Picture Book Moss Side

To explore through text from 'Forever and Ever Amen' and relevant images what a 'community' is, the importance of 'community' and what is needed to make a successful community.

Introduction

In 'Forever and Ever Amen' Joe Pemberton describes the demolition of a row of houses in Fairlawn Street.  The people who lived there will have had to move out and will have had to go and live somewhere else.  It was the end of that community, as it had been known.  He also describes the rebuilding programme in Moss Side at that time and the hopes that people had for the future of the area.

Activities/Outcomes

1 . Read Greame Street and Fairlawn Street .

2. In small groups or as a class talk about what it would have been like to live in Fairlawn Street, establishing an understanding of the term 'community'. Use some of the images to show examples of life in Moss Side at that time. What facilities were there in this part of Moss Side?  Was it a good place for people to live?  Was it the sort of place that encouraged people to be neighbourly? What will people miss if they have had to move away from this community?  What might people not miss?

3. Read Hopton Court.

4. Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of high rise blocks of flats.

5. Imagine that all the buildings in an area near the school are going to be demolished and you have been asked by the local community to help design what will go there instead.  You decide that a Community Centre would be a good idea, as it will provide facilities that the local people want and need.

Working in groups draw up plans for a Community Centre, and prepare a presentation that explains your plans.  Make your presentations to the rest of the class and vote on the best one.

OR

6. Imagine that Manchester City Council have decided that they are going to pull down the local Community Centre and replace it with a Superstore. The Community Centre is currently used as a church on Sundays, by the Nursery on weekday mornings, as a Youth Club on Friday and Saturday nights, as a Luncheon Club for old people on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes, for Bingo on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Badminton on Thursday evenings.  There is to be a Public Meeting to discuss the matter.  Arrange the class into small groups.  Give each group a role card.  They prepare their arguments for or against the demolition of the Community Centre and then the Public Meeting is held.  One person will have to Chair the meeting.