Monton locals unite to reimburse clown’s stolen Easter donations

  • Children’s entertainer Louby Lou held an Easter event for children at Monton Unitarian Church on Thursday 17 April
  • Money from the donations pot appeared to have been stolen when it was recovered at the end of the event
  • Members of the Monton Chat Facebook group sought to restore Louby Lou’s lost earnings via online donations

Monton locals have been left shocked after learning that a children’s clown and entertainer had her donations stolen during an Easter-themed event for children at Monton Unitarian Church on Thursday.

Lucy Wilkinson, 44, who performs for children as clown ‘Louby Lou’ at local events, said she was ‘blown away’ by the generosity of the Monton community after the news of the theft was posted in the Monton Chat group on Facebook.

The event invited children and parents from the local area into the church for some Easter-themed fun, and a donation pot positioned by the entrance had collected an estimated £20 in notes and coins for the performer.

However, when Church Secretary Pam Ward-Speers arrived to lock up the church at the end of the event and return the pot to Wilkinson, it was discovered that most of the donations had been stolen.

“I was quite shocked, but I was quite upset as well,” Pam said. “It’s not the sort of thing that we want to happen when they’re coming to our church.

“We want people to feel safe at church, and we don’t want to think that there are people around, especially when there are young children around, that might not be honest, so it was upsetting for us as well.”

Louby Lou also expressed her disbelief: “I love Monton, I love all the people here. I was more gobsmacked that it had happened in a church. I was just like, wow.”

In her upset, Pam took to Facebook to alert the local community of what had happened, writing: “The children had a lovely time with [Louby Lou] and the Easter Bunny – it was such a shame for it to end this way.”

Soon after posting, offers of donations started being made in the comments, and it became clear that Monton locals were keen to show their support in the wake of an upsetting situation.

One commenter wrote: “How can we help? Let us know if a fund is set up,” while several others agreed that they were ‘happy to contribute’.

Upon seeing the offers of help, Pam approached Rev. Anna Jarvis who suggested that donations could be made via the church’s website and subsequently passed on to Louby Lou.

fullsizerender

“I’m blown away by it. I really am,” said Louby Lou. “The comments that I saw, I was like, wow, this is just melting my heart of people who have come together and contributed. There are good people around, there really are.

“Mine and Rev. Anna’s mantra to each other is ‘love always wins’, and it does. It really, really does, and it’s proved it here. So there’s always a positive twist that comes out of everything, every day.”

Pam added: “In times of need and in times of crisis, we come together as a community, and it’s just amazing. It is just a beauty. It’s just a beautiful thing to be part of that community.

Pam has since confirmed that the online contributions have more than reimbursed Louby Lou’s lost donations, and that the ordeal has underscored the Monton community’s resilience and generosity.

She said: “Thank you to everybody who commented and donated, and just for all the encouragement and the love and support that people gave. It meant so much.”

The 60 for 60, Inside the M60: George Frewer leads 60km challenge for Movember

  • Monton local George Frewer will be leading a 60km run over two days to raise money for men’s health charity Movember
  • George is a passionate ambassador for Movember after experiencing mental health struggles during COVID-19
  • Donations and participation in the Movember running events are welcomed and encouraged

In a powerful initiative to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention, Monton local George Frewer will lead a dedicated team on “The 60 for 60, Inside the M60” challenge on 30 November and 1 December.

This effort, in support of Movember, will involve two days of running and walking to draw a giant number 60, inside the M60 in Manchester, symbolising the tragic statistic that 60 men die by suicide every hour globally.

7d3ea92c-83c6-49e2-92ac-cbaf002991f3-1

George’s Movember challenge in 2022

Using Strava, the team will create a massive “60” on the streets of Greater Manchester, drawing attention to the urgent need for action and support in mental health.

The almost 60km route takes the team to Swinton, Eccles, Old Trafford, Chorlton, Ardwick, Clayton, Middleton, Heaton Park, Cheetham Hill and Manchester City Centre.

“We are committed to making a difference and supporting Movember’s incredible work in mental health and suicide prevention,” George said.

“This challenge is more than just a physical feat; it’s a statement that we need to change the narrative around men’s mental health and provide the support they need.”

George, 48, is a leader of Monton Runners, and has also organised a Movember themed 5km run and fundraiser this evening with the local running group this evening (25 Nov).

