim online

you will get a list of information and evidence

you need to provide. You should send this to

Manchester City Council straight away.

It’s easy to claim Council Tax SupportThere is access to free internet and computers in all the city’s libraries as well as the Customer Service Centre in the Town Hall Extension.

Do you need help claiming?The Council Tax department offer appointments to help you fill in your claim form at the following places:

• CustomerServiceCentre,TownHallExtension,M60 2LA

• NorthCityLibrary,RochdaleRoad,M94AF

To make an appointmentGo to manchester.gov.uk/benefits and select Benefits Service: contacts, appointments, reception points.

Phone: 0161 234 5003

Or book an appointment with Tina Chadwick, FinancialInclusionOfficeratAdactusbyphoning 0161 203 2600 (option 2).

miles platting spotlightmiles platting spotlight

• Ensureallyourdoorsandwindowsareclosedand locked

• Don’tleavepresentsundertheChristmastreebefore the big day

• Don’tleaveanyvaluablesorpresentsin your car

• Don’tcarrylargeamountsofcashorvaluables

• Makesureyoudisposeofpackagingfrompresents – don’t advertise your new toys to everyone!

FormoreadvisepleasecallyourNeighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 3521

Police Non emergency – 101

VisitourFacebook–GMPMANCHESTEREAST

Followusontwitter@gmpnewtonheath

Message from your local Neighbourhood Policing Team

The new system, called Individual Electoral Registration, means that everyone is now responsible for registering themselves. Under the old system, the head of the household could register everyone who lived at their address but this has now changed. The easiest way of registering is online. You will need a few details, including your national insurance number and date of birth, to do this.

Registeringisimportant–youneedtoregistertobe able to vote at the next election and have your say. You could experience difficulties with credit

reference agencies as they use the register to confirm where you live to help counteract fraud.

So if you need a mobile phone contract, a loan or a mortgage, being on the electoral register will help your application.

Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote for more information and to complete the online application. You can use the internet at Miles Platting Outreach Library, opening times are shown on page 2.

The way you register to vote has changed

Contact us!If you’d like to get in touch about anything related

to this issue of Spotlight contact Issie Howard

on 07918 907 645

isobel.howard@adactushousing.co.uk

or Vicki Greer on 07739 297124

victoria.greer@adactushousing.co.uk

Issie Howard

Vicki Greer

Manchester International Festival returns next summer between 2 – 15 July, the first three shows have just been announced and there’s something for everyone.

Cbeebie’sJustinFletchercreatesTheTaleofMrTumble, a new show for children and their families atManchesterOperaHousebetween11–19July. Before Justin, Jamie xx, artist Olafur Eliasson and Salford’s Wayne McGregor are at the Opera House with Tree of Codes, a contemporary ballet. Also announced, but not on sale yet, is The Age of Starlight. Brian Cox and the visual effects team behind the film Gravity tell the story of the universe with cutting edge digital technology.

ManchesterInternationalFestivalonceagainhasareduced price ticket scheme for local audiences: a number of the best tickets for every performance of every show will be on sale exclusively for Greater Manchester residents at just £12.

Findoutmoreatwww.mif.co.ukFacebook:mcrintfestivalTwitter: MIFestival

Manchester International Festival announces first three shows

What’s on for the Over 50s?My Generation - Manchester’s very own Over 50s Club Night

Forfurtherinformationandticketsplease

contactTraceyAnnetteattheAgeFriendly

Manchester team on 0161 234 4299.

These popular club nights, aimed specifically at club goers of the 50s, 60s and 70s, take place attheRoadhouseonNewtonStreetincentralManchester.

BBC Breakfast news is keen to feature the club nights and we are hopeful that a future event will be filmed on location. The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Sue Cooley, has chosen to highlight how organisations and services can act positively to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst older people and she will be our honorary guest at the next Club Night.

If you are a local group or organisation looking for a night of live music and dancing in a safe and

friendly venue, please consider reserving tickets in advance. Tickets are limited and are on sale at £5 each.

