Local facilities

Vaccine rollout gets underway in Whalley Range

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Two pharmacy-based community vaccination centres are opening shortly in Whalley Range ward and will soon start administering Covid-19 vaccines in partnership with the NHS rollout.

Kapoor Pharmacy Services have teamed up with Whalley Range Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club to create a bespoke temporary facility at the clubhouse at 135 Kingsbrook Road.

Councillors Aftab Razaq and Angeliki Stogia visited the centre this afternoon to check how the fitout work was progressing. Aftab says “It’s quite a transformation – the team here have managed to create a clean, safe medical environment inside the clubhouse in just a short period of time”. Angeliki adds “Whalley Range is lucky to have not one but two local centres opening in our ward – it will really help older residents who don’t have cars or have understandable concerns about using public transport, as there may well be a vaccination centre within a short walk of their home”.

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Keeping cyclists and walkers in the Loop…

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Assia, Aftab and Angeliki meet local cyclists on the Fallowfield Loop

Manchester City Council, with partners Sustrans and Transport for Greater Manchester, have big plans to upgrade the popular cycling (and walking) route along the Fallowfield Loop, and they have launched a consultation to prioritise the improvements.

The traffic-free route links Chorlton in the west to Gorton and Fairfield in the east, running along the southern edge of Whalley Range ward with a ground-level link on Athol Road. Funding for this work has been earmarked from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund. Assia Shah, Whalley Range Labour candidate in the next local election, says “The Council are seeking the views of all users of this much-loved amenity on how this money should be spent. If you ever spend time cycling, jogging or even walking the dog on the Fallowfield Loop, I urge you to let them know how you think it can best be improved”.

The consultation closes on Friday 21 August. For more information and to take part, see the web page here.

Tackling ageism together – Mary speaks at Council

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Mary Watson speaking in Council

At the full Council meeting earlier today, Whalley Range Labour councillor Mary Watson seconded a motion calling on the Council to promote positive images of ageing, raise awareness of the benefits of older workers, and champion more age-friendly activity and infrastructure in our neighbourhoods. Mary used as an example the twelve benches installed in our area earlier this year with the support of Age-Friendly Whalley Range, which have proved really popular with local people, older and not so old.

To hear Mary’s speech in full, click on the image or follow this link.

New management for Whalley Range sports facility

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Angeliki Stogia by the 5-a-side football pitches

Many local residents in Whalley Range make good use of the mixed sports and gym facilities (including 5-a-side football pitches) on the Whalley Range 11-18 High School campus, which are shared with the school and Manchester Magic and Mystics Basketball Club. Following a period of uncertainty (when the previous operators Powerleague announced they were withdrawing) the Council have now appointed GLL to take over at the end of February, following submissions by four organisations.

Councillor Angeliki Stogia says “I’m very pleased to hear this news. Aftab, Mary and myself have been in close contact with Sport and Leisure Services since several local residents were in touch about the situation. We’ll continue to keep an eye on things while the transition takes place.”

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New plans for Spire hospital site on Russell Road

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Mary and Angeliki outside the site
Mary Watson and Angeliki Stogia discuss the plans outside the site

The Council has acquired the old Spire Hospital site on Russell Road, and plans are now underway for the UK’s first ever Extra Care scheme designed for older LGBT people.

Cllr Angeliki Stogia says “Whalley Range has been chosen for this exciting scheme of 77 homes because of its vibrant and diverse community, and good local amenities. Many Whalley Range residents identify as LGBT, and the number of older people is expected to rise significantly in coming years. Although targeted at LGBT people, the new facilities will be open to all.”

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