Earlier this month, a couple of members of Monton Runners, including George, also participated in the Mo Running Liverpool half marathon.

From left to right: George Frewer, James Broadbent, and Matthew Godfrey of Monton Runners at the Mo Running Liverpool event on 16 November

Having struggled with his own mental health during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and seeing many of his friends and family going through the same thing, George applied to become a Movember Ambassador in 2020 to increase his involvement with the cause and make a difference.

He said: “I was lucky in that I managed to talk to two friends in particular and that helped me enormously. By walking with one and playing golf with the other, conversations happened and I was able to help myself through it.

“But too many people, men particularly, still feel there’s a stigma about opening up and talking about their struggles and feelings.”

How you can help

Now, George and his team are calling on the community to join them in this crucial cause by contributing to their fundraising efforts.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact in helping Movember continue their vital work in mental health and suicide prevention.

To get involved, you can:

  • Donate: Visit https://mobro.co/big-george to contribute directly to the cause
  • Spread the Word: Share George’s story and fundraising efforts on social media to help reach a wider audience
  • Join the Challenge: If you’re in the Manchester area, you can join George for part of the “The 60 for 60, Inside the M60” run and walk to show your support

“Together, we can make a difference and save lives.”

For more information on how to get involved or to donate, please contact George Frewer at gfrewer@gmail.com or 07824415410.

Monton Runners ‘take over’ Worsley Woods parkrun

  • Monton Runners members volunteered at Worsley Woods parkrun on 19 October
  • The group wanted to give back to the local running community
  • New members of all abilities are welcome, say the group’s leadership

Local running group Monton Runners held a parkrun takeover at yesterday’s (19 October) Worsley Woods event, with 20 members volunteering in a bid to give back to the running community.

Organised by one of Monton Runners’ leaders, Chris Pickering, the volunteers helped 390 runners, joggers, and walkers cross the finish line.

Of 33 total volunteers, 16 were first timers, and took on roles such as barcode scanning, funnel management, dispensing finish tokens, and course marshalling.

Chris, 36, who has been running for around 15 years, said: “There are quite a few of us from Monton Runners who go to parkrun fairly religiously, and even though some have volunteered before, a lot of us hadn’t.

“I thought it was time to give back to a community which serves us so well. We also run regularly on the loopline – it’s our local parkrun, so it had to be Worsley Woods that we chose.”

Monton Runners was established in December 2023 by Joel Shelvin, who wanted to create a ‘fun, free, and friendly’ running club that was accessible to all, regardless of ability.

Now, there are nine leaders who help to organise runs, with over 60 active members. “Anyone is welcome any week.” Chris added.

“It’s really important to us at Monton Runners that everyone is included, so although we have some really experienced and fast runners, we also make sure that every run has a tail runner to ensure that everyone feels welcome, no matter their ability or experience.”

“Monton Runners is continuously growing, and letting everyone at parkrun know that we are here was another reason for wanting to do the takeover.”

Chris Pickering

Monton Runners member and first-time parkrun volunteer Imogen Mayo, 24, said that for her, it was important to ‘do her bit’ and give back to the running community.

After getting into long-distance running during COVID, Imogen said: “Moving to Manchester from Liverpool, I didn’t really know anyone in the area so used the club as a way to meet people.

“I’ve been made to feel really welcome and included. I love the diversity of ages and abilities and always leave a session feeling fulfilled.”

George Frewer, 48, started running at 40 and explained that for him, running long distances is about peace and headspace.

He said: “I’m an occasional parkrunner and have done Worsley Woods a good number of times, as well as occasionally volunteering. I wanted to be part of the takeover as it’s very important to me to give back my time, and doing it with the gang is the perfect opportunity.”

George added that, as a leader of Monton Runners who joined the group in February, he has found the other runners to be ‘really supportive’ on runs when he hasn’t felt at is best physically or mentally.

“On days when I don’t really fancy it, the motivation to help others and run with those who are at the start of their running journey makes it worthwhile. I didn’t know I needed a running club in my life, but I am so thankful that I do.”

Another volunteer was Jess Pounder, 33, who grew up in Monton before moving to Bolton at 25. After completing Couch to 5K last year, she joined Monton Runners in Summer.