Dates of forthcoming nights are:

Sunday11thJanuary2015withtheRetrobeats

Sunday19thApril2015withtheMaccaBand

andSunday12thJulyand4thOctober-withlivebands still to be confirmed.

4

Age Friendly Miles PlattingLaunch of the Miles Platting and Newton Heath Age Friendly NetworkThe Network is bringing together partners who work with older people to improve services for local older people. It held its launch meeting on Friday 31st October at St George’s Community Centre and was well attended.

Organisations such as the Adult Education Service, Libraries, Zest and others will set out an Action Plan which will include the development of an improved physical activity offer for people over 50 living in Miles Platting and an improved social offer for older people at St George’s Community Centre.

If you represent a local group or organisation working with older people and want to join the Network please get in touch with either Tracey Annette t.annette@manchester.gov.uk or phone 0161 234 4299 or Issie Howard isobel.howard@adactushousing.co.uk or phone 0161 203 2600 (option 2).

Age Friendly Miles Platting

Ancoats Dispensary Trust needs you!!

We have agreed to host a page in the

Spotlight newsletter dedicated to all things

Age Friendly.

On this page you will find regular updates

fromtheAgeFriendlyMilesPlattingand

Newton Heath Network, advertisements

promoting activities and opportunities for

people who are over 50 years old and ways

you can be involved in making Miles Platting

moreAgeFriendly.

A crowdfunding site has been set up on Spacehive which promotes civic projects, where you can find more information about the project, and the opportunity to donate to this once in a lifetime chance to save a unique part of Manchester’s heritage in one of the most disadvantages wards in Britain.

If you are able to make a donation either personally or through your organisation’s charitable donations, we would very much appreciate your support.

www.spacehive.com/thebeatingheartofancoats

miles platting spotlight miles platting spotlight

Above:The Age of Starlight.Opposite: The Tale of Mr Tumble

Front Row Film Club FrontRowFilmClubtakesplaceevery1stand3rd Wednesday of the month 12 – 3pm at Heathfield Hall, Heathfield Street, Newton Heath M401FL.

Scheduled films are:

17th December – Walking on Sunshine 6th January – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 20th January – The Fault in Our Stars Upcoming films include Pride, The 100 Foot Journey and Exotic Marigold Hotel II.

Formoredetailsortobookaplace please contact Laura at Zest on 234 3724/07834869203 or email L.Cassidy@manchester.gov.uk Just £1.50 towards refreshments – light buffet lunch served at 12 noon.

5

From 1st November 2014 the price per hour for hiring the Centre for children’s parties will increase to £15 per hour plus a £30 returnable deposit.

The Community Centre is only hired for children’s parties on the understanding that the building must be cleaned and tidied at the end of the party.

All requests for bookings must made using the official booking form and are subject to availability and approval by the Community Association.

Contact St George’s on 0161 834 9368.

St George’s Open All Day Fridays

Polite reminder

Walking FootballEastlands Trust and MCFC City in the Community Foundation are working in partnership to deliver Walking Football at the Manchester Tennis & Football Centre on the Etihad Campus.

These sessions are aimed at predominantly older adult males/females (50+) who are after a great fun way of keeping active. The sessions works as the name states, you walk and play football instead of running! Why not pop along and take part every Tuesday 12pm-1pm for just £2. Contact the Centre on 0161 220 3840 for more details.

Miles Platting Exercise Sessions Following consultation new exercise sessions coming soon.

Contact Laura Cassidy at Zest on 234 3724 – L.Cassidy@manchester.gov.uk for more information or take a look at: www.facebook.com/ZestManchester.

New Ramps & Youth

Room for Urban ExpressionThe fantastic Urban Expression Youth Night at the

National Cycling Centre is pleased to announce

two new arrivals! New ramps for skateboards

and scooters are now available at the session

which runs every Saturday at 7pm. A brand new

dedicated youth room is also now open, with

young people invited to assist in the up-cycling

of furniture to give it a personalised feel. Anyone

aged 10-18 can attend Urban Expression, which

costs just £1.50 per week and also includes

BMX, graffiti art, street dance, basketball and

lots more!

