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Wythenshawe Reporter joins forces with regional press to demand action on rail misery

Pic Mickey cc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

TODAY we issue a rallying cry to the north: join us to demand what government promised us.

As part of our day of action, news titles across the region are starting a petition calling on ministers to come good on their northern powerhouse pledges – by ending the chaos on our rail services, signing off the upgrades they promised us and redressing decades of underfunding to the region.
Four years ago this month, then-Chancellor George Osborne promised – when unveiling his vision for a northern powerhouse – to ‘join our northern cities together’ with faster, modern transport connections.

Directly addressing the franchise eventually won by Northern Rail a year later, he said: “We’ll want to see not just better services, and more seats at peak times, but also better journeys.”

We agree.

So now that’s what we want.

Instead of launching a lengthy inquiry that will not report back – with information the government should already know – until the end of the year, transport secretary Chris Grayling needs to end the chaos on our rail network NOW.

We need a fair, fit-for-purpose compensation scheme put in place within days.

And we need the rest of the northern powerhouse that government promised us too: the major transport projects – such as extra platforms at Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road – we were pledged, but which are now languishing on Mr Grayling’s desk.

Finally, we want fair funding – not more second-class services, while London eyes up its SECOND high-speed CrossRail link.

With one voice, we say to the Prime Minister: You promised us a northern powerhouse.

It’s time you delivered it.

Sign our petition here: https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-end-the-northern-rail-nightmare-give-us-the-powerhouse-you-promised

By Jennifer Williams

REVIEW: Of Mice and Men @ The Opera House, Manchester

Many people are familiar with John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men either as admirers of the American literary giant or having studied it at school.

The story is centred around the unlikely coupling of George and his mentally disabled companion Lenny – a gentle giant unaware of his own strengt.

They are bound together by a mutual dependence and both harbour an unattainable longing for a utopia in which they will have a place of their own, where they will rear chickens, tend rabbits and live off the the fat of the land.

Steinbeck is rightly revered as a champion of the downtrodden and oppressed giving a voice to the poor and migrant workers of the American dustbowl.

You might say that you can’t go wrong with the the classic ingredients of a Steinbeck story – but you can if you mess about with those ingredients.

I’m not sure whether it is the result of the interpretation in this production at the Opera House or whether it was down to Steinbeck himself, but there were some strange departures from original text.

Fortunately the heart of the play, which relies on the relationship between exasperated George and his companion is not lost.

And the performances by Richard Keightley (George ) and Matthew Wynn as Lennie are touching, with well crafted portrayals of the elderly Candy from Andrew Boyer and Crooks from Kevin Mathurin

But Curly’s Wife, trapped in a world she is desperate to escape, is given new lines and different edge to her character that doesn’t quite fit. Rosemary Boyle does well with what she’s been given in this production, but what she’s been given is not the Curly’s wife I remember. In this version before the inevitable tragic encounter with Lenny, she has suitcase in hand and is ready to leave. But the Curly’s Wife I know would never leave. She is trapped.

But although this show could have been better in my view, it maintains the heart and soul of Steinbeck’s story and is certainly worth seeing.

Runs till Saturday.

Appeal for witnesses after scooter rider is left seriously hurt in crash

Police are appealing for witnesses to a crash in Wythenshawe which left a man seriously injured.

The crash happened at 12.20pm on Thursday 15, when a silver Skoda Rapide and a silver Honda NES scooter were in collision on Walney Road at the junction with Woodhouse Lane.

The Honda scooter was travelling along Nearbrook Road as the Skoda Rapide travelled along Woodhouse lane before they collided at the crossroads.

The 29-year-old man riding the Honda scooter was taken to hospital where he is currently being treated for a facial fractures and other serious injuries.

The driver of the Skoda remained at the scene to speak with officers.

No arrests have been made.

Police Constable Philip Shaw of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “My thoughts are with the man as he receives treatment in hospital and I would urge anyone who witnessed this collision to please get in touch.

“Road closures were in place for over five hours while investigation work was carried out and our enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision remain ongoing.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage should contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting reference number 813 of 15/02/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

REVIEW: Dad’s Army @ Northenden Methodist Church

When a legendary classic comedy like Dad’s Army is brought to the stage a by an amateur theatre, fans of the show can’t help being a little apprehensive.

But DON’T PANIC – this production by the Northenden Players is a superb recreation of the 1970s sitcom featuring the hapless misadventures of the Walmington-on-Sea home guard platoon in their efforts to defend the nation from the heel of the Nazi jackboot.

This is a very ambitious show and you have to salute the bravery of anyone who would attempt a homage to a comedy institution still shown on TV today.

But thanks to a strong cast and effective use of sets which enables swift scene changes, the Players pull it off admirably.

Everyone contributes to the success of the show, but at the centre of it all is an uncannily accurate portrayal of the pompous but heroic Captain Mainwaring.

Bill Platt just is Mainwaring and it is no exaggeration to say his performance is probably the closest thing you’ll get to the brilliant Arthur Lowe’s rendition on TV.

The production comprises three classic episodes – The Deadly Attachment, featuring one of the most repeated lines in comedy history; Mum’s Army; and The Godiva Affair – rounded off with an hilarious attempt by the platoon at a rendition of The Floral Dance.

The cast work well together to serve up a comedy treat and will not disappoint fans of the programme. The interplay between Mainwaring and his posh effete Sergeant Wilson, played by Peter Bowers is wonderful.

And Cyril Walker and David Hunt delight in the roles of doddery veteran Lance Cpl Jones and dour Scot, Private Frazer.

It is a hoot from start to finish and a great night out.

Runs till Saturday Feb 17.

Transport bosses make funding bid to expand Airport Metro line

Pic: Mikey

Transport for Greater Manchester has submitted a funding bid to the Department for Transport to extend the Metrolink’s Airport line.

The Airport line currently terminates at Manchester Airport’s railway station, but the funding bid outlines the potential to extend the line with an additional stop at Terminal 2.

According to a report in The Place North West, TfGM said the expansion would “align with Manchester Airport Group’s intended expansion to Terminal 2 and the future development of Airport City”.

TfGM will also look into extending the Metrolink from Terminal 2 to the proposed HS2 station at the airport, which forms part of the wider “Western Loop” initiative, which could potentially link the HS2 station at the airport to Wythenshawe Hospital and the surrounding area.

Other options to make the airport a transport hub for the area include proposals for a busway and cycleway linking Altrincham with the airport’s HS2 station; additional bus priority lanes on the existing road network; and an extension of the railway station’s platforms to increase capacity.