“I always thank the parkrun volunteers and the events couldn’t go ahead without them,” Jess said. “I wanted to give back.”

She described her experience with Monton Runners as being ‘very supportive’, and enjoys being able to talk to people on runs, meet people of different fitness levels, as well as feeling encouraged to continue in her running journey.

“Monton Runners has improved my running and my social life!”

Jess Pounder

Now, the leaders of Monton Runners are keen to welcome more members to the club for their runs, hikes, and social outings.

The group meets every Monday at 19:15 for a 5k run, starting and ending at Malt Dog on Monton Road, where many of the runners stay for a social drink afterwards.

Longer runs are held on Thursday evenings at 19:00, with the option to run a faster-paced 10k, or a shorter route often between 6-8k at a more relaxed pace.

Many of the runners have also signed up to complete the Great Manchester Run in May 2025, which for many of the members will be their first half marathon. On the run up to the event, the group will be supporting with training and getting up to distance.

Chris concluded: “Organisations like Parkrun and Monton Runners are so important in local communities. There are obvious benefits for your health, but the thing that has stood out for me since I joined the group in March is the social aspect.

“Although I’ve ran for years, I’ve never enjoyed it more and that is because of the supportive network we have curated. I knew no one when I started, and now I have a huge number of people motivating and supporting me – not just with running but in every aspect of my life!”

To get in touch with Monton Runners, they are contactable on Facebook or Instagram.

An artisan coffee shop with a Nepalese twist: Guras Café is a hidden gem

  • Guras opened in Summer 2024, taking over the former “Wilder and Wilder” premises in Swinton
  • Nepalese fusion cuisine in the form of quick bites and seasonal specials
  • A dog friendly pit stop, close to the Loop Line walking route

A family affair, Guras Café has received a warm welcome to the neighbourhood. Tucked behind the Worsley Road Co-Op, the team offer a range of light bites that can be customised to suit your taste. Monton Matters met with Manoj, founder of Guras Café, to learn a little more about what they hope to bring to the local community.

Manoj has experience in the restaurant business and has always had a passion to open a family-run café. Having lived in Swinton previously, he was excited to return to the local area. Taking a pragmatic approach, Manoj and the team are trialling different dishes, and creating a bespoke menu based on feedback from regulars.

“Hybrid” dishes that combine the flavours and spices of Nepalese food, and dishes such as Burritos, Bao Buns and Shawarma have been popular so far. Manoj advises they have already established a winning option- and the “Nepalese inspired Fajita Wraps” are here to stay, proving a popular lunch order for passing tradespeople and remote workers, looking for something different to the usual meal deal.

“My favourite dish is MoMo (dumplings).” Manoj explained this dish is a popular Nepali street food, also popular in Tibet. Guras serve homemade “Chicken MoMo” for £6.50 a portion.

Good quality coffee can be found at Guras. Through a partnership with premium roasters Oddy Knocky Coffee , based in Bolton, it is apparent that Guras are taking great pride in serving up a smooth cup of joe. Manoj explained, “I ask people, do you have time to wait five minutes for your coffee?” If they do, he ensures their cup is precisely measured to the gram.

Although unique drinks such as the “Strawberry Iced Matcha Latte”, will come and go, they will incorporate seasonal favourites such as “Pumpkin Spice” and “Gingerbread” lattes, as the darker nights roll in. For those looking for something crisp, they offer a selection of wine and ales; Guras is partnered with Pendlebury local House of Hops.

The loyalty scheme available is extremely generous. Stamped loyalty cards are easily mislaid, so the innovative system involves connecting your points to your payment method, and/or phone number. Points tot up quickly and with free drinks and discounts to claim, it’s worth the extra minute at the till to sign up.

Manoj has explained that Stockport’s immensely popular monthly “Foodie Friday” event is something he would love to see in Swinton one day. A combination of street food, live music, and family-friendly evening entertainment, is an exciting prospect for the future of our local area. With this in mind, there are plans to host local small businesses, artists and entrepreneurs at Guras, with evening activities including a, “painting workshop” in the pipeline. They’re open to collaborating with local businesses- just get in touch via their socials or pop in for a chat, and try the coffee for yourself.