St George’s Community Centre on the big screen!The Centre was recently used for filming a new 3partITVdrama,‘TheTrialsofJimmyRose’featuringAmandaRedmondandRayWinston.FilmingtookplaceatthebeginningofNovemberand the drama will be shown in the next few months- watch this space!

Festive Fun at Open All Day Fridays at St George’s

Friday 19th December 10:30am - 3pm

• Christmasmarkettabletopstalls

• FREEfestivesnacksanddrinks

• FREEsalsa

• FREEpilates

• FREEbingo

• FREEfestiveprizedraw(£50,£20and£10

Arndale vouchers up for grabs)

Get in the Christmas spirit and join the fun...

all welcome!

Disability Cycling Available Every WeekEastlands Trust are now running “Access BMX”

cycling sessions at the National Cycling Centre

every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm

for just £2 a session (first session free). These

sessions offer a range of adapted bikes to users,

such as hand cycles, trikes and BMX bikes – all

of which can be used on the indoor BMX track.

Full-facehelmets,legandarmpadswillalso

be supplied.

A health questionnaire needs to be completed

either online or in person before your first visit.

Foradditionalinformation,pleasecontactthe

National Cycling Centre reception on:

0161 223 2244 or email:

bmx@nationalcyclingcentre.com.

6 7

miles platting spotlight miles platting spotlight

• ComealongandusetheFREEITfacilitiesattheWork Club

• Getafreshcoffeeandpieceoftoast

• TrypilatesforFREE,whereyoucanfocus on developing strength, balance, flexibility, posture and good breathing techniques – 11.30am – 12.30pm.

• TrytheLatinAmericaninspireddance,salsa forFREE–1.45pm–3.15pm.

• Meetothermembersofthecommunity and socialise

Always wondered what goes on at the Centre but never had the chance to drop in?Well now you can! Every Friday 10:00am- 4:00pm the Centre is open to ALL!

Tip 1: Priority first It’s an expensive time of year but make sure you still pay the essentials - your rent, food, council tax and gas/electricity.

Tip 2: Set a budget and stick to itWaiting for the credit card bills in January can be a difficult time as many people don’t know how much they owe. Stick to a realistic budget so there won’t be any scary New Year surprises.

Tip 3: Be careful about over borrowing14%ofpeoplespendmorethanninemonthsrepaying money they spent over Christmas. Only spend what you can really afford to pay back or you’ll be paying for many months and this could affect you well into 2015.

8

Things going on and local news

Coffee MorningsCoffee mornings at the Vic Mill Community Centre (outreach library)The next one will take place on: Wednesday January 7th 10:30am – 12.00pm

The Outreach Library at the Vic Mill Community Centre is open:

Tuesday 2:00pm – 5:00pmWednesday 10:00am – 1:00pmThursday 1:00pm – 7:00pmSaturday 10:00am – 1:00pm

7

miles platting spotlight

Health WalkHealth Walk every Wednesday morning. Short gentle walk either around Ancoats or in a local park around Manchester. Fordetailsofwheretomeetandafullprogrammeofwalks contact Diane Aronwich Age UK Manchester 07950 427292 or email: diane.aronwich@ageukmanchester.org.uk.

City in the Community

FREE KICKS football sessions for 6-14 year olds

at Park View Community School pitch, Holland

Street, Saturday 11am- 1pm.

9

Line DancingLine dance and social every second

Thursday in the month at St George’s

Community Centre, 12.30 - 3.00pm.

Absolute beginners welcome, come and

have some fun, learn a new skill and

make some new friends. Cost £2 with

refreshments and raffle included.

Next dance will be the Christmas special on

Thursday 11 December.

FormoredetailscontactDianeAronwich

Age UK Manchester 07950 427292

or e-mail: diane.aronwich@ageukmanchester.org.uk.

Money saving tips over the festive period

Tip 4: Secret SantaYou won’t be alone in feeling like you don’t have enough money at Christmas. Speak to your family and friends and arrange a secret Santa - it’s good fun and saves money!

