Comments for Eye On Manchester blog by Aidan O'Rourke Tutor Photographer

Comment on Salford Chimney Pot Park Urban Splash launch by Ex-Salfordian

Ex-Salfordian — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:35:53 +0000

I lived on Fir street until I was 17 when we were compulsory purchased. My mother was told the houses were to be demolished no question. We got £6,500 for the house and that was because we had fitted wardrobes. No offer was made to rehouse us in the redeveloped site despite living there all our lives. This is how communities are ‘revived’, they are forcibly displaced to an area of equal deprevation or compelled to take out a loan that will cripple them for the rest of their working lives. I’ve seen New Labour at work and they stink worse than the breath of the thug who tore my face open on Chimney Pot Park in 1997.

Comment on Princess Road Manchester’s main southern highway by Luke

Luke — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:19:44 +0000

Just a bit of an error I’ve spotted, the name of the road after William Hulme is actually Wilbraham not Moseley.

Comment on Bramhall – leafy Cheshire suburb between town and country by Steve

Steve — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:32:18 +0000

Hello – yes, I am often in Bramhall and find it is especially Leafy around the Bramhall Green patch – Climate is an interesting one around here – Some folk say that we often miss the snow around here – however, it all depends on which angle you approach from…If you drop down to Bramhall from the very snowy Peak District you will almost be guaranteed to find far less in Bramhall – However, come in from the Western Coastal fringes and you will often say – Oh! there’s some snow lying around here but there was none further West – Also, come from Manchester or Stockport town centres and you will witness just how significant grassy surfaces are in their ability to hold snow, whereas the concrete jungles of the Urbanised areas often fail to gather the falling snowflakes – so, even with the same amount of snowfall, places around Bramhall etc can often appear to have had more !- Hopefully, the grassy nature of Bramhall Green etc., will be maintained…Fortunately, grassy areas seem to breed further grassy developements, whenever construction takes place, so there is hope of maintaining the overall Leafy effect…Cheers, Steve

Comment on Debdale Park Gorton a great but under-used Manchester park by Mikey

Mikey — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:05:49 +0000

I have to disagree with you Peter, I dont think the life of Debdale revolves around ‘Dog people’, the park is usually very busy on warm days, granted there are not that many in Manchester!! But when the sun does decide to show, Debdale is brimming with families, people exercising, dog walkers as yourself stated. I do see that the park is uncared for in some ways but with all the development work being carried out now i think its the start of a new beginning for Debdale park.

Comment on MEN reports Network Rail’s proposals for Manchester stations by Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:26:53 +0000

The Northern Rail rolling stock, particularly the Class 142 units from Merseyrail, is a disgrace. I suggest abandoning the proposed airport Metrolink extension, which is totally unnessessary, and spending the money on much needed new rolling stock.

Comment on Manchester pubs under threat by Aidan O'Rourke

Aidan O'Rourke — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:15:14 +0000

I too am dismayed at the level of destruction of older buildings in Manchester. The latest I saw today was Ducie House on Denmark Road, a building with many associations for people going back decades. I feel we do not value our legacy buildings, which account for most of what Manchester is today. They often look scruffy, badly maintained and unloved. The area on Dickenson Rd next to Birchfields Rd is a good example. At this rate I will be spending more and more time in the Central Library looking at the local image collection! Thanks for your comments.

Comment on Manchester pubs under threat by Nick

Nick — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:50:31 +0000

I have been dismayed at the lack of knowledge and information at the resources of Manchester City Council regarding buildings at risk. Certainly not an efficient organisation.

The last time I checked with regards the Plymouth Grove Hotel Public House, I was told it could not be demolised due to listed status. This however as never stopped both Manchester City Council and property developers in the past and judging by the yet more poorly designed housing, so called redevelopment, I can sadly see this pub going the way of demolition as many historical buildings have already gone in Manchester.

Neither do those in charge at Manchester City Council have the skill, intelligence and creativity to save, reuse and sustain buildings of social historical importance and neither do they understand that since Thatchers destruction of the this country, we are a service industry and thus destination for tourists. Surely tourists want to see a little more than a Supermarket or MacDonalds!

Comment on Summertime madness – Why won’t they get the message about swimming? by Ian Yates

Ian Yates — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:24:14 +0000

Here in Burbank, a town roughly the same size as Ashton under lyne, has two outdoor pools.

I’m sure you have to consider climate as a factor in spending taxpayer money for facilities that will only be popular 5 or 6 days a year compared to 300 days as we here in Burbank. It’s almost August and last weekend was the first nice weather of summer in Manchester.
There is of course, the paddling pool in Stamford Park, Stalybridge, in what is today called Tameside.

Comment on MEN reports Network Rail’s proposals for Manchester stations by Aidan O'Rourke

Aidan O'Rourke — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:21:08 +0000

There are some serious shortcomings in the train service and have been for decades. Thanks for your comments and observations!

Comment on Summertime madness – Why won’t they get the message about swimming? by johnWoj

johnWoj — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:57:16 +0000

Most places in Europe have outdoor swimming places. People are allowed to swim in lakes and other public water pools like natural spas etc. In Manchester and the UK in general (apart from about 6 places I know of), it is forbidden. Why? I guess it’s that Brits can’t be trusted to be sensible and drink far too much lager on hot days and simply can’t behave themselves like normal Europeans. Let’s face it – the country is full of louts – and they all come out to play on a hot summer’s day.

Now if you go up to Calderdale, there are lots of little valleys and streams, pools etc where local folks can splash around and generally have a ‘cool’ time!!