City simply way ahead in spending league table
AMID all the fuss about Man City’s record breaking season there’s one record that hasn’t been mentioned - their massive spending.
In that respect they’re way ahead of the rest.
They used to be known as The City Slickers but a more apt name now would be The Oil Slickers or perhaps The New Sheikers? Bury fan, Prestwich
Let’s give back to bees
WITH World Bee Day 2018 fast approaching (May 20) and the everstrengthening link with the city’s spirit animal – it’s time to give something back to the bees of Manchester.
A large proportion of the world’s food supply is affected by honeybee pollination, so knowing how to look after Manchester’s bees is great for our beloved bee population and the farmers around Manchester.
I propose a list of tips for M.E.N. readers to save, maintain and encourage Manchester’s bee population.
Sources can include Manchester start-up ‘Just-Bee’ (featured on Dragons Den); local beekeepers from around Manchester (like Chorlton Honey Bees – who sell home-made honey from their house); Manchester District and Beekeepers Association (based in Heaton Park); and Hulme Community Garden Centre.
Local experts will offer concise advice on what flowers to plant (regardless of garden size), where to get your honey and even how to keep bees hydrated.
With bees being one of Manchester’s closest friends, it’s time to learn how to give back to the symbol which fills this city with so much pride. Alex van den Broek
No courtesy from charities
I have just attended an interview for a volunteer role at a charity for older people. When I arrived at the date and time specified by the charity, the person I came to see wasn’t there and hadn’t sent a message to say they weren’t coming.
I was told I would have been seeing someone else anyway but they had just gone ‘out to lunch’ and no-one had any idea when they would be back. When I asked if I should wait they shrugged and said ‘it was up to me.’ Reluctantly I left, feeling like I was an inconvenience.
I felt heavy-hearted as this is a regular occurrence when applying for voluntary work. I have several examples of attending for interviews and no-one knowing anything about it or being told to turn up to volunteer and then sent away.
As part of this volunteering role at the charity I had to fill in an application form and obtain two work references which they confirmed they had received. All this was wasted effort, plus the cost of travel to interviews. I had even cancelled an appointment to go to the interview and confirmed my attendance.
You often hear how volunteering is good for mental wellbeing and about ‘giving something back.’ In my experience I have been treated like a disposable commodity and treated without empathy or basic courtesy, which has been very damaging to my wellbeing with no positive outcome.
It seems there are many people willing to work for free and it would seem people just want to exploit this, with the people in charge of recruiting volunteers having a deficit of people skills.
I have lost a lot of time and money in my quest to do something positive to help others. I am not expecting thanks, just a bit a common courtesy wouldn’t go amiss. Disheartened volunteer
Rail decision is an insult
WHEN the people of Ashton-under-Lyne recently had to put up with the two-week closure of their railway station, Trans-Pennine Express publicity stated: “This essential work will deliver notable enhancements for rail customers across the North.”
It was not mentioned, however, that Ashton local passengers for Mossley, Greenfield, Yorkshire etc, will now have to change at Stalybridge on all journeys, with a consequent increase in fares differing between the private operators.
This surely adds insult to Mr Grayling’s recent decision to suspend the electrification of the Ashton and other lines across the North, at the same time that he was spending billions more on London railways.
In fact, the notion of ‘competition’ on public transport was always a false pretence – the only people it benefits are the millionaire franchisees when it suits them not to hand the keys back to the taxpayer.
The travelling public don’t care about the colour of the carriages – all we want is to get from A to B at a fair price in reasonable comfort. John McCarthy,