Tip 5: Save now for next ChristmasCashbox Credit Union offers a Christmas savings club. You can save what you can afford and get paid out in November, direct into your bank account in timeforChristmas.Call01613423266formoreinformation. Some supermarkets offer a Christmas savings card where they will give you a cash bonus depending on the amount you have saved.

Tip 6: Remember Christmas isn’t about the buying of presents; it’s about having your family and friends together around you!

Visit moneysavingexpert.com for more tips and advice.

OludareAdebusyi,45,fromAudlemClose,hasbeen attending the work club regularly while he searched for work. He has now started work as a Warehouse Operative after seeing the job advertised at the weekly club. Oludare had been using the work club to search for jobs and to update his CV. He said “The work club has been really helpful for me; the staff are really supportive and have let me know when suitable positions are advertised. Without the work club I wouldn’t have seen this job because it was advertised on a website that I didn’t know about”.

FellowMilesPlattingresident,AntonyTaylor,56,an experienced carer, had been searching for work for several months but has also now started a new job. Anthony from Shardlow Close said that he couldn’t have done it without the support of he work club. He said “The help I have had from thestaffattheworkclubhasbeenamazing.Ihavebeen every week and used their computers to send applications and their phones to chase up job leads. It is hard being out of work so it’s nice to see a friendly face every week to share a cup of tea and to get the encouragement to carry on looking when you feel disheartened. I am made up to be starting work again finally”.

The Miles Platting Work Club is celebrating after two of our regular jobseekers found work in the same week.

Comments from some of the current Adactus500 members

“ It’s such a great way to earn a bit of extra money as well as giving Adactus my views on services.”“ Great idea - I’m really happy to be involved.”“ I’m able to give my views from the comfort of my own home.”

The Miles Platting Work Club has been running every Tuesday morning at Baker House since the start of 2013. Since it started it has helped 37 local residents back into work.

IssieHoward,ResidentInvolvementOfficer,said“We are delighted two of our regulars have found work at the same time. It’s great for them and it gives hope to the others who have been struggling to find a position. Their hard work and persistence has paid off!”

If you would like to use our laptops to search for work or would like help to write a CV, covering letter or application form then please drop in.

The work club runs every Tuesday from 10.30am until midday and is open to anyone

seeking work.

Double success for Miles Platting Work Club

A chance to earn someextra money

Other local work clubs with FREE IT facilities

YPAC have a brand new website, which is worth a visit www.ypacmanchester.org.uk

YPAC Work Club for 16-25 year oldsEvery Friday 2:00pm-5:00pmSt George’s Youth and Community Centre, Livesey Street

• Allocatedworkerforeachperson• Individualhealthandwellbeingassessment

focused on mood, nutrition and motivation• Accesstraining,accreditationandapprenticeships

New Work Club open to everyoneEvery Friday 11:00am- 1:30pm

St George’s Youth and Community Centre, Livesey Street

• UsetheITfacilities• Havehelplookingforjobs• Jobsearching• Volunteeropportunities

10

Christmas tree recycling

If you have a real Christmas tree make sure that

you recycle it once the festivities are over.

All you have to do is leave your tree next to

your green bin on any of the fortnightly

collection days through January 2015 (it doesn’t

matter whether you’ve got a big green wheelie

bin or one of the food only small green bins),

please remove the wooden base - these are too

solid to be processed.

If you haven’t got one at your address, you can

order a green recycling bin by logging on to the

Manchester City Council website here

www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200084/bins_

rubbish_and_recycling/6217/get_a_new_bin_

box_or_recycling_bag

Live in a block of flats?If you have a green bin in your shared bin store, leave your tree next to that. If you don’t have a green bin please email: contact@manchester.gov.uk to request a Christmas tree collection – the council will get back in touch to let you know when to leave it out (this will NOT count as one of your free bulky waste collections).

Over the Christmas period about 30% more rubbish is produced. Glass, cans, Christmas trees, cards, wrapping paper and plastic are all thrown away in dustbins across the country. This year why not make a special effort to try and minimise the amount of waste produced over the festive period. With a little thought, we can all limit the impact that we have. Below is a list of ideas to help reduce, reuse and recycle our waste over Christmas and into the New Year.

