Crumpsall residents urged ‘Make Your Mark In The Park’

Hundreds of Crumpsall residents will be invited to make their mark on Sunday 16 September by signing a new community pledge.

Signatories to the Crumpsall Agreement will each promise to do their bit to respect each other and help their neighbourhood go from strength to strength. The City Council and other partner organisations will also spell out their commitments.

Example actions for individuals range from pledging to park considerately, to recycle as much as possible, to keep pets under control and to watch over neighbours' properties when they are not around to deter would-be thieves.

Examples for the City Council include acting quickly to stop anti-social behaviour and taking legal action against perpertators where necessary, taking enforcement against those who blight the environment and offering advice and support to improve housing.

The launch of the agreement, one of the first of its kind in Manchester, is the centrepiece of a day of an entertainment-packed afternoon at Crumpsall Park from 12 noon to 4pm entitled Make Your Mark in Crumpsall Park.

City Council leader Sir Richard Leese will officially launch the agreement at 12.30pm in a welcome speech. Copies will be available to sign from 12 noon onwards.

The agreement outlines a common set of values which residents, the City Council and its partners can commit to in order to contribute towards looking after and improving the area. It is based on consultation with local residents about their key priorities for making the area an even better place to live.

A locally-driven steering group made up of residents' group representatives and other key figures such as City Council leader Sir Richard Leese, and Station Commander Jon Crawley of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will ensure the actions set out in the agreement are implemented.

Sir Richard said: "Crumpsall is a place with a strong community spirit. We are encouraging both individuals and organisations to show their pride in the area by signing this agreement. Together we can make it an even better place."

Keith Thurogood, chairman of Parkhill Residents Assocation, said: "Residents believe this agreement will be a postive step forward for the area. Once it has bedded in and awareness has been raised I'm sure it will benefit the community."

But while the agreement has a serious purpose, there is plenty of fun to be had on the day. Entertainment includes performances from Crumpsall Concert Band and a circus skills workshop with experts Circustry. Chainsaw sculptor Tim Burgess will be in action creating a new artwork for the park and a Blue Badge guided tour of Crumpsall will pinpoint the area's historical highlights.

There will also be face painting, and the winners of a children's competition to produce a poem about Crumpsall will be announced.

Copies of the Crumpsall Agreement Pack will be available at the launch event. Anyone who is unable to attend this event and would like one can call Private Sector Housing on 6557800.

The Crumpsall Agreement is one of seven pilot Mancunian Agreements, agreements at a neighbourhood level which set out how people can play their part to make their area a better place. Each pilot has public services and local people working together in a new way to tackle issues in the area. The pilots are built around real actions.

Media contact

Roger Williams, Tel: 0161 234 3275