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/gurasuk

Order & Collect | https://www.guras.co.uk/

@gurasuk

“Own Your Oddity”: TV and film acting school to nurture local young talent

  • Oddity Acting opened in Salford on 7 September, offering TV and film acrting classes for children and teens
  • Founders Sherelle and Annalise focus on acting techniques and audition skills
  • Classes are held at All Hallows RC High School, priced at £12 per session or £48 for a four-week block

A new drama school, Oddity Acting, opened its doors in Salford on Tuesday 3 September, offering young people in the area a chance to develop their TV and film acting skills.

Founded by actors Sherelle, 31, and Annalise, 26, the school aims to provide an accessible platform for aspiring actors in Salford, a community the pair believes is underserved in terms of opportunities for drama training.

Sherelle, an experienced actor and casting assistant, alongside Annalise, who has worked in theatre, film, and casting, formed Oddity Acting to offer more focused opportunities for children and teens.

While both founders have extensive experience working in casting, their shared passion for youth development drove them to create a space where young people could explore their talents.

“There are a lot of musical theatre schools where they focus on singing, dancing, that sort of thing, but when I was growing up, I really wanted to do just acting, but I felt like there wasn’t that much opportunity to do that,” Annalise said, explaining her motivation behind starting the school.

“We felt we could use our skills from being actors and casting assistants to really help nurture local talent.”

Both Sherelle and Annalise have worked with children extensively, casting young actors for commercials, video games, and films, and running workshops in schools.

Sherelle said: “We see great actors from their reels or what their agents give us, but when it comes to self tape auditions or in person castings, I guess sometimes you can tell if they’ve not really had a lot of experience with that, or it can be quite nerve wracking for them, which is completely understandable. So we really just want to give them the opportunity to build confidence in that area.”

There is a strong community focus at the heart of Oddity Acting

Oddity Acting will be based at All Hallows RC High School, chosen for its accessibility to young people from Salford and surrounding areas.

The founders emphasised the importance of offering something community-based, particularly in the wake of cuts to arts funding and drama programmes in schools.

While Sherelle noted opportunities in the area through hubs such as MediaCity, she also acknowledged that this could be intimidating for young people: “Sometimes you do just want something that’s more in your community that’s accessible and feels like something that actually you could go to.”

The school will offer classes tailored for different age groups, and each class will focus on acting techniques such as improvisation, character building, and script analysis, with practical experience in front of the camera.

Students will also have the chance to participate in mock castings and work on self-tapes, drawing on Sherelle and Annalise’s experience in casting.

Additionally, Oddity Acting will produce a short films with students, simulating the process of a professional film production. Students will audition for roles, go through rehearsals, and shoot the film, which will then be screened for their families and friends.

The school abides by its motto: ‘Own Your Oddity’

The school’s motto, “Own Your Oddity,” reflects the founders’ mission to embrace individuality and foster confidence in young performers.

Sherelle explained: “The reason why we chose that is because to call someone an oddity can seem negative, but we’re all about embracing who you are.

“That’s what makes you unique, and that is also your greatest asset, and especially in performing arts and in acting, TV and film.

“We’re all about just really embracing who you are, whoever you are, and just welcome everyone in a safe, supportive environment to build confidence, make friends, and ultimately work on the acting.”

The first classes began on Saturday 7 September following successful workshops throughout the summer.

The pair are offering classes on Tuesdays at 18:00-19:30 for 10-14 year-olds, and Saturdays at 10:00-11:30 for 8-11 year-olds, and 11:45-13:15pm for 12-15 year-olds. Classes for 15-18 year-olds will be introduced in the future.

Sessions will run in four-week blocks, with each class costing £12 per session, or £48 for the full block. Although spaces are still available, the founders report growing interest from local families.

Sherelle and Annalise believe Oddity Acting can fill a vital gap in Salford’s creative scene, with Annalise adding: “Acting is just a great way to build confidence and make new friends and just general life skills.

“But also, for those that want to pursue acting further, we believe we’ve got the experience in front of camera and behind to give them the insights into the process and help with their confidence.”

The school ultimately aims to create a supportive environment where children and teenagers can not only improve their acting abilities, but also build friendships and discover new passions.

As Salford’s media landscape continues to evolve, Oddity Acting strives to provide the first steps for many local young people as they work towards an acting career in the film and television industry.