Reuse• CutoldChristmascardsandmaketagsfor

presents next year.

• BuyChristmastreeswithrootssotheycanbeplanted in the garden in spring or alternatively buy an artificial Christmas tree that can be used year after year.

• Buyrechargeableinsteadofdisposablebatteries.

Reduce• WhenshoppingforChristmaspresentsuse

reusable shopping bags or reuse carrier bags.

• DonotoverwrapChristmaspresents;useaChristmas stocking instead of paper for smaller gifts.

• WhynottrysendingelectronicChristmascards.

Recycling tips for the festive period

11

miles platting spotlight miles platting spotlight

The big question on Christmas Day, after you have cleared away the plates and done the washing up, is what are you going to do with all the left overs? If you want something a little more exciting than Turkey sandwiches then why not try this recipe for Turkey & Sprout Hash – a delicious way to use up two festive favourites, turkey and brussel sprouts.

Christmas leftovers recipe

12 13

News update from Ancoats Dispensary Trust

In August, a small group from Ancoats Dispensary Trust (ADT) began working with Upper Space a community arts organisation based in Spectator Mill, Ancoats. The idea was that local people or anyone who had any connections with Ancoats and in particular the Dispensary would be invited to create a banner that would reflect how they felt about the area and the building itself.

The famous banner maker Ed Hall travelled up from London to not only see the Dispensary but to provide a template for the banner so that work could begin. Ed used to be an architect before becoming involved in trade unions and has made banners that have been seen all over the world. When he saw the Dispensary he said it was “the best example of Victorian gothic architecture he has ever seen”. Upper Space not only worked with ADT but with local schools and community groups in the area.

Particular thanks must go to St George’s Community Centre for the use of the space in which to work and Janine, Barney and Tom for their support. We are hoping that the banner will be displayed at various venues throughout the area. The banner is huge and heavy so we have to make sure it can be displayed safely. We are hoping that on Tuesday the 16th of December at our ‘Night of Art’ event at Halle St Michaels in George Leigh StreetAncoatsat7pm–9pmthebannerwillbeable to be displayed.

So put a date in your diary for the 16th of December when there will be pictures you can purchase, raffle tickets for a signed Manchester City shirt (result on the night), refreshments, nibbles and wine plus fruit juice and a chance to signupforFREEasasupporter.Therewillalso

be originally designed Christmas cards by artist Janet Bray for those who are on the last minute buying your cards. All proceeds will go towards the restorationofthebuilding.EntryisFREE.It’salsoa chance to see the inside of what was St Michaels church, now it has been restored as a community resource.

We were one of the 11 community groups to receive funding from Miles Platting residents at the Miles Platting You Decide voting day and are now happy to say that we have begun to order the equipment. Once we have this up and running we will fulfil our promise to ‘tour’ the area not only promoting Ancoats Dispensary Trust but showing heritagefootagefromtheNorthWestFilmArchives. We also intend to use the equipment to show films made by both the Group and our supporters as we move towards restoration.

Well it’s been a busy summer that began with our attendance at Phillips Park Party in the Park festival in July when lots of people visited our stall and told us stories about their experience of Ancoats Hospital when it was in its heyday.

A big thank you to all those who voted for us and thanks to Adactus for giving us the opportunity.

If you have any left over parsnips, carrots or cabbage then you can add those too, or try adding some chopped bacon and herbs for extra flavour. Foravegetarianversionsimplyleaveouttheturkeyand add extra veggies.

FormoreideasonhowtomakethemostofyourleftoversthroughouttheyearvisittheLoveFoodHate Waste website where you can find lots of easy and inspiring recipes: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Cook’s tip Try making 1 large hash by frying everything up in a large frying pan.

