Appreciating the small details

Did you see the article on Sue-Ann and the Levenshulme Daily Photograph in last week's South Manchester Reporter? [Or the wonderful interview on Channel M which followed...?] Another example of local creativity and a conscious choice to see the positive, the beauty in the mundane. It kind of reminded me of the Harvey Keitel character in Paul Auster/Wayne Wang's movie Smoke, the way he photographed a view of the same street corner at the same time every day.

I'd stumbled across the blog back in January, a link via a link via a link, thought it was a great idea and sent a lovelevenshulme postcard pronto. Sue-Ann photographed the postcard (it being a small detail of everyday life - it's on her blog here). Susannah Wright at the South Manchester Reporter saw the blog and emailed me to ask if I was behind it (I put her straight on that score rightaway and got her in touch with Sue-Ann) and a couple of weeks later it's in print and I'm blogging about it...

On the lookout for In-spired designers

If lovelevenshulme's all about finding the positive stuff about living here and making a difference to how things turn out for this community in the future, then it's about time I mentioned the Levenshulme Inspire project on Stockport Road.

When I think about the way they're planning to revitalise the old United Reformed Church building, a building that was down on its knees and on the verge of collapse, I have to take my hat off, doff my cap, salute in a president-stepping-onto-the-tarmac kind of way and send them a postcard. I'm picturing it when it's finished: taking the kids to YASP's community café, maybe getting interviewed in community radio station ALLfm's new studio, wondering what inspired business ideas will hatch out of the incubator, or who the new neighbours are in the appartments upstairs. Lots of stuff going on under one roof, a £3 million revamp right in the heart of Levenshulme, creating what looks to be a very promising community space. Check out their website for the full business plan and latest news. [Go on, scroll down a bit later on and you'll see it in the BlogRoll on the right...]

Building work starts soon. Well, the demolition bit does, then the bricks and mortar. Hopefully the first of many projects to renew and restore our little stretch of the A6.

In the meantime, Ed Cox at Levenshulme Inspire tells me that the project is looking for local designers, artists, and all-round creative types to get involved in areas like graphic design, interior design of the building, a website revamp, publicity materials, even the design of five new stained glass windows. Lots of opportunities to make your mark, by the sound of it. You can email him at ed.cox@lev-inspire.org.uk or phone him on 07961 979 262

Your caring, sharing Co-op

Track down the page a bit and you'll find an August post from Ibrahim al-Caddy about life at the Village Stores on Barlow Road (a lovelevenshulme postcard outlet and the source of the finest fair trade honey you can get your mitts on) where he reflected on how things were going and what might happen next. Back then he said "... perhaps I should involve others or hand over to someone who can move the business on, it was mentioned that some people where interested in forming a Cooperative, this raised my hopes, but it came to nothing."

But wait, not so fast with the n-word! Levenshulme being the positive place that it is, I was chuffed to see an article in the South Manchester Reporter where things seem to be moving in a far more upbeat direction.

Talking about plans for a co-operative to develop Ibrahim's work, Lucy Lee said “We have ideas for a cafe, book shop, and rooms for community activities, it could become a thriving centre serving as a focus for the local community.” Absolutely right, and more power to your elbow.

Time to get along to The Bluebell pub on Barlow Road on Monday, February 23 at 8pm to find out what's being planned. I'm sure they won't mind me re-printing their contact details: tel. 07855 217308 / thevillageposse@yahoo.co.uk. Like Ibrahim said, "we need to make Levenshulme what we want it to be."

See you there.

Time for a cuppa: Zoe Byrne at the Art of Tea

Dear Love Levenshulme,

I'm just dropping you a line to let you know that one of your local artists, Zoë Byrne, is currently exhibiting her photographs and mixed media artwork as one half of an exhibition called "The Master of Complications" at The Art of Tea in Didsbury. Many of the photographs were taken in and around Levenshulme, particularly the Antiques Village and surrounding areas. It's Zoë's first exhibition in her home city and the private view went extremely well (last night - 4th Feb, the place was heaving). She's even co-written a book that goes with the exhibition of illustrations, photos & stories.

It's a must-see for anyone keen to see a Levy artist doing well, and the venue is lovely too. I'm only letting you know because she'd never get round to blowing her own trumpet about it and she deserves some recognition. The show runs until early May, so there's plenty of time to take a look, and the artwork is all sensibly priced (from £15 to £250 depending on size). The accompanying limited edition, signed book is just £15. I hope you manage to get down to The Art of Tea to see the show, but if not it would be great if you could give Zoë a mention on your blog. She, like you, is hopelessly in love with Levenshulme and has even turned me, a scouser, in to a fan of Levy too. Go to www.myspace.com/theartoftea for more info.

Kind regards, Roy McCarthy.

[There's also a blog here...]