[VIDEO] “Monton, keep supporting events like this!”: The Monton Summer Mingle proves hit amongst locals

  • The Monton Summer Mingle was hosted by the MVCA and Monton Unitarian Church on Saturday 6 July
  • Monton locals enjoyed market stalls, fairground rides, and entertainment throughout the day
  • The community is urged to keep supporting future events

The Monton Summer Mingle welcomed locals for a day of festivities on Saturday 6 July.

The event, which was hosted jointly by the Monton Village Community Association (MVCA) and Monton Unitarian Church, opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Reverend Anna Jarvis, before locals were welcomed onto the church grounds.

A fairground on the site of the former Boddan Lodge proved a hit amongst the community, as did numerous market stalls selling handmade crafts, local produce, and refreshments.

Following the success of the event, Marie Hargreaves’s, Monton Mingle Lead at the MVCA, urged locals to keep supporting these events and the local businesses in Monton.

Debbie Reeves, owner of the Garden Bar, headline sponsor of the event, also praised Monton for its community spirit, and alluded to the possibility of market-style events in the restaurant in future.

See more about how the day unfolded below:

Monton’s Summer Mingle is on Saturday July 6th

Organised by Monton Unitarian Church in partnership with Monton Village Community Association (MVCA), the event will include market stalls, children’s entertainment, food and confectionary, a floral workshop and community art installation, live entertainment and a two-day fun fair.

Most of the event, which runs from 11am until 7pm, will take place in the grounds of Monton Unitarian Church and there is something of interest for everyone in the community. The headline sponsor is The Garden Bar.

For foodies, there’s local honey, cakes & biscuits and cream teas alongside a range of wellbeing products. Blossom by La Turka will mixing up delicious mock-tails, Common Ground Coffee will be providing hot drinks and the Monton Van will be offering a range of tasty food and snacks.

Live entertainment will include live music throughout the day plus the Blue Bell will be running live music events during the day and into the evening.

For younger family members there will be plenty of games and entertainment including appearances from Louby Lou the clown, a Disney Princess meet and greet and special guests, Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall who will be attending between 1-4pm.

The fun fair includes tea cups and a waltzer and will be open on both Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July from 11am-7pm.

MVCA will be hosting a raffle with fantastic prizes from local businesses. Volunteers will be wearing yellow t-shirts and visitors can buy tickets from allocated sellers and the event information stall.

Marie Hargraves, Director of Monton Summer Mingle is impressed by the involvement and support of local businesses, and is encouraged by so many different community groups coming together to make this event one to remember.

She says: “We are lucky to have so many thriving businesses here in Monton and we’re delighted that so many of them are keen to get involved either by having their own stalls at the event or through sponsorship and promotion of the event.

“Platinum sponsor The Garden Bar has played a pivotal role in this event coming together alongside Blossom by La Turka and The Blue Bell.

“The Summer Mingle isn’t just about raising funds for the Unitarian Church and MVCA to help the wider community; we want to benefit local businesses by bringing more people into Monton to enjoy everything they have to offer and bring our community closer.”

Victoria Smith, Volunteer Manager, said: “Everyone has worked so hard bring this wonderful summer event to life over many months. We’d like to pay a special thanks to our volunteers as we couldn’t do anything without them.

“We have a great team of people who give back to their community and we’ll be looking to repay them with a fun experience and lots of snacks throughout the day to keep them going. La Turka is also very kindly hosting a wrap party for all our volunteers.”

Local businesses supporting the event include The Garden Bar, Blossom Bistro by La Turka, Blue Bell, The Bread Club, Edison Bar, Twig, Clear Clutter Now, Access Lock & Safe, Emma Evans Studio, Monton Village Bakery, The Gatsby Salon, Everything but the Cake, Ashley Tree Services and more.

[VIDEO] ‘Monton in Bloom’: Emma Evans Art Gallery exhibits Monton-inspired art

  • Monton locals were invited to Emma Evans Art Gallery for the ‘Monton in Bloom’ art preview
  • The collection takes inspiration from the cherry blossom trees on Monton Green
  • Violinist Elijah Chan played for guests in his UK performance debut

Emma Evans invited Monton locals along to preview her newest art collection, ‘Monton in Bloom’, in her Art Gallery above Wandering Palate last Monday evening.

The pieces, many of which are inspired by Monton’s cherry blossom trees, featured lots of bright colours and uplifting messages.