Ingredients:

• 3tbspoil• 1onion,sliced• 500g(1lb)leftoverroastorboiled

potatoes, chopped• 300g(11oz)leftovercookedsprouts,chopped• 250g(9oz)leftoverroastturkey,chopped• 4mediumeggs,poached

Method:

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan and fry the onionfor4-5minutesuntilbrowned.Mashthepotatoes roughly in a large bowl.

2. Mix onions into the potato with the sprouts and turkey, season to taste and mix well with a spoon.

3. Heat the remaining oil and press the hash into thefryingpanandfry3-4minutes.Turnthehash over, (don’t worry if it breaks up) and fry for a further 2-3 minutes until golden.

4. Servetoppedwithapoachedegg.

miles platting spotlight miles platting spotlight

Serves: 4

Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 20 mins

Pat’s gardening corner

The range of gifts is enormous from gardening books to packets of seeds, subscriptions to gardening magazines to garden equipment like secateurs or a ticket to garden show.

Some of my favourite gift ideas are the decorative bird feeders which you can find in many of the garden centres at the moment or plant up a basket or pot with colourful violas and heathers.

It’s that time of year when you think the garden is something to be wrapped up, put away and left until next spring but there are lots of things that can be done now to help spring be an even better time of year!

Below are just a few :-

Pick a dry still day to rake up fallen leaves, don’t put them on the compost heap, as leaves break down in a cold process, whereas a traditional compost heap breaks organic matter down in a warm/hot process. Put them into a leaf composter, or make leafmould.

How to make leafmould - Left on the lawn, leaves will prevent light reaching the grass, and trap moisture, killing the grass and encouraging the spread of moss. Collect the leaves with a garden rake or leaf blower. I then run over the leaves a few times with my lawnmower (with the grass box removed), so the leaves are shreaded, this speeds up the rotting process as well as reducing the amount of space needed to store them. Pile the leaves or shreadings into black bin liners, add some water and after tying the tops of the bags, poke some holes in the side with a garden fork and store them in a secluded part of your garden. In 12-18 months you should have some nice leafmould.

If you have any decorative plant pots that aren’t frostproof empty them of all soil and store them in the shed, greenhouse or garage.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover shrubs that are likely to be damaged by frost with garden fleece, sacking or an old light blanket.

Replacesummerbeddinginborderswithwinterflowering pansies, polyanthus, wallflowers, myosotis, tulips and daffodils bulbs.

Leave the old growth of tender plants unpruned over the winter months. This will help to protect the central crown of the plant and take the brunt of any frost damage. If plants are cut back hard in autumn new growth could be damaged by frost.

Don’t forget the wildlife - top up your bird feeders with peanuts and hang up some fatballs, a tasty and welcome treat in the winter months.

Christmas garden giveawaysBe the first to bag your free Christmas garden giveaways*• Aselectionofsmallindoorplantpots(various

colours)• Aselectionofflowerseeds• Bulbbaskets(forgroundplanting)• Selectionofspringbulbs• Handyhessiangardeningbag• Gardentwine• Handygardengloves• Slugpellets

(Contact Pat at Adactus Housing for your free giveaway, but be quick as stock is limited. Open to Adactus residents only).

Email: Patrice.campbell@adactushousing.co.uk

Phone: 0161 203 2600 (option 2)

15

???Many of you will now be looking forward to and preparing for the festive season. So much time and worry goes into all the decisions that need to be made for the annual celebration, with many of them centring on gifts. Fresh flowers and plants are always appreciated by the garden-lover whether it’s a bouquet or a Poinsettia.

Questions & AnswersA couple of questions from the mail bagQ. Which plants can I use to pot up my patio container that will withstand the winter months?

A. One of my favourites this year is a pansy calledPansyFizzyLemmonberry.Allpansies, violas and heathers are great for brightening up the winter months, along with wallflower and polyanthus (you should still cover with a fleece on very cold nights).Q. I have a lot of clay in my soil, how can I improve it?

A. Make use of the frosts we have been having, dig over the soil and let the frost get to work, it will help break up the clay. There is also a product called Clay Breaker which you can purchase at any Garden Centre. Bulky organic matter like composted bark is also a great way of improving your soil.

14

gardening corner gardening corner

Q&A