The Leeds-born artist expressed a love for Monton, where she and husband Will now call home and run their wine and charcuterie shop, Wandering Palate.

“A lot of my work is bright and colourful and that really represents the community in Monton.”

In her quest to bring more creativity to Monton, Emma also hosts life drawing sessions in the gallery space on the first Tuesday of every month.

The artist also invited Hong-Kong-born Elijah Chan to play violin as guests perused the collection.

His first performance in the UK, Elijah described the event as ‘relaxing’, and the ‘perfect’ opportunity for musicians.

Looking to the future, Emma plans to open up the gallery space to more local artists to showcase their work.

She said: “I want the walls to be a collective space so there’s going to be a call-out for artists very soon.”

Learn more about the ‘Monton in Bloom’ below:

New crossings to make Monton’s roads safer for school children

  • A new crossing on Monton Green was announced last month
  • Locals are offering their opinions on where two more crossings should go
  • Improving road safety in Monton through traffic calming measures is an ongoing mission for Eccles Labour

A new pedestrian crossing strategically positioned on Monton Green near Park Road will make getting to school easier for thousands of school children, Eccles Labour have said.

In a post published on 11 May to Facebook, it was revealed that the crossing would be in place by Autumn, along with confirmation that funding is in place for a further two crossings elsewhere in Monton.

In conversation with Labour Councillor Sharmina August, who was re-elected in May’s local elections, Monton Matters heard how the challenge to find a crossing guard for the area resulted in funding being made available for a permanent solution.

“We’ve had proposals for crossings all the way down Rocky Lane, Monton Green, and by the roundabouts for a number of years, but there’s never been any funding for it.

“We were initially hoping to get one big lot of funding to do it all at once to minimise the number of times we’re doing road works on that busy stretch of road, but it all came into focus last year when we were having real difficulty with [employing a new] crossing guard.

“The crossing guard that had been there for a number of years retired, and hiring someone to that post has proved to be really, really difficult.”

With around 4,000 children crossing that road each day to access various schools in the area, Cllr August highlighted the necessity of finding a solution quickly to avoid future accidents.

“You don’t see the cars because you’re waiting and waiting, you never know when that gap really is a real gap, so it is an accident waiting to happen and we know people go too fast.”

Instead of waiting for a larger pot of money to be made available to execute the original plan, the decision was taken to lobby the council for the funding needed to build this particular crossing as soon as possible.

The funding for the crossing, which was taken from the highways budget, was officially announced to the general public last month, and the crossing is targeted to be in use by the beginning of the Autumn term.

Locals have since expressed their relief and delight at the news, emphasizing the need for safer crossing routes throughout the village.

One comment on Eccles Labour’s Facebook post reads: “So happy about this – I’ve been asking now for this crossing for 10 years!”

Another commenter wrote: “This is amazing. So needed, well done!”

Now, with funding available for two more crossings in the village, locals have been invited to share their thoughts as to where these should be situated.

“The fact is that we need more crossings across the whole stretch, and we’ve got funding for two more. People are really happy about that as well.”

Some of the suggested areas include:

  • Somewhere between Monton’s two roundabouts
  • Across Canal Bank to enable easier access to Monton Medical Centre
  • Across Monton Green by the Blue Bell
  • Across Monton Road by the nursery
  • Across the bottom of Parrin Lane near the roundabout

Despite only having the funding for these three crossings initially, Cllr August emphasised that the long-term plan will involve more crossings, and that the location of any future crossings will be guided by local opinion.

Locals have asked for a crossing on Canal Bank

In a bid to improve road safety in Monton, a 2021 Bee Network proposal outlined traffic calming measures including 20mph speed limits in strategic areas, road narrowing, and cycle lanes.

Cllr August said: “We’ve got plans to try and make Monton safer. It’s not all set in stone. [The Bee Network Plan] was a consultation that we did a number of years ago about making Monton a safer place.

“It included traffic calming measures, and there were some cycle protected lanes, and again, that’s not set in stone as to whether those cycle lanes would or wouldn’t go in.”

Ultimately, Cllr August specified the need for cars to go slower around Monton, and potentially for fewer cars on the road, something which improved public transport could address.

“I think improving our bus network is going to help, but also the trams and the train network that we have. Patricroft station is pretty close to to Monton, but I don’t think we have the level of service that we need.

“A lot of people who might consider taking the train into the centre of Manchester, which is really quick, can’t rely upon it. It doesn’t get the carriages that it needs and they’re often cancelled, and it’s not got step free access as well.

“So it’s a wider strategy of thinking, can people get into Monton easier? Can they get out of Monton easier? And when they are here, how do we make it safer?”

It is hoped that in introducing crossings to Monton Road, Monton Green, and Canal Bank, road users will be unable to reach the speeds they currently do, making the area safer for pedestrians.

The council are also looking to make all the roads south of Monton Road 20mph to match the roads to the north.

Speaking more broadly about her re-election and future plans for Monton and Eccles, Cllr August said: “I’m really humbled to have been reelected, with so many people supporting me and all of the team in labour in Eccles.

c. Nick Harrison Photographer via Cllr Sharmina August

“We work really hard all year round, and I think we do our best to listen to what our residents want and I think this crossing is a perfect example of that.

“That’s more of what we want to do going forward. Making the whole of our ward more cohesive is one of my priorities.”

“We’ve purchased the shopping centre in Eccles, we’re going to be doing some great work to redevelop Eccles town centre whilst keeping in touch with our heritage and our roots, but I also think we need to work on connecting Monton and Eccles town centre, the two could work so well together.

“So we’re looking at ways that we can connect them in terms of walking paths, cycle paths, those sorts of things. I think that’ll be a big piece of work over the next four years for us.”

Monton favourite “La Turka” blossoms into a fabulous brunch hotspot. Next stop: “Monton Carlo”

  • Fresh look, same fantastic service
  • Extended hours with dog and pram friendly spaces available
  • “Monton Carlo” revealed as a “Mediterranean café”: due to open in Summer 2024

The transformation of Monton Road continues as we welcome new businesses to our community.

There has been no expense spared as the team behind popular eatery La Turka revealed a tasteful new interior and extended menu in March 2024, re-branding to ‘Blossom Bistro by La Turka’.

Monton Matters met with Zaf Kesici, La Turka Managing Director, to find out more about the revamp, and his exciting plans for rumoured new venture, Monton Carlo.

A restauranteur with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Zaf first brought his take on Turkish cuisine to Didsbury and Warrington, before settling in Monton, opening La Turka in 2015.

Famed for tasty skewers, light bites, and “one of the best value Sunday roasts in Monton” – it was great to see a range of exciting breakfast options such as ‘The Full Blossom Breakfast’ alongside the La Turka classics. According to Zaf, ‘The Lord of the Grill’ remains the most popular dish.

New options include daily deals, with ‘Manic Mondays’ offering 2 x courses for £20.95, and ‘Tapas Wednesdays’ offering customers 3 Tapas dishes for £15.00.

The Blossom Afternoon Tea strikes a balance between Mediterranean flavours such as hummus and falafel, with sultana scones and tea; customers can upgrade to bubbles for £5.00 extra.

For those looking to indulge, the trendy Bottomless Brunch is as popular as ever. At £33.00 for 90 minutes, it is an ideal choice for customers looking to stay local for special occasions.

The popular live entertainment including singers and dancers will continue on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Zaf explained that the extended menu and bright décor are designed to appeal to a wider audience, with a bright pink telephone box providing a stylish backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos.

The daytime concept was designed with accessibility in mind.”We have created a dog friendly space in the conservatory area, (and) configured the space to accommodate groups of up to 40 diners”- ideal for baby showers and business meetings.

Zaf welcomes customers with small babies and children, ensuring there is plenty of room for prams.

With comfortable booths and smaller tables to choose from, Blossom is ideal for those tired parents looking for a coffee and conversation during nap time.

Monton Matters asked Zaf for an update on Monton Carlo, opening just a few doors down the road.

Given the building work commenced in Spring 2024, and the name provoking some lighthearted discussion on social media recently, Zaf was delighted to announce more details.

Monton Carlo will be “a family place with a true Mediterranean café feel, offering patisserie-style cakes and light bites”.

The venue will also offer a cocktail menu and remain open in the evenings.

Plans for a soft launch are on the cards, and details will be shared via the Blossom by La Turka Facebook and Instagram pages- watch this space!

Blossom Bistro by La Turka are taking bookings online, and over the phone for group bookings of more than 10. Delivery options are scheduled to resume soon.